Plural component mixing system

• US 8,561,921 B1
• Filed: 10/18/2010
• Issued: 10/22/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 10/16/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: LDJ Manufacturing Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Loren D. Van Wyk, Steve C. Showman
• Inventors: Van Wyk, Loren D., Showman, Steve C.
• Primary Examiner(s): KIM, CHRISTOPHER S
• Application Number:
  US12/906,465
• Time in Patent Office: 1,100 Days
• Field of Search: 239/124, 239/126, 239/127, 239303-308, 239/407, 239/408, 239/412, 239/413, 239/414, 239/417.5
• US Class Current: 239/414
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 12/1436 the controlling condition of the first liquid or other fluent material in the first supply line being its flow rate or its pressure
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 7/0018 with devices for making foam
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 7/1254 the controlling means being fluid actuated
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 7/2497 several liquids from different sources being supplied to the discharge device
• CPC Class Codes: E04F 21/12 acting by gas pressure, e.g. steam pressure

Abstract

A plural component mixing system includes an automatic balance feature to balance the pressure of two or more components as they are mixed. The pressures or flow rates of the two components are monitored. If there is a difference in pressure or flow rate greater than a specified amount, a bleed valve is opened for a short period of time to balance the flows. A computer with a touch screen is used to set the pressure and flow rate differences that trigger the bleed, and to set the time period for the bleed.

Claims

1. A plural-component mixing system, comprising:

a reservoir containing a first liquid component;

a reservoir containing a second liquid component;

a mixing assembly for mixing and applying the first and second liquid components;

a supply system for supplying the liquid components from the reservoirs to the mixing assembly;

a programmable logic controller connected to the supply system to control the supply system and record information about use of the system

a first bleed valve associated with the first liquid component;

a second bleed valve associated with the second liquid component;

a first pressure sensor for sensing a pressure of the first component, the first pressure sensor being in communication with the programmable logic controller;

a second pressure sensor for sensing a pressure of the second component, the second pressure sensor being in communication with the programmable logic controller; and

wherein the programmable logic controller is programmed to compare the pressure at the first pressure sensor with the pressure at the second pressure sensor and to open the first bleed valve if the pressure at the first pressure sensor exceeds the pressure at the second pressure sensor by at least a specified amount and to open the second bleed valve if the pressure at the second pressure sensor exceeds the pressure at the first pressure sensor by at least the specified amount.

2. The plural-component mixing system of claim 1, further comprising:

a touch screen interface in connection with the programmable logic controller to display information about the spraying system and to permit customized control of the spraying system.

3. The plural-component mixing system of claim 1, wherein the programmable logic controller is programmed to open the first bleed valve for a first specified period of time each time the first bleed valve is opened, and wherein the programmable logic controller is programmed to open the second bleed valve for a second specified period of time each time the second bleed valve is opened.

4. The plural-component mixing system of claim 3, wherein a user can modify the specified periods of time using a touch screen interface.

5. The plural-component mixing system of claim 3, wherein the programmable logic controller is programmed to automatically adjust the specified periods of time based on a determined property of the liquid components.

6. The plural-component mixing system of claim 5, wherein the determined property is viscosity.

7. The plural-component mixing system of claim 1, further comprising a UPS receiver in communication with the programmable logic controller, the programmable logic controller being programmed to record the geographic data received from the UPS receiver when spraying operation is initiated.

8. The plural-component mixing system of claim 1, wherein the programmable logic controller is programmed to record a time and duration off, spraying operations.

9. The plural-component mixing system of claim 8, further comprising a communication device in operable connection with the programmable logic controller such that communication device can transmit information recorded by the programmable logic controller to a remote location.

10. The plural-component mixing system of claim 1, wherein the supply system comprises a proportioner pump.

11. The plural-component mixing system of claim 10 further comprising an internal-combustion engine that provides power to the proportioner pump.

12. The plural-component mixing system of claim 11, wherein heat generated by the internal combustion engine is used to heat at least one of the liquid components.

13. The plural-component mixing system of claim 11, wherein the internal combustion engine drives an air compressor, and pressurized air generated by the air compressor drives t proportioner pump.

14. A plural-component mixing system, comprising:

a reservoir containing a first liquid component;

a reservoir containing a second liquid component;

a mixing assembly for mixing and applying the first and second liquid components;

a supply system for supplying the liquid components from the reservoirs to the mixing assembly, the supply system including a first bleed valve associated with the first liquid component and a second bleed valve associated with the second liquid component;

a programmable logic controller connected to the supply system to control the supply system and record information about use of the system; and

wherein the programmable logic controller is programmed to open the first bleed valve for a first specified period of time each time the first bleed valve is opened, and wherein the programmable logic controller is programmed to open the second bleed valve for a second specified period of time each time the second bleed valve is opened.

15. The plural-component mixing system of claim 14, wherein a user can modify the specified periods of time using a touch screen interface.

16. The plural-component mixing system of claim 14, wherein the programmable logic controller is programmed to automatically adjust the specified periods of time based on a determined property of the liquid components.

17. The plural-component mixing system of claim 16, wherein the determined property is viscosity.

18. The plural-component mixing system of claim 14, wherein the mixing assembly comprises a spray gun.

19. The plural component mixing system of claim 18, wherein the first liquid component is an isocyanate and the second liquid component is a polymer resin.

20. A plural-component mixing system, comprising:

a reservoir containing a first liquid component;

a reservoir containing a second liquid component;

a mixing assembly for mixing and applying the first and second liquid components;

a supply system for supplying the liquid components from the reservoirs to the mixing assembly;

a programmable logic controller connected to the supply system to control the supply system and record information about use of the system;

a proportioner pump; and

an internal-combustion engine that provides power to the proportioner pump, wherein the internal combustion engine drives an air compressor, and pressurized air generated by the air compressor drives the proportioner pump.

21. The plural-component mixing system of claim 20, wherein heat generated by the internal combustion engine is used to heat at least one of the liquid components.

22. The plural-component mixing system of claim 20, wherein the programmable logic controller is programmed to open a first bleed valve associated with the first liquid component for a first specified period of time each time the first bleed valve is opened, and wherein the programmable logic controller is programmed to open a second bleed valve associated with the second liquid component for a second specified period of time each time the second bleed valve is opened.

23. The plural-component mixing system of claim 22, wherein a user can modify the specified periods of time using a touch screen interface.

24. The plural-component mixing system of claim 22, wherein the programmable logic controller is programmed to automatically adjust the specified periods of time based on a determined property of the liquid components.

25. The plural-component mixing system of claim 24, wherein the determined property is viscosity.

26. The plural-component mixing system of claim 20 wherein the mixing assembly comprises a spray gun.

27. The plural component mixing system of claim 26, wherein the first liquid component is an isocyanate and the second liquid component is a polymer resin.