Graco Minnesota Inc.

Bradley G Kahler

Anthony J Kuschel

Benjamin J Paar

James R Ebben

Michael E Bloom

Shane A Norman

Joshua R Holmstadt

Mark L Bauck

Chad G Igo

Glenn E Highland

Daniel M Jensen

Gregory D Sieckert

David J Lorden

Dustin Tichy

Suresha Saragur Nijaguna

Andrew P Lowy

Dustin A Tichy

Spacer

Lubricant manifold

A fluid dispenser system is disclosed herein that is configured to switch between an open position in which fluid flows through a fluid channel and a closed position in which fluid is prevented from flowing through the fluid channel. The fluid dispenser system includes a valve disposed along the fluid channel and configured to move between the open valve position and the closed valve position, a trigger actuatable between an open trigger position and a closed trigger position which move the valve between the open valve position and the closed valve position, a trigger latch configured to move between a latched position in which the trigger latch fixes the trigger in the open trigger position and an unlatched position in which the trigger latch does not constrain movement of the trigger, and a solenoid with a solenoid pin. The solenoid is configured to translate the solenoid pin between an extended position capable of retaining the trigger latch in the latched position and a retracted position that allows the trigger latch to move into the unlatched position.

Fluid dispenser system

A fluid management system includes a fluid management controller and a fluid dispenser. The controller authorizes control of the one or more fluid management components over a wireless interface. A dispensing meter can be activated by an authentication device. The fluid meter includes a cartridge valve with a valve cartridge and a valve stem. The cartridge valve guides the valve stem and provides the only sealing surface for the dynamic seals and control seal disposed on the valve stem. The handheld meter dispenses through a nozzle, which includes an overmolded stem tip that generates a laminar fluid flow as the fluid exits the nozzle. The handheld fluid meter includes circuitry configured to invert the orientation of a visual output provided by a display of the handheld fluid meter to facilitate installation of the handheld fluid meter for use in an oil bar application.

Fluid management system and fluid dispenser

A handheld fluid meter includes a cartridge valve controlling the flow of fluid through the handheld meter. The cartridge valve includes a valve cartridge and a valve stem disposed within the valve cartridge. The cartridge valve guides the valve stem and provides the only sealing surface for the dynamic seals and control seal disposed on the valve stem. The handheld meter dispenses through a nozzle, which includes an overmolded stem tip that generates a laminar fluid flow as the fluid exits the nozzle. The overmolded stem tip is a compliant material. The handheld fluid meter includes circuitry configured to invert the orientation of a visual output provided by a display of the handheld fluid meter to facilitate installation of the handheld fluid meter for use in an oil bar application.

Dispensing meter for fluid dispensing

A fluid management system includes an authentication device and a fluid dispensing meter, and the fluid dispensing meter includes a processor and a memory. The authentication device is configured to provide data to the processor. The processor is configured to recall information from the memory, to compare the information to the data received from the authenticator, and to control a trigger control mechanism between the activated state and the deactivated state based on the comparison.

Fluid dispensing meter authorization

A fluid management system includes an authentication device and a fluid dispensing meter, and the fluid dispensing meter includes a processor and a memory. The authentication device is configured to provide user-identification data to the processor. The processor is configured to recall approved user identities from the memory, to compare the approved user identities to the user-identification data received from the authenticator, and to control a trigger control mechanism between the activated state and the deactivated state based on the comparison of the user-identification data and the approved user identities.

Dispensing meter authorization

A fluid management controller includes a processor, a wireless interface, and a memory. The wireless interface is configured to communicate between the processor and one or more fluid management components. The processor is configured to authorize control of the one or more fluid management components over the wireless interface. The memory is encoded with instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to provide dispense authorizations to the one or more fluid management components and record fluid dispense information from the one or more fluid management components in the memory.

Fluid management controller

Cartridge valve

Dispense valve nozzle

A handheld fluid meter includes circuitry configured to invert the orientation of a visual output provided by a display of the handheld fluid meter and to modify the functionality of buttons that control scrolling on the display. The control circuitry inverts the orientation of the visual output based on a command provided to the control circuitry by a user or by a position sensor.

Bezel

Lubrication dispense valve

Growing community of inventors

Otsego, MN, United States of America

Bradley G Kahler