Abstract: A microwave-excited ultraviolet lamp system includes a microwave chamber supplied with cooling air from an air source. At least one of a pressure sensor or a temperature sensor is positioned within the system to sense a pressure associated with the flow of cooling air or a temperature of the lamp system. A control receives a signal from the sensor and is operable to adjust the flow of cooling air from the source to obtain a desired cooling air flow rate.

Abstract: An ultraviolet lamp system for irradiating a substrate includes a magnetron and a memory physically attached to the magnetron. An electrodeless lamp is configured to emit ultraviolet light when excited by microwave energy generated from the magnetron. Main control circuitry is operable to read and write operational data associated with the magnetron to the memory. The ultraviolet lamp system is operated by generating microwave energy from the magnetron. A plasma within an electrodeless lamp is excited with the microwave energy to emit ultraviolet light. Operational data associated with the magnetron is tracked and written to the memory associated with the magnetron.

Abstract: An ultraviolet lamp assembly and corresponding methods is operable to generate ultraviolet light for irradiating a substrate. The lamp assembly includes a magnetron, an electrodeless lamp for emitting ultraviolet light when excited by microwave radiation generated from the magnetron, and a power control circuit arrangement configured to control an output power of the microwave radiation generated by the magnetron corresponding to the intensity of ultraviolet light produced by the lamp. A first control loop of the power control circuit is configured to regulate an input current to the magnetron based upon an input current setting associated with a desired intensity of UV light output of the lamp and a second control loop coupled to the first control loop configured to adjust the input current setting used by the first control loop to regulate the input current to the magnetron based upon an input power to the magnetron, which is proportional to the intensity of UV light output from the lamp.

Abstract: A detector for an ultraviolet lamp system of the type having a microwave generator includes a first circuit that is configured to detect the microwave energy generated from the microwave generator. The first circuit includes at least one radiation sensitive component capable of failing upon exposure to an excessive amount of microwave energy. A second circuit is coupled to the first circuit and configured to intermittently test whether the radiation sensitive component has failed. An ultraviolet lamp system includes the detector. An associated method includes monitoring the microwave energy through the first circuit including at least one radiation sensitive component capable of failing upon exposure to an excessive amount of microwave energy and testing the radiation sensitive component to determine whether the radiation sensitive component has failed.

Abstract: An ultraviolet lamp system for irradiating a substrate includes a magnetron and a memory physically attached to the magnetron. An electrodeless lamp is configured to emit ultraviolet light when excited by microwave energy generated from the magnetron. Main control circuitry is operable to read and write operational data associated with the magnetron to the memory. The ultraviolet lamp system is operated by generating microwave energy from the magnetron. A plasma within an electrodeless lamp is excited with the microwave energy to emit ultraviolet light. Operational data associated with the magnetron is tracked and written to the memory associated with the magnetron.

Abstract: An ultraviolet lamp assembly and corresponding methods is operable to generate ultraviolet light for irradiating a substrate.. The lamp assembly includes a magnetron, an electrodeless lamp for emitting ultraviolet light when excited by microwave radiation generated from the magnetron, and a power control circuit arrangement configured to control an output power of the microwave radiation generated by the magnetron corresponding to the intensity of ultraviolet light produced by the lamp. A first control loop of the power control circuit is configured to regulate an input current to the magnetron based upon an input current setting associated with a desired intensity of UV light output of the lamp and a second control loop coupled to the first control loop configured to adjust the input current setting used by the first control loop to regulate the input current to the magnetron based upon an input power to the magnetron, which is proportional to the intensity of UV light output from the lamp.

Abstract: A detector for an ultraviolet lamp system of the type having a microwave generator includes a first circuit that is configured to detect the microwave energy generated from the microwave generator. The first circuit includes at least one radiation sensitive component capable of failing upon exposure to an excessive amount of microwave energy. A second circuit is coupled to the first circuit and configured to intermittently test whether the radiation sensitive component has failed. An ultraviolet lamp system includes the detector. An associated method includes monitoring the microwave energy through the first circuit including at least one radiation sensitive component capable of failing upon exposure to an excessive amount of microwave energy and testing the radiation sensitive component to determine whether the radiation sensitive component has failed.

Abstract: A microwave-excited ultraviolet lamp system includes a microwave chamber supplied with cooling air from an air source. At least one of a pressure sensor or a temperature sensor is positioned within the system to sense a pressure associated with the flow of cooling air or a temperature of the lamp system. A control receives a signal from the sensor and is operable to adjust the flow of cooling air from the source to obtain a desired cooling air flow rate.

Abstract: Bubble detection apparatus and method for a liquid dispensing system includes temperature compensation for increasing accuracy of the bubble detection as temperature of the liquid varies. In one embodiment, temperature changes cause corresponding changes in the liquid viscosity. A reference value or pressure signal that is used in a comparator circuit is adjusted or compensated for temperature changes of the liquid. The comparator compares pressure signals to the reference to detect bubbles in the liquid being dispensed.

Abstract: A radiation generating system for treating a coating on a substrate. A high voltage circuit provides power to a microwave generator that, in turn, supplies microwave radiation to drive a lamp. A current limiting device is connected between the high voltage circuit and the microwave generator, and a fault detector is connected to the high voltage circuit for providing an error signal in response to excess current being supplied to the microwave generator. A control is operative to interrupt a supply of AC power to the high voltage circuit in response to the error signal.

Abstract: Bubble detection apparatus and method for a liquid dispensing system includes temperature compensation for increasing accuracy of the bubble detection as temperature of the liquid varies. In one embodiment, temperature changes cause corresponding changes in the liquid viscosity. A reference value or pressure signal that is used in a comparator circuit is adjusted or compensated for temperature changes of the liquid. The comparator compares pressure signals to the reference to detect bubbles in the liquid being dispensed.

Abstract: A radiation generating system for treating a coating on a substrate. A high voltage circuit provides power to a microwave generator that, in turn, supplies microwave radiation to drive a lamp. A current limiting device is connected between the high voltage circuit and the microwave generator, and a fault detector is connected to the high voltage circuit for providing an error signal in response to excess current being supplied to the microwave generator. A control is operative to interrupt a supply of AC power to the high voltage circuit in response to the error signal.

Abstract: A microwave excited ultraviolet lamp system having a single electrical cable that supplies operating voltages from a power supply to a lamp head. The single electrical cable may provide high voltage to a magnetron of the lamp head and a lesser voltage to an internal blower of the lamp head. The electrical cable may incorporate conductors for transferring communications signals between the power supply and sensors associated with the lamp head.

Abstract: A microwave excited ultraviolet lamp system having a single electrical cable that supplies operating voltages from a power supply to a lamp head. The single electrical cable may provide high voltage to a magnetron of the lamp head and a lesser voltage to an internal blower of the lamp head. The electrical cable may incorporate conductors for transferring communications signals between the power supply and sensors associated with the lamp head.

Abstract: A power supply for supplying operating voltages to a magnetron of a lamp heating or curing system. The power supply is mounted remotely from the magnetron and includes a filament transformer for providing a regulated filament current to the magnetron to provide a predetermined filament voltage. Current in the primary of the filament transformer is sensed, and the filament current supplied by the secondary of the filament transformer is controlled by a switching device coupled to the primary of the filament transformer. Methods for supplying regulated filament current to a magnetron are also disclosed.

Abstract: A rotary atomizer has an internal power supply in the atomizer housing about which is passed cooling air. The air then flows out of the atomizer housing in a twisting direction as vectored air in the same direction of rotation as the atomizer head to eliminate any vacuum condition around the atomizer head and to provide shaping control of the coating being sprayed. A portion of the exhaust air from an air turbine motor driving the atomizer head with a turbine shaft is directed through a passageway between a stationary fluid tube within the turbine shaft and the rotary shaft to direct the exhaust air into the atomizer head to mix with the coating and create an air barrier that prevents coating material from leaking back into the rotary atomizer device. The remaining portion of the exhaust air from the air turbine motor is channeled around the outside surface of the housing of the rotary atomizer device to prevent liquid coating material from wrapping back and attaching to the atomizer housing.

Abstract: A fluid dispensing control for controlling the dispensing of a fluid by a metering valve through a nozzle onto a workpiece. An initial value of a flow characteristic of the fluid is determined that is correlated to the relationship between the flow rate of the fluid and nozzle pressure. Desired nozzle pressure values are periodically determined by evaluating a model of flow rate of the fluid through nozzle in response to the initial value of the flow characteristic and a desired flow rate value. Thereafter, the control provides command signals to the metering valve as a function of the desired nozzle pressures. A new value of the flow characteristic is determined as a function of the measured volume of fluid dispensed during the dispensing cycle to the measured nozzle pressure. During a subsequent dispensing cycle, the control determines the desired nozzle pressures by evaluating the model of flow rate of the fluid through the nozzle as a function of the new value of the flow characteristic.

Abstract: A fluid dispensing control for controlling the dispensing of a fluid by a metering valve through a nozzle onto a workpiece. An initial value of a flow characteristic of the fluid is determined that is correlated to the relationship between the flow rate of the fluid and nozzle pressure. Desired nozzle pressure values are periodically determined by evaluating a model of flow rate of the fluid through nozzle in response to the initial value of the flow characteristic and a desired flow rate value. Thereafter, the control provides command signals to the metering valve as a function of the desired nozzle pressures. A new value of the flow characteristic is determined as a function of the measured volume of fluid dispensed during the dispensing cycle to the measured nozzle pressure. During a subsequent dispensing cycle, the control determines the desired nozzle pressures by evaluating the model of flow rate of the fluid through the nozzle as a function of the new value of the flow characteristic.

Abstract: A rotary atomizer has an internal power supply in the atomizer housing about which is passed cooling air. The air then flows out of the atomizer housing in a twisting direction as vectored air in the same direction of rotation as the atomizer head to eliminate any vacuum condition around the atomizer head and to provide shaping control of the coating being sprayed. Exhaust air from an air turbine motor driving the atomizer head is directed around the outside surface of the atomizer housing to prevent the liquid coating from wrapping back and accumulating onto the atomizer housing. A speed sensing system is mounted in the atomizer housing and utilizes both magnetics and optics for accurately measuring the rotational speed of the air turbine motor in the presence of high electrostatic charge and RF fields from the internal power supply. The power supply is disposed within the atomizer housing about the turbine motor.

Abstract: A fluid dispensing control for controlling the dispensing of a fluid by a metering valve through a nozzle onto a workpiece. An initial value of a flow characteristic of the fluid is determined that is correlated to the relationship between the flow rate of the fluid and nozzle pressure. Desired nozzle pressure values are periodically determined by evaluating a model of flow rate of the fluid through nozzle in response to the initial value of the flow characteristic and a desired flow rate value. Thereafter, the control provides command signals to the metering valve as a function of the desired nozzle pressures. A new value of the flow characteristic is determined as a function of the measured volume of fluid dispensed during the dispensing cycle to the measured nozzle pressure. During a subsequent dispensing cycle, the control determines the desired nozzle pressures by evaluating the model of flow rate of the fluid through the nozzle as a function of the new value of the flow characteristic.