Patents by Inventor Robert D. Hetherington

Robert D. Hetherington has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 6015268
    Abstract: A precision metering, multiple fluid pumping system comprised of a main pump for pumping a primary fluid and an auxiliary pump for pumping a secondary fluid adjustably linked to work in unison with the main pump. The auxiliary pump is linked to the main pump through a rack and pinion gear system connected to an oscillating arm that operates the auxiliary pump simultaneously with the main pump. The auxiliary pump is infinitely adjustable over a selected range by varying the connecting point of the auxiliary pump to the oscillating arm. The connecting point is varied by a worm screw adjustment that provides precision adjustment and metering of a secondary fluid. The system also includes a clutch mechanism between the auxiliary pump oscillating arm and a rack and pinion gear system to disengage the auxiliary pump for priming.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2000
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Robert D. Hetherington
  • Patent number: 5599177
    Abstract: A precision metering, multiple fluid pumping system comprised of a main pump for pumping a primary fluid and an auxiliary pump for pumping a secondary fluid adjustably linked to work in unison with the main pump. The auxiliary pump is linked to the main pump through a rack and pinion gear system connected to an oscillating arm that operates the auxiliary pump simultaneously with the main pump. The auxiliary pump is infinitely adjustable over a selected range by varying the connecting point of the auxiliary pump to the oscillating arm. The connecting point is varied by a worm screw adjustment that provides precision adjustment and metering of a secondary fluid. The system also includes a clutch mechanism between the auxiliary pump oscillating arm and a rack and pinion gear system to disengage the auxiliary pump for priming.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 4, 1997
    Assignee: Binks Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Robert D. Hetherington
  • Patent number: 5522711
    Abstract: A precision metering, multiple fluid pumping system comprised of a main pump for pumping a primary fluid and an auxiliary pump for pumping a secondary fluid adjustably linked to work in unison with the main pump. The auxiliary pump is linked to the main pump through a rack and pinion gear system connected to an oscillating arm that operates the auxiliary pump simultaneously with the main pump. The auxiliary pump is infinitely adjustable over a selected range by varying the connecting point of the auxiliary pump to the oscillating arm. The connecting point is varied by a worm screw adjustment that provides precision adjustment and metering of a secondary fluid. The system also includes a clutch mechanism between the auxiliary pump oscillating arm and a rack and pinion gear system to disengage the auxiliary pump for priming.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 4, 1996
    Assignee: Binks Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Robert D. Hetherington
  • Patent number: 5423662
    Abstract: A precision metering, multiple fluid pumping system comprised of a main pump for pumping a primary fluid and an auxiliary pump for pumping a secondary fluid adjustably linked to work in unison with the main pump. The auxiliary pump is linked to the main pump through a rack and pinion gear system connected to an oscillating arm that operates the auxiliary pump simultaneously with the main pump. The auxiliary pump is infinitely adjustable over a selected range by varying the connecting point of the auxiliary pump to the oscillating arm. The connecting point is varied by a worm screw adjustment that provides precision adjustment and metering of a secondary fluid. The system also includes a clutch mechanism between the auxiliary pump oscillating arm and a rack and pinion gear system to disengage the auxiliary pump for priming.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 13, 1995
    Assignee: Binks Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Robert D. Hetherington
  • Patent number: 5094596
    Abstract: A pump assembly especially adapted for pumping viscous and/or abrasive materials is comprised of a pair of opposed single acting piston pumps operated alternately by an interposed reciprocal actuator, and a static chamber interposed between each pump and the actuator; each pump comprising a pumping chamber having aligned inlet and outlet check valves in its peripheral wall and defining a straight line path of fluid flow diametrically through the chamber, a piston having its periphery spaced from the peripheral wall of the pumping chamber and having a relatively short stroke to maintain the straight line path of fluid flow through the chamber, and an annular seal extending from the peripheral wall of the pumping chamber toward the piston and bridging the gap between the periphery of the piston and the peripheral wall of the pumping chamber, the piston having sealed engagement with the seal throughout its reciprocal path of movement; the static chambers isolating the two pumps and the actuator from one another
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1992
    Assignee: Binks Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Larry R. Erwin, James E. Cavanaugh, Robert D. Hetherington
  • Patent number: 4791946
    Abstract: A system for purging fluid delivery systems such as paint spray guns with non-toxic, non-polluting cleaning solvents. A sealed tank is provided for storing a cleaning solvent with air pressure applied to deliver the cleaning solvent through a coaxial hose to a slide selectable valve. Pressurized air is also connected to one of the conduits of the coaxial hose. Spray guns or fluid delivery systems are cleaned and purged by first releasing the cleaning solvent in the passageways and then quickly switching to a blow-down mode on the slide selectable valve to discharge the cleaning solvent from the spray gun passages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1987
    Date of Patent: December 20, 1988
    Assignee: Binks Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: James E. Cavanaugh, Robert D. Hetherington
  • Patent number: 4770117
    Abstract: A roving cutting steering mechanism for use with a plural component spray gun for producing fiberglass reinforced products. A roving cutter is mounted on a plural component spray gun with a support plate and a bracket which is easily vertically adjustable by loosening a bolt mounting the bracket on the gun body. Horizontal adjustment is provided by a cam fitting a slot in the end of a bracket which shifts a mounting plate horizontally. The roving cutter being mounted on the plate is steered to align the path of cuttings ejected from the roving cutter to the optimum position for intersecting the fluid path of material being sprayed by the spray gun. Quick easy adjustment both vertically and horizontally of a roving cutter allows optimizing the mixture of roving cuttings with a spray of plural components being applied to a surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1987
    Date of Patent: September 13, 1988
    Assignee: Binks Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Robert D. Hetherington, James E. Cavanaugh
  • Patent number: 4690308
    Abstract: A pail mounted pump system having dual reciprocal pumps and pail cover in an integral design. The pump and pail cover are constructed in a single unit with a built-in intake siphon tubes. This arrangement provides dual pumps pumping the same fluid which keeps the system pumping should one of the pumps fail. The pail cover is formed with a recess and mounting holes for mounting a pump. A skirt on the cover has a flange on its inner surface forming an annulus which seats securely on the pail rim. A recirculation/agitation system is provided by a hose connected through a valve to the pump outlet recirculating fluid back to the pail through an aperture in the cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 1986
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1987
    Assignee: Binks Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: James E. Cavanaugh, Larry Erwin, Robert D. Hetherington
  • Patent number: 4516725
    Abstract: A dual component pumping system comprised of a double-acting air motor alternately driving reciprocal pumps. Mechanically operated pilot valves activate a spool valve which reverses the air motor operation. Each pump has an inlet connected to a separate fluid component supply tank and an outlet connected to a spray gun through flexible hoses. A valve switching arrangement permits switching from one fluid to the other. The valve switching allows spraying of a fluid received from one pump while the other pump is in a bypass mode and recirculates fluid from its supply tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1982
    Date of Patent: May 14, 1985
    Assignee: 501 Binks Manufacturing Co.
    Inventors: James E. Cavanaugh, Robert D. Hetherington, Thomas A. Parmley
  • Patent number: 4361283
    Abstract: A plural component spray gun which can be used as an air atomizing gun for atomizing material at the nozzle for external mixing with a catalyst, and, which is convertible to airless operation. The spray gun has a nozzle body which incorporates passageways for delivering atomizing air and a fluid component to a mixing chamber at the outlet to one of a plurality of nozzles attached to the nozzle body. To convert the spray gun to airless operation, the nozzles are removed, and a sleeve inserted in the air atomizing chamber. One of the nozzles is replaced with an airless type and they are reattached to the gun body. The replaced nozzle has a centrally located annular flange which extends into the air atomizing chamber to hold the sleeve insert in the chamber to seal the air passageway. The centrally located annular flange on the replaced nozzle also includes an annular cavity, into which an insert having an orifice restriction can be inserted for increasing the velocity of the component during airless operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1980
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1982
    Assignee: Binks Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Robert D. Hetherington, David O'Reilly
  • Patent number: 4350266
    Abstract: A pumping system for delivering unstable fluids under pressure, comprising a pair of alternately operated single-acting pumps operated by a double-acting air motor. The air motor is controlled by a reversible spool valve and mechanically operated air pilot valves. The single-acting pumps deliver and contain relatively small quantities of the unstable fluid to a positive flow metering system for connection to an outlet to spray guns or other equipment using the fluid. The metering system includes a metering valve, a flow meter and a bypass valve for removing trapped air and presetting flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1979
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1982
    Assignee: Binks Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Robert D. Hetherington, David W. Goelz
  • Patent number: 4298017
    Abstract: An Automatic fluid component Shut Off System which automatically shuts off the flow of one component in a plural component system when the pressure in another component falls below a predetermined amount. The system is comprised of pneumatically operated sources of fluid components such as a catalyst and a resin which are mixed as they are sprayed on an article. The automatic shut off system is comprised of a pressure sensing valve which is connected to one of the components to provide a pressure control point and controls the supply of air to an air operated servo valve controlling the flow of the other fluid component. The pressure control point is established by adjusting an air pressure regulator connected in series with the pressure sensing valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1980
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1981
    Assignee: Poly-Glas Systems
    Inventor: Robert D. Hetherington
  • Patent number: 4281683
    Abstract: A modular multiple-fluid component selection and delivery system comprised of a main block having a centrally located main passageway intersected by a plurality of secondary passageways. Plug valves are inserted in bores in the block which intersect each respective main and secondary passageway. A valve at the entrance to the main passageway permits flushing the system with a solvent for cleaning the main passageway and spray gun. A check valve at the entrance to the main passageway prevents a backup of fluid components into the solvent supply system. The secondary passageway exits at the sides of the block to which are attached hose connecting fittings. The main passageway terminates in the opposite end of the block in threads for attachment to a main hose to a spray gun for spraying a fluid component such as paint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1980
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1981
    Assignee: Poly-Glas Systems
    Inventors: Robert D. Hetherington, David W. Goelz
  • Patent number: 4215721
    Abstract: A modular multiple-fluid component selection and delivery system comprised of a main block having a centrally located main passageway intersected by a plurality of secondary passageways. Plug valves are inserted in bores in the block which intersect each respective main and secondary passageway. A valve at the entrance to the main passageway permits flushing the system with a solvent for cleaning the main passageway and spray gun. A check valve at the entrance to the main passageway prevents a backup of fluid components into the solvent supply system. The secondary passageway exits at the sides of the block to which are attached hose connecting fittings. The main passageway terminates in the opposite end of the block in threads for attachment to a main hose to a spray gun for spraying a fluid component such as paint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1978
    Date of Patent: August 5, 1980
    Assignee: Poly-Glas Systems
    Inventors: Robert D. Hetherington, David W. Goelz
  • Patent number: 4193546
    Abstract: A dispensing gun for mixing, then pouring or spraying reactive components, many of which have high viscosity. The gun consists of a material or mixing head or body having a plurality of chambers or canals connecting input ports through passageways and valves in close coupled relationship to a mixing chamber. Valves for purging or flushing the mixer body are also closely coupled to the input parts and mixing chamber. A rotatable mixing grid and mixing sleeve are removably retained in the mixing chamber and can be easily removed for adapting the gun for use with a static or motionless mixer. A high torque pneumatic motor located on the mixer center line drives the mixer grid in the mixing chamber. The mixer body has three or more material inlets, four valves, and a connection for the pneumatic motor all closely coupled to the mixing chamber. The arrangement of valves and pneumatic motor connections permits the device to be easily adapted for completely automatic operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1977
    Date of Patent: March 18, 1980
    Assignee: Poly-Glas Systems
    Inventors: Robert D. Hetherington, David W. Goelz
  • Patent number: 4175702
    Abstract: A forced air nucleating jet gun assembly comprised of a nozzle body designed to atomize material at the nozzle for external mixing with a catalyst which is atomized in the handle body of the gun assembly. The nozzle body incorporates passageways for delivering atomizing air deflected counter to the path of a material delivered to a fluid tip. The fluid tip assembly is designed to deflect atomizing air into the path of the material for low-pressure delivery of resin to the jet. An air control valve is incorporated into the nozzle body and is operated sequentially with the material valve to purge the fluid tip prior to delivery or supply of material for atomizing by air. The forced air nucleating system incorporated in the nozzle body delivers resin and air or atomized resin through the fluid tip external mixing with catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 1978
    Date of Patent: November 27, 1979
    Assignee: Poly-Glas Systems
    Inventors: Robert D. Hetherington, David W. Goelz
  • Patent number: D257384
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1978
    Date of Patent: October 14, 1980
    Assignee: Poly-Glas Systems
    Inventors: Robert D. Hetherington, David W. Goelz