Multi component dispensing rig
The mobile spray rig addresses mixing and dispensing challenges by using a heater to preheat materials before mixing, improving flow and reducing viscosity, thus enhancing application efficiency.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- PCT/US2025/027741
- Authority / Receiving Office
- WO · WO
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2024-05-29
- Filing Date
- 2025-05-05
- Publication Date
- 2025-12-04
AI Technical Summary
Existing material dispensing systems face challenges in efficiently mixing and dispensing plural component materials, particularly in maintaining fluid separation and reducing viscosity for improved application efficiency.
A mobile spray rig with a heater positioned longitudinally between fluid reservoirs and mix manifold, vertically below pumps and motors, to heat constituent materials before mixing, ensuring fluid separation and reducing viscosity for easier dispensing.
The configuration enhances material flow and mixing efficiency, reduces fluid line length, and improves the quality and ease of operation of the dispensing process.
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Figure US2025027741_04122025_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
[0001] MULTI COMPONENT DISPENSING RIG
[0002] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)
[0003] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 652,790 filed May 29, 2024 and entitled “MULTI COMPONENT SPRAY RIG,” the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
[0004] BACKGROUND
[0005] This disclosure relates to material dispensing systems. More particularly, this disclosure relates to a rig for mixing and dispensing plural component material.
[0006] Plural component material can be applied to a surface to provide a coating to improve durability, aesthetics, grip, etc. Plural component materials are formed from multiple constituent components that are mixed together to form a plural component material. The multiple constituent components are stored individually and then typically mixed at or directly upstream of a dispense orifice. The material can be sprayed onto a surface.
[0007] SUMMARY
[0008] According to an aspect of the disclosure, a mobile spray rig for mixing a first component fluid and a second component fluid to form a mixture then spraying the mixture includes a plurality of wheels; a frame that rides on the plurality of wheels; a first component fluid reservoir supported on the frame; a second component fluid reservoir supported on the frame; a first pump supported on the frame which receives a first component fluid from the first component fluid reservoir and outputs the first component fluid; a second pump supported on the frame which receives a second component fluid from the second component fluid reservoir and outputs the second component fluid; a first electric motor supported on the frame that operates the first pump; a second electric motor supported on the frame that operates the second pump; control circuitry which sends commands to the first electric motor and the second electric motor; a mix manifold supported on the frame; a hose that receives the mixture of the first component fluid and the second component fluid from the mix manifold; and a spray gun that sprays the mixture.
[0009] According to an additional or alternative aspect of the disclosure, a mobile spray rig for mixing a first component fluid and a second component fluid to form a mixture then dispensing the mixture includes a plurality of wheels; a frame that rides on the plurality of wheels; a first component fluid reservoir supported on the frame; a second component fluid reservoir supported on the frame; a first pump supported on the frame which receives a first component fluid from the first component fluid reservoir and outputs the first component fluid; a second pump supported on the frame which receives a second component fluid from the second component fluid reservoir and outputs the second component fluid; a first electric motor supported on the frame, the first electric motor configured to operate the first pump; a second electric motor supported on the frame, the second electric motor configured to operate the second pump; control circuitry which sends commands to the first electric motor and the second electric motor; a mix manifold supported on the frame; a hose that receives the mixture of the first component fluid and the second component fluid from the mix manifold; and a heater supported by the frame, the heater disposed longitudinally between the first and second component fluid reservoirs and the mix manifold, wherein the first component fluid and the second component fluid flow through the heater downstream of the first pump and the second pump.
[0010] According to another additional or alternative aspect of the disclosure, a mobile spray rig for mixing a first component fluid and a second component fluid to form a mixture then dispensing the mixture includes a plurality of wheels; a frame that rides on the plurality of wheels; a first component fluid reservoir supported on the frame; a second component fluid reservoir supported on the frame; a first pump supported on the frame which receives a first component fluid from the first component fluid reservoir and outputs the first component fluid; a second pump supported on the frame which receives a second component fluid from the second component fluid reservoir and outputs the second component fluid; a first electric motor supported on the frame, the first electric motor configured to operate the first pump; a second electric motor supported on the frame, the second electric motor configured to operate the second pump; control circuitry which sends commands to the first electric motor and the second electric motor; a mix manifold supported on the frame; a hose that receives the mixture of the first component fluid and the second component fluid from the mix manifold; and a heater supported by the frame, the heater disposed longitudinally rearward of the first and second component fluid reservoirs, the heater disposed longitudinally forward of the mix manifold, the heater disposed vertically below the first electric motor and the second electric motor. The first component fluid and the second component fluid flow through the heater downstream of the first pump and the second pump.
[0011] According to yet another additional or alternative aspect of the disclosure, a mobile spray rig for mixing a first component fluid and a second component fluid to form a mixture then spraying the mixture includes a plurality of wheels; a frame that rides on the plurality of wheels; a first component fluid reservoir supported on the frame; a second component fluid reservoir supported on the frame; a first pump supported on the frame which receives a first component fluid from the first component fluid reservoir and outputs the first component fluid; a second pump supported on the frame which receives a second component fluid from the second component fluid reservoir and outputs the second component fluid; a first electric motor supported on the frame that operates the first pump; a second electric motor supported on the frame that operates the second pump; a mix manifold supported on the frame; a first T-junction fluidly connecting the first component fluid reservoir and the first pump; and a second T-junction fluidly connecting the second component fluid reservoir and the second pump.
[0012] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] FIG. 1A is a first isometric view of a spray rig.
[0014] FIG. IB is a second isometric view of the spray rig.
[0015] FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the spray rig with the covers removed from drives of the spray rig.
[0016] Fig. 3A is a first side view of the spray rig.
[0017] FIG. 3B is a second side view of the spray rig.
[0018] FIG. 4 is an enlarged isometric view showing a portion of the spray rig.
[0019] FIG. 5 is an isometric view of a heater.
[0020] FIG. 6 is an exploded view of a T-junction.
[0021] DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0022] The present disclosure concerns a rig for mixing and spraying material. The spraying material is in two fluid components that are stored separately on board the rig (or nearby the rig), pumped and mixed aboard the rig, and then dispensed via a spray gun for curing on a substrate surface. The two fluid components can be epoxy and / or other curing components, amongst other options. The two fluid components will be generally referred to herein as the first component fluid and the second component fluid, it being understood that a variety of mixed components can be used.
[0023] According to aspects of the present disclosure, a spray rig includes a heater that is configured to increase the temperature of component materials. The heater can receive the constituent material into a block body of the heater and the heater can output the constituent material from the block body. The heater can, in various examples, provide heating to multiple, up to all, of the constituent materials.
[0024] The heater can, in various examples, be disposed longitudinally between the material supplies (e.g., reservoirs and pumps) and a location at which the constituent materials combine to form the plural component material. The longitudinal positioning of the heater provides for balancing of the spray rig. The longitudinal positioning of the heater facilitates easier fluid connections and can reduce the length of the flowpath between the pumps and the location at which the constituent materials mix.
[0025] Spray rigs according to aspects of the disclosure can include a heater that is disposed vertically below the drives that power pumping by the pumps of the spray rig. The heater can be disposed to vertically overlap with one or more, up to all, of the drives. The heater can be disposed to vertically overlap with one or more, up to all, of the motors, such as electric motors, of the drives.
[0026] Spray rigs according to aspects of the disclosure include reservoirs configured to store supplies of constituent materials and pumps configured to displace the constituent materials from the reservoirs. A T-junction can connect a reservoir to a pump. The T- junction can be connected to the reservoir at a lower end of the reservoir. As such, the reservoir can be configured to output the constituent material at a lower end of the reservoir. The pump can be configured to draw the constituent material vertically upward from the T-junction.
[0027] T-junctions according to aspects of the disclosure can be disposed at a vertically lowest portion of a flowpath between the reservoir and the pump. The T-junction can include an end port and a plug that closes the end port. The plug can be removably connected to a junction body of the T-junction. The plug can be disconnected from the junction body to provide access to the end port, thereby facilitating cleanout of the fluid pathway between the reservoir and pump. Removal of the plug provides access to the interior of the T-junction, allowing cleanout of any residual fluid within the T-junction.
[0028] The present disclosure uses multiple examples to demonstrate various inventive aspects. The inventive scope of this disclosure is not necessarily limited to any one of these embodiments, nor to all of them in just the manner shown and / or described. Rather, the inventive aspects demonstrated herein can be implemented in various other manners. One aspect or feature shown or described from one embodiment could be implemented on another embodiment in this disclosure even if not shown or described for that embodiment, or various embodiments not illustrated herein. The embodiments illustrated and / or discussed are intended to be illustrative and not limiting, and the described and / or illustrated features can be mixed and matched between different embodiments but including and excluding various features amongst the embodiments.
[0029] Components with common reference numbers can be structurally and functionally equivalent except to the limited extent specifically shown and / or described to be different. As such, aspects discussed and / or shown in connection with one embodiment can be present in another embodiment even if not discussed and / or shown for the other embodiment, particularly when common reference numbers are used.
[0030] 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.
[0031] FIG. 1A is a front isometric view of dispense rig 10. FIG. IB is a rear isometric of dispense rig 10. FIG. 2 is an isometric view of dispense rig 10 with drive covers 42 removed to expose electric motors 40 and drives 16. FIGS. 1A-2. Frame 12, wheels 14 (including rear wheels 14a and front wheel 14b), drives 16a, 16b (collectively herein “drive 16” or “drives 16”), pumps 18a, 18b (collectively herein (“pump 18” or “pumps 18”), reservoirs 20a, 20b (collectively herein “reservoir 20” or “reservoirs 20”), T-junctions 22, heater 24, mix manifold 26, supply hose 28, dispenser 30, solvent drive 32, solvent pump 34, user control 36, and control housing 38. Drives 16a, 16b each include motor 40 and cover 42.
[0032] Dispense rig 10 is configured to move along a ground surface and dispense material for application on a surface, which can be the ground surface among other options. Dispense rig 10 can, in some examples, be configured for spraying of the material, such as in examples in which dispenser 30 is configured as a spray gun. Dispense rig 10 can also be referred to as a spray rig.
[0033] Dispense rig 10 is configured to mix individual constituent materials together that mix to form a plural component material that is output onto the surface. The constituent materials are stored separately on board the dispense rig 10, pumped and mixed aboard the dispense rig 10, and then dispensed onto the surface. For example, the two constituent materials can be epoxy and / or other curing components that 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 materials can be used.
[0034] 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.
[0035] Frame 12 supports other components of dispense rig 10. 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. Frame 12 extends laterally (along direction X). Frame 12 can be a structure of metal tubes, amongst other options.
[0036] Rear wheels 14a and front wheel 14b are connected to 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, frame 12 is supported by a pair of rear wheels 14a and a front wheel 14b, though it is understood that not all examples are so limited.
[0037] Rear wheels 14a can be connected together by an axle or individually mounted to frame 12. In the example shown, rear wheels 14a are connected together by a rear axle. Rear wheels 14a are disposed in a fixed orientation such that rear wheels 14a can roll forwards or backwards but do not pivot about a vertical axis. As such, rear wheels 14a are not formed as caster wheels in the example shown.
[0038] Front wheel 14b is disposed at front end 44 of frame 12. In the example shown, front wheel 14b is disposed on a longitudinal centerline L-L of dispense rig 10. In the example shown, front wheel 14b is configured to roll along the ground surface and to pivot. Front wheel 14b is formed as a caster wheel that is not disposed in a fixed orientation relative to the frame 12. Front wheel 14b can rotate on a vertical axis for steering of dispense rig 10.
[0039] In the example shown, a single front wheel 14b can swivel to allow the dispense rig 10 to be turned in various directions. The dispense rig 10 includes two rear wheels 14a which rotate but do not pivot. In this way, the dispense rig 10 is supported by only three wheels 14, though it is understood that other wheel configurations are possible various embodiments. A component can be supported on the frame 12 without direct contact with the frame 12 while the frame 12 nevertheless structurally holds up the component. The frame 12 does not contact the ground during normal transport, while the front wheel 14b and rear wheels 14a do support the entirety of the dispense rig 10 during transport.
[0040] Each reservoir 20 is configured to hold a supply of a constituent material for pumping by a pump 18. For example, reservoir 20a can store a supply of a first constituent material and reservoir 20b can store a supply of a second constituent material. The reservoirs 20 can also be referred to as material supplies. In the example shown, dispense rig 10 includes a first reservoir 20a and a second reservoir 20b. The first reservoir 20a can contain a first constituent fluid and the second reservoir 20b can contain a second constitutent fluid. Each of the reservoirs 20a, 20b can be hollow plastic containers, though it is understood that other options are possible.
[0041] In various examples, the reservoirs 20a, 20b are held on the frame 12, but are removable for cleaning. Each reservoir 20a, 20b includes a bottom outlet 48 out of which the constituent material stored in the reservoir 20a, 20b flows due to the gravity and / or due to being sucked by a pump 18a, 18b.
[0042] In the example shown, the first reservoir 20a includes a removable cap and the second reservoir 20b also includes a removable cap, such caps being removable to allow the filling of the reservoirs 20a, 20b with first and second constituent fluids. The first reservoir 20a and the second reservoir 20b are fully supported by the frame 12 and move with the dispense rig 10.
[0043] The dispense rig 10 includes drives 16a, 16b. The drives 16a, 16b include respective electric motors 40 and cranks (or other mechanism for converting rotational motion to reciprocating motion, such as screw and nut mechanisms), the electric motors 40 outputting rotational motion and the cranks converting rotational motion to reciprocating motion that operates the pumps 18a, 18b.
[0044] Pumps 18a, 18b are configured to respectively draw fluid from the reservoirs 20a, 20b and place the fluid under pressure. Pumps 18a, 18b can be configured as reciprocating pumps. Pumps 18a, 18b can be configured as piston pumps, among other options.
[0045] Pumps 18a, 18b pump the first constituent fluid and the second constituent fluid to heater 24. The heater 24 is mounted on the frame 12. The heater 24 can include a block of material, such as metal, which serves as a thermal reserve. The heater 24 further includes a plurality of channels through the heater 24 so that the first component fluid and the second component fluid can travel entirely through the heater 24 and receive heat from the heater 24, without mixing the first component with the second component materials. The heater 24 can include one or more heating elements, such as resistive heating elements which convert electrical current to heat, such heat being transferred to the block of the heater 24 as the thermal reserve and the heat then being transferred to the first component fluid and the second component fluid flowing through the respective channels within the heater 24.
[0046] The dispense rig 10 includes user control 36. The user control can include handles 50 for pushing and / or steering the dispense rig 10 by hand. The user control 36 can also include inputs for managing fluid pumping, heating, mixing, and spraying, amongst other operations. The user control 36 can communicate with control circuitry located in the control housing 38.
[0047] The dispense rig 10 includes a supply hose 28 through which the dispense rig 10 outputs the first component fluid and the second component fluid mixed together. The hose 28 can be composed of multiple connected hose segments. At the end of the hose 28 is dispenser 30. Dispenser 30 can be configured as a spray gun, among other options.
[0048] Dispenser 30 can be configured a spray gun and can include a trigger which can be actuated to open and close a valve which causes release of the mixed component fluids within the hose 28.
[0049] Heater 24 is disposed fluidly between the reservoirs 20a, 20b and the dispenser 30. Heater 24 is configured to increase a temperature of the constituent materials upstream of mix manifold 26. Heater 24 is configured to increase a temperature of the constituent materials upstream of dispenser 30. In the example shown, heater 24 is disposed within a heater shroud 52. Portions of heater shroud 52 are not shown in FIG. 2 to expose heater 24.
[0050] In some examples, heater 24 can receive inflows of the constituent material into a body of the heater 24 and provide outflows of the constituent materials from the body of the heater 24.
[0051] In the example shown, heater 24 is disposed longitudinally rearward of reservoirs 20a, 20b. Heater 24 is disposed longitudinally rearward of pumps 18a, 18b. Heater 24 is disposed longitudinally rearward of the pump inlets 54 of the pumps 18a, 18b. Heater 24 can be disposed longitudinally rearward of the pump outlets 56 of the pumps 18a, 18b.
[0052] Heater 24 is disposed longitudinally forward of mix manifold 26. Heater 24 is disposed longitudinally forward of user control 36. Heater 24 is disposed longitudinally forward of the connection between the supply hose 28 and mix manifold 26. In the example shown, the heater 24 is disposed longitudinally between the supplies (e.g., the reservoirs 20a, 20b and pumps 18a, 18b) of the constituent materials and the location at which the constituent materials are mixed. In the example shown, the heater 24 is longitudinally between the supplies of the constituent materials and the controls (e.g., user control 36, the electrical control components in control housing 38).
[0053] In the example shown, the heater 24 is oriented laterally. The heater 24 spans laterally over a longitudinal centerline L of the dispense rig 10. The heater 24 is oriented laterally in this example such that the heater 24 receives and outputs the constituent materials on faces of the heater 24 that are oriented laterally. It is understood, however, that in various other examples the heater 24 can be oriented longitudinally. In such an examples, heater 24 can be configured to receive and output the constituent materials on the faces of the heater 24 that are oriented longitudinally. For example, heater 24 can be rotated about 90-degrees about a vertical axis from the orientation shown.
[0054] Heater 24 is disposed longitudinally between the front wheel 14b and the rear wheels 14a. Heater 24 is disposed longitudinally between the front end 44 and the rear end 46 of the frame 12.
[0055] In the example shown, the heater 24 is disposed laterally inward of the outer lateral sides of the rear wheels 14a. The heater 24 connects to fluid lines at locations disposed laterally inward of the inner lateral sides of the rear wheels 14a. The heater 24 being disposed laterally inward of the rear wheels 14a protects the fluid connections with the heater 24.
[0056] Heater 24 is disposed vertically below the drives 16. The heater 24 can be disposed directly vertically below the drives 16. The heater 24 can overlap vertically with one or both of the drives 16a, 16b.
[0057] The heater 24 can be disposed vertically below one or both of the electric motors 40. The heater 24 can be disposed directly vertically below one or both of the electric motors 40. The heater 24 can overlap vertically with one or both of the electric motors 40.
[0058] Mix manifold 26 is disposed downstream of pumps 18a, 18b and upstream of supply hose 28. Mix manifold 26 is configured to receive multiple fluid inputs (e.g., of the first and the second component fluids). The mix manifold 26 receives these multiple fluid inputs from hoses extending downstream of the heater 24. The mix manifold 26 includes a chamber for mixing the first and second constituent materials. The mix manifold 26 can include an outlet through which the first and the second constituent fluids can flow, mixed, to the supply hose 28. One or more pressure transducers downstream of the pumps 18a, 18b and in fluid communication with the pumps 18a, 18b can detect a decrease in pressure corresponding with actuation of the trigger and opening of the valve of the dispenser 30 which can cause resumption of pumping by the pumps 18a, 18b via operation of the drives 16a, 16b, as monitored and commanded by the control circuitry. A rise in pressure as detected by the pressure transducer(s) of dispense rig 10 above a threshold can indicate closure of the valve of the dispenser 30 corresponding to release of the trigger, causing control circuitry to stop operation of the drives 16a, 16b to cease pumping, until another drop in pressure is sensed and the process can repeat.
[0059] FIG. 2 shows the drives 16a, 16b with their respective top covers 42 removed, respectively exposing an electric motor 40 of each drive 16a, 16b. A first one of the electric motors 40 can be part of the first drive 16a and the second one of the electric motors 40 can be part of the second drive 16b. The electric motors 40 can receive electrical energy from the control circuitry within the control housing 38, the modulation of which can start, drive, and stop the electric motors 40 to operate the pumps 18a, 18b.
[0060] Solvent drive 32 is shown mounted on the rearward side of the dispense rig 10. Solvent drive 32 can be identical to either of the previously mentioned drives 16a, 16b in that solvent drive 32 includes an electric motor and crank or other mechanism for converting rotational motion to reciprocating motion, to drive solvent pump 34. With the solvent drive 32 activated, the solvent pump 34 can be used to pump solvent for cleaning out any of the lines referenced herein, particularly through the mix manifold 26. In some examples, the solvent pump 34 can be used to pump solvent for flushing of mixed material, such as from mix manifold 26 and downstream through supply hose 28 and dispenser 30.
[0061] Dispense rig 10 can, in some examples, be plugged into an electrical socket or other electrical power source for powering the electrical components of the dispense rig 10, such as via the control circuitry within control housing 38.
[0062] During operation, the user can maneuver dispense rig 10 about a job site or between job sites by manipulating user control 36 and moving dispense rig 10. Dispense rig 10 can roll on rear wheels 14a and front wheel 14b to easily maneuver around or between job sites. Dispense rig 10 fully contains the constituent materials and the components for displacing, pressurizing, and outputting a plural component material.
[0063] Reservoirs 20a, 20b store supplies of the constituent materials. Drives 16a, 16b are connected to pumps 18a, 18b to individually control operation of the pumps 18a, 18b. The pumps 18a, 18b can be operated independently, such as to provide a desired ratio for mixing of the constituent materials (e.g. , at 1 : 1 ratio or ratios other than 1: 1).
[0064] In the example shown, the pump inlet 54 of each pump 18a, 18b is fluidly connected to an associated reservoir 20a, 20b by a T-junction 22. Each T-junction 22 is connected to a bottom outlet 48 of a reservoir 20a, 20b and to a pump inlet 54 of a pump 18a, 18b.
[0065] The pumps 18a, 18b draw the constituent materials from the reservoirs 20a, 20b and pump the constituent materials downstream to the mix manifold 26. Heater 24 is disposed fluidly between the pump outlets 56 of the pumps 18a, 18b and the mix manifold 26. The heater 24 receives the fluid output from each pump 18a, 18b. The constituent materials flow through the heater 24 before being mixed.
[0066] The multiple constituent materials are output from the heater 24 as individual, separated flows. The constituent materials do not cross over or mix within the heater 24. The constituent materials remain fluidly separated from each other within the heater. The constituent materials flow downstream from the heater 24 to the mix manifold 26.
[0067] In the example shown, the heater 24 is configured to receive and output the constituent materials on the lateral sides of the dispense rig 10. The block body 58 of the heater 24 is oriented such that the inflows of constituent material into block body 58 go through lateral ends of the block body 58. The block body 58 is oriented such that outflows of constituent material from the block body 58 go through the lateral ends of the block body 58. In some examples, the constituent materials flowing through heater 24 can enter the block body 58, pass over the longitudinal centerline L, turn, and then cross back over the longitudinal centerline L before exiting the block body 58.
[0068] Heater 24 can be disposed such that the material lines that connect with the heater 24 for each constituent material remain disposed on opposite lateral sides of heater 24. The material lines can be disposed on opposite lateral sides of the longitudinal centerline L at all locations upstream of heater 24 (e.g., between pumps 18a, 18b and heater 24). As such, the constituent materials can remain on opposite lateral sides of longitudinal centerline L upstream of heater 24. The material lines can be disposed on opposite lateral sides of longitudinal centerline L downstream of heater 24. The material lines can, in some examples, remain laterally separated at all locations downstream of heater 24 and upstream of mix manifold 26, such that the flows of constituent material do not cross over each other. In some examples, the flows of constituent materials can remain on opposite lateral sides of the longitudinal centerline L at all locations upstream of mix manifold 26, though in the example shown the mix manifold is laterally offset from the centerline L such that both flows are on one lateral side of the centerline L at locations upstream of mix manifold 26.
[0069] The constituent materials are received by the mix manifold 26 as individual, separated flows. The constituent materials mix within the mix manifold 26 and are output as the plural component mixture. The plural component material is output from the dispenser 30, which can be a spray gun, onto the target surface. The plural component mixture can cure on the surface.
[0070] Dispense rig 10 provides significant advantages. Heater 24 is configured to transfer thermal energy to the constituent materials at a location upstream of the mix manifold 26. Heating the constituent materials can reduce the viscosity of the constituent materials, making such materials flow and mix more easily. Such a configuration can improve the efficiency of dispense rig 10 and the quality of the resultant plural component material.
[0071] Heater 24 is supported by frame 12. The heater 24 is disposed on frame 12 and moves with frame 12. One or more, up to all of, heater 24, pumps 18, drives 16, reservoirs 20, and mix manifold 26 can all be supported by frame 12 during movement of dispense rig 10 and during spray operations. Such a configuration provides for a compact dispense rig 10 that can store, displace, heat, and mix the constituent materials to form the plural component material. The user can maneuver dispense rig 10 and perform spray operations with dispense rig 10 without requiring additional space or inventory for such components.
[0072] Dispense rig 10 includes user control 36 by which the user can control various operations of dispense rig 10. User control 36 is disposed at a rear end 46 of frame 12. In the example shown, the component materials are displaced in a longitudinally along dispense rig 10 from the reservoirs 20a, 20b to the mix manifold 26, and then downstream to the dispenser 30. The longitudinal flow is towards the user control 36 (longitudinally rearward in this example). Flowing the constituent materials towards the user control 36 provides for ease of operation as the user can operate dispense rig 10, including maneuvering and control for spraying,
[0073] The longitudinal flow of the constituent materials between reservoirs 20a, 20b and mix manifold 26 provides for a compact configuration of dispense rig 10. Such a configuration can reduce the lengths of the fluid lines that transport the constituent materials. Reducing the length of such fluid lines reduces the chance of snagging of such a line and reduces costs and material usage.
[0074] The supply hose 28 can connect to mix manifold 26 at the rear end 46. The mix manifold 26 being disposed at the rear end 46, proximate the user control 36, provides for ease of access and operation. The solvent pump 34 is further accessible from rear end 46. The user can control operation of pumps 18a, 18b and heater 24 from rear end 46, such as via an interface of user control 36. The user can attach, detach, and operate dispensing components (e.g., supply hose 28 and dispenser 30) from rear end 46. The user can control operation of solvent pump 34 from rear end 46. The user can control flow of constituent materials, such as by actuating valves among other options, from rear end 46. The user can maneuver dispense rig 10 from rear end 46, such as by grasping handles 50 and pushing or pulling dispense rig 10. The configuration of dispense rig 10 provides for ease of operation of dispense rig 10.
[0075] Heater 24 is disposed downstream of pumps 18a, 18b. In the example shown, the heater 24 is disposed longitudinally closer to the pumps 18a, 18b than to the mix manifold 26. The length of the fluid lines between pumps 18a, 18b and heater 24 can be shorter than the length of the fluid lines between heater 24 and mix manifold 26. Such a configuration can reduce the volume of material upstream of heater 24, which can be more viscous, between pumps 18a, 18b and mix manifold 26, thereby providing for easier and more efficient pumping by pumps 18a, 18b.
[0076] FIG. 3A is a first side elevational view of dispense rig 10. FIG. 3B is a second side elevational view of dispense rig 10 from an opposite side of dispense rig 10 from the view of FIG. 3A. FIGS. 3A and 3B are discussed together.
[0077] As shown, the heater 24 spans laterally between the left side to the right side of the dispense rig 10. The heater 24 can span fully between the lateral sides of the frame 12 in various examples. In the example shown, heater 24 is supported directly on a lower portion 60 of the frame 12.
[0078] Heater 24 is disposed rearward of the reservoirs 20a, 20b. Heater 24 is disposed rearward of the pumps 18a, 18b. In the example shown, heater 24 is disposed directly longitudinally rearward of the pumps 18a, 18b. In some examples, the heater 24 can overlap longitudinally with one or both of the pumps 18a, 18b. In some examples, the heater 24 heater 24 can longitudinally overlap with the pump inlet 54 of one or both of pumps 18a, 18b.
[0079] Heater 24 is disposed longitudinally forward of the mix manifold 26. The heater 24 is disposed forward of the control housing 38, including being forward of the control circuitry within the control housing 38.
[0080] Heater 24 is disposed forward of the two rear wheels 14a. The heater 24 is disposed rearward of the front wheel 14b. The heater 24 is longitudinally between the rear wheels 14a and the front wheel 14b. In the example shown, heater 24 is disposed directly longitudinally between the set of rear wheels 14a and the front wheel 14b.
[0081] Heater 24 is disposed vertically below the drives 16a, 16b, including being below the electric motors 40 of the drives 16a, 16b. In the example shown, the heater 24 is directly underneath drives 16a, 16b, including being directly underneath the electric motors 40 of the drives 16a, 16b. The positioning of the heater 24, which can be a heavy component being that the heater 24 can form a thermal reserve formed from block body 58, which can be of metal or other thermal reserve material (e.g., being partially liquid filled), balances the dispense rig 10. For example, the heater 24 is between the front wheel 14b and rear wheels 14a, such that the heavy component is balanced between the ground contacting front wheel 14b and rear wheels 14a. Furthermore, the heavy heater 24 being directly beneath the heavy electric motors 40 centrally concentrates the location of such heavy components, allowing the dispense rig 10 to easily pivot about the two rear wheels 14a during turning of the dispense rig 10.
[0082] Heater 24 is disposed vertically below the pump outlets 56 of the pumps 18a, 18b. In the example shown, the component material output by the pumps 18a, 18b flows vertically downward to reach the heater 24. Heater 24 is configured to increase the temperature of the constituent materials flowing through heater 24, which can correspondingly decrease the viscosity of such components. Heater 24 being disposed vertically lower than the pump outlet 56 provides for easier pumping by pump 18. The lower temperature constituent material upstream of heater 24 can flow with gravity to heater 24.
[0083] Heater 24 is disposed vertically below mix manifold 26. In the example shown, the component material output from heater 24 flows vertically upward to reach the mix manifold 26. Heater 24 being disposed vertically lower than the mix manifold 26 can provide for easier pumping by pumps 18a, 18b. The pumps 18a, 18b can pump the higher viscosity lower temperature material with gravity to heater 24 while the easier flowing, less viscous constituent material can more easily flow against gravity to mix manifold 26.
[0084] Heater 24 is disposed on lower portion 60 of frame 12. The heater 24 is disposed vertically below the electrical components of drive 16. Heater 24 is longitudinally offset from any electrical components within control housing 38. Offsetting the heater 24 from electrical components isolates any fluid connections with heater 24 from such components.
[0085] Heater 24 is positioned to provide a balanced dispense rig 10. As discussed above, heater 24 includes block body 58 that can be formed from a heavy piece of material, such as metal. The block body 58 is positioned to provide for ease of maneuvering of dispense rig 10 and for balancing of dispense rig 10.
[0086] Electric motors 40 are supported on upper portion 62 of frame 12. Heater 24 is supported on lower portion 60 of frame 12. Electric motors 40 are relatively heavy components. The drives 16a, 16b support the vertically extending pumps 18a, 18b that can also include heavy components. The heater 24 is disposed vertically below the drives 16a, 16b and lowers the center of gravity of dispense rig 10, providing for easier maneuvering and operation.
[0087] The heater 24 is disposed longitudinally between the rear wheels 14a and the front wheel 14b. The heater 24 is vertically aligned with the drives 16a, 16b. The drives 16a, 16b are also disposed longitudinally between the rear wheels 14a and the front wheel 14b. The positioning of the heater 24 relative to the rear wheels 14a and front wheels 14 provides for a balanced weight distribution and for ease of maneuvering. The additional positioning of drives 16a, 16b relative to rear wheels 14a and front wheel 14b further balances dispense rig 10.
[0088] Valve 37 is configured to direct flow of the constituent materials. The valve 37 can be actuated between a circulation state and a dispense state. With valve 37 in the circulation state, the component fluids can be flowed through the heater 24 and then back to the reservoirs 20a, 20b to increase a temperature of the component fluids. With valve 37 in the dispense state, the component materials are routed downstream to the mix manifold 26 and then through hose 28 to dispenser 30. Valve 37 can be a three-way valve, among other options.
[0089] FIG. 4 is an enlarged isometric view showing a portion of dispense rig 10. Control housing 38, heater 24, and portions of drives 16a, 16b are shown in FIG. 4. A cover of control housing 38 is removed to expose control circuitry 64.
[0090] Control circuitry 64 performs any of the electrical functions referenced herein, such as receiving any sensory input, including from a pressure transducer input from downstream of the pumps 18a, 18b, or any inputs or readouts of the user control 36, amongst other options. Such control circuitry 64 can manage delivery of electric power to the electric motors 40. Such control circuitry 64 can include integrated or other logic circuitry.
[0091] Heater 24 is disposed longitudinally forward of control circuitry 64. Heater 24 can overlap longitudinally with one or more of the components of the control circuitry 64. Heater 24 is disposed vertically below the drives 16a, 16b. The control circuitry 64, frame 12, drives 16a, 16b, and pumps 18a, 18b can wrap around the heater 24. Positioning the heater 24 vertically between portions of the frame 12 and the drives 16a, 16b and longitudinally between the control circuitry 64 and the pumps 18a, 18b can balance dispense rig 10 and provide for easier and more ergonomic handling.
[0092] FIG. 5 is an isometric view of heater 24. Heater 24 includes heater inlets 66 and heater outlets 68 formed in block body 58. Heater 24 is configured to receive an inflow through heater inlets 66 and provide an outflow through heater outlets 68. Internal flowpaths are formed within block body 58 that fluidly connect the heater inlets 66 to the heater outlets 68. In the example shown, heater 24 includes two heater inlets 66 receiving respective flows of the first component fluid and the second component fluid from the pumps 18a, 18b and heater 24 includes two heater outlets 68 which are in fluid communication with the two heater inlets 66. Hoses or other conduits connect the two heater outlets 68 with the mix manifold 26, which may include intermediary components which handle the fluid. In the example shown, fittings 70 are connected to block body 58 at heater inlets 66 and heater outlets 68.
[0093] In the example shown, a first heater inlet 66 is fluidly connected to a first heater outlet 68 via a first fluid pathway 75. The first fluid pathway 75 can include a bend that redirects the component material within the first fluid pathway, such as from flowing in a first direction between the faces 72a, 72b of the block body 58 to flowing in a second direction between the faces 72a, 72b. For example, the first fluid pathway 75 can extend away from the first heater inlet 66 and then bend to extend towards the first heater outlet 68. In the example shown, the first heater inlet 66 and the first heater outlet 68 are formed on the same face 72a. The first heater inlet 66, first fluid pathway 75, and first heater outlet 68 form a first heating pathway.
[0094] In the example shown, a second heater inlet 66 is fluidly connected to a second heater outlet 68 via a second fluid pathway 75. The second fluid pathway 75 can include a bend that redirects the component material within the second fluid pathway 75, such as from flowing in a first direction between the faces 72a, 72b of the block body 58 to flowing in a second direction between the faces 72a, 72b. For example, the second fluid pathway 75 can extend away from the second heater inlet 66 and then bend to extend towards the second heater outlet 68. In the example shown, the second heater inlet 66 and the second heater outlet 68 are formed on the same face 72b. The second heater inlet 66, second fluid pathway 75, and second heater outlet 68 form a second heating pathway. In the example shown, the heater 24 is configured to receive and output the same component fluid on a same side of the heater 24. The first heater inlet 66 and the first heater outlet 68, through which one component material passes, are disposed on a same face 72a of block body 58. The first component material enters the block body 58 through face 72a and exits from block body 58 through face 72a. Similarly, the second heater inlet 66 and the second heater outlet 68, through which the other component material passes, are disposed on a same face 72b of block body 58. The second component material enters the block body 58 through face 72b and exits from block body 58 through face 72b.
[0095] In the examples shown, heater 24 is disposed such that the fluid ports are oriented laterally with heater 24 mounted to frame 12. The heater inlets 66 and heater outlets 68 are oriented such that fluid lines for the individual components do not cross over each other to provide and receive the component materials to and from the heater 24. In such an example, the faces 72a, 72b can be considered to form lateral faces of the heater 24.
[0096] The first component material can be provided and output on one lateral side of the dispense rig 10 and the second component material can be provided and output on the other lateral side of the dispense rig 10. Such a configuration prevents crossing of fluid lines, making for easier assembly and operation. Such a configuration further reduces the overall lengths of the fluid lines, reducing materials and costs.
[0097] While heater 24 is shown as receiving and outputting a single component fluid through a common side (e.g., one of faces 72a, 72b), it is understood that not all examples are so limited. For example, heater 24 can be elongate longitudinally instead of laterally. In some such examples, heater 24 can receive both component fluids through one face 72a, 72b (e.g., the face 72a, 72b oriented longitudinally towards reservoirs 20a, 20b) and can output both component fluids through the other face 72a, 72b (e.g., the face 72a, 72b oriented longitudinally towards rear end 46). In some examples, dispense rig 10 can include a first heater for heating the first component fluid and a second heater for heating the second component fluid. The multiple heaters can be formed as separate components for heating the individual component fluids.
[0098] Heater 24 can include electrical inputs 74 which can be insulated conductors for supplying electrical energy to the one or more heating elements within the heater 24 and / or wires for temperature sensors in and / or on the heater 24 for sensing the temperature of the heater 24. In some examples, heating elements can extend within the fluid pathways 75. The heating elements can, in some examples, directly heat the fluid and transfer thermal energy to block body 58 through the fluid. The heating elements can, in some examples, extend into portions of block body 58 and be fluidly isolated from the constituent material, such that the heating elements directly heat the block body 58 and the block body 58 transfers the thermal energy to the constituent materials. A closed-loop algorithm can be operated within the control circuitry 64 so that the heater 24 can maintain a particular temperature as set at the user control 36, with more or less electric current being sent to the heater 24 to increase or moderate the temperature of the heater 24 to deliver more or less heat to the first and second component fluids traveling through the heater 24.
[0099] FIG. 6 is an isometric exploded view of T-junction 22 showing T-junction 22 exploded away from a bottom outlet 48 of a reservoir 20. T-junctions 22 are configured to fluidly connect the reservoirs 20a, 20b and the pumps 18a, 18b. T-junctions 22 receive the components materials from the reservoirs 20a, 20b and the pumps 18a, 18b receive the component materials from the T-junctions 22.
[0100] The respective bottom outlets 48 of the reservoirs 20a, 20b output to respective T- junctions 22. The respective pump inlets 54 of the pumps 18a, 18b receive the component material from the T-junctions 22. Two T-junctions 22 can connect to reservoirs 20a, 20b, respectively, and can include a top outlet 78 which connects with the pumps 18a, 18b, respectively.
[0101] The T-junction 22 includes junction body 76. Junction body 76 includes top outlet 78, end port 80, and reservoir port 82. Junction body 76 is configured to receive the component material through reservoir port 82. Reservoir port 82 can be considered to form a side inlet of the junction body 76. Junction body 76 is configured to provide the component material to pump 18a, 18b through top outlet 78. A flowpath within junction body 76 fluidly connects reservoir port 82 and top outlet 78. The flowpath can be curved between reservoir port 82 and top outlet 78. In some examples, the top outlet 78 and the reservoir port 82 can be disposed transverse to each other. The top outlet 78 and the reservoir port 82 can be disposed orthogonal to each other.
[0102] End port 80 is disposed on an opposite end of junction body 76 from reservoir port 82. End port 80 is configured to provide a cleanout port for T-junction 22. End port 80 is fluidly connected to the flowpath between reservoir port 82 and top outlet 78. End port 80 is fluidly connected to both reservoir port 82 and top outlet 78. In the example shown, the end port 80 is disposed on an opposite side of the top outlet 78 from the reservoir port 82. The end port 80 can, in various examples, be aligned with reservoir port 82.
[0103] In some examples, junction body axis JA extends through reservoir port 82 and end port 80. In some examples, end port 80 and reservoir port 82 can be disposed coaxially. Top outlet 78 can be oriented radially outward from the axis JA. The end port 80 can be disposed on an opposite axial side of top outlet 78 from the reservoir port 82.
[0104] Various examples include connector 84 that extends between and connects junction body 76 and the reservoir 20. The connector 84 can be configured to threadedly connect with the junction body 76 and the bottom outlet 48.
[0105] Plug 86 is connectable to junction body 76. Plug 86 includes plug shaft 88 and plug head 90. Plug 86 is configured to block end port 80 to prevent flow out of junction body 76 through end port 80. In the example shown, radial seal 92 is configured to form the fluid tight seal between plug 86 and junction body 76. Radial seal 92 can be configured as an o-ring seal, among other options. Plug 86 can mount to junction body 76 by a threaded interface, among other options. Plug 86 can, in various examples, be configured for toolless, hand mounting and dismounting. For example, a user can grasp plug head 90 and rotate plug 86 to form or break the mounting interface between plug 86 and junction body 76.
[0106] In the example shown, T-junction 22 is configured such that end port 80 is oriented horizontally. The junction body 76 can form a lowest vertical portion of the component fluid flowpath upstream of the pump 18. The junction body 76 can form a lowest vertical portion of the component fluid flowpath between reservoir 20 and pump 18. Top outlet 78 is oriented vertically and is disposed vertically below the pump 18. As such, any fluid leaking or draining from the pump 18 will drain into the junction body 76 through top outlet. The fluid moving downward through top outlet 78 will drain into the pathway between reservoir port 82 and end port 80.
[0107] T-junction 22 provides significant advantages. The cleanout plug 86 can be removed from junction body 76, such as by rotational motion disengaging threading, which opens up a curved passage within the T-junction 22 for cleaning. This can be advantageous when removing component fluids for storage of the dispense rig 10. Even if the reservoir 20 is empty, a small amount of component fluid can reside within the bottom of the junction body 76. Removal of the cleanout plug 86 makes it easier to access the curved passage and to remove any residual component fluid, which otherwise risks hardening, thereby obstructing and potentially blocking the curved passage if not removed. The plug 86 can enter into the junction body 76 to seal the end of the junction body 76 and / or the plug 86 can be in the form of a cap which fits around an outlet of the junction body 76 to seal.
[0108] Further, junction body 76 is disposed vertically lower than electrical components of dispense rig 10. The T-junction 22 can be used during cleanout to remove any remaining constituent material from the pathway between reservoir 20 and pump 18. Spacing T- junction 22 vertically below and away from electrical components of dispense rig 10 prevents fluids from leaking or dripping on the electrical components, thereby protecting such components. 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 mobile spray rig for mixing a first component fluid and a second component fluid to form a mixture then spraying the mixture, the rig comprising: a plurality of wheels; a frame that rides on the plurality of wheels; a first component fluid reservoir supported on the frame; a second component fluid reservoir supported on the frame; a first pump supported on the frame which receives a first component fluid from the first component fluid reservoir and outputs the first component fluid; a second pump supported on the frame which receives a second component fluid from the second component fluid reservoir and outputs the second component fluid; a first electric motor supported on the frame that operates the first pump; a second electric motor supported on the frame that operates the second pump; control circuitry which sends commands to the first electric motor and the second electric motor; a mix manifold supported on the frame; a hose that receives the mixture of the first component fluid and the second component fluid from the mix manifold; and a spray gun that sprays the mixture.
2. The rig of claim 1, further comprising a heater supported on the frame, the heater located fluidly downstream of the first pump and the second pump and upstream of the mix manifold.
3. The rig of claim 2, wherein the heater includes a first channel and a second channel through which the first component fluid and the second component fluid respectively flow into and out of the heater without mixing.
4. The rig of claim 3, wherein the first channel is configured to receive the first component fluid and output the first component fluid on a same side of the heater.
5. The rig of claim 3, wherein a first inlet of the first channel and a first outlet of the first channel are disposed on a first lateral face of the heater.
6. The rig of any one of claims 3-5, wherein the first channel is extends laterally relative to the frame.
7. The rig of any one of claims 3-6, wherein at least one first heating element is disposed in the first channel.
8. The rig of claim 7, wherein the at least one heating element includes a plurality of heating elements.
9. The rig of any of any one of claims 2-8, wherein the heater includes a block that serves as a thermal reserve that transfers heat to the first component fluid and the second component fluid.
10. The rig of any one of claims 2-9, wherein the heater extends laterally from a left side of the frame to a right side of the frame.
11. The rig of any one of claims 2-10, wherein the heater is located longitudinally rearward of the first component fluid reservoir and the second component fluid reservoir.
12. The rig of any one of claims 2-11, wherein the heater is located longitudinally rearward of the first pump and the second pump.
13. The rig of any one of claims 2-12, wherein the heater is located longitudinally forward of the mix manifold.
14. The rig of any one of claims 2-13, wherein the heater is located longitudinally forward of the control circuitry.
15. The rig of any one of claims 2-14, wherein the heater is located below the first electric motor and the second electric motor.
16. The rig of any one of claims 2-15, wherein the heater is located directly underneath the first electric motor and the second electric motor.
17. The rig of any one of claims 2-16, wherein the plurality of wheels includes a first rearward wheel, a second rearward wheel, and at least one forward wheel, wherein the heater is located longitudinally forward of the first rearward wheel and the second rearward wheel, and the heater is located longitudinally rearward of the at least one forward wheel.
18. The rig of any one of claims 2-17, wherein the first component fluid and the second component fluid do not cross over a longitudinal centerline of the frame upstream of the heater and fluidly between the heater and the mixer.
19. The rig of any one of claims 2-17, wherein the first component fluid and the second component fluid do not cross over a longitudinal centerline of the frame downstream of the first fluid reservoir and the second fluid reservoir and upstream of the heater.
20. The rig of claim 19, wherein the first component fluid and the second component fluid do not cross over the longitudinal centerline downstream of the heater and upstream of the mix manifold.
21. The rig of any one of claims 2-20, wherein the heater comprises one or more electrical heating elements which are electrically powered to generate heat that is transferred to the first component fluid and the second component fluid.
22. The rig of any one of claims 2-21, wherein the control circuitry is disposed in a control box supported by the frame.
23. The rig of claim 22, wherein the heater is disposed vertically below the first electric motor and the second electric motor, and wherein the control box is disposed vertically below the first electric motor and the second electric motor.
24. The rig of any one of claims 22 and 23, wherein the heater overlaps longitudinally with the control box.
25. The rig of any one of claims 1-17, wherein the first component fluid and the second component fluid do not cross over a longitudinal centerline of the frame upstream of the mixer.
26. The rig of any preceding claim, further comprising: a first T-junction located fluidly between a first bottom outlet of the first component fluid reservoir and a first inlet of the first pump, the first T-junction comprising a first junction body having a first port with a first plug that when the first plug is removed provides access to a first curved fluid path within the first T-junction that goes from the first bottom outlet to the first inlet; and a second T-junction located fluidly between a second bottom outlet of the second component fluid reservoir and a second inlet of the second pump, the second T-junction comprising a second junction body having a second port with a second plug that when the second plug is removed provides access to a second curved fluid path within the first T-junction that goes from the second bottom outlet to the second inlet.
27. The rig of claim 26, wherein the first T-junction includes a first reservoir port configured to interface with the first bottom outlet and includes a first pump port configured to interface with the first inlet.
28. The rig of claim 27, wherein the first reservoir port is aligned with the first port.
29. The rig of any one of claims 27 and 28, wherein the first pump port is oriented transverse to the first reservoir port and the first port.
30. The rig of any one of claims 27-29, wherein a first junction channel extends straight between the first reservoir port and the first port.
31. The rig of any one of claims 27-30, wherein the first reservoir port and the first port are disposed on opposite sides of the first pump port.
32. The rig of any one of claims 26-31, wherein the first T-junction is disposed vertically below the first pump.
33. The rig of any one of claims 26-32, wherein the first plug is threadedly connected to the first junction body.
34. The rig of any one of claims 26-33, wherein a radial seal is disposed around the first plug and between the first plug and the first port.
35. The rig of any preceding claim, further comprising a user control comprising a steering control and one or more inputs that operate the first and the second electric motors.
36. A mobile spray rig for mixing a first component fluid and a second component fluid to form a mixture then dispensing the mixture, the rig comprising: a plurality of wheels; a frame that rides on the plurality of wheels; a first component fluid reservoir supported on the frame; a second component fluid reservoir supported on the frame; a first pump supported on the frame which receives a first component fluid from the first component fluid reservoir and outputs the first component fluid; a second pump supported on the frame which receives a second component fluid from the second component fluid reservoir and outputs the second component fluid; a first electric motor supported on the frame, the first electric motor configured to operate the first pump; a second electric motor supported on the frame, the second electric motor configured to operate the second pump;control circuitry which sends commands to the first electric motor and the second electric motor; a mix manifold supported on the frame; a hose that receives the mixture of the first component fluid and the second component fluid from the mix manifold; and a heater supported by the frame, the heater disposed longitudinally between the first and second component fluid reservoirs and the mix manifold, wherein the first component fluid and the second component fluid flow through the heater downstream of the first pump and the second pump.
37. The rig of claim 36, wherein the heater comprises: a block body, the block body being thermally conductive; a first heater inlet formed in the block body and fluidly connected to the first pump; a first heater outlet formed in the block body and fluidly connected to the first heater inlet, the heater configured to output the first component material through the first heater outlet; a second heater inlet formed in the block body and fluidly connected to the second pump; a second heater outlet formed in the block body and fluidly connected to the second heater inlet, the heater configured to output the second component material through the second heater outlet.
38. The rig of claim 37, wherein a first pathway in the block body between the first heater inlet and the first heater outlet is fluidly separated from a second pathway in the block body between the second heater inlet and the second heater outlet.
39. The rig of claim 38, wherein the first pathway is curved between the first heater inlet and the first heater outlet.
40. The rig of any one of claims 37-39, wherein the first heater inlet and the first heater outlet are formed in a first face of the block body.
41. The rig of claim 40, wherein the second heater inlet and the second heater outlet are formed in a second face of the block body.
42. The rig of any one of claims 40 and 41, wherein the first face is oriented laterally relative to the frame.
43. The rig of claim 41, wherein the first face is oriented in a first lateral direction relative to the frame and the second face is oriented in a second lateral direction relative to the frame, the second lateral direction opposite the first lateral direction.
44. The rig of any one of claims 41-43, wherein the heater comprises one or more electrical heating elements which are electrically powered to generate heat that is transferred to the first component fluid and the second component fluid, and wherein the one or more electrical heating elements extend into the block body through at least one of the first face and the second face.
45. The rig of any one of claims 36-44, wherein the heater is disposed vertically below the first electric motor and the second electric motor.
46. The rig of claim 45, wherein the heater is disposed directly vertically below the first electric motor and the second electric motor.
47. The rig of any one of claims 36-46, wherein the heater is disposed longitudinally forward of a rear wheel of the plurality of wheels and the heater is disposed longitudinally rearward of a front wheel of the plurality of wheels.
48. The rig of claim 47, wherein the heater is disposed laterally between a first rear wheel of the plurality of wheels and a second rear wheel of the plurality of wheels.
49. A mobile spray rig for mixing a first component fluid and a second component fluid to form a mixture then dispensing the mixture, the rig comprising: a plurality of wheels; a frame that rides on the plurality of wheels; a first component fluid reservoir supported on the frame;a second component fluid reservoir supported on the frame; a first pump supported on the frame which receives a first component fluid from the first component fluid reservoir and outputs the first component fluid; a second pump supported on the frame which receives a second component fluid from the second component fluid reservoir and outputs the second component fluid; a first electric motor supported on the frame, the first electric motor configured to operate the first pump; a second electric motor supported on the frame, the second electric motor configured to operate the second pump; control circuitry which sends commands to the first electric motor and the second electric motor; a mix manifold supported on the frame; a hose that receives the mixture of the first component fluid and the second component fluid from the mix manifold; and a heater supported by the frame, the heater disposed longitudinally rearward of the first and second component fluid reservoirs, the heater disposed longitudinally forward of the mix manifold, the heater disposed vertically below the first electric motor and the second electric motor; wherein the first component fluid and the second component fluid flow through the heater downstream of the first pump and the second pump.
50. A mobile spray rig for mixing a first component fluid and a second component fluid to form a mixture then spraying the mixture, the rig comprising: a plurality of wheels; a frame that rides on the plurality of wheels; a first component fluid reservoir supported on the frame; a second component fluid reservoir supported on the frame; a first pump supported on the frame which receives a first component fluid from the first component fluid reservoir and outputs the first component fluid;a second pump supported on the frame which receives a second component fluid from the second component fluid reservoir and outputs the second component fluid; a first electric motor supported on the frame that operates the first pump; a second electric motor supported on the frame that operates the second pump; a mix manifold supported on the frame; a first T-junction fluidly connecting the first component fluid reservoir and the first pump; and a second T-junction fluidly connecting the second component fluid reservoir and the second pump.
51. The rig of claim 50, wherein the first T-junction comprises: a junction body configured to receive the first component fluid from a bottom outlet of the first component fluid reservoir and configured to output the first component fluid to a pump inlet of the first pump, the junction body including: a reservoir port configured to interface with the bottom outlet; a pump port configured to interface with the pump inlet; and an end port; and a plug removably connected to the junction body, the plug configured to block the end port with the plug connected to the junction body, and wherein removal of the plug provides access to a first curved pathway within the junction body that extends between the reservoir port and the pump port.
52. The rig of claim 51, wherein the reservoir port is aligned with the end port.
53. The rig of any one of claims 51 and 52, wherein the pump port is oriented transverse to the reservoir port and the end port.
54. The rig of any one of claims 51-53, wherein a junction channel extends straight between the reservoir port and the end port.
55. The rig of any one of claims 51-55, wherein the reservoir port and the end port are disposed on opposite sides of the pump port.
56. The rig of any one of claims 51-55, wherein the pump port is oriented vertically.
57. The rig of any one of claims 51-56, wherein the plug is threadedly connected to the junction body.
58. The rig of any one of claims 51-57, wherein a radial seal is disposed around the first plug and between the first plug and the first port59. The rig of any one of claims 50-58, wherein the first T-junction is disposed vertically below the first pump.
60. The rig of any one of claims 50-59, further comprising: a heater supported by the frame, the heater disposed fluidly between the first pump and the mix manifold and fluidly between the second pump and the mix manifold.
61. The rig of claim 60, wherein the first T-junction is disposed longitudinally between the first reservoir and the heater.
Citation Information
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