US3818930A — Control system for an adhesive gun

Claim 1

Independent Claim 148 words

A control system for a device of the type adapted to translate a solid feedstock to a molten feedstock through use of a fluid motor driven ram that forces said solid feedstock through a barrel into contact with a heater block that is heated with resistance heater elements, said control system comprising a pressure regulator valve operatively connected to the fluid distribution system interiorly of the device''s housing, said pressure regulator valve serving to regulate the pressurized inlet fluid to said pneumatic motor to a predetermined level, and a pressure switch operatively connected to the device''s interior fluid distribution system, said pressure switch serving to close an electric circuit to energize said resistance heater elements if said circuit is otherwise closed with respect to an electric power source, thereby allowing said circuit to close only when pressurized inlet fluid is present within the device''s interior fluid distribution system.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 148 words

A control system for a device of the type adapted to translate a solid feedstock to a molten feedstock through use of a fluid motor driven ram that forces said solid feedstock through a barrel into contact with a heater block that is heated with resistance heater elements, said control system comprising a pressure regulator valve operatively connected to the fluid distribution system interiorly of the device''s housing, said pressure regulator valve serving to regulate the pressurized inlet fluid to said pneumatic motor to a predetermined level, and a pressure switch operatively connected to the device''s interior fluid distribution system, said pressure switch serving to close an electric circuit to energize said resistance heater elements if said circuit is otherwise closed with respect to an electric power source, thereby allowing said circuit to close only when pressurized inlet fluid is present within the device''s interior fluid distribution system.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 200 words

A control system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said pressure regulator valve includes a valve body having an inlet port and an outlet port, said ports being connected through a hollow interior defined by said body, said body being seated in a pocket provided in the device''s frame, a poppet slidably received within said hollow interior, said poppet having surface means exposed to the fluid distribution system interiorly of the device''s housing, and said poppet being movable between a closed position where said inlet port is sealed off from said outlet port and an open position where fluid flow through said body may occur, and spring means cooperating with said poppet, said spring means continuously biasing said poppet toward the open position, thereby causing said valve to be full open in response to said spring means when no fluid flow occurs therethrough and allowing said poppet to be biased toward the full closed attitude in response to fluid pressure in the device''s interior fluid distribution system acting on said poppet''s surface means, said inlet port being sealed off from said outlet port when the fluid pressure in the device''s interior fluid distribution system exceeds the predetermined pressure level.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 41 words

A control system as set forth in claim 2 including adjustment means connected with said spring means, said adjustment means allowing said spring means to be adjusted as desired to change the setting of the predetermined pressure level of the valve.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 31 words

A control system as set forth in claim 2 wherein said spring means is a compression spring, and wherein said adjustment means is accessible from the exterior of said device''s housing.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 59 words

A control system as set forth in claim 2 wherein said poppet includes a neck section and a body section, said neck section being slidably received within said hollow interior, said body section cooperating with said outlet port to close said valve if the fluid pressure level in the device''s interior fluid distribution system exceeds the predetermined pressure level.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 46 words

A control system as set forth in claim 4 including an O-ring seated on said poppet''s neck section, said O-ring serving to separate said hollow interior into sub-chambers, one of said sub-chambers including said outlet port and the other of said sub-chambers being ported to atmosphere.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 64 words

A control system as set forth in claim 6 including a seat for said O-ring integral with said poppet''s neck section, said seat being of a width substantially greater than the diameter of said O-ring, thereby allowing said O-ring to roll within said seat during limited oscillatory motion of said poppet in response to fluid pressure variations in the device''s interior fluid distribution system.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 26 words

A control system as set forth in claim 6 wherein said spring means is a compression spring that is located in that sub-chamber ported to atmosphere.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 97 words

A control system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said pressure switch includes a housing that defines a fluid chamber which is part of the device''s interior fluid distribution system, said housing being provided with a port therethrough, a switch located exteriorly of said chamber and in general proximity to said port said switch being fixed to the device''s housing, and a poppet located within said chamber and extending through said port, said poppet being urged into contact with said switch to either open or close said switch in response to fluid pressure within said chamber.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 23 words

A control system as set forth in claim 9 wherein said switch is of the snap action type, said switch being normally Open.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 29 words

A control system as set forth in claim 9 including spring means associated with said poppet, said spring means biasing said poppet against the fluid pressure within said chamber.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 52 words

A control system as set forth in claim 9 wherein said poppet is of a generally T-shaped configuration, the poppet''s stem extending through said port and the poppet''s head being restrained within said chamber''s housing when pressurized fluid is present in said housing, and the poppet''s stem serving to contact said switch.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 45 words

A control system as set forth in claim 12 including an O-ring seated on the poppet''s stem adjacent the underside of the poppet''s head, said O-ring serving to seal said chamber to atmosphere through said port when substantial fluid pressure is present in said chamber.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 41 words

A control system as set forth in claim 13 including a seat defined in the interior of said chamber housing, said seat and port structure cooperating to guide said poppet in axial movement in response to fluid pressure within said housing.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 43 words

A control system as set forth in claim 10 wherein said switch is adjustably mounted relative to said chamber''s port, said mounting allowing said switch to be moved relative to said port to compensate for the specific snap action characteristics of said switch.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 115 words

A control system for a device of the type adapted to translate a solid feedstock to a molten feedstock through use of a fluid motor driven ram that forces said solid feedstock through a barrel into contact with a heater block, and said device having housing structure that encloses its main functional components, said system comprising an inlet fluid line connected with said device, said inlet fluid line providing pressurized inlet fluid for said fluid motor, and a pressure regulator valve connected to the device''s fluid distribution system for regulating the fluid pressure in that fluid distribution system to a predetermined pressure level, said pressure regulator valve being located interiorly of the device''s housing structure.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 115 words

A control system for a device of the type adapted to translate a solid feedstock to a molten feedstock through use of a fluid motor driven ram that forces said solid feedstock through a barrel into contact with a heater block, and said device having housing structure that encloses its main functional components, said system comprising an inlet fluid line connected with said device, said inlet fluid line providing pressurized inlet fluid for said fluid motor, and a pressure regulator valve connected to the device''s fluid distribution system for regulating the fluid pressure in that fluid distribution system to a predetermined pressure level, said pressure regulator valve being located interiorly of the device''s housing structure.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 28 words

A control system as set forth in claim 16 including means for adjusting said pressure regulator valve, said means being accessible from exteriorly of the device''s housing structure.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 199 words

A control system as set forth in claim 16 wherein said pressure regulator valve includes a valve body having an inlet port, said ports being connected through a hollow interior defined by said body, said body being seated in a pocket provided in the device''s frame, a poppet slidably received within said hollow interior, said poppet having surface means exposed to the fluid distribution system interiorly of the device''s housing structure, and said poppet being movable between a closed position where said inlet port is sealed off from said outlet port and an open position where fluid flow through said body may occur, and spring means cooperating with said poppet, said spring means continuously biasing said poppet toward the open position, thereby causing said valve to be full open in response to said spring means when no fluid flow occurs therethrough and allowing said poppet to be biased toward the closed attitude in response to fluid pressure in the device''s interior fluid distribution system acting on said poppet''s surface means, said inlet port being at least partially sealed off from said outlet port when the fluid pressure in the device''s interior fluid distribution system exceeds the predetermined pressure level.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 42 words

A control system valve as set forth in claim 18 including adjustment means connected with said spring means, said adjustment means allowing said spring means to be adjusted as desired to change the setting of the predetermined pressure level of the valve.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 17 words

A control system as set forth in claim 18 wherein said spring means is a compression spring.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 60 words

A control system as set forth in claim 18 wherein said poppet includes a neck section and a bodY section, said neck section being slidably received within said hollow interior, said body section cooperating with said outlet port to partially close said valve if the fluid pressure level in the device''s interior fluid distribution system exceeds the predetermined pressure level.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 46 words

A control system as set forth in claim 20 including an O-ring seated on said poppet''s neck section, said O-ring serving to separate said hollow interior into sub-chambers, one of said sub-chambers including said outlet port and the other of said sub-chambers being ported to atmosphere.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 64 words

A control system as set forth in claim 22 including a seat for said O-ring integral with said poppet''s neck section, said seat being of a width substantially greater than the diameter of said O-ring, thereby allowing said O-ring to roll within said seat during limited oscillatory motion of said poppet in response to fluid pressure variations in the device''s interior fluid distribution system.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 26 words

A control system as set forth in claim 22 wherein said spring means is a compression spring that is located in that sub-chamber ported to atmosphere.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 186 words

A control system for a device of the type adapted to translate a solid feedstock to a molten feedstock through use of a motor driven ram that forces said solid feedstock through a barrel into contact with a heater block, and said device having housing structure that encloses its main functional components, said system comprising an electric circuit that includes resistance heater elements, said elements being adapted to provide heat to the heater block, at least one of a fluid motor and a cooling chamber that is supplied with pressurized inlet fluid through the device''s fluid distribution system, a switch fixed to said device adjacent a port provided in a chamber which defines a portion of said fluid distribution system located interiorly of the device''s housing structure, a poppet located within said chamber and extending through said port into operating proximity with said switch, said poppet being urged into contact with said switch to close said switch in response to fluid pressure within said chamber, thereby closing said circuit to energize said resistance heater elements only if pressurized fluid is supplied to said fluid distribution system.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 186 words

A control system for a device of the type adapted to translate a solid feedstock to a molten feedstock through use of a motor driven ram that forces said solid feedstock through a barrel into contact with a heater block, and said device having housing structure that encloses its main functional components, said system comprising an electric circuit that includes resistance heater elements, said elements being adapted to provide heat to the heater block, at least one of a fluid motor and a cooling chamber that is supplied with pressurized inlet fluid through the device''s fluid distribution system, a switch fixed to said device adjacent a port provided in a chamber which defines a portion of said fluid distribution system located interiorly of the device''s housing structure, a poppet located within said chamber and extending through said port into operating proximity with said switch, said poppet being urged into contact with said switch to close said switch in response to fluid pressure within said chamber, thereby closing said circuit to energize said resistance heater elements only if pressurized fluid is supplied to said fluid distribution system.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 34 words

A control system as set forth in claim 25 including a thermostat in said electric circuit, said thermostat serving to open said circuit if the temperature of said heater block exceeds a predetermined level.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 93 words

A control system as set forth in claim 25 wherein said pressure switch includes a fluid chamber which is part of the device''s interior fluid distribution system, said chamber being provided with a port therethrough, a switch located exteriorly of said chamber and in general proximity to said port, said switch being fixed to the device''s housing, and a poppet located within said chamber and extending through said port, said poppet being urged into contact with said switch to either open or close said switch in response to fluid pressure within said chamber.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 23 words

A control system as set forth in claim 27 wherein said switch is of the snap action type, said switch being normally open.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 29 words

A control system as set forth in claim 27 including spring means associated with said poppet, said spring means biasing said poppet against the fluid pressure within said chamber.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 52 words

A control system as set forth in claim 27 wherein said poppet is of a generally T-shaped configuration, the poppet''s stem extending through said port and the poppet''s head being restrained within said chamber''s housing when pressurized fluid is present in said housing, and the poppet''s stem serving to contact said switch.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 45 words

A pressure switch as set forth in claim 30 including an O-ring seated on the poppet''s stem adjacent the underside of the poppet''s head, said O-ring serving to seal said chamber to atmosPhere through said port when substantial fluid pressure is present in said chamber.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 41 words

A control system as set forth in claim 31 including a seat defined in the interior of said chamber housing, said seat and port structure cooperating to guide said poppet in axial movement in response to fluid pressure within said housing.

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 43 words

A control system as set forth in claim 28 wherein said switch is adjustably mounted relative to said chamber''s port, said mounting allowing said switch to be moved relative to said port to compensate for the specific snap action characteristics of said switch.

Claim 37

Dependent Claim 120 words

An electro-pneumatic control system for a device of the type adapted to translate a solid feedstock to a molten feedstock through use of a pneumatic motor driven ram that forces said solid feedstock through a barrel into contact with a heater block that is heated with resistance heater elements, said device including a pneumatic circuit and an electrical circuit located interiorly of the device''s housing structure, said system comprising a pressure regulator valve adapted to limit the pressure within the pneumatic system to a predetermined level regardless of the pneumatic inlet pressure, a pressure switch located in said electric circuit and interconnected with said pneumatic circuit, said pressure switch being activated in response to pneumatic pressure within said pneumatic circuit.

Claim 38

Dependent Claim 120 words

An electro-pneumatic control system for a device of the type adapted to translate a solid feedstock to a molten feedstock through use of a pneumatic motor driven ram that forces said solid feedstock through a barrel into contact with a heater block that is heated with resistance heater elements, said device including a pneumatic circuit and an electrical circuit located interiorly of the device''s housing structure, said system comprising a pressure regulator valve adapted to limit the pressure within the pneumatic system to a predetermined level regardless of the pneumatic inlet pressure, a pressure switch located in said electric circuit and interconnected with said pneumatic circuit, said pressure switch being activated in response to pneumatic pressure within said pneumatic circuit.

Claim 39

Dependent Claim 42 words

A control system as set forth in claim 34 including restrictor means in said pneumatic circuit downstream of said pressure regulator valve, said restrictor means being adapted to regulate the flow of coolant gases for the device''s barrel from said pneumatic circuit.

Claim 40

Dependent Claim 35 words

A control system as set forth in claim 35 including a thermostat in said electric circuit and interconnected with the device''s heater block, said thermostat providing a failsafe feature that prevents overheating of the device.

Claim 41

Dependent Claim 24 words

A control system as set forth in claim 36 wherein said thermostat and heater block are isolated from said cooling gases by baffle means.

Claim 42

Dependent Claim 23 words

A control system as set forth in claim 34 including a filter positioned in said pneumatic circuit upstream of said pressure regulator valve.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1977-06-24	1977-12-24	1978-06-25	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1981-06-24	1981-12-24	1982-06-25	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	1985-06-24	1985-12-24	1986-06-25	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Control system for an adhesive gun

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