Methods and systems for marking an airframe skin
AssigneeThe Boeing Company
InventorsDaniel J. Wright, James C. Van Avery
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Method and system for marking a surface. A writing medium is positioned within a cavity defined in a body extending between a first end and a second end of a wand. The first end is coupleable to a robot. The second end is opposite the first end and has an opening defined therein in fluid communication with the cavity. The second end is positioned adjacent to the surface. A position of at least one of the writing medium and the second end is automatically maintained relative to the surface.
Claims16
A method for marking a surface, said method comprising:
- positioning a writing medium within a body extending between a first end and a second end of a wand, wherein the first end is coupleable to a robot, and the second end has an opening that is in fluid communication with a cavity;
- positioning the second end adjacent to the surface to be marked;
- and
- automatically maintaining a position of at least one of the writing medium and the second end relative to the surface, wherein automatically maintaining a position comprises:
- discharging air from the second end towards the surface to be marked to facilitate providing a cushion between the second end and the surface;
- and
- biasing the second end towards the surface to be marked.
A wand for use in marking a surface, said wand comprising:
- a first end;
- a second end opposite said first end and comprising an opening defined therein;
- a body extending between said first end and said second end, said body comprising a cavity defined therein sized to receive a writing medium therein, the cavity in fluid communication with the opening;
- and
- an adjusting mechanism configured to facilitate maintaining a position of at least one of the writing medium and said second end relative to the surface, said adjusting mechanism comprising:
- a discharging mechanism configured to discharge an airstream from said second end towards the surface;
- and
- a biasing mechanism configured to bias said second end towards the surface.
A system for use in marking a surface, said system comprising:
- a robot;
- a writing medium;
- a wand comprising a first end coupled to said robot, a second end opposite said first end and comprising an opening defined therein, and a body extending between said first end and said second end, said body comprising a cavity defined therein sized to receive said writing medium therein, the cavity in fluid communication with the opening;
- and
- an adjusting mechanism configured to facilitate maintaining a position of at least one of said writing medium and said second end relative to the surface, said adjusting mechanism comprising:
- a discharging mechanism configured to discharge an airstream from said second end towards the surface;
- and
- a first biasing mechanism configured to bias said second end towards the surface.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.