Abstract: An air assisted electrostatic liquid spray nozzle assembly having a relatively long elongated nozzle body with a spray tip and surrounding air cap disposed at a downstream end of the nozzle body. The spray nozzle assembly includes an upstream electrode for connection to a high voltage electric source, an elongated feed tube, an electrically enhancing stinger, and the spray tip which are secured and retained by the air cap in electrically conductive relation to each other such that liquid passing through liquid passages of the electrode, feed tube, stinger, and spray tip is discharged in an electrostatically charged pattern of liquid particles. The air cap is removable to permit easy removal and replacement of the spray tip, stinger, and liquid feed tube.

Abstract: A gas assisted spray nozzle assembly having a nozzle body in the form of a hollow tubular member, such as a single cylindrical pipe section, which defines a mixing zone and a downstream barrel extension zone. A liquid inlet and an impingement pin are supported by the tubular member in opposed relation to each other at the mixing zone, and a pressurized gas inlet is provided at an upstream end of the tubular member. An annular dispersion ring is fixedly supported within the tubular member downstream of the impingement pin for defining an annular ledge for directing a peripheral portion of pressurized gas stream and liquid atomized in the mixing zone radially inwardly for facilitating continued intermixing of the liquid and pressurized gas stream as they proceed through the barrel zone for discharge from the spray nozzle.

Abstract: Low form factor mobile electrostatic spray units and methods of using same are disclosed.

Abstract: A modular spray gun manifold having a plurality of spray gun modules arranged in a lateral array each separated by an adjacent support assembly. Each spray gun module has a central liquid passage communicating with a spray nozzle and a transversely oriented liquid inlet port communicating through an outer side of the spray gun module for connection with an independently controllable liquid supply. The spray gun modules further include a recirculation port communicating between the central passageway and a recirculation conduit in an adjacent support assembly. A control valve of each module is operable when in open spraying position for blocking communication of liquid from the central passageway to the circulation port and when in a valve closing position blocking the liquid flow to the spray nozzle while redirecting liquid from the liquid inlet to the recirculation port for recirculation through the manifold array.

Abstract: A spray cleaning device for cleaning the interior of a vessel or the like through an access opening in an underside thereof. The cleaning device includes a wheeled carriage positionable in selected relation to a vessel to be cleaned, an elongated frame having a central drive shaft extending along its length, and a rotatable spray head supported in an upstanding relation to a downstream end of said elongated housing for rotation about multiple axes. The elongated frame is pivotably supported by said wheeled carriage for selective positioning of the spray head within the vessel to be cleaned, and the spray head has a liquid supply which communicates with a liquid inlet to an upstanding support thereof downstream of the central drive shaft so said liquid is not transmitted along the drive shaft.

Abstract: The disclosure describes a method for operating a flow-control valve that includes comparing a desired flow with an actual flow through the valve and re-calibrating a valve iso-curve at periodic intervals when the actual flow falls outside of a predetermined threshold relative to the desired flow. When operating in a nested control loop based on a control parameter, a flow setpoint is selected based on the control parameter and maintained independently of pressure across the flow-control valve.

Abstract: A lubricant dispensing system having particular utility for applying a tightly controlled thin line of lubricant about the perimeter of cans as they are processed. The lubricant dispensing system includes an electrostatic spray head having a nozzle body that defines a lubricant receiving chamber for electrically charging lubricant therein and a capillary tube supported by the nozzle body having an inlet end communicating with the lubricant receiving chamber and an outlet that defines a discharge orifice of the electrostatic spray head. The capillary tube has a diameter between about 0.2 and 0.3 inches for directing electrostatically charged lubricant onto an item to be lubricated in a controlled thin line having a width no greater than 0.125 inches. The electrode is adjustably positionable relative to the capillary tube for selectively controlling the rate of discharging lubricant, and the electrode is configured for enhancing electrostatic charging of lubricant through the capillary tube.

Abstract: A liquid spray boom having a plurality of spray nozzles and a flow monitoring system for monitoring the liquid flow to each of the spray nozzles. The spray nozzles each have a respective flow metering passage through which liquid to the nozzle passes a magnetic turbine in the metering passage rotatable as an incident to and in relation to liquid directed through the flow metering passage for generating changing magnetic fields, a hall effect sensor associated with each magnetic turbine for sensing the changing magnetic fields, and a control module for receiving signals from the sensor for monitoring the liquid flow to each spray nozzle and providing an alert indication in the event that the flow fails to meet predetermined requirements.

Abstract: A gas assisted spray nozzle assembly having a nozzle body in the form of a hollow tubular member, such as a single cylindrical pipe section, which defines a mixing zone and a downstream barrel extension zone. A liquid inlet and an impingement pin are supported by said tubular member in opposed relation to each other at the mixing zone, and a pressurized gas inlet is provided at an upstream end of the tubular member. An annular dispersion ring is fixedly supported within said tubular member downstream of said impingement pin for defining an annular ledge for directing a peripheral portion of pressurized gas stream and liquid atomized in the mixing zone radially inwardly for facilitating continued intermixing of the liquid and pressurized gas stream as they proceed through the barrel zone for discharge from the spray nozzle.

Abstract: A tank cleaning system provides control and monitoring of the spray head mechanism while maintaining mechanical simplicity and a robust construction. The tank cleaning system automatically accounts for one or more characteristics of the vessel being cleaned and modifies the cleaning operation accordingly.

Abstract: A tank cleaning verification process works in conjunction with a specialized spray head to evaluate cleaning efficacy and to ensure proper cleaning. The system includes an encoder, and one or more pressure sensors to verify proper operation as the tank cleaning system automatically accounts for one or more characteristics of the vessel being cleaned and modifies the cleaning operation accordingly.

Abstract: An internal mix air atomizing spray nozzle assembly having a nozzle body that defines a central liquid flow passage, an air guide for directing pressurized air within the nozzle, and a downstream air cap having an upstanding impingement post and a plurality of discharge orifice defining passages about the impingement post. The air cap passages each are oriented at compound angle with respect to a central axis for discharging atomized liquid flow streams in a conical spray pattern swirling in a predetermined rotative direction about the central axis, and the impingement post has a diffuser cap that defines a flat central liquid impingement surface and an outer annular array of non radial diffuser veins for directing the atomized liquid and pressurized air in a swirling fashion about the impingement post in the same relative direction as the swirling spray pattern from the air cap passages.

Abstract: A liquid spray device having an atomizing unit for pressurized air atomization of a liquid flow stream, a plurality of atomized liquid direction passages disposed in eccentric relation to a central liquid flow passage of the atomizing unit, a plurality of flexible tubes each communicating with a respective one of the eccentric passages, and a spray nozzle coupled to a downstream end of each tube for discharging atomizing liquid at the selected location of the spray nozzle. The illustrated atomizing unit is a multi-component assembly that includes an air and liquid supply body, an air guide for directing atomizing air, an impact adaptor defining a liquid impingement surface, and a atomized director fitting defining the plurality of eccentric atomized liquid passages. The atomizing unit may be in a form of a spray gun designed for flushing atomized liquid from the elongated flexible tubes or instantaneously shutoff.

Abstract: An electrolyzing system for electrolyzing a brine solution of water and an alkali salt to produce acidic electrolyzed water and alkaline electrolyzed water is provided. The system includes an internal chamber for receiving the brine solution and two electrolyzer cells immersed in a brine bath. Each electrolyzer cell includes an electrode, at least one ion permeable membrane supported relative to the electrode to define a space communicating between a fresh water supply and a chemical outlet into which brine enters only through the membrane. One of the electrodes is coupled to a positive charging electrical supply and the other to a negative charging electrical supply.

Abstract: A system for treating a food product with a mold inhibitor via spray application in suspended form includes a conveyor for moving the food product as well as at least one upper spray nozzle above the conveyor and at least one lower spray nozzle located below the conveyor. In an embodiment of the invention, one or more end spray nozzles are provided to spray one or more vertical end surfaces of the food product. A fluid supply system for supplies pressurized fluid to the spray nozzles. In an embodiment of the invention, the fluid supply system includes a recirculating reservoir for maintaining the mold inhibitor in suspension. The spray guns are controlled via pulse width modulation such that the instantaneous flow rate and the time averaged flow rate are equal to respective predetermined allowable flow rates.

Abstract: A system for preparing food product minimizes bacterial contamination and outgrowth within the packaged food product, includes a powered slicer to sequentially separate slices of food product to create a stack of food product slices. The system also includes a first spray nozzle for depositing a first predetermined amount of the antimicrobial preparation onto the first face of the log or other food product piece each time a slice is removed as well as a a second spray nozzle for depositing a second predetermined amount of the antimicrobial preparation into a vacuum pouch prior to reception of a stack within the pouch. In an embodiment, the spray system is implemented with respect to a mixer/blender to pretreat a mix prior to further processing.

Abstract: A pressurized air assisted liquid spray nozzle assembly having a liquid spray nozzle having a downstream discharge orifice for discharging a solid stream of liquid, an air guide mounted in surrounding relation to a downstream end of said liquid spray nozzle, and an outer nozzle body disposed in surrounding relation to said air guide. The air guide defines a first plurality of air passages for directing pressurized atomizing air transversely to liquid discharging from said liquid spray nozzle for atomizing the discharging liquid and a second plurality of air passages for directing shaping air tangentially to liquid discharging from said liquid spray nozzle for shaping the atomized liquid particles into a predetermined conical spray pattern.

Abstract: A liquid flow monitoring device for monitoring the supply of liquid to a spray nozzle including a deflectable check valve in a liquid supply passage to the spray nozzle, a light sensing device having a light emitter and a light receiver disposed on opposite sides of the check valve, the check valve being deflectable into at least partially obstructing relation to a light beam directed from the light emitter to the light receiver as an incident to liquid flow through the monitoring device to the spray nozzle, and a control system for receiving signals from the sensing device.

Abstract: A mounting system for a spray manifold having a plurality of spray modules arranged in a lateral array with support assemblies between adjacent modules. The mounting arrangement includes one or more mounting assemblies which each have a hub that is securable about one of the manifold support assemblies and a clamp comprising a pair of clamping arms that is securable about the hub by means of an appropriate fastener. The hub and clamping arms define complementary circular surfaces which permit the selected pivotal positioning of the hub and the spray manifold to which it is secured relative to the clamp and a machine mounting structure.