Abstract: A spraying system is provided including a spray gun and a spray nozzle. The spray gun has a discharge end. A locating pin is arranged on the discharge end of the spray gun. The spray nozzle is selectively mountable on the discharge end of the spray gun. The spray nozzle has a discharge orifice configured to produce a asymmetrically distributed fluid discharge pattern wherein the location of maximum fluid discharge is offset from the center of the fluid discharge pattern. The spray nozzle has an alignment notch extending along an outer surface of the spray nozzle. The locating pin is arranged on the spray gun and the alignment notch is arranged on the spray nozzle such that when the spray nozzle is mounted on the discharge end of the spray gun in a predetermined orientation the locating pin extends into the alignment slot.

Abstract: A solenoid-operated liquid spray gun having a lightweight, corrosion resistant plastic housing which enables the spray gun to be mounted on and be more easily moved by robotic transfer devices. To effect the necessary flux loop within the plastic-housed spray gun for reciprocating a valve plunger in response to energization of the solenoid coil, the spray gun includes a radially disposed flux-directing member adjacent at least one end of the coil. The flux-directing member, while extending radially outwardly a distance less than the diameter of solenoid coil, effects efficient flux direction for operating the solenoid notwithstanding the lack of a magnetic conductive medium provided by the metal housing of conventional solenoid-operated spray guns.

Abstract: A modular automatic spray gun manifold is provided. The manifold includes a plurality of spray gun modules arranged in an array in laterally spaced relation from each other. A junction element is arranged at an upstream end of the manifold. The junction element includes a liquid supply connection and a pressurized air connection. A first support assembly is arranged between the junction element and a first spray gun module in the spray gun module array for supporting the first spray gun module relative to the junction element. The first support assembly includes a plurality of fluid conduits for supplying fluid to the first spray gun module. The fluid conduits in the first support assembly communicate with the liquid supply and pressurized air supply connections of the junction element. A second support assembly is arranged between each adjacent pair of spray gun modules in the array of spray gun modules for supporting the adjacent pair of spray gun modules relative to each other.

Abstract: A spray gun having a relatively simple outer heat jacket designed to accommodate a multiplicity of fluid supply lines connected to the spray gun while effectively heating and maintaining the supply fluids directed through the gun to the desired temperature for optimum spraying. The heat jacket is mountable and removable from the spray gun without disconnecting the fluid supply lines to the spray gun or the heating fluid supply line to the heat jacket. The illustrated heat jacket is formed with a plurality of external, longitudinally extending open-ended slot each for receiving a respective fluid supply line connected to the spray gun and an internal heating fluid passageway composed of a plurality of interconnected, longitudinally extending heat transfer chambers through which heating fluid is directed in swirling fashion.

Abstract: A lance-type spraying assembly for directing a reducing agent into a combustion zone or discharging combustion gases for Nox emission control. The spraying assembly including a lance body having an inlet end and a downstream end and a spray nozzle arranged at the downstream end of the lance body. The lance body includes an air passage for connection to an air supply, a liquid reducing agent supply passage for connection to a liquid reducing agent supply and a liquid reducing agent return passage. The liquid reducing agent supply passage communicates with the spray nozzle. The liquid reducing agent return passage communicates with the liquid reducing agent supply passage near the downstream end of the lance body for recirculating a portion of the liquid reducing agent and extends near the liquid reducing agent supply passage along at least a portion of the length thereof in order to help cool the liquid reducing agent therein. The liquid reducing agent return passage is sealed against the spray nozzle.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying a marking to an elongated sheet material is provided. The apparatus includes a processing machine through which an elongated length of the sheet material is passed. A marking system is arranged to apply a marking to the elongated length of sheet material passing through the processing machine. The marking system comprises at least one spray gun and a pump for supplying marking fluid to the spray gun. The pump is operable at selectively variable speeds. A controller controls the speed of the pump based upon a speed at which the sheet material is passed through the processing machine.

Abstract: The present invention provides a fluid discharge apparatus for producing a curtain of air. The apparatus comprises a body member having an air inlet chamber and an air outlet chamber. The air outlet chamber is in fluid communication with the air inlet chamber. The body member defines a discharge orifice through which fluid is discharged from the body member with the discharge orifice being in fluid communication with the air outlet chamber. The air outlet chamber has a pair of opposing sidewalls with each of the sidewalls having an angled sidewall portion. The angled sidewall portions are arranged to converge towards each other as the angled sidewall portions extend in a downstream direction towards the discharge orifice so as to define a generally V-shaped lead-in section that guides and directs fluid towards the discharge orifice.

Abstract: A lance-type spraying assembly for directing a reducing agent into a combustion zone or discharging combustion gases for Nox emission control. The spraying assembly including a lance body having an inlet end and a downstream end and a spray nozzle arranged at the downstream end of the lance body. The lance body includes an air passage for connection to an air supply, a liquid reducing agent supply passage for connection to a liquid reducing agent supply and a liquid reducing agent return passage. The liquid reducing agent supply passage communicates with the spray nozzle. The liquid reducing agent return passage communicates with the liquid reducing agent supply passage near the downstream end of the lance body for recirculating a portion of the liquid reducing agent and extends near the liquid reducing agent supply passage along at least a portion of the length thereof in order to help cool the liquid reducing agent therein. The liquid reducing agent return passage is sealed against the spray nozzle.

Abstract: A flow sensor for detecting liquid flow generated by a spray device is non-invasive and capable of responding to rapid changes in the flow. The flow sensor includes a light emitter and a light detector, which may be disposed adjacent the liquid outlet of the spray device and oriented such that a light beam projected by the light emitter is aimed at the spray generated by the spray device and reflected by the spray into the light detector. The light detector senses the reflected light and generates an output indicative of the presence of the flow from the spray device. A deviation of the spray from the intended spray axis may also be detected.

Abstract: A spray device comprising a body having a liquid discharge passage and a spray nozzle assembly affixed to the body is provided. The spray nozzle assembly includes a liquid spray tip for directing liquid from the liquid passage in the body into a predetermined spray pattern and an atomizing fluid cap. The liquid spray tip includes a forwardly extending nose portion that defines a liquid discharge orifice. The nose extends through a central opening in the air cap thereby defining an annular atomizing fluid discharge orifice that communicates with an atomizing fluid inlet. The nose extends in a downstream direction past the central opening in the air cap such that the liquid discharge orifice is arranged at least approximately 2 mm. downstream of the annular atomizing fluid discharge orifice.

Abstract: A nozzle for atomizing and spraying liquid is provided. The nozzle includes a longitudinal liquid flow passageway that terminates in a liquid orifice for directing a stream of liquid along a predetermined axis. A plurality of intersecting, transverse passageways extend perpendicular to and intersect the predetermined axis. Each of the transverse passageways terminates at either end in an outlet. The transverse passageways define a first impingement surface downstream of the liquid orifice for breaking up a stream of liquid impinging thereon into a laterally spreading dispersion which disperses through the transverse passageways. An air annulus is arranged in surrounding relation to the outlets of the transverse passageways and oriented to discharge air in a downstream direction so as to strike the fluid dispersed through the outlets of the transverse passageways. An expansion chamber is arranged downstream of the transverse passageways and air annulus.

Abstract: A spraying system is provided including a spray gun and a spray nozzle. The spray gun has a discharge end. A locating pin is arranged on the discharge end of the spray gun. The spray nozzle is selectively mountable on the discharge end of the spray gun. The spray nozzle has a discharge orifice configured to produce a asymmetrically distributed fluid discharge pattern wherein the location of maximum fluid discharge is offset from the center of the fluid discharge pattern. The spray nozzle has an alignment notch extending along an outer surface of the spray nozzle. The locating pin is arranged on the spray gun and the alignment notch is arranged on the spray nozzle such that when the spray nozzle is mounted on the discharge end of the spray gun in a predetermined orientation the locating pin extends into the alignment slot.

Abstract: A method and system for implementing a spray controller uses object-orientated software code and an interrupt-driven operating system for processing and interpreting the code.

Abstract: An external mix air assisted spray nozzle assembly having a nozzle body, and an air cap for a directing pressurized air streams on a discharging liquid stream external to the liquid discharge orifice of the nozzle assembly for atomizing and forming the liquid into the desired spray pattern. The air cap includes an upstream internal air chamber, an external, downstream liquid discharge and mixing chamber, and a central opening coaxial with the liquid discharge orifice communicating between the upstream and downstream chambers. The air cap further includes a plurality of angled pressurized air discharge passages which communicate with an annular plenum of the air chamber disposed in surrounding relation to the central opening for enabling substantially uniform particle breakdown and distribution at lower air pressures than heretofore possible.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for processing elongated sheet material through a plurality of processing stations including a cooling station for lowering the temperature of the sheet material. The cooling station includes a plurality of individually controllable cooling zones each for controlling a portion of the transverse width of the sheet material during passage through the cooling zone. The cooling zones each include a plurality of cooling fluid directing spray nozzles and a sensor for sensing the temperature of the portion of the sheet material onto which cooling fluid has been directed by the respective cooling zone. A controller responsive to the temperature sensed at each cooling zone is operable for independently controlling the flow of cooling fluid to the fluid spray nozzles of each cooling zone based upon a preset temperature setting of the controller.

Abstract: An external mix air atomizing spray nozzle assembly comprising a nozzle body having liquid and air flow passages, and an air cap formed with an air chamber communicating with said air passage and a plurality of angled pressurized air discharge passages communicating with said chamber at an angle to a central axis of said spray nozzle assembly for directing pressurized air onto a liquid flow stream discharging from said liquid passage. The angled air discharge passages each are defined by a conical indentation in a front face of the air cap and a cylindrical bore communicating in perpendicular relation to a side surface of the conical indentation. The design of the angled air discharge passages permits easy manufacture and design modification for particular spray applications.

Abstract: An automated impact testing system provides reliable measurements of spray patterns of high-impact nozzles. The impact testing system includes a load cell mounted on a transport for controlled movements in two directions. The load cell includes a sensing pin extending through an aperture in a protective housing of the load cell. A special relationship between the dimensions of the sensing pin and the aperture allows the load cell to produce error-free impact measurement data.

Abstract: An automated impact testing system provides reliable measurements of spray patterns of high-impact nozzles. The impact testing system includes a load cell mounted on a transport for controlled movements in two directions. The load cell includes a sensing pin extending through an aperture in a protective housing of the load cell. A special relationship between the dimensions of the sensing pin and the aperture allows the load cell to produce error-free impact measurement data.

Abstract: An electrostatic spraying assembly is provided. The spraying assembly includes a housing having a fluid inlet passage that is connectable to a fluid source and communicates with a plurality of discharge passageways each of which extends through the housing to a downstream end at a discharge end of the housing. The housing has a one piece construction and is made of an electrically insulative material. The spraying assembly also includes an electrode assembly. The electrode assembly includes a plurality of elongate electrode elements each of which is disposed in a respective one of the discharge passageways in the housing and an electrode header. The electrode header is electrically connectable to a voltage source and each of the electrode elements is electrically connectable to the electrode header.

Abstract: A spraying system is provided including a spray gun and a spray nozzle. The spray gun has a discharge end. A locating pin is arranged on the discharge end of the spray gun. The spray nozzle is selectively mountable on the discharge end of the spray gun. The spray nozzle has a discharge orifice configured to produce a asymmetrically distributed fluid discharge pattern wherein the location of maximum fluid discharge is offset from the center of the fluid discharge pattern. The spray nozzle has an alignment notch extending along an outer surface of the spray nozzle. The locating pin is arranged on the spray gun and the alignment notch is arranged on the spray nozzle such that when the spray nozzle is mounted on the discharge end of the spray gun in a predetermined orientation the locating pin extends into the alignment slot.

Abstract: In a blood pressure monitoring system, a transducer which is a conductive rubber tube having conductive terminals at each end,and circumferentially spaced conductors connected to said semi-conductive band,whereby fluid under varying pressure will cause said insulative tube to expand and contract, thereby causing said semi-conductive band to expand and contract, thereby varying the resistance of the semi-conductive band.