Patent ID: 7332692
Filing Date: 2008-02-19
Classification: B05C,G05B,G05D

Abstract:
1. A redundant control circuit for use in connection with a hot melt adhesive hose assembly, comprising: a power source; an electrical connector adapted to be mounted upon one end portion of the hot melt adhesive hose assembly for electrically connecting the hot melt adhesive hose assembly to said power source; a pair of heater assemblies, wherein each one of said pair of heater assemblies is adapted to be operatively mounted 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; first switching means, adapted to be operatively mounted 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; a pair of temperature sensors, wherein each one of said pair of temperature sensors is adapted to be operatively mounted upon with 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; second switching means, adapted to be operatively mounted 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 that are electrically connected to said power source through said electrical connector; first means for monitoring the functionality of each one of said pair of heater assemblies; second means for monitoring the functionality of each one of said pair of temperature sensors; and means, adapted to be operatively mounted upon the hot melt adhesive hose assembly, for 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.