Abstract: This invention relates generally to sprayed insulation application systems, and more particularly to systems that utilizes a sole power source to directly or indirectly drive the system's multiple components independent of the location of a power-take-off. In one embodiment of the invention, the system utilizing a sole power source comprises at least one power-take-off operably associated with the power source. An insulation blower and a hydraulic drive are operably associated with the at least one power-take-off. An electrical generator and a vacuum fan are operably associated with the hydraulic drive, with at least one control regulating the operable association of the generator and the vacuum fan with the hydraulic drive. In another embodiment of the invention, the hydraulic drive is operably associated with the power-take-off, with the generator, vacuum fan and insulation blower operably associated with the hydraulic drive.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to liquids used in the application of sprayed insulation, and more particularly to a cart for heating such a liquid, maintaining the liquid at desired working, storage or elevated temperatures in various environments of lower temperature and dispensing the heated liquid. A portable cart for heating a liquid, maintaining the liquid in a heated state and dispensing the heated liquid comprises a frame and an insulated housing carried by the frame that defines an interior space. A reservoir and a dispensing system are located within the interior space of the housing. The reservoir contains the liquid while the dispensing system, in fluid communication with the reservoir, dispenses the liquid. To maintain the liquid at the desired working, storage or elevated temperatures, a heat source is also located within the interior space of the housing and is operably associated with the reservoir.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to the application of a sprayed insulation mixture, and more particularly to an apparatus and method for applying the sprayed mixture in high reach areas of extended elevation and removing any excess mixture therefrom. In one embodiment of a system for spraying an insulation mixture into a cavity and removing any excess mixture therefrom, the system preferably comprises a lift defining upper end lower ends, with the upper end of the lift being adjustably movable between lowered and raised positions. An insulation applicator is located on the lift proximal to the upper end for spraying the insulation mixture into the cavity. The applicator may be rotatably connected to the lift and driven to move in a reciprocating, sweeping motion. A scrubber is also located on the lift, preferably above the applicator, for removing or scrubbing any excess insulation from the cavity.

Abstract: A portable gauge and method are used to determine an as installed property of a loose-fill insulation in a building cavity wherein the cavity has a given depth, an open front, a rear surface, and sidewalls defined by spaced apart framing members. The gauge includes a frame for extending between and overlapping front surfaces of the framing members to position the gauge for determining an as installed property of the insulation; a plunger assembly mounted on the frame for compressing a portion of the insulation in the cavity to a compressed density sufficiently dense to prevent plunger creep and to a compressed thickness less than the as installed thickness of the insulation; and a readout assembly calibrated to indicate an as installed property of the insulation based on the compressed thickness of the insulation.

Abstract: A system for transporting insulation particles suitable for use in a process for forming an insulation product is provided, comprising: a blowing machine for forming an insulation particle/air suspension, wherein the blowing machine comprises at least one opening, and a hose in communication with the at least one opening, for transporting the suspension to or from the blowing machine, wherein the internal diameter variation of at least a portion of the hose is less than about 0.20 inch.

Abstract: A system for forming an insulation particle/air suspension suitable for use in a process for forming an insulation product is provided, comprising: a blowing machine for forming an insulation particle/air suspension, wherein the blowing machine comprises at least one outlet; a first hose in communication with the outlet, for transporting at least the suspension from the blowing machine; and a booster fan in communication with the first hose, wherein the booster fan is located downstream from the blowing machine.

Abstract: A method of forming a nodular insulation material suitable for installation in a cavity, comprising: propelling fibrous nodules at a substrate, wherein the fibrous nodules are formed from inorganic fibers, wherein the majority of the nodules have a maximum dimension of about one-half inch, and contacting the nodules while the nodules are being propelled, with a solution comprising water and a water soluble binder to produce coated nodules, wherein the coated nodules form an insulation on the substrate.

Abstract: A method of forming a nodular insulation material suitable for installation in a cavity is provided, comprising: propelling fibrous nodules at a substrate, wherein the fibrous nodules comprise glass fibers, wherein a majority of the nodules has a maximum dimension of about one-half inch, and contacting the nodules while the nodules are being propelled, with a solution comprising water and a water soluble binder to produce coated nodules, wherein the coated nodules form an insulation on the substrate, wherein the insulation comprises a thermal enhancement material.

Abstract: Nozzles for converting clumps and nodules of dry or substantially dry fibrous insulation to pils and for spraying on the so treated and accelerated air entrained insulation pieces to form thermal and acoustical insulation in building cavities. The nozzles comprise a shredder section for reducing the size of many of the pieces of insulation to pil size and an accelerator section for increasing the velocity of a stream of air suspended pils for improved just-installed insulation integrity or strength. The shredder and the accelerator can also be combined in a single unit.

Abstract: A method of applying dry and substantially thermal and acoustical insulation by praying an air entrained stream of high velocity pils into cavities, including vertical wall cavities, without having to use any insulation securing means is disclosed. A nozzle system is used that comprises a shredder section for reducing the size of the pieces of insulation to pil size and an accelerator section for increasing the velocity of a stream of air suspended pils for improved just-installed insulation integrity or strength.

Abstract: Method for conducting an on-site measurement of a density value of an insulation material is provided, comprising: (a) providing an acoustic source for emitting a sound wave; (b) directing the sound wave emitted from the acoustic source through a waveguide and at an insulation material present in a wall, floor or ceiling cavity; (c) measuring a sound pressure in the waveguide to obtain at least one sound pressure measurement; and (d) calculating a density value of the insulation material based on the at least one sound pressure measurement.

Abstract: A multi-layer reflective insulation system for walls, ceilings, floors, roofs and similar applications includes a sheet of multi-layer reflective insulation from a roll product. The sheet of multi-layer reflective insulation is a laminate that includes first and second pliable sheet layers with reflective major surfaces and a separation media, intermediate opposed major surfaces of the first and second pliable sheet layers, that holds the first and second pliable sheet layers in a spaced apart relationship relative to each other. The separation media creates air space between the opposed major surfaces of the first and second pliable sheet layers for the enhanced reflection of incident radiation and the emission of radiation by a reflective surface of the product.