Abstract:
A method of removing a glutinous substance from an applicator comprises removing a plunger before the glutinous substance has solidified; allowing the glutinous substance to solidify inside the applicator; detaching a side cover from a base portion of a first body portion to expose a first sealant plug; severing the first sealant plug from a second sealant plug; severing the first sealant plug from a third sealant plug; detaching a tip portion of the applicator from a second body portion to expose a portion of the second sealant plug; extracting the second sealant plug from the second body portion by pulling the portion of the second sealant plug in a direction along the second body portion; separating the first sealant plug from the base portion of the first body portion; and extracting the third sealant plug from an end-effector interface of the first body portion.
Abstract:
A method (500) for removing glutinous substance (298) from applicator (100) comprises removing plunger (342) from applicator (100) before glutinous substance (298) has solidified; allowing glutinous substance (298) to solidify inside applicator (100); detaching side cover (110) from base portion (111) of first body portion (102) to expose first sealant plug (302); severing first sealant plug (302) from second sealant plug (304); severing first sealant plug (302) from third sealant plug (300); detaching tip portion (106) of applicator (100) from second body portion (104) to expose a portion of second sealant plug (304); extracting second sealant plug (304) from second body portion (104) by pulling portion of second sealant plug (304) in direction (320) along second body portion (104); separating first sealant plug (302) from base portion (111) of first body portion (102); and extracting third sealant plug (300) from end-effector interface (112) of first body portion (102).
Abstract:
A method and apparatus for applying a fluid onto a number of surfaces. In one illustrative example, an apparatus may comprises a base having a number of channels, a number of flexible members extending from the base, and an applicator extending from the base on a same side as the number of flexible members. A flexible member in the number of flexible members may have a fluid channel connected to at least one of the number of channels in the base to allow a fluid flowing through the number of channels to flow out of the fluid channel. The applicator may be configured to apply the fluid flowing out of the number of flexible members onto a number of surfaces.
Abstract:
An apparatus (102) for delivering a glutinous substance (168) from a cartridge (166) to an applicator (154) is disclosed. The apparatus (102) comprises a sleeve (106) and a pressure-cap assembly (104) coupled to the sleeve (106). The pressure-cap assembly (104) comprises a pressure cap (110) proximate an inlet (124) of the sleeve (106). The pressure cap (110) is movable between, inclusively, a closed position, in which the pressure cap (110) is in sealed engagement with a trailing end (169) of the cartridge (166), and an open position, in which the pressure cap (110) provides clearance sufficient for insertion of the cartridge (166) inside the sleeve (106) through the inlet (124) of the sleeve (106). The pressure cap (110) comprises a pressure input (118), through which pressure is selectively applied to the glutinous substance (168) in the cartridge (166). The apparatus (102) also comprises an applicator interface (108) proximate the outlet (128) of the sleeve (106).
Abstract:
An apparatus (102) for delivering a glutinous substance (168) from a cartridge (166) to an applicator (154) is disclosed. The apparatus (102) comprises a sleeve (106) and a pressure-cap assembly (104) coupled to the sleeve (106). The pressure-cap assembly (104) comprises a pressure cap (110) proximate an inlet (124) of the sleeve (106). The pressure cap (110) is movable between, inclusively, a closed position, in which the pressure cap (110) is in sealed engagement with a trailing end (169) of the cartridge (166), and an open position, in which the pressure cap (110) provides clearance sufficient for insertion of the cartridge (166) inside the sleeve (106) through the inlet (124) of the sleeve (106). The pressure cap (110) comprises a pressure input (118), through which pressure is selectively applied to the glutinous substance (168) in the cartridge (166). The apparatus (102) also comprises an applicator interface (108) proximate the outlet (128) of the sleeve (106).
Abstract:
Provided are methods and systems for applying materials at interface areas formed by fasteners and parts. Specifically, a material is delivered to an interface area such that at least a portion of a fastener remains free from this material. The interface area may be sealed such that the material is contained within that area. As such, a controlled amount of the material is dispensed in a precise location. An applicator used for this process may include a housing and inner guide slidably disposed within this housing. The material may be delivered through an annular flow channel between the housing and inner guide. The inner guide may be sealed against and, in some embodiments, centered with respect to the fastener. The housing may be sealed with respect to the part and, in some embodiments, may be rotated with respect to the part to redistribute the material at the interface area.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus for applying a fluid onto a number of surfaces. In one illustrative example, an apparatus may comprises a base having a number of channels, a number of flexible members extending from the base, and an applicator extending from the base on a same side as the number of flexible members. A flexible member in the number of flexible members may have a fluid channel connected to at least one of the number of channels in the base to allow a fluid flowing through the number of channels to flow out of the fluid channel. The applicator may be configured to apply the fluid flowing out of the number of flexible members onto a number of surfaces.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus for cleaning surfaces of an object. A platform may be moved along a path relative to the object using a robotic device. A liquid may be applied onto the plurality of surfaces of the object using an applicator associated with the platform. The liquid may be worked into the plurality of surfaces using a plurality of cleaning elements associated with the platform to dislodge undesired material from the plurality of surfaces. A plurality of flexible members may be moved along the plurality of surfaces to dry the plurality of surfaces and remove the undesired material from the plurality of surfaces. An airflow may be generated that moves the undesired material into a vacuum duct in a vacuum system.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus for applying a viscous fluid onto a surface. An applicator associated with an extension member may be positioned over the surface using a robotic operator. The extension member may be configured to maintain a selected distance between the applicator and a fluid source for the viscous fluid. The viscous fluid may be dispensed from the fluid source to the applicator. The viscous fluid may be applied onto the surface using the applicator.
Abstract:
A robot end effector (100) for dispensing an extrudable substance (102) comprises a chassis (110), a static mixer (101), and cartridge bays (122), extending from the chassis (110). Each of the cartridge bays (122) is shaped to receive a corresponding one of the two-part cartridges (104). Fluidic communication between the selected one of the two-part cartridges (104) and the static mixer (101) is established when the cartridge bays (122) are rotated about an axis (190) to a predetermined orientation with respect to the chassis (110). The robot end effector (100) also comprises a dispensing valve (130), attached to the chassis (110), and a head assembly (150), comprising an inlet manifold (152). The inlet manifold (152) is configured to selectively supply compressed air from a pressure source (199) to contents of a corresponding one of the two-part cartridges (104).