Abstract: An improved nozzle modulator, an improved nozzle modulator assembly, and an improved coating method comprises a nozzle having a housing. A fluid reservoir communicates with the housing. The nozzle has a nozzle outlet about which a meniscus is formed. A high voltage source is connected to the nozzle. The fluid is dispensed as one or more charged fluid paths from the nozzle upon the actuation of the high voltage source. A plurality of repulsive and attractive electric fields are positioned to surround the fluid path. An electrical biasing means is connected to the electrical fields for biasing the fields and modulating the fluid path to form a homogeneous fog comprising uniformly disbursed droplets moving in a wide variety of directions.

Abstract: An electrostatic filament coater comprising a plurality of coating chambers arranged coaxially in spaced apart serial relation. Each of the coating chambers has a base and an apex and being generally frusto-conical in shape with an exit opening at the apex and an entrance opening at the base. All of the coating chambers except the last one are positioned with the apex being within the base of the next adjacent coating chamber. The filament is trained through the coating chambers. A plurality of electrodes are positioned within the coating chambers so as to surround the filament. A near arc-over voltage is supplied to the electrodes and a fog of particulate coating material suspended in a gas is passed through the coating chambers and axially of the filament at a velocity which results in the electrostatic deposition of the particulate matter on the filament and the exhaust of the gas and excess particulate matter from between the coating chambers and the apex opening of the last coating chamber.

Abstract: A nozzle apparatus and method for electrically charging and dispensing fluids and other flowable materials, comprising a fluid reservoir and a housing. The housing includes walls which define a chamber having an elongated slot at the tip thereof. The slot is resiliently compressible. The reservoir communicates with the chamber such that the fluid is introduced into the chamber at a controlled rate and a low hydrostatic pressure. A shim is placed within the chamber slot partially occluding fluid flow through the slot. The shim and the amount of compression of the slot defines with precision the size and shape of the slot. The shim and fluid are electrically connected to a high voltage source through the housing. The fluid forms a meniscus about the housing slot whereby upon actuation of the high voltage source, the fluid is dispensed as one or more charged fluid paths or a plurality of charged droplets.