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 internal mix spray nozzle assembly adapted for operation with lesser pressurized air requirements. The spray nozzle assembly includes a liquid passage for directing a liquid flow stream against an impingement pin, and an air guide is provided for forming an annular pressurized air passage about the liquid flow stream for striking and atomizing a laterally spreading dispersion of liquid from the impingement surface. For enhancing liquid atomization, the air guide defines a relatively narrow width air flow opening for substantially accelerating and increasing the pressure of the atomizing air stream, and the impingement pin is formed with a relatively large primary impinging surface and a parallel downstream secondary impingement surface that facilitates further liquid particle breakdown and prevents the accumulation of liquids about the bottom of the impingement pin.

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: 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.