Abstract: In a triboelectric powder spray gun in which a charge is imparted to the powder triboelectrically by repeated impacts of the powder with contact surfaces, the charging effectiveness of the gun is enhanced by using an electrode to produce corona treatment of the contact surfaces. The corona treatments discharge the contact surfaces and eliminate the need for adjacent grounds with the powder flow path.

Abstract: An electrostatic spray device contains a tube-like spray element (3); at least one charging electrode (12) to transfer electrostatic charges to the powder; at least one counterelectrode (44) arranged in the vicinity of the charging electrode (12), which is connected to an electrical potential (20) different from the charging electrode (12), so that it takes up at least part of the free ions generated during electrical charging of the powder; at least one ring-shaped element (44; 68; 74) which forms or carries the counterelectrode (44; 64; 74, 76) and extends around the downstream segment (72) of the spray element (3), on which it is radially supported; at least one connection ridge (78) outside the spray element (3), which carries the ring-shaped element (74) at its downstream end (79) and can be attached to the spray element (3) by its upstream end; and an electrical connection between the electrical potential connection (20) and the counterelectrode (44) by way of the connection ridge (78).

Abstract: An electrostatic spray coating device for electrically conductive, non-combustible coating fluid. The coating fluid is accommodated in a pressure container (2) of electrically insulating plastic and connected over a tube (10) of electrically insulating material with a spraying device (8). An electric conduction path (53) heads off high voltage from the coating fluid (6) which is present in the pressure container (2) when the high voltage is switched off. Thereby the electrical capacitance of the device is reduced and simultaneously it is ensured that after the switching-off of the high voltage the coating fluid present in the pressure container (2) in a few seconds is no longer electrically charged. Thereby, immediately after the switching-off of the high voltage, the pressure container (2) can be opened, for example for the replenishing of coating fluid.

Abstract: An improved method for row crop spraying whereby a solution is atomized by high speed air, imparted with an electrical charge, slowed with more high speed air, and deposited over crops including a nozzle for practicing such a technique. Such charged droplets are attracted to oppositely charged crops and are, therefore, more likely to adhere to crops than fall to the ground or to be swept away by the wind. Since a larger percentage of solution adheres to the plant, less solution can be applied thereby addressing both environmental and pecuniary concerns.

Abstract: A tribo-electric powder spray gun includes a diffuser for mixing powder with a conveying gas, a charging portion downstream of the diffuser, and a sprayhead at the outlet of the charging portion for dispensing the charged powder. The charging portion has an inner core removably positioned within a hollow outer cylinder with an annular gap formed between the outer cylinder and inner core providing a charging flowpath for the powder. The inner core and the outer cylinder have undulating or wavy charging surfaces made of an electrically insulating material, so that the annular gap provides a tortuous path for the powder, enhancing powder contact and the charge imparted to the powder. Grounding is provided by surface conduction of the electrically insulating contact material through a ground ring located outside the powder path at the inlet to the charging portion of gun where the greatest amount of charging occurs.

Abstract: In a method of electrostatic painting, the air to be conveyed towards the spraying nozzle (10) of a gun (9) together with the powdered paint, is enriched with at least one additive gaseous fluid consisting of at least one gas supplied from a feeding bottle (136, 137, 138, 139) and/or vapor obtained by submitting the air to bubbling through a working liquid (115). The additive fluid which has a greater electric conductivity than the air, causes an increase in the paint amount coated on the workpiece (11) in relation to the paint amount sprayed from the nozzle (10).

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 hand-held powder spray gun includes a wand type handle that extends from the top of the handle and away from the rear of the gun, which provides for ergonomic operation of the gun. The wand handle can be converted to a pistol handle by removal of the handle from the gun body. The parts of the wand handle and the pistol handle are interchangeable to facilitate conversion and repair. The wand handle can be used with a diffuser having hose connections extending from the rear of the spray gun to make the gun easier to operate when held from above. A diffuser having hose connections at the bottom is also provided for use with a pistol type handle.

Abstract: A spray gun with a powder spray nozzle sprays a pattern of coating material through specified discharge slot configurations to evenly coat a recess and/or the surface of a substrate. One discharge slot configuration, having two intersecting slots disposed at substantially sixty degree angles to each other, can be rotated to change the width of the coating being applied within the recess. The other slot configuration, having at least five radial slots and a substantially circular bore extending through the intersection of the slots, is effective to coat both the recess and the flat surface of the substrate.

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 tribo-electric powder spray gun includes a diffuser for mixing powder with a conveying gas, a charging portion downstream of the diffuser, and a sprayhead at the outlet of the charging portion for dispensing the charged powder. The charging portion has an inner core removably positioned within a hollow outer cylinder with an annular gap formed between the outer cylinder and inner core providing a charging flowpath for the powder. The inner core and the outer cylinder have undulating or wavy charging surfaces made of an electrically insulating material, so that the annular gap provides a tortuous path for the powder, enhancing powder contact and the charge imparted to the powder. Grounding is provided by surface conduction of the electrically insulating contact material through a ground ring located outside the powder path at the inlet to the charging portion of gun where the greatest amount of charging occurs.

Abstract: An electrostatic liquid coatings application process and apparatus is provided in which supercritical fluids, such as supercritical carbon dioxide fluid, are used to reduce to application consistency viscous coatings compositions to allow for their application as liquid sprays. The coatings compositions are sprayed by passing the composition under pressure through an orifice into the environment of the substrate. The liquid spray is electrically charged by applying a high electrical voltage relative to the substrate and electric current.

Abstract: The controlled generation of vapors and/or aerosols from liquids is accomplished by applying a regulated, DC voltage to a wick-like, porous emitter or generator assembly which is supplied with the desired liquid to be vaporized. An electrostatic charge is applied to the liquid by means of an electrode positioned in contact with the wick assembly and connected to the DC power supply. The wick assembly includes a porous, capillary material, such as braided fibers, through which the liquid passes to exposed, vapor-emitting fiber tips.The environment in a room, or enclosed space of any kind, may be aromatically conditioned and/or have its quality modified and enhanced by using a selected liquid conditioning substance such as an aromatic oil, deodorant, disinfectant, fumigant, fungicide, insecticide, or bactericide.

Abstract: In the broader aspects of the invention there is provided an improved nozzle, an improved nozzle assembly and an improved method in which the improved nozzle comprises a protrusion having an distal end and a collar extending backward from the distal end. The collar is surface free of discontinuities. The outer end has an edge and an adjacent point at which the charge is concentrated. The protrusion has a fluid passage. The fluid passage is sealed from the collar surface. The fluid passage has an outlet adjacent the edge. A conductor is disposed in the protrusion. The conductor extends into the passage and is immersed in the fluid being disposed.

Abstract: A device which can dispense at least one pesticide which comprises a base unit (10) containing tanks (40, 42) for the pesticides and a wand (100) including valves (212, 134) to control dispensing of the pesticides, an electrode (280) to place an electrostatic charge on one pesticide, and a pulsing unit (128) to pulse the flow of one pesticide.

Abstract: An electrode (60) for electrically charging dispensed coating material is electrically substantially isolated from the coating material dispensing device (16). Sources provide first (30-36) and second (70-76) coating materials, the first (30-36) of which is electrically substantially more conductive and the second (70-76) of which is electrically substantially less conductive. The first (30-36) or the second (70-76) coating material is alternately supplied to the coating material dispensing device (16). A high-magnitude electrostatic potential supply (58) provides electrostatic high potential to the electrode (60) and selectively to the coating material dispensing device (16).

Abstract: A sprayer intended for powder coating is provided with an annular friction charging channel (9) for electrostatic charging of the powder. The charging channel is defined partly by an inner longitudinal body (8) of non-conductive material, and partly by an outer tube (7) of the same material, there being disposed, extremely on the tube (7) an electric conductor (13, 14). To improve the charging of the powder and prevent discharging in the sprayer, there is provided centrally within the longitudinal body (8) a longitudinal electric conductor (11) which is electrically connected to the outer conductor (13, 14). The outer conductor (14) is of a length and constructional design which encloses the entire sprayer and the inner conductor (11) extends throughout the entire length of the channel (9).

Abstract: A paint hose extension to facilitate safe application of metallic paints with a hand held electrostatic spray gun. The hose extension extends between the spray gun and a hose connected to a grounded paint supply. The hose extension provides a predetermined long electrically insulated paint flow path between a high voltage paint charging electrode in the spray gun and the paint supply hose. An electrically conductive layer shields the hose between an electrically grounded handle on the spray gun and a remote metallic connector which attaches to the paint supply hose. The connector electrically connects the conductive layer with the grounded paint column at the connector.

Abstract: A spray gun with electrokinetic charging of powdered material for the purpose of electrostatically coating workpieces with a powder coating. As the powder flows pneumatically through a channel of insulation material in the form of an annular gap, the plastic powder to be applied is charged by superimposition of triboelectric effects with ionization processes initiated by these effects at a passive ionizer electrode, and completed by friction against a semiconductive insert within the annular gap. Thus, the effective area of the electrostatic induction ionizer is expanded, the charge on the powder is increased and spark-like sliding discharges in the flow channels as well as dielectric breakdowns of the channel wall are prevented.

Abstract: A powder sprayer for the powder coating of an object is provided with an annular charging channel (9) for electrostatic charging of the powder. The channel is defined by an inner, longitudinal rod (8) and an outer tube, (7), both being manufactured of electrically insulating material. The rod (8) is centered in the tube (7) by means of spacer and turbulence members (10) with vanes which are obliquely inclined or helically configurated in relation to the longitudinal direction of the sprayer. In order to improve the charging and blending of the powder, the turbulators (10) are arranged pair-wise after one another, each with a plurality of vanes which are distributed about the rod (8) so that through flow channels are formed between the vanes.

Abstract: An electrostatic sprayer device for spraying products in powder form comprises an air-powder mixture pipe with an ejector orifice at one end. It has a charging electrode adjacent this orifice and a counter-electrode coaxial with and to the rear of the charging electrode relative to the direction in which the mixture is ejected from the pipe. This counter-electrode is external to the pipe and substantially perpendicular to the axis of the pipe, with the result that an annular space is defined between the two electrodes and around the pipe. The electrodes have a potential difference applied between them to generate an electric field which attracts free ions towards the counter-electrode. A blower adjacent the counter-electrode discharges into the annular space formed between the two electrodes and around the pipe.

Abstract: In an apparatus for the use of so-called water enamels or some other similarly conductive coating material, the electrical field for charging the sprayed particles is produced between the grounded spraying edge (6) of a bell-shaped atomizer (10) and a large number of external electrodes (10) inserted into an annular element (20) made of an insulating material.

Abstract: In an apparatus for the use of so-called water enamels or some other similarly conductive coating material, the electrical field for charging the sprayed particles is produced between the grounded spraying edge (6) of a bell-shaped atomizer (10) and a large number of external electrodes (10) inserted into an annular element (20) made of an insulating material.

Abstract: The nozzle assembly of an electrostatic spray gun has an adapter which is made of an electrically insulating material and has a front surface facing in the direction of propagation of material issuing from the orifice of the nozzle. The adapter has a frustoconical extension which surrounds the orifice and whose external surface defines with the front surface of the adapter an annular space for the tips of electrodes which ionize air flowing toward the spray of material that issues from the orifice. The locations of the tips of electrodes (preferably very close to the front surface of the adapter) and the inclination of the external surface of the frustoconical extension determine the location of contact of ionized air with the spray. The tips of the electrodes are shielded from mechanical damage by being located in the annular space.

Abstract: Apparatus, for example an inhaler, is disclosed in which a spray is formed electrostatically from an outlet 6 to achieve uniform droplet size. The spray is then discharged for its intended use--in the example inhaling. The spray is discharged completely by corona produced by a sharp discharge electrode 16 which is charged to a polarity opposite that of the liquid. In order to prevent the corona from spoiling the formation of the spray itself, the liquid of the outlet 6 is protected by a neutral shield electrode 8. The spray issues through a hole 14 in the shield electrode. The hole is sufficiently small to prevent corona getting through, yet sufficiently large to allow the spray through.

Abstract: A powder spray gun for use in spraying particulate powder material of different colors is constructed of a number of individual parts which are quickly and easily disassembled from one another so that each part which comes into contact with particulate powder material can be individually cleaned in changing over from one powder to another. The powder spray gun comprises a mounting block which carries a rearward barrel member and a powder inlet tube, a forward barrel member connected to the rearward barrel member, a nozzle and pattern adjustment sleeve both carried on the forward barrel member and an electrostatic cable assembly received within a barrel liner which extend axially along the length of the spray gun. All but one of the connections between these parts are made by O-rings which frictionally engage facing surfaces of the parts so that they are easily pulled apart, cleaned by a jet of air or the like and then reassembled in preparation for spraying another color of particulate powder material.

Abstract: An electrostatic spray device having a gun barrel formed with a powder delivery passageway connected to a source of particulate powder material, a nozzle mounted at the forward end of the gun barrel which is formed with a discharge opening for emitting coating particles, a deflector carrying an electrode which produces an electrostatic field in the path of the coating particles emitted from the discharge opening and a pattern adjustment sleeve carried by the gun barrel which is radially outwardly spaced from the deflector and discharge opening.

Abstract: An electrostatic spray device for coating powder has a powder channel, the downstream end of which has a spray opening for the spraying of the coating powder. At least one gas channel with at least one gas outlet opening is arranged substantially in the radial center of the powder channel upstream of its spray opening, the gas outlet discharging axially in the direction toward the spray opening. At least one electrode, around which gas from the gas channel flows, is located in the gas outlet opening, the downstream electrode end of the electrode terminating substantially at the downstream end thereof. Within the powder channel, directly in front of its spray opening, a funnel-shaped powder channel section is provided for compacting the powder concentration. The gas stream injects electric charges into this section, which the stream of gas has taken up from the electrode. The spray opening preferably has the shape of a slot.

Abstract: An apparatus for the electro-kinetic charging of powder-like materials having a pair of supply channels, an input zone for each channel, one for the powder dispersed in a gas flow and one for another gas flow and which are shaped as dual annular nozzles with a pipe-shaped separating wall therebetween acting as an electrostatic ionizing electrode and made from an electrically semiconductive material having anti-sticking properties and, wherein the adjoining flow channel is formed as an annular channel by a pipe from an insulating material, and a centrally arranged rod, wherein the ratio between rod and pipe diameters is on the range from 0.75 to 0.9.

Abstract: An improved spray gun for mounting on a programmable industrial robot. A housing and manifold are attached to the robot and a spray head is removably attached to the manifold. The manifold includes fluid passages for supplying liquid, atomization air, fan air and pilot air to the spray head and for returning fluid from the spray head. A remotely controlled regulator is located in the manifold liquid passage and a remotely controlled valve is located in the manifold fluid return passage. One or two electrically actuated pilot valves supply pilot air to simultaneously operate atomization air and pattern shaping air control valves in the manifold passages and to operate a trigger valve in the spray head. A power supply module may be located in the housing for applying an electrostatic voltage through the manifold to the spray head for charging the coating liquid.

Abstract: A stream of carrier gas with powder particles is introduced at the feeding nd (2) of a powder pipe (1) in the direction of arrow (3) for coating workpieces. The material of the coating powder, of the powder pipe (1) and of displacement bodies (21, 22) built in the latter have different dielectric constants. At a certain distance from the outlet end (5) is mounted a charging device (12) provided with boosting electrodes (15) projecting inwardly and connected through a protective resistance (15) to a high-voltage supply (17). A rear counter-electrode (7, 26, 27) comprises an earthed conductive body (7). The displacement bodies (21, 22) accelerate the flow of powder particles. The latter come repeatedly in contact with the inner surface (11) of the powder pipe (1) and the displacement bodies (21, 22) communicating negatively charged particles (10) to them, after charge separation, whereas the positively charged particles (4) remain attached to the powder particles.

Abstract: An electrostatic powder spray coating method and apparatus for producing evenly coated continuous films of thermoplastic and thermosetting powders on substrates or parts having electrically conductive geometric complex surfaces enables the use, without the occurrence of "cobwebbing," of significantly higher charging voltages for the spray gun in the spray coating of preheated substrates and parts, thus allowing faster coating lines. The invention features the use of a grounded electrically conductive ring for grounding the ionized field in the powder discharge region of the spray gun.

Abstract: An apparatus for generating a mist of negatively charged liquid particles comprises a liquid container, a capillary tube in fluid communication with the container, an electrode at least partially within the passage of the capillary tube and a DC power supply providing a negative potential of at least 5,000 Volts to said electrode. The liquid may be water or other fluids as long as the resistivity of the liquid is in the range of 1.6.times.10.sup.3 to 4.0.times.10.sup.5 Ohms-centimeters. A preferred embodiment utilizes a negative potential of between 5,000 and 8,000 Volts DC and a liquid having a resistivity in the range of 2.times.10.sup.4 to 15.times.10.sup.4 Ohms-centimeters.

Abstract: An electrostatic spray gun wherein the barrel is formed by two tubes which define an annular gap for gaseous or pulverulent material. An electrode is installed in the inner tube between the front and rear ends of such tube and has two or more prongs extending outwardly into the gap. The central portion of the electrode has one or more discharging portions in a path for the flow of pulverulent or gaseous material toward a deflector which is releasably mounted at the front end of the inner tube. The electrode is connected with a high-voltage conductor which is mounted in a tubular shield within the inner tube.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for spraying liquids wherein liquid emerging from a sprayhead is subjected to an electrical field sufficiently high for the liquid to be drawn from the sprayhead in the form of one or more filaments. The filament or filaments become unstable and subsequently break up into droplets. A stream of gas is caused to flow through the region of the high electrical field, the gas flowing in a direction parallel or substantially parallel with the direction in which the liquid emerges from the sprayhead. Droplets are thus removed from the region and a built-in in space charge is reduced.

Abstract: Electrostatic spraying of a liquid from an applicator on to a substrate. Of primary importance for spraying ink from hand-held devices or in computer graphic work. The spraying is controlled by variation of a control electrode between an operative and an inoperative state; the control electrode, e.g. a needle, being positioned so as to affect the electrostatic field when activated and prevent spraying.

Abstract: A spray gun for applying a film to a workpiece has a spray head provided with an annular nozzle designed to discharge material which is to undergo pneumatic atomization. A second annular nozzle surrounds the pneumatic material discharge nozzle and is designed to discharge atomizing air for pneumatic atomization of the material issuing from the pneumatic material discharge nozzle. The spray head is further provided with an additional material discharge nozzle designed to discharge material which is to undergo hydrostatic atomization. The hydrostatic material discharge nozzle is disposed centrally of, and is surrounded by, the pneumatic material discharge nozzle. The hydrostatic material discharge nozzle forms a first spray of hydrostatically atomized material while the annular nozzles form a hollow conical second spray which surrounds the first spray when both sprays are on simultaneously.

Abstract: Spraying apparatus comprising a shroud in the form of a tube flared at one end and made of electrical insulating material, said shroud adapted for connection to an air supply such that in operation a high velocity air stream issues from the flared end of the shroud, at least one air shear nozzle mounted inside the shroud adjacent the flared end, a tube adapted for connection to a liquid spray source for supplying the nozzle such that in operation the liquid is atomized by the high velocity air flow and the expansion of compressed air from the supply passing over the nozzle, means for maintaining the liquid in the nozzle at ground electrical potential, a high voltage metal electrode positioned inside the flared end of the shroud in spaced relation to the nozzle, and means for supplying high voltage to the electrode such that in operation the electrode carries a high voltage positive or negative potential effective to charge by induction liquid particles or droplets issuing from the said nozzle.

Abstract: An electrostatic nozzle assembly for coating row crops and other plants with electrostatically charged particles of pesticide including a nozzle body formed with passageways to receive air and a grounded stream of waterborne pesticide for delivery through a nozzle tip to an inductor ring mounted between the nozzle body and an air nozzle having a discharge orifice. As the stream of waterborne pesticide is projected from the nozzle tip, it is impacted with a swirling, spirally moving stream of air produced by a swirl plate having a plurality of tapered air channels oriented tangentially relative to the pesticide stream and communicating with the air passageway in the nozzle body. The inductor ring inductively charges the pesticide in the terminal end of the nozzle tip.

Abstract: An improved electrostatic spray gun wherein the power pack for transforming a low voltage electrical signal from an external source to a high voltage signal for application to the gun electrode is wholly contained within the handle of the gun. The gun includes multiple interchangeable barrels for enabling the gun to spray airless atomized liquids, or air spray atomized liquid, or air-entrained solid particulate materials.

Abstract: An atomizer for coating an object with powder includes a spray gun with a central feed passage and an atomizer gas flow passage with an outlet radially outside the feed channel. Both the outlet from the feed channel and the atomizer gas passage outlet are located at a widening atomizer gas outlet. Upstream of the spray gun is a body with a plurality of obliquely inclined, axially extending flow channels in it which impart spiral rotation to the gas-powder mixture entering the feed channel in the spray gun. The housing for the body having the inclined flow channels in it is conically tapered upstream and downstream of that body, and upstream of that body there is an upstream facing conical element for directing flow into the flow channels.

Abstract: An electrostatic spray system including a spray device having a coating-charging electrode, a source of high voltage electrostatic potential, and a resistive path for safely transmitting high voltage between the electrode and the electrostatic supply. The resistive high voltage transmission path is composed of plural parallel-connected continuous silicon carbide fibers.

Abstract: Portable electrostatic spraying apparatus having a low stored energy wherein the capacitor of the high voltage circuit is formed by the capacitance between a lead connecting the high voltage generator output to the spray nozzle and a lead connected to the other side of the generator output.

Abstract: The electrogasdynamic coating system includes an electrogasdynamic gun for charging material particles indirectly. The gun has a gas inlet which receives from a gas source a pressurized gas in which an condensable vapor is entrained. Corona and attractor electrodes are disposed in communication with the gas inlet for ionizing the ionizable vapor. A dielectric tube extends from the electrodes downstream to a mixing chamber. A first fluid material inlet is connected with a first source of powder or liquid material and a second fluid material inlet is connected with a second source of powder or liquid material. The first and second fluid material inlets are connected with the mixing chamber such that particles of the first and second fluid materials are mixed with the gas and vapor. The vapor condenses and coats the particles during mixing causing them to become charged. In use, a condensable vapor is entrained into a gas flow, the gas flow is passed across corona and attractor electrodes to ionize the vapor.

Abstract: The electrogasdynamic coating system includes an electrogasdynamic gun for charging material particles indirectly. The gun has a gas inlet which receives from a gas source a pressurized gas in which an condensable vapor is entrained. Corona and attractor electrodes are disposed in communication with the gas inlet for ionizing the ionizable vapor. A dielectric tube extends from the electrodes downstream to a mixing chamber. A first fluid material inlet is connected with a first source of powder or liquid material and a second fluid material inlet is connected with a second source of powder or liquid material. The first and second fluid material inlets are connected with the mixing chamber such that particles of the first and second fluid materials are mixed with the gas and vapor. The vapor condenses and coats the particles during mixing causing them to become charged. In use, a condensable vapor is entrained into a gas flow, the gas flow is passed across corona and attractor electrodes to ionize the vapor.

Abstract: A liquid such as a hydrocarbon fuel is sprayed electrostatically into a gas tream. Spraying is achieved by supplying the liquid to a porous member having a plurality of termini within an electrostatic field. The electrostatic field strength is enhanced at the termini so that liquid which soaks through the porous member to the termini breaks up under the influence of the locally high electrostatic field into a stream of droplets which are repelled by their charge away from the termini. The droplets become finely dispersed in a passing gas stream.The invention finds particular application as an electrostatic carburettor for dispersing petrol into an air stream for combustion in an internal combustion engine. The invention can also be utilized for re-dispersing fuel droplets deposited on the wall of an air/fuel intake.

Abstract: A system for separating solid particles from the combustion products of coal in which high temperature, high pressure flue gas containing the particles is directed tangentially into a cyclone separator so that the relatively large particles are driven by centrifugal forces to the inner wall of the separator. Electrical charges generated at ambient temperature are blown into the cyclone separator via aerosol charge-carriers which charge the relatively small particles in a manner so that the small charged particles are attracted to the wall, which is of an opposite polarity, and are scrubbed off the wall by the larger particles. A double-cone flow regulator is positioned in the path of the aerosol charge carriers and the particles to direct the carriers and particles toward the inner wall. An outlet is provided at the lower portion of the cyclone separator for discharging the separated particles and an additional outlet is provided for discharging the clean gas.

Abstract: Electrostatic spray guns are connected in series to a pressurized source of liquid spray material. Each gun has an attached pressure regulator for evening the pressure of liquid supplied to the gun and the consequent spray pattern emitted from the gun. Each regulator is so constructed that it minimizes the pressure drop of liquid passing through the regulator to the next series connected regulator. Additionally, each regulator is made primarily from a low capacitance plastic material so that it cannot store and discharge an electrical potential sufficient to create a dangerous condition in a spray environment. Each regulator is so constructed that it may be manually adjusted to vary the pressure of liquid supplied from the regulator to the attached gun or may be easily converted to pneumatic control.

Abstract: Liquid is sprayed from a nozzle by subjecting it to a vortex air flow which breaks it into particles of about five to twenty microns, and, while the liquid particles are entrained in the liquid flow they pass by a needle shaped charging electrode extending into the flow transversely of the vortex flow axis. This imposes a high electrostatic charge on the particles to improve their spray characteristics.

Abstract: An atomizer has a channel through which material to be atomized, preferably comprising a transport gas and a powder, liquid or granular material, flows in a first direction. At or slightly downstream from the downstream end of the channel, preferably an atomizer gas is injected into the stream to be atomized, the injection occurring at an angle to the first direction. Preferably the atomizer gas is injected to impart a rotary motion to the stream. At the downstream end of the channel is a funnel-shaped outlet whose surface is so shaped that the stream can adhere to the interior surface of the outlet under the Coanda effect, producing an atomized cloud of transversely uniform density. A gas jacket may be used to control the shape of the cloud. The flow of both the atomizer gas and the gas forming the gas jacket is preferably adjustable in speed and direction.