CA1087550A - Portable sealant applicator - Google Patents
Portable sealant applicatorInfo
- Publication number
- CA1087550A CA1087550A CA299,053A CA299053A CA1087550A CA 1087550 A CA1087550 A CA 1087550A CA 299053 A CA299053 A CA 299053A CA 1087550 A CA1087550 A CA 1087550A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- sealant material
- feed chamber
- fluid
- heated
- sealant
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
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- Coating Apparatus (AREA)
- Application Of Or Painting With Fluid Materials (AREA)
Abstract
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
Apparatus is provided for heating and extruding fluid sealant material onto a work surface which includes a heated feed chamber, a heated hose connected to the outlet of the feed chamber, and a handgun connected to the heated hose for applying the fluid sealant material onto the work surface. The feed chamber is provided with an opening for receiving sealant material in a solid bulk form and an outlet for dis-pensing sealant material in a fluid state. Heating coils are disposed on the outer walls of the feed chamber for heating the bulk sealant con-tained therein to a fluid state having a pumpable viscosity. The hose connected to the outlet of the feed chamber receives the fluid sealant material dispensed therefrom, and a heating coil surrounds the hose to maintain the sealant material passing therethrough In a fluid state.
Within the feed chamber there is provided a rotatable screw conveyor feeding a positive displacement pump which may be driven at different rates to force fluid sealant material under high pressure into the heated hose so that the fluid sealant material is transmitted to the handgun under pressure. The heated handgun includes a removable nozzle which may be replaced to change the configuration of the sealant material which is extruded therefrom. A feedback arrangement is connected to the outlet of the positive displacement pump for retaining the fluid sealant material to the feed chamber when the pressure in the heated hose reaches a pre-determined level. This portable sealant applicator is capable of using bulk sealant, and is capable of extruding fluid sealant material through a lightweight portable hose extension.
Apparatus is provided for heating and extruding fluid sealant material onto a work surface which includes a heated feed chamber, a heated hose connected to the outlet of the feed chamber, and a handgun connected to the heated hose for applying the fluid sealant material onto the work surface. The feed chamber is provided with an opening for receiving sealant material in a solid bulk form and an outlet for dis-pensing sealant material in a fluid state. Heating coils are disposed on the outer walls of the feed chamber for heating the bulk sealant con-tained therein to a fluid state having a pumpable viscosity. The hose connected to the outlet of the feed chamber receives the fluid sealant material dispensed therefrom, and a heating coil surrounds the hose to maintain the sealant material passing therethrough In a fluid state.
Within the feed chamber there is provided a rotatable screw conveyor feeding a positive displacement pump which may be driven at different rates to force fluid sealant material under high pressure into the heated hose so that the fluid sealant material is transmitted to the handgun under pressure. The heated handgun includes a removable nozzle which may be replaced to change the configuration of the sealant material which is extruded therefrom. A feedback arrangement is connected to the outlet of the positive displacement pump for retaining the fluid sealant material to the feed chamber when the pressure in the heated hose reaches a pre-determined level. This portable sealant applicator is capable of using bulk sealant, and is capable of extruding fluid sealant material through a lightweight portable hose extension.
Description
" ~ 7S5 The present invention relates gererally to sealant : applicators and, specifical.ly tc i~proved apparatus for heating .~ :
and ext.rudlr.g fluid sealant material onto a work. surface, which ir,cl.udes a portabl6 feed cha~er and pl~p ~hich is capabl.e of receiving sealant in bulk form and heating it so that i.t may ~e extruded thrGugh a hos6 un.der pressure to a pres2ure gun which oFerates t.o apply the fluid se.alant ~.aterial cnte a wcrk su.rface.
In recent years, portable sealant applicators ha~e been :~
dev610ped for applyirg but.yl tape seala.nts and other rubher-based, hot-.7nelt sealants. Such portable applicatGrs prcvi.d.e va:riable ~.
extrusic.n rates of hot ~eal.ants at various temperatures. Such ~.
h~t. sealants are nor~.ally e~.ployed for m.anufacturing insu.lated ~lass, for applying bed.din.g co.7r.~Gunds, for sealing pressure and :
vacuu7.~. vessels, for insulation of automot:i.ve windshields, and for the applicat.ion of ex~ansion joir.ts in highways.
Although such prior art devices are. to scme extent portable, they hav-e ~7arious draw~Lacks. Typically, rope-shaped ..
sealant must be manually fed into the sealant applicator ar.d the rope sealant. is forced by a rotating auger into an extrusion die :~
at the ehd therecf. How6~7er, rope-shaped se.alant co~ts about twice as much as sealant in bulk form, and the opera.tcr ~.u~t. con-tinually ~ar.,ually supply the sealant to the applicator. It ~ .:
would, therefore, ~e hiyhly desirable to provide a portable sealant applicat.or whi~h is capa~le of using bulk sealant insteaQ
o continual.ly fed rope-shaped sealant.
In addition, su~h prior art sea].ant applicators typi~
cally include a.n. auaer arranaem6nt for fcrcing the rope-shaped seal.ant through an e~t.rusion die at the end thereof. Ho~7ever, the auger arrangement cupplies the sealant mat.eri.al to the die und.er limited ~ressure ard, therefore, limits the lenath and the : :
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type of die which may be employed. Such limited pressure also prevents a hose extension from being employed. Accordingly, it would be highly desirable to provide a portable sealan~ applicator using bulk material ;~
which is also capable of extruding fluid sealant material through a ~ ~-lightweight portable hose extension under different a~ounts of pressure to vary the rate of extrusion.
Moreover, such prior art sealant applicators normally require two hands to oeprate and manipulate, while at the same time, the operator must guide the rope-shaped sealant into the applicator. As a result, it is difficult for a single operator to perform all of these Eunctions and ~-still properly orient and manipulate the appllcator. Moreover, although ~;~
such prior art sealant applicators are to some extent portable, they are ~ ;
heavy and unwieldy and, therefore, difficult to manipulate and line up -~
with the work surface on which the sealant is to be appliedn Accordingly, ~ `
it would be highly deslrable to provide a truly portable sealant appli-cator which may be easily and accurately manipulated by a single operator.
It should also be pointed out that such prior art sealant appli-cators which are of the portable type are not intended for high production use due to the li~itations of supplying rope-shaped sealant. More parti-' I .
cularly, the rope-shaped sealant is typically supplied in one pound bundles and therefore must continually be resupplied to the sealant appli-cator and such applicators are therefore not intended for high production operat~ons. It would also be highly deslrable to provide a portable ; sealant applicator which would be suitable for high production work.
According to a broad aspect of the present invention, an appara~
tus is provided for heating and extruding flowable sealant material~onto a work surface comprising: a portable feed chamber having an opening for recelving sealaDt materlal ln bulk form and an outlet for supplying sealant material in a fluid state to a pump device; first heating means disposed with respect to the feed chamber for heating the bulk sealan~t
and ext.rudlr.g fluid sealant material onto a work. surface, which ir,cl.udes a portabl6 feed cha~er and pl~p ~hich is capabl.e of receiving sealant in bulk form and heating it so that i.t may ~e extruded thrGugh a hos6 un.der pressure to a pres2ure gun which oFerates t.o apply the fluid se.alant ~.aterial cnte a wcrk su.rface.
In recent years, portable sealant applicators ha~e been :~
dev610ped for applyirg but.yl tape seala.nts and other rubher-based, hot-.7nelt sealants. Such portable applicatGrs prcvi.d.e va:riable ~.
extrusic.n rates of hot ~eal.ants at various temperatures. Such ~.
h~t. sealants are nor~.ally e~.ployed for m.anufacturing insu.lated ~lass, for applying bed.din.g co.7r.~Gunds, for sealing pressure and :
vacuu7.~. vessels, for insulation of automot:i.ve windshields, and for the applicat.ion of ex~ansion joir.ts in highways.
Although such prior art devices are. to scme extent portable, they hav-e ~7arious draw~Lacks. Typically, rope-shaped ..
sealant must be manually fed into the sealant applicator ar.d the rope sealant. is forced by a rotating auger into an extrusion die :~
at the ehd therecf. How6~7er, rope-shaped se.alant co~ts about twice as much as sealant in bulk form, and the opera.tcr ~.u~t. con-tinually ~ar.,ually supply the sealant to the applicator. It ~ .:
would, therefore, ~e hiyhly desirable to provide a portable sealant applicat.or whi~h is capa~le of using bulk sealant insteaQ
o continual.ly fed rope-shaped sealant.
In addition, su~h prior art sea].ant applicators typi~
cally include a.n. auaer arranaem6nt for fcrcing the rope-shaped seal.ant through an e~t.rusion die at the end thereof. Ho~7ever, the auger arrangement cupplies the sealant mat.eri.al to the die und.er limited ~ressure ard, therefore, limits the lenath and the : :
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type of die which may be employed. Such limited pressure also prevents a hose extension from being employed. Accordingly, it would be highly desirable to provide a portable sealan~ applicator using bulk material ;~
which is also capable of extruding fluid sealant material through a ~ ~-lightweight portable hose extension under different a~ounts of pressure to vary the rate of extrusion.
Moreover, such prior art sealant applicators normally require two hands to oeprate and manipulate, while at the same time, the operator must guide the rope-shaped sealant into the applicator. As a result, it is difficult for a single operator to perform all of these Eunctions and ~-still properly orient and manipulate the appllcator. Moreover, although ~;~
such prior art sealant applicators are to some extent portable, they are ~ ;
heavy and unwieldy and, therefore, difficult to manipulate and line up -~
with the work surface on which the sealant is to be appliedn Accordingly, ~ `
it would be highly deslrable to provide a truly portable sealant appli-cator which may be easily and accurately manipulated by a single operator.
It should also be pointed out that such prior art sealant appli-cators which are of the portable type are not intended for high production use due to the li~itations of supplying rope-shaped sealant. More parti-' I .
cularly, the rope-shaped sealant is typically supplied in one pound bundles and therefore must continually be resupplied to the sealant appli-cator and such applicators are therefore not intended for high production operat~ons. It would also be highly deslrable to provide a portable ; sealant applicator which would be suitable for high production work.
According to a broad aspect of the present invention, an appara~
tus is provided for heating and extruding flowable sealant material~onto a work surface comprising: a portable feed chamber having an opening for recelving sealaDt materlal ln bulk form and an outlet for supplying sealant material in a fluid state to a pump device; first heating means disposed with respect to the feed chamber for heating the bulk sealan~t
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material contained therein to a fluid state having a pumpable vlscosity;
conveyor means disposed withln the feed chamber for forcing the fluid sealant material through the outlet of the feed chamber under pressure into the pump device and the pump device being disposed outside of the feed chamber with respect to the outlet for forcing the fluid sealant material under pressure through a heated hose, the pump device including second heating means for maintaining the sealant material passing there-through at a predetermined temperature level; the pump device further including a rotor and a stator and being of the positive displacement type naving progressing cavities formed as the rotor turns within the stator; the heated hose being connected to the pump device for receiving `~
fluid sealant material supplied therefrom under pressure, the heated hose including third heating means for maintaining the sealant material passing therethrough in a fluid state; feedback means connected between the pump device and the heated hose for returning fluid sealant materlal to the feed chamber when the pres~ure in the heated hose reaches a predetermlned level, the feedback means lncludlng fourth heat:Lng means for malntalning the sealant materlal passlng therethrough in a fluld state; and means connected to the heated hose for applying the fluid sealant material onto ;
a work surface.
By a variant of thls lnvention, the feedback means includes a return port formed in the feed chamber and a pressure valve connected to the pump device, the pressure valve being operatlve to allow the passage of fluld sealant materlal from the pump device to the return port when the pressure in the hose reaches a predetermined level.
By another variant, the apparatus further includes control means ~. .
~ for controlling the temperature of the first, third, and fourth heating ::
means relative to the second heating means of the heated hose. `~:
- By a further variant, the pump device is a Moyno-type pump, the -~
30 conveyor means includes a rotatable screw conveyor, the Moyno pump and ; `~
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the screw conveyor have a common drive, and the pump device is operative to force the fluid sealant material through the heated hose at predeter~
mined pressures.By ye ;~
~! By yet another variant, the feed chamber includes a heated grid adjacent the opening for supporting the bulk sealant material while it is being heated to a fluid state.
By still another variant, the first heating means of the feed chamber includes heating elements mounted on the outer walls of the feed chamber.
By a further variant, the applying means includes a handgun having a removable nozzle for extruding the fluid sealant material under pressure onto a work surface.
By a variation thereof, the handgun further includes heating means connected thereto for maintaining the sealant material in a fluid state.
By a further variation, the noYzle of the handgun is removable so that dlfferent size nozzles may be employed ln conJunction with the handgun to vary the amount and conflguration of sealant material which is extruded.
In accordance with broad aspects of this invention, an improved sealant applicator is provided for heating and extruding flow-able or fluid sealant material onto a work surface and includes a heated feed chamber, a posltlve displacement pump mounted on the feed chamber, a heated hose connected to the outlet of the p~mp, and a handgun connec-~ ted to the heated hose Eor applying a fluid sea:Lant material onto a ;; suitable work surface. Advantageously, the feed chamber includes an :; opening for receiving sealant material in bulk form, and an outlet for ~i , dispensing sealant material in a fluid or flowable state. Heating elements are disposed on the outer wall of the feed chamber for heating the bulk sealant material contained therein to a fluid state having a " ~ ..
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pumpable consistency or viscosity. The hose, whlch includes a heating coil surrounding the length of the hose, is connected to the outlet of the feed chamber and pump for receiving the heated fluid sealant material dispensed therefrom, and the heating coil of the hose operates to main-tain the sealant material passing therethrough in its fluid state. A
rotatably driven screw conveyor is disposed in the lower portion of the feed chamber for supplying the fluid sealant material to the pump which forces the heated fluid sealant material under pressure through the heated hose to the heated handgun. The heated handgun is light in weight, easy to manipulate, and is provided with a removable nozzle which may be changed for applying various configurations of the fluid sealant material onto different size work surfaces.
The sealant applicator of one aspect of the present invention is portable as the feed chamber is mounted on wheels or any other suitable transportLng means. The feed chamber further includes a materlal feed-back arrangement connected between the pump and the Eeed chamber Eor returning fluld sealant materlal to the feed chamber when the pressure in the heated hose reaches a predeter~ined level or when the handgun is temporarily not in use. A pressure valve in the feedback arrangement operates to allow the passage of fluid sealant material from the pump back to an inlet port of the feed chamber when the pressure in the heated hose reaches the predetermined level. In addition, the pump and the feedback arrangement are provided with suitable heating means for main-talning the sealant materlal in lts fluld state and at a predeternlined temperature level.
Advantageously, the sealant applicator of an aspect of the ~ ~-present invention not only is portable, but also is capable of receiving sealant material in cheaper bulk form and heating it to its fluid or flowable state. This provides a great savings, as the cost of sealant in bulk form is approximately half the cost of rope-shaped sealant. More-~ 5 -,; ' ~ ::
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over, the portable sealant applicator of an aspect of the present inven-tion operates under a range of high pressures and volumes to vary the rate of sealant extrusion, and such pressure operation allows greater flexibility with respect to the size nozzle ~md the length of delivery hose employed with the pressure gun. In addition, the handgun of the portable sealant applicator of an aspect of the present invention is light in weight, simple for a single operator to manipulate and to line up properly with the working surface to which the sealant is to be applied, and is not difficult to manipulate as are prior art sealant applicators.
Further, the portable sealant applicator of an aspect of the present invention may be employed at high-production facilities, since the feed chamber is capable of holding a relatively large quantity of sealant.
Generally, the portable sealant applicator of an aspect of the present invention is cheaper to operate because of :Lts use of sealant in bulk form, has a high pressure range under which the sealant may be applied, has unlimited bulk sealant capacity, and is simpler to manipulate in applying the sealant to the working surface.
In the accompanying drawing, Figure 1 is a side elevational view of the feed chamber, outlet means and feedback arrangement of the sealant applicator of one variant of the present invention;
Figure 2 is an elevational view of the internal arrangement of the feed chamber used in the sealant applicator of one variant of the present invention;
Figure 3 is a diagrammatic view of the portable sealant appli-cator of a variant of the present invention including the feed chamber, ~;
the heated hose, the pressure gun, and the control box;
Figure 4 is a perspective view in detail of a removable noæzle `
employed with the pressure gun of a sealant applicator of a variant of the present invention; and . ,., .~
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Figure 5 is a side view of a positive displacement pump employed in the sealant applicator of a variant of the present invention, ;
Referring first to Figure 3, there is showll a diagrammatic view of the portable sealant applicatar of one aspect of the present invention including a feed chamber 10, pump 46, a feedback arrangement 50, a heated hose 12, a handgun 14, a control box 16, and a belt drive arrangement 18 for the feed chamber 10.
Referring now to Figures 1 and 2, there is a clear illustration of the feed chamber 10 of a portable sealant applicator of an aspect of the present invention. The feed chamber 10 includes an opening 20 at its ~;
upper end for receiving sealant material in bulk form. Slightly below opening 20 there is provided a heated support member 22 for receiving and preheating the sealant material 24 in its bulk form. Preferably, support member 22 is in the form of a heated grid for supporting the hardened sealant until it is preheat0d to a fluid state and `
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flows into the bottom of the feed chamber. An outlet 30 is pro~
vided in the bottom of the feed chamber for dispensing the seal-ant material.
Disposed in the bottom of the feed chamber is a rotat~
able screw conveyor 26 for supplying the fluid sealant material 28 to the pump 46. Pump 46 operates to force the sealant material under pressure into heated hose 12. Pump 46 is a positive dis-placement pump of the progessing cavity type and is of a conven-tional nature, commonly referred to as a Moyno pump. It will pump highly viscous fluids, such as the fluid sealant material described herein. The pump includes rotor-stator elements for pumping so that as the rotor 46a turns within the stator 46b, cavities 46c are formed which progress toward the discharge end o~ the pump carrying the mat~rial being handled uni~ormly and without pulsation or agitation.
The drive means 18 operates to drive rotatable screw conveyor 26 and pump 46 and includes a pulley 32 for driving the common shaft 26a of rotatable screw 26 and pump 46, a drive belt 34 for driving pulley 32, a motor 36 and a drive pulley 38 for ~.
imparting rotation to drive belt 34. As a result, drive arrange-ment 18, including motor 36, operates to continuously drive screw 26 and pump 46 for ~orcing the fluid sealant material 28 under pressure through heated hose 12 to handgun 14. A T-connector 48 is provided for connecting pump 46 to heated hose 12 and feedback ; arrangement 50. As shown most clearly in Figure 1, feed chamber 10 also includes heating means 40 disposed on the outer walls of the feed chamber for further heating the bulk sealant material 24 preheated by heated grid 22 to a fluid state having a pumpable viscosity. The heating means 40 include separate heating elements ~ ;
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~n~7s~0 ~2 connected by wires 44. Preferably, heating elements extend about feed chamber 10 on each side wall lOa thereof. i:
The feedback arrangement 50 of the present invention includes a pressure valve 52 connected by a feedback pipe 54 ~;
to T-connector 48, a feedback pipe 56, and an inlet port 58 formed on the end wall lOb of feed chamber 10. Pressure valve `~, ~ 52 includes a set screw 60 for setting the desired pressure value in the system. In operation, pump 46 continually forces fluid :
sealant 28 under pressure into heated hose 12, and if pressure gun 14 is not operated for a short period of time, the pressure ~: i may build up to an undesired level. Accordingly, when the set ~; ;
pressure level of valve 52 is exceeded, pressure valve 52 will ~ :
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~ open and allow the fluid sealant material 28 to be returned through ~ .
feedback pipe 56 and inlet port 58 to eed chamber 10. There~ore, the ~eedback arrangement of the present invention provides a con~
tinuous arrangement for recirculating the fluid sealant material which is under pressure, and for allowing the pressure value in the system to be set at any desired predetermined level, and for : :
the system to be maintained by the feedback arrangement 50 at the preset pressure, and thereby allow intermittent use of the handgun 14 by the operator. :
As shown diagrammatically in Figure 3, heated hose 12 is connected between pump 46 and handgun 14 for receiving fluid sealant material dispensed from the feed chamber. The -: :
heated hose 12 is surrounded with a heating coil 12a for maint~
taining the sealant material passing therethrough in a fluid state. Heated hose 12 further includes a heat sensor, such as a thermistor, for controlling the temperature in the hose, a thermo- :
stat override as a safety feature which operates to shut off the supply of heat to heating coil 12a at a present maximum temperature, '. ~' .
.
75l5~1 and a thermocouple connected to control box 16 for reading the tempera-ture level in hose 12.
~ landgun 14 includes a swivel connection 62 for supplying the fluid sealant material to a chamber 64 formed in the handgun. The handgun 14 also includes a trigger-operated handle 66 which is spring biased between its operative and inoperati~e position by biasing means 68. A stop 69 is also provided to ad~ust the movement of handle 66, thereby to control the rate of flow of sealant material. The output means 70 of pressure gun 14 includes a noz~le 72 for applying the fluid ~;
sealant material onto a suitable work surface. Nozzle 72, shown in detail in Figure 4, is removable from the output means 70 of the pres-sure gun and includes an extruding tip 74 having holes 76 formed therein for extruding the sealant material onto the work surface. As noted, `
nozzle 72 is removable from handgun 14 so that lt may be interchanged wlth other size nozzles having different size extruding holes for varying the rate of flow of the sealant material, as well as the width or con-figuration of the strip of sealant material which is applied to the work ; surface. `
As noted above, it is an important feature of an aspect of the present invention to maintain the fluid sealant material passing there-through at a predetermined temperature level so that the sealant material has a pumpable viscosity and so that it will not harden to clog up the system. In this regard, various heating rings or heating elements are provided throughout the system in addition to heating elements 42 pro-vided on the outer walls of feed chamber 10 and heating coil 12a surroun-ding heated hose 12. The additional heating means include a heating ring ;~
80 surrounding pump 46, and heating rings 82, 84 surrounding feedback pipes 54, 56, respectively. In this manner, the sealant material, as it is passing through the system, is always being heated to maintain the sealant material in a fluid state and at a predetermined temperature - ` ;
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level. Preferably, a suit ~ ~eBh ~ g ring 86 i9 also applied to the output means 70 of handgun 14 to maintain the sealant material at its proper temeprature level even when it is in handgun 14.
Turning now to Flgure 3, there is shown control box 16 for controlling heating elements 12a, 42, 80, 82, 84 and 86. Temperature -~
controller g2 controls the temperature level of heating elements 42 and ;~ ~-heating elements 80~ 82 and 84, while temperature controller 94 controls the temperature level of heated hose coil 12a and heating ring 86.
Selector switch 96 is provided to switch bet~een temperature controllers ; i,-,:
10 92, 94 to read the temperature of feed chamber 10 or heated hose 12 on gauge 100. However, it should also be understood that depending on the type of sealant mater~al being employed, the present system will operate to heat the sealant material to a predetermined temperature level any-where in the range of approximately 150F. to 500F. Control box 16 also includes a switch 98 for turning on motor 36 to supply power to drive belt arrangement 18, rotatable acrew 26, and pump 46. In this r regard, it h~s al80 been found to be desirable to energi~e the heatlng elements before the rotatable screw~conveyor 26 1s operated to ensure that there is sufficient fluid sealant material contained in the feed chamber 10. In an aspect of the present invention, rotatable screw con-veyor 26 and pump 46 can be driven at any desired speed to maintain a pressure level in the system anywhere in the range oP approximately 200 pounds psi to 500 pounds psi. It should also be pointed out that depending on the speclfic nozzle 72 being employed on handgun 14, that the rate of sealant extrusion may be anywhere in the range of 16 to 20 ounces per minute.
In view of the foregoing, it should be clear that the sealant applicator of aspects of the present invention is not only portable, but is also capable of receiving sealant material 24 in cheaper bulk form and heating it to its fluld or flowable state. This provides a ;
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great savings in the cost of sealant employed in the system. In addi-tion, the portable sealant applicator of aspects of the present invention operates under a range of high pressure to vary the rate of sealant extrusion. Moreover, the handgun 14 used in the sealant applicator of an aspect of the present invention is llght in weight and simple for a ~ ;
single operator to manipulate, and to line uy properly with the working surface to which the sealant is to be applied. Finally, the portable sealant applicator Qf aspects of the present invention may be employed at high-production facilities, since the feed chamber 10 is capable of holding a relatively large quantity of sealant material. ~ ;
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material contained therein to a fluid state having a pumpable vlscosity;
conveyor means disposed withln the feed chamber for forcing the fluid sealant material through the outlet of the feed chamber under pressure into the pump device and the pump device being disposed outside of the feed chamber with respect to the outlet for forcing the fluid sealant material under pressure through a heated hose, the pump device including second heating means for maintaining the sealant material passing there-through at a predetermined temperature level; the pump device further including a rotor and a stator and being of the positive displacement type naving progressing cavities formed as the rotor turns within the stator; the heated hose being connected to the pump device for receiving `~
fluid sealant material supplied therefrom under pressure, the heated hose including third heating means for maintaining the sealant material passing therethrough in a fluid state; feedback means connected between the pump device and the heated hose for returning fluid sealant materlal to the feed chamber when the pres~ure in the heated hose reaches a predetermlned level, the feedback means lncludlng fourth heat:Lng means for malntalning the sealant materlal passlng therethrough in a fluld state; and means connected to the heated hose for applying the fluid sealant material onto ;
a work surface.
By a variant of thls lnvention, the feedback means includes a return port formed in the feed chamber and a pressure valve connected to the pump device, the pressure valve being operatlve to allow the passage of fluld sealant materlal from the pump device to the return port when the pressure in the hose reaches a predetermined level.
By another variant, the apparatus further includes control means ~. .
~ for controlling the temperature of the first, third, and fourth heating ::
means relative to the second heating means of the heated hose. `~:
- By a further variant, the pump device is a Moyno-type pump, the -~
30 conveyor means includes a rotatable screw conveyor, the Moyno pump and ; `~
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the screw conveyor have a common drive, and the pump device is operative to force the fluid sealant material through the heated hose at predeter~
mined pressures.By ye ;~
~! By yet another variant, the feed chamber includes a heated grid adjacent the opening for supporting the bulk sealant material while it is being heated to a fluid state.
By still another variant, the first heating means of the feed chamber includes heating elements mounted on the outer walls of the feed chamber.
By a further variant, the applying means includes a handgun having a removable nozzle for extruding the fluid sealant material under pressure onto a work surface.
By a variation thereof, the handgun further includes heating means connected thereto for maintaining the sealant material in a fluid state.
By a further variation, the noYzle of the handgun is removable so that dlfferent size nozzles may be employed ln conJunction with the handgun to vary the amount and conflguration of sealant material which is extruded.
In accordance with broad aspects of this invention, an improved sealant applicator is provided for heating and extruding flow-able or fluid sealant material onto a work surface and includes a heated feed chamber, a posltlve displacement pump mounted on the feed chamber, a heated hose connected to the outlet of the p~mp, and a handgun connec-~ ted to the heated hose Eor applying a fluid sea:Lant material onto a ;; suitable work surface. Advantageously, the feed chamber includes an :; opening for receiving sealant material in bulk form, and an outlet for ~i , dispensing sealant material in a fluid or flowable state. Heating elements are disposed on the outer wall of the feed chamber for heating the bulk sealant material contained therein to a fluid state having a " ~ ..
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pumpable consistency or viscosity. The hose, whlch includes a heating coil surrounding the length of the hose, is connected to the outlet of the feed chamber and pump for receiving the heated fluid sealant material dispensed therefrom, and the heating coil of the hose operates to main-tain the sealant material passing therethrough in its fluid state. A
rotatably driven screw conveyor is disposed in the lower portion of the feed chamber for supplying the fluid sealant material to the pump which forces the heated fluid sealant material under pressure through the heated hose to the heated handgun. The heated handgun is light in weight, easy to manipulate, and is provided with a removable nozzle which may be changed for applying various configurations of the fluid sealant material onto different size work surfaces.
The sealant applicator of one aspect of the present invention is portable as the feed chamber is mounted on wheels or any other suitable transportLng means. The feed chamber further includes a materlal feed-back arrangement connected between the pump and the Eeed chamber Eor returning fluld sealant materlal to the feed chamber when the pressure in the heated hose reaches a predeter~ined level or when the handgun is temporarily not in use. A pressure valve in the feedback arrangement operates to allow the passage of fluid sealant material from the pump back to an inlet port of the feed chamber when the pressure in the heated hose reaches the predetermined level. In addition, the pump and the feedback arrangement are provided with suitable heating means for main-talning the sealant materlal in lts fluld state and at a predeternlined temperature level.
Advantageously, the sealant applicator of an aspect of the ~ ~-present invention not only is portable, but also is capable of receiving sealant material in cheaper bulk form and heating it to its fluid or flowable state. This provides a great savings, as the cost of sealant in bulk form is approximately half the cost of rope-shaped sealant. More-~ 5 -,; ' ~ ::
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over, the portable sealant applicator of an aspect of the present inven-tion operates under a range of high pressures and volumes to vary the rate of sealant extrusion, and such pressure operation allows greater flexibility with respect to the size nozzle ~md the length of delivery hose employed with the pressure gun. In addition, the handgun of the portable sealant applicator of an aspect of the present invention is light in weight, simple for a single operator to manipulate and to line up properly with the working surface to which the sealant is to be applied, and is not difficult to manipulate as are prior art sealant applicators.
Further, the portable sealant applicator of an aspect of the present invention may be employed at high-production facilities, since the feed chamber is capable of holding a relatively large quantity of sealant.
Generally, the portable sealant applicator of an aspect of the present invention is cheaper to operate because of :Lts use of sealant in bulk form, has a high pressure range under which the sealant may be applied, has unlimited bulk sealant capacity, and is simpler to manipulate in applying the sealant to the working surface.
In the accompanying drawing, Figure 1 is a side elevational view of the feed chamber, outlet means and feedback arrangement of the sealant applicator of one variant of the present invention;
Figure 2 is an elevational view of the internal arrangement of the feed chamber used in the sealant applicator of one variant of the present invention;
Figure 3 is a diagrammatic view of the portable sealant appli-cator of a variant of the present invention including the feed chamber, ~;
the heated hose, the pressure gun, and the control box;
Figure 4 is a perspective view in detail of a removable noæzle `
employed with the pressure gun of a sealant applicator of a variant of the present invention; and . ,., .~
~LO~;755~ :
Figure 5 is a side view of a positive displacement pump employed in the sealant applicator of a variant of the present invention, ;
Referring first to Figure 3, there is showll a diagrammatic view of the portable sealant applicatar of one aspect of the present invention including a feed chamber 10, pump 46, a feedback arrangement 50, a heated hose 12, a handgun 14, a control box 16, and a belt drive arrangement 18 for the feed chamber 10.
Referring now to Figures 1 and 2, there is a clear illustration of the feed chamber 10 of a portable sealant applicator of an aspect of the present invention. The feed chamber 10 includes an opening 20 at its ~;
upper end for receiving sealant material in bulk form. Slightly below opening 20 there is provided a heated support member 22 for receiving and preheating the sealant material 24 in its bulk form. Preferably, support member 22 is in the form of a heated grid for supporting the hardened sealant until it is preheat0d to a fluid state and `
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flows into the bottom of the feed chamber. An outlet 30 is pro~
vided in the bottom of the feed chamber for dispensing the seal-ant material.
Disposed in the bottom of the feed chamber is a rotat~
able screw conveyor 26 for supplying the fluid sealant material 28 to the pump 46. Pump 46 operates to force the sealant material under pressure into heated hose 12. Pump 46 is a positive dis-placement pump of the progessing cavity type and is of a conven-tional nature, commonly referred to as a Moyno pump. It will pump highly viscous fluids, such as the fluid sealant material described herein. The pump includes rotor-stator elements for pumping so that as the rotor 46a turns within the stator 46b, cavities 46c are formed which progress toward the discharge end o~ the pump carrying the mat~rial being handled uni~ormly and without pulsation or agitation.
The drive means 18 operates to drive rotatable screw conveyor 26 and pump 46 and includes a pulley 32 for driving the common shaft 26a of rotatable screw 26 and pump 46, a drive belt 34 for driving pulley 32, a motor 36 and a drive pulley 38 for ~.
imparting rotation to drive belt 34. As a result, drive arrange-ment 18, including motor 36, operates to continuously drive screw 26 and pump 46 for ~orcing the fluid sealant material 28 under pressure through heated hose 12 to handgun 14. A T-connector 48 is provided for connecting pump 46 to heated hose 12 and feedback ; arrangement 50. As shown most clearly in Figure 1, feed chamber 10 also includes heating means 40 disposed on the outer walls of the feed chamber for further heating the bulk sealant material 24 preheated by heated grid 22 to a fluid state having a pumpable viscosity. The heating means 40 include separate heating elements ~ ;
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7 ~
~n~7s~0 ~2 connected by wires 44. Preferably, heating elements extend about feed chamber 10 on each side wall lOa thereof. i:
The feedback arrangement 50 of the present invention includes a pressure valve 52 connected by a feedback pipe 54 ~;
to T-connector 48, a feedback pipe 56, and an inlet port 58 formed on the end wall lOb of feed chamber 10. Pressure valve `~, ~ 52 includes a set screw 60 for setting the desired pressure value in the system. In operation, pump 46 continually forces fluid :
sealant 28 under pressure into heated hose 12, and if pressure gun 14 is not operated for a short period of time, the pressure ~: i may build up to an undesired level. Accordingly, when the set ~; ;
pressure level of valve 52 is exceeded, pressure valve 52 will ~ :
,, ; .
~ open and allow the fluid sealant material 28 to be returned through ~ .
feedback pipe 56 and inlet port 58 to eed chamber 10. There~ore, the ~eedback arrangement of the present invention provides a con~
tinuous arrangement for recirculating the fluid sealant material which is under pressure, and for allowing the pressure value in the system to be set at any desired predetermined level, and for : :
the system to be maintained by the feedback arrangement 50 at the preset pressure, and thereby allow intermittent use of the handgun 14 by the operator. :
As shown diagrammatically in Figure 3, heated hose 12 is connected between pump 46 and handgun 14 for receiving fluid sealant material dispensed from the feed chamber. The -: :
heated hose 12 is surrounded with a heating coil 12a for maint~
taining the sealant material passing therethrough in a fluid state. Heated hose 12 further includes a heat sensor, such as a thermistor, for controlling the temperature in the hose, a thermo- :
stat override as a safety feature which operates to shut off the supply of heat to heating coil 12a at a present maximum temperature, '. ~' .
.
75l5~1 and a thermocouple connected to control box 16 for reading the tempera-ture level in hose 12.
~ landgun 14 includes a swivel connection 62 for supplying the fluid sealant material to a chamber 64 formed in the handgun. The handgun 14 also includes a trigger-operated handle 66 which is spring biased between its operative and inoperati~e position by biasing means 68. A stop 69 is also provided to ad~ust the movement of handle 66, thereby to control the rate of flow of sealant material. The output means 70 of pressure gun 14 includes a noz~le 72 for applying the fluid ~;
sealant material onto a suitable work surface. Nozzle 72, shown in detail in Figure 4, is removable from the output means 70 of the pres-sure gun and includes an extruding tip 74 having holes 76 formed therein for extruding the sealant material onto the work surface. As noted, `
nozzle 72 is removable from handgun 14 so that lt may be interchanged wlth other size nozzles having different size extruding holes for varying the rate of flow of the sealant material, as well as the width or con-figuration of the strip of sealant material which is applied to the work ; surface. `
As noted above, it is an important feature of an aspect of the present invention to maintain the fluid sealant material passing there-through at a predetermined temperature level so that the sealant material has a pumpable viscosity and so that it will not harden to clog up the system. In this regard, various heating rings or heating elements are provided throughout the system in addition to heating elements 42 pro-vided on the outer walls of feed chamber 10 and heating coil 12a surroun-ding heated hose 12. The additional heating means include a heating ring ;~
80 surrounding pump 46, and heating rings 82, 84 surrounding feedback pipes 54, 56, respectively. In this manner, the sealant material, as it is passing through the system, is always being heated to maintain the sealant material in a fluid state and at a predetermined temperature - ` ;
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level. Preferably, a suit ~ ~eBh ~ g ring 86 i9 also applied to the output means 70 of handgun 14 to maintain the sealant material at its proper temeprature level even when it is in handgun 14.
Turning now to Flgure 3, there is shown control box 16 for controlling heating elements 12a, 42, 80, 82, 84 and 86. Temperature -~
controller g2 controls the temperature level of heating elements 42 and ;~ ~-heating elements 80~ 82 and 84, while temperature controller 94 controls the temperature level of heated hose coil 12a and heating ring 86.
Selector switch 96 is provided to switch bet~een temperature controllers ; i,-,:
10 92, 94 to read the temperature of feed chamber 10 or heated hose 12 on gauge 100. However, it should also be understood that depending on the type of sealant mater~al being employed, the present system will operate to heat the sealant material to a predetermined temperature level any-where in the range of approximately 150F. to 500F. Control box 16 also includes a switch 98 for turning on motor 36 to supply power to drive belt arrangement 18, rotatable acrew 26, and pump 46. In this r regard, it h~s al80 been found to be desirable to energi~e the heatlng elements before the rotatable screw~conveyor 26 1s operated to ensure that there is sufficient fluid sealant material contained in the feed chamber 10. In an aspect of the present invention, rotatable screw con-veyor 26 and pump 46 can be driven at any desired speed to maintain a pressure level in the system anywhere in the range oP approximately 200 pounds psi to 500 pounds psi. It should also be pointed out that depending on the speclfic nozzle 72 being employed on handgun 14, that the rate of sealant extrusion may be anywhere in the range of 16 to 20 ounces per minute.
In view of the foregoing, it should be clear that the sealant applicator of aspects of the present invention is not only portable, but is also capable of receiving sealant material 24 in cheaper bulk form and heating it to its fluld or flowable state. This provides a ;
,, : -- 1 0 ss~
great savings in the cost of sealant employed in the system. In addi-tion, the portable sealant applicator of aspects of the present invention operates under a range of high pressure to vary the rate of sealant extrusion. Moreover, the handgun 14 used in the sealant applicator of an aspect of the present invention is llght in weight and simple for a ~ ;
single operator to manipulate, and to line uy properly with the working surface to which the sealant is to be applied. Finally, the portable sealant applicator Qf aspects of the present invention may be employed at high-production facilities, since the feed chamber 10 is capable of holding a relatively large quantity of sealant material. ~ ;
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Claims (9)
1. Apparatus for heating and extruding flowable sealant material onto a work surface comprising: a portable feed chamber having an opening for receiving sealant material in bulk form and an outlet for supplying sealant material in a fluid state to a pump device; first heating means disposed with respect to said feed chamber for heating the bulk sealant material contained therein to a fluid state having a pumpable viscosity;
conveyor means disposed within said feed chamber for forcing said fluid sealant material through said outlet of said feed chamber under pressure into said pump device; said pump device being disposed outside of said feed chamber with respect to said outlet for forcing the fluid sealant material under pressure through a heated hose, said pump device including second heating means for maintaining the sealant material passing there-through at a predetermined temperature level; said pump device further including a rotor and a stator and being of the positive displacement type having progressing cavities formed as the rotor turns within the stator; said heated hose being connected to said pump device for receiv-ing fluid sealant material supplied therefrom under pressure, said heated hose including third heating means for maintaining the sealant material passing therethrough in a fluid state; feedback means connected between said pump device and said heated hose for returning fluid sealant material to said feed chamber when the pressure in said heated hose reaches a pre-determined level, said feedback means including fourth heating means for maintaining the sealant material passing therethrough in a fluid state;
and means connected to said heated hose for applying said fluid sealant material onto a work surface.
conveyor means disposed within said feed chamber for forcing said fluid sealant material through said outlet of said feed chamber under pressure into said pump device; said pump device being disposed outside of said feed chamber with respect to said outlet for forcing the fluid sealant material under pressure through a heated hose, said pump device including second heating means for maintaining the sealant material passing there-through at a predetermined temperature level; said pump device further including a rotor and a stator and being of the positive displacement type having progressing cavities formed as the rotor turns within the stator; said heated hose being connected to said pump device for receiv-ing fluid sealant material supplied therefrom under pressure, said heated hose including third heating means for maintaining the sealant material passing therethrough in a fluid state; feedback means connected between said pump device and said heated hose for returning fluid sealant material to said feed chamber when the pressure in said heated hose reaches a pre-determined level, said feedback means including fourth heating means for maintaining the sealant material passing therethrough in a fluid state;
and means connected to said heated hose for applying said fluid sealant material onto a work surface.
2. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said feedback means includes a return port formed in said feed chamber and a pressure valve connected to said pump device, said pressure valve being operative to allow the passage of fluid sealant material from said pump device to said return port when the pressure in said hose reaches a predetermined level.
3. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 further including con-trol means for controlling the temperature of said first, third, and fourth heating means relative to said second heating means of said heated hose.
4. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said pump device is a Moyno-type pump, said conveyor means including a rotatable screw conveyor, said Moyno pump and said screw conveyor having a common drive, and said pump device being operative to force said fluid sealant material through said heated hose at predetermined pressures.
5. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said feed chamber includes a heated grid adjacent said opening for supporting said bulk sealant material while it is being heated to a fluid state.
6. Apparatus in accordance with calim 1 wherein said first heating means of said feed chamber includes heating elements mounted on the outer walls of said feed chamber.
7. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said applying means includes a handgun having a removable nozzle for extruding said fluid sealant material under pressure onto a work surface.
8. Apparatus in accordance with claim 7 wherein said handgun further includes heating means connected thereto for maintaining said sealant material in a fluid state.
9. Apparatus in accordance with claim 8 wherein the nozzle of said handgun is removable so that different size nozzles may be employed in conjunction with said handgun to vary the amount and configuration of sealant material which is extruded.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA299,053A CA1087550A (en) | 1978-03-16 | 1978-03-16 | Portable sealant applicator |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA299,053A CA1087550A (en) | 1978-03-16 | 1978-03-16 | Portable sealant applicator |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1087550A true CA1087550A (en) | 1980-10-14 |
Family
ID=4111010
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA299,053A Expired CA1087550A (en) | 1978-03-16 | 1978-03-16 | Portable sealant applicator |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1087550A (en) |
-
1978
- 1978-03-16 CA CA299,053A patent/CA1087550A/en not_active Expired
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| MKEX | Expiry |