Abstract: A spray bar having a plurality of laterally spaced nozzles mounted in a row on a header block for discharging a row of liquid spray patterns, and a method of manufacture. The spray bar header includes a plurality of separate plates, each formed with a plurality of nozzle-receiving apertures and with one or more faces of adjacent interfacing plates being formed with grooves which define fluid passages for the supply liquid, atomizing and nozzle-actuating air, and heating fluid. The plates preferably are electroplated/electropolished for thorough and efficient cleaning upon disassembly.

Abstract: A spray nozzle for directing a wide lateral spray curtain with substantially uniform liquid distribution throughout the length of the spray curtain is provided. The nozzle includes a nozzle body defining an elongated internal flow passage. The nozzle body includes an inlet end for connection to a pressurized liquid supply, a downstream end wall and a side wall. A discharge orifice is provided in the side wall of the nozzle body between the inlet end and the downstream end wall. The discharge orifice communicates with the internal flow passage of the nozzle body. The discharge orifice has a generally inverted teardrop configuration comprising a relatively larger area upper portion and a relatively smaller area lower portion arranged below the upper portion.

Abstract: A low pressure blower operated airknife having a housing with an elongated primary air discharge orifice for directing a narrow width curtain of air. The airknife includes an air-augmenting shroud which defines auxiliary discharge orifices on opposite longitudinal sides of the primary air discharge orifice such that air discharging from the primary discharge orifice creates a low pressure condition adjacent the auxiliary air discharge orifices for drawing additional air through the auxiliary discharge orifices which augments the velocity and volume of the discharging air current without the necessity for increasing the air inlet pressure or blower size. The shroud may take alternative forms, including pairs of wings disposed on opposite sides of the primary discharge orifice or hollow structures that surround the airknife housing. The airknife further is adapted for low pressure direction and application of air laden particles, such as preatomized liquid particles.

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 high-pressure liquid spray nozzle having an elongate nozzle body having a longitudinally extending liquid flow passage, which in the illustrated embodiment, is defined in part by a plastic liquid throttling and stabilizing insert. The insert has a liquid flow passage which includes an upstream entry section, a smaller diameter downstream approach section, and an inwardly converging throat section between the upstream and downstream sections. The upstream passageway section has a scalloped cross-sectional configuration which define a plurality of longitudinally extending flutes effective for stabilizing and minimizing turbulence in the high pressure liquid flow stream directed through the nozzle such that a more concentrated, solid liquid flow stream is discharged from the nozzle with increased velocity and surface impact force for enhanced cleaning.

Abstract: A control system for monitoring the performance of one or more spray nozzles measures variables such as total liquid flow rate and liquid pressure of spray being delivered to the spray nozzles and provides a sensing signal when the difference, at a given liquid pressure, between a calculated liquid flow rate and an actual liquid flow rate exceeds an error.

Abstract: A control system for monitoring the performance of one or more spray nozzles measures variables such as liquid flow rate and liquid pressure of spray being delivered to the spray nozzles and provides a sensing signal when the difference, at a given liquid pressure, between a calculated liquid flow rate and an actual liquid flow rate exceeds an error.

Abstract: A control system for adjusting the desired air pressure provided to one or more spray nozzles disposed to receive liquid and compressed air adjusts the amount of compressed air supplied to the spray nozzle based on various sensed operating parameters of the system.

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: A liquid spray module which can be individually used, or which can be easily mounted in ganged side-by-side relation with a plurality of such modules. Each module includes a spray gun cartridge having liquid passages through the liquid to be sprayed, is directed and one or more air passages through which pressurized air may be directed for assisting in atomization of the liquid and controlling operating movement of a valve needle. Each spray gun cartridge further includes a manifold body having a central bore into which the spray gun cartridge is removably mounted and liquid and air inlet and outlet passages which communicate with the liquid and air spray gun cartridge passages. The spray gun cartridge is removable from the manifold body without disconnection of fluid supply lines to the manifold body and without removal of the manifold body from a ganged mounted array of such spray modules.

Abstract: A liquid spraying system having a spray head and a recirculating liquid supply system for directing pressurized supply liquid to the spray head with a portion of the liquid being directed from the spray head as a discharging spray and a portion of the supply liquid exiting the spray head as a return liquid. The liquid supply system includes two separate selectively pressurizable liquid containable tanks each having a respective fluid conduit coupled to the spray head. The liquid supply system has (1) a first cycle of operation in which the first tank is pressurized and the second tank is depressurized so that pressurized liquid is supplied from the first tank to the spray head and return liquid is directed to the second tank, and (2) a second cycle of operation in which the second tank is pressurized and the first tank depressurized so that liquid is supplied to the spray head from the second tank and return liquid is directed to the first tank.

Abstract: An external mix air atomizing spray nozzle assembly having a nozzle body formed with liquid and air passages, a spray tip at a downstream end of the nozzle body having a nose portion that defines a liquid discharge orifice, and an air cap mounted in surrounding relation to the spray tip nose portion. The air cap defines an annular pressurized air orifice about the spray tip nose portion and a plurality of angled air passages disposed radially outwardly thereof. Pursuant to the invention, the spray tip nose portion has a frustoconical end tapering inwardly in a downstream direction which enhances air entrainment and minimizes liquid turbulence in a zone immediately in front of the air cap and around the spray tip nose portion to prevent undesirable build up of spray material on the exposed end surfaces of the spray tip nose portion and air cap.

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 shower header type spray device has a motorized cleaning brush on a rotary shaft mounted therein for cleaning inlet apertures of its spray nozzles. The brush shaft is supported to impart axial movement when it is rotated, and has a sealing valve attached thereon such that when the brush is rotated by the motor in a cleaning operation the valve is opened to allow discharge of liquid with debris brushed off the nozzle inlets. The motor is activated for a cleaning operation from either a local controller or a centralized controller that controls multiple spray devices.

Abstract: A low pressure blower operated airknife having a housing with an elongated primary air discharge orifice for directing a narrow width curtain of air. The airknife includes an air-augmenting shroud which defines auxiliary discharge orifices on opposite longitudinal sides of the primary air discharge orifice such that air discharging from the primary discharge orifice creates a low pressure condition adjacent the auxiliary air discharge orifices for drawing additional air through the auxiliary discharge orifices which augments the velocity and volume of the discharging air current without the necessity for increasing the air inlet pressure or blower size. The shroud may take alternative forms, including pairs of wings disposed on opposite sides of the primary discharge orifice or hollow structures that surround the airknife housing. The airknife further is adapted for low pressure direction and application of air laden particles, such as preatomized liquid particles.

Abstract: An external mix air atomizing spray nozzle assembly having a nozzle body formed with liquid and air passages, a spray tip at a downstream end of the nozzle body having a nose portion that defines a liquid discharge orifice, and an air cap mounted in surrounding relation to the spray tip nose portion. The air cap defines an annular pressurized air orifice about the spray tip nose portion and a plurality of angled air passages disposed radially outwardly thereof. Pursuant to the invention, the spray tip nose portion has a frustoconical end tapering inwardly in a downstream direction which enhances air entrainment and minimizes liquid turbulence in a zone immediately in front of the air cap and around the spray tip nose portion to prevent undesirable build up of spray material on the exposed end surfaces of the spray tip nose portion and air cap.

Abstract: A gun-like spray device having a spray nozzle assembly at the discharge end and a reciprocatably movable valve needle for controlling the liquid flow through the discharge nozzle assembly. The nozzle assembly includes an orifice member which defines a liquid discharge orifice and a rigid valve seat for centering and precisely locating the valve needle in a closed position. An annular resilient sealing member is secured within the orifice member for engaging and creating a liquid seal about the valve needle separate and apart from the rigid seat when the valve needle is in a closed position. The spray nozzle assembly may be used with spray devices having different sized valve needles and includes a first rigid valve seat downstream of the resilient sealing member for receiving a relatively small diameter valve needle and a second rigid valve seat upstream of the resilient sealing member for receiving a relatively large diameter valve needle.

Abstract: A liquid spray module which can be individually used, or which can be easily mounted in ganged side-by-side relation with a plurality of such modules. Each module includes a spray gun cartridge having liquid passages through the liquid to be sprayed, is directed and one or more air passages through which pressurized air may be directed for assisting in atomization of the liquid and controlling operating movement of a valve needle. Each spray gun cartridge further includes a manifold body having a central bore into which the spray gun cartridge is removably mounted and liquid and air inlet and outlet passages which communicate with the liquid and air spray gun cartridge passages. The spray gun cartridge is removable from the manifold body without disconnection of fluid supply lines to the manifold body and without removal of the manifold body from a ganged mounted array of such spray modules.

Abstract: A high-pressure liquid spray nozzle having an elongate nozzle body having a longitudinally extending liquid flow passage, which in the illustrated embodiment, is defined in part by a plastic liquid throttling and stabilizing insert. The insert has a liquid flow passage which includes an upstream entry section, a smaller diameter downstream approach section, and an inwardly converging throat section between the upstream and downstream sections. The upstream passageway section has a scalloped cross-sectional configuration which define a plurality of longitudinally extending flutes effective for stabilizing and minimizing turbulence in the high pressure liquid flow stream directed through the nozzle such that a more concentrated, solid liquid flow stream is discharged from the nozzle with increased velocity and surface impact force for enhanced cleaning.

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.