Bae Systems, Inc.

British Aerospace Public Limited Company

Paul Edward Jarvis

Kevin William Beggs

Anthony J Douglas

Carl J Abbott

A spray coating apparatus comprises a spray gun () operable to deposit a sprayed coating via a spray nozzle () onto a surface, a mapping means () associated with the spray gun () operable to ascertain and store topographical characteristics of the surface, a position sensor () operable to ascertain the position of the spray gun () relative to the surface, a coating thickness monitor () operable to ascertain the thickness of a coating applied to the surface, and a nozzle control means () operable to control the deposition of the sprayed coating, wherein the nozzle control means (), in use, control the deposition of the sprayed coating in response to information provided by the position sensor (), the coating thickness monitor () and the mapping means ().

Spray coating

Apparatus for positioning and holding a tool () relative to a workpiece () comprising a carriage () for conveying the tool over the surface of the workpiece () and means () for holding the carriage () onto the surface of the workpiece (), the holding means being selectively switchable between a low grip state in which the carriage () is held against the workpiece surface whilst remaining capable of movement relative thereto and a high grip state in which the carriage () is held substantially fixedly to the workpiece surface for the tool () in use to operate thereon. Such an arrangement provides a robot capable of 'crawling' over a workpiece () and carrying out precise manufacturing operations thereon.

Tool positioning system

A tool ( ) secures and releases a fastening arrangement which includes a first component ( ) and a second component ( ) which may be releasably fastened together. Fastening is by means of a retention element ( ) of shape memory material associated with the second component ( ) which is reconfigurable between an open position (first and second components separated) and a closed position (first and second components fastened together). During fastening a closure element ( ) urges the retention element ( ) from its open position to its closed position. The tool includes a magnetic coil ( ) energizable to urge the closure element ( ) in a direction to cause the retention element ( ) to move from its open to its closed state. The magnetic coil ( ), or an additional coil, is also energizable to draw the closure element ( ) away from engagement with the retention element ( ). A heating coil ( ) is provided for heating the retention element ( ).

Fastening arrangements

Micropositioning system

A fastening arrangement ( ) comprises a shank ( ) with a head ( ) retained in a first component ( ). The other end ( ) of the shank is tapered or of other non-constant cross section and terminates in a domed portion ( ). A second part of the fastening arrangement includes a collar ( ) of shape memory metal material, which may be swaged to engage and retain the domed portion ( ) by a magnetized pressure ring ( ), which is applied by applying a strong magnetic field. To release the fastening, the pressure ring is released by the application of a magnetic field and the collar ( ) is then heated so that it reverts to an open position.

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Preston, United Kingdom

Paul Edward Jarvis