Abstract: A method of delivering a glutinous substance from a cartridge to an applicator is disclosed. The method comprises receiving the cartridge inside a sleeve through an inlet of the sleeve while a pressure cap is in an open position. The method also comprises moving the pressure cap into a closed position to sealingly couple the pressure cap with a trailing end of the cartridge and to sealingly couple the applicator with a leading end of the cartridge. The method further comprises applying pressure to the glutinous substance in the cartridge through the pressure input of the pressure cap to urge the glutinous substance from the cartridge into the applicator. Additionally, the method comprises moving the pressure cap into the open position to provide sufficient clearance sufficient for removal of the cartridge from the sleeve through the inlet of the sleeve.

Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning a surface comprises a bracket and a drum, coupled to the bracket and rotatable relative to the bracket about a first axis. The apparatus further comprises a brush motor, mounted to the drum, and a brush, rotatable by the brush motor relative to the drum about a second axis, parallel to the first axis.

Abstract: An apparatus (100), for cleaning a surface (102), comprises a handle (126) and a bracket (104), connected to the handle (126). The apparatus (100) further comprises a drum (108), rotatably coupled to the bracket (104), and an anti-rotation fixture (124), configured to prevent rotation of the drum (108) about a first axis (110) relative to the bracket (104). The apparatus (100) also comprises a brush motor (114), mounted to the drum (108), and a brush (112), rotatable by the brush motor (114) relative to the drum (108) about a second axis (116), which is parallel to the first axis (110).

Abstract: A method of depositing an extrudable substance comprises, with a cartridge positioned inside a sleeve between an inner tubular sleeve wall and an outer tubular sleeve wall, circumscribing the inner tubular sleeve wall, and also positioned between a twist-lock pressure cap, hermetically coupled with the cartridge, and a valve, communicatively coupled with the cartridge, linearly moving an annular plunger, received between an inner tubular cartridge wall and an outer tubular cartridge wall, circumscribing the inner tubular cartridge wall, toward the valve along a first axis to urge the extrudable substance from the cartridge, through the valve, and out of a nozzle that is communicatively coupled with the valve. The method also comprises controlling flow of the extrudable substance from the valve to the nozzle.

Abstract: A method of dispensing a brushable substance onto a surface comprises (1) with a cartridge positioned inside a sleeve between an inner tubular sleeve wall and an outer tubular sleeve wall, circumscribing the inner tubular sleeve wall, and also positioned between a twist-lock pressure cap, hermetically coupled with the cartridge, and a valve, communicatively coupled with the cartridge, linearly moving an annular plunger, received between an inner tubular cartridge wall and an outer tubular cartridge wall, circumscribing the inner tubular cartridge wall, toward the valve along a first axis to urge the brushable substance from the cartridge, through the valve, and to a brush that is communicatively coupled to the valve; and (2) controlling flow of the brushable substance from the valve to the brush.

Abstract: A method of dispensing a brushable substance onto a surface comprises (1) with a cartridge positioned inside a sleeve between an inner tubular sleeve wall and an outer tubular sleeve wall, circumscribing the inner tubular sleeve wall, and also positioned between a push-lock pressure cap, hermetically coupled with the cartridge, and a valve, communicatively coupled with the cartridge, linearly moving an annular plunger, received between an inner tubular cartridge wall and an outer tubular cartridge wall, circumscribing the inner tubular cartridge wall, toward the valve along a first axis to urge the brushable substance from the cartridge, through the valve, and to a brush that is communicatively coupled to the valve; and (2) controlling flow of the brushable substance from the valve to the brush.

Abstract: A method of depositing an extrudable substance onto a surface comprises (1) with a cartridge positioned inside a sleeve between an inner tubular sleeve wall and an outer tubular sleeve wall, circumscribing the inner tubular sleeve wall, and also positioned between a push-lock pressure cap, hermetically coupled with the cartridge, and a valve, communicatively coupled with the cartridge, linearly moving an annular plunger, received between an inner tubular cartridge wall and an outer tubular cartridge wall, circumscribing the inner tubular cartridge wall, toward the valve along a first axis to urge the extrudable substance from the cartridge, through the valve, and out of a nozzle that is communicatively coupled with the valve; and (2) controlling flow of the extrudable substance from the valve to the nozzle.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing a brushable substance comprises a bracket and a sleeve, comprising an inner tubular sleeve wall and an outer tubular sleeve wall. The sleeve is coupled to the bracket and is rotatable relative to the bracket. The apparatus also comprises a cartridge, comprising an inner tubular cartridge wall and an outer tubular cartridge wall. The apparatus additionally comprises a valve, configured to be communicatively coupled with the cartridge, a brush-arm assembly, coupled to the sleeve a linear actuator to control flow of the brushable substance from the valve, an annular plunger, positioned between the inner tubular cartridge wall and the outer tubular cartridge wall, and a twist-lock pressure cap, configured to be hermetically coupled with the cartridge. The cartridge is configured to be positioned between the inner tubular sleeve wall and the outer tubular sleeve wall and between the twist-lock pressure cap and the valve.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing a brushable substance comprises a bracket and a sleeve, comprising an inner tubular sleeve wall and an outer tubular sleeve wall. The sleeve is coupled to the bracket and is rotatable relative to the bracket about a first axis. The apparatus also comprises a cartridge, comprising an inner tubular cartridge wall and an outer tubular cartridge wall. The cartridge is configured to be positioned between the inner tubular sleeve wall and the outer tubular sleeve wall. Apparatus additionally comprises a valve, configured to be communicatively coupled with the cartridge, a brush-arm assembly, coupled to the sleeve, a linear actuator to control flow of the brushable substance from the valve, an annular plunger, positioned between the inner tubular cartridge wall and the outer tubular cartridge wall and movable along the first axis, and a push-lock pressure cap, configured to be hermetically coupled with the cartridge.

Abstract: An apparatus for depositing an extrudable substance comprises a bracket and a sleeve, comprising an inner tubular sleeve wall and an outer tubular sleeve wall. The sleeve is coupled to the bracket and is rotatable relative to the bracket. The apparatus also comprises a cartridge, comprising an inner tubular cartridge wall and an outer tubular cartridge wall. The cartridge is configured to be positioned between the inner tubular sleeve wall and the outer tubular sleeve wall. The apparatus also comprises a valve, configured to be communicatively coupled with the cartridge, a nozzle, configured to be communicatively coupled with the valve, a linear actuator to control flow of the extrudable substance from the valve to the nozzle, an annular plunger, positioned between the inner tubular cartridge wall and the outer tubular cartridge wall, and a push-lock pressure cap, configured to be hermetically coupled with the cartridge.

Abstract: An apparatus for depositing an extrudable substance comprises a bracket and a sleeve, comprising an inner tubular sleeve wall and an outer tubular sleeve wall. The sleeve is coupled to the bracket and is rotatable relative to the bracket. The apparatus also comprises a cartridge, comprising an inner tubular cartridge wall and an outer tubular cartridge wall, wherein the cartridge is configured to be positioned between the inner tubular sleeve wall and the outer tubular sleeve wall. The apparatus additionally comprises a valve, configured to be communicatively coupled with the cartridge, a nozzle, configured to be communicatively coupled with the valve, a linear actuator to control flow of the extrudable substance from the valve to the nozzle, an annular plunger, positioned between the inner tubular cartridge wall and the outer tubular cartridge wall, and a twist-lock pressure cap, configured to be hermetically coupled with the cartridge.

Abstract: A passive lockable strut is presented. The passive lockable strut comprises a first end; a second end; a fluid chamber between and connected to the first end and the second end; and a fluid within the fluid chamber, wherein the fluid is configured to activate the passive lockable strut to place the passive lockable strut in a locked condition in response to a change in an operating condition applied to the passive lockable strut.

Abstract: A cleaning device (100) comprises a housing (112). The cleaning device (100) also comprises a drive gear (114) that rotates about a drive-gear rotational axis (115). The cleaning device (100) further comprises driven gears (116), driven by a drive gear (114) and rotatable about corresponding driven-gear rotational axes (117) inside the housing (112). The cleaning device (100) further comprises brushes (140), located outside the housing (112) and each rotatable together with a corresponding one of the driven gears (116). The cleaning device (100) also comprises a vacuum tube (120), passing through the drive gear (114). The cleaning device (100) additionally comprises a solvent supply (130), passing through the housing (112).

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.

Abstract: An applicator for delivering a glutinous substance comprises a first body portion, including an end-effector interface, extending from a base portion, a side cover to be removably coupled to the base portion, and a first cavity. A second body portion, having a second cavity intersecting the first cavity, extends from the base portion and is non-parallel to the first body portion. A tip portion, to be removably coupled to the second body portion, comprises a nozzle portion, a third cavity, communicatively coupled with the second cavity, an inner sleeve, having a splined outer surface, and an actuator interface, extending from the second body portion opposite the tip portion. The tip portion and the inner sleeve are interlocked when the inner sleeve is received inside the third cavity of the tip portion, such that the inner sleeve is prevented from rotating with respect to the tip portion.

Abstract: A method of cleaning a surface includes positioning a brush in contact with the surface. The method further includes rotating the brush about a second axis relative to a drum. The method also includes rotating the drum about a first axis relative to a bracket, connected to a handle and rotatably supporting the drum, such that the brush orbitally revolves about the first axis. The first axis is parallel to the second axis.

Abstract: An apparatus (102) for delivering a glutinous substance (168) from a cartridge (166) to an applicator (254) comprises a sleeve (106) and a pressure-cap assembly (104). The pressure-cap assembly (104) comprises a pressure cap (110), proximate an inlet (124) of the sleeve (106). The pressure-cap assembly (104) also comprises an actuator (114), coupled to the pressure cap (110) and to the sleeve (106). The apparatus (102) further comprises an automated coupler (223), configured to automatically reversibly sealingly couple the applicator (254) with the leading end (167) of the cartridge (166).

Abstract: A method of applying a substance as a bead to a geometric feature, extending along a path, comprises providing an apparatus, comprising an outlet end that comprises a first edge, a second edge, and an outlet opening. The method also comprises establishing contact between at least a portion of the geometric feature and at least a portion of at least one of the first edge of the outlet end and the second edge of the outlet end. The method further comprises moving the apparatus in a progression direction along the path while dispensing the substance from the outlet opening on at least the portion of the geometric feature. The method additionally comprises varying a length of a portion of the first edge of the outlet end and a length of a portion of the second edge of the outlet end.

Abstract: An apparatus (100), for cleaning a surface (102), comprises a handle (126) and a bracket (104), connected to the handle (126). The apparatus (100) further comprises a drum (108), rotatably coupled to the bracket (104) and rotatable about a first axis (110) relative to the bracket (104), a drum motor (130), mounted to the handle (126), and a drum power-transmitting component (132), rotationally coupling the drum motor (130) and the drum (108). The apparatus (100) also comprises a brush motor (114), mounted to the drum (108), and a brush (112), rotatable by the brush motor (114) relative to the drum (108) about a second axis (116), which is parallel to the first axis (110).

Abstract: An apparatus (812) for loading and unloading a brush (822) to and from a brush-arm assembly (802) of an end-effector (102) is disclosed. The apparatus (812) comprises a base (814) and a carriage (818), which is movable along an axis (A) at least to a first position, a second position, or a third position relative to the base (814). The carriage (818) comprises a brush receptacle (820), configured to prevent movement of the brush (822) in a first direction, but not in a second direction, opposite to the first direction, when the brush (822) is placed in the brush receptacle (820). The apparatus (812) also comprises a stationary component (832), fixed relative to the base (814) and configured to prevent movement of the brush-arm assembly (802) in the second direction. Additionally, the apparatus (812) comprises a linear actuator (816), configured to move the carriage (818).