Abstract: The invention concerns a pig scraper for cleaning the inside wall of a coating agent conduit. The pig scraper includes a body insertable in the conduit and at least one sealing lip that seals against the inside wall of the conduit and extends parallel to a longitudinal axis of the body. A space is defined between the sealing lip and the body to form a pocket for enhancing the sealing of the sealing lip with respect to the conduit. The length of the sealing lip substantially prevents the lip from folding over on itself in response to a change in the direction of movement of the pig scraper in the conduit.

Abstract: The bell shaped plate of a rotary sprayer is attached to its drive shaft by means of a detachable device. An accidental self-release of the mounting device that would cause the rotating bell shaped plate to be flung off is avoided by measures that prevent at least accidental movements of the bell shaped plate radial to the axis of rotation.

Abstract: A dual action piston type metering device is installed between the color changer of a coating system and its atomizer, the metering cylinder of which includes two input ports with the color changer output ports connected to the atomizer. The dual action piston type metering device enables the alternating operation of the cylinder ranges (A/B-operation) with only one single metering cylinder.

Abstract: To clean an atomizer used for automatic series-production coating of work pieces in a cleaning device provided for this purpose, the outer housing of the atomizer is sprayed by nozzles of the cleaning device, while simultaneously painting and rinsing agents sprayed by the spray head of the atomizer in a short rinsing process are captured and discharged through a pipe section in the interior of the cleaning device. In electrostatic atomizers, voltage equalization between the atomizer and the cleaning device is performed beforehand. Through additional measures, the atomizer can be moved by the handling machine provided for this purpose only from one proper direction towards the cleaning device.

Abstract: A coating means supply device, in particular for a paint facility, having a coating means meter that meters coating means to be applied to application equipment. The coating means supply device includes a coating means reservoir for holding the coating means and for supplying the coating means meter with the coating means. During application of coating material to equipment, the coating means reservoir is at ground potential and is located upstream from the coating means meter, which is at high-voltage potential. The reservoir is connected via an insulating path to the coating means meter. The coating means meter is at ground potential when the coating means reservoir supplies coating means to the coating means meter. Before the coating means meter is returned to a high-voltage potential for continued application of coating material, the insulating path is emptied to again insulate the coating means meter from the coating means reservoir.

Abstract: A valve stem installation system includes a robotic arm for moving a valve stem insertion device around the lip of wheel. The system also includes a pair of valve stem aperture sensors positioned on the robotic arm adjacent the valve stem insertion device and moveable around the lip of the wheel. The sensors can be positioned on opposite sides of the valve stem insertion device. When the first sensor locates the valve stem aperture, movement of the robotic arm can be slowed. When the second sensor locates the valve stem aperture, movement of the robotic arm can be stopped. The conveyor unit can include an identification station to sense the configuration of the wheel. A controller can select the appropriate valve stem to insert in the valve stem aperture in response to the sensed configuration of the wheel.

Abstract: A plurality of atomizers or other tools are disposed in a mounting plate (10) in storage places (12), respectively. The mounting plate (10) is rotatable relative a paint robot of a coating installation and has a pneumatic lock or a tool holder (19) that can only be released automatically during storage of the atomizers by an external control device of the mounting plate.

Abstract: A transfer device is provided for transferring tires from a tire conveyor line to a wheel conveyor line. The transfer device includes first and second surfaces rotatable with respect to one another. The first surface can receive tires from the tire conveyor line. A rotating device rotates the first surface to induce movement of the tire to the second surface. The second surface can receive the tire from the first surface and rotate toward the wheel conveyor to position the tire to engage the wheel.

Abstract: A rotational atomizer turbine of the present invention is designed to drive a bell-shaped disk in a rotational atomizer for a coating unit. The rotational atomizer turbine includes a housing, a rotatable turbine wheel with several turbine blades connected to a shaft and rotatably disposed in the housing. A plurality of nozzles are defined in the housing and are positioned relative the turbine wheel to drive fluid, i.e. gas onto the turbine blades. An intermediate chamber formed in the housing is fluidly communicated with and connected to the nozzles to hold gas therein. The intermediate chamber has a first inlet to supply gas. At least a second inlet is defined in the intermediate chamber for delivering gas into the intermediate chamber thereby increasing amount of gas therein to multiply a rotational speed of the rotatable turbine wheel as increased amount of gas is introduced to the turbine blades.

Abstract: A sensor for a conductive coating delivery system subject to high voltage including a movable member, such as a pig received through a delivery line having a magnet and a sensor in the delivery system subject to high voltage including an optically polarizing device subject to magneto-optical change upon approach of the magnet generating a polarized light signal, optical fibers connected to the sensor receiving the polarized light signal connected to an electrical device situated remotely from the high voltage generating an electrical signal for controlling a valve, metering pump or the like.

Abstract: A powder conveying pump, in particular for a powder coating device. The pump comprises a working chamber with a variable working chamber volume, a powder inlet opening into the working chamber to suck powder into the working chamber, a powder outlet opening out of the working chamber to expel the powder present in the working chamber and a moveable piston that forms one boundary surface of the working chamber and sucks the powder into the working chamber through the powder inlet during an upward movement. The piston is driven directly by pneumatic means.

Abstract: A powder transfer pump to convey a powder, in particular in a powder coating station. The powder transfer pump comprises a transfer chamber with a transfer chamber wall, an inlet opening into the transfer chamber to supply the powder to the transfer chamber, an outlet opening out of the transfer chamber to convey the powder from the transfer chamber, a negative pressure connection opening into the transfer chamber to generate negative pressure in the transfer chamber in order to suck the powder into the transfer chamber, and a positive pressure connection opening into the transfer chamber to discharge the powder that is present in the transfer chamber through the outlet. The transfer chamber wall is essentially gas-tight.

Abstract: A tire assembly line including a wheel soaping work station, a tire soaping workstation, a tire and wheel assembly station, and a tire inflation station. The assembly line is formed from a plurality of modules that are interchangeable and releasably connected to one another. The modules support an endless conveyor member for circling movement.

Abstract: A turbine assembly for use with a rotary atomizer rotates an atomizer bell for atomizing paint. A turbine housing is disposed within the rotary atomizer. A locking element is received by the turbine housing. A rotary shaft is rotatably supported within the turbine housing and has a distal end adapted to receive the atomizer bell. The distal end extends outwardly from the turbine housing. The rotary shaft has a proximal end adapted to receive the locking element. The locking element is moveable between a neutral position and a locking position for locking the rotary shaft in a non-rotatable position.

Abstract: An assembly for mating a tire with a wheel includes a conveyance device, which supports a device, i.e. first plate for supporting the wheel having spaced seats extending around a vertical axis. A tire support, i.e. second plate supports the tire having spaced beads on the wheel with one bead looped between the seats and outside the seats. A tool of the present invention forms the seats over the bead with the entire bead disposed between said seats. A tread support, i.e. a pair of walls spaced one from the other, are connected to the second plate for engaging the tread of the tire. The tire support includes connectors for adjusting the pair of walls horizontally to and away from the vertical axis. A side support, i.e. arms; are adjustably supported on the respective walls for engaging the side of the tire.

Abstract: An oven for heating a coating on a substrate, such as a painted vehicle body, including a first zone having radiant tubes and shields above the tubes and a second zone including side heat chambers having nozzles directing heated air onto a coated substrate and a hold zone. The radiant tubes may include a first linear portion extending through the oven and return loop beneath the substrate to conserve energy and sill ducts directing heated air against the underside of the vehicle body. The temperature is controlled by sensors contacting the radiant tubes and a proportional integral control system.

Abstract: The atomizer (Z) of an electrostatic coating unit contains a dosing pump (DP) connected between the atomization device (4) and a scrapeable coiled pipe (10) which serves as a space-saving paint supply vessel and which is also situated in the atomizer. The scraper (12) is activated by compressed air on one side in order to force the paint material fed to its other side to the dosing pump (DP), which conveys it to the atomization device (4).

Abstract: An apparatus (10) of the present invention is designed for assembling and inflating a tire (12) mounted on a wheel (18). A tool (36) of the apparatus (10) rotates around the tire (12) for forcing one of the beads of the tire (12) between the seats of the wheel (18). Inner (72) and outer (74) concentric members are operably connected relative to one another for inflating the tire (12) mounted about the wheel (18). An activator (102) is connected to the outer concentric member (74) for moving the outer concentric member (74) telescopingly relative to the inner concentric member (72) to form a fluid passage (104). A carriage mechanism (40) is connected,to the inner (72) and outer (74) concentric members for reversibly moving the same between an isolated position (42) and the tool (36).

Abstract: Rotary atomizer for coating work pieces, with a rotating bell-shaped plate shaft for a bell-shaped plate for discharging a spray stream of a coating agent, at least one steering air outlet for discharging steering air for shaping the spray stream, a housing, and also at least one steering air line, which is arranged in the housing and which opens into the steering air outlet, for supplying the steering air. It is proposed that the steering air line pass through the bearing unit of the drive turbine in the axial direction.

Abstract: A change station for atomizer (7) and other tools that contains a carousel-like rotatable and/or linearly movable mount (112) is arranged on the wall of the cabin of a coating installation. The arrangement is such that the storage locations of the change station are accessible both to the coating machine (151) in the cabin and from outside the cabin.