Abstract: An electrostatic coating apparatus, comprising:a) an atomizing head assembly including:1) an atomizing head; and2) a coupling disposed around a forward half portion of the atomizing head, the forward half portion of the atomizing head and the coupling forming a first path for shaping air therebetween;b) a driving mechanism for rotating the atomizing head assembly, the driving mechanism having an output shaft connected to the atomizing head, the output shaft being tubular to supply coating materials to the center of the atomizing head therethrough; andc) a casing disposed around a rear half portion of the atomizing head and the driving mechanism, the casing having a second path for shaping air which is communicated with the first path.

Abstract: A powder spray gun includes a rotary distributor which is capable of operating at slower speeds than liquid spray gun to reduce the problem of powder fusing, increases bearing life, reduce wear on moving parts. The powder spray gun has a powder flow path which extends through a gun body to a powder outlet. The rotatable powder distributor is located at the powder outlet. A drive mechanism in the form of a pneumatic motor is located within the housing and connected to the distributor the rotate the distributor. A spindle, which is mounted for rotation within the body, has a passageway therethrough which forms a part of the powder flow path. The distributor communicates with the passageway and is attached for rotation with the spindle. The powder thus enters the passageway in the rotating spindle before it passes into the rotating distributor. A chamber is formed within the body around the spindle, and the chamber is connected to an air supply to pressurize the chamber.

Abstract: A rotary atomizing electrostatic coating apparatus includes air feed passages connected to an air bearing, a turbine, and a shaping air cap, respectively. In any one of air feed passages, a divergence portion for causing a portion of air flowing in the one air feed passage to diverge from the one air feed passage is formed so that a diverging air flows into an interior of the drive shaft. As a result, it is not necessary to provide an additional, air feed passage and an air source therefor for preventing paint from entering a bearing clearance between the drive shaft and the air motor. As a result, a size of the apparatus will not be large and a cost of the apparatus will not substantially increase.

Abstract: A bell head of a rotary atomizing electrostatic coating apparatus includes a bell head body made from high electric resistance material, a semi-conductive layer formed on an outside surface of the bell head body, and a high electric resistance layer formed on an outside surface of the semi-conductive layer. The high electric resistance layer is also of a chemical-proof and of a thinner-proof type.

Abstract: The disclosed invention relates to electrostatic spraying systems for liquids and specifically to an improved spray-charging nozzle system having increased reliability, consistency, safety and power efficiency for long-term operation in harsh agricultural and industrial applications. The invention achieves these advantages by: a) management of the interaction of any externally-originating electric fields with the droplet-charging electric-induction field being applied within the nozzle, including partial or total exclusion of the former fields; b) maintenance of the charge-induction electric field at the droplet-formation zone by precluding or minimizing leakage of charge in all directions from the induction electrode; c) protection of electronic and nozzle components from damage due to inadvertent overcurrents; and d) facilitation of non-tedious, convenient, trouble-free inspection and cleaning of the nozzle under harsh field conditions.

Abstract: An electrostatic liquid applicator; such as an oscillating disk paint gun, for spraying a liquid coating material such as paint or the like onto the surfaces of a wide variety of types of articles. The electrostatic liquid applicator includes a stationary bell, an oscillating drive shaft extending through the stationary bell and which is rotatably driven by an air-controlled drive system. An oscillating disk is fixedly mounted on the drive shaft towards the front side of the stationary bell so as to form a spray slot in a liquid plenum in cooperation with the front side of the stationary bell. The drive system includes a body portion which is located at the rear side of the stationary bell, and includes air supply ports and air exhaust ports and forms a sealed space with the rear side of the stationary bell. A drive member projects radially into this space and is anchored to the drive shaft for pivoting the latter between two end positions which are defined within a predetermined angle.

Abstract: A fluent, electrically non-insulative coating composition for an electrically non-conductive rotary atomizer comprises about one-tenth to about one-seventh, by weight, short oil alkyds, about one-fourth to about one-third, by weight, phenolic, and about one-half to about two-thirds, by weight, powdered mixture of oxides of antimony and tin, all in a fluid carrier.

Abstract: A fluent, electrically non-insulative coating composition for an electrically non-conductive rotary atomizer comprises about one-tenth to about one-seventh, by weight, short oil alkyds, about one-fourth to about one-third, by weight, phenolic, and about one-half to about two-thirds, by weight, powdered mixture of oxides of antimony and tin, all in a fluid carrier.

Abstract: A resistor housing includes passageways to accommodate high potential electrical connectors. Connection is made from one of the connectors through a high voltage cable assembly to one output of a power supply. The cable assembly includes a length of high voltage, high-flex, shielded coaxial high voltage cable. The center conductor of the cable is finished at both ends with a banana plug. The shield of the cable is terminated. A sleeve of, for example, heat-shrinkable semi-rigid, multiple wall polyolefin, is slipped onto the stripped end of the cable over the exposed shield and the end of the cable jacket. A length of heat-shrinkable tetrafluroethylene (TFE) is slipped over the sleeve and the adjacent region of cable jacket, shrunk, and trimmed flush with the end of the polyolefin sleeve. Paint or solvent from a trigger/dump/solvent manifold is supplied through a feed tube. The feed tube is constructed from an electrically non-conductive material.

Abstract: An outer tube 5 is integrally rotated with a rotating disk 17. A powder supply passage 16 for supply of powder particles is formed between an inner tube 15 and the outer tube 5. A lower end of the inner tube 15 is secured to a sub-disk 23, and a distributing passage 25 is formed as a space between the sub-disk 23 and the rotating disk 17. Air including powder particles introduced into a separation passage 41 is separated into air and powder in the separation passage 41, and the particles are fed to the distributing passage 25 through the powder supply passage 16. The powder particles falling in the powder supply passage 16 undergo a swirling motion in accordance with the rotation of the outer tube 5, and owing to the swirling motion, the powder particles in the powder supply passage 16 are distributed uniformly in the circumferential direction.

Abstract: A method for matting a recording medium comprises supplying a humidifying gas stream onto the outer periphery of an atomized stream of fine droplets of an aqueous solution containing a matting agent by atomizing device along the atomized stream for affixing the fine droplets on the recording material, drying the liquid material in a drying chamber for forming micro-projections of the matting agent. Convex-shaped micro-projections of the matting agent, strongly affixed on the recording medium, are formed without contaminating the working environment.

Abstract: A rotary atomizer having a low capacitance, cup-shaped, atomizing head mounted for rotation about an axis of rotation has a coating material flow surface forming a forward cavity. A rotary drive coupled to the atomizing head rotates the atomizing head about the axis of rotation. High voltage electrostatic energy is conducted through the rotary drive directly into the atomizing head whereby changed coating material flows outwardly across the flow surface. In another embodiment, a semi-conductive ring is mounted on the front end of the atomizer to transfer the high voltage electrostatic energy into the atomizing head and/or to dissipate the electrostatic energy in the rotary drive or in the atomizing head.

Abstract: A rotary atomizer includes an inside surface onto which a coating material is deposited, an opposite outside surface and a discharge zone adjacent the rotary atomizer's inside and outside surfaces, coating material being discharged from the discharge zone. A housing substantially surrounds and houses the rotary atomizer except for a region of the rotary atomizer adjacent and including the discharge zone. The housing includes an inside surface, an outside surface and an opening adjacent the inside and outside surfaces of the housing. The inside surface of the housing and the outside surface of the rotary atomizer are treated so as to render them electrically non-insulative. An electrostatic potential difference maintained across the electrically non-insulative inside surface of the housing and an article to be coated by material atomized by the rotary atomizer causes charge to be transferred from the electrically non-insulative inside surface of the housing to the outside surface of the atomizer.

Abstract: The rotary atomizer coater is particularly adaptable to a high voltage rotary atomizer coater which can be robot mounted. A rotatable bell cup, which is mounted on a turbine driven shaft is positioned within a housing. A fluid tube within the housing includes a fluid discharge tip which extends through an inlet opening in the bell cup for supplying charged coating fluid directly to the inner surface of the bell cup interior which is open to atmosphere. An electrical resistor is mounted between the fluid discharge tip and a power supply within the housing. When a grounded object approaches the bell cup, the current between the bell cup and the grounded object will increase and voltage drop across the resistor results, thereby reducing the voltage at the bell cup and diminishing the potential for a high energy spark.

Abstract: A foodstuff flavoring apparatus includes a screw conveyor for transporting flavoring axially thereof. A downwardly directed outlet is located in the region of the outlet end of the screw conveyor. An independently driven rotor unit is located below the outlet of the conveyor and is supported from the housing of the screw conveyor unit by a rotatable transfer conduit through which flavouring, which is discharged from the outlet end of the screw conveyor, is delivered to the interior of the rotor housing and which is dispensed by the rotor toward a foodstuff. The rotor is driven by an independent variable-speed drive motor. An electrostatic charging head is located near the rotor housing in the path of the flavouring being dispensed therefrom for facilitating adhesion of the flavouring to the foodstuff. The orientation of the rotor relative to the screw conveyor is adjustable in a range of 360 degrees by rotation of the transfer conduit and is further rotatably adjustable about the axis of the screw conveyor.

Abstract: A rotary atomizer having a low capacitance, cup-shaped, atomizing head mounted for rotation about an axis of rotation has a coating material flow surface forming a forward cavity. A rotary drive means coupled to the atomizing head rotates the atomizing head about the axis of rotation. High voltage electrostatic energy is conducted through the rotary drive means directly into the atomizing head whereby charged coating material flows outwardly across the flow surface.

Abstract: An electrostatic spray apparatus, including a spray hood having an electrode. The hood defines a top region with a depending skirt and comprises first and second hood elements, either or both of which may comprise molded shells, with an electrode sandwiched therebetween. The electrode extends over the top region and down the skirt and terminates short of the lower regions of the skirt. The hood is constructed such that, other than at the lowermost regions of the skirt, the hood does not have any junction of its planar surfaces having a radius less than one hundred and fifty millimeters. The hood has an opening in its top region, through which an electrostatic spray head is placed into the hood. The electrode presents a connection for an electrical supply, and the potential applied to the spray head is substantially the same as that applied to the electrode.

Abstract: A rotary atomizer includes a manifold assembly adapted to be attached to a mechanism for moving the atomizer and an air bearing turbine motor housing assembly releasably secured to the manifold assembly. Sources of pressured fluid for actuating the atomizer and coating fluid are connected to the manifold which has fittings for releasably sealing to apertures in the rear cover of the housing assembly. The opposite end of the housing includes a shaping air cap and a shaping air ring which cooperate to define an annulus for discharging a thin ring of shaping air over the peripheral edge of an atomizer bell to direct fluid particles toward a target. Exhaust air from the turbine motor is vented to the inside of the housing and directed to a chamber behind the atomizer bell to aid in directing the fluid particles. A magnetic speed pickup generates a signal which is coupled through a circuit that electrically isolates the high voltage which is applied to the atomizer to electrically charge the coating particles.

Abstract: A spray disk (4) rotating at high speed and connected to high voltage surrounds a guide rod (30) and can be reciprocated up and down along said guide rod, the latter being of a stationary arrangement. This permits the use of drive means (34, 50) which extend along the guide rod (30) so that for the up and down motion of the spray disk (4) there are no carrier rods required which protrude beyond the stroke of the spray disk beyond the device.

Abstract: A rotary spray head comprises a shaft in a longitudinal cavity in a body with spray means mounted on one end of the shaft and projecting axially from the body. At least one magnetic bearing is provided to support the shaft at least partially in the radial direction. The magnetic bearing comprises two magnetized annular parts respectively forming a stator and a rotor. These are in face-to-face relationship to each other so as to define between them an airgap occupying a plane substantially perpendicular to the main axis of symmetry of the shaft. They have respective main axes of symmetry coincident with that of the shaft.

Abstract: A coating applicator has a rotary atomizer detachably mounted directly on a front end of a rotor of an air driven turbine for convenient removal and cleaning of the atomizer. The rotor and atomizer are forward of bearings that rotatably mount a shaft for supporting the rotor, which isolates the bearings from coating material delivered to the atomizer, and turbine exhaust air augments shroud air in shaping the pattern of atomized material.

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 coating process which comprises feeding a liquid paint in thin film form toward the circumferential edge of a high-velocity rotating member having a high voltage applied thereto along the inner circumferential surface thereof and atomizing the paint from the circumferential edge of the high-velocity rotating member; characterized in that a number of cuts are formed on the circumferential edge, and a stream of the paint flowing forwardly substantially in the axial direction of the high-velocity rotating member is converted at said circumferential edge into a number of diametrically outwardly flowing divided paint streams and simultaneously atomized and discharged. Preferably, the paint is fed to the inner circumferential surface of the rotating member through an annular paint flow passage having knurled grooves formed over its entire outer circumferential surface.

Abstract: A paint sprayer is disposed substantially on the axis of an almost closed (omega-shaped) loop formed by a transporter. Its axis of rotation is aligned so that the area in which the sheet of atomized paint it produces intersects the cylinder defined by the axes of the objects to be painted lies in an area contained between but reaching as far as circles delimiting the part-cyclindrical surface over which the objects move. An annular nozzle connected to a source of pressurized gas is disposed behind a rotating bowl of the sprayer so that an annular gas jet is directed onto the initial part of the thin sheet of atomized paint. The pressure of the gas fed to this nozzle is modulated periodically so that the aforementioned intersection area reaches the delimiting circles alternately and periodically.

Abstract: An electrostatic spray gun having a rotatable voltage generator for providing electrical energy at low voltage for conversion within the spray gun into electrostatic high voltage energy, wherein a rotating voltage generator is driven by an air turbine under the influence of a pressurized input air supply, the pressurized air passing through conduits in the handle of the spray gun, an air valve actuated by a trigger, an air flow regulator, and into impinging contact against rotatable turbine blades. The air supply is exhausted from the spray gun through internal passages which provide cooling air to the electrical components within the spray gun, and through further passages opening from the bottom of the spray gun handle which minimize the audible noise caused by such air flow.

Abstract: An apparatus for electrostatically coating an object using electrostatically charged powder grains. The invention improves upon the spray bell sprayer by having a fixed hollow shaft providing a central supply line for the powder grains, the spray bell rotates about the hollow shaft and a plurality of compressed air nozzles pass radially into the hollow shaft.

Abstract: A color change valve structure for rotary head electrostatic spray coating systems, of the type to which a rapid rotation is imparted to a rotary spray head and coating material directed through an orifice against the head for discharge from a peripheral edge of the head in a spray, is characterized by coating material and dump valves behind the head in close proximity with the orifice. The coating material valve controls a flow of coating material from a supply line to the orifice, and the dump valve is operable to establish a passage from the supply line, through the material valve and to a dump outlet. To purge the system of coating material of one color in preparation for spraying material of another, the material valve is closed, the dump valve is opened and a flow of flushing media is established through the supply line, whereby the flushing media cleanses the supply line and material valve.

Abstract: A device to use as an agricultural sprayer, comprising a rotatable conductive sprayhead in the form of a disc or cup, means for supplying spray liquid from a reservoir to an inner surface of the sprayhead, an electric motor for rotating the sprayhead about its axis at a rate of 1000 to 8000 rpm, a circular induction electrode disposed adjacent the sprayhead rim, a high voltage generator for charging the electrode to a pontential in the range 1 to 3 Kilovolts, and means for earthing the sprayhead.

Abstract: In a distributor for coating powders for electrostatic coating apparatus, an insulator shield member is provided on top of the powder distributor disk, preventing accumulation of charged powder thereon which might otherwise result in uneven distribution of powder from the distributor.

Abstract: An electrostatic paint spray pistol with a rotary bell shaped atomizer head is provided with a bell rim in the shape of a rounded circular arch from which paint may be centrifuged at various positions. This produces the advantage of being able to control rotating speed and paint throughput over a wide range.High rotating speed of the bell is attained by an air motor in a manner such that the air flow does not interfere with the electrostatic precipitation action of the centrifuged paint.The electric field position on the bell does not need to emanate from the same position at which the paint is centrifuged off the rounded bell rim.

Abstract: Electrostatic spraying apparatus comprises a rotary spraying head and a multiple electrode arrangement which includes two high voltage electrodes one of which has an uninsulated portion, and a grounded electrode. A paint flow space is defined between the uninsulated portion and the grounded electrode as well as the remainder of the one high voltage electrode and the grounded electrode. The second high voltage electrode is spaced outwardly from the grounded electrode and has an insulating layer both on its outer side and on its side facing the grounded electrode.

Abstract: A method of atomizing liquid paint using a rotating atomizing device and electrostatically coating an article with a smooth homogeneous film of paint and without the generation of foam or other surface irregularities on the article being coated, wherein an electrostatic field is established between the peripheral edge of the rotating atomizing device and the article to be coated and the liquid paint flows toward the edge of the atomizing device as a continuous thin film, which film is formed into a circumferential series of branch flows of narrow width flowing in the peripheral direction of the atomizing edge, and the liquid paint is atomized from the series of branch flows as they are projected beyond the edge of the atomizing device. The rotary atomizing device may be in the form of a bell or disk and includes a plurality of shallow grooves near its periphery preferably extending radially and of increasing depth in the direction of paint flow and terminating at the discharge edge.