Abstract:
An apparatus for finishing marine vessel surfaces including track-mounted robots, movable relative to the vessel being finished. The robots are controlled by a computer, with each robot having a plurality of tools attachable to the robots both for mapping the surface contours of the vessel and for painting or otherwise finishing the surface.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]    This application is a division of Ser. No. 09/447,973, filed Nov. 23, 1999 for COMPUTER CONTROLLED METHOD FOR FAIRING AND PAINTING OF MARINE VESSEL SURFACES, inventor John Stephen Morton, and assigned to Visions East, Inc., the Assignee of this divisional application; and this application includes only the non-elected claims, whereas the parent application included and related only to claims elected without traverse responsive to the election/restriction requirement of the Examiner in Group Art Unit 1762 in the parent application. Some of the classes/sub-cls. searched in the parent application were 15-53.1; 106-18.32; 114-222, 313; 118-72, 663, 697; 356-376; 364-464.1, 474.06; 414-735; 427-31, 299; 
     
    
     
       FIELD OF INVENTION  
         [0002]    The present invention generally relates to automated fairing and painting of marine vessels, and the present invention specifically relates to the use of computer controlled robotic equipment for analyzing surface imperfections, fairing, applying a sprayable fairing compound, and painting.  
         BACKGROUND OF INVENTION  
         [0003]    Custom marine vessels are constructed today using time proven techniques and methods. Part of this process is known as fairing. Fairing is a process whereby a less than smooth surface is filled, sanded and primed in preparation for painting. Fairing, as applied in the marine industry, is done almost exclusively on the exteriors of yachts, where the greatly enhanced aesthetic quality of paint on a professionally faired hull or superstructure imparts a uniform mirror like quality to the paint finish. Commercial or military marine vessels are almost never faired due to the cost and time involved as well as the purely aesthetic nature of such a process.  
           [0004]    Fairing is accomplished by analyzing a marine vessel&#39;s exterior surface for imperfections and then utilizing certain techniques for removing the imperfections from the hull or superstructure. Traditionally, a crew of skilled craftsmen using hand operated air tools, hand operated electric tools, simple hand tools or any combination thereof has performed this process. The first step is to analyze the imperfections in the hull or superstructure surface by using a straight edged, elongated board or batten to “map” or mark imperfections in the vessel surface. The next step involves applying a primer, usually a spray applied primer. After the “mapping” and priming steps, any imperfections greater than approximately {fraction (1/8)}″ in depth are manually filled with trowelable fairing compound, applied using hand trowels and long metal spreaders. When the troweled filler has cured, it is hand sanded using hand blocks and “longboards” with sandpaper attached and with manually operated power sanders. When the surface being faired is relatively smooth and fair, a final optional application of sprayable fairing compound may be applied using manually operated spray equipment. Once all of the fairing compound has been applied and manually sanded, priming and painting the faired hull or superstructure then completes the fairing and painting process.  
           [0005]    Using current methods, a surface with 5,000 square feet of fairable area takes approximately 2.2 man-hours per square foot or 11,000 total man-hours to fair from an unfaired surface to a high quality, i.e. “yacht quality”, painted finish. Related industries,—such as the automobile manufacturing industry, have attempted to solve the inefficiency corresponding to large tasks performed by hand, by automating certain aspects of production. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,532,148, to Veciello, describes an automated painting system for automobiles performed primarily by robots with rotary bell-type atomizing devices attached to the robot arm. While this invention is adequate for painting mass-production automobiles, it only serves to paint.  
           [0006]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,498,414, to Kiba, et al, describes an automobile painting robot. This robot was designed to paint automobiles on an assembly line with the additional feature of being able to open the car door for greater access for painting.  
           [0007]    While the above patents relate to automated painting robots and a system for painting with robots, U.S. Pat. No. 5,571,312, to Andoe, describes a coating material that could be applied by the robots to a marine vessel.  
           [0008]    None of the above references, each of which is incorporated herein by reference, describe a method for fairing a marine vessel. In addition, the marine vessel industry has not devised an automated method to save the time and expense expended in fairing a vessel hull and superstructure.  
           [0009]    As a consequence, there is a need in the art for a method of automated fairing of marine vessels in order to save time and expense, and to ensure precision fairing.  
           [0010]    There is a further need in the art for a method of automated fairing that employs multi-function robots with interchangeable operative heads.  
         SUMMARY OF INVENTION  
         [0011]    The present invention satisfies the needs in the art by providing automation technology to analyze, fair and paint the hulls and superstructures of marine vessels in order to save material cost, labor and to provide computer-controlled precision fairing.  
           [0012]    The preferred embodiment of the invention is a computer-implemented method for fairing the hull or superstructure of a marine vessel, utilizing a robot system which includes multiple robots positioned on moveable means and having arms provided with various attachments, moveable about various control axes, comprising the steps of positioning the marine vessel so as to provide the robots access to the hull and superstructure; analyzing the vessel&#39;s hull and superstructure for imperfections; applying a fairing compound to the imperfections; sanding the fairing compound in alignment with the hull or superstructure; removing any compound dust generated by the sanding process; and priming and painting the hull or superstructure.  
           [0013]    In another preferred embodiment the robots are positioned on glide tracks or a gantry for movement.  
           [0014]    In another preferred embodiment the robots are provided with arms adaptable for affixing and using various attachments.  
           [0015]    In another preferred embodiment the analyzing step further comprises using a surface mapping system utilizing lasers, affixed to the robot.  
           [0016]    In another preferred embodiment the analyzing step further comprises using a surface mapping system utilizing radar, affixed to the robot.  
           [0017]    In another preferred embodiment the fairing compound application step further comprises using a spraying apparatus, affixed to the end of the robot arm.  
           [0018]    In another preferred embodiment the fairing step further comprises using a milling apparatus and vacuum apparatus in conjunction with one another, affixed to end of the robot arm.  
           [0019]    In another preferred embodiment the painting step further comprises using a second spraying apparatus, affixed to the end of the robot arm.  
           [0020]    In another preferred embodiment the steps further comprise using interchangeable attachments for use by the robots.  
           [0021]    Accordingly it is an object of the invention to use robots to analyze the imperfections in a marine vessel&#39;s hull or superstructure by utilizing a surface mapping laser or radar.  
           [0022]    It is a further object of the invention to use robots to apply any sprayable fairing compound as may be necessary to correct the detected imperfections in a marine vessel&#39;s hull or superstructure by utilizing spraying equipment to apply the compound.  
           [0023]    Another object of the invention is to use robots to sand the fairing compound once it has been applied to the vessel in order to achieve a smooth surface by use of a milling or sanding head.  
           [0024]    A still further object of the invention is to remove, from the work area, the fairing compound dust created by the sanding process by a vacuum tube or other similar cleaning means.  
           [0025]    A still further object of the invention is to use robots to apply the final paint coat to the vessel surface by utilizing spraying equipment to apply the paint.  
           [0026]    A still further object is to provide moveable means for the robots for the purpose of allowing the robots complete access to the vessel&#39;s hull and superstructure surfaces.  
           [0027]    Another object of the invention is to provide the robots with interchangeable heads for accomplishing the tasks of analyzing the hull for imperfections, applying a fairing compound, sanding the hull and painting.  
           [0028]    The above objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description and appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which show by way of example some preferred embodiments of the invention. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0029]    [0029]FIG. 1 is a plan view of a vessel located in the operational area of the automated fairing system and approximate layout of said system according to the present invention;  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the automated fairing system including a gantry mounted robot, according to a preferred embodiment;  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 3 is an elevational side view illustrating a track mounted fairing robot and a gantry mounted robot as utilized in the automated fairing system and method according to the present invention; and  
         [0032]    FIGS.  4 A- 4 D are perspective views of the various heads to be used in conjunction with the robots according to the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION  
       [0033]    Referring to the drawings, and more particularly FIG. 1 thereof, an automated fairing system  10  is shown which includes a controller  12  for directing the movement of robots  14 . Said controller is capable of receiving various electrical input signals for initiating the operation of the robots  14  in accordance with a preprogrammed sequence of operation. The robots  14  are located on parallel tracks  16  for movement along the longituidnal axis of the marine vessel  18 . The vessel  18  is situated in the operational area of the robots  14 , between the tracks  16 , allowing said robots complete access along the length of the vessel  18 .  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 2 represents a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the system  10 , in which the robots  14  on tracks  16  can be seen working on the vessel  18  in conjunction with a gantry  20  and gantry mounted robot  22 , said gantry  20  and gantry mounted robot  22  are also controlled by the controller  12 . According to the alternative embodiment, the gantry  20  would have the capability of linear movement  24  up and down the longitudinal axis of the vessel  18  and the robot  22  on the gantry  20  would have side to side movement and telescoping means  35  to raise or lower to the work surface. As stated in the description of FIG. 1, this invention operates with, and the apparatus thereof includes, robots  14  (FIG. 1), without a gantry  20 . Additionally, when using gantry  20 , various alternative structures are operative within the bounds of this invention, such as when “legs”, as are shown in FIG. 2, or with “legs” as shown but suspending the gantry from above.  
         [0035]    As can be seen in FIG. 3, the robots  14  and  22 , are hydraulically operated units which include a base  30 , a primary arm  32 , a secondary arm  34  and a wrist  36  that terminates in a support head  38 , which interlocks with any one of the interchangeable tools  50 ,  60 ,  70  and  80 . The controller  12  and the base  30 , the primary arm  32 , the secondary arm  34 , the wrist  36 , the support head  38  and the interchangeable tools  50 ,  60 ,  70  and  80  are operatively connected for achieving the end result of movement of the interchangeable tools  50 ,  60 ,  70  and  80  in a desired manner.  
         [0036]    FIGS.  4 A- 4 D illustrate the various interchangeable tools  50 ,  60 ,  70  and  80  as utilized in the automated fairing system  10 . The optional analzyer tool  50  in FIG. 4A is used for analyzing the vessel&#39;s surface  19 , through the use of surface mapping laser or radar  53 . This tool is affixed using a connective means  51  which interlocks with wrist  36 . The analyzing process may be accomplished with the analyzing means attached to the base  30  of the robots  14  and  22  rather than at the end of the secondary arm  34 .  
         [0037]    The fairing compound application tool  60  in FIG. 4B, employs a spray nozzle  62  supplied with compressed air  64  and fairing compound  66  through hoses  65  and  67  respectively. The tool is affixed using a connective means  61  that interlocks with the wrist  36 .  
         [0038]    [0038]FIG. 4C portrays an interchangeable sanding tool  70  useable for sanding the areas treated with fairing compound  66 . The tool uses a means for sanding  72  in conjunction with a vacuum hose  74  for the removal of the toxic dust created from smoothing the fairing compound  66 . A hood  76  encloses the sanding means  72  and the vacuum hose  74 , the vacuum hose projecting through the tool  70  and within the hood  76 , proximate sanding means  72 , which is not shown in the drawing of FIG. 4C for the sake of clarity, but is to be understood that way, as previously described herein. The hood  76  is used to prevent the dust from escaping and is also used to enhance the suction capability of the vacuum  74 . The sanding tool  70  is interchangeably affixed to the wrist  36  by a connective means  71 . Also, usable for cleaning the surfaces, analyzed and treated with fairing compound  66 , are various alternative means; e.g. a water-blasting means is used in one of the tools, but this requires sufficient connections for handling water, and this potentially requires a drying means for use after the water-blasting or power-washing. When water-blasting is used for cleaning, the pressure is adjusted for the size of the vessel (less for a yacht, than for a large ship). Furthermore, particularly with large ships, the present invention method involves only the steps of positioning the vessel, cleaning with water-blasting, and analyzing for imperfections or contours before repairing and/or painting.  
         [0039]    An interchangeable painting tool  80  is shown in FIG. 4D, a perspective view. Paint  86  is applied through a spray nozzle  82  that is supplied by hoses  85  and  87  with compressed air  84  and paint  86  respectively. The painting tool  80  is interchangeably affixed to the wrist  36  by a connective means  81 .  
         [0040]    It will be understood that the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed by way of example and that other modifications and alterations may occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the appended claims.