Abstract: A method of making 1,5-pentanediol from tetrahydrofurfural alcohol. The method includes the steps of dehydrating tetrahydrofurfural alcohol (THFA) to dihydropyran (DHP); hydrating at least a portion of the DHP to 2-hydroxy-tetrahydropyran (2-HY-THP) in the absence of homogeneous acid; and hydrogenating at least a portion of the 2-HY-THP to 1,5-pentanediol. The method can be conducted entirely in the absence of noble metal catalysts.

Abstract: A method of making 1,5-pentanediol from tetrahydrofurfural alcohol. The method includes the steps of dehydrating tetrahydrofurfural alcohol (THFA) to dihydropyran (DHP); hydrating at least a portion of the DHP to 2-hydroxy-tetrahydropyran (2-HY-THP) in the presence of a solid acid catalyst; and hydrogenating at least a portion of the 2-HY-THP to 1,5-pentanediol. The method can be conducted entirely in the absence of noble metal catalysts.

Abstract: A method of making 1,5-pentanediol from tetrahydrofurfural alcohol. The method includes the steps of dehydrating tetrahydrofurfural alcohol (THFA) to dihydropyran (DHP); hydrating at least a portion of the DHP to 2-hydroxy-tetrahydropyran (2-HY-THP) in the absence of homogeneous acid; and hydrogenating at least a portion of the 2-HY-THP to 1,5-pentanediol. The method can be conducted entirely in the absence of noble metal catalysts.

Abstract: A hand-operated electrostatic spraygun comprises a gun body, a pistol tube of insulating material, a handle, an insulation-clad high-voltage generator and a connection for paint delivery and is contructed such that the gun is particularly small, lightweight and can be effortlessly held in the hand. The gun body, preferably composed of aluminum, is an essentially cylindrical body which comprises the connection for paint delivery in the region of its forward end adjacent its forward face. The pistol tube, preferably formed of plastic, is secured to the forward face of the gun body in a manner to be secured against twisting and comprises a clover leaf-shaped cross section having two to four "leaves". The high-voltage generator is secured at the rear region of the end body to the underside thereof, whereby the cladding of the high-voltage generator is shaped as a pistol grip and forms a handle for the spraygun.

Abstract: An electrostatic paint spray gun comprises a needle-shaped electrode centrally seated in the paint channel which supplies paint to a spray nozzle and projects slightly beyond the spray nozzle. The electrode is composed of two needle electrodes disposed coaxially behind one another and electrically connected in series. The rear needle electrode is secured to the pistol tube and the forward needle is secured to a closure containing the spray nozzle and emplaced on the pistol tube of the spray gun. When the closure is in place, the rear electrode needle represents the electrical connection to the forward electrode needle, whereas, when the closure is removed, the tip of the rear electrode needle projects freely beyond the mouth of the pistol tube.

Abstract: An electrostatic spraying apparatus for applying a liquid coating material to a work piece, and which comprises a rotating bell-like or disc-like atomizer head and an annular gap coaxial therewith which is connected to a compressed air source is provided with an improvement of a further annular gap connected to a compressed air source, the additional gap coaxially surrounding the first annular gap, and the gap width of at least one of the two annular gaps being adjustable.

Abstract: An electrostatic spray gun is provided with electrostatic power circuitry for supplying high voltage power to an electrode with a switch for enabling and disabling the circuitry, the switch being operated by movement of a trigger controlling flow of a coating fluid through the spray pistol. The switch is a magnetic switch normally open, but closeable by a magnet positioned adjacent the switch, the trigger having means to shunt the magnetic field allowing the switch to open when the trigger is closed and allowing the switch to close when the trigger is open. A second magnet is provided movable towards and away from the first magnet whereby the second magnet effectively shunts the magnetic force of the first magnet when moved adjacent thereto to prevent closure of the switch independent of movement of the trigger.

Abstract: A reversible and quick change nozzle holding tip assembly for spray guns is provided with a base member for attachment to the outlet end of the spray gun which rotatably mounts an adapter piece. A gasket member extends from the outlet end of the spray gun through the base member and adapter piece into contact with a nozzle mount holding a nozzle in a recess in the adapter piece. The nozzle mount is contained in a nozzle mount holder having a bridge portion projecting radially outwardly of the adapter and terminating in a second nozzle mount containing a second nozzle. The nozzle mount holder is both reversible to invert a given nozzle and invertible to insert the second nozzle. A clamping or cover nut includes a quick lock thread mesh with the adapter piece to clamp the nozzle mount in position in the adapter piece in engagement with the gasket.

Abstract: A diode-capacitor multiplier circuit usable with an electro-static spray gun has two different values of capacitors. By changing the ratio of the number of larger size capacitors to the number of smaller size capacitors, the amount of energy stored in the multiplier circuit may be increased or decreased changing the probability of ignition, and also the quality of the coating received by the subject article.

Abstract: An electrostatic hand-held spray gun with a body consisting of a barrel affixed at a selected angle to a handle. The barrel has a boring which terminates at an atomizer. The handle contains a boring which at a lower end terminates in a hose connection and at an upper end at a control valve. A second end of the barrel boring also terminates at the valve. The control valve is operable by a trigger rotatably affixed to the handle and controls the flow of color material through the boring in the barrel. A spray electrode is located adjacent the atomizer. A tubular trigger guard structure is located near the second end of the barrel in front of the trigger and is oriented at a selected angle with respect to the barrel. A high voltage cascade multiplier module and a step-up transformer module are removably mounted within the trigger guard. A low voltage cable brought into a lower end of the trigger guard provides power to drive the step-up transformer.

Abstract: An atomizer head for use with a spray gun has a centrally located paint spray orifice with an essentially elliptical cross-section and a pair of compressed air output orifices offset from the paint spray orifice. The output air forms a screen, with an elliptical cross-section, that prevents the paint spray from breaking up.