Abstract: A rotor for spreading a particulate product into a fluid bed comprises a shaft or core member defining an axis of rotation. Peripherally spaced spreading members extend outwardly from the shaft or core member, and the radial extensions of peripherally adjacent spreading members are different viewed in transverse sections of the rotor. The spreading members may form vanes or wings extending axially along the shaft or core member, and the spacing of the free edge of each vane or wing from the axis of rotation may vary along the length of the rotor.

Abstract: A device and method for automatically dispersing aggregate material, such as animal feed, is disclosed. The device includes a hopper having a spout at a bottom side thereof. A distributor is positioned underneath the spout so that feed or other material within the hopper flows out of the spout and into the distributor. the distributor is dimensioned and positioned relative to the spout so that the feed cones-up and prevents further feed from flowing out of the hopper. The distributor is further configured to have upright walls located around its periphery. The upright walls prevent unintended unloading of the distributor by wind or bumping. The distributor is attached to a shaft of an electrical motor which activates during a rotational cycle in accordance with a schedule established by a control unit. When the motor activates, the distributor rotates, and feed is broadcast from the distributor through openings within the upright walls.

Abstract: A material extraction nozzle for separating a mixture of materials having different densities, comprising: a nozzle body shell having an outer surface with a tangentially located material inlet at an upper portion thereof and an inner surface defining in part a frustrum of a cone; a substantially conical diffuser section having an outer surface terminating in an apex, the diffuser section axially aligned within the nozzle body shell in a spaced relation therewith so as to form an extraction chamber with the inner surface of the nozzle body shell and the outer surface of the substantially conical diffuser section; an extracted material outlet port positioned axially through the substantially conical diffuser section; and at least one rejected material capillary outlet located below the apex of the diffuser section.

Abstract: A low cost sprayer and method of using the sprayer is disclosed. The sprayer is formed with a length of flexible tubing having an inlet end and a tubing outlet end. A nozzle is secured to the outlet end of the hose in a manner to provide a predetermined flow pattern upon rotation of the tubing and nozzle. In use, the inlet end of the tubing is placed within an agricultural chemical containing tank and a predetermined length of the remainder of the tubing is rotated by a worker as he walks through the area to be sprayed. By varying the radius of the rotating portion of the tubing and by varying the type of spray nozzle employed, the swath width and the droplet size of liquid chemical application can be closely controlled. Granular agricultural chemicals can be applied by rotating a granular material nozzle about its axis while rotating the tubing in a vertical plane.

Abstract: A manure spreader that includes a generally V-shaped hollow body having a longitudinally positioned auger conveyor rotatively carried near its bottom which can be raised or lowered to break up manure that may bridge over the auger conveyor. The auger conveyor has a set of individual blades arranged in a helix to force the manure toward an outlet gate which is positioned at one end of the body. A rotary impeller comprised of a set of free swinging manure blades is carried outwardly of the body in a position to receive and propel the manure from the outlet gate while a suitable drive mechanism is provided to rotate the impeller at sufficient speed so the free swinging blades extend radially outward to spread the manure over a wide area.

Abstract: A method for the production of a fiber-reinforced molding material of thermosetting resin, which method comprises supplying a liquid thermosetting resin composition to at least one spreading roller disposed as separated by a gap of not more than 5 mm from the terminal of a supply unit, rotated at speed in the range of 1,000 to 7,000 r.p.m., and provided on the circumferential source thereof with at least one ridge or groove formed parallelly to the rotary axis thereof, thereby causing the liquid thermosetting resin composition to be spread out in the form of particles, allowing said particles to be mixed with separately spread reinforcing fibers, piling the resultant mixture, and then deaerating the piled mixture thereby causing the reinforcing fibers in the piled mixture to be impregnated with the resin composition.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for depositing a primer of programmed color on an object are described. In the method, a neutral primer base and at least one mono- or poly-pigmented paste are fed independently to a projection or spray device such an electrostatic deposition device comprising a rotary bowl. The base and paste are mixed in the device simultaneously while being projected or sprayed on the object.

Abstract: Electrostatically charged liquid such as water is supplied via rotating structure to impinge on a baffle. The latter deflects the charged liquid onto a rotating insulative, frusto-conical surface on which the charged liquid forms a film which flows forwardly to an annular edge. Gas such as air, sweeping past the edge, impacts the layer arriving at the edge and produces fine charged droplets of the liquid, forming a fog. This charged fog is usable for suppressing dust particles in the air.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and apparatus for conducting electrostatic spray coating by which an improved coating layer made uniform in gloss, hardness, weather-tightness, and other characteristics is obtained on an object to be coated. The coating layer is formed with use of a rotary spray head device which is provided with a funnel-like body having an inner wall surface and an open end portion. The rotary spray head device is driven to turn on an axis of rotation surrounded by the inner wall surface of the funnel-like body, and supplied with plural kinds of coating material which are discharged to a substantially common location on the inner wall surface of the funnel-like body simultaneously through respective separate paths so as to form their respective layers superimposed on said inner wall surface of the funnel-like body and move toward said open end portion of the funnel-like body.

Abstract: A method for the manufacture of a fiber reinforced thermosetting resin molding material, which comprises feeding a liquid thermosetting resin composition to the surface of at least one transfer roller in rotation, causing the resin composition adhering to the surface to be spread in the form of particles by a spreading roller opposed across a gap to the transfer roller and rotated in the same direction as the transfer roller, allowing the spread said resin composition to be piled up in a state mixed with reinforcing fibers separately spread, and subsequently removing the entrapped air from the resultant pile thereby enabling the resin composition to wet out the reinforcing fibers in said pile.

Abstract: A rotary spray nozzle directional tank cleaning machine has a first, stationary housing, a second housing mounted to the first housing for rotation about a first, typically vertical axis, and a third housing mounted to the second housing for rotation about a second axis. The second axis is at a first, acute angle to the first axis. The second housing is driven about the first housing through an impeller driven gear train by the pressurized cleaning liquid passing therethrough. The third housing is driven by a pair of bevel gears mounted to the first and third housings. One or more nozzles, mounted to the third housing, direct cleaning liquid along a third axis oriented at a second, acute angle to the second axis. The first and second, acute angles are preferably 45.degree. to create a hemispherical spray pattern.

Abstract: This invention relates to a humidifier which includes a multi-bladed fan which is rotated at a high speed. The blades have flow passages extending therethrough and opening out through their end tips. Liquid is supplied to the center of the fan and distributed to the radiating flow passages. The speed of the blades is such that the liquid is forced through the flow passages in the blade centrifugally so as to produce droplets at the tips of the blade. The droplets are reduced in size by the shear forces of the blade tip passing through the air. The fan maintains the end tip vortex wherein as the droplets appear at the radial ends of the blades, the droplets are drawn rearwardly around the ends of the blades tips and then back through the blades so as to be further reduced in size by shear forces. The rate of fog production is controlled by a flow meter.

Abstract: A method for atomizing dispersions or solutions containing particles wherein the dispersion or solution is discharged from a nozzle. Before it leaves the nozzle it is brought to form a rotating annular film which is exposed to the influence of high-frequency sound for the disintegration of the liquid.

Abstract: Spraying of liquid or a suspension is performed under the action of a centrifugal disc which is rotatable about an axis of rotation and has an oblique outer annular skirt which generates a spray cone of small droplets, and during the rotation of the centrifugal disc a gas stream is formed in the spray cone and directed from inside the spray cone axially toward the centrifugal disc so as to form a centripetal gas flow extending in a direction transverse to the axis of rotation and reducing the diameter of the spray cone.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for separating, spreading and distributing a solid or liquid particulate material. The particulate material is pneumatically conveyed into a centrifugal chamber within a rotor (20) operatable by the flow of material for centrifugal separation of the particulate material. The terminal edge of the circumference of the centrifugal chamber serves as an overflow for establishing a buffer store and has a flow-retarding inwardly directed flange. A baffle may be provided around the terminal edge to intercept the material flung out and to conduct the material, via hopper-like flow-retarding recesses, to different outlets provided around the terminal edge.

Abstract: The manure spreader includes a V-shaped hollow body having a longitudinally positioned impeller rotatively carried near its bottom. The impeller blades are arranged in oppositely generated helices to urge the manure both from the rear of the body and from the front of the body toward an outlet gate which is positioned in the body intermediate its ends. A rotary spinner is carried outwardly of the body in position to receive the effluent from the gate and suitable drive mechanism is provided to rotate the spinner at many times the rotative speed of the impeller. The spinner and the impeller are rotated by a common drive and an adjustable deflector may be provided to easily vary the spray pattern from the spinner.

Abstract: The manure spreader includes a V-shaped hollow body having a longitudinally positioned impeller rotatively carried near its bottom. The impeller blades are arranged in oppositely generated helices to urge the manure both from the rear of the body and from the front of the body toward an outlet gate which is positioned in the body intermediate its ends. A rotary spinner is carried outwardly of the body in position to receive the effluent from the gate and suitable drive mechanism is provided to rotate the spinner at many times the rotative speed of the impeller. The spinner and the impeller are rotated by a common drive and an adjustable deflector may be provided to easily vary the spray pattern from the spinner.

Abstract: An improved rotary atomizer bell is disclosed for use in an electrostatic rotary atomizer liquid paint applicator. The bell has a paint discharge edge at a front end and has a predetermined wall thickness at the front end. In one embodiment, a radius of from 0.040 inch up to the front end wall thickness is provided between an exterior surface and a flat front end surface. In a modified embodiment, the front end surface on the bell lies on a right conical surface of revolution having an apex located on the axis of revolution of the bell and spaced outwardly from the bell and having a base angle of between about 7.degree. to 20.degree..

Abstract: A method and apparatus for broadcast dispersion of biologically active encapsulated dispensers over preselected areas in a preselected pattern which utilizes a primary rotating applicator. The apparatus includes a hopper for the encapsulated dispensers and means for moving the dispensers onto a surface of the primary applicator from there to be discharged tangentially. A "sticker" substance is mixed with the dispensers. The distribution pattern is modified by one or more secondary directional spreaders located adjacent the primary applicator which serve to deflect and re-direct the dispensers.

Abstract: The manure spreader includes a wheeled, V-shaped body having a longitudinally positioned impeller rotatively carried near the bottom of the V-configuration. The impeller blades are positioned on a multi-sided body and are arranged in oppositely generated helices to urge the manure both from the rear of the body and from the front of the body toward an outlet gate which is positioned in the body intermediate its ends. A rotary spinner is carried outwardly of the body in position to receive the effluent from the outlet gate and a suitable drive mechanism is provided to rotate the spinner at many times the rotative speed of the impeller. The spinner and the impeller are simultaneously rotated by a common drive, which may be a tractor PTO, and an adjustable deflector is provided in effluent path from the spinner to easily vary the spray pattern.

Abstract: A centrifugal feeder includes a cylindrical feeder disc having an upwardly inclined uniform surface which is designed to expel particles placed thereon in a predetermined fashion by centrifugal force. The upwardly inclined surface of the disc may be designed to have a first predetermined expulsion rate which is the initial speed at which the disc must be rotated to expel any of the particles from the surface thereof. The disc also may be designed to have a final expulsion rate at which all particles placed on the surface thereof are expelled. The disc is rotated at a controlled rate of speed and at a controlled rate of change of speed to expel the particles in the manner desired in a linear or non linear fashion. The feed or expulsion rate of the particles is determined by the design of the disc and the rotation speed of the disc and essentially is independent of the size and density of the particles and the viscosity of the surrounding fluid in which the disc is rotated.

Abstract: An improved fluid supply head for high speed rotary atomizers in which high velocity low volume air is introduced directly into the spindle shaft and sealing recesses of the head downstream of bearings supporting the shaft and exhausted along the spindle shaft and along the inner periphery of the atomizing disc. This high velocity low volume air, as it emerges at the disc, creates a venturi-like action that draws the spraying fluid towards the center of the disc axis to form an improved doughnut-shaped spray pattern. This high velocity low volume air also fluid seals the bearings.

Abstract: Apparatus for controlling the delivery of material from a moving vehicle using a "closed loop" feedback control. The error signal to close the loop is derived from a continuous measurement of the actual rate of mass flow of material compared to the desired or computed rate of mass flow for a range of vehicle speeds. The vehicle speed is measured and used to modify the desired rate of mass flow in order to achieve a controlled mass per unit area of ground surface.

Abstract: A hand-operated liquid spray apparatus operates on the air-lift pump principle wherein the air-forcing member and the spray-forming member are one and the same. Such an apparatus requires no nozzles or valves and no permanent pressurization of the sprayed liquid. A plurality of deflectable vanes are movably disposed in an open-ended chamber which communicates with the interior of a liquid container via separate air and liquid passages. The vanes, when at rest, seal both passages from the open chamber end. Operator-initiated motion of the vanes toward the air passage forces air trapped in the chamber through the air passage and into the container, thereby forcing liquid up through the liquid passage to wet the vanes in the chamber. A lip at the open end of the chamber is arranged to deflect the wetted vanes as they move past the lip. After passing the lip the deflected vanes spring back to their undeflected positions and, in so doing, throw off a spray pattern of liquid droplets.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for distributing a flowable material over a base surface and wherein said flowable material is centrifuged from the peripheral region of a rotary member to produce an annular spray pattern, concentric with the rotational axis of the rotary member, and said rotary member is displaced over the base surface, characterized in that the annular spray pattern issuing from the periphery of said rotary member is interrupted at two locations, spaced apart, to obtain, at the base surface, two arcuate spray patterns, and the flowable material interrupted at said two locations is directed to a second rotary member and centrifuged from a peripheral region thereof to produce an annular spray pattern at said base surface. Preferably the two arcuate spray patterns are superimposed on the annular spray pattern to obtain a uniform distribution of material transverse to the direction of travel.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for distributing a flowable material onto a base surface and wherein a rotary member is rotatably supported concentrically within a mask, a flowable material supply to the rotary member deposits said material on the rotary member and said material is centrifuged uniformly from the periphery of the rotary member, said mask has slots through which selected segments of centrifuged material can pass while the spray segments striking the inside of the mask between the slots is arrested to achieve a spray pattern on the base surface in accordance with the arrangement of slots in the mask. In a preferred embodiment a second rotary member is located beneath the mask and material arrested by the mask constitutes a material supply to the second rotary member.

Abstract: A spraying apparatus and a method for spraying a liquid in a pattern which can be adjusted without stopping the spraying operation. The apparatus comprises a pair of nozzles, each including an orifice providing a liquid stream therefrom. The nozzles are mounted on opposed radially extending arms, each arm extending a predetermined distance along an axis which is normal to the central axis of the apparatus. Means are provided for adjusting the angular orientation of the nozzles with respect to the central axis to enable each nozzle's orifice to extend at any predetermined angle within the range of parallel to the central axis up to an angle of approximately 45.degree. with respect to the central axis. When the nozzles are oriented with their respective orifices parallel to the central axis the apparatus provides a pair of liquid streams in a relatively straight line which is parallel to the axis.