Abstract: Method and system are provided for cleaning a paint supply line and changing paint colors by inserting and propelling a termination piston or slug having an outer diameter which forms a sliding fit within the supply line to wipe paint off the interior walls of the supply line. Preferably, the supply line is elastic and the termination piston squeegees the paint off the interior walls. In order to more fully clean the supply line prior to changing paint colors, a predetermined amount of cleaning fluid such as a solvent is injected into the supply line behind the termination piston from a common passage of a manifold. A leading piston or slug is then inserted immediately ahead of a new paint color in the supply line. The pistons may be disposable or may be reused by recirculating them by means of shuttle assemblies and a return line. The manifold is fitted with various valves to selectively supply pressurized air, solvent and two or more paint colors to the supply line.

Abstract: Method and system are provided for the productive utilization of paint in a paint supply line, changing paint colors and cleaning paint lines by inserting and propelling a termination piston or slug having an outer diameter which forms a sliding fit within the supply line to wipe pair off the interior walls of the supply line. Preferably, the supply line is elastic and the termination piston squeegees the paint off the interior walls. A manifold is fitted with various valves to selectively supply pressurized air, solvent and two or more paint colors to the supply line. A process controller controls the timing of the valves of the manifold. The method and system can also be used to retrofit existing color changers in an economical yet environmentally sound fashion.

Abstract: A limited mobility transporter (10) is disclosed having a linkage mechanism (12) with four links (14,16,18,20) pivotally connected at their ends to form a four bar linkage. Engagers (22) are mounted at pivotal connections (A,B,C,D) of the links (14,16,18,20) for selectively engaging a mounting surface (24). An actuator assembly (26) rotates the links (14,16,18,20) about the engaged pivotal connections (A,B,C,D). A programmable controller (28) controls a sequence of movements whereby the transporter (10) is movable about the mounting surface (24) by simultaneous engagement of selected engagers (22) and rotation of the links (14,16,18,20) about the selected engagers (22) in a coplaner fashion to the mounting surface (24). In one embodiment, the engagers (22) comprise a shot pin assembly and the mounting surface (24) includes receptacles for receiving the shot pins. In other embodiments, the engagers (22) are electromagnetic anchors or suction cups.

Abstract: A vehicle door opener apparatus positioned in a work station such as a paint booth includes a rotary arm with its pivot axis substantially aligned with the door hinge axis in open and closed positions of the door. Harmonic control linkage provides smooth acceleration and deceleration of the door. A fixture pin is mounted on the lower surface of each door of the vehicle body for engagement by a gripper mechanism comprising a pair of elongated rail members supported on the free end of the arm. The rail members receive the fixture pin upon movement of the vehicle body into the work station. A system utilizing the apparatus includes a hydraulic power supply and a manifold assembly. The manifold assembly includes a solenoid valve which controls a rotary actuator of the apparatus in an on-off manner. The rotary actuator powers a drive link of the control linkage. Magnetic proximity switches provide status signals to a programmable controller which controls the solenoid valve.

Abstract: A mechanism for opening a vehicle closure such as a deck lid or hood is positioned at a work station such as a paint booth and includes interconnected gripper and floating arms mounted for rotary movement between a parked position, a pick-up position and a full-open position corresponding to an open position of the closure. The closure is utilized as a member of a four-bar linkage. Arm control linkage provides a two-stage harmonic motion including smooth acceleration and deceleration of the closure after a gripper mechanism mounted on the free end of the gripper arm has received the closure at the pick-up position. A fixture is mounted on the closure for engagement by a pair of opposing fingers of the gripper mechanism. Gripper control linkage is connected to the arm control linkage to open and close the fingers of the gripper mechanism in synchronism with the motion of the gripper arm. A system utilizing the opener mechanism includes a hydraulic power supply and a manifold assembly.

Abstract: A robot-laser system having a minimum number of mirrors for reflecting a laser beam from a fixed laser beam source to a desired location wherein the mirrors are mounted within the hollow, servo-controlled parts of the robot to move therewith. Only a single mirror is mounted within is associated controlled part to reflect the laser beam as it travels between adjacent controlled parts. The robot has a number of degrees of freedom constituted by two orthogonally related linear movements along intersecting longitudinal axes and two orthogonally related rotary joints having intersecting pivotal axes. Preferably, two of the mirrors are mounted so that the laser beam strikes and is reflected from both points of axes intersection within two of the controlled parts. In one of disclosed embodiments a mirror mounted in the base of the robot reflects the laser beam from the source to the other mirrors.