Abstract: This relates generally to devices used in the removal of excess spray-applied insulation from building components, and more particularly to an improved roller for rotary scrubbers used in the removal of such excess insulation. A rotary scrubber generally comprises a hand-held device having a roller assembly rotatably associated with a forward end of an arm or a pair of arms of the device. The roller assembly, comprised of one or more rollers and adapted for driven, rotatable association with the scrubber, is driven to rotate by a motor and one or more associated drive belts located on the device. The improved roller comprises a cylindrical body having an at least an outer surface defining a plurality of longitudinal ribs, with each rib defining at least one longitudinal edge to enhance the removal of excess spray-applied insulation. The ribs may be machined or cut into the outer surface of each roller, or the ribs may be formed by a molding or extrusion process.

Abstract: Methods and systems for evaluating a performance installment in a building construction include preparing a first image of the building construction, implementing the performance installment in the building construction, preparing a second image of the building construction subsequent to or during implementation of the performance installment, and evaluating the performance installment based on a comparison between the first image and the second image. Performance installments include weatherization measures such as the application of thermal insulation and air-sealing. Related methods and systems for calculating a performance plan for a building construction include transmitting analysis information to a processor, and determining the performance plan based on the analysis information. The analysis information may include a thermal signature, an airflow signature, an acoustic signature, or a vibrational signature.

Abstract: An insulation application system is provided that utilizes a sole power source to drive the system's multiple components. In one embodiment the system includes an insulation blower, a hydraulic drive, an electrical generator, and a vacuum fan that is powered by a power-take-off.

Abstract: This relates generally to devices used in the removal of excess spray-applied insulation from building components, and more particularly to an improved rotary scrubber that is readily extendable for reaching areas of extended elevation. To facilitate the scrubbing of insulation from areas of extended elevation, one embodiment of the scrubber has an adjustable handle assembly connected to the housing. The adjustable handle assembly preferably comprises a receiver connected to the housing and an extension and a support handle adjustably connected with the receiver. The extension preferably defines an extension handle, with the support handle adjustably connected with the receiver forward of the extension handle when the extension is adjustably connected with the receiver. In other embodiments, the scrubber further comprises at least one extender optionally removably connectable between the scrubber's housing and the framework.

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: 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 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: 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 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 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 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.

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: Methods and systems for evaluating a performance installment in a building construction include preparing a first image of the building construction, implementing the performance installment in the building construction, preparing a second image of the building construction subsequent to or during implementation of the performance installment, and evaluating the performance installment based on a comparison between the first image and the second image. Performance installments include weatherization measures such as the application of thermal insulation and air-sealing. Related methods and systems for calculating a performance plan for a building construction include transmitting analysis information to a processor, and determining the performance plan based on the analysis information. The analysis information may include a thermal signature, an airflow signature, an acoustic signature, or a vibrational signature.

Abstract: This relates generally to devices used in the removal of excess spray-applied insulation from building components, and more particularly to a variable-length roller assembly for rotary scrubbers used in the removal of such excess insulation. The variable-length roller assembly for a rotary scrubber comprises a base roller assembly defining opposite outer ends and at least one extension roller also defining opposite ends. One end of the at least one extension roller is preferably adapted for removable connection with at least the outer ends of the base roller assembly. The at least one extension roller preferably comprises a plurality of extension rollers, with each defining opposite ends. One end of each extension roller is adapted for removable connection with the outer ends of the base roller assembly.

Abstract: This relates generally to devices used in the removal of excess spray-applied insulation from building components, and more particularly to an improved roller for rotary scrubbers used in the removal of such excess insulation. A rotary scrubber generally comprises a hand-held device having a roller assembly rotatably associated with a forward end of an arm or a pair of arms of the device. The roller assembly, comprised of one or more rollers and adapted for driven, rotatable association with the scrubber, is driven to rotate by a motor and one or more associated drive belts located on the device. The improved roller comprises a cylindrical body having an at least an outer surface defining a plurality of longitudinal ribs, with each rib defining at least one longitudinal edge to enhance the removal of excess spray-applied insulation. The ribs may be machined or cut into the outer surface of each roller, or the ribs may be formed by a molding or extrusion process.

Abstract: This relates generally to devices used in the removal of excess spray-applied insulation from building components, and more particularly to an improved rotary scrubber that is readily extendable for reaching areas of extended elevation. To facilitate the scrubbing of insulation from areas of extended elevation, one embodiment of the scrubber has an adjustable handle assembly connected to the housing. The adjustable handle assembly preferably comprises a receiver connected to the housing and an extension and a support handle adjustably connected with the receiver. The extension preferably defines an extension handle, with the support handle adjustably connected with the receiver forward of the extension handle when the extension is adjustably connected with the receiver. In other embodiments, the scrubber further comprises at least one extender optionally removably connectable between the scrubber's housing and the framework.