Paint spraying system
First Claim
1. A system for applying surface markings to a surface, the system comprising:
- a manifold defining a common passage configured to receive a marking fluid, the manifold further defining a plurality of pairs of inlet channels and outlet channels, each of the inlet channels being in fluid communication with the common passage;
a plurality of valves coupled to the manifold such that a valve cavity is defined between each valve and the manifold, each valve cavity configured to be in fluid communication with one of the pairs of inlet and outlet channels, wherein each valve includes a poppet linearly displaceable within the valve cavity between an opened position and a closed position;
a plurality of spray nozzles coupled to the manifold, each spray nozzle being in fluid communication with one of the outlet channels such that, when the poppet is moved to the opened position, marking fluid flows from the valve cavity through the corresponding outlet channel and into the spray nozzle; and
a controller communicatively coupled to the valves, the controller being configured to independently control the operation of each valve so as to regulate the flow of marking fluid supplied to each spray nozzle, wherein the flow of marking fluid supplied to each spray nozzle is regulated such that the marking fluid is discharged from the spray nozzles in a manner that generates a desired surface marking across an area of the surface being marked, wherein the controller is further configured to control displacement of each of the poppets between the opened and closed positions.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
In one aspect, a system for applying painted surface markings to roads, parking lots, fields and/or any other suitable surfaces is disclosed. The system may include a plurality of valves and associated spray nozzles mounted onto and/or within a manifold, with each valve being individually controllable in order to regulate the flow of paint being dispensed from the spray nozzles. For instance, a controller may be coupled to each valve in order to control the opening and closing of such valve, thereby controlling the flow of paint supplied to the corresponding spray nozzle. In addition, information regarding the surface marking to be applied (the design, dimensions, orientation, geographical location, etc.) may be stored within and/or received by the controller. The controller may then control each valve such that paint is applied to the surface to be marked via the spray nozzles in a manner that creates the desired surface marking.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A system for applying surface markings to a surface, the system comprising:
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a manifold defining a common passage configured to receive a marking fluid, the manifold further defining a plurality of pairs of inlet channels and outlet channels, each of the inlet channels being in fluid communication with the common passage; a plurality of valves coupled to the manifold such that a valve cavity is defined between each valve and the manifold, each valve cavity configured to be in fluid communication with one of the pairs of inlet and outlet channels, wherein each valve includes a poppet linearly displaceable within the valve cavity between an opened position and a closed position; a plurality of spray nozzles coupled to the manifold, each spray nozzle being in fluid communication with one of the outlet channels such that, when the poppet is moved to the opened position, marking fluid flows from the valve cavity through the corresponding outlet channel and into the spray nozzle; and a controller communicatively coupled to the valves, the controller being configured to independently control the operation of each valve so as to regulate the flow of marking fluid supplied to each spray nozzle, wherein the flow of marking fluid supplied to each spray nozzle is regulated such that the marking fluid is discharged from the spray nozzles in a manner that generates a desired surface marking across an area of the surface being marked, wherein the controller is further configured to control displacement of each of the poppets between the opened and closed positions. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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11. A system for applying surface markings to a surface, the system comprising:
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a manifold defining a common passage configured to receive a marking fluid, the manifold further defining a plurality of pairs of inlet channels and outlet channels, each of the inlet channels being in fluid communication with the common passage; a plurality of valves coupled to the manifold such that a valve cavity is defined between each valve and the manifold, each valve cavity configured to be in fluid communication with one of the pairs of inlet and outlet channels; a plurality of spray nozzles coupled to the manifold, each spray nozzle being in fluid communication with one of the outlet channels such that, when the valve is moved to an opened position, marking fluid flows from the valve cavity through the corresponding outlet channel and into the spray nozzle, wherein the spray nozzles are coupled along a bottom face of the manifold and wherein the manifold includes a first side and a second side extending from the bottom face, the valves being coupled to the manifold along the first and second sides in an alternating arrangement such that the valves associated with adjacent spray nozzles are positioned on opposed sides of the manifold; and a controller communicatively coupled to the valves, the controller being configured to independently control the operation of each valve so as to regulate the flow of marking fluid supplied to each spray nozzle, wherein the flow of marking fluid supplied to each spray nozzle is regulated such that the marking fluid is discharged from the spray nozzles in a manner that generates a desired surface marking across an area of the surface being marked. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21)
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Specification