Illinois Tool Works Inc.

Dieter Bernhard Heerdt

Paul Michael Jenkins

Daniel D Bourget

Andreas Pahl

Jon C Zook

Mairi MacLean

Michael Surenbrock

Rico R Valentin

Scott J Hudanish

Christopher R Fuller

J R Chapman

David Michael Folmer

A motor control system includes a piston chamber and a piston assembly disposed within the piston chamber to move therein between first and second positions. A magnet is coupled to the piston assembly to move therewith and a sensor is axially mounted with respect to the piston assembly to generate a continuous output signal corresponding to a position of the magnet relative to the sensor. The motor control system also includes a controller for processing the output signal from the sensor to monitor continuously the position of the piston assembly within the piston chamber and for actuating the piston assembly to move in an upstroke toward the first position and in a downstroke toward the second position.

Motor control

A hot melt adhesive hose assembly comprises a heater circuit wrapped around an external surface portion of the hose assembly, a temperature sensor, and an elongated thermal fuse which is likewise wrapped around an external surface portion of the hose assembly such that successive spiral turns of the thermal fuse are effectively interposed between successive spiral turns of the heater circuit. The thermal fuse may be electrically connected in series with the heater circuit so as to effectively terminate electrical power to the heater circuit as a result of the melting of the thermal fuse, or alternatively, the thermal fuse may be electrically connected in series with the temperature sensor, so as to detect abnormal temperature levels at substantially any location throughout the length of the hose assembly.

Hot melt adhesive hose assembly with thermal fuse link

A hot melt adhesive material dispensing system includes a communication system for transmitting information or data between the adhesive supply unit (ASU) and one or more applicator heads, wherein the number of hard wires actually interconnecting the adhesive supply unit (ASU) and the one or more hot melt adhesive material dispensing applicator heads can be reduced by the employment of signal couplers. In addition, the number of applicator heads that can be utilized in conjunction with a particular adhesive supply unit (ASU) can be increased by incorporating the temperature controller, normally disposed upon the adhesive supply unit (ASU), upon the applicator head.

Information communication systems between components of a hot melt adhesive material dispensing system

A redundant control circuit comprises a pair of heater circuits for heating a hot melt adhesive hose assembly to a predetermined temperature level, and a pair of temperature sensors which are used to sense the temperature of the hot melt adhesive hose assembly and to control energization of the heater circuits in order to maintain the desired temperature level. A first one of the heater circuits would initially be electrically connected to the hot melt adhesive hose assembly electrical circuitry, and in a similar manner, a first one of the temperature sensors would likewise be electrically connected to the hot melt adhesive hose assembly electrical circuitry. Subsequently, should a failure occur within the first one of the heater circuits, then an electrical switch mechanism would be activated so as to effectively remove the first, failed heater circuit from the hot melt adhesive hose assembly electrical circuitry, and substantially simultaneously, electrically connect the second one of the heater circuits to the hot melt adhesive hose assembly electrical circuitry. Similar switching procedures would also be implemented in connection with the pair of temperature sensors should a failure occur within a first one of the temperature sensors initially incorporated within the hot melt adhesive hose assembly electrical circuitry.

Redundant control circuit for hot melt adhesive hose assembly heater circuits and temperature sensors

A hot melt adhesive hose assembly has a redundant control circuit fixedly mounted thereon which comprises a pair of heater circuits for heating a hot melt adhesive hose assembly to a predetermined temperature level, and a pair of temperature sensors which are used to sense the temperature of the hot melt adhesive hose assembly wherein the sensed temperature level will be used to control energization of the heater circuits in order to maintain the desired temperature level. A first one of the heater circuits is initially electrically connected to the hot melt adhesive hose assembly electrical circuitry, and in a similar manner, a first one of the temperature sensors is likewise electrically connected to the hot melt adhesive hose assembly electrical circuitry. Should a failure occur within the first one of the heater circuits, or within a first one of the temperature sensors, electrical switch mechanisms are activated so as to effectively remove the first, failed heater circuit or the first failed temperature sensor from the hot melt adhesive hose assembly electrical circuitry, and substantially simultaneously therewith, electrically connect the second one of the heater circuits or the second one of the temperature sensors to the hot melt adhesive hose assembly electrical circuitry. The hot melt adhesive hose assembly, with its redundant control circuit comprising the pair of heater circuits and the pair of temperature sensors, thus comprises a self-contained, stand-alone, independent operative component that can be utilized in conjunction with any hot melt adhesive supply unit (ASU).

An electronic control circuit, for use in connection a hot melt adhesive dispensing system having a relatively large applicator head, has a plurality of heater circuits and a plurality of temperature sensors disposed upon different regions of the relatively large applicator head, wherein the electronic control circuitry can effectively interface between the plurality of heater circuits and the plurality of temperature sensors, and the adhesive supply unit (ASU) hose and head connector, so as to control individual ones of the plurality of heater circuits and thereby ensure that all of the heater circuits will maintain the same temperature setting throughout all regions of the applicator head. A second electronic control circuit enables the temperature sensors to effectively be eliminated due to the fact that the temperature value of each heater circuit can be calculated from resistance and temperature coefficient values characteristic of the heater circuit, wherein the electronic control circuitry can again interface between the heater circuit and the adhesive supply unit (ASU) temperature controller.

Control circuits for hot melt adhesive heater circuits and applicator heads

Redundant control circuit for hot melt adhesive assembly heater circuits and temperature sensors

A hot melt adhesive sensing system and method including detecting () multiple areas of a target, for example, a hot adhesive material, by sensing changes in temperature with a corresponding number of thermal sensors, summing () an output of the thermal sensors, and evaluating () the summed output by comparing the summed output with a reference, the results of which may be assessed relative to a specified tolerance.

Hot melt adhesive detection methods and systems

A material dispensing system for dispensing material onto a moving substrate (), including a material dispensing nozzle (), a material dispensing control signal controller () coupled to the material dispensing nozzle, a material dispensing control signal generator () coupled to the material dispenser control signal controller, the material dispensing control signal generator sending a material dispensing control signal to the material dispensing control signal controller, wherein the material dispensing control signal controller controls the material dispensing control signal from the material dispensing control signal generator based on the substrate speed input signal, and the material dispensing control signal controller sends the controlled material dispensing control signal to the material dispensing nozzle.

Controller for material dispensing nozzle control signal and methods

A hot melt adhesive sensing system and methods including detecting () multiple areas of a target, for example a hot adhesive material, by sensing changes in temperature with a corresponding number of thermal sensors, summing () an output of the thermal sensors, and evaluating () the summed output by comparing the summed output with a variable reference, the results of which may be assessed relative to a specified tolerance.

Hot melt adhesive sensing systems and methods including detecting () multiple areas of a target, for example, a hot adhesive material, by sensing changes in temperature with a corresponding number of thermal sensors, summing () an output of the thermal sensors, and evaluating () the summed output by comparing the summed output with a reference, the results of which may be assessed relative to a specified tolerance.

Hot melt adhesive detection methods

An adhesive supply unit for melting solid and quasi/solid materials, such as polyurethane (PUR) and other hot melt adhesives, is disclosed. The unit features an air control system that automatically starts, when the hopper lid is closed, to remove moisture from the moisture laden air in the hopper interior by alternately applying a vacuum to the hopper interior and then replacing the air with plant air that has passed through a series of dryers and filters. The dryers/filters, valving mechanisms and tubing are mounted directly to the machine body with a panel bolted to the machine, eliminating the need for storing the air control system on a separate cart. A sensor verifies that the hopper lid is securely closed before automatically initiating the drying/purging cycles which are repeated a number of times to assure appropriate dehumidification of air to acceptable levels. The control system utilizes a pressure transducer instead of a fixed timer to operate each cycle until predetermined pressure levels are reached. A unique arrangement for securely clamping the hopper lid to the hopper to assure an air tight seal is also disclosed.

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Hendersonville, TN, United States of America

Dieter Bernhard Heerdt