Smart Hose PLC Communication for Spray Foam Fluid Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid delivery systems, such as Spray Polyurethane Foam (SPF) systems, face challenges in real-time communication and control due to the distance between the proportioning system and the spray foam gun, leading to inefficiencies and poor foam quality.
Innovation Solution
The integration of a smart hose with a fluid conduit and an electrically conductive element that enables Power Line Communication (PLC) between a master hub and slave hubs, allowing for real-time data transmission and control of fluid delivery systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If Power Line Communication is implemented through the smart hose, then real-time communication and control are enabled, but the device complexity increases due to integration of conductive elements and communication hubs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into the smart hose: fluid delivery through the hollow conduit, electrical power transmission through the conductive layer, and data communication via Power Line Communication. This merging eliminates the need for separate cables for power and data, resolving the contradiction by integrating communication capabilities into the existing fluid delivery infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The smart hose is designed as a multi-functional component that simultaneously performs fluid transport, electrical power delivery, and bidirectional data communication. The conductive layer serves multiple purposes: grounding, power transmission, and communication signal carrier, thereby reducing overall system complexity despite adding intelligence to the hose.
2Ease of operation
If the proportioner system is located at a distance from the spray foam gun, then the work area has more space, but communication and control efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The bidirectional Power Line Communication enables real-time feedback between the spray foam gun and the proportioner system. Sensors at the gun can immediately report fluid parameters, and the proportioner can instantly adjust delivery settings, eliminating communication delays despite the physical distance between components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical or wired communication systems with Power Line Communication, which uses the existing electrical conductors in the smart hose for data transmission. This substitution enables instantaneous digital communication over the fluid delivery path without requiring additional physical connections or increasing work area complexity.
3Loss of information
If additional cables are added for communication, then data transmission is enabled, but the ease of operation decreases due to more components to manage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges communication functionality into the existing smart hose structure by utilizing the conductive layer already present for electrical grounding and power delivery. This eliminates the need for separate communication cables, reducing the number of components to install and manage while enabling full bidirectional data transmission between the proportioner system and spray foam gun.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution enables real-time communication and control of fluid delivery systems, improving the efficiency and quality of the spray foam process by eliminating the need for additional cables and providing critical information to the spray foam applicator.
Implementation Method 1
The smart hose includes a first electrically conductive element configured to deliver electricity through a length of the smart hose
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid delivery system includes a conduit. The conduit is configured to deliver a fluid. The conduit further includes a first electrically conductive element configured to deliver electricity through a length of the conduit. The fluid delivery system further includes master hub disposed on a fluid delivery device. The fluid delivery system also includes at least one slave hub disposed on the conduit and communicatively coupled to the master hub.