US 12,337,360 B2
Systems and methods for cleaning surfaces of a workpiece
Stanley Tong, Ferndale, MI (US); Jeffrey B Harris, Detroit, MI (US); Brennon L White, Novi, MI (US); Adam John Campbell, Rochester, MI (US); Andrew Thomas Cunningham, Cambridge, MA (US); and Ali Shabbir, Windson (CA)
Assigned to GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC, Detroit, MI (US)
Filed by GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC, Detroit, MI (US)
Filed on Aug. 3, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/817,314.
Prior Publication US 2024/0042496 A1, Feb. 8, 2024
Int. Cl. B08B 5/04 (2006.01); A61K 31/205 (2006.01); A61K 31/519 (2006.01); A61K 31/59 (2006.01); A61K 31/714 (2006.01); A61K 33/06 (2006.01); A61K 33/26 (2006.01); A61K 45/06 (2006.01); B25J 11/00 (2006.01)
CPC B08B 5/04 (2013.01) [A61K 31/205 (2013.01); A61K 31/519 (2013.01); A61K 31/59 (2013.01); A61K 31/714 (2013.01); A61K 33/06 (2013.01); A61K 33/26 (2013.01); A61K 45/06 (2013.01); B25J 11/0085 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A system, comprising:
a housing defining an enclosure;
a holding structure within the enclosure, the holding structure configured to support a workpiece;
a first powder removal device within the enclosure, the first powder removal device configured to propel a first media toward the holding structure such that the first media contacts the workpiece while the workpiece is supported by the holding structure;
a first sensing device within the enclosure, the first sensing device configured to detect surface characteristics of the workpiece while the workpiece is supported by the holding structure;
a controller configured to, by a processor:
detect a powder material on a surface of the workpiece based on the surface characteristics; and
selectively operate the first powder removal device to remove the powder material from the surface with the first media while the workpiece is supported by the holding structure;
a suction device configured to generate a suction force sufficient to extract the powder material and the first media through an outlet of the enclosure; and
a separation device configured to receive the powder material and the first media from the outlet of the enclosure and to automatically separate the powder material and the first media, wherein the powder material is further separated into a reusable powder material and a non-reusable powder material.