Method of robotic automobile paint stripping
First Claim
1. A method as practiced on a computer for removal of one or more layers of paint/protective coatings from a surface of vehicles comprising:
- providing a computer having a structured database containing stored digitized shapes of the surface of vehicles;
providing a device for selectively removing one or more layers of said paint/protective coating with ultra-high pressure waterjets;
said device controlled by said computer;
selecting one of said stored digitized shapes to direct said device about said vehicle surface; and
selecting said ultra-high pressure between 25,000 and 60,000 pounds per square inch to remove one or more layers of paint/protective coatings;
whereby the paint/protective coating removal via ultra-high pressure water is accomplished.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention provides a computerized apparatus and method for stripping paint from a vehicle, such as an automobile, by utilizing ultra-high pressure waterjet technology in conjunction with a method and apparatus for creating and storing, in a database, digitized maps or templates which may conform to either the original shape of a vehicle, the shape of a vehicle subsequent to a collision, or both. The stored shapes may be retrieved and compared to verify the extent of damage, additionally the stored shapes may then be retrieved as needed and used to drive a precision ultra-high pressure waterjet nozzle constructed and arranged for removal of the painted finish from the vehicle'"'"'s surface.
22 Citations
5 Claims
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1. A method as practiced on a computer for removal of one or more layers of paint/protective coatings from a surface of vehicles comprising:
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providing a computer having a structured database containing stored digitized shapes of the surface of vehicles;
providing a device for selectively removing one or more layers of said paint/protective coating with ultra-high pressure waterjets;
said device controlled by said computer;
selecting one of said stored digitized shapes to direct said device about said vehicle surface; and
selecting said ultra-high pressure between 25,000 and 60,000 pounds per square inch to remove one or more layers of paint/protective coatings;
whereby the paint/protective coating removal via ultra-high pressure water is accomplished. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
obtaining a digitized image of a surface of a vehicle by scanning said surface of said vehicle;
downloading said digitized image to said computer;
said computer comparing said downloaded image with said stored images and selecting an image from said stored images matching said vehicle; and
directing said device about said vehicle.
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3. A method as practiced on a computer for removal of paint/protective coatings of claim 1 further comprising:
rotating said ultra-high pressure waterjets of said device.
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4. A method as practiced on a computer for removal of paint/protective coatings of claim 1 further comprising:
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scanning a vehicle with a damaged surface and creating a digitized image of said damaged surface of said vehicle;
downloading said digitized image of said damaged surface to said computer; and
directing said device about said damaged surface of said vehicle.
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5. A method as practiced on a computer for removal of paint/protective coatings of claim 4 further comprising:
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comparing said downloaded digitized image of said damaged surface with said stored images;
selecting said damaged surface of said downloaded digitized image; and
directing said device about said damaged surface.
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Specification