阅读说明：本技术 低温辅助的粘合剂去除工具 (Low temperature assisted adhesive removal tool ) 是由 D·A·布洛霍瓦克 K·Y·布洛霍瓦克 K·A·克鲁格 于 2020-04-03 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明涉及低温辅助的粘合剂去除工具。提供了用于去除粘合特征的系统和方法。一个实施方式是一种用于操作低温辅助的粘合剂去除工具(100)的方法。该方法包括：将低温流体分配(202)到设置在结构的表面上的粘合特征上；冷却(204)所述粘合特征以引起物理变化,从而使所述粘合特征变脆；并且在所述粘合特征发生物理变化的同时,操作(206)所述低温辅助的粘合剂去除工具来从所述表面剥离所述粘合特征。(The invention relates to a low temperature assisted adhesive removal tool. Systems and methods for removing adhesive features are provided. One embodiment is a method for operating a low temperature assisted adhesive removal tool (100). The method comprises the following steps: dispensing (202) a cryogenic fluid onto an adhesive feature disposed on a surface of a structure; cooling (204) the bonding feature to cause a physical change, thereby embrittling the bonding feature; and operating (206) the low temperature assisted adhesive removal tool to peel the adhesive feature from the surface while the adhesive feature is physically changed.)

1. A method for operating a cryogenically-assisted adhesive removal tool (100), the method comprising:

dispensing (202) a cryogenic fluid onto a bonding feature disposed at a surface of a structure;

cooling (204) the bonding feature to cause a physical change, thereby embrittling the bonding feature; and is

Operating (206) the low temperature-assisted adhesive removal tool to peel the adhesive feature from the surface while the adhesive feature is physically changed.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

removing a tip (150, 1250) of the cryogenically-assisted adhesive removal tool, wherein the tip peels the adhesive feature from the surface.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the cryogenic fluid is dispensed from the cryogenic assisted adhesive removal tool.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein:

performing the step of operating the low temperature assisted adhesive removal tool to peel the adhesive feature while the adhesive feature is below the glass transition temperature.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein:

dispensing the cryogenic fluid comprises spraying the cryogenic fluid at or from the tip (150, 1250) of the cryogenically-assisted adhesive removal tool that peels off the bonding feature.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

withdrawing the applied cryogenic fluid from the surface.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the low temperature assisted adhesive removal tool includes peeling a tip (150, 1250) of the adhesive feature, and the method further includes replacing the tip with a new tip.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

controlling the pressure at which the cryogenic fluid is applied.

9. The method of any one of claims 1 to 8,

performing the step of operating the cryogenically-assisted adhesive removal tool without leaving marks on the surface, wherein the cryogenically-assisted adhesive removal tool comprises a tip (150, 1250) that is softer than the surface.

10. A system for performing cryogenic stripping, the system comprising:

a cryogenic fluid reservoir (1282); and

a cryogenic assisted adhesive removal tool (100) coupled to the cryogenic fluid reservoir and dispensing cryogenic fluid stored within the cryogenic fluid reservoir from a peel tip (1250) of the cryogenic assisted adhesive removal tool.

11. The system of claim 10, further comprising:

a vacuum system (1284) coupled to the cryogenic assisted adhesive removal tool, disposed proximate to a nozzle that dispenses the cryogenic fluid, and draws the cryogenic fluid away from the peel tip.

12. The system of claim 10, further comprising:

a pressure regulator (1270) that controls an amount of pressure that dispenses the cryogenic fluid from the peel tip.

13. The system of claim 10, further comprising:

a shield (1010) that prevents cryogenic fluid exiting the peel tip from traveling toward a user of the system while enabling an operator to view a work location.

14. The system of any of claims 10 to 13, wherein the cryogenically-assisted adhesive removal tool (100) comprises:

a cartridge (120, 1220) comprising a distribution path (145) for the cryogenic fluid to travel;

a tip (150, 1250) coupled with the barrel, the tip providing a port (158, 1258) for the cryogenic fluid to exit the dispense path and comprising a peel surface (152, 1252); and

a trigger (130, 1230) that is controllably activated to dispense the cryogenic fluid via the dispensing path.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein:

the tip (150, 1250) includes a mating feature (156, 1256) for securing the tip (150, 1250) to the barrel (120, 1220), the tip (150, 1250) is made of a material softer than a working surface, and the tip (150, 1250) includes a passage (334) for dispensing the cryogenic fluid.

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to the field of manufacturing and repair, and in particular, to removing material from manufactured parts.

Background

Adhesive features (e.g., sealants, adhesives, identification markings, appliques, and other features having flexible or elastic properties) are applied to various locations on an aircraft to prevent fuel leakage, provide corrosion resistance, impart aeronautical benefits, impart specific optical and performance properties, and protect the aircraft from corrosion and other effects of exposure to the environment. The adhesive features adhere to the surface of the aircraft via chemical methods, with limited life. The adhesive feature may also protect and assist other components on the aircraft that may have their own limited life. Removing these other components may require removing their corresponding adhesive features. Removal of the adhesive features is difficult because their elastic nature tends to cause them to deform rather than peel or otherwise separate from the surface on which the adhesive features are mounted. Furthermore, the elastic nature of the adhesive feature can cause the peeling or separating edges of the removal tool and/or the underlying surface to become tacky, as the material being removed tends to stick to all objects it contacts.

Removal of the adhesive features has been difficult due to the tough nature of the material from which the adhesive features are made. These materials tend to be elastic and adhere tightly to surfaces. Tools designed for removing adhesive features allow for labor intensive mechanical removal processes when used properly. However, it is possible that tools designed to remove adhesive features will be used improperly, e.g., due to operator fatigue or intolerance. When improperly used, these tools may be damaged, may leave marks on the surface of the aircraft, or may remove fewer or more than a desired amount of the adhesive features from the aircraft surface.

U.S. patent No.9,352,509 describes providing a tool for removing a coating from at least one of a surface and a fastener head substantially flush with the surface. The tool includes a first blade configured to frictionally engage a coating on at least one of the surface and the fastener head, and a second blade sized to frictionally engage the coating in the recess in the fastener head. The first blade is rotatable relative to the fastener head and the second blade is rotatable within the recess. The first blade and the second blade are translatable relative to each other.

U.S. publication No.2017/0259306 describes a method and apparatus for sealing fastener elements. A structure may be provided over the sealing cap that has been adhered and sealed to the fastener elements. A plurality of protrusions associated with the structure are movable along an interface formed between the sealing cover and an object in which the fastener elements are installed such that the plurality of protrusions remove at least a portion of excess material around the sealing cover while moving along the interface between the sealing cover and the object.

Accordingly, it is desirable to have methods and apparatus that take into account at least some of the issues discussed above, as well as other possible issues.

Disclosure of Invention

Embodiments described herein include a removal tool that applies a cryogenic gas to provide localized cooling that lowers the temperature of an adhesive feature applied to a surface. This makes the adhesive feature brittle and easier to mechanically remove (e.g., scrape off). The removal tool also includes peel/scratch-off edges or tips that facilitate mechanical-based removal of the adhesive features while maintaining surface integrity. One embodiment is a method for operating a low temperature assisted adhesive removal tool. The method comprises the following steps: dispensing a cryogenic fluid onto an adhesive feature disposed on a surface of a structure; cooling the bonding feature to cause a physical change, thereby embrittling the bonding feature; and operating the low-temperature-assisted adhesive removal tool to peel the adhesive feature from the surface while the adhesive feature is physically changed.

Another embodiment is an apparatus for performing cryogenic stripping. The apparatus comprises: a cartridge comprising a distribution path for cryogenic fluid to travel; a top end coupled with the barrel providing a port for the cryogenic fluid to exit the dispense path and comprising a peel-off surface; and a trigger that is controlled to activate dispensing of the cryogenic fluid via the dispensing path.

Other embodiments are a system for performing cryogenic stripping. The system comprises: a cryogenic fluid reservoir; and a cryogenically-assisted adhesive removal tool coupled to the cryogenic fluid reservoir and dispensing cryogenic fluid stored within the cryogenic fluid reservoir from a peel tip of the cryogenically-assisted adhesive removal tool.

Other illustrative embodiments (e.g., methods and computer-readable media related to the foregoing embodiments) may be described below. The features, functions, and advantages that have been discussed can be achieved independently in various embodiments or may be combined in yet other embodiments, further details of which can be seen with reference to the following description and drawings.

Drawings

Some embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings. The same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like elements.

FIG. 1 illustrates a low temperature assisted adhesive removal tool in an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a flow chart illustrating a method of operating a low temperature assisted adhesive removal tool in an exemplary embodiment.

Fig. 3-4 are views of a first interchangeable tip of a cryogenic assisted adhesive removal tool in an exemplary embodiment.

Fig. 5-6 are views of a second interchangeable tip of a cryogenic assisted adhesive removal tool in an exemplary embodiment.

Fig. 7-9 illustrate the operation of the low temperature assisted adhesive removal tool to remove adhesive features in an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 10 illustrates a low temperature assisted adhesive removal tool with a shroud in an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 11 illustrates a low temperature assisted adhesive removal tool with a debris vacuum port in an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram of a cryogenic stripping system in an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a flow chart of an aircraft manufacturing and service method in an exemplary embodiment.

Fig. 14 is a block diagram of an aircraft in an exemplary embodiment.

Detailed Description

The figures and the following description provide specific exemplary embodiments of the disclosure. It will thus be appreciated that those skilled in the art will be able to devise various arrangements which, although not explicitly described or shown herein, embody the principles of the disclosure and are included within its scope. Moreover, any examples described herein are intended to aid in understanding the principles of the disclosure and are to be construed as being without limitation to such specifically recited examples and conditions. Accordingly, the disclosure is not limited to the specific embodiments or examples described below, but by the claims and their equivalents.

Fig. 1 illustrates a low temperature assisted adhesive removal tool 100 in an exemplary embodiment. The cryogenic-assisted adhesive removal tool 100 comprises any system, device, or component operable to dispense a cryogenic fluid (e.g., a gas or liquid that is cooler than ambient temperature) to an adhesive feature that has been applied to the top of a surface of a structure (e.g., a portion of an aircraft). The low temperature assisted adhesive removal tool 100 is also capable of performing surface peeling to remove an adhesive feature while cooling the adhesive feature to the point where it exhibits a physical change (e.g., to below a glass transition temperature, such as the glass transition temperature of a chemical sealant that holds the adhesive feature in place).

The low temperature assisted adhesive removal tool 100 provides a technical advantage over existing scraping tools in that it provides cooling that causes physical changes resulting in increased brittleness in the material used in the adhesive feature. This results in the adhesive feature becoming brittle, which enhances the ease of removal of the feature via peeling. Thus, less force is required to separate the adhesive feature from the surface, which reduces the likelihood of the operator applying undesirable forces. In other words, less force needs to be applied, which reduces the likelihood that the operator will apply a force that will undesirably mark the underlying surface.

In this embodiment, the cryogenic assisted adhesive removal tool 100 includes a handle 112 and a body 114, the handle 112 and body 114 together with a trigger retainer 116 and a housing 118 defining the overall structure and shape of the cryogenic assisted adhesive removal tool 100. These components may be shaped according to any desired ergonomic constraints and may be made of metal, plastic, ceramic, and the like. In other embodiments, these components are made of materials that retain their strength when exposed to cryogenic fluids. In other embodiments, these components are coated with rubber or rubber-wrapped compounds to increase grip.

The housing 118 structurally supports a coupling 142 leading to a distribution path 145 and also structurally supports a coupling 144 leading to a vacuum path 143. The housing 118 may also provide thermal insulation to prevent convective or conductive cooling of the operator's hands during operation.

When operation is initiated by pulling trigger 130, the dispensing path 145 dispenses cryogenic fluid from the reservoir outwardly through the cartridge 120 and protrusion 122 of the tool. At the same time, vacuum path 143 may apply a negative pressure/vacuum that draws/pumps the applied cryogenic fluid from the application area (e.g., the surface of the aircraft) via vacuum inlet 160. This prevents the amount/concentration of cryogenic fluid outside the tool from increasing beyond a desired amount, which may ensure air quality and/or a desired temperature range near the operator. The pressure at which the cryogenic fluid is dispensed may be controlled via a pressure regulator 170, and the pressure regulator 170 may comprise a manual valve controlled by a knob. In other embodiments, the pressure regulator 170 may be implemented as, or controlled by, custom-made circuitry implementing feedback-based pressure and/or flow control, a hardware processor executing programmed instructions, or a combination thereof, for example.

The low temperature assisted adhesive removal tool 100 is designed to enable the use of interchangeable peel tips. Accordingly, the protrusion 122 includes a mating feature 124 (e.g., a spring-loaded ball bearing, a mating pin, a cam, etc.). When a new interchangeable tip such as tip 150 is attached, the protrusion 122 slides within the cavity 154 until the mating feature 124 engages with a mating feature 156 (e.g., a notch, indentation, or spring-loaded detent) to form a removable connection. The tip 150 serves as an extended path through which the cryogenic fluid travels and includes one or more ports 158 (e.g., openings, nozzles, diffusers, etc.) for dispensing (such as spraying) the cryogenic fluid proximate to the location where scraping/peeling will begin. This causes the elastomeric materials within the adhesive features to become brittle before they are peeled apart. The tip 150 also includes a peel surface 152 and an edge 153 for physically peeling the desired location. The release surface 152 may be stationary, may be driven at a high level of rotational speed, or may even oscillate rapidly (e.g., back and forth, side to side, etc.) to facilitate removal of the adhesive feature.

The tips 150 may be made of any suitable material, and may be made of, for example, a material that has sufficient stiffness and strength over the desired operating temperature range that will allow for efficient removal of adhesive features, but is sufficiently soft that they do not cause scratching or gouging of the underlying surface on which the adhesive features are left. For example, the tip 150 may be made of nylon, polyamide-imide, polyether-imide, phenolic, acrylic, fluoropolymer, and other engineering polymers. This reduces the likelihood of the tip 150 scraping against a surface during operation. In other embodiments, a polymer tip may be selected that does not become brittle upon cooling to the working range of the low temperature assisted adhesive removal tool 100, and has high wear resistance, high impact resistance, high fatigue resistance, and high mechanical strength. In addition, the polymer tip may be selected such that any hardness change of the tip (caused by cooling the tip to a low temperature operating range) leaves no marks on the surface. This ensures that the adhesive is peeled from the surface without causing any undesirable or out of tolerance marks or gouges at the surface.

Exemplary details of the operation of the low temperature assisted adhesive removal tool 100 will be discussed with respect to fig. 1. For this embodiment, it is assumed that the adhesive feature is chemically secured to a surface of a structure (e.g., a portion of an aircraft) and awaits removal. Additionally, assume that the cryogenically assisted adhesive removal tool 100 has been coupled to a cryogenic fluid reservoir and a vacuum supply.

FIG. 2 is a flow chart illustrating a method of operating a low temperature assisted adhesive removal tool in an exemplary embodiment. Although the steps of method 200 are described with reference to the low temperature assisted adhesive removal tool 100 of FIG. 1, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that method 200 may be performed with other tools as desired. The steps in the flow charts described herein are not complete and may include other steps not shown. The steps described herein may also be performed in an alternative order.

The operator of the cryogenic assisted adhesive removal tool 100 places it adjacent a portion of the surface covered by the adhesive feature and pulls the trigger 130. This results in the cryogenic fluid being dispensed from the cryogenic assisted adhesive removal tool 100 onto the surface of the structure in step 202. The cryogenic fluid may comprise a gas or a liquid and may be selected from carbon dioxide, nitrogen (liquefied at-210 degrees celsius), helium, argon, or others. Carbon dioxide may provide additional benefits beyond cooling, for example, by dissolving the binder compound and acting as a cleaning solvent.

The cryogenic fluid may be dispensed at a temperature lower than ambient temperature, such as a temperature below the glass transition temperature of the adhesive feature. For example, cryogenic fluids may be dispensed at temperatures below 0 degrees Celsius, which ranges down to-195 degrees Celsius. The pressure and volumetric flow rate of the cryogenic fluid can be selected as desired based on the desired removal rate and the thermal mass of the bonding feature per unit area. In one embodiment, the pressure ranges between 1 and 50 pounds Per Square Inch (PSI) and the volumetric flow rate ranges between 1 liter per minute and 1 liter per second.

Dispensing the cryogenic fluid includes spraying the cryogenic fluid at the tip of the cryogenically assisted adhesive removal tool that peels off the adhesive feature. Alternatively or additionally, dispensing the cryogenic fluid includes spraying the cryogenic fluid from the tip of the cryogenically assisted adhesive removal tool that peels the adhesive feature.

In step 204, the cryogenic fluid cools the bond feature to cause a physical change, thereby embrittling the bond feature (e.g., by cooling the bond feature below the glass transition temperature of the chemical substance that holds the bond feature in place). The cryogenic fluid may cool the bond features via convective and/or conductive heat transfer. This causes the chemicals and/or the overall adhesive characteristics to become brittle. The cryogenic fluid also cools the tip 150 of the cryogenically assisted adhesive removal tool 100, which ensures that contact between the tip 150 and the bonded feature does not result in conductive or frictional heating of the bonded feature beyond the temperature at which the physical change occurs. In this manner, the cryogenic fluid ensures that both the tip 150 of the cryogenic tool and the adhesive feature itself remain cool enough so that the adhesive feature can be effectively cut or peeled from its underlying surface.

In step 206, while the adhesive feature is physically changed/cooled (e.g., below its glass transition temperature), the low-temperature assisted adhesive removal tool 100 is operated to peel (e.g., mechanically remove) the adhesive feature from the surface to remove the adhesive feature from the structure. For example, an operator of the cryogenic assisted adhesive removal tool may move the tip 150 back and forth along the bonding feature while pressing the tip into the surface of the structure. In other examples, the operator may activate an electric system that drives the tip to facilitate stripping.

The method 200 provides a technical benefit over prior systems in that it provides a removal technique that utilizes cooling to alter the physical properties of the material being removed. This increases the ease of material removal, for example by causing the material to lose elastic properties that would otherwise make it difficult to peel. Thus, the operator may advantageously remove the adhesive feature in less time and labor than previously possible without forming undesirable marks on the underlying surface on which the adhesive feature was left.

Fig. 3-4 are views of a first interchangeable tip 300 of a cryogenic assisted adhesive removal tool in an exemplary embodiment and correspond to view arrows 3 and 4, respectively, of fig. 1. In this embodiment, the first interchangeable tip 300 includes a body 320 terminating in an edge 312, with a surface 310 extending from the body 320. The cavity 330 within the body 320 includes mating features 332, the mating features 332 for receiving mating features at the protrusions of a cryogenically assisted adhesive removal tool. A passage 334 extends from the cavity 330 forming a manifold 336 leading to a port 340 for distributing cryogenic fluid. Thus, while the channels 334 provide cooling to the surface 310, the ports 340 allow cryogenic fluid to be distributed onto the surface. The edge 312 of the first interchangeable tip 300 can be manually moved over the adhesive feature to peel the adhesive feature or the edge 312 can be mechanically driven to oscillate or rotate at a desired rate to facilitate peeling. In this embodiment, the first interchangeable tip has an edge 312 with a length (L) of one-quarter inch. In some embodiments, to enhance efficiency, the ports 340 are as close as possible to the edge 312, and cryogenic jets are distributed from the ports 340 to impinge on the work surface. In other embodiments, the angle of the channels 334 and/or ports 340 is oriented to project cryogenic fluid toward the edge 312 or a point at the surface in contact with (or as close as possible to) the edge 312. The edge 312 may then be oscillated (e.g., manually) at a rate of multiple times per second while the edge 312 and underlying surface are cooled by the cryogenic fluid.

Fig. 5-6 are views of a second interchangeable tip 500 of a cryogenic assisted adhesive removal tool in an exemplary embodiment, and correspond to the views depicted in fig. 3 and 4. In this embodiment, the second interchangeable tip 500 includes a body 520 terminating in an edge 512, with a peel surface 510 extending from the body 520. The cavity 530 within the body 520 includes mating features 532, the mating features 332 for receiving mating features at the protrusions of a cryogenically assisted adhesive removal tool. The channels 534 extend from the cavity 530, forming a manifold 536 leading to a port 540 for distributing cryogenic fluid. While the channels 534 provide cooling to the surface 510, the ports 540 allow cryogenic fluid to be distributed onto the surface. Thus, the channel 534 operates as a manifold. The edge 512 of the second interchangeable tip 500 can be manually moved over the adhesive feature to peel the adhesive feature or the edge 512 can be mechanically actuated to facilitate peeling. In this embodiment, the second interchangeable tip 500 has an edge 512 with a length (L) of several inches. However, in other embodiments, the second interchangeable tip 500 has a longer length, such as a length of several feet.

Fig. 7-9 illustrate the operation of the low temperature assisted adhesive removal tool 730 to remove adhesive features in an exemplary embodiment. As shown in fig. 7, the cryogenic assisted adhesive removal tool 730 is coupled with a cryogenic gas reservoir 740 via a distribution path 742 and with a vacuum system 750 via a vacuum path 752. The low temperature assisted adhesive removal tool 730 will be used to remove adhesive features 720 (e.g., identification marks) from the surface 712 of the structure comprising the wing 710 of the aircraft.

In fig. 8, a cryogenically assisted adhesive removal tool 730 is disposed over a portion 810 of the bonding feature 720 and a trigger of the cryogenically assisted adhesive removal tool is actuated to dispense a cryogenic fluid 800, the cryogenic fluid 800 taking the form of carbon dioxide gas that has been cooled to-50 degrees celsius (carbon dioxide sublimes from a solid to a gas at-56 degrees celsius at atmospheric pressure and liquefies at 5.1 atmospheres over a range of temperatures). Cryogenic fluid 800 rapidly reduces the temperature of a portion 810 of bonding feature 720 to cool the bonding feature or to cool a chemical (e.g., epoxy, glue, or resin) that bonds the bonding feature to surface 712, as shown by indicator Δ T. Cooling causes a physical change, causing the adhesive feature or chemical to become more brittle. This avoids the ability of the adhesive feature to remain elastic and capable of deformation, thus facilitating peeling of the adhesive feature from the underlying surface. The material may be cut or broken so that it can be detached from the underlying surface.

In fig. 9, a low temperature assisted adhesive removal tool 730 is operated to peel off a portion 810 of the adhesive feature 720, leaving a segment 900. The cryogenically assisted adhesive removal tool 730 can be operated again as shown in figures 7-8 to dispense cryogenic fluid onto the rest of the bonding features 720 and peel them away. This process may be repeated until the adhesive feature 720 has been completely removed.

Fig. 10 illustrates a low temperature assisted adhesive removal tool 1000 with a shroud 1010 in an exemplary embodiment. Shield 1010 is transparent and reduces the likelihood that cryogenic fluid exiting the tool will travel toward the user of the apparatus, while also enabling the operator to view the work location. That is, cryogenic fluid exiting the cryogenically-assisted adhesive removal tool 1000 is physically impeded from freely traveling laterally beyond a certain distance (L of fig. 10) as it is ejected from the cryogenically-assisted adhesive removal tool 730, and must therefore advance within the confines of the shroud 1010. This enhances the safety of the operator of the low temperature-assisted adhesive removal tool 1000 by preventing cryogenic fluid from migrating to the portion of the low temperature-assisted adhesive removal tool 1000 that is gripped by the operator. In other words, the cryogenic fluid jet impinging on the surface and bounced off the surface is deflected away from the shield 1010 and remains safely separated from the operator.

Fig. 11 illustrates a low temperature assisted adhesive removal tool 1100 with a debris vacuum port 1110 in an exemplary embodiment. The debris vacuum port 1110 leads to a vacuum path 1120 having a large diameter, such as a vacuum path having a diameter of one to several inches. The increased size of the vacuum path 1120 enables debris 1130 generated as part of the peeling process to be quickly and efficiently removed from the work area where the low temperature assisted adhesive removal tool 1100 is used.

Examples of the invention

In the following examples, additional processes, systems, and methods are described in the context of a tool that utilizes a cryogenic fluid to facilitate peeling of an adhesive feature from an underlying surface.

Fig. 12 is a block diagram of a cryogenic stripping system 1200 in an exemplary embodiment. Cryogenic stripping system 1200 is provided in the form of a tool, such as tool 100 (shown in fig. 1) coupled to cryogenic fluid reservoir 1282 and vacuum system 1284. In this embodiment, the cryogenic stripping system 1200 includes a handle 1212 that is physically integral with a main body 1214, a retainer 1216, and a housing 1218. Housing 1218 includes a coupling 1242 and a coupling 1244 through which fluid (e.g., liquid or gas) can pass for cryogenic fluid reservoir 1282 and vacuum system 1284, respectively. Body 1214 includes a pressure regulator 1270, pressure regulator 1270 being capable of regulating the pressure and/or flow rate of cryogenic fluid to be dispensed. The barrel 1220 and the projection 1222 mate with the cavity 1254 of the tip 1250 via interaction between the mating features 1224, the mating features 1224 physically mating with corresponding mating features 1256. The ports 1258 communicate with the cavities 1254 and the peel surfaces 1252 are used to apply a physical force that removes the adhesive features. Vacuum inlet 1260 draws the applied cryogenic fluid from near top end 1250 thereby preventing accumulation of cryogenic fluid. In some embodiments, the vacuum inlet 1260 also extracts fragments of the adhesive/sealant that have been peeled or cut. Thus, as depicted in fig. 12, cryogenic jets are shunted through the cryogenic stripping system and impinge on the working area, making any flexible material above brittle and severable/peelable.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, embodiments of the disclosure may be described in the context of aircraft manufacturing and service method 1300, as shown in FIG. 13, and aircraft 1302, as shown in FIG. 14. During pre-production, method 1300 may include specification and design 1304 of aircraft 1302 and material procurement 1306. During production, component and subassembly manufacturing 1308 and system integration 1310 of the aircraft 1302 occurs. Thereafter, the aircraft 1302 may go through certification and delivery 1312 in order to be placed in service 1314. During commissioning by a customer, the aircraft 1302 is scheduled for routine work (which may also include modification, reconfiguration, refurbishment, and so on) for maintenance and service 1316. The apparatus and methods embodied herein may be employed during any one or more suitable stages of production and maintenance described in method 1300 (e.g., specification and design 1304, material procurement 1306, component and subassembly manufacturing 1308, system integration 1310, certification and delivery 1312, service 1314, maintenance and service 1316) and/or in any suitable component of aircraft 1302 (e.g., fuselage 1318, systems 1320, interior 1322, propulsion system 1324, electrical system 1326, hydraulic system 1328, environmental system 1330).

The various processes of method 1300 may be performed or carried out by a system integrator, a third party, and/or an operator (e.g., a customer). For purposes of this description, a system integrator may include, but is not limited to, any number of aircraft manufacturers and major-system subcontractors; the third party may include, but is not limited to, any number of suppliers, subcontractors, and suppliers; and the operator may be an airline, leasing company, military entity, service organization, and so on.

As shown in fig. 14, the aircraft 1302 produced by the method 1300 may include an airframe 1318 with a plurality of advanced systems 1320 and an interior 1322. Examples of the system 1320 include one or more of a propulsion system 1324, an electrical system 1326, a hydraulic system 1328, and an environmental system 1330. Any number of other systems may be included. Although an aerospace example is shown, the principles of the invention may be applied to other industries, such as the automotive industry or the construction industry.

As already mentioned above, the apparatus and methods embodied herein may be employed during any one or more of the stages of production and service described in method 1300. For example, components or subassemblies corresponding to component and subassembly manufacturing 1308 may be fabricated or manufactured in a manner similar to components or subassemblies produced while the aircraft 1302 is in service. Additionally, one or more apparatus embodiments, method embodiments, or a combination thereof may be utilized during subassembly manufacturing 1308 and system integration 1310, for example, by substantially expediting assembly of the aircraft 1302 or reducing the cost of the aircraft 1302. Similarly, one or more of the apparatus embodiments, the method embodiments, or a combination thereof may be utilized while the aircraft 1302 is in service (e.g., without limitation, during maintenance and service 1316). For example, the techniques and systems described herein may be used for material procurement 1306, component and subassembly manufacturing 1308, system integration 1310, service 1314, and/or maintenance and service 1316, and/or may be used for fuselage 1318 and/or interior 1322. These techniques and systems may even be used for the system 1320, including, for example, the propulsion system 1324, the electrical system 1326, the hydraulic system 1328, and/or the environmental system 1330.

In one embodiment, the part forms a portion of the fuselage 1318 and is manufactured during component and subassembly manufacturing 1308. The part may then be assembled onto the aircraft in system integration 1310 and then utilized in service 1314 until wear renders the part unusable. Then, in maintenance and service 316, the part may be discarded and replaced with a newly manufactured part. The components and methods of the present invention may be utilized in the overall component and subassembly manufacturing 1308 in order to manufacture new parts.

Any of the various control elements (e.g., electrical or electronic components) shown in the figures or described herein may be implemented as hardware, a processor implementing software, a processor implementing firmware, or some combination of these. For example, the elements may be implemented as dedicated hardware. A dedicated hardware element may be referred to as a "processor," "controller," or some similar terminology. When provided by a processor, the functions may be provided by a single dedicated processor, by a single shared processor, or by a plurality of individual processors, some of which may be shared. Moreover, explicit use of the term "processor" or "controller" should not be construed to refer exclusively to hardware capable of executing software, and may implicitly include, without limitation, Digital Signal Processor (DSP) hardware, network processor, Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) or other circuitry, Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), Read Only Memory (ROM) for storing software, Random Access Memory (RAM), non volatile storage, logic, or some other physical hardware component or module.

In addition, the control element may be implemented as instructions executable by a processor or computer to perform the functions of the element. Some examples of instructions are software, program code, and firmware. The instructions are operative when executed by the processor to direct the processor to perform functions of the element. The instructions may be stored on a storage device readable by the processor. Some examples of storage devices are digital or solid state memory, magnetic storage media such as magnetic disks and tapes, hard drives, or optically readable digital data storage media.

Additionally, the present disclosure includes examples in accordance with the following clauses:

clause 1. a method for operating a cryogenic assisted adhesive removal tool, the method comprising: dispensing a cryogenic fluid onto an adhesive feature disposed on a surface of a structure; cooling the bonding feature to cause a physical change, thereby embrittling the bonding feature; and operating the low-temperature-assisted adhesive removal tool to peel the adhesive feature from the surface while the adhesive feature is physically changed.

Clause 2. the method of clause 1, further comprising: removing a tip of the low-temperature-assisted adhesive removal tool, wherein the tip peels the adhesive feature from the surface.

Clause 3. the method of clause 1 or 2, wherein: the cryogenic fluid is dispensed from the cryogenic assisted adhesive removal tool.

Clause 4. the method of any one of clauses 1-3, wherein: performing the step of operating the low temperature assisted adhesive removal tool to peel the adhesive feature while the adhesive feature is below the glass transition temperature.

Clause 5. the method of any one of clauses 1-4, wherein: dispensing the cryogenic fluid comprises spraying the cryogenic fluid at a top end of the cryogenically-assisted adhesive removal tool that peels off the adhesive feature.

Clause 6. the method of any one of clauses 1-5, wherein: dispensing the cryogenic fluid comprises spraying the cryogenic fluid from the tip of the cryogenically-assisted adhesive removal tool that peels the adhesive feature.

Clause 7. the method of any one of clauses 1-6, further comprising: withdrawing the applied cryogenic fluid from the surface.

Clause 8. the method of any one of clauses 1-7, wherein: the low temperature assisted adhesive removal tool includes a tip that is softer than the surface.

Clause 9. the method of any one of clauses 1-8, wherein: the low temperature assisted adhesive removal tool includes peeling off a tip of the adhesive feature, and the method further includes replacing the tip with a new tip.

Clause 10. the method of any one of clauses 1-9, further comprising: controlling the pressure at which the cryogenic fluid is applied.

Clause 11. the method of any one of clauses 1-10, wherein: the cryogenic fluid comprises a gas selected from the group consisting of carbon dioxide, nitrogen, helium, and argon.

Clause 12. the method of any one of clauses 1-11, wherein: the step of operating the low temperature assisted adhesive removal tool is performed without leaving marks on the surface.

Clause 13. a portion of an aircraft assembled according to the method of any of clauses 1-12.

Clause 14. an apparatus for performing cryogenic stripping, the apparatus comprising:

a cartridge comprising a distribution path for cryogenic fluid to travel;

a top end coupled with the barrel providing a port for the cryogenic fluid to exit the dispense path and comprising a peel-off surface; and

a trigger that is controlled to activate dispensing of the cryogenic fluid via the dispensing path.

Clause 15. the apparatus of clause 14, wherein: the tip includes a mating feature for securing the tip to the barrel, the tip is made of a material softer than the working surface, and the tip includes a passage for dispensing the cryogenic fluid.

Clause 16. the apparatus of clause 14 or 15, further comprising: a cryogenic fluid reservoir coupled with the barrel, wherein the barrel enables targeted application of the cryogenic fluid.

Clause 17. the apparatus of any one of clauses 14 to 16, further comprising: a vacuum inlet disposed proximate to the tip and comprising a vacuum path that draws the applied cryogenic fluid away from the tip.

Clause 18. the apparatus of clause 17, wherein: the vacuum path is larger than the dispensing path and recovers the peeled debris from the adhesive feature.

Clause 19. the apparatus of any one of clauses 14 to 18, further comprising: a pressure regulator that controls the amount of pressure that the cryogenic fluid is dispensed from the tip.

Clause 20. the apparatus of any one of clauses 14 to 19, further comprising: a shield that prevents cryogenic fluid exiting the tip from traveling toward a user of the apparatus.

Clause 21. the apparatus of any one of clauses 14-20, further comprising: a protrusion attached to the barrel and sized to enter the cavity at the tip, the protrusion including a mating feature that engages with a mating feature at the tip to secure the tip to the barrel to form a removable connection.

Clause 22. the apparatus of any one of clauses 14 to 21, wherein: the tool includes a tip that is softer than the surface.

Clause 23. the apparatus of any one of clauses 14 to 22, wherein: the tool includes a tip that peels off the adhesive feature.

Clause 24. the apparatus of any one of clauses 14 to 23, wherein the tip is replaceable with a new tip.

Clause 25. the apparatus of any one of clauses 14 to 24, wherein: the cryogenic fluid comprises a gas selected from the group consisting of carbon dioxide, nitrogen, helium, and argon.

Clause 26. manufacturing a portion of an aircraft using the apparatus of any one of clauses 14 to 25.

Clause 27. a system for performing cryogenic stripping, the system comprising: a cryogenic fluid reservoir; and a cryogenically-assisted adhesive removal tool coupled to the cryogenic fluid reservoir and dispensing cryogenic fluid stored within the cryogenic fluid reservoir from a peel tip of the cryogenically-assisted adhesive removal tool.

Clause 28. the system of clause 27, further comprising: a vacuum system coupled to the cryogenic assisted adhesive removal tool, disposed proximate to a nozzle that dispenses the cryogenic fluid, and draws the cryogenic fluid away from the peel tip.

Clause 29. the system of clause 27 or 28, further comprising: a pressure regulator that controls the amount of pressure that the cryogenic fluid is dispensed from the tip.

Clause 30. the system of any one of clauses 27-29, further comprising: a shield that prevents cryogenic fluid exiting the tip from traveling toward a user of the system while enabling an operator to view a work location.

Clause 31. the system of any one of clauses 27 to 30, wherein the tool comprises the apparatus of any one of clauses 14 to 25.

Clause 32. manufacturing a portion of an aircraft using the system of any of clauses 27-30.

Although specific embodiments have been described herein, the scope of the disclosure is not limited to those specific embodiments. The scope of the disclosure is defined by the following claims and any equivalents thereof.