The Boeing Company

Kevin Michael Bell

Raymond N Henderson

Daniel Thomas Long

Jeffery P Swanberg

John Richard Porter

Mark Frederick Gabriel

Raymond C Eng

Adam M Clark

Bruce J Hanninen

Brian Joseph Wimer

Colton Massey Smoot

Joshua Andrew Babst

John D Ferguson

Teresa Monique Ogletree

Zachary Andrew Schwindt

Jose Gregorio Martinez

Duronte Carter

Christopher R Carter

Soren Mortvedt

Candace Propp

Michael A Glidden

Zachary J Stephenson

David O Wagner

Matthew S Carlin

Daniel J Wells

Davin Phillips

Theodore W Pitt

A belt sander includes a frame, a drive roller, an idler roller rotatably attached to a pivot arm, a first linear actuator configured for pivoting the pivot arm, a nose roller and a continuous abrasive belt wrapped around the drive roller, the idler roller and the nose roller. A drive motor rotates the drive roller, and an air cylinder attached to the frame and a nose roller spindle exerts a first force against the frame and a second force equal to and opposite the first force against the nose roller spindle. A first sensor senses a position of a belt edge, and a first controller receives a belt edge position signal from the first sensor and sends a command signal responsive to the position signal to the first linear actuator for expanding or contracting so as to pivot the pivot arm about a pivot point.

Belt sander

Liquid applicators and methods. The liquid applicators include a frame and an applicator head operably coupled to the frame and configured to support a section of an applicator fabric for operable application of a liquid to a substrate. The liquid applicators further include a fabric conveyance system that is operably coupled to the frame and includes a fabric pay-out assembly configured to supply the applicator fabric to the applicator head and a fabric take-up assembly configured to receive the applicator fabric from the applicator head. The liquid applicators further include a liquid delivery system configured to deliver the liquid to the section of the applicator fabric. The methods include delivering the liquid to the section of applicator fabric, engaging the section of applicator fabric with the substrate, and moving the section of the applicator fabric across the substrate to apply the liquid thereto.

Liquid applicators and methods of applying liquid to a substrate using the same

Methods of cleaning a surface with an assembly comprise (i) delivering cleaning fluid to a first portion of a cleaning fabric and/or a first region of the surface; (ii) engaging the first region with the first portion and moving the first portion in a predefined motion; (iii) disengaging the first portion from the first region; (iv) replacing the first portion with a second portion of the cleaning fabric; (v) engaging the first region with the second portion and moving the second portion in a predefined motion; (vi) disengaging the second portion from the first region; (vii) replacing the second portion with a third portion of the cleaning fabric; (viii) moving the assembly relative to the surface and/or moving the surface relative to the assembly; and (ix) repeating steps (i)-(viii) with respect to a second region of the surface and with the third portion and a fourth portion of the cleaning fabric.

Robotic surface-cleaning assemblies and methods

Rotating applicators are disclosed. A disclosed example apparatus includes an inlet to receive a surface coating to be applied to a surface of a workpiece, a shaft having a fluid channel extending therethrough, where the fluid channel is in fluid communication with the inlet, and an applicator coupled to an end of the shaft, where the applicator has an opening in fluid communication with the fluid channel. The apparatus also includes a pump to cause the surface coating to flow from the inlet to the opening, and a motor to rotate the shaft while the applicator dispenses the surface coating from the opening.

Rotating applicators having fluid dispensers

In one aspect, a vacuum alignment tool for holding and aligning a first fastener with a second fastener is provided. The vacuum alignment tool includes a main body including an end wall having an aperture disposed therein configured to receive at least a portion of the first fastener. The vacuum alignment tool also includes a vacuum receiving portion coupled to the main body. The vacuum receiving portion including a vacuum bore disposed therein, wherein a vacuum channel extends within the main body and within the vacuum receiving portion between the aperture and the vacuum bore.

Fastening system with vacuum alignment tool and methods of operating same

Robotic surface-cleaning assemblies include a base configured to be operatively coupled to a robotic arm; a supply of cleaning fabric supported relative to the base; an applicator supported relative to the base, wherein the applicator is configured to support a portion of cleaning fabric from the supply of cleaning fabric and operatively and selectively position the portion into engagement with a surface to be cleaned; and a source of cleaning fluid supported relative to the base, wherein the source of cleaning fluid is configured to operatively and selectively (i) deliver cleaning fluid directly to the portion of cleaning fabric supported by the applicator and/or (ii) deliver cleaning fluid directly to the surface to be cleaned. Methods of cleaning a surface with a robotic surface-cleaning assembly also are disclosed.

One example of the present disclosure relates to an apparatus for manipulating a fastener. The apparatus comprises a chamber that includes a first location and a second location. A first actuator is movable between a first position, contiguous with the first location, and a second position, contiguous with the second location. A second actuator is movable between a third position, contiguous with the second location, and a fourth position, contiguous with a third location. A third actuator is movable between a fifth position, contiguous with the third location, and a sixth position, contiguous with the fourth location. The third location is at least partially outside the chamber, and the fourth location is entirely outside the chamber.

Apparatus and methods for manipulating a fastener

The present application is directed to a spray booth comprising a first enclosure for applying spray material and a second enclosure for drying spray material. An exhaust system is in fluid connection with the first and second enclosures. A fire suppression system is in fluid connection with at least one component chosen from the first enclosure, the second enclosure and the exhaust system. A processor is in data communication with at least one component chosen from the spray enclosure, the drying enclosure, the exhaust system and the fire suppression system.

Spray booth

Growing community of inventors

Maple Valley, WA, United States of America

Kevin Michael Bell