Abstract: An agitator for a paint mix tank is characterized by a paddle that has passages in it extending between opposite sides thereof and that is reciprocated up and down in the tank to keep the paint mixed and pigments and fillers in the paint in suspension. The paddle is reciprocated in the tank in linear directions generally along paths through its passages. Reciprocation is provided by a motor operating through a gearbox, and the speed of the motor is adjustable to control the reciprocation rate of the paddle. The passages through the paddle improve its agitation performance and enable its linear speed to be sufficiently low during agitation of the paint to eliminate foaming of and entrapment of air in the paint. A process is also dislosed for mixing the liquid contents of the tank without foaming and aeration by providing the above apparatus.

Abstract: A piston rod assembly is provided for operation in an outer cylinder. The piston rod assembly includes a first rod having first and second regions, wherein the first region has a hole transversely aligned relative to the longitudinal axis of the first rod. A hollow, cylindrical bushing is disposed within the hole of the first rod. A second rod has first and second regions, the first region of the second rod being removably secured to the second region of the first rod. A packing sleeve for fluidly sealing the piston rods and outer cylinder includes a cylindrical shell having first and second portions circumferentially and adjustably disposed about at least the second region of the first rod and the first region of the second rod. First packings include a plurality of stacked annular seals mounted in the first portion of the cylindrical shell of the packing sleeve, such that the inner surfaces of the seals are in slidable and sealable contact with the outer surface of the first rod.

Abstract: A paint booth structure and method having, in one form a specially shaped painting volume wherein the painting occurs is provided with an air flow system to carry away paint overspray and a decreasing cross-sectional area in the direction of air flow to cause an increasing velocity air flow where the painting occurs.

Abstract: A pressure regulated electric pump is characterized by a positive displacement double acting reciprocating pump driven by an electric motor through a planetary roller screw. A controller senses the pressure of liquid at an outlet from the pump and varies the speed of the motor in a manner to maintain the pressure substantially constant. At a constant flow demand from the pump the motor is operated at a substantially constant speed. As flow demand rises and falls the instantaneous pump outlet pressure falls and rises. The changing pressure is sensed by the controller which makes incremental changes in the speed of the motor to cause the motor to speed up during a pressure fall and to slow down during a pressure rise, in such manner as to maintain pump outlet pressure substantially constant.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for improving a seal of a pliant tubular member on a cylindrical shaft. The seal is in the form of an articulating seal member positioned on a piston rod of a reciprocating pump and in this invention, is for use in a system that has dual in-line reciprocating pumps. The articulating seal has a tubular end positioned over circumferential grooves on each piston rod of the dual acting piston pump. To provide a tight, intimate seal relationship of the tubular end of the articulating seal with the piston rod, a self-threading member is threaded over the pliant tubular end to crush and deform the pliant tubular end into the circumferential grooves.

Abstract: A system for electrostatic application of conductive coating liquid has a grounded primary supply of conductive coating liquid, an electrostatic spray device and a system for delivering coating liquid from the primary supply to the spray device while maintaining a high voltage at the spray device electrically isolated from the primary supply. The delivery system includes one or more electrical insulation devices, each of which has a cylinder comprising an insulative conduit having a liquid inlet and a liquid outlet. The cylinders of the electrical insulation devices are connected via their inlets and outlets between the primary supply and the spray device to deliver coating liquid from the primary supply to the spray device.

Abstract: A spray gun for spraying fluent materials having a high concentration of particulate matter. The spray gun is connected to a source of pressurized air and a source of spray materials. The air and spray materials mix in a nozzle, atomizing the fluid in the spray materials before the mixture is discharged from the spray gun. A valve is provided to control the flow of the spray materials. A conduit passes through the valve to provide a secondary source of air to atomize the fluid in the spray materials. The valve is also configured to ensure that no spray materials can enter the chamber of the valve when the valve is the closed position.

Abstract: A precision metering, multiple fluid pumping system comprised of a main pump for pumping a primary fluid and an auxiliary pump for pumping a secondary fluid adjustably linked to work in unison with the main pump. The auxiliary pump is linked to the main pump through a rack and pinion gear system connected to an oscillating arm that operates the auxiliary pump simultaneously with the main pump. The auxiliary pump is infinitely adjustable over a selected range by varying the connecting point of the auxiliary pump to the oscillating arm. The connecting point is varied by a worm screw adjustment that provides precision adjustment and metering of a secondary fluid. The system also includes a clutch mechanism between the auxiliary pump oscillating arm and a rack and pinion gear system to disengage the auxiliary pump for priming.

Abstract: A spray gun for spraying fluent materials comprising a valve chamber, a nozzle connected to the chamber at one end thereof, inlet and outlet ports communicating with the valve chamber, and a valve element having a hollow interior displaceable in the chamber between closed and open positions. The valve element is operable in the closed position to extend between the inlet and the outlet ports to allow flow of material through the inlet into the hollow interior of the valve element and out through the outlet. The valve element in the open position is operable to split the flow through the inlet into: a first partial flow through the hollow interior of the valve element and out of the hollow interior and the valve chamber through the outlet; and a second partial flow through the spray nozzle, whereby the flow through the outlet is uninterrupted when the inlet is receiving the material under pressure.

Abstract: A precision metering, multiple fluid pumping system comprised of a main pump for pumping a primary fluid and an auxiliary pump for pumping a secondary fluid adjustably linked to work in unison with the main pump. The auxiliary pump is linked to the main pump through a rack and pinion gear system connected to an oscillating arm that operates the auxiliary pump simultaneously with the main pump. The auxiliary pump is infinitely adjustable over a selected range by varying the connecting point of the auxiliary pump to the oscillating arm. The connecting point is varied by a worm screw adjustment that provides precision adjustment and metering of a secondary fluid. The system also includes a clutch mechanism between the auxiliary pump oscillating arm and a rack and pinion gear system to disengage the auxiliary pump for priming.

Abstract: A precision metering, multiple fluid pumping system comprised of a main pump for pumping a primary fluid and an auxiliary pump for pumping a secondary fluid adjustably linked to work in unison with the main pump. The auxiliary pump is linked to the main pump through a rack and pinion gear system connected to an oscillating arm that operates the auxiliary pump simultaneously with the main pump. The auxiliary pump is infinitely adjustable over a selected range by varying the connecting point of the auxiliary pump to the oscillating arm. The connecting point is varied by a worm screw adjustment that provides precision adjustment and metering of a secondary fluid. The system also includes a clutch mechanism between the auxiliary pump oscillating arm and a rack and pinion gear system to disengage the auxiliary pump for priming.

Abstract: A pump that is in essence leak-proof and prevents the escape to ambient atmosphere of environmentally hazardous fluent materials is comprised of an outlet block defining a pump chamber having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, a piston having one end reciprocable within the pump chamber and sealed to the outlet block, a piston rod connected to the other end of the piston for reciprocating the piston, a dynamic block secured to the outlet block and defining a sealed dynamic chamber within which the other end of the piston reciprocates, and an outlet from the dynamic chamber in continuous closed-circuit communication with a recirculating system for preventing escape into the environment of any fluent material that may leak past the piston seal. The pump also includes an articulated seal for sealing the piston rod to the dynamic chamber to maintain the sealed integrity of the chamber while at the same time accommodating reciprocation of the piston rod.

Abstract: A side injection plural component spray gun having one or more injector assemblies mounted for injecting a catalyst into a main component at the most forward position of the spray gun. In one embodiment, the injecting assembly has an injection jet connected to the air path for injecting a catalyst into the air stream just before it exits a port for shaping the main component into a fan shaped pattern. The injection jet is constructed to minimize adverse effects on the air stream for shaping the spray pattern. In a second embodiment, dual injection assemblies inject catalyst for delivery through both shaping air ports on either side of the fan shaped pattern of the main component or allows injection of a third component. These embodiments minimize the build-up of catalyst on the walls and passageways of the spray gun minimizing the need for maintenance of the gun and preventing clogging and corrosion of passageways.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for an airborne particulate booth, such as a dust or paint, include a velocity sensing device for detecting the velocity of the air flow in the booth, utilizing, in a preferred form, a pendulum mounted sail. The air flow from the booth moves the sail; the sail moves the pendulum; and the pendulum's motion is detected and used to control the booth's air flow intake and exhaust fans or blowers to maintain the air flow at essentially a preset or desired constant velocity. Additionally, the apparatus and method when used in a powder paint booth with powder filters, includes progressive pulsing means which pulse the powder filters in a manner such that the interval between pulses may be automatically and progressively changed to keep the powder filters operating at or near peak efficiency from the time they are installed until the time they can no longer be kept functioning efficiently by pulsing, but must be replaced.

Abstract: A pumping and spraying system for heavy filled viscous primary fluid material comprised of a pump for such materials that will pump the primary fluid without cavitation and a plural component spray gun that will spray the material on demand and automatically divert the heavy filled primary fluid material back to a supply source when a trigger is released. The plural component spray gun is provided with generous size primary fluid conduit passageways through a chamber having a primary fluid valve which controls the flow of the primary fluid to a spray nozzle for delivery with a secondary fluid. An open diversion conduit connected perpendicular to the chamber has smaller passageways that divert the primary fluid back to the supply source whenever the primary fluid valve is closed to control and prevent static back pressure. This permits spraying of a heavy filled viscous primary fluid on demand without separation of the fluid components (i.e. packing-out), or clogging of fluid passageways or the spraying tip.

Abstract: A plural component external mix air-assisted/airless spray gun has an airless tip from which resin is emitted in a fan-shaped spray and an injector nozzle for directing an unatomized stream of catalyst into the resin adjacent to the airless tip. The catalyst injector nozzle is built into an ear of an air cap and the air cap is keyed to the airless tip to guarantee the positional relationship between the injector nozzle and the airless tip. Injecting a stream of unatomized catalyst into the resin stream immediately downstream from the airless tip provides thorough mixing of the catalyst into the resin, increased utilization of the catalyst and decreased emissions of catalyst fumes.

Abstract: A plural component airless spray gun for mixing and dispensing coreactive liquid materials has a mixing chamber into which coreactive components are introduced and mixed, an airless tip at a forward end of the chamber and from which the mixed components are emitted in a fan-shaped spray, and a mechanical purging rod that is actuable to clean residual mixed components from both the mixing chamber and the airless tip. The purging rod which has a main body of a diameter slightly less than that of the mixing chamber, and a forward end that defines a probe of a diameter that is slightly less than the dimension of the minor axis of an elongate orifice of the airless tip. During spraying, the purging rod is retracted rearwardly of the mixing chamber and of coreactive fluid inlets to the chamber.

Abstract: A system for coupling a grounded color changer to an electrostatic coating material sprayer electrically isolates the color changer from a high voltage at the sprayer. The system has a fluid path extending from the color changer to the sprayer and a reservoir is coupled to the fluid path at a connection point intermediate the color changer and sprayer. To fill the system with coating material to be sprayed, the fluid path to the sprayer is first filled with coating material from the color changer, following which the remaining coating material to be sprayed during the coating operation is flowed from the connection point into the reservoir. At least a portion of the fluid path between the connection point and the color changer is then cleaned of coating material to electrically isolate the reservoir and the sprayer from the color changer. Coating material is then delivered from the reservoir to the sprayer for being subjected to a high voltage and emitted in an electrostatically charged atomized spray.

Abstract: A hydraulically assisted high volume low pressure air spray gun has an airless tip for hydraulically emitting a fan-shaped pattern of liquid coating material, an atomizing air orifice for emitting air to pneumatically break up the pattern of coating material into a fan-shaped atomized spray and opposed side port air orifices for emitting jets of air that impinge against opposite sides of the spray. The gun received coating material at pressures in the range of about 25 to 1000 psi and air at pressures up to about 60 psi. An air flow restrictor limits the pressure of air at a spray head of the gun and a valve for controlling the flow rate of air to the side port orifices also simultaneously controls the flow rate of air to the spray head to limit the pressure of air at the spray head to no more than a selected maximum pressure, despite changes in the flow rate of air to the side port orifices.

Abstract: A high volume low pressure air spray gun has an atomizing air orifice for atomizing a stream of liquid coating material into a conical spray and opposed side port air orifices for flattening the spray into a fan-shaped pattern. The gun receives air at pressures up to about 100 psi, and an air flow restriction in the form of a venturi is in an air supply passage in the gun barrel. A valve stem for controlling the flow rate of air to the side port orifices extends through the venturi, and is configured to vary the venturi air flow area in response to changes in the flow rate of air to the side port orifices. When the valve stem is positioned for maximum air flow to the side port orifices, it establishes a maximum air flow area through the venturi, such that a high pressure of air at the gun air inlet, after flowing through the venturi, results in a high volume low pressure air flow at the atomizing and side port orifices.