Patents by Inventor Rainer Melcher

Rainer Melcher has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 9126211
    Abstract: A rotary atomizer is disclosed, comprising an atomizer bell and a shaft carrying the same. The rotary atomizer may further include a retainer between the atomizer bell and the shaft, said retainer preventing, e.g., by the action of a centrifugal force, the atomizer bell from detaching itself from the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: Durr Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Bernhard Seiz, Frank Herre, Michael Baumann, Harry Krumma, Hans-Jurgen Nolte, Manfred Michelfelder, Rainer Melcher, Timo Beyl, Stephan Scholl
  • Patent number: 9089864
    Abstract: An exemplary painting robot and corresponding operating methods for the same are disclosed. The robot may be configured to paint motor vehicle bodies on an outer surface and an inner surface with an atomizer that is guided by the painting robot. According to the exemplary illustrations, the painting robot is suitable for painting the outer surfaces and for painting the inner surfaces of the motor vehicle bodies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: Durr Systems, GmbH
    Inventors: Frank Herre, Manfred Michelfelder, Markus Erhardt, Michael Baumann, Rainer Melcher, Thomas Buck
  • Patent number: 9050614
    Abstract: A paint delivery and application apparatus, wherein the apparatus includes a source of paint, a paint applicator, a supply line interconnecting the source of paint and the applicator and at least one pig in the supply line, wherein the paint pushes the pig from adjacent the source of paint to the paint applicator and a source of purging solvent delivering a small volume of purging solvent to the supply line when the pig is adjacent the source of paint adjacent to and upstream of the pig acting as a lubricant, reducing chattering and skipping of the pig and extending the life of the pig. Where the apparatus includes two pigs, purging solvent is delivered between the pigs adjacent the applicator, the pigs are delivered to adjacent the source of paint and a small volume of solvent is then delivered from between the pigs upstream of the pigs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: Durr Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert F. Heldt, Rainer Melcher, Manfred Michelfelder, Robert E. Brady
  • Publication number: 20150090347
    Abstract: Exemplary illustrations of a fluid valve, e.g., a return valve for returning residual paint, rinsing agent, and compressed air from a paint line when changing color in a painting system, are disclosed. An exemplary fluid valve may be adjusted between an open position, in which the fluid valve is at least partially open, e.g., for rinsing a paint line with a rinsing agent and for pressurizing the paint line with a new color for the color change, and a closed position, in which the fluid valve is closed, e.g., for applying the new color after the color change. An exemplary fluid valve may switch to the closed position, upon actuation by the medium thereof, e.g., medium flowing through or present in the valve. In another example, a fluid valve may close depending on the fluid present at the input side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2014
    Publication date: April 2, 2015
    Inventors: Rainer Melcher, Frank Herre, Michael Baumann, Thomas Buck
  • Patent number: 8881757
    Abstract: Exemplary illustrations of a fluid valve, e.g., a return valve for returning residual paint, rinsing agent, and compressed air from a paint line when changing color in a painting system, are disclosed. An exemplary fluid valve may be adjusted between an open position, in which the fluid valve is at least partially open, e.g., for rinsing a paint line with a rinsing agent and for pressurizing the paint line with a new color for the color change, and a closed position, in which the fluid valve is closed, e.g., for applying the new color after the color change. An exemplary fluid valve may switch to the closed position, upon actuation by the medium thereof, e.g., medium flowing through or present in the valve. In another example, a fluid valve may close depending on the fluid present at the input side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Duerr Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Rainer Melcher, Frank Herre, Michael Baumann, Thomas Buck
  • Publication number: 20140326800
    Abstract: A paint delivery and application apparatus, wherein the apparatus includes a source of paint, a paint applicator, a supply line interconnecting the source of paint and the applicator and at least one pig in the supply line, wherein the paint pushes the pig from adjacent the source of paint to the paint applicator and a source of purging solvent delivering a small volume of purging solvent to the supply line when the pig is adjacent the source of paint adjacent to and upstream of the pig acting as a lubricant, reducing chattering and skipping of the pig and extending the life of the pig. Where the apparatus includes two pigs, purging solvent is delivered between the pigs adjacent the applicator, the pigs are delivered to adjacent the source of paint and a small volume of solvent is then delivered from between the pigs upstream of the pigs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2014
    Publication date: November 6, 2014
    Inventors: Robert F. Heldt, Rainer Melcher, Manfred Michelfelder, Robert E. Brady
  • Patent number: 8864049
    Abstract: A rotary sprayer for a coating apparatus is disclosed. An exemplary rotary sprayer may include a spraying body configured to be mounted on a drive shaft of a drive motor for rotation with the drive shaft. The spraying body may further include a detachable mounting device for coaxial connection of the spraying body to the drive shaft. The detachable mounting device may include a spraying body thread that mates with a driveshaft thread defined by the drive shaft, and a plurality of elastic tabs configured to abut a corresponding cavity defined by the driveshaft, such that rotation of the spraying body increases an abutment force between the elastic tabs and the corresponding cavity of the driveshaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Durr Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Hans-Jurgen Nolte, Harry Krumma, Frank Herre, Michael Baumann, Marcus Frey, Rainer Melcher, Eberhard Streisel, Bernhard Seiz, Peter Marquardt
  • Patent number: 8794541
    Abstract: A rotary sprayer for a coating apparatus is disclosed. An exemplary rotary sprayer may include a spraying body configured to be mounted on a drive shaft of a drive motor for rotation with the drive shaft. The spraying body may further include a detachable mounting device for coaxial connection of the spraying body to the drive shaft. The detachable mounting device may include a spraying body thread that mates with a driveshaft thread defined by the drive shaft, and a plurality of elastic tabs configured to abut a corresponding cavity defined by the driveshaft, such that rotation of the spraying body increases an abutment force between the elastic tabs and the corresponding cavity of the driveshaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Durr Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Hans-Jurgen Nolte, Harry Krumma, Frank Herre, Michael Baumann, Marcus Frey, Rainer Melcher, Eberhard Streisel, Bernhard Seiz, Peter Marquardt
  • Patent number: 8783302
    Abstract: A paint delivery and application apparatus, wherein the apparatus includes a source of paint, a paint applicator, a supply line interconnecting the source of paint and the applicator and at least one pig in the supply line, wherein the paint pushes the pig from adjacent the source of paint to the paint applicator and a source of purging solvent delivering a small volume of purging solvent to the supply line when the pig is adjacent the source of paint adjacent to and upstream of the pig acting as a lubricant, reducing chattering and skipping of the pig and extending the life of the pig. Where the apparatus includes two pigs, purging solvent is delivered between the pigs adjacent the applicator, the pigs are delivered to adjacent the source of paint and a small volume of solvent is then delivered from between the pigs upstream of the pigs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Dürr Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Robert F. Heldt, Rainer Melcher, Manfred Michelfelder, Robert E. Brady
  • Patent number: 8726830
    Abstract: Exemplary robots and corresponding exemplary operating methods for a painting system are disclosed. In one example, the robot is a handling robot for opening and closing doors or bonnets of motor vehicle bodies. A robot element of a handling robot that is susceptible to dirt retention, e.g., a handling tool, may be arranged away from the spray jet of a paint during the painting operation and is applied to the component that is to be painted. The robot may include a cleaning device for cleaning or for keeping the robot element of the handling robot that is susceptible to dirt retention clean from paint that is applied with spray jet in the painting operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Dürr Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Frank Herre, Rainer Melcher, Manfred Michelfelder, Thomas Hezel, Jüergen Haas, Bernd Leiensetter, Alexander Meiβner, Marcus Frey
  • Patent number: 8387558
    Abstract: Various exemplary illustrations of a piston rod seal are disclosed. An exemplary piston rod seal may include a piston rod guide for guiding a piston rod that supports a scraping piston configured to scrape paint residue from an inner wall of a pipeline cylinder. The piston rod may further include a first seal for sealing the piston rod guide relative to the piston rod, and a second seal for sealing the piston rod guide relative to the piston rod, where the second seal is arranged axially offset relative to the first seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Dürr Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Frank Herre, Rainer Melcher, Manfred Michelfelder
  • Publication number: 20130020416
    Abstract: Various exemplary illustrations of a coating agent device are disclosed. In one example, a coating agent device may be a coating agent valve, e.g., for influencing the discharge of a coating agent. The coating agent device may include a plug-in or pluggable fastening base configured to facilitate a plug-in or pluggable mounting of the coating agent device. In some examples, the coating agent device may prevent relative rotation of the device relative to a mating component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2010
    Publication date: January 24, 2013
    Inventors: Frank Herre, Joachim Hering, Rainer Melcher, Thomas Buck, Michael Baumann, Bernhard Seiz, Manfred Michelfelder
  • Patent number: 8333164
    Abstract: A coating apparatus for serially coating workpieces with different shades or colors is disclosed. A metering device comprises a plunger-type dosing mechanism or a metering pump that has a separate inlet with an integrated color valve for each of the most commonly used colors is located in or near the sprayer of the coating apparatus. A separate color changer can be provided for less frequently used colors. The outlet of said color changer may be connected to another inlet of the metering mechanism or to the discharge valve of the sprayer via a separate metering mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: Duerr Systems, GmbH
    Inventors: Frank Herre, Rainer Melcher, Manfred Michelfelder
  • Publication number: 20120186518
    Abstract: Exemplary illustrations directed to a rotary piston pump, e.g., for metering a coating agent in a coating installation, as well as exemplary methods of using the same, are disclosed. An exemplary piston pump may comprise a plurality of pump units, each having one cylinder and one rotary piston which carries out a wobbling or tumbling movement in the cylinder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2010
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Inventors: Frank Herre, Rainer Melcher, Manfred Michelfelder, Steffen Sotzny
  • Publication number: 20120132726
    Abstract: A rotary atomizer is disclosed, comprising an atomizer bell and a shaft carrying the same. The rotary atomizer may further include a retainer between the atomizer bell and the shaft, said retainer preventing, e.g., by the action of a centrifugal force, the atomizer bell from detaching itself from the shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2010
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Inventors: Bernhard Seiz, Frank Herre, Michael Baumann, Harry Krumma, Hans-Jurgen Nolte, Manfred Michelfelder, Rainer Melcher, Timo Beyl, Stephan Scholl
  • Publication number: 20120114849
    Abstract: Exemplary illustrations of a fluid valve, e.g., a return valve for returning residual paint, rinsing agent, and compressed air from a paint line when changing color in a painting system, are disclosed. An exemplary fluid valve may be adjusted between an open position, in which the fluid valve is at least partially open, e.g., for rinsing a paint line with a rinsing agent and for pressurizing the paint line with a new color for the color change, and a closed position, in which the fluid valve is closed, e.g., for applying the new color after the color change. An exemplary fluid valve may switch to the closed position, upon actuation by the medium thereof, e.g., medium flowing through or present in the valve. In another example, a fluid valve may close depending on the fluid present at the input side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2010
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Inventors: Rainer Melcher, Frank Herre, Michael Baumann, Thomas Buck
  • Publication number: 20120097286
    Abstract: A coating system component which may be used to be wetted and/or flown through at least in some sections by a coating agent. The component may include a fastening base and at least one holding part which is arranged on the fastening base for being fastened to or in a coating system device. The holding part may be an external thread having a special configuration in order to meet the special requirements of painting facilities, according to various exemplary illustrations. Furthermore, a corresponding coating system device may be provided, to which the coating system component can be fastened in a detachable manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2010
    Publication date: April 26, 2012
    Inventors: Frank Herre, Joachim Hering, Rainer Melcher, Thomas Buck, Michael Baumann, Bernhard Seiz, Manfred Michelfelder
  • Patent number: D656538
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Durr Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank Herre, Manfred Michelfelder, Markus Erhardt, Michael Baumann, Rainer Melcher, Thomas Buck
  • Patent number: D688743
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Dürr Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Frank Herre, Manfred Michelfelder, Markus Erhardt, Michael Baumann, Rainer Melcher, Thomas Buck
  • Patent number: D699283
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Durr Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Frank Herre, Manfred Michelfelder, Markus Erhardt, Michael Baumann, Rainer Melcher, Thomas Buck