A thin-film coating applicator assembly is disclosed for coating substrates in outdoor applications. The innovative thin-film coating applicator assembly is adapted to apply performance enhancement coatings on installed photovoltaic panels and glass windows in outdoor environments. The coating applicator is adapted to move along a solar panel or glass pane while applicator mechanisms deposit a uniform layer of liquid coating solution to the substrate's surface. The applicator assembly comprises a conveyance means disposed on a frame. Further disclosed are innovative applicator heads that comprise a deformable sponge-like core surrounded by a microporous layer. The structure, when in contact with a substrate surface, deposits a uniform layer of coating solution over a large surface.

A method of delivering a glutinous substance to a workpiece from an end-effector comprises using the end-effector to rotate a brush relative to the workpiece about a rotational axis. The method also comprises, while rotating the brush relative to the workpiece about the rotational axis, urging the glutinous substance from the end-effector through a channel of a body of the brush from an axial inlet of the channel to an outlet of the channel, into contact with a thatch of bristles of the brush. Additionally, the method comprises using the end-effector to position the brush relative to the workpiece such that the glutinous substance in contact with the thatch is delivered onto at least a first surface and a third surface of the workpiece.

A method of delivering a glutinous substance to a workpiece from an end-effector comprises using the end-effector to rotate a brush relative to the workpiece about a rotational axis. The method also comprises, while rotating the brush relative to the workpiece about the rotational axis, urging the glutinous substance from the end-effector through a channel of a body of the brush from an axial inlet of the channel to an outlet of the channel, into contact with a thatch of bristles of the brush. Additionally, the method comprises using the end-effector to position the brush relative to the workpiece such that the glutinous substance in contact with the thatch is delivered onto at least a first surface and a third surface of the workpiece.

A girth weld coating machine has an application head rotatable about a pipeline. A reservoir of coating material is carried on the application head and progressively dispenses coating material on to the girth weld. The coating material is applied to the pipe surface by a roller to spread and distribute the coating over the surface.

Systems and methods for automated repair and maintenance operations on a railroad track comprise a work head that is automatically moved over the railroad track according to a predetermined pattern, such as the movement of an applicator for tie plugging compound according to a predetermined pattern of spike holes. The automated repair and maintenance operations may be coupled to systems and methods for automatically detecting a feature on a railroad track that comprise two or more distance measurement sensors that travel over the railroad track. Features on the railroad track are detected where the distance measured by each sensor falls within two different predetermined distance ranges.

Systems and methods for automated repair and maintenance operations on a railroad track comprise a work head that is automatically moved over the railroad track according to a predetermined pattern, such as the movement of an applicator for tie plugging compound according to a predetermined pattern of spike holes. The automated repair and maintenance operations may be coupled to systems and methods for automatically detecting a feature on a railroad track that comprise two or more distance measurement sensors that travel over the railroad track. Features on the railroad track are detected where the distance measured by each sensor falls within two different predetermined distance ranges.

Embodiments relate to a coating system. A substrate includes a first coating region and a second coating region adjacent to the first coating region. The coating system includes a first gravure mechanism and a second gravure mechanism, where the first gravure mechanism is configured to apply a first functional layer onto the first coating region, and the second gravure mechanism can receive the substrate having the first functional layer and apply a second functional layer made of a material different from that of the first functional layer onto the second coating region. In the coating system, with provision of first gravure mechanism and the second gravure mechanism, when the substrate is continuously transported in a same direction, the two functional layers made of different materials can be sequentially applied onto corresponding regions of the substrate.

An applicator is disclosed for applying sealant to a moving substrate. The applicator includes a wheel having a periphery. A plurality of spaced apart footprints extends around the periphery of the wheel and each footprint has a sealant receiving feature. A reservoir is provided for containing a supply of sealant to be applied to the moving substrate. The wheel is rotatably mounted at least partially in the reservoir such that as the wheel rotates, each of the spaced apart footprints repeatedly moves through a supply of sealant in the reservoir to pick up a charge of sealant, around one side of the wheel toward the moving substrate, adjacent the moving substrate to transfer the sealant charge to the substrate, and around the other side of the wheel back toward the supply of sealant. At least one stop is formed on each of the footprints for inhibiting sealant picked up by the footprint from being urged rearwardly on the footprint by high speed rotation of the wheel. A backstop may be formed at a trailing end of each footprint and mid-stops may be formed between a leading end of each footprint and the trailing end.

An applicator is disclosed for applying sealant to a moving substrate. The applicator includes a wheel having a periphery. A plurality of spaced apart footprints extends around the periphery of the wheel and each footprint has a sealant receiving feature. A reservoir is provided for containing a supply of sealant to be applied to the moving substrate. The wheel is rotatably mounted at least partially in the reservoir such that as the wheel rotates, each of the spaced apart footprints repeatedly moves through a supply of sealant in the reservoir to pick up a charge of sealant, around one side of the wheel toward the moving substrate, adjacent the moving substrate to transfer the sealant charge to the substrate, and around the other side of the wheel back toward the supply of sealant. At least one stop is formed on each of the footprints for inhibiting sealant picked up by the footprint from being urged rearwardly on the footprint by high speed rotation of the wheel. A backstop may be formed at a trailing end of each footprint and mid-stops may be formed between a leading end of each footprint and the trailing end.

A method for applying a product by roller on a surface of a substrate (112) transported horizontally with respect to an application head (111, 111) is discloses. The method includes moving the application head (111, 111) immediately from a lowered position of the application head (111, 111), wherein the application roller (122, 122) applies the product in a predetermined position of the surface of the substrate, to a raised position of the application head (111, 111), wherein the application roller (122, 122) does not apply product; or vice versa. An application system using the method for applying a product by roller is also disclosed.