Method of robotic automobile paint stripping

• US 6,287,389 B1
• Filed: 06/23/2000
• Issued: 09/11/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 06/23/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Ecosphere Technologies, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Ultrastrip Systems, Inc. (Ecosphere Technologies, Inc.)
• Inventors: McGuire, Dennis
• Primary Examiner(s): EL ARINI, ZEINAB
• Application Number:
  US09/603,726
• Time in Patent Office: 445 Days
• Field of Search: 134/18, 134/38, 134/42, 134/57.R
• US Class Current: 134/18
• CPC Class Codes: B08B 3/024 Cleaning by means of spray elements moving over the surface to be cleaned
• CPC Class Codes: B44D 3/16 Implements or apparatus for removing dry paint from surfaces, e.g. by scraping, by burning chemical paint-removers C09D9/00

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.

Claims

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.

2. A method as practiced on a computer for removal of paint/protective coatings of claim 1 further comprising:

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.

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.

4. A method as practiced on a computer for removal of paint/protective coatings of claim 1 further comprising:

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.

5. A method as practiced on a computer for removal of paint/protective coatings of claim 4 further comprising:

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.