Abstract: Embodiments relate to a fine particle applicator including a loading vessel, a metering roller positioned adjacent the loading vessel, a first stippling roller in contact with the metering roller, a high speed roller, positioned adjacent the metering roller such that bristles of the metering roller and bristles of the high speed roller overlap sufficient to form an interference zone, a second stippling roller, in contact with the high speed roller, a stippling shoe positioned adjacent at least the metering roller and high speed roller and a housing. At least a portion of a surface of the stippling shoe closest to at least the metering roller and high speed roller includes substantially the same curvature as the roller nearest the surface.

Abstract: An improved powder atomizer comprising a cylindrical pan, a cylindrical resiliently deformable element, which is journaled for rotation about an axis within the pan. The pan is mounted coaxially of the element. The element and pan define a cylindrically shaped venturi therebetween into which powder is fed. The venturi has an inlet and outlet radially spaced apart. Structure is provided for rotating the element within the pan at speeds in excess of that required to throw the powder from the element by centrifugal force. The element draws ambient air through the venturi and atomizes and deagglomerates powder fed into the venturi inlet thereby forming a uniformly flowing cloud of particulate material which is uniform both longitudinally and laterally of said axis. The invention also provides an atomizer feeder and an atomizer feeder combination deagglomerator combination with a feeder such a disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.

Abstract: An electrostatic powder coating apparatus comprising a powder reservoir, a gas flow injection chamber, a diffusion chamber and a coating chamber and method for coating a substrate or target objects. The injection chamber receives powder from the reservoir at a controlled rate. The powder particulates awe entrained by a gas flow within the injection chamber. The diffusion chamber receives the particulates from the injection chamber. The diffusion chamber deaccelerates the particulates and creates a particulate cloud. The coating chamber receives the particulate cloud. A housing encloses the coating chamber. The coating chamber is isolated from the ambient atmosphere. The coating chamber has a cloud inlet and a cloud outlet. The cloud flows through the coating chamber from the inlet to the outlet. One or more deflectors, within the chamber, define a passage and two or more pockets adjoining the substrate or target objects.

Abstract: An improved powder feeder having a hopper with an opening in its bottom. A resiliently deformable element is positioned in the opening of the hopper. The element has a flexible exterior dimension and is suitably positioned in relation to the opening to prevent the free flow of material through the opening. The element is mounted on an axle having an axis of rotation. The element is capable of carrying a metered volume of material through the opening as it is rotated. The axle is connected to a variable speed motor. As the element turns, the material flows into the element and moves through the hopper opening in precisely metered amounts relative to the volume and the speed of rotation of the element.

Abstract: In the broader aspects of the invention there is provided an improved nozzle, an improved nozzle assembly and an improved method in which the improved nozzle comprises a protrusion having an distal end and a collar extending backward from the distal end. The collar is surface free of discontinuities. The outer end has an edge and an adjacent point at which the charge is concentrated. The protrusion has a fluid passage. The fluid passage is sealed from the collar surface. The fluid passage has an outlet adjacent the edge. A conductor is disposed in the protrusion. The conductor extends into the passage and is immersed in the fluid being disposed.

Abstract: The improved deagglomerator and method of deagglomeration of the invention provides deagglomeration and/or attrition of particles within a cloud utilizing rapid particle acceleration and turbulent flow and sufficient resident time to assure deagglomeriation or attrition, and addition of a minimum of additional energy and in a manner to control bulk flow to minimize adverse effects on subsequent processes, and allowance for cloud diffusion as desired.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is detailed for the application of non-conductive material, generally of a powder or fine fiber form from bulk storage onto a conductive filament or plurality of filaments. A series of vibrating troughs are used to store, convey, unpack and load particulate material at a controllable rate into a gas stream traversing a converging-diverging nozzle. High aerodynamic shear in the nozzle reduces the material's size. Divergent nozzle exit geometry slows the material to speeds where electrostatic forces can predominate, as the material is injected upwardly into a chamber fitted with a cascade of conical forms. Each cone is electrified about its circumference in one or more locations, with respect to a centrally located upward moving filament. Conventional electrostatic charging and deposition on the filament is augmented by the convergent geometry of the cones. Excess material falls on the outside of the cones, and eventually downward to a recovery area.