Abstract: A gun flush box is controlled by a plural component proportioning unit. When a color change is desired, the operator places the spray gun in the flush box. When a new color is selected, the control system automatically triggers the gun and flushes the gun with solvent with the flush material safely routed to a waste container. The control system automatically triggers the gun to refill the lines with new color paint without using excess paint as it displaces the flush solvent. This system is also capable of working with two guns in operation.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
October 8, 1999
Date of Patent:
April 29, 2003
Assignee:
Graco Inc.
Inventors:
Vu K. Nguyen, Lawrence P. Jeutter, Dennis J. Van Keulen
Abstract: In a method for metering and mixing different components, more particularly resin and hardener, and for delivery through a spray device (6), with a first component standing under a preliminary pressure, a second component standing under a preliminary pressure and a solvent standing under preliminary pressure for the first component, the components flowing in through valves are detected through quantity measuring devices (8; 9) and supplied first to a mixer device (7) and then to the spray device (6). The one component is supplied in a predetermined quantity and the amount of the other component is controlled in dependence on the quantity of the one component by controlling the opening time of a shut-off valve (1b; 2b). Selectively the first or second component is controlled and the other component is supplied in a predetermined quantity.
Abstract: An airless spray pump has a drive train is comprised of a motor having an output gear thereon which drives a combination gear assembly comprised of two gears mounted on a shaft which in turn drives a crank assembly which is comprised of a one-piece eccentric end gear molded together and mounted on a shaft which is supported at both ends to prevent cantilevering and attendant stresses. The crank assembly is offset from the vertical axis of the displacement pump in order to reduce side-loading thereon. A connecting rod is mounted via a pin directly to the top of the displacement rod of the reciprocating pump. Retainer pin clippingly retains the pin in the connecting rod and enables the pin to be removed for servicing without the use of tools other than potentially a screwdriver or other generic tool.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
February 28, 2001
Date of Patent:
March 18, 2003
Assignee:
Graco Inc.
Inventors:
William M. Blenkush, Alexander L. Kapelevich
Abstract: A system for flushing an airless sprayer essentially reverses operation such that the spray gun is immersed in a container of water or other solvent and that fluid is pulled through the pump and flushed through the normal inlet tube. The preferred embodiment attaches a fluid bar to the front of the spray gun to redirect the fluid for flushing. This reverse flushing action allows quicker flushing using less fluid.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
February 16, 2001
Date of Patent:
February 18, 2003
Assignee:
Graco Minnesota Inc.
Inventors:
David J. Thompson, Diane L. Olson, Steven E. Durkee
Abstract: An air driven vibrator is attached to a robotic applicator for sealants and adhesives. When the plane of vibration is normal to the axis of the dispenser, the vibration will impart a rotary motion to the applicator. When the plane of vibration is parallel to the axis of the dispenser and normal to the direction of motion of the dispenser (such dispensers are usually robot mounted), a side-to-side or pendulum action is provided. When the dispense tip is provided with a static mixer to mix plural component materials, the vibrator will enhance the mixer's action.
Abstract: The apparatus is designed to dispense sealants and adhesives onto a workpiece in a robotic or manual application. The apparatus has a motor, a through shaft and a rotating shaft. The rotating shaft is hollow and has an off-center aperture at the end thereof through which extends one end of the through shaft. By rotating the rotating shaft, the end of the through shaft has imparted to it an orbital motion which is capable of providing a swirl type pattern onto the workpiece.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
May 25, 2000
Date of Patent:
December 31, 2002
Assignee:
Graco Minnesota Inc.
Inventors:
Arnold W. Braun, Jr., David J. Cliff, David G. Gonska, Masoud Amin-Javaheri, David C. Mandeville, Mark E. Ulrich, Stanley G. Karwoski
Abstract: The bead dispenser is formed from rotational molded plastic such that a hole is cored through the center of the dispenser which allows the linkage to travel through the dispenser and locate the dispenser door on the opposite side of the dispenser from the spray gun. A number of panels across the slot opening may be adjusted upwardly and downwardly to vary the width as desired by the operator.
Abstract: A typical airless spray gun is provided with an extension pole having a reversible airless tip assembly at the end thereof. A parallel line holding a pressured source of beads is attached to the pole and has a terminating deflector which is located inside one of the loops of the tip guard of the airless reversible tip assembly. The beads are thus ejected into the spray pattern at approximately the locus of atomization of the sprayed paint thereby resulting in enhanced atomization.
Abstract: A preset fluid dispensing meter is provided with a trigger which pivots on the shaft operating the valve and which is capable of operating: (a) in a manual dispense mode; (b) in a mode where it may be latched on until unlatched manually; or (c) which may be set to dispense a predetermined amount of fluid before termination of dispensing. A solenoid operates a catch which rocks away from the trigger thereby allowing the spring loaded valve stem to close once the trigger is no longer restrained.
Abstract: The output of a coriolis flow meter is corrected for motion by subtracting the motion portion of the signal from a lookup table or a second dry meter.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
December 21, 1998
Date of Patent:
September 25, 2001
Assignee:
Graco Minnesota Inc.
Inventors:
Yamin Ma, James D. Adams, Thomas J. Brennan
Abstract: Modern hydro-softfeel lacquers have special characteristics which make the use of plural component mixing equipment difficult. To solve the problem with the hydro-softfeel lacquer, an additional valve is installed in the mixing block of the resin side, that is the single purge valve previously used on the resin side is replaced by an adapter block which has two valves so that the two separate purge materials can be flushed into the outer tube of the integrator and one purge material used on the inner tube.
Abstract: A reciprocating piston pump is provided with an automatic throat positive packing torque clip thereby providing consistent and extended pump life.
Abstract: A mechanical proportioner is provided with two pump lowers which are connected together by a yolk underneath an air-operated reciprocating piston pump. The pumps are staggered axially so as to enable overlapping of certain portions thereof thereby enabling the center-to-center distance to be minimized. The mix manifold is constructed in a concentric fashion such that mixed material does not come into contact with the mix manifold until it enters the static mixer at the exit of the manifold which is an easily disposable and replaceable part. The purge solvent valves on the mix manifold are each provided with an extension of their respective handles. If either purge valve is in its open position, a separate interlock handle operating the A and B side valves at the manifold inlet is prevented from opening. Similarly, if the interlock handle operating the A and B side valves is open, the purge valves cannot be opened.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
February 15, 1999
Date of Patent:
January 2, 2001
Assignee:
Graco Minnesota Inc.
Inventors:
David M. Pittman, Kenneth E. Lehrke, John F. Isais, Vicky J. Peterson, Adam R. Friedrich
Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing of two component adhesive utilizes a conventional static mixer which is supplied with an insert providing a reduced outlet diameter source to allow streaming of the adhesive from the mixer.