Foam spraying rig

A foam spraying rig comprising a trailer or cargo truck having first and second fluid spray component storage tanks mounted in the body thereof. An internal combustion engine is provided within the body of the trailer or cargo truck as are the other components of the system. The components of the system include a hydraulic pump, an engine exhaust system may include an exhaust water jacket, an air compressor, proportioning pump, and a heat exchanger. The hydraulic oil from the hydraulic pump and the lubricating oil of the air compressor are in recirculating fluid communication with the heat exchanger. The engine coolant is also in recirculating fluid communication with the heat exchanger as is the coolant from the exhaust water jacket.

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Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a foam spraying rig and more particularly to a more dependable machine for the purpose of spraying plural component foams, for example, insulation known as Polyisocyantes. More particularly, this invention relates to an improvement over applicant's earlier foam spraying rig disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,264,178 which issued on Sep. 4, 2007.

2. Description of the Related Art

Plural component foams, spray foams and polyurea coatings are used as insulation and as liners for truck bodies and other applications. At least two components are combined and discharged from a spray nozzle at approximately 150° F. under a pressure of approximately 1500 psi or more. The equipment available today for applying the product derives from the commercial factory foam industry such as boat hull fill or factory foamed panels for buildings and cold storage. The equipment is meant to be used in a controlled environment and a relatively unabusive manner. The use of the equipment into the mobile market of home and industrial building insulation has been accomplished by taking the delicate equipment, mating it to a large mobile generator, and placing the equipment in a truck along with barrels of raw material and approximately 300 feet of fragile hose.

The problems associated with the current prior art mobile equipment are many. The electronics used in the factory setting are prone to expensive failure when used in a mobile or outdoor situation. The systems used to heat the material are electric resistance heaters and are very problematic, particularly in the area of the material hose that runs from the machine to the spray gun. Computer panels, connectors, and other electronic devices which control and maintain the heating system and other functions, as well as the material hose, are very susceptible to failure and are very expensive to replace. Further, the generators required to run the equipment are very costly, usually approximately $15,000, as well as expensive to operate and maintain.

The components of the process come in 55 gallon drums or other containers and must be kept warm (approximately 75° F.) in storage in the truck prior to being processed through the spray equipment. This is difficult, particularly in the winter.

The foam spraying rig disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,264,178 has met with considerable acceptance. However, during the use of the foam spraying rig of the above-identified patent, applicant has developed a method and apparatus which increases the efficiency of the earlier foam spraying rig of the '178 patent. In particular, an internal combustion engine, other than the truck engine of the '178 patent, is utilized as well as other heat recovery devises. Applicant's earlier patent and the drawings thereof will be incorporated herein to set the stage and to provide antecedent basis for Applicant's instant invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key aspects or essential aspects of the claimed subject matter. Moreover, this Summary is not intended for use as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.

In general, the problems of the prior art have been solved by eliminating the expensive generator employed therewith and by using an engine other than the truck engine to produce heat and air required to dispense the raw materials at the proper temperature and pressure. Heat generated by the engine coolant, engine exhaust system, hydraulic pump and air compressor is used to heat the first and second spray components.

It is therefore a principal object of the invention to provide an improved foam spraying machine.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device of the type described wherein the components of the raw materials are heated by means of one or more of the hot water of the coolant of the water cooled engine within the cargo body or trailer, engine exhaust system, hydraulic pump and air compressor.

A further object of the invention is to provide a machine of the type described which is economical of manufacture, durable in use and refined in appearance.

These and other objects will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments of the present invention are described with reference to the following figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various views unless otherwise specified.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the foam spraying rig of Applicant's previous invention;

FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view of the spray system of Applicant's previous invention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic of the spray system of Applicant's previous invention;

FIG. 4 is a side view of one of the component storage tanks and the air compressor of Applicant's previous invention;

FIG. 5 is an end view of one of the component storage tanks of Applicant's previous invention;

FIG. 6 is a partial side view of the hose bundle and spray nozzle of Applicant's previous invention;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the hose bundle of Applicant's previous invention;

FIG. 8 is a front perspective view of a cargo truck having the instant invention positioned in the body thereof;

FIG. 9 is a front perspective view of a trailer having the instant invention positioned therein; and

FIG. 10 is a schematic of the instant invention.

 DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Embodiments are described more fully below with reference to the accompanying figures, which form a part hereof and show, by way of illustration, specific exemplary embodiments. These embodiments are disclosed in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. However, embodiments may be implemented in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense in that the scope of the present invention is defined only by the appended claims.

FIGS. 1-7 illustrate Applicant's earlier invention of U.S. Pat. No. 7,264,178 which issued on Sep. 4, 2007. The following description of the structure of FIGS. 1-7 is to provide the setting for Applicant's instant invention.

In FIGS. 1-7, the numeral 10 refers generally to a truck-like vehicle which has a water (glycol) cooled engine with the engine hot water being generally indicated by the reference numeral 12 in the schematic of FIG. 3. Vehicle 10 includes a body 14 which is enclosed and which is preferably insulated, but not necessarily so. The rearward end of the body 14 is open, but is closeable by a conventional door 15. Quick couplings 16 and 18 are provided at the rearward end of the body 14 and have lines or conduits 20 and 22 connected thereto, respectively, and extending forwardly therefrom. The couplings 16 and 18 are adapted to be connected to a source of fluid spray components which will be described as first and second components, respectively. Normally, displacement pumps will be associated with the fifty-five gallon drums or barrels containing the components which will normally be left at the central office or storage facility. In some cases, the spray components will be contained within large bulk containers. When it is desired to pump the components to the system of this invention, the couplings 16 and 18 are utilized. The discharge end of conduit 20 is connected to the inlet end of a first fluid spray component storage tank 24 which has conduit 26 extending from outlet end 28 thereof. The discharge end of conduit 22 is connected to the inlet end of a second fluid spray component storage tank 30 which has a conduit 32 extending from the outlet end 34 thereof. The numerals 36 and 38 refer to heat exchangers positioned within a transversely extending heat exchanger tank 40. Conduits 26 and 32 extend forwardly from the tanks 24 and 30, respectively, as illustrated in the schematic of FIG. 3, and are connected to the inlet ends of conventional positive displacement pumps 46 and 48, respectively. Each of the heat exchangers 36 and 38 is comprised of a plurality of continuous coils with the discharge end thereof being connected to discharge conduits 42 and 44, respectively. The discharge ends of conduits 42 and 44 are connected to lines 52 and 54 contained within hose bundle 55 which extend to spray nozzle 56. The displacement pumps 46 and 48 are preferably driven by the air motor 50. Displacement pumps 46 and 48 meter the spray components therefrom at a precise ratio, which in the preferred embodiment is 1:1. The spray nozzle 56 mixes and sprays the two components onto the surface to be coated or insulated. Hoses or lines 52 and 54 are contained within a material hose bundle 55 as stated which includes hoses 52 and 54, a glycol outbound hose H1, a glycol return hose H2 and an air hose or line 72. Hose bundle 55 is heated with the hot coolant (glycol) of the truck engine. The heat exchanger water is pumped from the heat exchanger outwardly through the outbound glycol hose H1 and inwardly through the inbound hose H2 and back into the heat exchanger. Hose bundle 55 is wrapped with insulation and then sheathed to protect the insulation and contain the hoses.

A plurality of electrical resistance heating elements 58 are positioned below the tank 24 and are of the one hundred ten volt type. Similarly, a plurality of electrical resistance heaters 60 are provided below the tank 30 and are of the one hundred ten volt type. The heaters 58 and 60 are utilized when the vehicle is in storage so that the components in the tanks 24 and 30 may be heated during the night or heated at the job site when one hundred ten volt power is available.

The numeral 62 refers to a hot water heater in the form of copper pipe or tubing which is operatively fluidly connected to the heated coolant of the engine so that as the truck is being driven to the job site or idled at the job site, the hot water from the coolant system of the vehicle will be circulated through the heater 62 to further heat the component within tank 24. Similarly, a hot water heater 64 is positioned beneath the tank 30 and is operatively connected to the heated coolant of the vehicle engine to heat the component within the tank 30. The heaters 64 and 62 are series connected, as seen in FIG. 3, with the return line 65 connected to the inlet end of the tank 40. The outlet end of heat exchanger 38 is connected to line 54 while the outlet end of heat exchanger 36 is connected to the line 52 (FIG. 3). The outlet end of tank 40 is connected to the engine hot water 12. The hot water from the engine of the vehicle will be circulated through the heaters 62 and 64 while the vehicle is traveling from its home base to its job site and will also be utilized to heat the components in the tanks 24 and 30 while the truck is sitting at the job site so that the components within the tanks remain at approximately 90° F.

The numeral 66 refers to an air compressor which is driven by the vehicle engine or the electrical system thereof with the discharge lines 68 and 70 extending therefrom to the tanks 24 and 30, respectively, to apply approximately 50 pounds per square inch pressure within the tanks 24 and 30 to force the components therein through the heat exchangers 36 and 38 in the heat exchanger tank 40 when the pumps 46 and 48 are activated. Hose or line 72 extends from air compressor 66 through the hose bundle 55 to the spray nozzle 56.

As seen in the schematic of FIG. 3, the heat exchanger tank 40 is plumbed to the source of engine hot water so that the heat exchangers 36 and 38 will be heated by the hot water being passed through the heat exchanger tank 40 which causes the components passing therethrough to be heated to approximately 150° F.

Assuming that the truck or vehicle is being stored or parked for the evening, the components 1 and 2 will be pumped into the tanks 24 and 30 in conventional fashion. The electrical heaters 58 and 60 will be connected to a source of one hundred ten volt power so that the components in the tanks 24 and 30 will be heated during the night.

When it is time to travel to the job site, the heaters 58 and 60 will be disconnected from their source of electrical power. As the vehicle moves to the job site, the hot water from the engine coolant system will be forced through the heaters 62 and 64 as well as the heat exchanger tank 40 so that the components are heated as the vehicle is traveling to the job site and will be heated when the truck is parked and idled at the job site. The operator will operate the nozzle 56 so that the components are supplied thereto by way of the pumps 46 and 48 with the components being supplied to the nozzle 56 at approximately 1500 psi. As seen, the storage tanks 24 and 30 are enclosed within insulated housings or compartments 68 and 70, respectively, and the heat exchanger 40 is enclosed within an insulated housing or compartment 72.

Referring now to the instant invention of FIGS. 8-10, the numeral 100 refers to a cargo van or truck including a cab 102 and a van body 104. In the invention of FIGS. 8-10, the truck engine is not utilized to heat the spray components as in Applicant's earlier invention. In FIG. 8, the numeral 106 refers to an internal combustion engine which is located within the van body 104 and which is used in place of the truck engine.

In FIG. 9, the numeral 108 refers to a trailer in which the components of Applicant's system are positioned and which also includes an engine 106 located therein.

FIG. 10 illustrates the components which are located within either the van body 104 or the body of the trailer 108. In FIG. 10, the numeral 110 refers generally to the power unit of the system which may include a hydraulic pump 112, air compressor 114, and an exhaust water jacket 116 connected to the exhaust system of engine 106.

The numeral 118 refers to the heating system of this invention which includes a heat exchanger 120. In FIG. 10, the numeral 122 refers to a proportioning system including a proportioning pump 124. The numeral 126 refers to a drum and/or pressurized bulk storage system including one or more component tanks 128 and 130. A spray gun is referred to by the reference numeral 132.

As seen in FIG. 10, the hydraulic oil from the hydraulic pump 112 is in recirculating fluid communication with the heat exchanger 120 by means of one or more fluid lines 134. The engine coolant from the engine 106 is in recirculating fluid communication with the heat exchanger by one or more fluid lines 136. The coolant from the exhaust water jacket of the engine exhaust system 116 is in recirculating fluid communication with the heat exchanger 120 by means of one or more fluid lines 138. The lubricating oil of the air compressor 114 is in recirculating fluid communication with the heat exchanger 120 by means of one or more fluid lines 140.

Component tank 128 is in fluid communication with the proportioning pump 124 by feed line 142 while component tank 130 is in communication with proportioning pump 124 by feed line 144. The discharge side of pump 124 is in fluid communication with the heat exchanger 120 by means of lines 146 and 148. The discharge side of heat exchanger 120 is in fluid communication with the spray gun 132 by means of lines 150 and 152.

Thus it can be seen from the schematic of FIG. 10 that the utilization of an engine 106 within the van body of the truck 100 or within the body of the trailer 108 eliminates the need for using the truck engine to supply heat to the heat exchanger. The schematic of FIG. 10 illustrates that an even more efficient system is provided through the utilization of additional heat being supplied to a heat exchanger 120 from the hydraulic pump 112, engine 106, engine exhaust system 116 and the lubricating oil of the air compressor 114.

Although it is preferred that additional heat is supplied to the heat exchanger 120 from each of the hydraulic pump 112, engine 106, engine exhaust system 116 and the air compressor 114, there may be situations wherein the additional heat is provided to the heat exchanger 120 by only one or more of the hydraulic pump 112, engine 106, engine exhaust system 116 and air compressor 114.

Thus it can be seen that an extremely efficient heating system has been provided for heating the components which are sprayed onto the surface or the like by the spray gun 132. It can therefore be seen that the invention accomplishes all of its stated objectives.

Although the invention has been described in language that is specific to certain structures and methodological steps, it is to be understood that the invention defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific structures and/or steps described. Rather, the specific aspects and steps are described as forms of implementing the claimed invention. Since many embodiments of the invention can be practiced without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, the invention resides in the claims hereinafter appended.

Claims

1. In combination:

a cargo truck body;
a water-cooled engine in said cargo truck body and having an exhaust system;
said exhaust system of said engine having water jacket associated therewith;
a hydraulic pump in said cargo truck body;
an air compressor having internal lubricating oil, in said cargo truck body;
a heat exchanger, having inlet and outlet ends, in said cargo truck body;
said hydraulic pump being in recirculating fluid connection with said heat exchanger so that the hydraulic fluid of said hydraulic pump is in recirculating communication with said heat exchanger;
the engine coolant of said engine being in recirculating fluid communication with said heat exchanger;
the water of said water jacket of said engine exhaust system being in recirculating fluid communication with said heat exchanger;
the lubricating oil of said air compressor being in recirculating fluid communication with said heat exchanger;
a first fluid spray component storage tank in said cargo truck body having an inlet and an outlet end;
a second fluid spray component storage tank in said cargo truck body having an inlet end and an outlet end;
a proportioning pump having an inlet end and an outlet end;
said inlet end of said proportioning pump being in fluid communication with said first and second fluid storage tanks;
said outlet end of said proportioning pump being in fluid communication with said inlet end of said heat exchanger;
said outlet end of said heat exchanger being in fluid communication with a spray gun.

2. In combination:

a trailer body;
a water-cooled engine in said trailer body and having an exhaust system;
said exhaust system of said engine having water jacket associated therewith;
a hydraulic pump in said trailer body;
an air compressor in said trailer body;
said air compressor including internal lubricating oil;
a heat exchanger, having inlet and outlet ends, in said trailer body;
said hydraulic pump being in recirculating fluid connection with said heat exchanger so that the hydraulic fluid of said hydraulic pump is in recirculating communication with said heat exchanger;
the engine coolant of said engine being in recirculating fluid communication with said heat exchanger;
the water of said water jacket of said engine exhaust system being in recirculating fluid communication with said heat exchanger;
the lubricating oil of said air compressor being in recirculating communication with said heat exchanger;
a first fluid spray component storage tank in said trailer body having an inlet and an outlet end;
a second fluid spray component storage tank in said trailer body having an inlet end and an outlet end;
a proportioning pump having an inlet end and an outlet end;
said inlet end of said proportioning pump being in fluid communication with said first and second fluid storage tanks;
said outlet end of said proportioning pump being in fluid communication with said inlet end of said heat exchanger;
said outlet end of said heat exchanger being in fluid communication with a spray gun.

3. In combination:

a cargo truck body;
a water-cooled engine in said cargo truck body and having an exhaust system;
said exhaust system of said engine having water jacket associated therewith;
a hydraulic pump in said cargo truck body;
an air compressor in said cargo truck body;
said air compressor including internal lubricating oil;
a heat exchanger, having inlet and outlet ends, in said cargo truck body;
the engine coolant of said engine being in recirculating fluid communication with said heat exchanger;
the water of said water jacket of said engine exhaust system being in recirculating fluid communication with said heat exchanger;
a first fluid spray component storage tank in said cargo truck body having an inlet and an outlet end;
a second fluid spray component storage tank in said cargo truck body having an inlet end and an outlet end;
a proportioning pump having an inlet end and an outlet end;
said inlet end of said proportioning pump being in fluid communication with said first and second fluid storage tanks;
said outlet end of said proportioning pump being in fluid communication with said inlet end of said heat exchanger;
said outlet end of said heat exchanger being in fluid communication with a spray gun.

4. The combination of claim 3 wherein a hydraulic pump is provided in said cargo body and wherein said hydraulic pump is in recirculating fluid communication with said heat exchanger.

5. The combination of claim 3 wherein the lubricating oil of said air compressor is in recirculating fluid communication with said heat exchanger.

6. In combination:

a trailer body;
a water-cooled engine in said trailer body and having an exhaust system;
said exhaust system of said engine having water jacket associated therewith;
a hydraulic pump in said trailer body;
an air compressor in said trailer body;
said air compressor including internal lubricating oil;
a heat exchanger, having inlet and outlet ends, in said trailer body;
the engine coolant of said engine being in recirculating fluid communication with said heat exchanger;
the water of said water jacket of said engine exhaust system being in recirculating fluid communication with said heat exchanger;
a first fluid spray component storage tank in said trailer body having an inlet and an outlet end;
a second fluid spray component storage tank in said trailer body having an inlet end and an outlet end;
a proportioning pump having an inlet end and an outlet end;
said inlet end of said proportioning pump being in fluid communication with said first and second fluid storage tanks;
said outlet end of said proportioning pump being in fluid communication with said inlet end of said heat exchanger;
said outlet end of said heat exchanger being in fluid communication with a spray gun.

7. The combination of claim 6 wherein a hydraulic pump is provided in said cargo body and wherein said hydraulic pump is in recirculating fluid communication with said heat exchanger.

8. The combination of claim 6 wherein the lubrication oil of said air compressor is in recirculating fluid communication with said heat exchanger.

9. In combination:

a vehicle body;
a water-cooled engine in said vehicle body and having an exhaust system;
a hydraulic pump in said vehicle body;
an air compressor in said vehicle body;
a heat exchanger, having inlet and outlet ends, in said vehicle body;
said hydraulic pump being in recirculating fluid connection with said heat exchanger so that the hydraulic fluid of said hydraulic pump is in recirculating communication with said heat exchanger;
a first fluid spray component storage tank in said vehicle body having an inlet and an outlet end;
a second fluid spray component storage tank in said vehicle body having an inlet end and an outlet end;
a proportioning pump having an inlet end and an outlet end;
said inlet end of said proportioning pump being in fluid communication with said first and second fluid storage tanks;
said outlet end of said proportioning pump being in fluid communication with said inlet end of said heat exchanger;
said outlet end of said heat exchanger being in fluid communication with a spray gun; and
the engine coolant of said engine being in recirculating fluid communication with said heat exchanger.

10. The combination of claim 9 wherein said engine in said vehicle body has an exhaust system including a water jacket associated therewith and wherein the water of said water jacket is in recirculating communication with said heat exchanger.

11. The combination of claim 9 wherein said engine in said vehicle body has an exhaust system and wherein said exhaust system is in communication with said heat exchanger.

12. The combination of claim 9 wherein said hydraulic pump is in recirculating fluid communication with said heat exchanger.

13. The combination of claim 9 wherein the lubricating fluid of said air compressor is in recirculating fluid communication with said heat exchanger.

Patent History
Publication number: 20100044462
Type: Application
Filed: Aug 25, 2008
Publication Date: Feb 25, 2010
Inventor: Richard C. Hugg (Westside, IA)
Application Number: 12/229,572
Classifications
Current U.S. Class: Vehicle Drawn Or Carried (239/172)
International Classification: E01C 19/16 (20060101);