Abstract: An electrical connector system for use with independently heated hoses includes a first electrical connector, a second electrical connector, a third electrical connector, and a fourth electrical connector. The first electrical connector includes a first key that mates with a second key of the second electrical connector. The third electrical connector includes a third key that mates with a fourth key of the fourth electrical connector. The first and second keys differ from the third and fourth keys, ensuring the electrical connectors are correctly connected.

Abstract: A plural component dispensing system includes a first heated hose, a second heated hose, a controller, and a dispensing device. The first heated hose and the second heated hose include electrical wires that supply heat to the first and second heated hoses to heat fluid components within the first and second heated hoses. The first and second heated hoses are electrically coupled to the controller and are fluidly coupled to the dispensing device. The controller is configured to control and alternate the electrical power supplied to the first heated hose and the second heated hose to heat the first heated hose independent of the second heated hose.

Abstract: An electrical connector system for use with independently heated hoses includes a first electrical connector, a second electrical connector, a third electrical connector, and a fourth electrical connector. The first electrical connector includes a first key that mates with a second key of the second electrical connector. The third electrical connector includes a third key that mates with a fourth key of the fourth electrical connector. The first and second keys differ from the third and fourth keys, ensuring the electrical connectors are correctly connected.

Abstract: A method of regulating a temperature of a fluid within a hose of a fluid dispensing system includes passing the fluid through the hose and across a heating element. A temperature of the fluid in the hose is sensed by the heating element. The sensed temperature of the fluid in the hose is compared to a reference temperature. An input of the heating element is adjusted in response to the comparison of the sensed temperature of the fluid in the hose to the reference temperature such that the temperature of the fluid is adjusted towards the reference temperature.

Abstract: A method for pumping, tracking, and controlling a fluid includes the steps of producing a drive signal for driving a motor of a pump using a controller, driving the motor to pump a fluid based on the drive signal, sending a dispense signal from the controller to a sprayer for dispensing the fluid, determining a work piece count as a function of a work piece signal provided to the controller from the work piece sensor, detecting the position of a rod connected to the motor and the pump using a position sensor, creating a position signal as a function of the position of the rod using the position sensor, sending the position signal to the controller, and determining a volume usage as a function of the position of the rod using the controller.

Abstract: An adaptive hot melt feed system includes a melt system, a feed system, a gas control device, a sensor, and a controller. The melt system includes a heated vessel. The feed system is configured to deliver a solid material to the vessel of the melt system for melting. The gas control device is configured to control a supply of gas provided to the feed system to drive the solid material from the feed system to the melt system. The sensor can be configured to detect an amount of material in the vessel of the melt system. The controller is in electronic communication with the gas control device and is programmed to signal the gas control device to vary the supply of gas to the feed system based on a fill metric determined by the controller.

Abstract: A method for pumping, tracking, and controlling a fluid includes the steps of producing a drive signal for driving a motor of a pump using a controller, driving the motor to pump a fluid based on the drive signal, sending a dispense signal from the controller to a sprayer for dispensing the fluid, determining a work piece count as a function of a work piece signal provided to the controller from the work piece sensor, detecting the position of a rod connected to the motor and the pump using a position sensor, creating a position signal as a function of the position of the rod using the position sensor, sending the position signal to the controller, and determining a volume usage as a function of the position of the rod using the controller.

Abstract: An adaptive hot melt feed system includes a melt system, a feed system, a gas control device, a sensor, and a controller. The melt system includes a heated vessel. The feed system is configured to deliver a solid material to the vessel of the melt system for melting. The gas control device is configured to control a supply of gas provided to the feed system to drive the solid material from the feed system to the melt system. The sensor can be configured to detect an amount of material in the vessel of the melt system. The controller is in electronic communication with the gas control device and is programmed to signal the gas control device to vary the supply of gas to the feed system based on a fill metric determined by the controller.

Abstract: A pump system for pumping a fluid includes a motor housing, a motor, a rod, a positive displacement pump, a position sensor, and a controller. The motor is located within the motor housing. The rod is connected to and driven by the motor and the positive displacement pump for moving a fluid is driven by the rod. The position sensor produces a rod position signal that is a function of a position of the rod, and the controller produces a drive signal for driving the motor as a function of the rod position signal.

Abstract: A method of controlling heating of hot melt adhesive within a hot melt dispensing system includes receiving input AC electric power, determining on a half cycle-by-half cycle basis which heaters in a plurality of zones will receive AC electric power during the next half cycle, and distributing the AC electric power to the heaters on a time sharing basis.

Abstract: A temperature control unit includes a fitting, a heating wire, a first temperature sensor, and a housing, which contains the first temperature sensor and portions of the fitting and the heating wire. The fitting includes a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet, a flow channel extending from the fluid inlet to the fluid outlet, and a passage extending through a wall of the fitting to the flow channel. The heating wire extends through the passage and into the flow channel. The first temperature sensor is secured to an external surface of the fitting opposite the flow channel and is electrically connected to the heating wire.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a plural component dispensing system includes a first pump, a second pump, a first electric motor, a second electric motor, a first pressure sensor, a second pressure sensor, a first controller, a second controller, and a sprayer. The first pump discharges a first component. The second pump discharges a second component. The first electric motor drives the first pump as a function of a first drive signal. The second electric motor drives the second pump as a function of a second drive signal. The first pressure sensor is located downstream of the first pump and senses a first component pressure. The second pressure sensor is downstream of the second pump and senses a second component pressure. The first controller is configured to produce the first drive signal, and the second controller is configured to produce the second drive signal.

Abstract: A power distribution system for supplying AC power to loads includes an automatic wiring board that realigns voltages and determines a user-supplied wiring configuration. If an acceptable configuration is detected, an auto-wiring relay circuit closes relays to provide appropriate connections from a terminal block to power controllers that control delivery of AC power to loads, such as heating elements. If wiring configuration is incorrect or voltage is outside a safe voltage range, the auto-wiring relay circuit remains open to protect the controllers and loads.

Abstract: A pump system for pumping a fluid includes a motor housing, a motor, a rod, a positive displacement pump, a position sensor, and a controller. The motor is located within the motor housing. The rod is connected to and driven by the motor and the positive displacement pump for moving a fluid is driven by the rod. The position sensor produces a rod position signal that is a function of a position of the rod, and the controller produces a drive signal for driving the motor as a function of the rod position signal.

Abstract: A pumping system comprises an internal combustion engine, a generator, a pumping unit and a heat recovery system. The generator is driven by the internal combustion engine. The pumping unit is powered by the generator. The heat recovery system thermally couples the internal combustion engine with the pumping unit.

Abstract: A method of controlling heating of hot melt adhesive within a hot melt dispensing system includes receiving input AC electric power, determining on a half cycle-by-half cycle basis which heaters in a plurality of zones will receive AC electric power during the next half cycle, and distributing the AC electric power to the heaters on a time sharing basis.

Abstract: Heating of hot melt adhesive in a hot melt dispensing system is provided by heaters distributed in a plurality of zones of the system. A controller receives input electric power and distributes that electric power to the heaters on a time sharing basis. The controller delivers power to the heaters as a function of the total current target, a temperature set point, the current draw of each of the heaters, and stored priority criteria such as heating priorities of the zones, a history of on and off periods for each heater, and distance from the temperature set point.

Abstract: A heated fluid line comprises an inner tube, an outer sheath, and a heating element. The heating element disposed between the inner tube and the outer sheath. The heating element comprises an interior core formed of a first metallic material, and an exterior jacket formed of a second metallic material. In one embodiment, the heating element is wrapped around the inner tube and has a round cross-section. In another embodiment, the exterior jacket is non-reactive and resistant to water corrosion, and the outer sheath is moisture impermeable.

Abstract: A pumping system comprises a pump, first and second channels, a valve, and an actuator. The pump pumps fluid according to a pumping cycle. The first channel has a first fluid flow orifice with a first diameter, while the second channel has a second fluid flow orifice with a second diameter greater than the first diameter. The valve is configured to direct fluid from the pump to the first channel in a first state, and to the second channel in a second state. The actuator is configured to switch the valve into the first state during a high pressure period of the pumping cycle, and into the second state during a low pressure period of the pumping cycle.

Abstract: A melting system includes a hopper for receiving solid hot melt material, a heated conduit in communication with the hopper for melting the solid hot melt material, and a valve for allowing solid hot melt material to flow from the hopper to the heated conduit. The valve includes a disk movable between a closed position and an open position, a stem connected to the disk and an actuator for controlling the position of the disk. The disk prevents solid hot melt material from flowing from the hopper to the conduit in the closed position and allows solid hot melt material to flow from the hopper to the conduit in the open position.