Jetting devices

Abstract

Jetting devices and methods for dispensing a fluid material from a fluid supply. A jetting device includes a fluid module configured to be coupled with the fluid supply and to dispense the fluid material. The fluid module includes a valve seat and a valve element configured to move relative to the valve seat over a stroke length, and a valve stop configured to position the valve element relative to the valve seat for determining the stroke length. The jetting device further includes a drive module configured to actuate the fluid module and includes a drive pin configured to move the valve element toward the valve seat. The drive pin is configured to be rotated to cause rotation of the valve stop for adjustment of the stroke length. The drive pin may be rotated by a rotation device comprising a motor.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A jetting device for dispensing a fluid material from a fluid supply, the jetting device comprising:
 a fluid module configured to be coupled with the fluid supply and to dispense the fluid material, the fluid module including a valve seat and a valve element configured to move relative to the valve seat over a stroke length, and a valve stop configured to be rotated to adjustably position the valve element relative to the valve seat for determining the stroke length; and   a drive module configured to actuate the fluid module and including a drive pin extending through an opening in the valve stop, the drive pin configured to move the valve element toward the valve seat.   
     
     
         2 . The jetting device of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid module includes a bore and the valve stop is positioned in the bore, and the valve stop is configured to be rotated in the bore to position the valve stop. 
     
     
         3 . The jetting device of  claim 2 , wherein the drive pin includes a first engagement portion shape-matched with a portion of the opening of the valve stop, and the drive pin is configured to be rotated to cause rotation of the valve stop. 
     
     
         4 . The jetting device of  claim 3 , further comprising:
 a rotation device configured to rotate the drive pin and including a chuck having a socket, wherein the drive pin includes a second engagement portion shape-matched with the socket, and the chuck is configured to be rotated to cause rotation of the drive pin.   
     
     
         5 . The jetting device of  claim 4 , wherein the rotation device comprises a motor. 
     
     
         6 . The jetting device of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid module includes a module body having a first portion providing a fluid inlet configured to receive the fluid material from the fluid supply and a second portion supporting the valve seat, the second portion threadably coupled with the first portion. 
     
     
         7 . The jetting device of  claim 1 , wherein the valve stop includes a first body portion, a second body portion, a transverse slot between the first body portion and the second body portion, and a threaded locking bore partially in the first body portion, partially in the second body portion, and extending across the transverse slot. 
     
     
         8 . The jetting device of  claim 7 , wherein the valve stop further includes a threaded fastener positioned in the threaded locking bore, the threaded fastener configured to be tightened in the threaded locking bore to prevent the valve stop from rotating in the threaded locking bore. 
     
     
         9 . A method of adjusting the stroke length of a valve in a fluid module of a jetting device configured to dispense a fluid material, the fluid module including a module body having a bore and a valve stop positioned in the bore, the method comprising:
 rotating the valve stop in the bore to move the valve stop toward or away from the valve.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the jetting device includes a drive module configured to actuate the valve and the valve includes a valve element and a valve seat, the drive module including a drive pin engaged with the valve element of the valve and extending through the valve stop, and rotating the valve stop comprises:
 rotating the valve stop with the drive pin of the drive module.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein rotating the valve stop comprises operating a rotation device to rotate the drive pin. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the rotation device comprises a motor. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the valve stop includes first and second body portions separated by a transverse slot and a threaded fastener in a locking bore extending in the first and second body portions, and the method further comprising:
 before rotating the valve stop, loosening the threaded fastener in the locking bore; and   after rotating the valve stop, tightening the threaded fastener in the locking bore.