Pumps – Motor driven – Fluid motor
Reexamination Certificate
2002-08-30
2004-11-23
Yu, Justine R. (Department: 3746)
Pumps
Motor driven
Fluid motor
C417S569000, C417S403000, C417S539000, C417S527000, C092S060500, C222S145500, C222S132000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06821096
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to dispensing systems for dispensing metered quantities of fluid components. It is disclosed in the context of dispensing systems for dispensing the components, for example, resin and catalyst, of a plural component system. However, it is believed to be useful in other applications as well.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Many automotive refinishing and light industrial paints comprise multiple components. These are called plural component paints. Sometimes they are referred to as “n”K paints, that is, 2K for a two component paint, 3K for a three component paint, and so on. The components typically include, for example, a base component, such as, for example, a clear coat, an activator and a reducer.
These components are mixed in various ratios to obtain the final sprayable product. The ratios are typically measured and mixed by hand or by using expensive metering and pumping equipment. Once the activator is added, the sprayable pot life is short, for example, only one to three hours. Therefore, any excess mixed product becomes waste. The mixed product is expensive, for example, $40.00 U.S. per quart (about $42.00 U.S. per liter).
Painters using gravity- or suction-feed cup-type spray guns measure and mix the product by hand. Mixing too much, mixing the wrong ratio, and cleaning the gun generate waste. Painters using pressure-feed guns with remote paint tanks typically use expensive, for example, $5000-$15,000 U.S., metering and pumping equipment. This equipment pumps the metered and mixed product to the gun through, for example, 35 feet (about 11 meters) of hose. Since the product in the hose typically has only a one to three hour pot life, for example, it must be used or the hose must be flushed before the product hardens. Typical costs to flush a hose filled with mixed components in a 2K or 3K system are in the range of $0.50 U.S. per foot of hose (about $1.65 U.S. per meter of hose).
Many painters use pressure-feed guns to obtain large, that is, 10″ to 12″ (about 25 cm to about 30 cm or so), spray patterns. Newer gravity-feed cup-type guns can also spray that size pattern. In these devices, a reservoir, or cup, of the gun is filled with mixed 2K or 3K product from a metering system, and the mixed product is then dispensed from the gun. This eliminates much paint hose waste.
Ratio metering systems are typical of existing 2K and 3K dispensing equipment. The stroke of each pump in such equipment is adjustable to control the component ratios. Component pump mounting points are moved along a tilted plate, sometimes referred to as a rocker plate, to change the pumps' swept volumes, thereby adjusting the pumps' ratios. An air cylinder operates the pumps. There are also some systems that control the ratios electronically, such as, for example, the Ransburg E-Z Flow system.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
According to one aspect of the invention, a dispensing system is provided for a material which is stored prior to dispensing in a container provided with a lid. A device for holding the lid on the container includes a flexible element. Ends of the flexible element are fixed to a component of the dispensing system. A threaded member is provided along the length of the flexible element. One end of the threaded member urges downwardly upon the lid. Threading of the threaded member in one direction forces the lid more tightly onto the container. Threading of the threaded member in another direction reduces the force with which the lid is held on the container.
Illustratively according to this aspect of invention, the threaded member is an eye screw.
Further illustratively according to this aspect of the invention, the lid includes a geometric center and the threaded member is threaded into a threaded opening provided therefor adjacent the geometric center. The flexible element includes a cable.
According to another aspect of the invention, a pumping apparatus includes a first piston and a first cylinder in which the first piston is reciprocable to draw material to be pumped into the first cylinder during an intake stroke of the pumping apparatus and to exhaust the material from the first cylinder during an exhaust stroke of the pumping apparatus. The first cylinderincludes a support. The apparatus further includes at least two pumping motors. The first cylinder is oriented between the pumping motors. The pumping motors are coupled to the support and to the first piston to move the support and first piston relatively toward each other during an exhaust stroke of the pumping apparatus and relatively away from each other during an intake stroke of the pumping apparatus.
Illustratively according to this aspect of the invention, the pumping motors each include a pumping motor piston and a pumping motor cylinder. The pumping motor pistons are coupled to the first piston.
Further illustratively according to this aspect of the invention, each pumping motor piston is coupled to a pumping motor connecting rod. The first piston is coupled to a first connecting rod. The pumping motor connecting rods and first connecting rod are coupled together.
Additionally illustratively according to this aspect of the invention, the pumping motor connecting rods and first connecting rod are coupled together by being coupled to coupling means.
Illustratively according to this aspect of the invention, the support includes means providing a first head for the first cylinder and a pumping motor head for each pumping motor.
Further illustratively according to this aspect of the invention, the support includes means providing an intake valve into the first cylinder, an exhaust valve from the first cylinder, and a port for supplying a driving fluid to each pumping motor.
Additionally illustratively according to this aspect of the invention, the support includes a first member at a first end of the first cylinder, a second member at a second end of the first cylinder, a base, and a side member supporting the second member from the base.
Illustratively according to this aspect of the invention, the pumping motors each include a pumping motor piston and a pumping motor cylinder including a cylinder head. The pumping motor pistons are coupled to the first piston. The base includes a stop for limiting movement of the pumping motor pistons away from their respective heads.
Further illustratively according to this aspect of the invention, the apparatus includes means coupled to the second member for guiding the pumping motor connecting rods.
Illustratively according to this aspect of the invention, the apparatus includes plural first pistons and plural first cylinders in which respective first pistons are reciprocable to draw plural materials to be pumped into respective first cylinders during an intake stroke of the pumping apparatus and to exhaust the plural materials from respective first cylinders during an exhaust stroke of the pumping apparatus.
Additionally illustratively according to this aspect of the invention, the first piston includes integral seal means.
Illustratively according to this aspect of the invention, the first connecting rod includes means for adjusting the stroke of the first connecting rod to adjust the output of the pumping apparatus.
Further illustratively according to this aspect of the invention, the means for adjusting the stroke of the first connecting rod includes means selectively movable along the length of the first connecting rod. The coupling means engages the means selectively movable along the length of the first connecting rod to move the first piston.
Additionally illustratively according to this aspect of the invention, the apparatus includes a gauge to assist in adjusting the stroke of the first connecting rod.
Illustratively according to this aspect of the invention, the apparatus includes position indicating means provided on the coupling means, and pumping motor control means for sensing the position of the position indicating means.
Further illustratively according to this aspect of the invention, the apparatus inclu
Kosmyna Michael J.
Wisniewski Ralph
Barnes & Thornburg
Illinois Tool Works Inc.
Sayoc Emmanuel
Yu Justine R.
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