U.S. patent application number 10/516218 was filed with the patent office on 2005-11-17 for adjustable flow texture sprayer with peristaltic pump.
Invention is credited to Gundersen, Robert J., Johnson, Dale D., Schroeder, James C., Thompson, David J..
Application Number | 20050254879 10/516218 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 29740099 |
Filed Date | 2005-11-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050254879 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Gundersen, Robert J. ; et
al. |
November 17, 2005 |
Adjustable flow texture sprayer with peristaltic pump
Abstract
A texture sprayer (10) has a cart (12) containing one adjustable
flow peristaltic pumps (14), a motor (16)), a material supply
hopper (18) and a flow control device (20). A double-ended motor
shaft may be provided wherein one end drives the pump (14) and the
other end drives an air compressor (22). A hose retention mechanism
(26) on the pump (14), consists of a coupled hose (28), a hose
retainer plate (30), a mounting plate (32) and a retainer screw
(34). An adjustor (40), which is a variable force device for
varying the amount of tension on the hose (28) closer or farther
away from center of the rotor (42) by raising and lowering the
mounting plate (32) relative to the cart (12), rotor (42) and
rollers (44). In the pump (14), the distance over which the hose
(28) is stretched is made or adjustable so that a variable rate of
flow may be achieved.
Inventors: |
Gundersen, Robert J.;
(Otsego, MN) ; Schroeder, James C.; (Ramsey,
MN) ; Thompson, David J.; (Oak Grove, MN) ;
Johnson, Dale D.; (Shoreview, MN) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Douglas B Farrow
Graco Minnesota Inc
Intellectual Property Counsel
PO Box 1441
Minneapolis
MN
55440-1441
US
|
Family ID: |
29740099 |
Appl. No.: |
10/516218 |
Filed: |
November 30, 2004 |
PCT Filed: |
June 13, 2003 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/US03/18547 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60389088 |
Jun 13, 2002 |
|
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|
60440604 |
Jan 16, 2003 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
401/48 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F04B 43/1215 20130101;
F04B 2205/09 20130101; B05B 9/042 20130101; F04B 17/06 20130101;
F04B 41/06 20130101; B05B 7/2489 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
401/048 |
International
Class: |
A46B 011/00 |
Claims
1. A sprayer for application of viscous materials such as texture,
said sprayer comprising: a frame; a loop of tubing having first and
second ends and being attached to said frame; a motor, said motor
having a shaft with a rotor attached thereto, said motor being
pivotably attached to said frame to vary the distance between said
shaft and said first and second tubing ends; a plurality of rollers
attached to said rotor and engaging said tubing; and a force
generator attached between said motor and said frame to vary the
force with which said rollers contact said tubing.
2. The sprayer for application of viscous materials of claim 1
wherein said force generator comprises an air cylinder.
3. The sprayer for application of viscous materials of claim 2
wherein said force generator comprises a pressure regulator
attached to said air cylinder.
4. The sprayer for application of viscous materials of claim 1
wherein said force generator comprises an air cylinder.
5. The sprayer for application of viscous materials of claim 1
wherein said tubing is attached at one of said ends to a source of
viscous material and at the other of said ends to an application
device.
6. The sprayer for application of viscous materials of claim 1
wherein said tubing has couplings at said ends and further
comprising a tubing retention mechanism comprising a mounting
plate; and a hose retainer plate, said couplings sliding onto each
end of said hose retainer plate with said couplings protruding
through the surface of said mounting plate for access and said
retainer plate supporting the loads imposed said rollers.
7. The sprayer for application of viscous materials of claim 6
wherein said couplings comprise a profile and said mounting plate
comprises openings to match said profile of said couplings to
prevent rotation said couplings when tubing is attached.
Description
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Application Ser.
No. 60/389,088, filed Jun. 13, 2002.
TECHNICAL FIELD
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] Texture sprayers have traditionally ranged from simple guns
having top-mounted hoppers (hopper guns) to progressive cavity
pumps which can pump large amounts of material substantial
distances at substantial cost and weight.
[0003] Prior art peristaltic pumps are provided with a rotor having
two (or more) rollers, the rotor being capable of rotation in
either direction while a tube or hose is stretched across a
distance. This creates kinks or closures in the tube at the points
of roller contact. As the rotor revolves, the kinks travels with
the rollers providing a positive displacement of the fluid
contained between the kinks. Most such pumps provide a follower
plate which sandwiches the hose between itself and the rollers.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
[0004] It is a desire to have a small, relatively inexpensive and
self-contained texture sprayer. A cart contains one or more
adjustable flow peristaltic pumps, a motor (electric or gas), a
material supply hopper and a flow control device. A double-ended
motor shaft may be provided wherein one end drive the peristaltic
pump and the other end drives an air compressor.
[0005] This apparatus may also be provided without the compressor
where the user will supply atomization air. A texture spray gun is
provided with a small hop so that it may be used either
independently or with the cart mounted material supply. Another
version may be provided with a separate compressor having its own
motor for independent operation of material and air.
[0006] It has been found that the peristaltic pump provides a
unique vibration which enhances the flow of high viscosity
materials such as texture by loosening the bond between the hose
and the high viscosity materials as well as self-cleaning the
hopper. The pump may be run forward or reverse with reverse being
used to empty the hose or transfer material.
[0007] The hose retention mechanism on the peristaltic pump
consists of a coupled hose, a hose retainer plate, a mounting plate
and a retainer screw. A hose with couplings slides onto each end of
the hose retainer plate. The hose retainer plate is secured to a
mounting plate or surface with a fastener while the hose couplings
protrude through the surface of the mounting plate for access. The
hose retainer plate supports the downward loads imposed by the
peristaltic pump while the mounting plate or surface keeps the
coupled hose in proper alignment in the pump. Matching the profile
of the fittings (e.g. hexagon) with the opening of the mounting
plate or surface prevents rotation of the fittings when mating
hoses are attached with threaded couplings.
[0008] In the peristaltic pump of the instant invention, the
distance over which the hose is stretched is made variable or
adjustable so that a variable rate of flow may be achieved. The
flow is varied by an adjuster that pulls the tubing closer or
farther away from the center of the rotor. As the distance D from
the mounting point increases, hose tension T is increased thereby
decreasing leakage QL at the points of roller contact. The
relationship between output/input pressure P, tube or hose tension
T, fluid viscosity V and tube/hose material choices will determine
the pump efficiency. Because of these factors, the pump can run
anywhere from zero to 100% volumetric efficiency.
[0009] When the spray gun or dispense valve is closed (no material
flow) and pump running, leakage volume QL becomes equal to the
displacement volume (2 Q.times.rpm) thus preventing
overpressurization. The self-compensating pump design eliminates
the need for expensive motor speed and/or shutoff controls as well
as eliminating high current motor starts (allowing the use of a
standard 15 amp outlet).
[0010] These and other objects and advantages of the invention will
appear more fully from the following description made in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein like reference
characters refer to the same or similar parts throughout the
several views.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view showing the sprayer of
the instant invention without a compressor.
[0012] FIG. 2 is a front perspective view showing the sprayer of
the instant invention with a compressor.
[0013] FIG. 3 is an exploded view showing hose retention mechanism
of the sprayer of the instant invention.
[0014] FIG. 4 is an front perspective view showing hose retention
mechanism of the sprayer of the instant invention.
[0015] FIG. 5 is an side plan view showing hose pressure adjustment
mechanism of the sprayer of the instant invention.
[0016] FIG. 6 is an front plan view showing hose pressure
adjustment mechanism of the sprayer of the instant invention.
[0017] FIG. 7 is an exploded view of the preferred embodiment.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0018] The instant invention, generally designated 10, is a small,
relatively inexpensive and self-contained texture sprayer. A cart
12 contains one or more adjustable flow peristaltic pumps 14, a
motor 16 (electric or gas), a material supply hopper 18 and a flow
control device 20 such as a spray gun or dispense valve. A
double-ended motor shaft may be provided wherein one end drive the
peristaltic pump 14 and the other end drives an air compressor
22.
[0019] As shown in FIG. 1, this apparatus may also be provided
without the compressor where the user will supply atomization air.
A texture spray gun is provided with a small hopper 20a so that it
may be used either independently or with the cart mounted material
supply. Another version may be provided with a separate compressor
having its own motor for independent operation of material and
air.
[0020] It has been found that the peristaltic pump 14 provides a
unique vibration which enhances the flow of high viscosity
materials such as texture by loosening the bond between the hose 24
and the high viscosity materials as well as self-cleaning the
hopper 18. The pump 14 may be run forward or reverse with reverse
being used to empty the hose or transfer material.
[0021] The hose retention mechanism 26 on the peristaltic pump 14
consists of a coupled hose 28, a hose retainer plate 30, a mounting
plate 32 and a retainer screw 34. A hose with couplings 36 slides
onto each end 30a of the hose retainer plate 30. The hose retainer
plate 30 is secured to a mounting plate or surface 32 with a
fastener 34 while the hose couplings 36 protrude through the
surface of the mounting plate 32 for access. The hose retainer
plate 30 supports the downward loads imposed by the peristaltic
pump 14 while the mounting plate or surface 32 keeps the coupled
hose 28 in proper alignment in the pump 14. Matching the profile of
the fittings 36 (e.g. hexagon) with the opening 32a of the mounting
plate or surface 32 prevents rotation of the fittings 36 when
mating hoses 38 are attached with threaded couplings 38a.
[0022] In the peristaltic pump 14 of the instant invention, the
distance D over which the hose 28 is stretched is made variable or
adjustable so that a variable rate of flow may be achieved. The
flow is varied by an adjuster 40 that pulls the tubing 28 closer or
farther away from the center of the rotor 42 by raising and
lowering the mounting plate 32 relative to the frame 12, rotor 42
and rollers 44.
[0023] The preferred adjuster 46 is a variable force device for
varying the amount of tension on the tubing 28 and the resulting
flow. Such device may be a fluid (air or liquid) cylinder which may
have, if desired, a separate pressure adjustment 48 for controlling
the amount of force applied and accordingly the flow rate. The
adjuster 46 may also be a solenoid, adjustable spring or other art
recognized force generator.
[0024] As the distance D from the mounting point increases, hose
tension T is increased thereby decreasing leakage QL at the points
of roller 44 contact. The relationship between output/input
pressure P, tube or hose tension T, fluid viscosity V and tube/hose
material choices will determine the pump efficiency. Because of
these factors, the pump can run anywhere from zero to 100%
volumetric efficiency.
[0025] When the spray gun or dispense valve 20 is closed (no
material flow) and pump 14 running, leakage volume QL becomes equal
to the displacement volume (2 Q.times.rpm) thus preventing
overpressurization. The self-compensating pump design elimates the
need for expensive motor speed and/or shutoff controls as well as
eliminating high current motor starts (allowing the use of a
standard 15 amp outlet).
[0026] It is contemplated that various changes and modifications
may be made to the texture sprayer without departing from the
spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the following
claims.
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