Method and apparatus for measuring and adjusting a liquid spray pattern
First Claim
1. A method of measuring the width of a liquid spray pattern having a first and second edge using a liquid dispenser having a centerline, a first edge and a second opposite edge and a sensor, comprising:
- dispensing the liquid spray pattern from the liquid dispenser;
moving the liquid spray pattern in one direction relative to the sensor;
detecting the first edge of the liquid spray pattern with the sensor;
associating the detected liquid spray pattern first edge with a first position;
moving the liquid spray pattern in an opposite direction relative to the sensor;
detecting the second edge of the liquid spray pattern with the sensor;
associating the detected liquid spray pattern second edge with a second position; and
calculating the width of the liquid spray pattern using the first and second positions.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A control system for use in a liquid dispensing system to measure and adjust a liquid spray pattern dispensed from the liquid dispensing system. The control system includes a sensor that detect edges of the liquid spray pattern and, from the detected positions of those edges, is operable to adjust the liquid spray pattern to a pattern width set by the operator. The control system is also operable to measure the width of the liquid spray pattern and the offset of the liquid spray pattern relative to a nozzle centerline of the liquid dispensing system and provide warnings to the operator if those measurements fall outside of acceptable ranges.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A method of measuring the width of a liquid spray pattern having a first and second edge using a liquid dispenser having a centerline, a first edge and a second opposite edge and a sensor, comprising:
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dispensing the liquid spray pattern from the liquid dispenser;
moving the liquid spray pattern in one direction relative to the sensor;
detecting the first edge of the liquid spray pattern with the sensor;
associating the detected liquid spray pattern first edge with a first position;
moving the liquid spray pattern in an opposite direction relative to the sensor;
detecting the second edge of the liquid spray pattern with the sensor;
associating the detected liquid spray pattern second edge with a second position; and
calculating the width of the liquid spray pattern using the first and second positions. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
determining a position of the sensor;
determining a position of the dispenser centerline;
associating the position of the dispenser centerline with the position the sensor; and
calculating an offset of the liquid spray pattern relative to the dispenser centerline using the first and second positions.
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3. The method of claim 2 wherein the step of determining the position of the dispenser centerline comprises:
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moving the dispenser in one direction relative to the sensor;
detecting the first edge of the dispenser with the sensor;
associating the detected dispenser first edge with a third position;
moving the dispenser in an opposite direction relative to the sensor;
detecting the second opposite edge of the dispenser with the sensor;
associating the detected dispenser second opposite edge with a fourth position; and
calculating the position of the dispenser centerline using the third and fourth positions.
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4. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of detecting the first edge of the liquid spray pattern comprises:
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transmitting a beam of light;
moving the liquid spray pattern through the beam of light; and
generating a signal in response to one of the presence or absence of the liquid spray pattern first edge within the beam of light.
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5. The method of claim 4 wherein the step of detecting the second edge of the liquid spray pattern comprises:
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continuing to move the liquid spray pattern through the beam of light; and
generating a signal in response to one of the presence or absence of the liquid spray pattern second edge within the beam of light.
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6. A method of measuring the width of a liquid spray pattern having a first and second edge using a liquid dispenser having a centerline, a first edge and a second opposite edge, a sensor and a timer, comprising:
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dispensing the liquid spray pattern from the liquid dispenser;
moving the liquid spray pattern in one direction relative to the sensor;
detecting the first edge of the liquid spray pattern with the sensor;
initiating the timer upon detecting the first edge of the liquid spray pattern;
moving the liquid spray pattern at a constant velocity in an opposite direction relative to the sensor;
detecting the second edge of the liquid spray pattern with the sensor;
terminating the timer upon detecting the second edge of the liquid spray pattern;
determining the elapsed time between said initiation of the timer and said termination of the timer; and
calculating a width of the liquid spray pattern using the elapsed time and the constant velocity. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10)
associating the detected liquid spray pattern first edge with a first position;
associating the detected liquid spray pattern second edge with a second position;
determining a position of the sensor;
determining a position of the dispenser centerline;
associating the position of the dispenser centerline with the position of the sensor; and
calculating an offset of the liquid spray pattern relative to the dispenser centerline using the first and second positions.
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8. The method of claim 7 wherein the step of determining the position of the dispenser centerline comprises:
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moving the dispenser in one direction relative to the sensor;
detecting the first edge of the dispenser with the sensor;
associating the detected dispenser first edge with a third position;
moving the dispenser in an opposite direction relative to the sensor;
detecting the second opposite edge of the dispenser with the sensor;
associating the detected dispenser second opposite edge with a fourth position; and
calculating the position of the dispenser centerline using the third and fourth positions.
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9. The method of claim 8 wherein the step of detecting the first edge of the liquid spray pattern comprises:
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transmitting a beam of light;
moving the liquid spray pattern through the beam of light; and
generating a signal in response to one of the presence or absence of the liquid spray pattern first edge within the beam of light.
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10. The method of claim 9 wherein the step of detecting the second edge of the liquid spray pattern comprises:
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continuing to move the liquid spray pattern through the beam of light; and
generating a signal in response to one of the presence or absence of the liquid spray pattern second edge within the beam of light.
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11. A method of adjusting the width of a liquid spray pattern using a liquid dispenser and a sensor, comprising:
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positioning the liquid dispenser at a predetermined position relative to the sensor;
dispensing the liquid spray pattern from the liquid dispenser at a predetermined dispensing pressure;
detecting an absence of the liquid spray pattern with the sensor;
increasing the width of the liquid spray pattern by increasing the dispensing pressure until the liquid spray pattern is detected by the sensor.
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12. A method of adjusting the width of a liquid spray pattern using a liquid dispenser and a sensor, comprising:
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positioning the liquid dispenser at a predetermined position relative to the sensor;
dispensing the liquid spray pattern from the liquid dispenser at a predetermined dispensing pressure;
detecting a presence of the liquid spray pattern with the sensor;
decreasing the width of the liquid spray pattern by decreasing the dispensing pressure until an absence of the liquid spray pattern is detected by the sensor.
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13. A liquid dispensing system for dispensing a variable width liquid spray pattern having a first and second edge, comprising:
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a source of liquid material;
a dispensing nozzle connected to said source of liquid material and capable of dispensing said liquid material as a liquid spray pattern with a predetermined spray pattern width;
a pneumatically controlled pressure regulator operatively coupled to said source of liquid material and said dispensing nozzle to regulate a pressure at which said liquid material is dispensed by said dispensing nozzle; and
a control circuit coupled to said pressure regulator and capable of varying the regulated pressure at which said liquid material is dispensed by said dispensing nozzle to increase or decrease the width of the liquid spray pattern. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification