초록 ▼

A modular apparatus for supporting and guiding a tool such as an ultra-high pressure water jet along a work surface, including a contour following assembly attached to a motorized lift vehicle. The contour following assembly includes a gimbals assembly with an instrument or tool carriage assembly, a

A modular apparatus for supporting and guiding a tool such as an ultra-high pressure water jet along a work surface, including a contour following assembly attached to a motorized lift vehicle. The contour following assembly includes a gimbals assembly with an instrument or tool carriage assembly, a positioning assembly that urges the gimbals assembly and the instrument carriage against the surface, and, optionally, a hydraulic, mechanical, or pneumatic pressure system that applies pressure to the positioning assembly. A scissors lift, hydraulic lift, telescoping arm, or other suitable device raises and lowers the apparatus. In operation, the gimbals assembly and the positioning assembly cooperate to maintain the instrument carriage in a user-selected position with respect to a work surface such as a ship hull, aircraft fuselage, storage tank, or the like. Depending on the type of tool selected, the apparatus may be used for cleaning or stripping surface coatings, buffing, painting, washing, and so forth. The apparatus is mobile, compact, cost-effective, and can be operated by a single operator.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] An apparatus for supporting and guiding a tool along a work surface, said apparatus comprising:an instrument carriage assembly;a dynamically balanced positioning assembly, said positioning assembly including means for urging said instrument carriage assembly into contact

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] An apparatus for supporting and guiding a tool along a work surface, said apparatus comprising:an instrument carriage assembly;a dynamically balanced positioning assembly, said positioning assembly including means for urging said instrument carriage assembly into contact with said surface;means for adjusting a relief pressure of said positioning assembly; andgimbal means for securing said instrument carriage assembly to said positioning assembly, said gimbal means allowing said instrument carriage assembly to pivot independently about two orthogonal axes so that, when said instrument carriage assembly is positioned at a selected orientation relative to said surface, said gimbal means and said positioning assembly cooperate to maintain said instrument carriage assembly in said selected orientation.