Patent ID: 7626145
Filing Date: 2009-12-01
Classification: B05C,G05B,G05D

Abstract:
1. A method of controlling electrical components of a hot melt adhesive hose assembly by means of a redundant control circuit, comprising the steps of: providing a power source; mounting an electrical connector upon one end portion of the hot melt adhesive hose assembly for electrically connecting the hot melt adhesive hose assembly to said power source; operatively mounting a pair of heater assemblies upon the hot melt adhesive hose assembly so as to heat the hot melt adhesive material, fluidically conducted internally within the hot melt adhesive hose assembly, to a predetermined temperature level; operatively mounting first switching means upon the hot melt adhesive hose assembly for selectively electrically connecting each one of said pair of heater assemblies to said power source by means of first power lines which are electrically connected to said power source through means of said electrical connector; operatively mounting a pair of temperature sensors upon the hot melt adhesive hose assembly so as to sense the temperature level of the hot melt adhesive material, being fluidically conducted internally within the hot melt adhesive hose assembly, whereby said pair of heater assemblies can be energized in accordance with said temperature levels sensed by said pair of temperature sensors so as to maintain the temperature level of the hot melt adhesive material, being conducted internally within the hot melt adhesive hose assembly, at said predetermined temperature level; operatively mounting second switching means upon the hot melt adhesive hose assembly for selectively electrically connecting each one of said pair of temperature sensors to said power source by means of second power lines which are electrically connected to said power source through said electrical connector; monitoring the functionality of each one of said pair of heater assemblies; monitoring the functionality of each one of said pair of temperature sensors; and controlling said first and second switching means so as to initially electrically connect a first one of said heater assemblies and a first one of said temperature sensors to said power source, to electrically connect a second one of said heater assemblies to said power source while disconnecting said first one of said heater assemblies from said power source if said first one of said heater assemblies is determined to be defective by said first monitoring means, and to electrically connect a second one of said temperature sensors to said power source while disconnecting said first one of said temperature sensors from said power source if said first one of said temperature sensors is determined to be defective by said second monitoring means, whereby operation of the hot melt adhesive hose assembly does not have to be shut down if one of said pair of heater assemblies and said pair of temperature sensors is defective.