Description:TECHNICAL FIELD
[001] The present invention relates to field of air flow control systems in pneumatic operated devices.
BACKGROUND
[002] Pneumatic operated devices use air as a medium to control its operation. For example, in pneumatic operated dispensing devices such as sealant dispensing gun, air is used as a medium to dispense the sealant from the sealant dispensing gun. A trigger of the sealant dispensing gun actuates a circuit, and based on flow of air and the pressure of air is then used to dispense the sealant from the sealant dispensing gun. In situations where a front cap is removed from the sealant dispensing gun and when the pneumatic controlled devices are not in use, any unintentional pressing of the trigger may cause releasing of cartridge from the sealant dispensing gun which in turn leads to injury to the operator and/or cause damage to the surroundings. Hence, there is a need to ensure safe operation of the pneumatic operated devices..

OBJECTS
[003] Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment herein satisfies, are as follows:
[004] A principal object of embodiments herein is to prevent unintended actuation of pneumatically operated device.
[005] Another object of embodiments herein is to provide an air flow control system which provides a safety feature in pneumatic devices and ensures activation of pneumatic device only when a front cap is installed on the pneumatic device.
[006] Another object of embodiments herein is to ensure safe dispensing of fluid from the pneumatic operated device.
[007] Another object of embodiments herein is to prevent injury to the operator by preventing releasing of a cartridge from the pneumatic device during unintentional pressing of a trigger of pneumatic device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[008] The foregoing and other features of embodiments of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, like reference numerals refer to like elements.
[009] Reference will be made to embodiments of the invention, examples of which may be illustrated in accompanying figures. These figures are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Although the invention is generally described in context of these embodiments, it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to these embodiments.
[0010] Figure 1 illustrates a system for controlling air flow in a pneumatic device, where a control valve is in an open position, according to embodiments as disclosed herein;
[0011] Figure 2 illustrates the system for controlling air flow in the pneumatic device, where the control valve is in a closed position, according to embodiments as disclosed herein; and
[0012] Figure 3 illustrates a flowchart indicating steps of a method for controlling air flow in the pneumatic device, according to embodiments as disclosed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0013] In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which shown by way of illustration specific embodiments that may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable a person skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that logical, mechanical, and other changes may be made within the scope of the embodiments. Also, the words “comprising,” “having,” “containing,” and “including,” and other similar forms are intended to be equivalent in meaning and be open ended in that an item or items following any one of these words is not meant to be an exhaustive listing of such item or items, or meant to be limited to only the listed item or items. The singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. The following detailed description is, therefore, not be taken as limiting the scope of the invention, but instead the invention is to be defined by the appended claims The terms “first flow path” and “second flow path” used herein in the specification is to be understood with respect to a reference object.
[0014] Figure 1 illustrates a system (100) for controlling air flow in a pneumatic device (G), where a control valve (104) is in an open position. The open position of the control valve (104) refers to a condition in which a front cap (FC) of the pneumatic device (G) is in contact with an actuating member (104L) of the control valve (104). The system (100) comprises a first conduit (102), a control valve (104) and a second conduit (106). The first conduit (102) is adapted to receive air from an air source (C). The control valve (104) is in air communication with the first conduit (102). The second conduit (106) is in air communication with the first conduit (102) through the control valve (104). The second conduit (106) is in air communication with the pneumatic device (G). The control valve (104) includes an actuating member (104L). In the open position, the control valve (104) allows air flow from the first conduit (102) to the second conduit (106) when a front cap (FC) of the pneumatic device (G) is engaged with the actuating member ((104L), (as shown in fig. 1)). In an embodiment, the control valve (104) is a mechanical control valve (104). In another embodiment, the control valve (104) is an electronically controlled valve in which the system (100) may include sensors (not shown) for detecting the position of the front cap (FC), and accordingly, the control valve (104) is operated to one of the open position and closed position based on the position of the front cap (FC) with respect to the pneumatic device (G). The position of the front cap (FC) is considered to be one of the front cap (FC) is assembled on the pneumatic device (G), (as shown in fig. 1), and the front cap (FC) is removed from the pneumatic device (G), (as shown in fig. 2). The control valve (104) is in one of the open position and the closed position when the front cap (FC) is assembled on the pneumatic device (G), (as shown in fig. 1), and the front cap (FC) is removed from the pneumatic device (G), (as shown in fig. 2), respectively.
[0015] For the purpose of this description and ease of understanding, the pneumatic device (G) may be considered to be a sealant dispensing gun. However, it is also within the scope of the invention to use/practice the elements of the air flow control system (10) in any other pneumatic operated devices without otherwise deterring the intended function of the air flow control system (100) as can be deduced from the description and corresponding drawings. The pneumatic device (G) is adapted to dispense sealant on pressing a trigger ((T), (as shown in fig.1)) of the pneumatic device (G). The pneumatic device (G) allows sealant outflow during the open position of the control valve (104) and blocks the flow of sealant during the closed position of the control valve (104).
[0016] Figure 2 illustrates the system (100) for controlling air flow in the pneumatic device (G), where the control valve (104) is in a closed position. In the closed position of the control valve (104), the operator is temporarily not using the pneumatic device (G). In this closed position of the control valve (104), the pneumatic device (G) should prevent fluid (sealant) from being dispensed due to unintentional pressing of the trigger (T) of the pneumatic device (G). In the closed position, the control valve (104) restricts air flow from the first conduit (102) to the second conduit (106) when the front cap (FC) of the pneumatic device (G) is dis-engaged from the actuating member (104L). When the front cap (FC) is disengaged from the pneumatic device (G), the air flow from the first conduit (102) to the second conduit (106) is blocked. This leads to de-activation of the trigger (T) and hence causes the pneumatic device (G) in a non-operative state. In the closed position of the control valve (104), the releasing of cartridge of the pneumatic device (G) is prevented even when the trigger (T) is pressed.
[0017] Figure 3 illustrates a method (300) for controlling flow of air in a pneumatic device (G). The method (300) comprises directing (302), from an air source (C), air flow to a first conduit (102). Allowing at step (304), by a control valve (104) in an open position, the air flow from the first conduit (102) to a second conduit (106) when a front cap (FC) of the pneumatic device (G) is engaged with an actuating lever (104L) of the control valve (104), and allowing at step (306) by the second conduit (106), the air flow to the pneumatic device (G). The method (300) includes restricting, by the control valve (104) in a closed position, the air flow from the first conduit (102) to the second conduit (106) when the front cap (FC) of the pneumatic device (G) is dis-engaged from the actuating lever (104L) of the control valve (104).
[0018] The technical advantages of the system (100) for controlling air flow in a pneumatic device (G) are as follows. The proposed system provides a safety feature in pneumatic devices and ensures activation of pneumatic device only when front cap is installed on the pneumatic device. The proposed system prevents injury to the operator by preventing releasing of cartridge from the pneumatic device during unintentional pressing of trigger of the pneumatic device.
[0019] The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt, for various applications, such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments.
[0020] It is to be distinctly understood that the foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative, of the invention and not as a limitation. The exemplary embodiments described in this specification are intended merely to provide an understanding of various manners in which these embodiments may be used and to further enable the skilled person in the relevant art to practice the invention.
[0021] Although, the embodiments presented in this disclosure have been described in terms of its preferred embodiments, the skilled person in the art would readily recognize that these embodiments can be applied with modifications possible within the spirit and scope of the present invention as described in this specification by making innumerable changes, variations, modifications, alterations and/or integrations in terms of materials and method used to configure, manufacture and assemble various constituents, components, subassemblies and assemblies, in terms of their size, shapes, orientations and interrelationships without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention.
[0022] The numerical values given of various physical parameters, dimensions and quantities are only approximate values and it is envisaged that the values higher or lower than the numerical value assigned to the physical parameters, dimensions and quantities fall within the scope of the disclosure unless there is a statement in the specification to the contrary.
[0023] Throughout this specification, the word “comprise”, or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising”, shall be understood to imply including a described element, integer or method step, or group of elements, integers or method steps, however, does not imply excluding any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or method steps.
[0024] The use of the expression “a”, “at least” or “at least one” shall imply using one or more elements or ingredients or quantities, as used in the embodiment of the disclosure in order to achieve one or more of the intended objects or results of the present invention.
[0025] These relative terms are for convenience of description and do not require that the corresponding apparatus or device be constructed or operated in a particular orientation. Terms concerning attachments, coupling, flow paths and the like, such as “First conduit” and “second conduit”, refer to a relationship, wherein structures are secured or attached to one another either directly or indirectly through intervening structures, as well as both movable or rigid attachments or relationships, unless expressly described otherwise.
, Claims:1. A system (100) for controlling air flow in a pneumatic device (G), said system (100) comprising:
a first conduit (102) adapted to receive air from an air source (C);
a control valve (104) in air communication with said first conduit (102); and
a second conduit (106) in air communication with said first conduit (102) through said control valve (104), wherein said second conduit (106) is in air communication with the pneumatic device (G).

2. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said control valve (104) includes an actuating member (104L),
wherein
said control valve (104) is in an open position in which said control valve (104) allows air flow from said first conduit (102) to said second conduit (106) when a front cap (FC) of the pneumatic device (G) is engaged with said actuating member (104L); and
said control valve (104) is in a closed position in which said control valve (104) restricts air flow from said first conduit (102) to said second conduit (106) when the front cap (FC) of the pneumatic device (G) is dis-engaged from said actuating member (104L).

3.The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said control valve (104) is a mechanical control valve;

4. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said control valve (104) is an electronically controlled valve.

5. The system (100) of claim 1, wherein said pneumatic device (G) is a sealant dispensing gun.

6. The system (100) of claim 1 and 4, wherein said pneumatic device (G) is adapted to dispense sealant on pressing a trigger (T) of pneumatic device (G).

7. A method (300) for controlling air flow in a pneumatic device (G), said method (300) comprising:
directing (302), from an air source (C), air flow to a first conduit (102);
allowing (304), by a control valve (104) in an open position, the air flow from the first conduit (102) to a second conduit (106) when a front cap (FC) of the pneumatic device (G) is engaged with an actuating lever (104L) of the control valve (104); and
allowing (306), by the second conduit (106), the air flow to the pneumatic device (G).

8. The method (200) as claimed in claim 7, wherein said method (200) includes restricting, by the control valve (104) in a closed position, the air flow from the first conduit (102) to the second conduit (106) when the front cap (FC) of the pneumatic device (G) is dis-engaged from the actuating lever (104L) of the control valve (104).