Abstract:
A mobile supply apparatus for supplying heated waterproofing composition to a remote work site and a method of operating the apparatus are disclosed. Heat exchange fluid from the motor vehicle&#39;s cooling system is used to heat the waterproofing composition in the reservoir of the supply apparatus and in a separate direct heat exchange unit provided in the reservoir. Heated waterproofing composition can be applied to the work site or recirculated through the waterproofing composition supply system so as to preheat applicator devices such as hoses and nozzles.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates to a mobile supply apparatus for delivering a viscous composition, such as a waterproofing composition to a work site and to methods of supplying such compositions to those work sites. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The demand for application of waterproofing compositions to structural foundations such as residential and commercial buildings has increased dramatically over the last few years. Typically, these compositions comprise a viscous fluid containing elastomeric components in either an organic solvent or water base. These viscous compositions must be heated prior to application at the work site so that they will flow readily through the supply equipment and then, after application, dry to provide an elastomeric or rubbery waterproofing coating over the desired substrate. 
     Typically, the water proofing compositions are sprayed on the building foundation or other substrate by a hose and associated spray nozzle. The hoses and associated spray mechanisms are often plugged by deposition therein of hardened viscous masses of the composition. 
     It is therefore desirable to provide a mobile supply apparatus and system for carrying a sufficient quantity of waterproofing composition to the job site. It is even more desirable that the apparatus provide for on-site heating of the waterproofing composition so as to provide for lowered viscosity and commensurate improved fluid flow characteristics through the spray equipment. 
     It is even more desired to provide such a mobile supply apparatus wherein the hose and/or other composition applicator means may be heated prior to application of the waterproofing composition to the work site so as to soften and fluidize hardened masses within the hose or applicator. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     These and other objects of the invention are met by the apparatus and method disclosed herein. Basically, the apparatus comprises a housing member that can be lifted via a forklift or hoist onto the flatbed of a truck or other motor vehicle. An insulated reservoir is provided in the housing for receipt of a sufficient quantity, such as greater than about 100 gallons, of the waterproofing composition therein. 
     A supply conduit is in fluid communication with the reservoir and is operatively associated with a pump so as to pump waterproofing composition from an upstream direction in the reservoir to a downstream direction through the hose and spray nozzle for application to the desired substrate. A heat exchanger is in fluid communication with the supply conduit and is adapted for flow of the waterproofing composition therethrough. Heat exchange fluid from the cooling system of the motor vehicle is forwarded to the heat exchanger in heat exchange relationship with the waterproofing composition. A valve is provided to readily connect the circulating heat exchange fluid from the cooling system of the vehicle to the heat exchanger. 
     The coolant or heat exchange fluid from the motor vehicle may also be first forwarded to a direct heating circuit through a heat exchanger coil located in the reservoir itself. This helps to soften and fluidize gel or gummy masses of the composition that have settled in the reservoir. 
     A hose or other applicator device is connected to the supply line downstream from the heat exchanger and is utilized to apply heated waterproofing composition to the required job site. The application or downstream end of the hose may be connected to a recycle conduit for recycling of heated waterproofing composition back into the reservoir. By utilization of the recirculation feature of the invention, the hose or other applicator can be pre-heated, prior to usage, by recirculation of heated waterproofing composition therethrough so that application of the waterproofing composition to the substrate can be substantially unimpeded through the hose or applicator device. 
     In another aspect of the invention, the housing is provided with an access compartment having a thermally conductive wall member contiguously bordering the reservoir. The hose or other applicator and the heat exchanger may be mounted in this compartment along the common wall or border. Accordingly, the heat from the heated waterproofing composition disposed in the reservoir acts to provide further heat via conduction or convection to the hose or applicator through this wall member. Further, due to location of the heat exchanger in close proximity to the hose or other applicator within the compartment, the heat exchanger itself provides heat, normally via convection to the applicator. 
     The housing further comprises a lift mounting receptacle such as pair of feet which are adapted for receipt of a forklift therein so that the entire unit may be readily lifted in or out of the motor vehicle. 
     In accordance with the method, a quantity of waterproofing composition is placed into the reservoir and is forwarded to the heat exchanger which, as aforementioned, is provided with the heat exchange fluid from the motor vehicle to thereby heat the waterproofing composition. The heated waterproofing composition from the heat exchanger is then pumped to a supply conduit wherein it may be selectively supplied to the work site or recirculated back into the reservoir. 
     Cooling water from the motor vehicle is used as the heat exchange fluid. It is first supplied to a valved, direct heating fluid circuit where it passes through heat exchange coils disposed in the reservoir. Next, the cooling fluid is forwarded to the previously described heat exchanger to again heat the waterproofing composition flowing therethrough. The heat exchange fluid is recirculated back to the cooling system of the motor vehicle. 
     The invention will be further described in conjunction with the appended drawings and following detailed description. dr 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a mobile supply apparatus in accordance with the invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the flow of waterproofing composition and heat exchange fluid; 
     FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of the apparatus of FIG. 1, with the access doors broken away for increased clarity; and 
     FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the apparatus shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 taken along the plane represented by the lines and arrows  4 — 4  in FIG.  3 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Turning first to FIGS. 1 and 4 of the drawings, there is shown housing member  2  which, in accordance with the preferred embodiment, is of a generally cuboid shape. The housing includes an insulated reservoir member  8  (FIG. 4) disposed therein which reservoir is adapted for receipt of greater than about 100 gallons of waterproofing composition thereof. As shown best in FIG. 1, mounting legs  4 ,  6 , are provided beneath the housing and are adapted for receipt of the prongs or tines from a forklift so that the entire assembly may be lifted onto and off of the desired motor vehicle. 
     As shown in FIG. 2, the motor vehicle is provided with an engine  12  and heat exchange fluid supply line  11  and return line  15  for returning the heat exchange fluid to the engine block through the radiator  17  of the vehicle. Heat exchange fluid is supplied to the heat exchanger  20  through valve member  29 . 
     Pump  16  supplies pressurized flow of waterproofing composition from the reservoir  8  through valve  99  and the heat exchanger  20  via line  22  and line  25 . The heat exchanger may be any of the conventional types normally employed in industry. However, it is presently preferred to use a tube and shell type heat exchanger. 
     The waterproofing composition is supplied via supply line  22  to the heat exchanger and then to the applicator hose assembly  24  through line  25 . Downstream from the hose assembly, a quick fit connector  92  and valve  90  are provided to selectively permit application of heated waterproofing composition through the hose and applicator nozzle  32  or alternatively the waterproofing composition can be recirculated to the reservoir via connection to the return line  28  as permitted by the valve  90 . 
     Recirculation of the waterproofing composition through the reservoir allows for a pre-heating of the hose  24  or other applicator. In practice, this has provided advantage since deposits may form in the hose which would otherwise impede even, uniform application of the composition to the desired substrate. Accordingly, the operator, preferably utilizes this recirculation feature to allow for proper pre-heating of the hose before applying the material to the desired substrate. 
     As shown, the apparatus comprises a direct heating system upstream from the heat exchanger  20  that provides for in reservoir heating by the heat exchange fluid from the motor vehicle. This has proven effective in softening and fluidizing the gel like agglomerates that can form in the bottom of the reservoir. Here in this direct heating pass, heat exchange medium is forwarded to the tank  8  through three-way valve  27  and supply inlet conduit  19 . 
     Conduit  19  communicates with serpentine heat exchange coils  45  disposed along the bottom of the reservoir. Heat exchange fluid returns to the conduit  11  through return conduit  21  which communicates with supply line  11  downstream from valve  27  as shown at “T” fitting  75 . An auxiliary valved inlet  117  is provided in conjunction with the reservoir so that additional tanks or reservoirs containing waterproofing composition can be connected to the reservoir  8  to, in effect, increase the fluid capacity of the system. 
     Flow of the heat exchange fluid to heat exchange  20  is regulated by valve  29 . The heat exchanger, as shown, is located on the suction side of the pump  16 . The pump used at present provides for a fluid flow rate of about 3-5 gallons per minute and provides a pressure of about 2,500-4,000 psi. Graco, model 7900, gas driven pump having 5½ h.p. is presently used. 
     The waterproofing compositions utilized in accordance with the invention are normally composed of an elastomeric polymer component in an organic base such as toluene or hexane or, the waterproofing composition can be provided in the form of a water based latex emulsion. Typically, these compositions have viscosities of 2,000 to 6,000 cps at 70° F., and must be heated to temperatures of 85 to about 130° F., to provide for desired flow properties that result in an even, uniform distribution over the desired substrate, such as the foundation of a residential or commercial building. 
     Exemplary waterproofing compositions may comprise for example, liquid components, such as heavy napthenic distillates, hexane, toluene, heptane etc. which function as carrier liquids or solvents for elastomeric polymers such as polystyrene/polyisoprene copolymers; polystyrene/polyisoprene/polystyrene terpolymers; polystyrene/polybutadiene block polymers, etc. Conventional tackifying agents and pigments may also be present in the waterproofing compositions. Water based waterproofing compositions such as those based on the polyacrylates and poly(meth) acrylate latexes can also be mentioned. 
     Turning now to FIGS. 1,  3  and  4  of the drawings, the housing includes compartment  100  with access doors  102 ,  104  allowing access to the compartment. At the rear end of the compartment  100  a wall member  106  (FIG. 3) is provided that is contiguous with the bordering area  110  of the reservoir enclosed by the housing (FIG.  4 ). 
     As shown, electrically powered reel member  108  (FIG. 3) provides a ready mount for the hose member and is provided adjacent the wall  106 . The automatic reel is available from Hanney Reels and provides for a 90° pivot of the reel and a driven rewind function. Mounting of the reel and hose proximate the wall  106  of the compartment  100  allows for conduction heating of the hose by heated material in the reservoir. The rewind feature of the reel is controlled via motor  200 . 
     As can be best seen in FIGS. 1 and 4, the housing comprises a top member  120 , left hand side  122 , right hand side housing  124 , a bottom  126 , a front comprising the access doors and a rear wall  134  (FIG.  4 ). Insulation  130  (FIG. 4) is provided substantially around the reservoir between the reservoir and the housing. However, substantially no insulation is provided along the portion of the reservoir bordering the front wall  106  so as to improve heat conduction through the wall  106  as referred to above. A quick connect entry inlet  150  (FIG. 1) is provided in the top housing  120  to provide for filling of the reservoir with desired waterproofing composition. 
     In operation, the supply unit is first lifted onto the desired flat bed or similar surface of a motor vehicle. Sufficient quantity of waterproofing composition is then admitted to the reservoir via inlet  150 . The supply apparatus is then driven to the desired work site. 
     At the work site, the cooling system of the vehicle is connected via a quick connect fitting to the supply line  11  of the heat exchange medium fluid circuit. The operator may then open valves  27  and  29  so that the heat exchange medium will flow respectively through the reservoir heating system and into the heat exchanger. 
     The pump means draws waterproofing composition from the reservoir  8  through supply line  22  into the heat exchanger wherein it is further heated. Return of the heating exchange fluid through return line  15  and radiator  17  is controlled by a pump (not shown) associated with the engine  12 . 
     Heated waterproofing composition is drawn through supply line  25  via the action of the pump  16 . In normal start up operation the quick connect fitting  92  connects the downstream end of the hose with the line  28  so that heated waterproofing composition may be recirculated through the tank, heat exchanger and the hose. Once the waterproofing composition has attained the requisite temperature, the quick connect fitting  92  to the line  28  is interrupted and the fitting  92  is connected to applicator gun  32  so that the waterproofing composition can then be sprayed through the hose member to the desired substrate. 
     It is apparent then that the present invention provides significant advantage in that a single unit is provided that can be readily placed in the flatbed of a truck or other motor vehicle. Heat exchange fluid from the vehicle cooling system is used selectively to first flow through the heat exchange coils in the reservoir and then through a heat exchanger to heat the waterproofing composition pumped from the tank through the heat exchanger. The heated waterproofing composition can, if desired, be recirculated back into the reservoir so as to provide by itself, as a heating medium to loosen or fluidize deposits which may form in the hose or other applicator. 
     Although the application primarily refers to utilization of the methods and apparatus in conjunction with viscous waterproofing compositions, the artisan will appreciate the fact that the invention can be used with other viscous liquids such as fence and deck coatings, driveway coatings, roofing compositions, paints, etc. 
     While the form of apparatus herein described constitutes a preferred embodiment of this invention, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to this precise form of apparatus, and that changes may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention which is defined in the appended claims.