Cryogenic-Assisted Adhesive Removal Tool for Elastomeric Features
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Solution Overview
Problem
The removal of adhesive features with elastomeric properties from aircraft surfaces is challenging due to their tenacious nature, which leads to deformation, gumming of tools and surfaces, and potential damage during mechanical removal processes.
Innovation Solution
A cryogenic-assisted adhesive removal tool that applies localized cooling with cryogenic gases to make the adhesive features brittle, facilitating easier mechanical removal using interchangeable tips with cleaving surfaces, while maintaining surface integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If mechanical removal tools are used to remove adhesive features, then removal capability is achieved, but the elastomeric properties of the adhesive cause deformation and gumming of tools and surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies cryogenic cooling to change the physical state of the adhesive feature from elastomeric to brittle by reducing its temperature below the glass transition temperature. This parameter change (temperature) fundamentally alters the material properties, making the adhesive suitable for mechanical removal without gumming or deformation.
Solution Approach 2:
The cryogenic cooling is applied before the mechanical removal process to pre-condition the adhesive feature. By cooling the adhesive in advance, the tool surface and work area are prepared to prevent gumming, enabling subsequent clean mechanical removal without the harmful effects described in the contradiction.
2Productivity
If force is applied to remove tenaciously adhered adhesive features, then removal is achieved, but surface marking and damage may occur
Solution Approach 1:
By changing the temperature parameter of the adhesive feature through cryogenic cooling, the material transitions from a tenaciously adhered elastomeric state to a brittle state that cleaves cleanly. This allows removal to proceed with minimal applied force, preventing surface marking while maintaining high removal efficiency.
3Stability of the object's composition
If adhesive features are removed while in elastomeric state, then material flexibility is maintained, but removal difficulty increases due to deformation tendency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent deliberately changes the temperature parameter to transform the adhesive from its stable elastomeric composition to a brittle state. This parameter change sacrifices the elastomeric flexibility temporarily during removal, but enables easy mechanical cleavage. The adhesive can return to its elastomeric state after removal if needed.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The tool enables efficient and precise removal of adhesive features with reduced operator force, minimizing surface damage and time required for removal, and preventing undesired marking of the aircraft surface.
Implementation Method 1
dispensing a cryogenic fluid onto an adhesive feature disposed at a surface of a structure, cooling the adhesive feature to cause a physical change making the adhesive feature brittle
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are provided for removing adhesive features. One embodiment is a method for operating a cryogenic-assisted adhesive a removal tool. The method includes dispensing a cryogenic fluid onto an adhesive feature disposed at a surface of a structure, cooling the adhesive feature to cause a physical change making the adhesive feature brittle, and operating the cryogenic-assisted adhesive removal tool to cleave the adhesive feature from the surface while the adhesive feature is physically changed.