Integrated valving rod lubrication cartridge
AssigneeGraco Minnesota Inc.
InventorsJohn S. Lihwa, Michael S. Cryer, Heath I. McCartney, Charles E. Moser, Michael J. Sebion
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A dispensing gun having a mix head for combining at least two fluid components, with a purge rod slidably positioned within the mix head. The purge rod has a forward position for preventing flow from the component inlets, and a rearward position allowing flow from the component inlets with an actuator for moving the purge rod. The dispensing gun further a lubrication chamber that provides lubricant to the purge rod with the lubricant originating from a lubricant cartridge.
Claims20
A dispensing gun comprising:
- a mix head for combining at least two fluid components, the mix head having at least two fluid component inlets and a mixing chamber between the at least two fluid component inlets;
- a purge rod slidably positioned within the mix head, the purge rod having at least two positions, a forward position for preventing flow from the at least two fluid component inlets, and a rearward position allowing flow from the at least two fluid component inlets into the mixing chamber;
- an actuator connected to the purge rod for moving the purge rod between the forward position and the rearward position;
- a lubrication chamber rearward of the mixing chamber, within which the purge rod is slidably positioned, the lubrication chamber providing lubricant to the purge rod;
- and
- a lubricant cartridge containing lubricant, the lubricant cartridge being in fluid communication with the lubrication chamber.
A dispensing gun comprising:
- a housing;
- a lubricant cartridge containing lubricant, the lubricant cartridge being insertable into the housing;
- a mixing mechanism attached to the housing for mixing at least two fluid components;
- a purge rod slidably positioned in the mixing mechanism;
- and
- a lubricant pathway connecting the mixing mechanism with the lubricant cartridge, for delivering lubricant to the purge rod.
A method of operating a dispensing gun comprising:
- pressurizing a first fluid component;
- pressurizing a second fluid component;
- pressurizing a lubricant cartridge that is attached to the dispensing gun;
- moving a purge rod rearward to allow the flow of the first and second fluid components;
- mixing the first and second fluid components in a mixing chamber;
- lubricating the purge rod with the pressurized lubricant continually during operation of the dispensing gun;
- and
- preventing substantially lubricant from reaching the mixing chamber.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.