IP Library Granted Patent US 8,871,034
Granted Patent B2
US 8,871,034 · App. 13/092,179 · Granted Oct 28, 2014

Production washing assembly verification system and method

Inventor: Matthew Kenworthy (Grand Blanc, MI)
Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
B08B3/02
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,871,034
App. No.
13/092,179
Granted
Oct 28, 2014
Kind
B2
Abstract

A master verification assembly includes a plurality of plunger devices. Each of the plunger devices includes a piston that is axially moveable between a raised position and a depressed position. When placed in a washing assembly, each of the plunger devices is aligned with a nozzle. The nozzles dispense a cleaning fluid under pressure. An axial force applied by the dispensed cleaning fluid depresses the pistons into the depressed position, whereupon the pistons disposed in the depressed position are axially secured in an indicator position. Upon removal of the master verification assembly from the washing assembly, depressed pistons in the indicator position indicate proper function of the nozzles, whereas pistons disposed in the raised position indicate improperly functioning nozzles.

Claims (16)

1. A part washing system for washing parts, the part washing system comprising:

a washer assembly having a plurality of nozzles, wherein each of the plurality of nozzles is configured for dispensing a stream of a cleaning fluid under pressure;

a master verification assembly including a plurality of plunger devices, with one of the plurality of plunger devices disposed opposite one single nozzle of the plurality of nozzles of the washer assembly;

wherein the master verification assembly includes a body defining a plurality of apertures, with each one of the plurality of apertures configured to align with the stream of the cleaning fluid dispensed from a respective one of the plurality of nozzles of the washer assembly, and with one of the plurality of plunger devices disposed within a respective one of the plurality of apertures;

wherein each of the plurality of plunger devices includes:

a housing defining a central bore extending along a longitudinal axis;

a piston disposed within the central bore and moveable along the longitudinal axis between a raised position and a depressed position;

wherein the piston is moveable from the raised position into the depressed position in response to an axial force having a magnitude greater than a pre-defined value applied by the stream of the cleaning fluid from the nozzle along the longitudinal axis; and

a latch configured for securing the piston in an indicator position upon the piston moving into the depressed position.

2. A part washing system as set forth in claim 1 wherein the housing of each of the plunger devices defines a top surface and the body of the master verification assembly defines an outer surface, with the top surface of the housing of each of the plunger devices disposed flush with the outer surface of the body.

3. A part washing system as set forth in claim 1 wherein each plunger device includes a biasing device for biasing the piston along the longitudinal axis into the raised position.

4. A part washing system as set forth in claim 3 wherein the housing of each of the plunger devices defines a cam slot extending through an outer wall of the housing and open to the central bore.

5. A part washing system as set forth in claim 4 wherein the cam slot extends a distance along the longitudinal axis while simultaneously rotating angularly about the longitudinal axis to define a spiral shaped cam surface.

6. A part washing system as set forth in claim 5 wherein each plunger device includes a post extending from the piston radially outward away from the longitudinal axis and into the cam slot, with the cam slot guiding the post to rotate the piston as the piston moves between the raised position and the depressed position.

7. A part washing system as set forth in claim 6 wherein the latch includes a notch formed in the cam surface for securing an axial position of the piston along the longitudinal axis, wherein the axial force from the stream of the cleaning fluid moves the piston against a biasing force of the biasing device into the depressed position, whereupon cessation of the stream of cleaning fluid disengages the axial force from the piston allowing the biasing force from the biasing device to move the piston axially along the longitudinal axis until the post is disposed within the notch, thereby securing the piston in the indicator position.

8. A part washing system as set forth in claim 6 wherein the piston of each plunger device includes a first segment and a second segment, wherein the first segment is rotatable about the longitudinal axis relative to the second segment with the post attached to the first segment, and wherein the second segment is disposed between the first segment and the biasing device and non-rotatable about the longitudinal axis such that the second segment prevents the transfer of rotation from the first segment to the biasing device.

Assignments (3)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 7, 2014
From: WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
Reel/Frame 034186/0776 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jun 28, 2012
From: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
To: WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
Reel/Frame 028466/0870 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 22, 2011
From: KENWORTHY, MATTHEW
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
Reel/Frame 026168/0065 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 61442842 · Feb 15, 2011
Related Publication 20120204917A1 · Aug 16, 2012