Abstract: A pneumatically powered foam sprayer is provided. The foam sprayer includes a spray hose having a spray nozzle, a trigger assembly proximate the spray nozzle, and a pressure-actuated valve responsive to the trigger assembly. An air conduit extends between the pressure-actuated valve and an opening in the trigger assembly. Obstructing the opening with a hand, a finger or a thumb creates a change of air pressure within the air conduit and actuates the pressure-actuated valve to selectively allow the supply of foam into the spray hose. The air conduit may extends longitudinally through an interior portion of the spray hose, or along an exterior portion of the spray hose, and can include a laminar, chemical-resistant outer surface. An internal pump is powered by compressed air through the pressure-actuated valve, and the spray nozzle remains open both during and between uses to prevent the accumulation of pressurized foam within the spray hose.

Abstract: A system for measuring and optionally controlling the COF of moving surfaces. The system may include a component that rides on the moving surface and a controller that measures the drag force between the component and the moving surface. The system may include a linkage to hold the component so that it does not move with the moving surface and a load cell to measure the force between the component and the moving surface. The load cell may be oriented transversely to the drag force. The system may control a lubrication system based on the measurements. The system may include a component that is urged into the moving surface by a normal force, and may include one load cell to measure the tangential force and another to measure the normal force. A controller may compare the measured tangential and normal forces to obtain a representation of the COF.

Abstract: A pneumatically powered foam sprayer is provided. The foam sprayer includes a spray hose having a spray nozzle, a trigger assembly proximate the spray nozzle, and a pressure-actuated valve responsive to the trigger assembly. An air conduit extends between the pressure-actuated valve and an opening in the trigger assembly. Obstructing the opening with a hand, a finger or a thumb creates a change of air pressure within the air conduit and actuates the pressure-actuated valve to selectively allow the supply of foam into the spray hose. The air conduit may extends longitudinally through an interior portion of the spray hose, or along an exterior portion of the spray hose, and can include a laminar, chemical-resistant outer surface. An internal pump is powered by compressed air through the pressure-actuated valve, and the spray nozzle remains open both during and between uses to prevent the accumulation of pressurized foam within the spray hose.

Abstract: A portable, self-contained powered sprayer to produce a foam effluent spray from a liquid. The sprayer includes segregated air and liquid delivery systems that separately supply air and liquid to a mixing chamber. The liquid delivery system may include a pump for pumping liquid from a tank to the mixing chamber via a liquid supply line. The air delivery system may include a compressor for supplying pressurized air to the mixing chamber via an air supply line. The mixing chamber may be defined within a flow controller. In one embodiment, the sprayer includes control circuit for engaging and disengaging the pump and the compressor in response to operation of the flow controller. The control circuit may include a pressure switch operatively connected to the liquid supply line to trigger operation of the pump and the compressor in response to pressure within the liquid supply line.