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US 2014/0234011 A1Published application
Fluid Application Device
AssigneeThe Boeing Company
InventorsRaul Tomuta, Angelica Davancens, Richard Philip Topf, Branko Sarh
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
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.
Claims39
An apparatus comprising:
- a platform;
- a fluid source associated with the platform and configured to dispense a fluid;
- an extension member associated with the platform and configured to extend from the platform;
- and
- an applicator associated with the extension member and configured to receive the fluid dispensed by the fluid source in which the applicator is configured for use in applying the fluid onto a surface.
2 more elements
An end effector comprising:
- an extension member;
- a platform associated with the extension member;
- a cartridge associated with the platform and configured to dispense a sealant;
- an applicator associated with the extension member such that a selected distance is maintained between the applicator and the cartridge in which the applicator is configured to receive the sealant dispensed by the cartridge and in which the applicator is configured for use in applying the sealant onto a surface;
- and
- an attachment unit configured to attach the end effector to a robotic operator in which the robotic operator is configured to move at least one of the platform and the extension member to position the applicator over the surface.
3 more elements
A fluid application device comprising:
- a platform;
- a cartridge associated with the platform and configured to dispense a sealant;
- an extension member associated with the platform and configured to extend from the platform;
- a brush associated with the extension member and configured to receive the sealant dispensed by the cartridge in which the brush is configured for use in applying the sealant onto a surface;
- a fluid control system configured to control at least one of an amount of the sealant and a rate of the sealant dispensed to the brush in which the fluid control system comprises at least one of a hose, a valve system, and a nozzle;
- an applicator movement system configured to move the brush in which the applicator movement system comprises at least one of:
- a first movement system configured to rotate the brush about a brush axis through the brush independently of the extension member in which the first movement system comprises at least one of a number of motors, a number of shafts, a number of belt systems, and a number of gears;
- and
- a second movement system configured to rotate the extension member about an axis through the extension member in which rotation of the extension member causes rotation of the brush about the axis and in which the second movement system comprises at least one of a number of motors, a number of shafts, a number of belt systems, and a number of gears;
- an applicator coupling unit configured to couple the brush to the extension member;
- and
- an attachment unit configured for association with the platform and configured for use in attaching the fluid application device to a robotic arm as an end effector.
9 more elements
A method for applying a viscous fluid onto a surface, the method comprising:
- positioning an applicator associated with an extension member over the surface using a robotic operator in which the extension member is configured to maintain a selected distance between the applicator and a fluid source for the viscous fluid;
- dispensing the viscous fluid from the fluid source to the applicator;
- and
- applying the viscous fluid onto the surface using the applicator.
1 more element
A method for applying a sealant onto a surface, the method comprising:
- positioning a platform using a robotic arm to position an extension member associated with the platform over the surface in which the platform is attached to the robotic arm by an attachment unit;
- dispensing the sealant from a cartridge associated with the platform to an applicator associated with the extension member;
- controlling at least one of an amount of the sealant and a rate of the sealant dispensed from the cartridge to the applicator using a fluid control system;
- rotating the applicator about an applicator axis through the applicator independently of the extension member using an applicator movement system;
- rotating the extension member about an axis through the extension member using the applicator movement system, in which rotation of the extension member causes rotation of the applicator about the axis;
- and
- applying the sealant onto the surface using the applicator to seal a number of interfaces on the surface.
4 more elements
A method for applying a sealant onto a plurality of fasteners installed in a structure, the method comprising:
- moving an applicator associated with an extension member in a fluid application device to an initial position over a fastener in the plurality of fasteners using a robotic arm;
- rotating the applicator using an applicator movement system;
- dispensing a controlled amount of the sealant from a cartridge held by a platform associated with the extension member to the applicator at a controlled rate while the applicator is rotating;
- and
- applying the sealant onto the fastener using the applicator according to a predefined application routine.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.