Abstract: A paint cartridge is provided with a wash fluid passage in communication with a paint chamber, along with a wash fluid valve adapted to open and close the wash fluid passage. Provided on the side of a replenishing stool are a replenishing valve which supplies or discharges paint to or from the paint chamber, an extruding thinner feed/discharge valve which supplies or discharges paint-extruding thinner to or from an extruding thinner chamber, and a wash fluid supply valve which supplies a wash fluid to the paint chamber through the wash fluid passage. Accordingly, upon opening the replenishing valve, wash fluid supply valve and wash fluid valve, a wash fluid from the wash fluid supply valve is allowed to flow into the paint chamber through the wash fluid passage and discharged through a feed tube to wash away deposited paint therefrom.

Abstract: A high-speed rotary atomizer for applying powder coating includes a housing to the front end of which a bell disc is rotatably mounted. Bell disc is driven by a motor arranged inside housing. At least one powder supply channel passes through housing, and emerges at the front of housing. This channel contains an acceleration jet in which the coating powder particles are accelerated to a higher velocity which is maintained over at least a certain distance. The increased velocity, preferably supported by acceleration air forming a surface layer, prevents coating powder particles from being deposited on the walls of powder supply channel. In this way an insulating section is formed by which a backflash of the high voltage used to ionise the coating powder particles, from the internal electrode of the high-speed rotary atomizer towards the powder supply, is prevented.

Abstract: A high-speed rotary atomizer for applying powder coating comprises in a known manner a housing (1), in which a motor (13) is accommodated. The motor (13) rotates a bell-shaped plate (16) which is disposed at the front of the housing (1). At least one powder supply duct (28, 29, 22, 23, 24, 25, 11, 12, 9, 10) leads through the housing and opens at the front of the housing (1). Its cross section can therefore be kept very large, thereby increasing the powder output of the high-speed rotary atomizer. This also enables a plurality of powder supply ducts (28, 29, 22, 23, 24, 25, 11, 12, 9, 10) to be laid, which in turn results in a higher powder throughput and improved homogeneity of the powder cloud which is produced.

Abstract: A device for spraying a liquid coating product includes a hub forming or accommodating a liquid feed pipe and a divergent centrifugal deflector having a distribution surface whose overall shape is that of a trumpet bell. Applications include electrostatic painting.

Abstract: A spindle for an electrostatic painting machine has a main spindle and a rotor coupled to the rear end of the main spindle. The main spindle and the rotor are rotatably supported through bearing gaps of externally pressurized gas bearing portions, and a paint spray head is mounted to one end of the main spindle. A current-carrying member having conductivity with the housing is brought into contact with the main spindle and floated off it via a small gap due to dynamic pressure produced by the rotation of the main spindle. With this arrangement, it is ensured that discharge occurs at gaps of externally pressurized gas bearing portions, sputtering is suppressed, and the life of the spindle is prolonged.

Abstract: A rotary atomizer including a bell element having a paint tube, a deflector having a conical distribution surface opposite the paint tube outlet, including a tip portion within the paint tube, directing paint to a paint overflow surface through an annular conical channel adjacent the outer edge of a nonconductive end face, an annular electrostatically charged surface surrounding the outer edge of the end face generating an annular electrostatic field and an axial electrode having a sharp distal end in the plane of the annular electrostatically charged surface generating a second axial electrostatic field.

Abstract: A rotating powder bell cup electrostatic spray assembly is provided. This assembly includes a bell cup body removably mated coaxially by screw threads to a first deflector, the assembly rotatably affixed to an air powder supply. Preferably, the bell cup and first deflector are constructed from an insulative, non-stick material. The assembly includes unique, streamlined, preferably teardrop shaped, paddle deflectors. All corners around which powder passes are rounded, thereby achieving streamlined flow and little or no powder accumulation, as well as improved efficiency, ease of assembly and disassembly, and ease of cleaning for such devices. A preferred non-stick material of construction of the bell cup and first deflector is polytetrafluoroethylene.

Abstract: A rotary atomizer with external charging which can be used for applying conductive paints, in particular water-based paint, to a surface of a body to be coated. The rotary atomizer has a directing air ring at a high-voltage potential and an earthed spraying bell. To reduce the risk of discharges, it is proposed to connect the ring to an earth potential via a high-impedance resistance, so that the ring assumes a potential which lies between the high-voltage potential of electrodes for the external charging and the earth potential of the bell.

Abstract: A base compound supply passage and a hardener supply passage supply a base compound and a hardener, respectively, fed under pressure from first and second color changing valve mechanisms to a coating gun. The base compound supply passage and the hardener supply passage have respective first and second gear pumps, and first and second pressure control valves for controlling the base compound and the hardener to be supplied under given pressures to the first and second gear pumps. Two liquids, i.e., the base compound and the hardener, can be supplied reliably at desired rates to the coating gun, and mixed and discharged at a desired mixing ratio.

Abstract: A high-speed rotary atomizer for applying powder coating comprises in a known manner a housing (1), in which a motor (13) is accommodated. The motor (13) rotates a bell-shaped plate (16) which is disposed at the front of the housing (1). At least one powder supply duct (28, 29, 22, 23, 24, 25, 11, 12, 9, 10) leads through the housing and opens at the front of the housing (1). Its cross section can therefore be kept very large, thereby increasing the powder output of the high-speed rotary atomizer. This also enables a plurality of powder supply ducts (28, 29, 22, 23, 24, 25, 11, 12, 9, 10) to be laid, which in turn results in a higher powder throughput and improved homogeneity of the powder cloud which is produced.

Abstract: A rotary spray atomizer for applying electrically conductive paint, in particular water-based paint, to surfaces, includes a housing. A spray head is fitted on front of the housing for receiving a supply of paint and discharging the supply of paint in a spray mist as a result of rotation. A motor is disposed in the housing for rotary actuation of the spray head. At least two electrode holders are disposed along a concentric circle and extend towards the front parallel to a longitudinal axis of the housing. Electrodes are each accommodated in and protrude from an end of a respective one of the electrode holders. High-voltage sources constructed as a cascade are each plugged into a respective one of the electrode holders for receiving a low-voltage current, feeding one of the electrodes and causing the electrode to generate an electric field applying the spray mist discharged by the spray head to an application surface.

Abstract: A wear resistance coated bell atomizer (32) and method for making same. The coating applied to the outer surface of a bell cup (36) of the bell atomizer (32) is preferably a silicon-doped amorphous carbon coating. This silicon-doped amorphous carbon coating significantly increases the usable life of a bell cup (36) in a bell atomizer paint system (10) by limiting the effects of abrasive materials on the wearable surfaces of the bell cup (26), including the top serrated edges (46), which may negatively affect the performance of uncoated bell atomizer spray equipment.

Abstract: A wear resistance coated bell atomizer (32) and method for making same. The coating applied to the outer surface of a bell cup (36) of the bell atomizer (32) is preferably a silicon-doped amorphous carbon coating. This silicon-doped amorphous carbon coating significantly increases the usable life of a bell cup (36) in a bell atomizer paint system (10) by limiting the effects of abrasive materials on the wearable surfaces of the bell cup (36), including the top serrated edges (46), which may negatively affect the performance of uncoated bell atomizer spray equipment.

Abstract: A rotary atomizer with external charging which can be used for applying conductive paints, in particular water-based paint, to a surface of a body to be coated. The rotary atomizer has a directing air ring at a high-voltage potential and an earthed spraying bell. To reduce the risk of discharges, it is proposed to connect the ring to an earth potential via a high-impedance resistance, so that the ring assumes a potential which lies between the high-voltage potential of electrodes for the external charging and the earth potential of the bell.

Abstract: A rotary atomizer including a bell element having a paint tube, a deflector having a conical distribution surface opposite the paint tube outlet, including a tip portion within the paint tube, directing paint to a paint overflow surface through an annular conical channel adjacent the outer edge of a nonconductive end face, an annular electrostatically charged surface surrounding the outer edge of the end face generating an annular electrostatic field and an axial electrode having a sharp distal end in the plane of the annular electrostatically charged surface generating a second axial electrostatic field.

Abstract: A spindle for electrostatic painting machine is provided which has a main spindle and a rotor coupled to the rear end of the main spindle. The main spindle and the rotor are rotatably supported through bearing gaps of the externally pressurized gas bearing portions, and a paint spray head is mounted to one end of the main spindle. A current-carrying member having conductivity with the housing is brought into contact with the main spindle and floated off it with a small gap due to dynamic pressure produced by the rotation of the main spindle. With this arrangement, it is ensured that discharge occurs at gaps of externally pressurized gas bearing portions, sputtering is suppressed, and the life of the spindle is prolonged.

Abstract: A dispensing device for powder coating material includes an outer device portion having a first inner surface and a central passageway for mounting the outer portion on a rotary shaft for rotating the dispensing device. An inner portion of the dispensing device has a second outer surface shaped complementarily to the first surface and a somewhat bell- or cup-shaped third inner surface. Threaded fasteners retain the inner portion in the outer portion with the first and second surfaces in engagement. The outer portion is constructed from a first material having mechanical strength to withstand the stresses attending rotation of the dispensing device. The inner portion is constructed from a second material relatively more inert to the movement of the powder coating material across the third surface.

Abstract: An electrostatic coating system having a rotary atomizing device formed of a non-conductive body member having an opening in an outer end thereof, a semiconductive member is disposed on a side portion of the body member, a first lip devoid of the semiconductive member is disposed about the opening of the body member proximate the outer end thereof, and a second lip is disposed radially outwardly of the first lip, between the first lip and the inner end of the body member.

Abstract: A paint spray system for directing paint to a part has a paint atomizer head having a bell housing and a bell-atomizer. An electrically conductive tape is applied to a surface of the paint atomizer. The tape may be applied to the bell housing or the front surface or side surfaces of the support housing. Tape is electrically connected to a power source to generate an electrical field and thereby an electrical force on charged paint particles produced at bell-atomizer. The electrical field repels the paint particles from the paint atomizer head to reduce the maintenance of the paint spray system.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electrostatic rotary atomizer for coating purposes, with an aerostatic, if appropriate multi-part bearing 3 absorbing axially and radially directed forces and intended for a shaft 4 mounted in suspension in an air gap 21 and carrying an atomizer bell 5.

Abstract: An atomizer for mounting on an output shaft of a motor to be rotated by the motor includes a front surface, a back surface, a coating material cup into which coating material to be atomized by the atomizer is dispensed, and at least one passageway from the cup to the front surface to permit the flow of coating material from the cup to the front surface as the atomizer is rotated. The front surface terminates at a discharge edge from which the coating material is discharged as the atomizer is rotated. The atomizer/shaft comprises an electrically conductive first electrode, an electrically non-conductive portion, and a semiconductive coating provided on the back surface. The semiconductive coating terminates adjacent the edge.

Abstract: A coating method by the use of a rotary atomizing head type coating system (21), permitting to make multiple color changes in the course of a coating operation by providing a plural number of paint cartridges (35) of different colors which can be replaceably and removably loaded on the coating system. The coating method for the coating system includes: a paint cartridge loading step of setting a paint cartridge (35) of a specified color in a housing (22); a coating step of supplying paint in the loaded paint cartridge to a rotary atomizing head (30); a paint cartridge unloading step of unloading the paint cartridge (35) from the housing (22) after finishing a predetermined coating operation; and a washing step of feeding a washing fluid from an atomizing head washing device (57) to the front side of the rotary atomizing head (30) to wash away deposited residues of a previous color therefrom.

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 while generating larger fan patterns and optimized charge transfer capabilities. 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 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.

Abstract: A rotary atomizer has an internal power supply in the atomizer housing about which is passed cooling air. The air then flows out of the atomizer housing in a twisting direction as vectored air in the same direction of rotation as the atomizer head to eliminate any vacuum condition around the atomizer head and to provide shaping control of the coating being sprayed. A portion of the exhaust air from an air turbine motor driving the atomizer head with a turbine shaft is directed through a passageway between a stationary fluid tube within the turbine shaft and the rotary shaft to direct the exhaust air into the atomizer head to mix with the coating and create an air barrier that prevents coating material from leaking back into the rotary atomizer device. The remaining portion of the exhaust air from the air turbine motor is channeled around the outside surface of the housing of the rotary atomizer device to prevent liquid coating material from wrapping back and attaching to the atomizer housing.

Abstract: An electrostatic, liquid spray, rotary atomizer has an atomizer housing, a power supply within the housing and an atomizer cup at a front end of the housing. The atomizer cup, which is formed of a non-conductive material, has several elongate conductive pathways embedded in the body of the cup. Each conductive pathway has one end exiting an outer surface at a rear end of the cup for receiving the charge from the power supply and another end exiting an inner surface at a front end of the cup for conveying an electrical charge from the power supply to the liquid (paint) particles passing through the atomizer cup. A number of conductive extensions are embedded in a frustroconical front portion of the cup.

Abstract: A rotary atomizing head type coating machine which is capable of washing deposited paint from fore end portions of outer peripheral surface of a bell cup. Thinner passages are provided on the bell cup to communicate a paint reservoir with the outer peripheral surface of the bell cup. Thinner which flows out onto the outer peripheral surface of the bell cup through the thinner passages is guided toward the marginal releasing edge of the bell cup. To this end, assist air is spurted out through assist air outlet holes which are provided in the fore end face of a shaping air ring at positions radially on the inner side of shaping air outlet holes. Accordingly, at the time of a washing operation, the thinner which has come out onto the outer peripheral surface of the bell cup is forcibly pushed on the outer peripheral surface by the actions of assist air and shaping air as the thinner is guided toward the fore end of the bell cup to wash away deposited paint therefrom.

Abstract: An electrically non-insulative, typically metal, atomizer bell is housed in a shroud-like housing. A prime mover, such as an air turbine motor, typically also housed in the housing, rotates the bell to atomize coating material delivered to the bell. A second shroud movable relative to the bell has a first, retracted orientation in which the second shroud does not shield the charging portion from the approach of articles to the bell and a second, projected orientation in which the second shroud does shield the bell from the approach of articles to reduce the likelihood of disruptive electrical discharges from the bell.

Abstract: A paint spraying apparatus on which a number of paint applicator units of different types can be selectively and replaceably mounted depending upon conditions of a paint coating operation required. A color changing valve assembly is provided in a valve casing which serves as a common base assembly for a number of paint applicator units to be chosen from, including rotary atomizing head type electrostatic paint applicator units and spray gun type electrostatic paint applicator units. Accordingly, depending upon conditions of coating operation, such as shape of a coating surface, nature of paint, properties of solvent etc., a suitable paint applicator unit, selected from the paint applicator units, can be easily and replaceably mounted in position on the valve casing. The color changing valve assembly which is provided within the valve casing can be shared as a common mount base by a plural number of paint applicator units of different types.

Abstract: A rotary atomizing cup has an internal concave opening and a distributor member disposed in said opening for passing particles through the distributor member to an atomizing ring as the cup is being rotated. The distributor member is formed of a polymer material, the cup body of aluminum and the atomizing ring of stainless steel.

Abstract: A rotary atomizing electrostatic coating apparatus includes a plurality of shaping air nozzles for expelling shaping air having a pressure of about 80-250 kPa at an exit of each shaping air nozzle and having an amount of air to be expelled per nozzle of about 10-20 Nl min. Each shaping air nozzle has a diameter of about 0.6-1.5 mm. The number of shaping air nozzles is determined so that a summation of diameters of all shaping air nozzles is equal to between about 1/6-1/4 times an entire circumferential length of a greatest outside diameter of the atomizing head.

Abstract: An atomizing apparatus comprises an electrode, an orifice through which coating material to be atomized is discharged, and a power supply for maintaining across the electrode and an article to be coated by coating material dispensed from the apparatus a potential for transferring electrical charge to the material to be atomized to cause the material to be attracted toward the article. The apparatus has a first surface providing a locus for electrical discharge when the potential is maintained on the electrode. At least one first resistance has first and second terminals adjacent the first surface and the electrode, tending to localize the discharge at the first surface to the first terminal.

Abstract: An electrostatic, liquid spray, rotary atomizer has an atomizer housing, a power supply within the housing and an atomizer cup at a front end of the housing. The atomizer cup, which is formed of a non-conductive material, has several elongate conductive pathways embedded in the body of the cup. Each conductive pathway has one end exiting an outer surface at a rear end of the cup for receiving the charge from the power supply and another end exiting an inner surface at a front end of the cup for conveying an electrical charge from the power supply to the liquid (paint) particles passing through the atomizer cup. An electrode is provided for maintaining a small voltage at the access hole.

Abstract: A rotary atomizing head assembly employing a main body and a hub member which can be easily disassembled and reassembled whenever necessary. A ring engaging surface is provided on the inner peripheral side of a recessed hub socket on the main body, while a ring fitting groove is provided on the outer peripheral side of a cylindrical body portion of the hub member. With an O-ring set in the ring fitting groove, the cylindrical body portion of the hub member is fitted into the recessed hub socket, whereupon the hub member is resiliently retained on the main body of the rotary atomizing head by resilient retaining force of the O-ring. In this instance, the O-ring is pressed against the ring engaging surface to prevent dislocation of the hub member. On the other hand, the hub member can be disassembled from the main body by pulling the hub member in the axial direction to such a degree as to cause elastic deformation to the O-ring.

Abstract: A rotary atomizing electrostatic coating apparatus having a rotating spray head, and a paint nozzle for feeding paint on the front surface of the spray head, in which the spray head is comprising a spray head main body made of an electrically insulating material, and a plurality of discharge electrodes having nearly band-form pattern extending outward approximately along the rear side shape of the spray head main body from the central side of the spray head main body with a mutual phase difference or extending symmetrically about the axis of rotation of the spray head main body. The plurality of discharge electrodes rotate together with the spray head main body, and the discharge current in the front side direction of the axis of rotation of the spray head is made uniform and increased, thereby enhancing the painting efficiency.

Abstract: A coating apparatus has a two-piece shroud connected to a manifold, a rotatable shaft extending concentrically through the manifold, and a bell-cup atomizer attached to an end of the shaft. The shroud includes an annular inner member and an annular outer member concentrically shrouded over the inner member. The inner and outer members are removably held together and either the inner or outer member is detachably connected to the manifold. The inner member is held abuttingly against the manifold and positioned substantially between the bell-cup atomizer and the manifold. Shaping air nozzles or passageways are formed between the inner and outer members at their distal ends. The passageways are defined by a plurality of grooves formed at the distal end of either the inner or outer member, or both. The grooves extend to the distal terminal edge thereof. When the outer member is separated from the inner member, the passageways are exposed.

Abstract: A coating dispensing head includes a rotary dispensing device, a rotator for rotating the rotary dispensing device and a tachometer for generating a light signal in response to rotation of the rotator. The head includes a first connection for supplying the coating to the dispensing device, a second connection for supplying motive power to the rotator and a first optical fiber having a first end for receiving the light signal and a second end. At least one of the first and second connections includes first and second passageways terminating at respective first and second generally flat surfaces and connectors for holding the first and second surfaces against each other with the first and second passageways aligned so that the one of coating and motive power supplied to one of the first and second passageways flows into the other of the first and second passageways and thence to the one of the dispensing device and rotator.

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: An improved hand held rotary atomizer spray gun is disclosed. The spray gun includes a housing with a depending handle. A paint tube within the housing delivers paint to a rotatable bell atomizer which is mounted adjacent the front of the gun. A turbine assembly includes a turbine rotor which drives a turbine shaft which mounts the bell atomizer. The turbine shaft is supported by a bearing air chamber. A turbine air passageway and a bearing air passageway supply turbine air to the turbine rotor and bearing air to the bearing air chamber. When a trigger is squeezed paint is supplied to the atomizer bell while turbine air rotates the turbine shaft and the bell atomizer. An air shuttle assembly prevents air flow to the turbine unless sufficient bearing air is flowing to the bearing air chamber. In a preferred embodiment shaping air is supplied to shaping air openings in a housing air cap and the atomizer bell includes serrations on its inner edge.

Abstract: In a rotary atomizing head type coating machine, paint mist is prevented from depositing on a shaping air ring and synthetic resin cover. Shaping air ring includes an inner ring of a metallic material, an outer ring of an insulating synthetic resin material, and a shaping air outlet hole provided at the fore ends of the two rings. The inner ring has its base end electrically connected to an air motor, and provides an annular repulsion electrode at its fore end. This annular repulsion electrode induces strong positive discharges, thereby attracting clouds of negative ions, and preventing paint deposition on and contamination of the shaping air ring by a phenomenon of homopolar repulsions between clouds of negative ions and negatively charged paint particles.

Abstract: An electrostatic painting system for painting an object or article under corona discharge. The system comprises a spray gun which is formed at its tip end with annular air ejection opening through which air is ejected under pressure to atomize liquid paint ejected from a paint ejection opening formed at the tip end of the spray gun. An annular wire netting-like negative electrode is fixedly disposed at the tip end of the spray gun and located coaxially around the air ejection opening. The electrode functions to form an electrostatic field and a corona discharge field between the electrode and the object to be painted and to provide electric charge to the atomized paint, upon a high negative voltage being applied to the electrode.

Abstract: A rotary atomizer has an internal power supply in the atomizer housing about which is passed cooling air. The air then flows out of the atomizer housing in a twisting direction as vectored air in the same direction of rotation as the atomizer head to eliminate any vacuum condition around the atomizer head and to provide shaping control of the coating being sprayed. Exhaust air from an air turbine motor driving the atomizer head is directed around the outside surface of the atomizer housing to prevent the liquid coating from wrapping back and accumulating onto the atomizer housing. A speed sensing system is mounted in the atomizer housing and utilizes both magnetics and optics for accurately measuring the rotational speed of the air turbine motor in the presence of high electrostatic charge and RF fields from the internal power supply. The power supply is disposed within the atomizer housing about the turbine motor.

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 system for atomizing and dispensing powder comprises a fluidized powder bed for entraining the powder fluidized in a bearing air stream, a dispenser, and a motor for rotating the dispenser. The dispenser has a somewhat bell-shaped interior. The motor has an output shaft having a first passageway extending lengthwise thereof. A feed tube extends through the first passageway. The fluidized powder is fed to an end of the feed tube passageway remote from the dispenser to be supplied through the feed tube to the interior as the motor rotates the dispenser. A diffuser is mounted within the interior. A discharge slot is defined between the dispenser and an edge of the diffuser. The feed tube is mounted so that it does not rotate with the output shaft. The diffuser includes a back side facing the interior and bounded by the edge. The back side includes a generally part-spherical concavity into which the fluidized powder is directed from the feed tube.

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: 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 device for electrostatically spraying coating product has a rotating insulative material atomizer head and an axial charging electrode adapted to be connected to a high voltage supply and projecting to the front of the atomizer head to charge the atomized coating product by ionic bombardment.

Abstract: Rotating ionizer head for electrostatic application of an air-powder mixture, in particular for coating objects with powder paint fused by heat. The ionizer head is rotated by a turbine and comprises a deflector incorporating or constituting a charging electrode. A counter-electrode is set back axially from the ionizer head.

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.