Methods of applying glutinous substances

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10682665-B2
Application number	US-201816059737-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Aug 9, 2018
Priority date	Oct 15, 2015
Publication date	Jun 16, 2020
Grant date	Jun 16, 2020

Abstract

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.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A method of delivering a glutinous substance from a cartridge to a brush, the method comprising:
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, wherein the cartridge has a leading end and a trailing end;
moving the pressure cap, located proximate the inlet of the sleeve, into a closed position to sealingly couple the pressure cap with the trailing end of the cartridge and to sealingly couple a valve with the leading end of the cartridge;
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;
rotating the brush;
opening the valve to enable the glutinous substance to flow from the valve to the brush at least when the brush is rotating;
co-rotatably coupling the brush with a first drive element;
rotating the first drive element via selective operation of a motor;
releasably coupling the brush with the first drive element;
inserting a portion of the brush through the first drive element;
receiving the portion of the brush in a first receptacle of a cap; and
with the portion of the brush received in the first receptacle of the cap, rotating the cap about a first rotation axis of the first drive element to releasably lock the cap relative to the first rotation axis of the first drive element; and
wherein opening the valve enables the glutinous substance to flow from the valve to the brush through the cap when the brush is releasably coupled with the first drive element and when the brush is rotating.

2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein:
the pressure cap is pivotally coupled to an arm; and
moving the pressure cap into the closed position comprises rotating the arm in a first rotational direction about an axis, fixed relative to the sleeve and perpendicular to a central axis of the sleeve.

3. The method according to claim 2 , wherein moving the pressure cap into the closed position comprises torsionally biasing the pressure cap relative to the arm.

4. The method according claim 2 , further comprising releasably locking the pressure cap in the closed position.

5. The method according to claim 4 , wherein:
moving the pressure cap into the closed position comprises pneumatically causing an actuator, coupled to the pressure cap, to have a first length; and
releasably locking the pressure cap in the closed position comprises mechanically locking the pressure cap in the closed position.

6. The method according to claim 5 , wherein:
a lock mechanism is used to mechanically lock the pressure cap in the closed position; and
when the lock mechanism is in a locked position, the lock mechanism remains in the locked position if the actuator loses pressure.

7. The method according to claim 5 , further comprising moving the pressure cap into an open position to provide clearance sufficient for removal of the cartridge from the sleeve through the inlet of the sleeve.

8. The method according to claim 7 , wherein moving the pressure cap into the open position comprises pneumatically causing the actuator to have a second length different from the first length.

9. The method according to claim 7 , wherein moving the pressure cap into the open position comprises rotating the arm about the axis in a second rotational direction, opposite the first rotational direction.

10. The method according to claim 5 , further comprising disabling operation of the actuator while pressure is applied to the glutinous substance in the cartridge through the pressure input of the pressure cap.

11. The method according to claim 1 , wherein applying pressure to the glutinous substance in the cartridge through the pressure input of the pressure cap comprises introducing a pressurized gas into the cartridge through the pressure input.

12. The method according to claim 11 , further comprising sensing a pressure of the glutinous substance in the valve, wherein the pressure applied to the glutinous substance in the cartridge through the pressure input of the pressure cap varies responsive to, at least in part, the pressure of the glutinous substance sensed in the valve.

13. The method according to claim 12 , further comprising releasably retaining the valve relative to the sleeve.

14. The method according to claim 13 , wherein releasably retaining the valve relative to the sleeve comprises locating a receptacle interface of the valve within a receptacle, fixed relative to the sleeve, with a running fit.

15. The method according to claim 14 , wherein locating the receptacle interface of the valve within the receptacle with the running fit comprises:
additively manufacturing the receptacle interface of the valve into a shape larger than the receptacle; and
machining away a portion of the receptacle interface of the valve.

16. The method according to claim 15 , wherein rotating the first drive element comprises rotating a second drive element, co-rotatably coupled with the first drive element via a power-transmission component.

17. The method according to claim 15 , further comprising selectively adjusting a position of the brush relative to the motor while maintaining a constant distance between the brush and the motor.

18. The method according to claim 17 , wherein:
the first drive element comprises internal splines; and
releasably coupling the brush with the first drive element comprises at least partially deforming an engagement portion of the brush against the internal splines of the first drive element.

19. The method according to claim 17 , wherein:
the first drive element comprises an annular internal shoulder; and
releasably coupling the brush with the first drive element comprises inserting the brush into the first drive element until the brush contacts the annular internal shoulder.

20. The method according to claim 1 , wherein opening the valve enables the glutinous substance to flow from the valve into a substance-delivery tube, communicatively coupled to the brush.

21. The method according to claim 1 , wherein rotating the first drive element comprises rotating a second drive element, co-rotatably coupled with the first drive element via a power-transmission component.

22. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising selectively adjusting a position of the brush relative to the motor while maintaining a constant distance between the brush and the motor.

23. The method according to claim 1 , wherein:
the first drive element comprises internal splines; and
releasably coupling the brush with the first drive element comprises at least partially deforming an engagement portion of the brush against the internal splines of the first drive element.

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

• A46B11/06 Primary

  connected to supply pipe {or to other external supply means (A46B11/0003 and A46B11/0006 take precedence)} · CPC title

• B23Q2003/1558

  involving insertion or removal of other machine components together with the removal or insertion of tools or tool holders · CPC title

• B23P19/04

  for assembling or disassembling parts · CPC title

• B23P19/02

  for connecting objects by press fit or for detaching same (B23P19/10 takes precedence) · CPC title

• B05C5/02 Primary

  {the liquid or other fluent material being discharged through an outlet orifice by pressure, e.g.} from an outlet device in contact or almost in contact, with the work · CPC title