The Boeing Company

Martin Hanna Guirguis

Raul Tomuta

Angelica Davancens

Richard Philip Topf

Jake Boyce Weinmann

John Walter Pringle, Iv

Don David Trend

Frederick B Frontiera

John Joseph Brown

Martin Edward Lozano

Chris J Erickson

John W Pringle-Iv

Thomas C Hanson

Steven E Drenth

Cesar Mireles

Steve Esparza

John W Pringle

Ilya Sedler

Cris Howard Garcia

Ted Khong

John W Pringle Iv

John Josef Brown

Fred Frontiera

Thomas Carsten Hanson

John W Iv Pringle

Frederick Brian Frontiera

A method and apparatus for cleaning surfaces of an object. A platform may be moved along a path relative to the object using a robotic device. A liquid may be applied onto the plurality of surfaces of the object using an applicator associated with the platform. The liquid may be worked into the plurality of surfaces using a plurality of cleaning elements associated with the platform to dislodge undesired material from the plurality of surfaces. A plurality of flexible members may be moved along the plurality of surfaces to dry the plurality of surfaces and remove the undesired material from the plurality of surfaces. An airflow may be generated that moves the undesired material into a vacuum duct in a vacuum system.

End effector for cleaning objects having multiple surfaces

A method of depositing an extrudable substance comprises, with a cartridge positioned inside a sleeve between an inner tubular sleeve wall and an outer tubular sleeve wall, circumscribing the inner tubular sleeve wall, and also positioned between a twist-lock pressure cap, hermetically coupled with the cartridge, and a valve, communicatively coupled with the cartridge, linearly moving an annular plunger, received between an inner tubular cartridge wall and an outer tubular cartridge wall, circumscribing the inner tubular cartridge wall, toward the valve along a first axis to urge the extrudable substance from the cartridge, through the valve, and out of a nozzle that is communicatively coupled with the valve. The method also comprises controlling flow of the extrudable substance from the valve to the nozzle.

Methods for depositing an extrudable substance onto a surface

A method of dispensing a brushable substance onto a surface comprises (1) with a cartridge positioned inside a sleeve between an inner tubular sleeve wall and an outer tubular sleeve wall, circumscribing the inner tubular sleeve wall, and also positioned between a twist-lock pressure cap, hermetically coupled with the cartridge, and a valve, communicatively coupled with the cartridge, linearly moving an annular plunger, received between an inner tubular cartridge wall and an outer tubular cartridge wall, circumscribing the inner tubular cartridge wall, toward the valve along a first axis to urge the brushable substance from the cartridge, through the valve, and to a brush that is communicatively coupled to the valve; and (2) controlling flow of the brushable substance from the valve to the brush.

Methods for dispensing a brushable substance onto a surface

A brush () for delivering a glutinous substance () to a workpiece () from an end-effector () is disclosed. The brush () comprises a body (), having a rotational axis () and comprising a first channel () that comprises an inlet () and a first outlet (). The inlet () is coaxial with the rotational axis () and the first outlet () is offset from the rotational axis (). The brush () also comprises tufts (), extending from the body () and each comprising at least one bristle () and a tip (). The brush () further comprises a first tube (), communicatively coupled with the first outlet () of the first channel () of the body ().

Brushes for delivering glutinous substance to workpiece from end-effector and methods for using the same

A method of manipulating a brush relative to a brush-arm assembly of an end-effector comprises locating a carriage in one of a first position or a second position relative to a stationary component. The method also comprises, with the carriage in one of the first position or the second position, different from the first position, relative to the stationary component, locating the brush-arm assembly of the end-effector with respect to the stationary component so that the brush-arm assembly is in contact with the stationary component. The method further comprises moving the carriage in a second direction toward the stationary component, from the first position to a third position, to load the brush onto the brush-arm assembly, or moving the carriage in a first direction away from the stationary component from the second position to the first position to unload the brush from the brush-arm assembly.

Methods for loading and unloading brushes to and from end-effector

A method of delivering a glutinous substance from a cartridge to an applicator comprises receiving the cartridge inside a sleeve through an inlet of the sleeve when a pressure cap, coupled to the sleeve proximate the inlet, is in an open position. The method additionally comprises moving the pressure cap into a closed position to sealingly couple the pressure cap with a trailing end of the cartridge. The method also comprises selectively causing an automated coupler to automatically sealingly couple the applicator with a leading end of the cartridge when the cartridge is inside the sleeve and the pressure cap is in the closed position. The method further comprises applying pressure to the glutinous substance in the cartridge through a first pressure input of the pressure cap to urge the glutinous substance from the cartridge into the applicator.

methods for applying glutinous substances

A method of delivering a glutinous substance to a workpiece from an end-effector comprises using the end-effector to position an applicator relative to the workpiece. The method also comprises urging the glutinous substance from the end-effector through a first channel of a body of the applicator from an inlet of the first channel toward an outlet of the first channel. The method additionally comprises selectively operating an actuator of the applicator to regulate a rate, at which the glutinous substance flows through the first channel of the body of the applicator, responsive to, at least in part, output received from a sensor of the applicator.

Methods for delivering glutinous substance to workpiece from end-effector

A method and apparatus for applying a sealant to a structure. The method comprises scanning a surface of the structure with a vision system to form scanned data. The method further determines a sealant application path for the structure using the scanned data. The method also controls movement of an application tip along the sealant application path using a controller.

Sealant application tip

Provided are methods and systems for applying materials at interface areas formed by fasteners and parts. Specifically, a material is delivered to an interface area such that at least a portion of a fastener remains free from this material. The interface area may be sealed such that the material is contained within that area. As such, a controlled amount of the material is dispensed in a precise location. An applicator used for this process may include a housing and inner guide slidably disposed within this housing. The material may be delivered through an annular flow channel between the housing and inner guide. The inner guide may be sealed against and, in some embodiments, centered with respect to the fastener. The housing may be sealed with respect to the part and, in some embodiments, may be rotated with respect to the part to redistribute the material at the interface area.

Methods for applying materials to interface areas and applicator comprising a surface interface guide forming a continuous ring-shaped flow channel

A method of delivering a glutinous substance from a cartridge to an applicator is disclosed. The method comprises receiving the cartridge inside a sleeve through an inlet of the sleeve while a pressure cap is in an open position. The method also comprises moving the pressure cap into a closed position to sealingly couple the pressure cap with a trailing end of the cartridge and to sealingly couple the applicator with a leading end of the cartridge. The method further comprises applying pressure to the glutinous substance in the cartridge through the pressure input of the pressure cap to urge the glutinous substance from the cartridge into the applicator. Additionally, the method comprises moving the pressure cap into the open position to provide sufficient clearance sufficient for removal of the cartridge from the sleeve through the inlet of the sleeve.

Methods for applying glutinous substances

An apparatus for dispensing a brushable substance comprises a bracket and a sleeve, comprising an inner tubular sleeve wall and an outer tubular sleeve wall. The sleeve is coupled to the bracket and is rotatable relative to the bracket. The apparatus also comprises a cartridge, comprising an inner tubular cartridge wall and an outer tubular cartridge wall. The apparatus additionally comprises a valve, configured to be communicatively coupled with the cartridge, a brush-arm assembly, coupled to the sleeve a linear actuator to control flow of the brushable substance from the valve, an annular plunger, positioned between the inner tubular cartridge wall and the outer tubular cartridge wall, and a twist-lock pressure cap, configured to be hermetically coupled with the cartridge. The cartridge is configured to be positioned between the inner tubular sleeve wall and the outer tubular sleeve wall and between the twist-lock pressure cap and the valve.

Apparatuses for dispensing a brushable substance onto a surface

An apparatus for depositing an extrudable substance comprises a bracket and a sleeve, comprising an inner tubular sleeve wall and an outer tubular sleeve wall. The sleeve is coupled to the bracket and is rotatable relative to the bracket. The apparatus also comprises a cartridge, comprising an inner tubular cartridge wall and an outer tubular cartridge wall, wherein the cartridge is configured to be positioned between the inner tubular sleeve wall and the outer tubular sleeve wall. The apparatus additionally comprises a valve, configured to be communicatively coupled with the cartridge, a nozzle, configured to be communicatively coupled with the valve, a linear actuator to control flow of the extrudable substance from the valve to the nozzle, an annular plunger, positioned between the inner tubular cartridge wall and the outer tubular cartridge wall, and a twist-lock pressure cap, configured to be hermetically coupled with the cartridge.

Apparatuses for depositing an extrudable substance onto a surface

A method of delivering a glutinous substance from a cartridge to a brush comprises receiving the cartridge inside a sleeve through an inlet of the sleeve while a pressure cap, located proximate the inlet of the sleeve, is in an open position. The method also comprises moving the pressure cap, located proximate the inlet of the sleeve, into a closed position to sealingly couple the pressure cap with a trailing end of the cartridge and to sealingly couple a valve with a leading end of the cartridge. The method further comprises applying pressure to the glutinous substance in the cartridge through a pressure input of the pressure cap to urge the glutinous substance from the cartridge to the valve. The method additionally comprises rotating the brush and opening the valve to enable the glutinous substance to flow from the valve to the brush at least when the brush is rotating.

Methods of applying glutinous substances

A sealing system for applying resin to a cut edge of a composite structure, the cut edge having exposed carbon fibers. The system includes: a tool that comprises a nozzle and a resin source; a controller configured to control: a movement of the tool, and flow of resin from the resin source to the nozzle; and an application tip connected to the nozzle of the tool and configured to apply the resin to the cut edge of the composite structure. The application tip may have an exterior surface with a circular cross section and an indentation for a first length along a longitudinal axis of the application tip and a first end and a second end configured such that a resin flows from the first end to the second end.

Growing community of inventors

Huntington Beach, CA, United States of America

Martin Hanna Guirguis