Apparatuses and systems for applying glutinous substances

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10099240-B2
Application number	US-201615009452-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jan 28, 2016
Priority date	Oct 15, 2015
Publication date	Oct 16, 2018
Grant date	Oct 16, 2018

Abstract

An apparatus for delivering a glutinous substance from a cartridge to a brush is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a sleeve and a pressure-cap assembly. The pressure-cap assembly comprises a pressure cap, proximate an inlet of the sleeve. The pressure cap comprises a pressure input, selectively operable to apply pressure to the glutinous substance in the cartridge when the cartridge is received within the sleeve, the pressure cap is in the closed position, and a leading end of the cartridge is in sealed engagement with a valve. The apparatus further comprises a brush-arm assembly, configured to retain the brush and capable of rotating the brush. The valve is selectively operable to enable the glutinous substance to flow from the cartridge to the brush.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An apparatus for delivering a glutinous substance from a cartridge to a brush, the apparatus comprising:
a sleeve, comprising a central axis, an inlet, and an outlet opposite the inlet, wherein the sleeve is configured to receive the cartridge through the inlet;
a pressure-cap assembly, coupled to the sleeve and comprising:
a pressure cap proximate the inlet of the sleeve, wherein:
with the cartridge received within the sleeve, the pressure cap is movable between, inclusively, a closed position, in which the pressure cap is in sealed engagement with a trailing end of the cartridge, and an open position, in which the pressure cap provides clearance sufficient for insertion of the cartridge inside the sleeve through the inlet, and
the pressure cap comprises a pressure input, selectively operable to apply pressure to the glutinous substance in the cartridge when the cartridge is received within the sleeve, the pressure cap is in the closed position, and a leading end of the cartridge is in sealed engagement with a valve; and

an actuator, coupled to the pressure cap and to the sleeve, wherein the actuator is selectively operable to move the pressure cap relative to the sleeve between, inclusively, the closed position and the open position; and

a valve interface proximate the outlet of the sleeve, wherein the valve interface is configured to be coupled with the valve;
a brush-arm assembly, coupled to the sleeve, wherein:
the brush-arm assembly is configured to releasably retain the brush and is capable of rotating the brush, and
the valve is selectively operable, when the pressure is applied to the glutinous substance in the cartridge, to enable the glutinous substance to flow from the cartridge to the brush at least when the brush-arm assembly rotates the brush;

a substance-delivery tube, communicatively coupling the valve with the brush; and
a cap, configured to be releasably coupled to the brush-arm assembly, and wherein:
the cap is configured to direct the glutinous substance from the substance-delivery tube to the brush when the brush is releasably retained by the brush-arm assembly and when the brush-arm assembly rotates the brush;
the cap comprises a channel, extending through the cap;
the channel is circumferentially closed;
the glutinous substance moves from the substance-delivery tube through the channel of the cap to the brush when the brush is releasably retained by the brush-arm assembly and when the brush-arm assembly rotates the brush;
the cap further comprises a gasket, configured to form a seal with a hollow shaft of the brush;
the hollow shaft of the brush is rotatable relative to the gasket;
the cap further comprises a first receptacle, communicatively coupled with the channel and configured to receive the hollow shaft of the brush; and
the gasket is received within the first receptacle.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the brush-arm assembly comprises:
a first drive element; and
a motor, operatively coupled with the first drive element and selectively operable to rotate the first drive element;
wherein the brush is co-rotatably coupleable with the first drive element.

3. The apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the first drive element comprises a brush receptacle configured to releasably retain the brush.

4. The apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein the brush receptacle is configured to form an interference fit with an engagement portion of the brush.

5. The apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein the brush receptacle comprises at least one internal spline.

6. The apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein the first drive element further comprises an internally tapered portion, co-axially adjacent the brush receptacle of the first drive element.

7. The apparatus according to claim 6 , wherein the first drive element further comprises an annular internal shoulder, co-axially interposed between the brush receptacle of the first drive element and the internally tapered portion of the first drive element.

8. The apparatus according to claim 7 , wherein:
the first drive element ( 292 ) further comprises an annular internal-clearance pocket, co-axially interposed between the annular internal shoulder of the first drive element and the brush receptacle of the first drive element; and
a maximum diameter of the annular internal-clearance pocket is larger than a minimum diameter of the annular internal shoulder and larger than a maximum diameter of the brush receptacle.

9. The apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein:
the brush-arm assembly is capable of rotating the brush about a first rotation axis; and
the first rotation axis is oriented along a second rotation axis of the motor.

10. The apparatus according to claim 9 , wherein the first rotation axis is parallel to the second rotation axis of the motor.

11. The apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the brush-arm assembly further comprises:
a second drive element, operatively coupled with the motor, wherein the motor is selectively operable to rotate the second drive element; and
a power-transmission component, co-rotatably coupling the first drive element with the second drive element.

12. The apparatus according to claim 11 , wherein the first drive element comprises an external-socket portion co-rotatably engaged with the power-transmission component.

13. The apparatus according to claim 11 , wherein the brush-arm assembly further comprises a shaft co-rotatably connecting the second drive element with the motor.

14. The apparatus according to claim 13 , wherein the brush-arm assembly further comprises a coupling co-rotatably connecting the shaft with the motor.

15. The apparatus according to claim 14 , wherein the brush-arm assembly further comprises:
a shaft housing at least partially enclosing the coupling and the shaft; and
drive-element housing at least partially enclosing the first drive element, the second drive element, and the power-transmission component.

16. The apparatus according to claim 15 , wherein:
the cap further comprises a retention slot; and
the brush-arm assembly further comprises a retention element, extending from the drive-element housing and configured to engage the retention slot when the cap is in contact with the drive-element housing and the first receptacle is concentrically positioned relative to the first drive element.

17. The apparatus according to claim 16 , wherein the retention slot is curved.

18. The apparatus according to claim 15 , wherein the drive-element housing is coupled with the shaft housing.

19. The apparatus according to claim 18 , wherein an angular orientation of the drive-element housing relative to the shaft housing is selectively adjustable.

20. The apparatus according to claim 19 , wherein the angular orientation of the drive-element housing relative to the shaft housing is selectively infinitely adjustable.

21. The apparatus according to claim 15 , wherein the shaft housing comprises a window through which the coupling is accessible.

22. The apparatus according to claim 15 , wherein the drive-element housing extends transversely from the shaft housing.

23. The apparatus according to claim 22 , wherein:
the drive-element housing comprises a proximal end and a distal end;
the proximal end of the drive-element housing is coupled to the shaft housing; and
the first drive element is at least partially enclosed within the drive-element housing a

Assignees

• Boeing Co

Inventors

• Pringle Iv John W
• Brown John J
• Davancens Angelica
• Frontiera Frederick B
• Guirguis Martin
• Tomuta Raul
• Topf Richard P
• Trend Don D
• Weinmann Jake B

Classifications

• Y10T29/49819

  with conveying of work or disassembled work part · CPC title

• Y10T29/49815

  Disassembling · CPC title

• B23Q3/15566

  the tool being inserted in a tool holder directly from a storage device, i.e. without using transfer devices · CPC title

• B23Q2003/15537

  Linearly moving storage devices · CPC title

• Y10S901/43

  Spray painting or coating · CPC title