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US 10,875,134 B2Granted
Washer dispensing systems and methods
AssigneeThe Boeing Company
InventorsPhillip A. Billiard, Bercely Hurtado Otalora
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A washer dispensing system includes a retaining bin that is configured to receive washers within a washer-retaining chamber. The retaining bin includes a bin outlet connected to the washer-retaining chamber. A vibration motor is coupled to the retaining bin. The vibration motor is configured to vibrate at least a portion of the retaining bin to move the washers towards the bin outlet. A discharge chute is coupled to the retaining bin. The discharge chute includes a washer delivery channel connected to the bin outlet.
Claims24
A washer dispensing system, comprising:
- a retaining bin that is configured to receive washers within a washer-retaining chamber, the retaining bin comprising a bin outlet connected to the washer-retaining chamber;
- a vibration motor coupled to the retaining bin, the vibration motor being configured to vibrate at least a portion of the retaining bin to move the washers towards the bin outlet;
- and
- a discharge chute coupled to the retaining bin, the discharge chute comprising:
- a washer delivery channel connected to the bin outlet;
- and
- a recessed opening proximate to a delivery end, wherein the discharge chute is configured to stop at least one of the washers at the delivery end over the recessed opening such that a central hole of the at least one washer is positioned over the recessed opening.
4 more elements
A washer dispensing method, comprising:
- coupling a vibration motor to a retaining bin including a washer-retaining chamber connected to a bin outlet;
- coupling the retaining bin to a discharge chute including a washer delivery channel connected to the bin outlet;
- receiving washers within the washer-retaining chamber of the retaining bin;
- operating the vibration motor to vibrate at least a portion of the retaining bin to move at least one of the washers towards and into the bin outlet;
- moving the at least one of the washers into the washer delivery channel from the bin outlet;
- and
- stopping at least one of the washers over a recessed opening proximate to a delivery end of the discharge chute.
4 more elements
A washer dispensing system, comprising:
- a retaining bin that is configured to receive washers within a washer-retaining chamber, the retaining bin comprising a bin outlet connected to the washer-retaining chamber, and lead-in walls that inwardly angle towards the bin outlet, wherein the bin outlet is sized and shaped to receive only one of the washers at one time, wherein the lead-in walls are configured to direct the washers towards the bin outlet, wherein a base of the retaining bin is downwardly angled towards the bin outlet to allow gravity to draw the washers towards the bin outlet;
- a vibration motor coupled to the retaining bin, the vibration motor being configured to vibrate at least a portion of the retaining bin to move the washers towards the bin outlet;
- a discharge chute coupled to the retaining bin, the discharge chute including a bed and opposed side rails that define a washer delivery channel that is connected to the bin outlet, and a recessed opening proximate to a delivery end, wherein the discharge chute is configured to stop at least one of the washers at the delivery end over the recessed opening;
- and
- one or more resilient stops that extend into the washer delivery channel proximate to the recessed opening, wherein the one or more resilient stop are configured to stop one or more of the washers.
2 more elements
A washer dispensing system, comprising:
- a retaining bin that is configured to receive washers within a washer-retaining chamber, the retaining bin comprising a bin outlet connected to the washer-retaining chamber;
- a mounting flange that downwardly angles a base of the retaining bin towards the bin outlet to allow gravity to draw the washer towards the bin outlet;
- a vibration motor coupled to the retaining bin, the vibration motor being configured to vibrate at least a portion of the retaining bin to move the washers towards the bin outlet;
- and
- a discharge chute coupled to the retaining bin, the discharge chute including a washer delivery channel connected to the bin outlet.
2 more elements
A washer dispensing system, comprising:
- a retaining bin that is configured to receive washers within a washer-retaining chamber, the retaining bin comprising a bin outlet connected to the washer-retaining chamber;
- a vibration motor coupled to the retaining bin, the vibration motor being configured to vibrate at least a portion of the retaining bin to move the washers towards the bin outlet;
- a discharge chute coupled to the retaining bin, the discharge chute including a washer delivery channel connected to the bin outlet;
- and
- one or more resilient stops proximate to a delivery end of the discharge chute.
2 more elements
A washer dispensing method, comprising:
- coupling a vibration motor to a retaining bin including a washer-retaining chamber connected to a bin outlet;
- coupling the retaining bin to a discharge chute including a washer delivery channel connected to the bin outlet;
- securing one or more resilient stops proximate to a delivery end of the discharge chute;
- receiving washers within the washer-retaining chamber of the retaining bin;
- operating the vibration motor to vibrate at least a portion of the retaining bin to move at least one of the washers towards and into the bin outlet;
- and
- moving the at least one of the washers into the washer delivery channel from the bin outlet.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.