The Boeing Company

Haden Schweitzer Corporation

Haden, Inc.

Jeffrey R Joyce

Fei Cai

Jeffrey C Johnson

John DeForest

Cameron J Moore

An apparatus for removing a residue of a substance, extrudable through a nozzle of an automated end-effector, from an exterior of the nozzle is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a dispenser. The dispenser comprises a platform to support at least one cleaning pad. The dispenser further comprises a cage to maintain at least the one cleaning pad on the platform. The platform is movable relative to the cage. The apparatus also comprises a constricting device to circumferentially squeeze one of at least the one cleaning pad, adhesively picked up from the platform by the nozzle, around the nozzle once the nozzle is inserted into the constricting device. The apparatus additionally comprises a disposal receptacle to collect the one of at least the one cleaning pad, released from the constricting device.

Apparatuses for removing residue from a nozzle

A method for removing a residue of a substance, extrudable through a nozzle of an automated end-effector, from an exterior of the nozzle, the method including steps of () establishing contact between the nozzle and a cleaning pad; () adhering the cleaning pad to the nozzle; () inserting the nozzle, with the cleaning pad adhered thereto, into a constricting device; () circumferentially squeezing the cleaning pad around the nozzle with the constricting device; () withdrawing the nozzle from the constricting device to separate the cleaning pad from the nozzle and remove the residue of the substance from the exterior of the nozzle; and () transferring the cleaning pad from the constricting device to a disposal receptacle.

Methods for removing residue from a nozzle

The present invention is directed to a powder paint delivery method and apparatus employing a pressurized reservoir pump that supplies a controlled stream of densely fluidized or dense phase powder paint to the applicator though a powder delivery conduit. The powder flow rate is a function of the pressure in the reservoir and the flow resistance from the reservoir to the applicator, and is therefore very stable over time, and simple to control. The powder flow can be controlled by holding the resistance of the powder flow path constant and varying the pressure in the reservoir, or by holding the reservoir pressure constant and varying the resistance of the powder flow path.

Powder transport method and apparatus

An apparatus and process for allowing a powder paint system to utilize reclaimed oversprayed powder paint of various colors by collecting it in a common reclaim collector system. The reclaimed powder paint is then applied to a work piece as a base coat to attain a portion of the total film build required. The remainder of the film thickness is then applied in subsequent application of virgin powder paint.

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Livonia, MI, United States of America

Jeffrey R Joyce