Abstract: A channel crawler has a carriage, a stabilizing mechanism, and a deployment mechanism. The carriage has wheels configured to engage surfaces that define a channel through which the carriage is configured to move. The stabilizing mechanism is configured to extend from the carriage and engage a non-horizontal surface of the channel in a manner restricting unintended movement of the carriage in one or more directions. The deployment mechanism is configured to fit within the carriage when retracted, and selectively deploy an operational device from a stowed position within the carriage to a deployed position outside the channel for performing an operation in relation to at least one of structure and hardware proximate the channel.

Abstract: A channel crawler has a carriage, a stabilizing mechanism, and a deployment mechanism. The carriage has wheels configured to engage surfaces that define a channel through which the carriage is configured to move. The stabilizing mechanism is configured to extend from the carriage and engage a non-horizontal surface of the channel in a manner restricting unintended movement of the carriage in one or more directions. The deployment mechanism is configured to fit within the carriage when retracted, and selectively deploy an operational device from a stowed position within the carriage to a deployed position outside the channel for performing an operation in relation to at least one of structure and hardware proximate the channel.

Abstract: A system includes a U-shaped chute, one or more feeder mechanisms, a sock application assembly, and a film application assembly. The chute has a chute inlet and a chute outlet and is configured to receive a mandrel having a mandrel length. The one or more feeder mechanisms are configured to move the mandrel into the chute inlet and through the chute. The sock application assembly has a sock material spool containing a breather sock in tubular form. The sock application assembly is configured to progressively apply the breather sock over the mandrel length as the mandrel exits the chute outlet. The film application assembly has a film material spool containing a film in tubular form. The film application assembly is configured to progressively apply the film over the breather sock covering the mandrel exiting the sock application assembly to thereby form a film-sock-mandrel assembly.

Abstract: A system includes a U-shaped chute, one or more feeder mechanisms, a sock application assembly, and a film application assembly. The chute has a chute inlet and a chute outlet and is configured to receive a mandrel having a mandrel length. The one or more feeder mechanisms are configured to move the mandrel into the chute inlet and through the chute. The sock application assembly has a sock material spool containing a breather sock in tubular form. The sock application assembly is configured to progressively apply the breather sock over the mandrel length as the mandrel exits the chute outlet. The film application assembly has a film material spool containing a film in tubular form. The film application assembly is configured to progressively apply the film over the breather sock covering the mandrel exiting the sock application assembly to thereby form a film-sock-mandrel assembly.