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US 8,191,504 B2Granted
Coating apparatus and methods
AssigneeUnited Technologies Corporation
InventorDonn R. Blankenship
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A coating end effector may be carried by a robot. A plasma spray head is mounted by a joint to the end effector. A plurality of actuators couple the end effector and plasma spray head to provide articulation of the joint. The apparatus may be used to coat an airfoil cluster of a gas turbine engine. The coating may include passing the head between the airfoils.
Claims25
A coating apparatus comprising:
- a plasma spray head;
- an end effector;
- a multi-axis robot carrying the end effector;
- a joint mounting the plasma spray head to the end effector;
- and
- means for coupling the end effector and plasma spray head to provide multi-axis articulation of the joint, the means comprising:
- a plurality of push-pull actuators;
- and
- a plurality of guide tubes disposed on the end effector, each guide tube corresponding to one said actuator, wherein:
- each guide tube has a proximal end and distal end;
- and
- each actuator comprises a flexible member which passes through the corresponding guide tube from the proximal end to the distal end to be in connection with the spray head.
9 more elements
A coating apparatus comprising:
- a plasma spray head;
- an end effector;
- a multi-axis robot carrying the end effector;
- a joint mounting the plasma spray head to the end effector;
- and
- three push-pull actuators coupling the end effector and plasma spray head to provide multi-axis articulation of the joint;
- and
- a plurality of guide tubes disposed on the end effector, each guide tube corresponding to one said actuator, wherein:
- each guide tube has a proximal end and distal end;
- and
- each actuator comprises a flexible member which passes through the corresponding guide tube from the proximal end to the distal end to be in connection with the spray head.
8 more elements
A coating apparatus comprising:
- a robot;
- an end effector carried by the robot;
- a plasma spray head;
- a ball and socket joint mounting the plasma spray head to the end effector;
- a plurality of actuators disposed on the end effector and coupling the end effector and plasma spray head to provide multi-axis articulation of the joint;
- and
- a plurality of guide tubes disposed on the end effector, each guide tube corresponding to one said actuator, wherein:
- each guide tube has a proximal end and distal end;
- and
- each actuator comprises a flexible member which passes through the corresponding guide tube from the proximal end to the distal end to be in connection with the spray head.
7 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.