Abstract: A motor assembly includes a shaft, an electric motor operatively connected to the shaft to drive the shaft in a first rotational direction, a clutch assembly connected to the shaft, and a fan connected to the clutch assembly and configured to supply the electric motor with cooling air. The clutch assembly drives the fan when the electric motor drives the shaft and allows the fan to freewheel in the first rotational direction when the electric motor is not driving the shaft. A method of operating a fan cooled electric motor includes energizing the electric motor to drive a shaft in a first rotational direction using the electric motor and de-energizing the electric motor so that it no longer drives the shaft, allowing the fan to freewheel in the first rotational direction.

Abstract: A pump rod has a head extending from a neck, and the head is received within a drive slot of a drive link. The head includes a projection, and has an area smaller than an area of the head. The projection contacts an inner surface of the drive slot. The drive link may include a projection aligned with a centerline of the drive link. The drive link projection contacts a head of the pump rod. The projections provide a reduced contact area between the pump rod and the drive link, thereby reducing any side-loading on the pump rod and increasing a lifespan of the wear parts.

Abstract: A clamp is secured to a displacement pump, and the clamp includes an axial ring and a tightening ring. The axial ring is mounted above the tightening ring, and the axial ring is configured to align the displacement pump during mounting and to limit the stoke of a pump rod within the displacement pump. The tightening ring may be tightened such that the axial ring and the tightening ring exert a clamping force on a drive housing, which secures the displacement pump to the drive housing. The tightening ring may receive a projection extending from the drive housing to provide structural support to the drive housing.

Abstract: A displacement pump includes a pump rod having a load concentrating feature extending from the head of the pump rod. The head of the pump rod is received within a slot of a drive link, and the drive link is configured to contact the load concentrating feature. Having the drive link contact the smaller diameter load concentrating feature reduces the misalignment between the driving force and the center of the pump rod and thereby reduces side-loading experienced by the pump rod. The displacement pump is configured to be used in a fluid dispensing system.

Abstract: A motor assembly includes a shaft, an electric motor operatively connected to the shaft to drive the shaft in a first rotational direction, a clutch assembly connected to the shaft, and a fan connected to the clutch assembly and configured to supply the electric motor with cooling air. The clutch assembly drives the fan when the electric motor drives the shaft and allows the fan to freewheel in the first rotational direction when the electric motor is not driving the shaft. A method of operating a fan cooled electric motor includes energizing the electric motor to drive a shaft in a first rotational direction using the electric motor and de-energizing the electric motor so that it no longer drives the shaft, allowing the fan to freewheel in the first rotational direction.

Abstract: A clamp is secured to a displacement pump, and the clamp includes an axial ring and a tightening ring. The axial ring is mounted above the tightening ring, and the axial ring is configured to align the displacement pump during mounting and to limit the stoke of a pump rod within the displacement pump. The tightening ring may be tightened such that the axial ring and the tightening ring exert a clamping force on a drive housing, which secures the displacement pump to the drive housing. The tightening ring may receive a projection extending from the drive housing to provide structural support to the drive housing.

Abstract: A pump rod has a head extending from a neck, and the head is received within a drive slot of a drive link. The head includes a projection, and has an area smaller than an area of the head. The projection contacts an inner surface of the drive slot. The drive link may include a projection aligned with a centerline of the drive link. The drive link projection contacts a head of the pump rod. The projections provide a reduced contact area between the pump rod and the drive link, thereby reducing any side-loading on the pump rod and increasing a lifespan of the wear parts.

Abstract: A displacement pump includes a pump rod having a load concentrating feature extending from the head of the pump rod. The head of the pump rod is received within a slot of a drive link, and the drive link is configured to contact the load concentrating feature. Having the drive link contact the smaller diameter load concentrating feature reduces the misalignment between the driving force and the center of the pump rod and thereby reduces side-loading experienced by the pump rod. The displacement pump is configured to be used in a fluid dispensing system.

Abstract: A control valve for a fluid dispensing device comprises a valve stem, a valve body, a cap and an adjustment mechanism. The elongate valve stem has a flange. The valve body comprises a valve bore in which the elongate valve stem is configured to translate, and a flow path intersecting the valve bore and into which the valve stem penetrates. The cap is joined to the valve body to receive the valve stem such that the flange is positioned between the valve body and the cap. The adjustment mechanism changes a position of the cap with respect to the valve body to vary a distance between the cap and the flange which adjusts the force, and thereby the pressure at which the valve opens.

Abstract: A transducer, generally 10, has a robust, yet very flexible, steel-braid reinforced protective cover 12 which is permanently assembled to a custom machined fitting 14. A typical pressure transducer 16 is threaded through a SST nut 18 and then through the cover 12. Bonding the transducer body to the cover's fitting 14 captures the nut 18 between a flange 16A on the transducer 16 and a shoulder 18A in the nut 18, allowing the nut 18 to be freespinning yet a permanent part of the assembly 10.

Abstract: A control valve for a fluid dispensing device comprises a valve stem, a valve body, a cap and an adjustment mechanism. The elongate valve stem has a flange. The valve body comprises a valve bore in which the elongate valve stem is configured to translate, and a flow path intersecting the valve bore and into which the valve stem penetrates. The cap is joined to the valve body to receive the valve stem such that the flange is positioned between the valve body and the cap. The adjustment mechanism changes a position of the cap with respect to the valve body to vary a distance between the cap and the flange which adjusts the force, and thereby the pressure at which the valve opens.

Abstract: A transducer, generally 10, has a robust, yet very flexible, steel-braid reinforced protective cover 12 which is permanently assembled to a custom machined fitting 14. A typical pressure transducer 16 is threaded through a SST nut 18 and then through the cover 12. Bonding the transducer body to the cover's fitting 14 captures the nut 18 between a flange 16A on the transducer 16 and a shoulder 18A in the nut 18, allowing the nut 18 to be freespinning yet a permanent part of the assembly 10.

Abstract: A threaded connection (10) has an improved ability to engage and tighten screw threads (16) when they are contaminated with gritty materials. Adding axial grooves (18) to the male (14) and/or female (12) halves of a screw thread (16) enables the tightening action to expel gritty contaminants from the mesh of the threads by providing an “escape path” for the contaminants.

Abstract: An air-assisted sprayer comprises a platform, a fluid cup, an air reservoir, a spray cap, a pressure line, a fluid reservoir and a poppet valve. The fluid cup is connected to the platform to hold a volume of fluid. The air reservoir extends through the platform and is configured to receive pressurized air. The spray cap is connected to the platform to receive pressurized air from the air reservoir. The pressure line connects the air reservoir with the fluid cup to pressurize the volume of fluid. The fluid reservoir extends from the fluid cup to the platform to provide pressurized fluid to the spray cap. The poppet valve is in fluid communication with the pressure line between the volume of fluid and the air reservoir to prevent fluid from entering the air reservoir.

Abstract: A common method of retaining spray nozzles in texture applicators is to capture the nozzle by a rubber cap which is stretched over a retaining flange on the applicator's sprayhead. The effort required to stretch an elastomeric nozzle retainer (cap) 10 over the retaining flanges 12 on the sprayhead 14 is reduced by providing features facilitating the use of a prying tool 16 to amplify the user's effort. Flange relief flats 18 accommodate the natural, temporary inward deflection of the cap 10 during installation.

Abstract: An airless spray pump is provided with a single-acting piston pump which allows the use of a low-cost yoke drive. Motor and pump shaft are offset for most efficient force utilization.