Abstract: A sealant stream anomaly detecting assembly for detecting anomalies such as gas bubbles in a high-pressure sealant stream. The assembly includes an ultrasonic transducer supported on a manifold defining a sensing chamber of a fluid channel. The transducer converts electrical voltage pulses into ultrasonic acoustic pulses and propagates the acoustic pulses through the manifold and into the sensing chamber. The transducer also receives resulting echo pulses from a back wall of the sensing chamber and converts the echo pulses into electrical output impulses. A control module including drive electronics is connected to the transducer. The module detects diminished and lost echo pulses by comparing the output impulse strength values for a given fluid passing through the sensing chamber to a known output impulse strength value for that same type of fluid having no anomalies.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for dispensing multi-component foamable fluid plastic materials such as polyurethane foams. The apparatus includes a mixing chamber defined by an axial passage in a support body structure. The mixing chamber receives reactant fluids for mixing then allows the fluids to exit through an opening at one end of the axial passage. Two fluid inlet openings in a wall of the axial passage admit reactant fluid into the mixing chamber. Two mixing chamber fluid inlets formed in the support body structure communicate reactant fluid sources with the mixing chamber through the inlet openings. When retracted, a valve needle in the axial passage exposes the inlet openings to admit reactant fluids into the mixing chamber. When advanced, the needle closes off the inlet openings and pushes the mixed fluids from the mixing chamber. The valve needle includes three parallel helical grooves that help purge the mixing chamber of unreacted and reacted fluids.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying a foamable fluid plastic material including reactant fluids that form a foam when heated and mixed. A reactant fluid dispenser supplies the reactant fluids to a heated applicator gun mixing chamber at a constant flow rate despite any differences in viscosity. A valve needle extends into the mixing chamber and exposes fluid inlet openings when retracted, permitting the reactant fluids to flow into the mixing chamber. When advanced, the needle closes off the fluid inlet openings and dispenses the mixed fluids. A heater prevents the gun from drawing heat energy from initial quantities of the pre-heated reactant fluids which would prevent initial quantities of the fluids from reacting properly. The valve needle is disposed in a sleeve that defines the mixing chamber and is disposed in a sleeve receptacle of the gun.

Abstract: A device is disclosed for receiving fluid components from a proportioning device and delivering the components to a mixing tube for chemical reaction of the components. The device comprises a housing having two inlet chambers and an outlet chamber. One of the fluids is connected to the first inlet chamber while the other fluid is connected to the second inlet chamber and both inlet chambers are fluidly connected to the outlet chamber by separate fluid passageways. A valve assembly is operable to simultaneously open both fluid passageways so that the fluids from the inlet chambers flow into the outlet chamber and then out from the device housing to the mixing tube. The device housing comprises two housing parts which are detachably secured together and, when separated, provide open access to the valve members and outlet chamber for cleaning and to enable a ratio check to be performed at a point in the system close to the mixing tube.

Abstract: A device is disclosed for receiving fluid components from a proportioning device and delivering the components to a mixing tube for chemical reaction of the components. The device comprises a housing having two inlet chambers and an outlet chamber. One of the fluids is connected to the first inlet chamber while the other fluid is connected to the second inlet chamber and both inlet chambers are fluidly connected to the outlet chamber by separate fluid passageways. A valve assembly is operable to simultaneously open both fluid passageways so that the fluids from the inlet chambers flow into the outlet chamber and then out from the device housing to the mixing tube. The device housing comprises two housing parts which are detachably secured together and, when separated, provide open access to the valve members and outlet chamber for cleaning and to enable a ratio check to be performed at a point in the system close to the mixing tube.

Abstract: An adjustable flow applicator includes a body having an axial flow pasasge and an inlet passage adapted for connection to a source of pressurized fluidic material dispensed by a positive displacement constant flow rate dispenser. A nozzle is connected to the body and communicates with the flow passage and has an orifice. A reciprocal piston rod extension is spaced within the flow passage and terminates in a tapered valve member having an advanced position seated within the orifice to shut off flow of fluidic material and first and second retracted positions variably opening the orifice for reduced flow in a first position and higher flow in a second position. First remote control includes a first piston connected to the piston extension for effecting alternate reciprocal movements of the valve member for alternately opening and closing the orifice.