Multi component dispensing rig

Abstract

A dispense rig is configured to mix multiple constituent materials together to form a plural component material and is configured to output that plural component material onto a surface. The dispense rig includes multiple displacers that draw the individual constituent materials from material supplies and pump the constituent materials to a dispenser for emitting the resultant plural component material.

Description

[0001] MULTI COMPONENT DISPENSING RIG

[0002] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

[0003] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 529,011 filed July 26, 2023 and entitled “MULTI COMPONENT FLOOR SURFACE DISPENSING RIG,” and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63,617,521 filed January 4, 2024 and entitled “MULTI COMPONENT FLOOR SURFACE DISPENSING RIG,” and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 558,944 filed February 28, 2024 and entitled “MULTI COMPONENT DISPENSING RIG,” the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties.

[0004] BACKGROUND

[0005] This disclosure relates to material dispensing systems. More particularly, this disclosure relates to a rig for mixing and dispensing plural component materials.

[0006] Plural component materials are formed by mixing multiple constituent materials together that react to form the plural component material. Flooring material is one type of plural component material that can be applied to a floor surface to provide a coating on that floor surface to improve durability, aesthetics, grip, etc. For example, the flooring material can be an epoxy coating. The flooring materials are typically formed from multiple constituent components that are mixed together to form a plural component flooring material. The multiple constituent components are typically poured individually into a mixing container, such as a bucket. The operator then mixes the components together to generate the plural component flooring material, such as with a hand mixer, such as an auger connected to a handheld drill. The plural component flooring material is poured onto the floor surface to be coated and spread over that surface, such as with a squeegee. The constituent materials require adequate mixing and mixing at a specified ratio to provide a quality plural component material.

[0007] SUMMARY

[0008] According to an aspect of the disclosure, a dispense rig for mixing a first constituent material and a second constituent material and dispensing a mixed material comprising the first constituent material and the second constituent material includes a first displacer having a first pump operated by a first electric motor, the first pump configured to pump the first constituent material; a second displacer having a second pump operated by a second electric motor, the second pump configured to pump the second constituent material; a mix passage downstream of the first pump and the second pump, the mix passage configured to mix the first constituent material with the second constituent material to make the mixed material; a dispenser through which the mixed material is dispensed; and a controller configured to determine a non-productive displacement of the first pump; and control operation of the second electric motor based on the non-productive displacement of the first pump such that the first pump and the second pump output the first constituent material and the second constituent material at a specified mix ratio.

[0009] According to an additional or alternative aspect of the disclosure, a dispense rig for mixing a first constituent material and a second constituent material and dispensing a mixed material comprising the first constituent material and the second constituent material includes a first displacer having a first pump operated by a first electric motor, the first pump configured to pump the first constituent material; a second displacer having a second pump operated by a second electric motor, the second pump configured to pump the second constituent material; a mix passage downstream of the first pump and the second pump, the mix passage configured to mix the first constituent material with the second constituent material to make the mixed material; a dispenser through which the mixed material is dispensed; and a controller configured to control operation of the first electric motor and the second electric motor to avoid changeover overlap between the first pump and the second pump.

[0010] According to another additional or alternative aspect of the disclosure, a dispense rig for mixing a first constituent material and a second constituent material and dispensing a mixed material comprising the first constituent material and the second constituent material includes a first displacer including a first pump operated by a first electric motor, the first pump configured to pump the first constituent material; a second displacer including a second pump operated by a second electric motor, the second pump configured to pump the second constituent material; a mix passage downstream of the first pump and the second pump, the mix passage configured to mix the first constituent material with the second constituent material to make the mixed material; a dispenser through which the mixed material is dispensed; and a controller configured to determine a position of a first piston of the first pump within a first displacement range of the first piston; determine a position of a second piston of the second pump within a second displacement range of the second piston; and control operation of the first electric motor and the second electric motor such that the control causes a first one of the first pump and the second pump to short stroke based on a fluid displacer of the first one being closer to a range end of a displacement range of the fluid displacer of the first one than a fluid displacer of a second one of the first pump and the second pump is to a range end of a displacement range of the fluid displacer of the second one.

[0011] According to another additional or alternative aspect of the disclosure, a dispense rig for mixing a first constituent material and a second constituent material and dispensing a mixed material comprising the first constituent material and the second constituent material includes a first displacer including a first pump operated by a first electric motor, the first pump configured to pump the first constituent material; a second displacer including a second pump operated by a second electric motor, the second pump configured to pump the second constituent material; a mix passage downstream of the first pump and the second pump, the mix passage configured to mix the first constituent material with the second constituent material to make the mixed material; a dispenser through which the mixed material is dispensed; and a controller configured to initiate pumping of the first pump by receiving an input indicating need to operate the first pump; and based on the input, delivering driving energy to the first electric motor, the driving energy having a soft start phase in which the speed of the first electric motor is ramped up over a first period, the driving energy having a stable phase following the soft start phase.

[0012] According to yet another additional or alternative aspect of the disclosure, a pump system includes a first displacer including a first pump operated by a first electric motor, the first pump configured to pump the first constituent material; a first sensor configured to generate first parameter information regarding a fluid parameter of the first constituent material downstream of the first pump; and a controller configured to compare an upstroke pressure generated by the first pump and a downstroke pressure generated by the first pump; and determine a pump status of the first pump based on the comparison of the upstroke pressure and the downstroke pressure indicating a difference between the upstroke pressure and the downstroke pressure exceeding a pressure variation threshold.

[0013] According to yet another additional or alternative aspect of the disclosure, a mix line is configured for use in a dispense rig configured to mix a first constituent material and a second constituent material and dispensing a mixed material comprising the first constituent material and the second constituent material is configured to receive the first constituent material and the second constituent material such that the first constituent material and the second constituent material mix within the mix line. The mix lines includes a hose having an inlet end and an outlet end, wherein the hose is flexible, and wherein the hose defines a mix passage extending within the hose; a first static mixer disposed within the hose; a second static mixer disposed within the hose; a first mix retainer interfacing with the hose and limiting downstream travel of the first static mixer towards the outlet end; and a second mix retainer interfacing with the hose and limiting downstream travel of the second static mixer. The first static mixer is spaced from the second static mixer such that a first intermix region is formed between the first static mixer and the second static mixer.

[0014] According to yet another additional or alternative aspect of the disclosure, a mix line assembly is configured for use in a dispense rig configured to mix a first constituent material and a second constituent material and dispensing a mixed material comprising the first constituent material and the second constituent material, the mix line assembly configured to receive the first constituent material and the second constituent material such that the first constituent material and the second constituent material mix within the mix line assembly. The mix line assembly includes a hose having an inlet end and an outlet end, wherein the hose is flexible, and wherein the hose defines a mix passage extending within the hose; a first static mixer disposed within the hose; and a dispenser extending from the downstream end of the hose, the dispenser including a nozzle configured to output the mixed material and a second static mixer disposed within a housing of the dispenser. The first static mixer is spaced from the second static mixer such that a first intermix region is formed between the first static mixer and the second static mixer. A length of the intermix region is greater than a combined length of the first static mixer and the second static mixer.

[0015] According to yet another additional or alternative aspect of the disclosure, a dispense rig for mixing a first constituent material and a second constituent material and dispensing a mixed material comprising the first constituent material and the second constituent material includes a first pump operated by a first electric motor, the first pump configured to pump the first constituent material; a first sensor configured to generate first parameter information regarding a fluid parameter of the first constituent material downstream of the first pump; a second pump operated by a second electric motor, the second pump configured to pump the second constituent material; a second sensor configured to generated second parameter information regarding a fluid parameter of the second constituent material downstream of the second pump; a mix passage downstream of the first pump, the first sensor, the second pump, and the second sensor, the mix passage configured to mix the first constituent material with the second constituent material to make the mixed material; a dispenser through which the mixed material is dispensed; and a controller configured to receive the first parameter information and the second parameter information and control operation of the first electric motor and the second electric motor.

[0016] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] FIG. 1A is a first isometric view of a flooring material dispense rig.

[0018] FIG. IB is a second isometric view of the flooring material dispense rig.

[0019] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a displacer.

[0020] FIG. 3A is an exploded view of a mix line assembly.

[0021] FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view of a mix line assembly.

[0022] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of another mix line assembly.

[0023] FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of a mix line.

[0024] FIG. 6 is a partial sectional view of an example of a mix line.

[0025] FIG. 7 is a partial sectional view of another example of a mix line.

[0026] FIG. 8 is a schematic block diagram of a dispense rig.

[0027] FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating changeover zones relative to a displacement range of fluid displacers of pumps.

[0028] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] According to aspects of the disclosure, a dispense rig is configured to mix constituent materials together at a desired ratio to generate a plural component material. In some examples, the dispense rig is configured to output the plural component material onto a ground surface, such as a concrete slab. The plural component material is spread on the ground surface to coat the ground surface. For example, the dispense rig can be configured to dispense an epoxy coating material onto the ground surface.

[0030] The dispense rig can include a mix line that conveys the constituent materials to a dispenser for output through a nozzle. The constituent materials mix within the mix line to form the plural component material. The mix line includes one or more static mixers that are disposed within a hose of the mix line. The dispenser is connected to the mix line to receive flow from the mix line. An intermix region is formed between a static mixer within the dispenser and a static mixer within the hose, the intermix region being a portion of the hose within which a static mixer is not disposed.

[0031] The dispense rig can include multiple pumps that each separately pump a constituent material. Each pump can be powered by an electric motor. The electric motors can be dedicated to the pumps such that each pump is powered by a separate electric motor. A controller controls operation of the electric motors to control pumping by the pumps. The controller can control operation of the electric motors based on a specified mix ratio, which is a desired ratio at which the constituent components mix to form the plural component material.

[0032] In some examples, the controller can control operation of the pumps in a leader and follower configuration. The controller can control operation of the follower pump based on operation of the leader pump to control output of the constituent materials at the specified mix ratio. The controller can be configured to alter operation of one of the pumps based on operation of the other one of the pumps, such as by speeding up or slowing down the electric motor driving the one of the pumps.

[0033] In some examples, the controller is configured to control operation of the pumps based on a determined ratio of the constituent materials output by the pumps. The controller can determine the actual displacement by each pump based on information regarding operation of the pump (e.g., based on pressure output of the pump, electric current flow to the electric motor driving the pump, etc.). The controller can cause the pumps to stop pumping based on the determined ratio varying from the target ratio by more than a threshold amount.

[0034] In some examples, the controller is configured control operation of the pumps such that fluid displacers of the pumps (e.g., pistons, among other options) such that the fluid displacers do not have changeover overlap on changeover between stroke directions. The controller can be configured to cause one or both of the fluid displacers to short stroke and changeover early to avoid changeover overlap between the fluid displacers of the pumps.

[0035] In some examples, the controller is configured to ramp up the speed of the electric motors that drive the pumps to a steady state operating speed. The controller can be configured to ramp up the speed to ramp up pressure over a plurality of pump strokes. In some examples, the controller is configured to increase the target speed during strokes in one direction (e.g., one of an upstroke and a downstroke) and then maintain the target speed during strokes in the other direction (e.g., the other of the upstroke and downstroke).

[0036] In some examples, the controller is configured to monitor operation of one or both of the pumps to determine productive displacement of the one or both pumps. The controller can control operation of the pumps in a leader and follower dynamic in which the follower one of the pumps is operated such that a productive displacement of the follower pump matches a productive displacement of the leader pump.

[0037] In some examples, a hose assembly for a dispense rig can include one or more static mixers disposed within a flexible hose. A dispenser can be connected to an end of the flexible hose to receive mixed fluid output from the flexible hose. The dispenser includes a static mixer upstream of a nozzle of the dispenser through which the plural component material is output. One or more intermix regions is disposed between the static mixer within the flexible hose and the static mixer within the dispenser. No static mixing elements are disposed within the one or more intermix regions.

[0038] Components can be considered to radially overlap when those components are disposed at common axial locations along an axis. A radial line extending from the axis will extend through each of the radially overlapping components. Components can be considered to axially overlap when those components are disposed at common radial and circumferential locations relative to an axis such that an axial line parallel to the axis extends through the axially overlapping components. Components can be considered to circumferentially overlap when aligned about the axis, such that a circle centered on the axis passes through the circumferentially overlapping components.

[0039] FIG. 1A is a front isometric view of dispense rig 10. FIG. IB is a rear isometric of dispense rig 10. FIGS. 1A and IB are discussed together. Dispense rig 10 includes applicator frame 12, supports 14a, 14b (collectively herein “support 14” or “supports 14”), control module 16, user interface 18, control 20, housing 22, dispense support 24, displacers 28a, 28b (collectively referred to herein as “displacer 28” or “displacers 28”), supply lines 30a, 30b (collectively herein “supply line 30” or “supply lines 30”), dispense manifold 32, mix line 34, and dispenser 36. Displacer 28a includes drive assembly 38a and pump 40a. Displacer 28b includes drive assembly 38b and pump 40b. Drive assemblies 38a, 38b are collectively referred to herein as “drive assembly 38” or “drive assemblies 38”. Pumps 40a, 40b are collectively referred to herein as “pump 40” or “pumps 40”. Material supplies 42a, 42b (collectively referred to herein as “material supply 42” or “material supplies 42”) are shown.

[0040] Dispense rig 10 is configured as a plural component material dispensing system. Dispense rig 10 is configured to mix individual constituent materials that react to form a plural component material that is applied to a substrate to cure. For example, the plural component material can be formed as one or more of spray foam, glues, adhesives, coatings, epoxies, and other materials. In the example shown, dispense rig 10 is configured to move along a ground surface and dispense a flooring material for application on the surface. It is understood, however, that not all examples are so limited. Dispense rig 10 can be configured for mixing and dispensing any desired type of plural component material.

[0041] Dispense rig 10, which can also be referred to as a mobile floor surface dispense rig, is configured to mix individual constituent materials together that mix to form a plural component material that is output onto the ground surface. The plural component material is spread on the floor, such as with a spreader, such as a squeegee or roller among other options. The flooring material is formed from two, or more, constituent materials that are stored separately on board the dispense rig 10, pumped and mixed aboard the dispense rig 10, and then dispensed onto the ground surface for spreading and curing. For example, the two constituent materials can be epoxy and / or other curing components and are liquid in form for pumping. The two constituent materials will be generally referred to herein as the first constituent material and the second constituent material, it being understood that a variety of mixed component materials can be used.

[0042] An X-Y-Z coordinate plane is shown in FIG. 1A. In the description, the direction Y is considered to be longitudinal, the direction X is considered to be lateral, and the direction Z is considered to be vertical.

[0043] Applicator frame 12 supports other components of dispense rig 10. Applicator frame 12 extends longitudinally (along direction Y) between front end 44, which can be referred to as a first longitudinal end, and rear end 46, which can be referred to as a second longitudinal end. Applicator frame 12 extends laterally (along direction X). Applicator frame 12 can be a structure of metal tubes, amongst other options.

[0044] Wheels 48 are connected to applicator frame 12 and are configured to roll along the ground surface to facilitate moving of the dispense rig 10 within a job site and / or between job sites. In the example shown, applicator frame 12 is supported by a pair of rear wheels 48a and a front wheel 48b, though it is understood that not all examples are so limited. Rear wheels 48a can be connected together by an axle or individually mounted to applicator frame 12. In the example shown, rear wheels 48a are connected together by a rear axle. Rear wheels 48a are disposed in a fixed orientation such that rear wheels 48a can roll forwards or backwards but do not pivot about a vertical axis. As such, rear wheels 48a are not formed as caster wheels in the example shown. Front wheel 48b is disposed at front end 44 of applicator frame 12. In the example shown, front wheel 48b is disposed on a longitudinal centerline L-L (FIG. 5B) of applicator frame 12. In the example shown, front wheel 48b is configured to roll along the ground surface and to pivot. Front wheel 48b is formed as a caster wheel that is not disposed in a fixed orientation relative to the applicator frame 12. Front wheel 48b can rotate on a vertical axis for steering of dispense rig 10.

[0045] Each material supply 42 is configured to hold a supply of a constituent material for pumping by a pump 40. For example, material supply 42a can store a supply of a first constituent material and material supply 42b can store a supply of a second constituent material. The material supplies 42 can also be referred to as reservoirs. The material supplies 42 can be formed by buckets, such as 5-gallon buckets, among other options.

[0046] Supports 14 project from other portions of applicator frame 12. In some examples, supports 14 can be formed integrally with other portions of applicator frame 12. Supports 14 can be permanently fixed relative to applicator frame 12 (e.g., by welding or monolithic formation). Each support 14 is configured to support a material supply 42. Support 14a projects laterally from a central portion of applicator frame 12. Support 14b projects laterally outward from the central portion of applicator frame 12. Supports 14a, 14b are disposed on opposite lateral sides of the longitudinal centerline L-L of applicator frame 12. Supports 14 can be considered to form portions of applicator frame 12. Support 14a is configured to support material supply 42a. Support 14b is configured to support material supply 42b. Supports 14 support the material supplies 42 such that material supplies 42 ride on supports 14 and move with dispense rig 10. In some examples material supplies 42 can be considered to ride on applicator frame 12. In the example shown, each support 14a, 14b projects vertically below the vertically highest portion of front wheel 48b.

[0047] In the example shown, applicator frame 12 is configured such that each material supply 42 is overlapped on four sides by portions of applicator frame 12 to prevent the material supply 42 from shifting laterally or longitudinally off of support 14. In the example shown, each support 14 includes longitudinal flange 50 that inhibits movement of the material supply in first longitudinal direction LT 1 and includes lateral flange 52 that inhibits movement of the material supply 42 laterally outward from applicator frame 12. The central portion of applicator frame 12 inhibits movement of the material supply 42 laterally inwards towards the longitudinal centerline L-L. Portions of applicator frame 12 longitudinally rearward of material supply 42 inhibit movement of the material supplies 42 in second longitudinal direction LT2. Applicator frame 12 overlapping with material supplies 42 retains material supplies 42 on applicator frame 12 as dispense rig 10 is moved about a job site.

[0048] Material supplies 42 are configured to store supplies of the constituent materials prior to mixing to form the plural component material. Material supply 42a is supported on support 14a. Material supply 42b is supported on support 14b. In the example shown, material supplies 42 are formed as buckets. Each material supply 42 includes a top opening 54 through which constituent material can be withdrawn from the material supply 42, such as by a pump 40, and through which additional constituent material can be added to the material supply 42. For example, a user can pour additional constituent material into the material supply 42 through the top opening 54. As discussed in more detail below, dispense rig 10 is configured such that the top opening 54 is at least partially uncovered with pumps 40 extending into material supplies 42 through the top openings 54 such that constituent material can be added without having to manipulate other components of dispense rig 10. In the example shown, material supplies 42 are formed as 5-gallon buckets, though it is understood that other configurations are possible.

[0049] Dispense rig 10 includes control 20. The control 20 can include a steering structure, such as handlebars as shown, a steering wheel, or other structure. The dispense rig 10 can be pushed by the user’s hands gripping the control 20 and / or can be pulled by the user’s hands gripping the control. Control 20 can include more inputs, which can be electronic inputs, such as buttons or switches, for controlling the displacers 28 to pump the constituent materials to cause dispensing from dispenser 36. Control 20 can include a steering control and one or more inputs that operate the one or more motors to cause the dispenser to dispense the mixture of the first and second constituent materials.

[0050] Control module 16 is disposed at a longitudinally rear end of dispense rig 10. Control module 16 includes a module housing 56 configured to house control components, such as memory and processor among other electronic control components, of the dispense rig 10.

[0051] Housing 22 is supported by applicator frame 12. Housing 22 is disposed laterally between rear wheels 48. Housing 22 extends longitudinally and vertically. Housing 22 can be considered to form a shroud of a power supply of dispense rig 10. Housing 22 at least partially encloses the power supply of dispense rig 10, as discussed in more detail below. In some examples of dispense rig 10 the power supply includes one or more batteries for powering electric components of dispense rig 10. In such an example, housing 22 can be considered to form a battery bay of dispense rig 10.

[0052] Displacers 28 are supported by applicator frame 12. Displacers 28 are configured to draw the constituent materials from material supplies 42 and drive the constituent materials downstream under pressure to dispenser 36 for dispensing from dispense rig 10. For each displacer 28, drive assembly 38 is mounted to applicator frame 12 and pump 40 is connected to drive assembly 38 to be powered to pump by drive assembly 38. As discussed in more detail below, each drive assembly 38 includes an electric motor configured to generate a rotational output and includes a drive configured to convert the rotational output to a linear reciprocating input provided to the pump 40 of that displacer 28 to power the pump 40 of that displacer 28. In the example shown, displacers 28 are movably mounted to applicator frame 12. Each displacer 28 is movable to place the displacer 28 in a respective immersed state, in which the displacer 28 is positioned to pump the constituent materials from the material supply, and a respective stowed state, in which the displacer 28 is withdrawn from the material supply 42, such as to facilitate removal and / or replacement of the material supply 42.

[0053] Displacers 28a, 28b are respectively connected to applicator frame 12 by mount brackets 58a, 58b (collectively herein “mount bracket 58” or “mount brackets 58”) in the example shown. Mount bracket 58a is mounted to applicator frame 12 and connected to displacer 28a. Mount bracket 58b is mounted to applicator frame 12 and connected to displacer 28b. Mount brackets 58 are connected to drive assemblies 38 and to applicator frame 12. Mount brackets 58 support the displacers 28 in both the respective immersed states and the respective stowed states. Mount brackets 58 can facilitate movement of the displacers 28 relative to the applicator frame 12 as the displacers 28 move between the respective immersed and stowed states.

[0054] Each of the first pump 40a and the second pump 40b are driven by independent motors 70 for which the respective speeds can be changed to change the output from the pumps 40a, 40b. The pumps 40a, 40b can be sized for a common displacement but can be controlled for any desired mix ratio. For example, pumps 40a, 40b can be controlled to output constituent materials at a 1:1 mix ratio, regardless of whether the pumps 40a, 40b are commonly sized by controlling operation of the electric motors 70. Pumps 40a, 40b can be controlled for mix ratios that are 1:1 or 1:X wherein X is not 1. For example, the electric motors 70 can be controlled to provide a mix ratio other than 1:1 even when the pumps 40 are commonly sized. The output ratio from the pumps 40a, 40b can be electrically controlled by respective motors 70 driving the respective pumps 40a and 40b.

[0055] In the example shown, displacers 28 are configured to pivot between the respective immersed states and stowed states, as discussed in more detail below. It is understood, however, that not all examples are so limited. For example, displacers 28 can be mounted to applicator frame 12 such that displacers 28 elevate between the respective immersed and stowed states. In such an example, displacers 28 can be moved by a rack and pinion connection, a pully assembly, one or more pistons (e.g., pneumatic pistons), among other options.

[0056] Position lock 60 is configured to interface with a displacer 28 and applicator frame 12 to secure the displacer 28 in a desired state. In the example shown, position lock 60 interfaces with a mount bracket 58 and with applicator frame 12 to lock displacer 28 in a state. The position lock 60 engages with the applicator frame 12 to hold the displacer 28 in the respective immersed state, with the pump 40 extending into the material supply 42, and in the respective stowed states, with the pump 40 withdrawn from the material supply 42. In the example shown, position lock 60 is formed as a spring-biased lock that is biased into engagement with the applicator frame 12 by a spring. In the example shown, a position lock 60 is associated with each mount bracket 58 to fix a position of that mount bracket 58 on the applicator frame 12. As such, each displacer 28 is individually lockable in a desired state. In the example shown, each drive assembly 38 can be individually retained in the position associated with the stowed state even with pumps 40 dismounted from drive assemblies 38.

[0057] Pumps 40 are configured as immersion pumps that extend into a respective material supply 42. The pumps 40 are configured to draw constituent material from the material supply 42 and drive the material downstream to dispenser 36. Pumps 40 extend into material supplies 42 through the top openings 54 of the material supplies 42. Pumps 40 can be of any desired configuration suitable for pumping the constituent materials. For example, pumps 40 can be piston pumps among other options. In the example shown, pumps 40 are removably mountable to the drive assemblies 38 such that pumps 40 can be dismounted from drive assemblies 38 and mounted to drive assemblies 38, as discussed in more detail below. Pumps 40 are formed as immersion pumps in that pumps 40 extend into material supplies 42 and contact the constituent materials. The pumps 40 extend into an associated material supply 42 such that a lower end of the pump 40 is immersed in the constituent material within the material supply 42. In some examples, at least one dynamic seal of a pump 40 is disposed below the top opening 54 and within the material supply 42 with the pump 40 in the immersed state. In some examples, at least one valve of a pump 40 is disposed below the top opening 54 and within the material supply 42 with the pump 40 in the immersed state. In some examples, a rigid intake of a pump 40 is disposed below the top opening 54 and within the material supply 42 with the pump 40 in the immersed state. In some examples, at least a portion of a rigid pump housing 88 of the pump 40 is immersed in the constituent material with the pump 40 in the immersed state.

[0058] In the example shown, pumps 40 are fixed together for simultaneous movement between immersed and stowed states. Pumps 40 are further fixed together for simultaneous mounting and dismounting to drive assemblies 38. In the example shown, pump 40a and pump 40b can be considered to form a single pumping assembly such that pump 40a and pump 40b are mountable together as the single pumping assembly and dismountable together as the single pumping assembly.

[0059] Connecting bracket 62 extends between and connects displacers 28. In the example shown, connecting bracket 62 extends between and is connected to each pump 40. Connecting bracket 62 is not directly connected to either drive assembly 38 in the example shown. Connecting bracket 62 can be considered to fix pumps 40 together. Connecting bracket 62 facilitates simultaneous movement of displacers 28 between the respective immersed and stowed states. The connecting bracket 62 extends between and fixes pumps 40 together and each pump 40 is mounted to a drive assembly 38. Connecting bracket 62 thereby indirectly fixes drive assemblies 38 together for simultaneous movement between the immersed and stowed states. Connecting bracket 62 being connected to pumps 40 further facilitates simultaneous mounting of pumps 40 to drive assemblies 38 and simultaneous dismounting of pumps 40 from drive assemblies 38.

[0060] Supply lines 30 are connected to the outlets of each pump 40. Supply line 30a is connected to the outlet of pump 40a and is configured to receive the first constituent material output by pump 40a. Supply line 30b is connected to the outlet of pump 40b and is configured to receive the second constituent material output by pump 40b. In the example shown, supply lines 30 are supported by connecting bracket 62. Each supply line 30 extends between and fluidly connects a pump 40 with dispense manifold 32. Supply line 30a is connected to a first intake of dispense manifold 32 and supply line 30b is connected to a second intake of dispense manifold 32.

[0061] Dispense manifold 32 is configured to receive discrete flows of constituent materials and output the flows to a single mix line 34. In the example shown, dispense manifold 32 is mounted to connecting bracket 62. Dispense manifold 32 includes a single fluid outlet at which mix line 34 is connected to dispense manifold 32. In the example shown, the constituent materials do not mix within the dispense manifold 32 itself. Instead, the constituent materials are maintained as fluidly separate within the dispense manifold 32 and are routed to the common fluid outlet through which both constituent materials are output to mix line 34. It is understood that, in some examples, the constituent materials can mix within the dispense manifold 32 to have at least partially combined within the dispense manifold 32 before being output to the mix line 34. Dispense manifold 32 can also be referred to as a mix manifold.

[0062] In some examples, dispense manifold 32 can include one or more valves that are pressure actuated to prevent cross-over of constituent materials which could cause mixing and curing in supply lines 30. For example, dispense manifold 32 can include a first valve associated with a first flowpath through dispense manifold 32 that directs a first constituent material from supply line 30a to mix line 34. The first valve can be pressure actuated such that pressure generated by pump 40a opens the first valve. Dispense manifold 32 can include a second valve associated with a second flowpath through dispense manifold 32 that directs a second constituent material from supply line 30b to mix line 34. The second valve can be pressure actuated such that pressure generated by pump 40b opens the second valve.

[0063] Mix line 34 is connected to the fluid outlet of the dispense manifold 32. Mix line 34 extends between and fluidly connects dispense manifold 32 and dispenser 36. Mix line 34 is configured to convey a mixture of the first and second constituent materials to the dispenser 36 for output as the plural component material. Dispenser 36 is configured to output the plural component material on the ground surface. The plural component material exits from dispense rig 10 through a nozzle of the dispenser 36.

[0064] Dispenser 36 is supported by dispense support 24. Dispenser 36 includes mixing components that are configured to encourage mixing of the constituent materials as the constituent materials flow through dispenser 36. Dispenser 36 can also be considered to form a static mixer. Dispenser 36 includes a nozzle 64 through which the plural component material is output for application on the ground surface.

[0065] Dispense support 24 is configured to support dispenser 36 relative to the ground surface. In the example shown, dispense support 24 is connected to connecting bracket 62 to be supported by connecting bracket 62. Dispense support 24 is repositionable relative to applicator frame 12 to position dispenser 36 at a desired location for outputting the plural component material. For example, dispense support 24 can pivot about the front end 44 of applicator frame 12 to position dispenser 36 on either lateral side of dispense rig 10. In the example shown in FIGS. 1A and IB, dispense support 24 is oriented to position dispenser 36 on the right lateral side of dispense rig 10, but dispense support 24 can be pivoted to reposition dispenser 36 on the left lateral side of dispense rig 10 (best seen in FIGS. 6A and 6C). The dispenser 36 can be selectively repositioned on either a left lateral side or a right lateral side of the dispense rig. In some examples, dispense support 24 is vertically repositionable such that the nozzle of dispenser 36 can be positioned closer to or further from the ground surface. In some examples, dispense support 24 is movable to reorient the nozzle 64 of dispenser 36. For example, dispenser 36 can be rotatably repositioned about an axis of the dispense support 24 to reposition nozzle 64 vertically, horizontally, or at an orientation therebetween. In some examples, dispense support 24 is movable such that dispenser 36 can be adjusted forwards and backwards in addition to side to side, such that dispenser 36 can be moved closer to or further from applicator frame 12.

[0066] Receiver 66 is disposed at an end of dispense support 24 and is configured to interface with dispenser 36 to support dispenser 36. In the example shown, receiver 66 includes receiving bracket 68 that interfaces with dispenser 36. Receiving bracket 68 includes a pair of openings through which the dispenser 36 extends with the dispenser 36 mounted to dispense support 24. In the example shown, dispenser 36 can be toollessly mounted to and dismounted from receiver 66. For example, dispenser 36 can be removed from receiver 66 to be positioned and held by the user, such as over a bucket when pumping solvent for cleaning of fluid-handling components of dispense rig 10 or for dispensing plural component material in hard to reach locations. In the example shown, dispenser 36 is removable from receiving bracket 68 by pulling dispenser 36 along dispense axis DA (FIGS. 6B and 6C) and out of receiving bracket 68 and dispenser 36 is mountable to receiving bracket 68 by aligning dispenser 36 with the openings of receiving bracket 68 and shifting dispenser 36 along dispense axis DA and through the openings of receiving bracket 68.

[0067] Displacers 28 only partially cover the top openings 54 of material supplies 42 during operation of dispense rig 10. In some examples, the top opening 54 of a material supply 42 is at least 20% exposed with an associated displacer 28 in the immersed state. In some examples, the top opening 54 of the material supply 42 is at least 35% exposed with an associated displacer 28 in the immersed state. In some examples, the top opening 54 of material supply 42 is at least 50% exposed with an associated displacer 28 in the immersed state. Such a configuration facilitates pouring of additional constituent materials into the material supplies 42 without having to remove pumps 40 and without having to remove and replace the material supply 42 itself. Such a configuration reduces downtime as the material supplies 42 are accessible for quick and easy refilling without requiring manipulation of other components of dispense rig 10. The top opening 54 can be considered to be exposed when not vertically overlapped by other components of dispense rig 10.

[0068] Supports 14 are disposed at the longitudinal front end of dispense rig 10. Supports 14 can be considered to be disposed at the front corners of dispense rig 10. Supports 14 position material supplies 42 such that material supplies 42 are accessible from longitudinally forward of material supplies 42 and laterally outward of material supplies 42 for refilling through top opening. In the example shown, at least a portion of the top opening 54 that is uncovered with displacers 28 in the immersed states is disposed on the laterally outer portion of the top opening 54. Having a laterally outward portion of the top opening 54 uncovered facilitates pouring of refill constituent material into the material supply 42 without having to reach the constituent material over other components (e.g., over connecting bracket 62) at which location the constituent materials can drip onto those components. Having the laterally outer portion of top opening 54 uncovered facilitates clean and quick refilling of material supplies 42. In the example shown, the laterally outward uncovered portion can form up to about 15% of the area of the top opening 54, up to about 20% of the top opening 54, up to about 25% of the top opening 54, up to about 35% of the area of the top opening 54, up to about 50% of the area of the top opening 54, or more of the area of the top opening 54.

[0069] During operation, dispense rig 10 is utilized to emit a floor surface material onto a ground surface which material is cured in place to form the floor surface. Displacers 28 are in the respective stowed states (FIGS. 3A and 3B). Material supply 42a is placed on support 14a and in the area between the lateral and longitudinal retaining portions of support 14a. Material supply 42b is placed on support 14b and in the area between the lateral and longitudinal retaining portions of support 14b. The lateral and longitudinal retaining portions of supports 14 maintain material supplies 42 mounted on applicator frame 12 as dispense rig 10 is traversed about a job site.

[0070] Displacers 28 are moved relative to applicator frame 12 such that displacers 28 shift from the respective stowed states to the respective immersed states. Pumps 40 extend into material supplies 42 through the top openings 54 of each material supply 42. With displacers 28 in the respective immersed states, at least a portion of each pump 40 is in contact with the constituent materials held in the material supplies.

[0071] If previously dismounted, mix line 34 is connected to the fluid outlet of dispense manifold 32. Dispenser 36 can be mounted to receiver 66 or can be held in the hand of a user for aiming during output of material. Displacer 28 is mounted to receiver 66 by shifting displacer 28 through the bracket openings of receiving bracket 68 such that displacer 28 extends through each of the pair of bracket openings of receiving bracket 68.

[0072] Dispense support 24 is positioned relative to applicator frame 12 to position the dispenser 36 at a desired location relative to applicator frame 12. Dispense support 24 can be shifted vertically to position dispenser 36 vertically closer or vertically further from the ground surface and / or can be pivoted about the front end 44 of applicator frame 12 to position dispenser 36 at a desired location about the front end 44 of applicator frame 12. For example, the dispense support 24 can be pivoted to position the dispenser 36 on the left lateral side of the applicator frame 12, on the right lateral side of the applicator frame 12, or at locations therebetween.

[0073] With the dispenser 36 positioned and fluidly connected to the dispense manifold 32, the dispense rig 10 is ready to dispense. The operator can grasp control 20 and push dispense rig 10 longitudinally forward or pull dispense rig longitudinally rearward during dispense operations. The drive assemblies 38 are powered by the power supply and drive operation of pumps 40. Pump 40a is powered by drive assembly 38a and pumps the first constituent material from material supply 42a through supply line 30a and to dispense manifold. Pump 40b is powered by drive assembly 38b and pumps the second constituent material from material supply 42b through supply line 30b and to dispense manifold 32. The first and second constituent materials are output from dispense manifold through the single fluid outlet and flow to and through mix line 34. The first and second constituent materials can mix within mix line 34 and flow to dispenser 36. Dispenser 36 can be a static mixer that further mixes the first and second constituent materials to form the plural component flooring material. The plural component material is output through the nozzle 64 of the dispenser 36 and applied to the ground surface. A user can spread the plural component flooring material on the ground surface as desired before curing.

[0074] Dispense rig 10 provides significant advantages. Material supplies 42 are supported by applicator frame 12 to move with dispense rig 10. Pumps 40 are configured as immersion pumps that extend into the material supplies 42, reducing the length of fluid lines that convey the first and second constituent materials. The pumps 40 being formed as immersion pumps reduces length of fluid lines that require cleaning between dispense operations and facilitates maintenance of desired pressure by reducing the lengths of flexible hosing that are included on dispense rig 10. Such flexible hosing can flex in response to pressure, accumulating pressure. The setup of dispense rig 10 as a cart allows the dispense rig 10 to dispense and move along the floor surface at the same time.

[0075] The wetted components of dispense rig 10, including pumps 40, supply lines 30, dispense manifold 32, mix line 34, and dispenser 36, are mountable and removable as a single unit. Such a configuration allows for simple and easy replacement of the wetted portions of dispense rig 10, such as for use with different constituent materials, which eliminates the potential for cross-contamination between such different constituent materials. Supports 14 are disposed on opposite lateral sides of the centerline L-L of applicator frame 12. The supports 14 form the longitudinally forwardmost portions of applicator frame 12 on the opposite lateral sides of the centerline L-L. Supports 14 can be considered to form the longitudinally forwardmost lateral comers of the applicator frame 12. Positioning the supports 14 at longitudinally forward positions places material supplies 42 at locations that are easily accessible by the user. The user is able to place material supplies 42 on supports and remove material supplies 42 off of supports 14 from either laterally outward from applicator frame 12 or longitudinally forward from applicator frame 12. Such positioning reduces user fatigue and provides for a simpler system. Further, the positioning of supports 14 provides for easy access for the user to add additional material to the material supplies 42 through the uncovered portions of the top openings 54 even when the displacers 28 are in the respective immersed states.

[0076] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a displacer 28. Displacer 28 includes drive assembly 38 and pump 40. Drive assembly 38 includes motor 70, drive 72, and drive body 74. Motor 70 includes stator 76, rotor 78, and motor housing 80. Drive 72 includes rotator 82, linear mover 84, and connector 86. Pump 40 includes pump housing 88, piston 90, valves 92a, 92b, dynamic seal 94a, and dynamic seal 94b. One or more, up to all, of the displacers of a dispense rig 10 can be formed by displacer 28.

[0077] Displacer 28 is configured to draw constituent material from a material supply 42 and drive the constituent material downstream to dispenser 36 for dispensing from dispense rig 10. Drive assembly 38 is configured to drive pumping by pump 40. Drive assembly 38 is configured to mount to applicator frame 12 such that drive assembly 38 is connected to applicator frame 12.

[0078] Drive body 74 supports and at least partially encloses components of drive assembly 38. In the example shown, drive body 74 includes motor housing 80 that extends about and at least partially encloses motor 70. Drive body 74 extends axially beyond motor 70 in second axial direction AD2 and is configured to enclose the dynamic interface formed between drive 72 and piston 90.

[0079] Motor 70 is an electric motor configured to receive electrical power signals and generate a rotational output. Stator 76 electromagnetically drives rotation of rotor 78 on the motor axis MA. In the example shown, rotor 78 is disposed radially within stator 76. As such, motor 70 can be considered to form an inner rotator. It is understood, however, that motor 70 can be configured such that stator 76 is disposed radially within rotor 78, such that motor 70 is considered to form an outer rotator. In the example shown, motor 70 is configured such that rotor 78 can be driven to rotate in either of two rotational directions, clockwise on motor axis MA or counterclockwise on motor axis MA. Motor housing 80 is disposed around and at least partially encloses stator 76 and rotor 78.

[0080] Drive 72 is operably connected to motor 70. Drive 72 is connected to rotor 78 of motor 70 to receive the rotational output from the rotor 78. Drive 72 is configured to convert the rotational output from motor 70 into linear reciprocating motion. Rotator 82 of drive 72 is connected to rotor 78 to receive the rotational output from motor 70. In the example shown, rotator 82 is formed as a drive nut that receives the rotational output. Linear mover 84 interfaces with rotator 82. Linear mover 84 is configured to displace linearly along pump axis PA by rotation of the rotator 82. In the example shown, linear mover 84 is formed as a screw that is driven linearly by rotation of the drive nut forming rotator 82. In some examples, rolling elements, such as balls or elongate rollers, can be disposed between and interface with the rotator 82 and linear mover 84 to drive linear displacement of the linear mover 84 based on rotation of the rotator 82.

[0081] Connector 86 is connected to linear mover 84 to move with linear mover 84. Connector 86 can be formed integrally with linear mover 84, such as a monolithic piece, or can be formed separately from and connected to linear mover 84. Connector 86 includes slot 96 that is open radially and open in second axial direction AD2 along pump axis PA. Connector 86 can be considered to form a slotted connector in the example shown.

[0082] Pump 40 is mountable to and dismountable from drive assembly 38. Pump housing 88 defines a fluid chamber 98 through which constituent material is pumped during pumping. Pump housing 88 can be formed as a cylinder, among other options. Pump housing 88 is configured to mount to drive body 74 to secure pump 40 to drive assembly 38. In the example shown, pump housing 88 is mounted to drive body 74 by a clamp 100 that extends at least partially around drive body 74 and pump housing 88. The clamp 100 is configured to secure the pump housing 88 to the drive body 74 such that pump 40 and drive assembly 38 are fixed together.

[0083] Piston 90 is at least partially disposed within pump housing 88. Piston 90 extends out of pump housing 88 in first axial direction ADI. Piston 90 is configured to reciprocate along pump axis PA to pump the constituent material. Piston head 102 is disposed at a first axial end of piston 90. Piston neck 104 extends between piston head 102 and piston shaft 106. Piston head 102 is configured to be received within slot 96 to connect piston 90 to drive 72. Piston neck 104 projects through slot 96 of connector 86 and out of slot 96 in second axial direction AD2. Piston neck 104 extends between and connects piston head 102 and piston shaft 106.

[0084] Dynamic seal 94a interfaces with piston shaft 106 and forms a fluid seal between piston 90 and pump housing 88. Piston 90 is configured to reciprocate relative to dynamic seal 94a during operation of pump 40. Dynamic seal 94b interfaces with piston 90 and pump housing 88 to form a fluid seal between piston 90 and pump housing 88. In the example shown, dynamic seal 94b is mounted to piston 90 to reciprocate with piston 90. During operation, dynamic seal 94b is disposed within material supply 42 below the top opening 54 with displacer 28 in the immersed state.

[0085] Valve 92a is disposed at an axial end of the pump housing 88. Valve 92a can be considered to form an intake valve of pump 40. Valve 92a is configured to regulate flow of constituent material into the fluid chamber 98 within pump housing 88. Valve 92a prevents retrograde flow out of the pump inlet 108 of pump 40. Valve 92a can also be referred to as an intake valve of the pump 40.

[0086] Valve 92b is disposed within piston 90. Valve 92b is at an opposite axial end of piston 90 from piston head 102. Valve 92b is configured to prevent retrograde flow from a downstream chamber of fluid chamber 98 to an upstream chamber of fluid chamber 98, the upstream chamber formed between valve 92a and valve 92b. Valve 92b can be considered to form a piston valve of pump 40.

[0087] Pump inlet 108 is formed at an axial end of pump housing 88 opposite the axial end that piston 90 extends out of. The pump inlet 108 is disposed on pump axis PA along which piston 90 reciprocates. Constituent material enters into pump 40 through pump inlet 108. Pump inlet 108 is formed as an opening through the rigid structure of pump housing 88. Pump inlet 108 is not formed as a flexible tube in the example shown. It is understood that, in some examples, a flexible tube may extend from pump inlet 108, but the pump inlet 108 itself is formed in a rigid body in the example shown. Pump inlet 108 can be considered to form a rigid inlet of pump 40 in the example shown. Pump outlet 110 is formed through pump housing 88. In the example shown, pump outlet 110 is formed as a radial bore through pump housing 88. Pump outlet 110 is disposed axially between dynamic seals 94a, 94b in the example shown. A supply line 30 is configured to connect to pump 40 at pump outlet 110 to receive the constituent material output by pump 40.

[0088] In the example shown, pump axis PA and motor axis MA are aligned to form a common axis of the displacer. As such, the rotational axis of the electric motor 70 is disposed coaxially with the pump axis PA along which piston 90 reciprocates. It is understood, however, that not all examples are so limited. Further, while drive 72 is shown as aligned on the common axis, it is understood that not all examples are so limited. For example, motor axis MA can be disposed orthogonal to pump axis PA. In such an example, drive 72 can be formed as an eccentric or other device suitable for converting the rotational output from motor 70 to a linear reciprocating input to piston 90.

[0089] Pump 40 is removably mountable to drive assembly 38. In the example shown, pump 40 is mounted to and dismounted from drive assembly 38 by shifting pump 40 radially relative to the pump axis PA. The pump 40 interfaces with drive assembly 38 at a dynamic interface and at a static interface. The dynamic interface is formed between piston 90 and drive 72 and provides motion to piston 90 to drive displacement of piston 90. The static interface is formed between pump housing 88 and drive body 74 and structurally connects pump 40 to drive 72 such that pump 40 is supported by drive 72.

[0090] An example of mounting pump 40 to drive assembly 38 and dismounting pump 40 from drive assembly 38 is discussed in more detail. With pump 40 initially dismounted from drive assembly 38, piston 90 is aligned with slot 96 and pump 40 is shifted radially relative to pump axis PA. Pump 40 is shifted such that piston head 102 enters into slot 96 of connector 86. Connector 86 is formed such that portions of connector 86 can interface with a bottom side of piston head 102 oriented in second axial direction AD2 and such that portions of connector 86 can interface with one or the other of a top side of piston head 102 oriented in first axial direction ADI or a shoulder of piston shaft 106 extending between piston shaft 106 and piston neck 104. The interfaces between piston 90 and connector 86 transmit driving forces from drive 72 to piston 90 to cause reciprocation of piston 90.

[0091] A top side of pump plate 112 of pump housing 88, facing in first axial direction ADI, is disposed below and interfaces with a bottom side of drive plate 114 of drive body 74, facing in second axial direction AD2. The interface between pump plate 112 and drive plate 114 can form the static interface between pump 40 and drive assembly 38. Clamp 100 is secured around pump plate 112 and drive plate 114 to secure pump housing 88 to drive body 74. In some examples, drive body 74 includes a movable door that can be opened to allow for mounting and dismounting of pump 40. The clamp 100 can secure the door in a closed state with pump 40 mounted to drive assembly 38.

[0092] To dismount pump 40 from drive assembly 38, the clamp 100 is removed, detaching pump housing 88 from drive body 74. Pump 40 can then be shifted radially relative to pump axis PA to remove piston head 102 from slot 96. With piston head 102 removed from slot 96, the pump 40 is dismounted and the same or a different pump 40 can be mounted to drive assembly 38.

[0093] Displacer 28 provides significant advantages. Pump 40 is mountable to and removable from drive assembly 38 as a single unit. The pump 40 mounts to drive assembly 38 at dynamic and static interfaces that can be simultaneously aligned and broken. Piston head 102 mounts to and dismounts from connector 86 by sliding within slot 96. The dynamic connection can be formed and broken by simple sliding of piston head 102 relative to connector 86 and within slot 96. Pump 40 can be mounted and dismounted by disconnecting clamp 100 and then shifting of pump 40 radially, which facilitates quick and simple assembly and disassembly of displacer 28, reducing downtime and increasing operational efficiency.

[0094] FIG. 3 A is an exploded view of mix line assembly 31. FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view of a mix line assembly 31. FIGS. 3 A and 3B are discussed together. Mix line assembly 31 includes mix line 34 and dispenser 36. Mix line 34 includes hose 116, inlet fitting 118, and outlet fitting 120. Static mixers 122 are disposed within mix line assembly 31. Static mixers 122a- 122c are referred to collectively herein as “static mixer 122” or “static mixers 122.”

[0095] Mix line assembly 31 is configured to receive flows of individual constituent materials and mix the constituent materials together to form a plural component material for output onto a surface, such as a floor surface among other options. Mix line assembly 31 is configured to output the plural component material through nozzle 64 formed at a distal end of dispenser 36.

[0096] Dispenser 36 is connected to mix line 34. Dispenser 36 can be removably connected to mix line 34. Dispenser 36 is configured to receive material from mix line 34 and output the plural component material from mix line assembly 31.

[0097] Hose 116 is configured to convey material to dispenser 36. Hose 116 is configured as a flexible hose and can be formed from rubber or other flexible material that allows the hose 116 to bend and flex so the nozzle 64 to be pointed in a variety of orientations. The mix line 34 includes an inlet fitting 118 and an outlet fitting 120. The inlet fitting 118 is disposed at an upstream end of hose 116 and the outlet fitting 120 is disposed at a downstream end of hose 116. The inlet fitting 118 can connect with an upstream source to receive the first and second constituent materials. For example, the inlet fitting 118 can connect to the dispense manifold 32, such as by interfaced threading. Specifically, the inlet fitting 118 can be threaded and can receive threading of the dispense manifold 32 or the dispense manifold 32 can receive the threaded inlet fitting 118, among other connection options. The outlet fitting 120 can attach to dispenser 36. As shown, the dispenser 36 is mounted on the outlet fitting 120 with adapter 124 that is connected to outlet fitting 120. It is understood, however, that not all examples are so limited. For example, dispenser 36 can be configured to connect to outlet fitting 120 without an adapter. The outlet fitting 120 can likewise be threaded and can receive, or can fit into, the adapter 124 of the dispenser 36 or the dispenser 36 itself.

[0098] Located around the exterior of the flexible hose 116 are mix retainers 126. The mix retainers 126 are configured to locate the static mixers 122 at desired locations along the flexible hose 116. In the example shown, mix retainers 126 are formed as rings that are located on and around the exterior of hose 116. For example, mix retainers 126 can be crimps on the exterior of the flexible hose 116. The mix retainers 126 can be deformed under mechanical pressure at particular locations to squeeze and constrict the flexible hose 116, among other connection options.

[0099] Mix passage 130 is formed within mix line 34. The mix passage 130 is a flowpath for the material to flow within mix line 34 and from inlet fitting 118 downstream to dispenser 36 through outlet fitting 120. A plurality of static mixers 122 are located within the mix passage 130. A static mixer 122 can be a component that blends two or more fluid components without the need for moving parts, the static mixer 122 having a geometric arrangement of stationary elements within a mix passageway that promote blending of two fluid components as they pass through the static mixer 122. In some examples, a static mixer 122 can include an array of helical fins. The fins can have interruptions which serve to fold over flow of material to mix and combine the constituent materials to form the plural component material. In the example shown, the mix line assembly 31 includes multiple static mixers 122. In the example shown, the mix line assembly 31 includes static mixers 122a-122c though it is understood that other numbers of static mixers 122 can be utilized.

[0100] Flow pathway 128 is formed through hose 116 and dispenser 36. Flow pathway 128 is partially formed by mix passage 130 within hose 116 and is partially formed by the flowpath within dispenser 36. The flow pathway 128 extends to nozzle 64 such that material enters into flow pathway 128 at an upstream end of hose 116, such as through inlet fitting 118, and mixed material exits from flow pathway 128 through nozzle 64. The constituent materials can enter into flow pathway 128 as separate, individual flows that mix within flow pathway 128 to form the plural component material that is emitted from flow pathway 128 through nozzle 64. In the example shown, static mixers 122a, 122b are located within the flexible hose 116. In some other examples, a single static mixer 122 is located within the flexible hose 116. In the example shown, static mixer 122c is located within the dispenser 36. Static mixer 122c is disposed downstream of hose 116 and upstream of nozzle 64. Static mixer 122c is disposed within dispenser body 132 of the dispenser 36. The nozzle 64 can be formed through the dispenser body 132.

[0101] Static mixer 122b forms an intermediate static mixer within mix line assembly 31 as static mixer 122b is disposed downstream of static mixer 122a and upstream of static mixer 122c. Static mixer 122a forms an upstream static mixer of mix line assembly 31. Static mixer 122a is an upstream- most static mixer of mix line assembly 31. Static mixer 122a is the closest static mixer to inlet fitting 118 along mix line assembly 31. Static mixer 122c forms a downstream static mixer of mix line assembly 31. Static mixer 122 is a downstream-most static mixer of mix line assembly 31. Static mixer 122c is the closest static mixer to nozzle 64 along mix line assembly 31.

[0102] Mix line assembly 31 includes mix regions 134 and intermix regions 136. Mix regions 134 are formed by the portions of mix line assembly 31 within which static mixers 122 are disposed. The mix regions 134 run lengthwise along the static mixers 122. Intermix regions 136 are disposed between the respective static mixers 122. Static mixers 122 or other mixing elements within the mix passage 130 are absent from the intermix regions 136. In various examples, each intermix region 136 has a greater length along mix line assembly 31 than each static mixer 122. A total length of the intermix regions 136 along mix line assembly 31 is greater than a total length of the mix regions 134 along mix line assembly 31 in the example shown. The mix passage 130 is interspaced with static mixer 122a, intermix region 136a, static mixer 122b, intermix region 136b, and static mixer 122c. The mix passage 130 within the flexible hose 116 is interspaced with static mixer 122a, intermix region 136a, static mixer 122b, and intermix region 136b.

[0103] Fluid traveling through the mix line assembly 31 will encounter and flow through static mixers 122 and the intermix regions 136 between static mixers 122. The combination of static mixers 122 with one or more intermix regions 136 disposed between the static mixers 122 results in ideal mixing of fluid components. The length of the flowpath within mix line assembly 31 is relatively short between inlet fitting 118 and nozzle 64. The length of the flow pathway 128 is relatively short between the location that the individual constituent materials are admitted into the mix line assembly 31 and the location that the plural component material is output from nozzle 64. The constituent materials must mix in the relatively short length of mix line assembly 31 to a sufficient degree to form a quality plural component material prior to emission from nozzle 64.

[0104] The length LI of mix passage 130 can be less than about 15 feet (about 4.572 meters), the length LI can be less than about 5 feet (about 1.524 meters), the length LI can be less than about 3 feet (about 0.914 meters). In some examples, the length LI of mix passage 130 is between about 2 feet (about 0.610 meters) and about 3 feet. In some examples, the length LI of mix passage 130 is about 3 feet plus or minus about 5 inches (about 12.7 centimeters). In other mixing applications (e.g., spraying inside building while the proportioning equipment is outside the building), relatively long hose lengths are used, such as 50-300 feet (about 15.24-91.44 meters). Such long hose lengths give plenty of time for different slugs of constituent material delivered by the respective pumps 40a, 40b to be mixed (such slug being a volume of either the first component fluid or the second component fluid output from the pump 40 when the other pump 40 was not outputting, such as due to changeover of the other pump 40). A short hose length, such as less than about 15 feet, provides very little volume for different slugs to mix and combine to form the plural component material before the nozzle 64. While static mixers 122a-122c do a good job of mixing the first and second fluid components when they are immediately adjacent one another, the static mixers 122a- 122c can be counterproductive to mixing slugs of the first and second fluid components because the static mixers 122a-122c pace the material flowing through the mix passage 130 such that the components stay in their original relative positions even while being mixed. Separating the static mixers 122 with intermix regions 136 balances the functions of the static mixers 122 in mixing immediately adjacent first and second fluid components and the functions of the intermix regions 136 in allowing slugs of material to even out and mix in the short distance between the upstream end of mix passage 130 and the nozzle 64. The static mixers 122 and the intermix regions 136 being within the flexible hose 116 allows the dispenser 36 to be directed and reoriented while the materials are mixed in a short distance.

[0105] In the example shown, intermix region 136a has length RL1, intermix region 136b has length RL2, static mixer 122a has length ML1, static mixer 122b, and static mixer 122c has length ML3. The length RL1 of intermix region 136a can be larger than the length ML1 of static mixer 122a. The length RL1 of intermix region 136a can be larger than the length ML2 of static mixer 122c. The length RL1 of intermix region 136a can be larger than the length ML3 of static mixer 122c. The length RL1 can, in some examples, be the same as one or more of the lengths ML1, ML2, ML3. The length RL2 of intermix region 136b can be larger than the length ML1 of static mixer 122a. The length RL2 of intermix region 136b can be larger than the length ML2 of static mixer 122c. The length RL2 of intermix region 136b can be larger than the length ML3 of static mixer 122c. The length RL2 can, in some examples, be the same as one or more of the lengths ML1, ML2, ML3. The elongated intermix regions 136a, 136b allow for the flowing material to even out and facilitate better mixing of the constituent materials. In some examples, the combined lengths RL1, RL2 of intermix regions 136a, 136b is less than the combined lengths ML1, ML2, ML3 of the static mixers 122a-122c. In some examples, the combined lengths RL1, RL2 of intermix regions 136a, 136b can be greater than the combined lengths ML1, ML2 of the static mixers 122a, 122b within the hose 116. Disposing intermix regions 136 between static mixers 122 also provides for more efficient pumping by pumps 40a, 40b and even application of plural component material on a target surface. Static mixers 122 combine the individual materials together by obstructing flow through mix passage 130 and folding the materials together. The flow obstructions created by static mixers 122 generates back pressure that the pumps 40a, 40b must overcome to continue driving the material downstream to and through nozzle 64. The intermix regions 136 open up the volume of the mix passage 130 between static mixers 122, thereby decreasing back pressure and providing for more efficient pumping by pumps 40a, 40b. Such a configuration can also lessen the pressure requirements for pumps 40a, 40b allowing for the use of smaller and more compact pumps 40a, 40b that can fit within spaces that plural component systems may not typically be able to reach.

[0106] Mix line assembly 31 provides significant advantages. Mix line assembly 31 includes flexible hose 116 that allows mix line assembly 31 to be reoriented and repositioned to direct output of material through nozzle 64. The flowpath through mix line assembly 31 has a relatively short length, making mix line assembly 31 easy to hold and manipulate for a user.

[0107] The constituent materials combine within mix line assembly 31 to form the plural component material that cures and hardens. The plural component material remaining within mix line assembly 31 after operation can harden and block the mix passage 130. To prevent curing within mix passage 130 the mix line assembly 31 can be flushed, such as with solvent. The cleaning fluid is pumped by pumps 40a, 40b to nozzle 64. Any material remaining within mix passage 130 during flushing is output as waste that is disposed of. The relatively short length of mix line assembly 31 significantly reduces waste of costly constituent materials, providing cost and material savings. In addition, the dispense rig 10 provides for quicker flushing and cleaning of fluid contacting components as the short length does not hold as much volume as long hoses.

[0108] Mix line assembly 31 can be configured as a consumable component of a dispense rig 10 in that mix line assembly 31 can be removed, disposed of, and replaced with a new mix line assembly 31. Mix line assembly 31 has a relatively short length such that less material is disposed of when removing and replacing mix line assembly 31, saving costs and material.

[0109] The alternating static mixers 122 and intermix regions 136 mix slugs of the individual constituent materials such that the material flows are smoothed and mixed at a desired ratio prior to being output through nozzle 64. Such mixing provides high quality plural component flooring material for application on the floor surface. Intermix regions 136 provide volume for already mixed material exiting a static mixer 122 to even out before encountering a static mixer 122 further downstream. The material flowing through the intermix region 136 can blend together, such as due to slower flow closer to the walls of the hose 116 and faster flow closer to the center of hose 116 causing the material to fold over or shear. The materials first flow through a static mixer 122 to mix the material, then flow through an intermix region 136 to facilitate mixing between material slugs and smooth the flow, and then through the static mixer 122c in dispenser 36 and out through nozzle 64. The alternating static mixers 122 and intermix regions 136 provided different mixing operations that together facilitate a quality material mix for output at nozzle 64.

[0110] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of mix line assembly 31'. Mix line assembly 31' is substantively similar to mix line assembly 31 (FIGS. 2 A and 2B) except that mix line assembly 31' includes a single static mixer 122 within hose 116. Static mixer 122a is disposed within hose 116 such that an intermix region 136 is formed between static mixer 122a and static mixer 122c within dispenser 36.

[0111] In the example shown, intermix region 136 has length RL3, static mixer 122a has length ML1, and static mixer 122c has length ML3. The length RL3 of intermix region 136 is larger than the length ML1 of static mixer 122a. The length RL3 of intermix region 136 is larger than the length ML3 of static mixer 122c. In the example shown, the length RL3 of intermix region 136 is greater than the combined lengths ML1 and ML3 of static mixers 122a, 122c, respectively. The elongated intermix region 136 relative to the lengths of the static mixers 122a, 122c facilitates smoothing of flow through mix passage 130 and formation of the plural component material. FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of a mix line 34. Inlet fitting 118 is disposed at the upstream end of mix line 34 and outlet fitting 118 is disposed at a downstream end of mix line 34. Hose 116 is a flexible hose that extends between and is connected to inlet fitting 118 and outlet fitting 120. Mix line 34 is configured to receive material through inlet fitting 118, convey the material downstream through hose 116, and output the material through outlet fitting 120 such as to dispenser 36.

[0112] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of mix line 34a. Mix line 34a is one version of mix line, similar to mix line 34, that includes static mixers 122 spaced apart by intermix regions 136. Mix retainers 126 are configured to retain static mixers 122 at desired operational locations within hose 116 during operation. In the example shown, mix line 34a includes a plurality of mix retainers 126a, 126b (collectively “mix retainer 126” or “mix retainers 126”) disposed to locate static mixers 122 within mix passage 130. In the example shown, mix retainers 126 are formed as rings. In the example shown, mix line 34a includes mix retainer 126a configured to locate static mixer 122a and mix line 34a includes mix retainer 126b configured to locate static mixer 122b.

[0113] The mix retainers 126 can be crimps on the exterior of the flexible hose 116. The mix retainers 126a, 126b can either be partially or fully over part of the static mixers 122a, 122b, respectively, or can be immediately downstream of the static mixers 122a, 122b (e.g., not overlapping the static mixers 122a, 122b). In the example shown, the mix retainer 126a is disposed downstream of static mixer 122a and mix retainer 126b is disposed downstream of static mixer 122b. Mix line 34a includes the same count of mix retainers 126 as static mixers 122, though it is understood that not all examples are so limited.

[0114] In the example shown, the mix retainers 126 are configured to narrow a portion of mix passage 130 to make the portion of mix passage 130 along the mix retainer 126 too narrow for the static mixer 122 to pass the mix retainer 126 to migrate further downstream within hose 116. In the example shown, the mix retainers 126 engage with an exterior of hose 116 to constrict the mix passage 130 and prevent each static mixer 122 from moving downstream past the associated mix retainer 126 and towards nozzle 64. It is not a concern that the static mixers 122a, 122b drift upstream within mix passage 130 because the flow of the component fluids will push the static mixers 122a, 122b back downstream to lodge against narrowed portions of the mix passage 130 formed by mix retainers 126. In the example shown, static mixers 122 can thus drift upstream from mix retainers 126, which can further increase flexibility of hose 116 providing for easier manipulation of hose 116 such as during operation or for storage. While mix retainers 126 are shown as disposed on an exterior of hose 116, it is understood that not all examples are so limited. For example, one or more of mix retainers 126 can be disposed within hose 116 to interface with an interior wall of hose 116.

[0115] In the example shown, static mixers 122a, 122b do not contact one another. Mix retainers 126 maintain separation between static mixers 122a, 122b such that static mixers 122 can be considered to be secured separately within the flexible hose 116. In the example shown, the static mixers 122a, 122b are allowed to move, but are retained to not come into contact with each other. It is understood that, in some examples, mix line 34a can be configured such that one or more of static mixers 122 are retained in both the upstream and downstream directions by mix retainers 126. For example, a pair of mix retainers 126 can bracket one of static mixers 122a, 122b and the other one of static mixers 122a, 122b can be retained by another pair of mix retainers 126a, 126b or by a single mix retainer 126 in the downstream direction.

[0116] In the example shown, static mixer 122a forms an upstream static mixer within hose 116 and static mixer 122b forms a downstream static mixer within hose 116. In the example shown, static mixer 122a is disposed downstream of inlet fitting 118. Upstream flow region 138 is disposed axially between inlet fitting 118 and static mixer 122a. Upstream flow region 138 has length UL between inlet fitting 118 and static mixer 122a. The length UL of upstream flow region 138 is less than the length ML1 of static mixer 122a in the example shown. Upstream flow region 138 allows the component materials to flow together and smooth for at least a short distance after being output from manifold 32 prior to encountering static mixer 122a. Such a configuration encourages spreading out of slugs of material that are input to hose 116 from manifold 32.

[0117] In the example shown, intermix region 136a has length RL4, intermix region 136b has length RL5, static mixer 122a has length ML1, and static mixer 122b has length ML2. The length RL4 of intermix region 136a is greater than the length UL of upstream flow region 138. The length RL5 of intermix region 136b is greater than the length UL of upstream flow region 138. In the example shown, the combined lengths RL4, RL5 of intermix regions 136a, 136b is greater than the combined lengths ML1, ML2 of the static mixers 122a, 122b. In some examples, the length RL4 of intermix region 136a can be greater than, or in some examples equal to, the combined lengths ML1, ML2 of static mixers 122a, 122b. In some examples, the length RL5 of intermix region 136b can be greater than, or in some examples equal to, the combined lengths ML1, ML2 of the static mixers 122a, 122b. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of mix line 34b. Mix line 34b is one version of mix line, such as mix line 34, that includes static mixers 122 spaced apart by intermix regions 136. Mix retainer 126' is configured to retain static mixers 122 at desired operational locations within hose 116 during operation. Mix retainer 126' is similar to mix retainers 126 in that mix retainer 126' prevents downstream displacement of one or more static mixers 122. In the example shown, mix line 34b includes a mix retainer 126' that locates static mixers 122 within mix passage 130. In some examples, mix retainer 126' is configured as or includes a single component that interfaces with multiple static mixers 122 to locate the multiple static mixers 122.

[0118] In the example shown, mix retainer 126' is formed as a rod that interfaces with the static mixers 122. The rod forming mix retainer 126' can be a flexible rod. Mix retainer 126' can be formed integral with static mixers 122 or separately from static mixers 122. In some examples, the mix retainer 126' can be formed by multiple rods that extend within mix passage 130. In some examples, the mix retainer 126' can extend within and through the static mixers 122a, 122bb. The mix retainer 126' can include stops which trap and limit movement of the static mixers 122a, 122bb. For example, the stops can be formed by radial enlargements along the rod that extend towards the inner wall of hose 116, can be formed by components separate from the rod and affixed to the rod such as by a pin interfacing with the rod (e.g., in the form of a cotter pin). The mix retainer 126' may be braced by the inlet fitting 118 and / or the outlet fitting 120, such as by having spines that engage narrower portions of the fittings, amongst other options.

[0119] FIG. 8 is a schematic block diagram of various components of a dispense rig 210. Dispense rig 210 is configured to generate and dispense plural component materials. In some examples, dispense rig 210 can be configured to dispense plural component materials on a flooring surface similar to dispense rig 10 (best seen in FIGS. 1A and IB). It is understood, however, that not all examples of dispense rig 210 are so limited. Dispense rig 210 can be configured to generate and output any desired form of plural component material, such as spray foam, epoxy, protective coatings, etc. Displacers 28a, 28b; supply lines 30a, 30b; mix line assembly 31, including mix line 34 and dispenser 36; controller 212 displacement indicators 214a, 214b; and fluid sensors 216a, 216b of dispense rig 210 are shown. Displacer 28a includes motor 70a and pump 40a. Displacer 28b includes motor 70b and pump 40b. Controller 212 includes control circuitry 218 and memory 220. User interface 222 is also shown. Dispense rig 210 is configured to output a flow of plural component material that is formed by combination of multiple individual constituent materials. Displacer 28a is configured to draw a first constituent material from a first material source and drive that first constituent material downstream through supply line 30a and mix line assembly 31. Displacer 28b is configured to draw a second constituent material from a second material source and drive that second constituent material downstream through supply line 30a and mix line assembly 31. The first and second constituent materials combine within mix line assembly 31 to form the plural component material that is output through nozzle 64 of dispenser 36.

[0120] Motor 70a is an electric motor configured to receive electrical power signals and generate a rotational output. Motor 70a includes a stator that electromagnetically drives rotation of rotor on a motor axis of motor 70a. A rotor can be disposed radially within the stator such that motor 70a can be considered to form an inner rotator, or the rotor can be disposed outside of the stator such that motor 70a is considered to form an outer rotator. In some examples, motor 70a is configured to generate a rotational output in either of two rotational directions, clockwise on the motor axis or counterclockwise on the motor axis. Motor 70a rotating in a first rotational direction can displace the fluid displacer of pump 40a linearly through a first pump stroke (e.g., one of an upstroke and a downstroke) and motor 70a rotating in a second opposite rotational direction can displace the fluid displacer of pump 40a linearly through a second pump stroke (e.g., the other one of the upstroke and the downstroke).

[0121] Motor 70b is an electric motor configured to receive electrical power signals and generate a rotational output. Motor 70b includes a stator that electromagnetically drives rotation of rotor on a motor axis or motor 70b. A rotor can be disposed radially within the stator such that motor 70b can be considered to form an inner rotator, or the rotor can be disposed outside of the stator such that motor 70b is considered to form an outer rotator. In some examples, motor 70b is configured to generate a rotational output in either of two rotational directions, clockwise on the motor axis or counterclockwise on the motor axis. Motor 70b rotating in a first rotational direction can displace the fluid displacer of pump 40b linearly through a first pump stroke (e.g., one of an upstroke and a downstroke) and motor 70b rotating in a second opposite rotational direction can displace the fluid displacer of pump 40b linearly through a second pump stroke (e.g., the other one of the upstroke and the downstroke). Each of the first pump 40a and the second pump 40b are driven by independent motors 70a, 70b for which the respective speeds can be changed to change the output from the pumps 40a, 40b. The pumps 40a, 40b can be sized for a common displacement but can be controlled for any desired mix ratio. For example, pumps 40a, 40b can be controlled to output constituent materials at a 1:1 mix ratio, regardless of whether the pumps 40a, 40b are commonly sized, by controlling operation of the electric motors 70a, 70b. Pumps 40a, 40b can be controlled for mix ratios that are 1: 1 or 1:X wherein X is not 1. For example, the electric motors 70a, 70b can be controlled to provide a mix ratio other than 1:1 even when the pumps 40 are commonly sized. The output ratio from the pumps 40a, 40b can be electrically controlled by respective motors 70a, 70b driving the respective pumps 40a and 40b.

[0122] Each pump 40a, 40b can be configured as a reciprocating pump in which a fluid displacer of the pump reciprocates along a pump axis to pump the fluid. For example, pumps 40a, 40b can be configured as piston pumps, among other options. During operation, the fluid displacer is reciprocated on the pump axis to pump the material. The pump axis can be coaxial with an axis of rotation of the rotor of the motor 70, though it is understood that not all examples are so limited. The fluid displacer can be formed as a piston, similar to piston 90. The piston can be reciprocated through pump cycles, which include a first stroke in a first direction along the pump axis and a second stroke in a second direction along the pump axis. The piston goes through a changeover between the respective strokes in which the piston reverses direction to shift from moving through one stroke to moving through the other stroke. On reversal, the check valves of the pump 40 (e.g., check valves 92a, 92b) shift between open and closed states, and the check valve that is closing requires at least some time for that valve to close. The time required for the previously open valve to close can be referred to as valve closure delay. Valve closure delay can cause the pressure downstream of the pump 40 to drop.

[0123] Controller 212 can be configured to control operation of displacers 28a, 28b such that the individual constituent materials combine at a specified mix ratio to provide a plural component material having desired properties. The specified mix ratio can also be referred to as a target mix ratio. The specified mix ratio can be provided to controller 212 via user interface 222, among other options.

[0124] Controller 212 can include hardware, firmware, and / or stored software, and controller 212 can be entirely or partially mounted on one or more circuit boards. Controller 212 can be of any type suitable for operating in accordance with the techniques described herein. In some examples, controller 212 can be implemented as a plurality of discrete circuity subassemblies. Controller 212 can be formed by one or more devices capable of individually or collectively implementing functionalities and generating and outputting data as discussed herein. Controller 212 is configured to perform any of the functions discussed herein, including receiving an output from any source referenced herein, detecting any condition or event referenced herein, and generating and providing data and information as referenced herein.

[0125] Control circuitry 218, in one example, is configured to implement functionality and / or process instructions. For example, control circuitry 218 can be capable of processing instructions stored in memory 220. Examples of control circuitry 218 can include one or more of a processor, a microprocessor, a controller, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or other equivalent discrete or integrated logic circuitry configured to execute the software or other code stored by the memory 220 to perform various functions referenced herein. Control circuitry 218 can receive any signal, deliver any signal, manage / deliver electrical power, and / or otherwise control any electrical components referenced herein. For example, control circuitry 218 can cause provision of or provide driving power for the motors 70a, 70b that operate the pumps 40a, 40b, respectively, to start, stop, speed up, slow down, etc. the motors 70a, 70b and thereby alter the flow output by the pumps 40a, 40b.

[0126] Memory 220 can be configured to store information before, during, and / or after operation. Memory 220, in some examples, is described as computer-readable storage media. In some examples, a computer-readable storage medium can include a non- transitory medium. The term “non-transitory” can indicate that the storage medium is not embodied in a carrier wave or a propagated signal. In certain examples, a non-transitory storage medium can store data that can, over time, change (e.g., in RAM or cache). In some examples, memory 220 is a temporary memory, meaning that a primary purpose of memory 220 is not long-term storage. Memory 220, in some examples, is described as volatile memory, meaning that memory 220 does not maintain stored contents when power to controller 212 is turned off. Examples of volatile memories can include random access memories (RAM), dynamic random access memories (DRAM), static random access memories (SRAM), and other forms of volatile memories. In some examples, memory 220 is used to store program instructions for execution by control circuitry 218. Memory 220, in one example, is used by software or applications to temporarily store information during program execution. Memory 220, in some examples, also includes one or more computer-readable storage media. Memory 220 can be configured to store larger amounts of information than volatile memory. Memory 220 can further be configured for long-term storage of information. In some examples, memory 220 includes non-volatile storage elements. Examples of such non-volatile storage elements can include magnetic hard discs, optical discs, flash memories, or forms of electrically programmable memories (EPROM) or electrically erasable and programmable (EEPROM) memories.

[0127] User interface 222 can be configured as an input and / or output device. For example, user interface 222 can be configured to receive inputs from a user, such as a specified mix ratio a specified pumping pressure, a specified flow rate, etc., and / or provide outputs regarding the operation of dispense rig 210. Examples of user interface 222 can include one or more of a sound card, a video graphics card, a speaker, a display device (such as a liquid crystal display (LCD), a light emitting diode (LED) display, an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display, etc.), a touchscreen, a keyboard, a mouse, a joystick, a smartphone, a tablet, or other type of device for facilitating input and / or output of information in a form understandable to users or machines.

[0128] Displacement indicators 214a, 214b can be various types of sensors, such as encoders, hall sensors, optical sensors, or other types of sensors that can measure rotation (E.g., of a rotor of a motor 70) or linear position (e.g., of a piston of a pump 40). The displacement indicators 214a, 214b can directly or indirectly measure movement of the rotors of the motors 70a, 70b, pistons of the pumps 40a, 40b, or other movement of one or more other components which indicates cycles of the pumps 40a, 40b. The displacement indicators 214a, 214b may not be sensors in various embodiments, but may instead be indications of where the motor controllers are intending the rotor and / or piston to be, such as based on an input to the motors 70a, 70b from controller 212. Displacement indicators 214a, 214b are configured to generate positional information regarding the pumps 40a, 40b. Displacement indicators 214a, 214b can generate positional information regarding the fluid displacers of the pumps 40a, 40b, such as the location of the fluid displacer within a pump stroke. Displacement indicators 214a, 214b are operatively connected, electrically and / or communicatively, with controller 212 to provide positional information to the controller 212.

[0129] Fluid sensors 216a, 216b are configured to generate information regarding one or more fluid parameters of the component material output by the pumps 40a, 40b. For example, the first fluid sensor 216a and second fluid sensor 216b can respectively be pressure sensors that output respective signals responsive to the pressure of the fluid downstream from the pumps 40a, 40b, can be flow sensors that output signals indicative of the flow of fluid output from the pumps 40a, 40b, can include both pressure and flow sensing components, among other options. Fluid sensors 216a, 216b are operatively connected, electrically and / or communicatively, with controller 212 to provide parameter information to the controller 212.

[0130] Control circuitry 218 can receive information, such as an input from a user interface 222, indicating a dispense command, setting a target mix ratio, setting a target pressure, setting a target flow rate, and / or providing other command or input. The controller 212 can control operation of the motors 70a, 70b to operate the pumps 40a, 40b to dispense the fluid mixture, including by modulating the output of the motors 70a, 70b. For example, controller 212 can be configured to modulate the output of the motors 70a, 70b based on information generated by first displacement indicator 214a, the second displacement indicator 214b, the first fluid sensor 216a, and / or the second fluid sensor 216b.

[0131] In some examples, the controller 212 may operate the motors 70a, 70b to mix on ratio, make changes to maintain ratio, stop pumping if the ratio of component fluids is off a target ratio by a threshold amount, short stroke the pumps 40a, 40b to avoid simultaneous or near simultaneous changeovers between the pumps 40a, 40b, ramp up speed of one or both of the motors 70a, 70b to achieve a steady state speed instead of jumping to a target motor speed to help maintain ratio (soft start), and / or operate one of the motors 70a, 70b to follow the operation of the other of the motors 70a, 70b in a leader-follower dynamic. In some examples, the leader motor 70 and pump 40 pumps the more viscous of the two component fluids while the follower motor 70 and pump 40 pumps the less viscous component fluid.

[0132] In some examples, controller 212 can control motors 70a, 70b in a leader- follower configuration while adjusting for ratio and non-productive displacement, such as due to cavitation or valve closure delay, among other causes of non-productive displacement. Productive displacement occurs when the pump 40 is driving fluid downstream out of the pump 40. Non-productive displacement can occur due to cavitation or due to delays in the valve closing, such as the time taken for a ball valve to reseat on changeover. The pump 40 may not be outputting fluid during periods of non-productive displacement.

[0133] In various examples, controller 212 is configured to control displacers 28a, 28b to output the constituent materials at a specified mix ratio. The controller 212 is configured to target the specified mix ratio representing proportional amounts of the first component fluid and the second component fluid by managing operation of the first electric motor 70a and the second electric motor 70b. The specified mix ratio can be a ratio input by the user, such as 1: 1, 2:1, etc. For example, the user can provide the target mix ratio to controller 212 via user interface 222. In some examples, pumps 40a, 40b can be configured for common displacement, such that each pump 40a, 40b is configured to output the same volume of material per pump cycle. Controller 212 can control operation of motors 70a, 70b such that pumps 40a, 40b can pump at ratios other than 1 : 1 even when pumps 40a, 40b are configured for common displacement. For example, in the case of 2: 1 ratio and assuming equal pump displacements, the first motor 70a can be operated to run at twice the speed as the second motor 70b.

[0134] Controller 212 can be configured to target the specified mix ratio by setting a first operating parameter of the first electric motor 70a, monitoring a first fluid parameter as indicated by the first fluid sensor 216a, and setting a second operating parameter of the second electric motor 70b based on a second fluid parameter as indicated by the first fluid sensor 216a. The first operating parameter can be a speed of the first electric motor 70a among other options. The first fluid parameter can be fluid pressure among other options. The second operating parameter can be a speed of the second electric motor 70b among other options.

[0135] In some examples, the controller 212 is configured to modify the second operating parameter based on the first fluid parameter indicating non-productive displacement by the first pump 40a. For example, the controller 212 can be configured to reduce the second operating parameter based on the first fluid parameter indicating cavitation of the first component fluid. Displacement indicator 214a can indicate piston displacement of the first pump 40a which position can, in some examples, be utilized to determine non-productive displacement of the first pump 40a. Non-productive displacement can be indicated by parameter information provided by fluid sensor 216a regarding the fluid parameter of the constituent material output by pump 40a.

[0136] In some examples, controller 212 can be configured to set the second operating parameter of the second electric motor 70b by: determining a productive displacement of the first pump 40a by measuring displacement of the first pump 40a when the fluid sensor 216a indicates that pressure is rising or being maintained in the first component fluid; and determining the second operating parameter based on the specified mix ratio and the determined productive displacement of the first pump 40a. Modifying operation of the follower motor 70b based on pumping by the leader motor 70a and pump 40a maintains on-ratio pumping of the first and second constituent materials while accounting for nonproductive displacement, providing for better mixing and higher quality plural component material as controller 212 is able to maintain on-ratio pumping.

[0137] Controller 212 can be configured to determine the productive displacement of the first pump 40a by excluding displacement of the first pump 40a when the first fluid parameter indicates a pressure variation indicative of non-productive displacement. For example, fluid sensor 216a can indicate that the pressure is not rising, the fluid sensor 216a can indicate that the pressure is dropping, etc. For example, on changeover of pump 40a, the valve closure delay can cause a drop in the pressure downstream of pump 40a and sensed by fluid sensor 216a. Prior to the valve fully closing, the fluid displacer can continue moving but fluid can backflow through the open valve, leading to the pressure drop. The pressure drop can occur until the valve fully closes at which point the pressure begins to rise, which can indicate that pump 40a is again productively displacing the constituent material.

[0138] For example, the first fluid parameter may be used to indicate when the first pump 40a is experiencing non-productive displacement by fluid pressure as measured by the first fluid sensor 216a not increasing while the piston of the first pump 40a is displacing. The controller 212 can cause the second motor 70b to skip pumping a corresponding amount (e.g., by stopping or slowing down) to what is determined to not have been pumped by pump 40a. For example, if the ratio is 2:1 and the first pump 40a experienced nonproductive displacement for half a stroke (e.g. , as indicated by the pressure not rising during that half of the stroke and the first displacement indicator 214a indicating displacement of the fluid displacer of pump 40a), then the second pump 40b can be operated by the second motor 70b to skip a quarter of a stroke or slow down until the equivalent of a quarter of a stroke is missed and then speed back up to match half the speed of the first motor 70b for the 2:1 ratio.

[0139] In some examples, controller 212 is configured to control displacers 28a, 28b based on non-productive displacement of the leader displacer 28a over a productivity period. The controller 212 is configured to modify operation of the follower displacer 28b to target the specified mix ratio over the productivity period. The productivity period can be of any desired configuration for cumulatively monitoring the productive displacement of the leader displacer 28a. For example, the productivity period can be temporal (e.g., 30 seconds, 1 minute, 5 minutes, etc.), can be based on motor operation (e.g., number of revolutions of the rotor of the motor), can be based on pump operation (e.g., number of pump strokes, pump cycles, etc.), or can be based on any other aspect suitable for cumulatively monitoring productive displacement.

[0140] In some examples, controller 212 is configured to determine the productive displacement of the leader displacer 28a over the productivity period and modify operation of the follower displacer 28b to maintain on-ratio pumping over the productivity period. For example, controller 212 can determine that the leader pump 40a had productive displacement for a certain portion of the productivity period and can control operation of the follower pump 40b to match the productive displacement of the leader pump 40a over the productivity period. For example, controller 212 can determine that the leader pump 40a had a productive displacement for 95-percent of the productivity period and controller 212 can then control the follower pump 40b to match the productivity of the leader pump 40a.

[0141] Controller 212 can be configured to determine the non-productive displacement of a pump 40a, 40b based on a pressure profile of the constituent material at a location downstream of the pump 40a, 40b. For example, the pressure profile can be generated based on pressure information generated by a fluid sensor 216a, 216b. The pressure profile can, in some examples, be generated over the productivity period. The controller 212 can determine non-productive displacement based on changes in the pressure profile indicating non-productive displacement. For example, a pressure drop can indicate non-productive displacement. The pressure rising and / or being held steady can indicate productive displacement.

[0142] In some examples, controller 212 monitors productive displacement of both the leader pump 40a and the follower pump 40b. The controller 212 can account for nonproductive displacement of the follower pump 40b when controlling operation of the follower pump 40b based on productive displacement of the leader pump 40a. For example, controller 212 can monitor non-productive displacement of the leader pump 40a based on parameter information generated by fluid sensor 216a. Controller 212 can also monitor non-productive displacement of the follower pump 40b based on parameter information generated by fluid sensor 216b. In such an example the controller 212 may not modify operation of the follower pump 40b based on some non-productive displacement of the leader pump 40a, such as based on controller 212 determining that both the leader pump 40a and the follower pump 40b are experiencing the same amount of non-productive displacement. For example, if controller 212 determines that both pump 40a and pump 40b experience productive displacement for 90-percent of each stroke, then controller 212 can maintain operation of motors 70a, 70b as the non-productivity of pump 40b cancels out with the non-productivity of pump 40a.

[0143] Controller 212 can be configured to control operation of the leader and follower pumps 40 based on a productivity period. In some instances, controller 212 can determine that the leader pump 40a and the follower pump 40b had the same productivity in the productivity period such that operation of the follower pump 40b is maintained based on the productivity comparison between the leader pump 40a and the follower pump 40b. Controlling operation of pumps 40a, 40b based on productive displacement over a productivity period provides for smoother operation of displacers 28a, 28b and prevents large, sudden shifts in pump operation, providing for smoother and more consistent output as non-productivity between the pumps 40a, 40b can equal out or otherwise shrink over the productivity period, resulting in less sudden operational changes.

[0144] In some examples, dispense rig 210 can be configured such that controller 212 determines productive and / or non-productive displacement based on information regarding the operation of motors 70a, 70b. In such examples, controller 212 may not rely on information regarding the fluid parameters (e.g., information generated by fluid sensors 216a, 216b) to control operation of the follower pump 40b. For example, controller 212 can determine whether a displacer 28 is experiencing productive or non-productive displacement based on the current signal provided to the motor 70. A variation in current can indicate non-productive displacement. For example, a drop in current can indicate that the motor 70 is driving against less pressure to maintain a desired speed, indicating a drop in pressure and thus non-productive displacement.

[0145] It is thus understood that controller 212 can control operation of the displacers 28a, 28b in a leader-and-follower dynamic based on productive and / or non-productive displacement as determined based on a productivity parameter. The productivity parameter can be a fluid parameter or a motor parameter. Information regarding the productivity parameter can be provided by one or more sensors. In some examples, controller 212 can monitor productive displacement of both the leader displacer 28a and the follower displacer 28b to maintain on-ratio pumping by pumps 40a, 40b.

[0146] In some examples, the controller 212 is configured to stop both of the first electric motor 70a and the second electric motor 70b based on the first pump 40a and the second pump 40b having a differential displacement factored for the specified mix ratio being greater than a threshold amount. The differential displacement is the relative ratio of the first and second component fluids output by the displacers 28a, 28b. Factoring for the specified mix ratio refers to adjusting for the specified mix ratio. For example, being factored for a 1 : 1 ratio assumes that both component fluids are pumped in equal proportion, while being factored for the specified mix ratio other than 1 :1 accounts for an uneven targeted ratio, such as 2:1 (e.g., when one pump 40 should be pumping twice as much as the other pump 40b). The differential displacement factored for the specified mix ratio can be calculated by determining a first productive displacement for the first pump 40a, such as based on the first fluid parameter or a first motor parameter, and the positional information from the first displacement indicator 214a; and determining a second productive displacement for the second pump 40b, such as based on the second fluid parameter or a second motor parameter, and the positional information from the second displacement indicator 214b. The controller 212 can then compare the first productive displacement and the second productive displacement to the specified mix ratio to determine if any variance between the first productive displacement and the second productive displacement. The controller 212 can determine whether either of the first productive displacement or the second productive displacement are different than the specific mix ratio by more than the threshold amount or whether a difference between the first productive displacement and the second productive displacement varies by more than a threshold amount.

[0147] The threshold amount can be based on a difference between the displacement of the pumps 40a, 40b. It is understood that the threshold amount can be based on any desired parameter, such as a percentage difference between the output of the first pump 40a and the output of the second pump 40b as compared to the specified mix ratio, a difference between the productive displacements of the pumps 40a, 40b based on stroke length or percentage of a stroke, etc.. Controller 212 can be configured to stop pumping by pumps 40a, 40b based on one of pumps 40a, 40b being off-ratio by more than the threshold amount.

[0148] In some examples, controller 212 can be configured to stop pumping by pumps 40a, 40b based on one or more of pumps 40a, 40b having a non-productive displacement exceeding a non-productivity threshold. The non-productivity threshold can be a distance of piston travel, such as two inches, or a percentage of a stroke length, such as 50%. The controller 212 can be configured to stop both of the first electric motor 70a and the second electric motor 70b based on either of the first pump 40a or the second pump 40b undergoing a displacement for a predetermined distance or percentage of stroke length without building pressure based on the first operating parameter and the information from the first displacement indicator 214a and / or the second operating parameter and the information from the second displacement indicator 214b.

[0149] In some additional or alternative examples, controller 212 is configured to initiate operation of displacers 28a, 28b based on a soft start configuration. Controller 212 starting up motors 70a, 70b in a soft start configuration avoids fast starts of motors 70a, 70b which risk off-ratio pumping due to different viscosities between the first and second constituent materials. For example, if both the displacers 28a, 28b were initiated to full power there can be initial off-ratio pumping due to the pump associated with the lower viscosity material getting up to speed quicker due to having to overcome less back pressure.

[0150] Controller 212 can be configured to initiate pumping of the first pump 40a by: receiving an input indicating need to operate the first pump 40a and the second pump 40b; and based on the input, delivering driving energy to the first electric motor 70a, the driving energy having a soft start phase in which the speed of the first electric motor 70a is ramped up over a first time period, the driving energy having a stable phase following the soft start phase. The stable phase can extend for a second time period which is longer than the first time period. The stable phase can correspond to when the motors 70 are needed to operate at the speed expected to meet the user input flow rate, pressure, and / or ratio, whereas the soft start phase is intended to gradually increase motor speed to the speed(s) of the stable phase. The controller 212 can be configured to deliver energy to the first electric motor 70a such that the first electric motor 70a operates at a constant speed for a majority of a stroke length of the first pump 40a. The control circuitry 218 can be configured to deliver energy to the second electric motor 70b based on productive displacement of the first pump 40a.

[0151] In some examples, controller 212 is configured to ramp up both of motors 70a, 70b according to the leader- and-follower dynamic. For example, the controller 212 can cause motor 70a to ramp up to speed in examples in which displacer 28a is the leader. Controller 212 can then control speed of the motor 70b based on the commanded and / or sensed speed of motor 70a. In some examples, controller 212 is configured to increase speed during a first stroke of the fluid displacer of the leader pump 40a and then control to the speed set during a second stroke of the fluid displacer. For example, controller 212 can increase speed during an upstroke and control to the increased speed of the upstroke during the downstroke. Such a configuration ramps the speed of the leader motor 70a through a series of pump cycles. The controller 212 can cause the motor 70 to accelerate on one stroke and drive to the speed set during that acceleration stroke during a subsequent stroke. In various additional or alternative examples, the controller 212 is configured to operate the first electric motor 70a and the second electric motor 70b to avoid the first pump 40a and the second pump 40b from both undergoing changeover at the same time. The controller 212 is configured to control operation of the electric motors 70a, 70b to avoid changeover overlap between the fluid displacers of the pumps 40a, 40b. Changeover overlap can occur even if the pumps 40a, 40b do not changeover the exact same time. For example, one of pumps 40a, 40b beginning to accelerate out of changeover, decelerating into changeover, etc. when the other one of pumps 40a, 40b is decelerating into changeover can be considered to cause changeover overlap. It is understood that references to “simultaneous changeover” are references to changeover overlap.

[0152] Simultaneous changeover can result in the pumps 40a, 40b deviating from the targeted ratio. Further, such simultaneous changeover can result in pressure fluctuations generated by both pumps 40a, 40b which could trigger a false alarm condition. The controller 212 can be configured to operate the first electric motor 70a and the second electric motor 70b to avoid the first pump 40a and the second pump 40b from experiencing changeover overlap by reversing the direction of one of the first pump 40a or the second pump 40b before the one of the first pump 40a or the second pump 40b has completed its full stroke length. For example, one of the pumps 40a, 40b is made to short stroke to changeover early to avoid changing over when the other pump 40a, 40b is changing over.

[0153] Short stroking to avoid changeover overlap can occur when the controller 212 recognizes that the two pumps 40a, 40b are on track to have changeover overlap, it being understand that changeover is not an instantaneous event and occurs over a phase, such that the phases of the two pumps 40a, 40b could partially overlap which risks off ratio pumping. The controller 212 can be configured to operate the first electric motor 70a and the second electric motor 70b to avoid the first pump 40a and the second pump 40b from both experiencing changeover overlap by driving the other of the first pump 40a or the second pump 40b to complete its full stroke length while the one of the first pump 40a or the second pump 40b does not complete its full stroke length. The controller 212 can be configured to operate the first electric motor 70a and the second electric motor 70b to avoid the first pump 40a and the second pump 40b from experiencing changeover overlap by identifying when the first pump 40a and the second pump 40b are nearing concurrent changeover by the first pump 40a being within a threshold distance of entering or leaving changeover while the second pump 40b is in changeover. The threshold distance can be an inch or less. The threshold distance can be a percentage distance of the stroke length, such as 15-percent. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating changeover zones relative to a displacement range 224 of the fluid displacers of pumps 40a, 40b. FIG. 9 is discussed with continued reference to FIG. 8.

[0154] As discussed above, controller 212 is configured to control operation of displacers 28a, 28b such that pumps 40a, 40b avoid changeover overlap. Displacement range 224 extends between range end 226a and range end 226b. Range end 226a is a limit of travel in a first displacement direction for a first stroke (e.g., upstroke or downstroke) and range end 226b is a limit of travel in a second displacement direction for a second stroke (e.g., other one of upstroke or downstroke). Displacement range 224 is the distance that a fluid displacer can move during a single stroke between the range end 226a and range end 226b. The fluid displacer can travel to the range end 226a through a first stroke and then reverse direction or travel to the range end 226b through a second stroke in examples in which the fluid displacer completes a full stroke length. However, controller 212 can be configured to cause the pumps 40a, 40b to short stroke to avoid simultaneous changeover, as discussed in more detail below.

[0155] Threshold 228a is spaced from range end 226a by a first threshold distance. Threshold 228b is spaced from range end 226b by a second threshold distance. The thresholds 228a, 228b are formed as portions of the displacement range 224. A first threshold distance TD1 is formed between range end 226a and threshold 228a and a second threshold distance TD2 is formed between range end 226b and threshold 228b. Controller 212 is configured to cause one or the other of pumps 40a, 40b to short stroke and changeover early based on the positions of the fluid displacers (e.g., pistons) of the pumps 40a, 40b relative to thresholds 228a, 228b and range ends 226a, 226b. As discussed above, the thresholds 228a, 228b can be based on the threshold distance TD1, TD2 being a linear distance (e.g., a number of inches), a percentage of a stroke length, etc.

[0156] The fluid displacer of pump 40a and the fluid displacer of pump 40b are configured to reciprocate between respective range ends 226a, 226b of the displacement range 224. While both pumps 40a, 40b are described as commonly sized such that pumps 40a, 40b have the same displacement range 224 it is understood that not all examples are so limited. For example, pumps 40a, 40b can be differently sized such that the displacement range for one pump 40a, 40b varies from the displacement range for the other pump 40a, 40b. For example, one pump 40a, 40b can have a displacement range that is twice the size of the displacement range 224 of the other pump 40a, 40b in examples in which pump 40a, 40b is configured to output twice the volume per stroke. Controller 212 is configured to control operation of motors 70a, 70b such that pumps 40a, 40b avoid changeover overlap. In the example shown, controller 212 is configured to cause short stroking based on the fluid displacers of both pumps 40a, 40b being within the threshold distance of a range end 226a, 226b. Controller 212 is thereby configured to cause short stroking based on the fluid displacers of both pumps 40a, 40b being between a threshold 228a, 228b and the range end 226a, 226b associated with that threshold 228a, 228b.

[0157] In one example, if the fluid displacer of pump 40a is between threshold 228a and range end 226a and approaching range end 226a and the fluid displacer of pump 40b crosses either threshold 228a, 228b such that the fluid displacer of pump 40b is within a threshold distance TD1, TD2 of a range end 226a, 226b, then controller 212 can cause pump 40a to go through changeover and reverse stroke direction. The controller 212 can cause the pump 40a, 40b having a fluid displacer already within a threshold distance TD of the range end 226a, 226b and that is displacing towards the range end 226a, 226b to reverse stroke direction based on the other fluid displacer of the other pump 40a, 40b passing a threshold 228a, 228b.

[0158] Controller 212 can cause a pump 40a, 40b to short stroke and changeover regardless of whether the fluid displacer of the other pump 40a, 40b has crossed threshold 228a or threshold 228b. As such, controller 212 can cause the one pump 40a, 40b to changeover based on the fluid displacer of the one pump 40a, 40b being closest to the changeover point at one of range ends 226a, 226b and based on the fluid displacer of the other pump 40a, 40b crossing over either threshold 228a, 228b to be within the threshold distance. Controller 212 can cause short stroking of the one pump 40a, 40b based on the fluid displacer of the other pump 40a, 40b crossing the threshold 228a, 228b while traveling in the same stroke direction as the fluid displacer of the one pump 40a, 40b or while traveling in an opposite stroke direction from the fluid displacer of the one pump 40a, 40b.

[0159] It is understood that, in some examples, controller 212 can be configured to determine which pump 40a, 40b to cause to short stroke based on relative travel to the end of travel for the fluid displacers. For example, the pumps 40a, 40b may be operating to output the constituent materials at ratios other than 1:1 or may be sized differently. In such an examples, the fluid displacer of one pump 40a, 40b can move at a different speed than the fluid displacer of the other pump 40a, 40b to provide the materials at the specified mix ratio. The controller 212 can determine the relative distance of each fluid displacer to a range end 226a, 226b based on the actual distance to the range end 226a, 226b and the speed of the fluid displacers of the pumps 40a, 40b. Controller 212 can cause the pump 40a, 40b that would changeover soonest, which may be the pump 40a, 40b with a fluid displacer physically furthest from a range end 226a, 226b, to short stroke and changeover while the fluid displacer of the other pump 40a, 40b continues through its stroke. Such a configuration avoids changeover overlap, particularly between pumps 40a, 40b operating at different speeds.

[0160] In some additional or alternative examples, controller 212 can be configured to detect malfunctions of pump 40a, 40b. Controller 212 can receive parameter information from fluid sensors 216a, 216b, such as fluid pressure information indicating the fluid pressure downstream of pumps 40a, 40b. The controller 212 can monitor the parameter information for each pump 40a, 40b and can detect malfunctions based on the parameter information for that pump 40a, 40b. For example, fluid sensor 216a provides pressure information for the output of pump 40a. The pressure fluctuates during pumping by pump 40a such that the pressure drops on changeover and rises again when the fluid displacer exits changeover and moves through a subsequent stoke. Controller 212 can receive upstroke pressure information which is generated during an upstroke of the piston of the pump 40a and can receive downstroke pressure information which is generated during a downstroke of the piston of the pump 40a. The controller 212 can compare the upstroke pressure information to the downstroke pressure information to determine an operating state of the pump 40. The pump 40 should generate generally equal pressures during both the upstroke and downstroke such that the upstroke pressure information and downstroke pressure information should indicate similar or same pressures or pressure profiles, which pressure profile can be a representation of pressure over time. Controller 212 can determine that a malfunction has occurred in the pump 40a, 40b if the stroke pressure information indicates a pressure during the upstroke that differs from a pressure during the downstroke by more than a pressure variation threshold. The pressure variation threshold can be a percentage difference between the upstroke and downstroke pressures (e.g., variation of 10-percent or more); a pressure value difference between the upstroke and downstroke pressures (e.g., variation of 50psi or more); etc. In some examples, controller 212 is configured to generate and output an alarm to the user based on the stroke pressure information indicating that the pressure variation threshold is exceeded. For example, controller 212 can be configured to cause the user interface 222 to output the alarm, such as visually and / or audibly. The pumps 40a, 40b are configured to output the constituent material during both the upstroke and the downstroke. During the upstroke, the intake valve (e.g., valve 92a) is open to allow material to enter into the pump 40a, 40b and the piston valve (e.g., valve 92b) is closed to prevent retrograde flow. During the downstroke, the intake valve is closed to prevent retrograde flow from the pump 40a, 40b and the piston valve is open. Variations in the pressure generated during the upstroke and downstroke can indicate malfunction of one of the intake valve and the piston valve. For example, the upstroke pressure being lower than the downstroke pressure can indicate failure of the piston valve to fully close while the downstroke pressure being lower than the upstroke pressure can indicate failure of the intake valve to fully close. Such failure to close can be due to contaminant in the pumped material and / or can be due to wear of the components of the valve (e.g., the ball or seat among other options). Detecting a difference between the upstroke pressure and the downstroke pressure of a single pump 40 allows controller 212 to monitor operating condition of each pump 40 individually. In some examples, controller 212 is configured to generate an alarm, which can be provided to the user such as via user interface 222, based on the stroke pressure differential between the upstroke pressure and downstroke pressure exceeding the pressure variation threshold.

[0161] Dispense rig 210 provides significant advantages. Controller 212 controls operation of electric motors 70a, 70b to control pumping by pumps 40a, 40b. Controller 212 controls operation of the electric motors 70a, 70b to maintain an output ratio of the pumps 40a, 40b at a specified mix ratio. The controller 212 can control the pumps 40a, 40b in a leader-and- follower configuration to maintain on-ratio pumping. The controller 212 can discount nonproductive displacement of one or both pumps 40a, 40b while controlling pumping by pumps 40a, 40b to maintain on-ratio pumping.

[0162] The controller 212 can be configured to shut down pumps 40a, 40b to stop pumping based on detected operation of the pumps 40a, 40b. The controller 212 can stop pumping by pumps 40a, 40b based on off-ratio pumping as detected by controller 212 and / or based on non-productive displacement of one or both pumps 40a, 40b. Such a configuration can prevent formation and emission of a plural component material at a ratio different from the specified mix ratio, which can lead to lower quality plural component material.

[0163] The controller 212 can cause the motors 70a, 70b of the displacers 28a, 28b to ramp up speed over a plurality of pump cycles. Ramping the speed of motors 70a, 70b assists in maintaining on-ratio pumping on initiation of dispense rig 210. The controller 212 can control operation of pumps 40a, 40b to prevent changeover overlap between the pumps 40a, 40b. The controller 212 can cause one of the pumps 40a, 40b to short stroke based on the position of the fluid displacer of the other one of pumps 40a, 40b. Avoiding changeover overlap between pumps 40a, 40b provides for less pressure fluctuation, particularly in mix line 34, and provides for smoother and more even flow. In addition, avoiding changeover overlap can avoid generation of false alarms, such as due to pressure fluctuations.

[0164] The controller 212 can detect errors in either of pumps 40a, 40b. The controller 212 can compare the pressure generated by a single pump 40a, 40b during different strokes of that pump 40a, 40b and can compare the different stroke pressures to determine an operating condition of the pump 40a, 40b. The controller 212 can identify a potential malfunction based on a difference between the stroke pressures, allowing the user to more quickly identify and address such a malfunction while maintaining on-ratio pumping.

[0165] While the invention has been described with reference to an exemplary embodiment(s), it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment(s) disclosed, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A dispense rig for mixing a first constituent material and a second constituent material and dispensing a mixed material comprising the first constituent material and the second constituent material, the dispense rig comprising: a first displacer including: a first pump operated by a first electric motor, the first pump configured to pump the first constituent material; a second displacer including: a second pump operated by a second electric motor, the second pump configured to pump the second constituent material; a mix passage downstream of the first pump and the second pump, the mix passage configured to mix the first constituent material with the second constituent material to make the mixed material; a dispenser through which the mixed material is dispensed; and a controller configured to: determine a non-productive displacement of the first pump; and control operation of the second electric motor based on the nonproductive displacement of the first pump such that the first pump and the second pump output the first constituent material and the second constituent material at a specified mix ratio.

2. The dispense rig of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to determine a non-productive displacement of the first pump based on a productivity parameter of the first displacer.

3. The dispense rig of claim 2, wherein the productivity parameter is at least one of a motor parameter and a fluid parameter.

4. The dispense rig of claim 3, wherein the motor parameter is a current draw of the first electric motor.

5. The dispense rig of claim 3, wherein the fluid parameter is a pressure of the first constituent material downstream of the first pump.

6. The dispense rig of claim 1, further comprising: a first sensor configured to generate first parameter information regarding a fluid parameter of the first constituent material downstream of the first pump;wherein the controller is configured to receive the first parameter information and determine the non-productive displacement of the first pump based on the first parameter information.

7. The dispense rig of claim 6, further comprising: a second sensor configured to generated second parameter information regarding a fluid parameter of the second constituent material downstream of the second pump; wherein the controller is configured to receive the second parameter information and determine a non-productive displacement of the second pump based on the second parameter information.

8. The dispense rig of claim 7, wherein the controller is configured to control operation of the second electric motor based on the non-productive displacement of the first pump and the non-productive displacement of the second pump.

9. The dispense rig of claim 8, wherein the controller is configured to: monitor the non-productive displacement of the first pump over a productivity period; compare the non-productive displacement of the first pump over the productivity period to the non-productive displacement of the second pump over the productivity period; and operate the second electric motor based on the comparison of the first nonproductive displacement and the second non-productive displacement.

10. The dispense rig of any one of claims 1-3 and 5-9, wherein the controller is configured to determine the non-productive displacement of the first pump based on a pressure profile of the first component material at a location downstream of the first pump.

11. The dispense rig of any one of claims 1-10 wherein the controller is configured to determine the non-productive displacement of the first pump based on a drop in pressure of the first constituent material.

12. The dispense rig of any one of claims 1-11, wherein the controller is configured to determine productive displacement of the first pump based on a rise in pressure of the first constituent material.

13. The dispense rig of any one of claims 1-12, wherein the controller is configured to determine productive displacement of the first pump based on a steady pressure of the first constituent material.

14. The dispense rig of any one of claims 1-13, wherein the controller is configured to target the specified mix ratio by setting a first operating parameter of the first electric motor and setting a second operating parameter of the second electric motor based on the non-productive displacement of the first pump.

15. The dispense rig of claim 14, wherein the first operating parameter is a speed of the first electric motor.

16. The dispense rig of any one of claims 14 and 15, wherein the second operating parameter is a speed of the second electric motor.

17. The dispense rig of any one of claims 1-16, wherein the controller is further configured to: determine a non-productive displacement of the second pump; compare the non-productive displacement of the first pump to the non-productive displacement of the second pump; and control operation of the second electric motor based on the comparison of the non-productive displacement of the first pump and the non-productive displacement of the second pump.

18. The dispense rig of claim 17, wherein the controller is further configured to: stop operation of the first electric motor and the second electric motor based on a variance between the non-productive displacement of the first pump and the non-productive displacement of the second pump exceeding a threshold amount.

19. The dispense rig of any one of claims 1-16, wherein the controller is further configured to: determine a non-productive displacement of the second pump; compare the non-productive displacement of the first pump to the non-productive displacement of the second pump to determine a variance between output of the first pump and output of the second pump; and stop operation of the first electric motor and the second electric motor based on the variance exceeding a threshold amount.

20. The dispense rig of any one of claims 1-16, wherein the controller is further configured to: determine a non-productive displacement of the second pump;compare the non-productive displacement of the first pump to the non-productive displacement of the second pump; and stop operation of the first electric motor and the second electric motor based on a difference between the non-productive displacement of the first pump and the non-productive displacement of the second pump exceeding a threshold amount.

21. The dispense rig of claim 20, wherein the threshold amount is a distance of piston travel.

22. The dispense rig of claim 21, wherein the threshold amount if a percentage of a stroke length.

23. The dispensing rig of any preceding claim, wherein the dispensing rig is configured to dispense the mixed fluid on a ground surface for curing into a floor surface.

24. The dispensing rig of any preceding claim, further comprising a frame which supports the first pump, the second pump, the first sensor, the second sensor, and the dispenser, the frame being supported by a one or more wheels such that the dispensing rig is portable.

25. The dispensing rig of claim 24, wherein a first reservoir for the first constituent material and a second reservoir for the second constituent material are supported by the frame.

26. A dispense rig for mixing a first constituent material and a second constituent material and dispensing a mixed material comprising the first constituent material and the second constituent material, the dispense rig comprising: a first displacer including: a first pump operated by a first electric motor, the first pump configured to pump the first constituent material; a second displacer including: a second pump operated by a second electric motor, the second pump configured to pump the second constituent material; a mix passage downstream of the first pump and the second pump, the mix passage configured to mix the first constituent material with the second constituent material to make the mixed material; a dispenser through which the mixed material is dispensed; anda controller configured to control operation of the first electric motor and the second electric motor to avoid changeover overlap between the first pump and the second pump.

27. The dispense rig of claim 26, wherein the controller is configured to cause a first one of the first pump and the second pump to changeover based on a second one of the first pump and the second pump crossing a changeover threshold.

28. The dispense rig of claim 26, wherein the controller is configured to cause a first one of the first pump and the second pump to changeover based on the first one of the first pump and the second pump and a second one of the first pump and the second pump both being within a threshold distance of an end of travel.

29. The dispense rig of claim 28, wherein the threshold distance is a linear distance.

30. The dispense rig of claim 28, wherein the threshold distance is a percent of stroke length.

31. The dispense rig of any one of claims 28-30, wherein the controller is configured to cause the first one of the first pump and the second pump to changeover based on the first one of the first pump and the second pump being closer to a changeover point than the second one of the first pump and the second pump.

32. The dispense rig of any one of claims 28-31, wherein the controller is configured to: determine a first relative travel for the first pump to a changeover of the first pump and a second relative travel for the second pump to a changeover of the second pump; cause the one of the first pump and the second pump to changeover based on whichever of the first relative travel and the second relative travel is less.

33. The dispense rig of claim 32, wherein the controller is configured to determine the first relative travel based on a distance between a piston of the first pump and a range end of a displacement range of the first piston and based on a speed of the first piston.

34. The dispense rig of claim 33, wherein the controller is configured to determine the second relative travel based on a distance between a second piston of the second pump and a range end of a displacement range of the second piston and based on a speed of the second piston.

35. A dispense rig for mixing a first constituent material and a second constituent material and dispensing a mixed material comprising the first constituent material and the second constituent material, the dispense rig comprising: a first displacer including: a first pump operated by a first electric motor, the first pump configured to pump the first constituent material; a second displacer including: a second pump operated by a second electric motor, the second pump configured to pump the second constituent material; a mix passage downstream of the first pump and the second pump, the mix passage configured to mix the first constituent material with the second constituent material to make the mixed material; a dispenser through which the mixed material is dispensed; and a controller configured to: determine a position of a first piston of the first pump within a first displacement range of the first piston; determine a position of a second piston of the second pump within a second displacement range of the second piston; control operation of the first electric motor and the second electric motor such that the control causes a first one of the first pump and the second pump to short stroke based on a fluid displacer of the first one being closer to a range end of a displacement range of the fluid displacer of the first one than a fluid displacer of a second one of the first pump and the second pump is to a range end of a displacement range of the fluid displacer of the second one.

36. The dispense rig of claim 35, wherein the controller is configured to: cause the fluid displacer of the first one to changeover based on the fluid displacer of the second one being within a threshold distance of the range end of the displacement range of the fluid displacer of the second one.

37. A dispense rig for mixing a first constituent material and a second constituent material and dispensing a mixed material comprising the first constituent material and the second constituent material, the dispense rig comprising:a first displacer including: a first pump operated by a first electric motor, the first pump configured to pump the first constituent material; a second displacer including: a second pump operated by a second electric motor, the second pump configured to pump the second constituent material; a mix passage downstream of the first pump and the second pump, the mix passage configured to mix the first constituent material with the second constituent material to make the mixed material; a dispenser through which the mixed material is dispensed; and a controller configured to initiate pumping of the first pump by: receiving an input indicating need to operate the first pump; and based on the input, delivering driving energy to the first electric motor, the driving energy having a soft start phase in which the speed of the first electric motor is ramped up over a first period, the driving energy having a stable phase following the soft start phase.

38. The dispense rig of claim 37, wherein the speed of the electric motor is ramped up over a plurality of pump strokes of the first pump.

39. The dispense rig of any one of claims 37 and 38, wherein, during the soft start phase, the controller is configured to ramp up a target speed of the first electric motor during a first stroke of the first pump and the controller is configured to maintain the target speed during a second stroke of the first pump.

40. The dispense rig of claim 39, wherein the first stroke is an upstroke and the second stroke is a downstroke.

41. The dispense rig of any one of claims 37-40, wherein the stable phase extends for a second period which is longer than the first period.

42. A pump system comprising: a first displacer including a first pump operated by a first electric motor, the first pump configured to pump the first constituent material; a first sensor configured to generate first parameter information regarding a fluid parameter of the first constituent material downstream of the first pump; and a controller configured to:compare an upstroke pressure generated by the first pump and a downstroke pressure generated by the first pump; and determine a pump status of the first pump based on the comparison of the upstroke pressure and the downstroke pressure indicating a difference between the upstroke pressure and the downstroke pressure exceeding a pressure variation threshold.

43. The pump system of claim 42, wherein the pressure variation threshold is based on a percentage difference between the upstroke pressure and the downstroke pressure.

44. The pump system of claim 42, wherein the pressure variation threshold is based on a pressure value difference between the upstroke pressure and the downstroke pressure.

45. The pump system of any one of claims 42-44, wherein the controller is configured to generate an alarm based on the controller determining existence of the pump error of the first pump.

46. The pump system of claim 45, wherein the controller is configured to output the alarm via a user interface.

47. The pump system of any one of claims 42-46, wherein the controller is configured to stop operation of the first electric motor based on the controller determining existence of a pump error of the first pump.

48. The pump system of any one of claims 42-47, further comprising: a second displacer including: a second pump operated by a second electric motor, the second pump configured to pump the second constituent material; a second sensor configured to generate second parameter information regarding a fluid parameter of the second constituent material downstream of the second pump; a mix passage downstream of the first pump and the second pump, the mix passage configured to mix the first constituent material with the second constituent material to make the mixed material; and a dispenser through which the mixed material is dispensed; wherein the controller is configured to:compare an upstroke pressure generated by the second pump and a downstroke pressure generated by the second pump; and determine a pump status of the second pump based on the comparison of the upstroke pressure generated by the second pump and the downstroke pressure generated by the second pump indicating a difference between the upstroke pressure generated by the second pump and the downstroke pressure generated by the second pump exceeding a second pressure variation threshold.

49. A mix line for use in a dispense rig configured to mix a first constituent material and a second constituent material and dispensing a mixed material comprising the first constituent material and the second constituent material, the mix line configured to receive the first constituent material and the second constituent material such that the first constituent material and the second constituent material mix within the mix line, the mix line comprising: a hose having an inlet end and an outlet end, wherein the hose is flexible, and wherein the hose defines a mix passage extending within the hose; a first static mixer disposed within the hose; a second static mixer disposed within the hose; a first mix retainer interfacing with the hose and limiting downstream travel of the first static mixer towards the outlet end; a second mix retainer interfacing with the hose and limiting downstream travel of the second static mixer; wherein the first static mixer is spaced from the second static mixer such that a first intermix region is formed between the first static mixer and the second static mixer.

50. The mix line of claim 49, wherein a length of the first intermix region is greater than a length of the first static mixer.

51. The mix line of claim 49, wherein a length of the first intermix region is greater than a length of the second static mixer.

52. The mix line of claim 49, wherein a second intermix region is formed between the second static mixer and the outlet fitting.

53. The mix line of claim 52, wherein a combined length of the first intermix region and the second intermix region is greater than a combined length of the first static mixer and the second static mixer.

54. The mix line of any one of claims 49-53, wherein the first mix retainer is formed as a ring on an exterior of the hose.

55. The mix line of any one of claims 49-54, wherein the second mix retainer is formed as a ring on an exterior of the hose.

56. The mix line of any one of claims 49-53, wherein the first mix retainer and the second mix retainer are formed by one or more flexible rods.

57. The mix line of any one of claims 49-56, wherein the first mix retainer does not limit upstream travel of the first static mixer.

58. The mix line of any one of claims 49-57, wherein the second mix retainer does not limit downstream travel of the second static mixer.

59. The mix line of any one of claims 49-58, wherein a length of the hose is less than 15 feet.

60. The mix line of claim 59, wherein the length of the hose is less than 5 feet.

61. The mix line of claim 60, wherein the length of the hose is less than 3.5 feet.

62. The mix line of any one of claims 49-61, wherein the hose includes an inlet fitting at the inlet end and an outlet fitting at the outlet end.

63. A mix line assembly comprising: the mix line of any one of claims 49-62; and a dispenser extending from the downstream end of the hose, the dispenser including a nozzle configured to output the mixed material and a third static mixer disposed within a housing of the dispenser.

64. The mix line assembly of claim 63, wherein the dispenser is mounted to the hose by an adaptor.

65. A dispense rig comprising: a first displacer including: a first pump operated by a first electric motor, the first pump configured to pump the first constituent material; a second displacer including: a second pump operated by a second electric motor, the second pump configured to pump the second constituent material;the mix line assembly of any one of claims 63 and 64 disposed downstream of the first pump and the second pump, the mix lines assembly configured to mix the first constituent material with the second constituent material to make the mixed material; wherein the dispensing rig is configured to dispense the mixed fluid on a ground surface for curing into a floor surface.

66. The dispense rig of claim 65, further comprising a frame which supports the first pump, the second pump, the first sensor, the second sensor, and the dispenser, the frame being supported by a one or more wheels such that the dispensing rig is portable.

67. The dispense rig of claim 66, wherein a first reservoir for the first constituent material and a second reservoir for the second constituent material are supported by the frame.

68. A mix line assembly for use in a dispense rig configured to mix a first constituent material and a second constituent material and dispensing a mixed material comprising the first constituent material and the second constituent material, the mix line assembly configured to receive the first constituent material and the second constituent material such that the first constituent material and the second constituent material mix within the mix line assembly, the mix line assembly comprising: a hose having an inlet end and an outlet end, wherein the hose is flexible, and wherein the hose defines a mix passage extending within the hose; a first static mixer disposed within the hose; and a dispenser extending from the downstream end of the hose, the dispenser including a nozzle configured to output the mixed material and a second static mixer disposed within a housing of the dispenser; wherein the first static mixer is spaced from the second static mixer such that a first intermix region is formed between the first static mixer and the second static mixer; wherein a length of the intermix region is greater than a combined length of the first static mixer and the second static mixer.

69. The mix line assembly of claim 68, further comprising: a first mix retainer interfacing with the hose and limiting downstream travel of the first static mixer towards the outlet end.

70. The mix line assembly of any one of claims 68 and 69, further comprising:a third static mixer disposed within the hose, the third static mixer disposed between the first static mixer and the second static mixer.

71. A dispense rig for mixing a first constituent material and a second constituent material and dispensing a mixed material comprising the first constituent material and the second constituent material, the dispense rig comprising: a first pump operated by a first electric motor, the first pump configured to pump the first constituent material; a first sensor configured to generate first parameter information regarding a fluid parameter of the first constituent material downstream of the first pump; a second pump operated by a second electric motor, the second pump configured to pump the second constituent material; a second sensor configured to generated second parameter information regarding a fluid parameter of the second constituent material downstream of the second pump; a mix passage downstream of the first pump, the first sensor, the second pump, and the second sensor, the mix passage configured to mix the first constituent material with the second constituent material to make the mixed material; a dispenser through which the mixed material is dispensed; and a controller configured to receive the first parameter information and the second parameter information and control operation of the first electric motor and the second electric motor.

72. The dispensing rig of claim 71 , wherein the controller is configured to target a specified mix ratio representing proportional amounts of the first constituent material and the second constituent material in the mixed material by managing operation of the first electric motor and the second electric motor.

73. The dispensing rig of claim 72, wherein the controller is configured to target the specified mix ratio by setting a first operating parameter of the first electric motor, monitoring the first fluid parameter as indicated by the first sensor, and setting a second operating parameter of the second electric motor based on the first parameter information as indicated by the first sensor.

74. The dispensing rig of claim 73, wherein the first operating parameter is a speed of the first electric motor.

75. The dispensing rig of claim 74, wherein the fluid parameter of the first constituent material is a fluid pressure of the first constituent material.

76. The dispensing rig of either of any one of claims 74 and 75, wherein the second operating parameter is a speed of the second electric motor.

77. The dispensing rig of any of claims 73-76, wherein the controller is configured to reduce the second operating parameter based on the first parameter information indicating non-productive displacement of the first pump.

78. The dispensing rig of any one of claims 73-77, further comprising a first displacement indicator configured to generate first positional information regarding piston displacement of the first pump.

79. The dispensing rig of claim 78, wherein the controller is configured to set the second operating parameter of the second electric motor by: determining a non-productive displacement of the first pump by measuring displacement of the first pump when the first fluid parameter indicates that pressure is rising in the first component fluid; and determining the second operating parameter based on the specified mix ratio and the non-productive displacement of the first pump.

80. The dispensing rig of claim 79, wherein the controller is configured to determine the non-productive displacement of the first pump by excluding displacement of the first pump when the first parameter information indicates that pressure is not rising in the first constituent material.

81. The dispense rig of claim 79, wherein the controller is configured to determine the non-productive displacement of the first pump by excluding displacement of the first pump when the first parameter information indicates that pressure is dropping in the first constituent material.

82. The dispense rig of any one of claims 78-81, further comprising a second displacement indicator configured to generate second positional information regarding piston displacement of the second pump.

83. The dispensing rig of claim 82, wherein the controller is configured to stop both of the first electric motor and the second electric motor based on the first pump and the second pump having a differential displacement factored for the specified mix ratio being greater than a threshold amount.

84. The dispensing rig of claim 83, wherein the differential displacement factored for the specified mix ratio is determined by:determining a first productive displacement for the first pump based on the first parameter information and the first displacement information; determining a second productive displacement for the second pump based on the second parameter information and the second positional information; comparing the first productive displacement and the second productive displacement to the specified mix ratio; and determining whether a ratio between the first productive displacement and the second productive displacement differs from the specified mix ratio by more than the threshold amount.

85. The dispensing rig of any one of claims 83 and 84, wherein the threshold amount is a distance of piston travel.

86. The dispensing rig of any one of claims 82-85, wherein the controller is configured to stop both of the first electric motor and the second electric motor based on either of the first pump or the second pump undergoing a displacement for a predetermined amount of a stroke length without building pressure, the controller configured to determine if either of the first pump or the second pump is undergoing the displacement for the predetermined amount of the stroke length based on the first parameter information and the first positional information or based on the second parameter information and the second positional information.

87. The dispensing rig of any one of claims 72-86, wherein the controller is configured to initiate pumping of the first pump by: receiving an input indicating need to operate the first pump; and based on the input, delivering driving energy to the first electric motor, the driving energy having a soft start phase in which the speed of the first electric motor is ramped up over a first time period, the driving energy having a stable phase following the soft start phase.

88. The dispensing rig of claim 87, wherein the stable phase extends for a second time period which is longer than the first time period.

89. The dispensing rig of any one of claims 87 and 88, wherein the controller delivers electric energy to the first electric motor such that the first electric motor operates at a constant speed for a majority of a stroke length of the first pump.

90. The dispensing rig of any one of claims 87-89, wherein the controller delivers electric energy to the second electric motor based on productive displacement of the first pump.

91. The dispensing rig of any of one of claims 71-90, wherein the controller is configured to operate the first electric motor and the second electric motor to avoid the first pump and the second pump from both undergoing changeover at the same time.

92. The dispensing rig of claim 91, wherein the controller is configured to operate the first electric motor and the second electric motor to avoid the first pump and the second pump from both undergoing changeover at the same time by reversing the direction of one of the first pump and the second pump before the one of the first pump or the second pump has completed its full stroke length.

93. The dispensing rig of claim 92, wherein the controller is configured to operate the first electric motor and the second electric motor to avoid the first pump and the second pump from both undergoing changeover at the same time by driving the other of the first pump and the second pump to complete its full stroke length while the one of the first pump and the second pump does not complete its full stroke length.

94. The dispensing rig of any one of claims 91-93, wherein the controller is configured to operate the first electric motor and the second electric motor to avoid the first pump and the second pump from both undergoing changeover at the same time by identifying when the first pump and the second pump are nearing concurrent changeover by the first pump being within a threshold distance of entering or leaving changeover while the second pump is in changeover.

95. The dispensing rig of claim 94, wherein the threshold distance is an inch or less.

96. The dispense rig of claim 94, wherein the threshold distance is a percentage of the stroke length.

97. The dispensing rig of any of claims 71-96, wherein the mix passage disposed at least partially within a mix line, the mix line upstream of the dispenser.

98. The dispense rig of claim 97, wherein the mix line comprises at least one static mixer within the mix passage99. The dispense rig of claim 98, wherein the at least one static mixer includes a plurality of static mixers that are separated from each other.

100. The dispensing rig of claim 99, wherein the plurality of are not in contact with each other within the mix line such that the mix passage includes at least one intermix region between ones of the plurality of static mixers that does not include any static mixing.

102. The dispensing rig any one of claims 98-100, wherein at least one of the plurality of static mixers is kept from traveling downstream within the mix passage by a mix retainer.

103. The dispense rig of claim 102, wherein the mix retainer is formed by one or more an external rings.

104. The dispensing rig of claim 103, wherein the one or more external rings are crimps.

105. The dispensing rig any one of claims 98-100, wherein the plurality of static mixers are mounted on a flexible rod.

106. The dispensing rig of any one of claim 97, wherein the mix line comprises a flexible hose which allows the dispenser to be moved to dispense in different orientations.

107. The dispensing rig of claim 106, wherein the flexible hose contains at least one static mixer within the flexible hose.

108. The dispensing rig of claim 107, wherein the flexible hose contains at least two static mixers within the flexible hose.

109. The dispensing rig of any of claims 106-108, wherein the dispenser contains a static mixer and wherein the dispenser is detachable from a fitting connected to the flexible hose.

110. The dispensing rig of any one of claims 71-109, wherein the first component fluid is more viscous than the second component fluid.

111. The dispensing rig of any one of claims 71-110, wherein the dispensing rig is configured to dispense the mixed fluid on a ground surface for curing into a floor surface.

112. The dispensing rig one of claims 71-111, further comprising a frame which supports the first pump, the second pump, the first sensor, the second sensor, and the dispenser, the frame being supported by a one or more wheels such that the dispensing rig is portable.

113. The dispensing rig of claim 112, wherein a first reservoir for the first constituent material and a second reservoir for the second constituent material are supported by the frame.

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