Abstract: A radiant convection oven for baking a coating on an article which includes an oven enclosure receiving coating articles, a fan receiving fresh air and directing the fresh air to a burner or burners, a plurality of heat radiators each having an internal chamber receiving heated fresh air from the burner. The radiators are located within the oven opposite a coating article, radiating heat energy to the coated article, and a plurality of nozzles connected to the internal chamber of the radiators directing fresh heated onto the article, transferring convection heat energy to the coated article. In the disclosed embodiment, the radiators include radiating side and bottom walls having a relatively shallow depth, increasing the flow rate through the radiators, reducing the size and cost of the radiators and the fan.

Abstract: An oven assembly for baking coatings applied to an object includes a housing with a header receiving pressurized air from a ventilator disposed outside the oven. A heater provides heat to the pressurized air received from the ventilator raising the temperature of the pressurized air to between about two and four times curing temperature in Fahrenheit degrees of the coatings applied to the object. The header extends from the heater into the housing. The header has nozzles disposed at spaced locations directing pressurized air at the temperature being between about two and four times the curing temperature in Fahrenheit degrees of the coating applied to the object toward predetermined locations on the object.

Abstract: An oven assembly for baking coatings applied to an object includes a housing with a header receiving pressurized air from a ventilator disposed outside the oven. A heater provides heat to the pressurized air received from the ventilator raising the temperature of the pressurized air to between about two and four times curing temperature in Fahrenheit degrees of the coatings applied to the object. The header extends from the heater into the housing. The header has nozzles disposed at spaced locations directing pressurized air at the temperature being between about two and four times the curing temperature in Fahrenheit degrees of the coating applied to the object toward predetermined locations on the object.

Abstract: An oven assembly for baking coatings applied to an object includes a housing with a header receiving pressurized air from a ventilator disposed outside the oven. A heater provides heat to the pressurized air received from the ventilator raising the temperature of the pressurized air to between about two and four times curing temperature in Fahrenheit degrees of the coatings applied to the object. The header extends from the heater into the housing. The header has nozzles disposed at spaced locations directing pressurized air at the temperature being between about two and four times the curing temperature in Fahrenheit degrees of the coating applied to the object toward predetermined locations on the object.

Abstract: A radiant convection oven for baking a coating on an article which includes an oven enclosure receiving coating articles, a fan receiving fresh air and directing the fresh air to a burner or burners, a plurality of heat radiators each having an internal chamber receiving heated fresh air from the burner. The radiators are located within the oven opposite a coating article, radiating heat energy to the coated article, and a plurality of nozzles connected to the internal chamber of the radiators directing fresh heated onto the article, transferring convection heat energy to the coated article. In the disclosed embodiment, the radiators include radiating side and bottom walls having a relatively shallow depth, increasing the flow rate through the radiators, reducing the size and cost of the radiators and the fan.

Abstract: An oven assembly for baking coatings applied to an object includes a housing with a header receiving pressurized air from a ventilator disposed outside the oven. A heater provides heat to the pressurized air received from the ventilator raising the temperature of the pressurized air to between about two and four times curing temperature in Fahrenheit degrees of the coatings applied to the object. The header extends from the heater into the housing. The header has nozzles disposed at spaced locations directing pressurized air at the temperature being between about two and four times the curing temperature in Fahrenheit degrees of the coating applied to the object toward predetermined locations on the object.

Abstract: A paint oven including a conveyor conveying painted articles through the oven and a plurality of infrared temperature sensors directed toward and measuring the temperature of predetermined areas of the painted articles, and a control receiving a signal from the infrared temperature sensors and comparing the temperature to a predetermined standard. The disclosed embodiment further includes calibration targets opposite the infrared temperature sensors and independent temperature sensors measuring the temperature of the target for calibration of the infrared temperature sensors. The method of this invention further includes aligning the infrared temperature sensors with a coaxial light source.

Abstract: A pump for transferring particulate material from a source to a remote location, including a particulate chamber having open ends, check valves at the open ends, a vacuum source connected to the chamber adjacent one end, a gas source at the opposed end of the chamber and a control which alternatively connects the vacuum to the chamber to draw particulate material from the source to the chamber and connecting the gas under pressure to drive the particulate material to the remote location. In a preferred embodiment, the chamber has a cylindrical inner diameter and the source of vacuum is a venturi pump connected to a pinch valve permitting overflow of particulate material through the pinch valve and venturi pump, which is returned to the source. In one embodiment, the pinch valve surrounds an open end of the chamber permitting overflow while avoiding agglomeration of the particulate material.

Abstract: An oven for heating a coating on a substrate, such as a painted vehicle body, including a first zone having radiant tubes and shields above the tubes and a second zone including side heat chambers having nozzles directing heated air onto a coated substrate and a hold zone. The radiant tubes may include a first linear portion extending through the oven and return loop beneath the substrate to conserve energy and sill ducts directing heated air against the underside of the vehicle body. The temperature is controlled by sensors contacting the radiant tubes and a proportional integral control system.

Abstract: A scrubber assembly for removing particulate paint from a flow of air through a paint application booth is disclosed. A sheet of water received from a water source flows over flood pan collecting paint particles suspended in the flow of air. A separation chamber receives air and particulate paint from the booth and water from the flood pan through first and second scrubbers. The first and second scrubbers extend downwardly from the flood pan. Each scrubber includes an inlet receiving air and particulate paint from the paint application booth and water from said flood pan. The first scrubber includes a first outlet discharging a first stream of air, particulate paint, and water received from the first inlet. The second scrubber includes a second outlet discharging a second stream of air, particulate paint and water received from the second inlet. The first and second streams intersect within the separation chamber.

Abstract: A spray application system includes an enclosed spraybooth area in which airborne particles are generated and a scrubber system is located below the enclosed spraybooth area. The scrubber system includes an inlet receiving water and air from the spraybooth area along with airborne particles. The scrubber system transfers the airborne particles to the water for cleaning the air. A generally downwardly opening noise reflector is located directly over the inlet of the scrubber system and is configured to reflect sound generated by the scrubber system back into the inlet of the scrubber system. The reflector is spaced from the inlet of the scrubber system a distance equal to approximately the width of the inlet.

Abstract: A baffle system for separating entrained liquid from a gas stream including columns of U-shaped baffles extending into a liquid trough and including flashing at the top of the baffles on opposed sides, wherein the wet side flashing is longer than the dry side flashing, and a trough baffle directing the air stream upwardly reducing re-entrainment of liquid. The flange portions of the columns of baffles are spaced to provide for cleaning.

Abstract: A baffle system for separating entrained liquid from a gas stream including columns of U-shaped baffles extending into a liquid trough and including flashing at the top of the baffles on opposed sides, wherein the wet side flashing is longer than the dry side flashing, and a trough baffle directing the air stream upwardly reducing re-entrainment of liquid. The flange portions of the columns of baffles are spaced to provide for cleaning.

Abstract: A scrubber assembly for removing particulate paint from a flow of air through a paint application booth is disclosed. A sheet of water received from a water source flows over flood pan collecting paint particles suspended in the flow of air. A separation chamber receives air and particulate paint from the booth and water from the flood pan through first and second scrubbers. The first and second scrubbers extend downwardly from the flood pan. Each scrubber includes an inlet receiving air and particulate paint from the paint application booth and water from said flood pan. The first scrubber includes a first outlet discharging a first stream of air, particulate paint, and water received from the first inlet. The second scrubber includes a second outlet discharging a second stream of air, particulate paint and water received from the second inlet. The first and second streams intersect within the separation chamber.

Abstract: A spray application system includes an enclosed spraybooth area in which airborne particles are generated and a scrubber system is located below the enclosed spraybooth area. The scrubber system includes an inlet receiving water and air from the spraybooth area along with airborne particles. The scrubber system transfers the airborne particles to the water for cleaning the air. A generally downwardly opening noise reflector is located directly over the inlet of the scrubber system and is configured to reflect sound generated by the scrubber system back into the inlet of the scrubber system. The reflector is spaced from the inlet of the scrubber system a distance equal to approximately the width of the inlet.

Abstract: A baffle system for removing liquid entrained in a gas stream which includes a plurality of generally coplanar columns of upright generally U-shaped baffle members each including a web portion and opposed flange portions on opposite sides of the web portion. The baffle members are conventionally arranged, such that the web portions of the first column of baffle members face the direction of flow of the gas and the second column opens toward the direction of flow with the web portions of each column overlapping. The width of the web portions of the baffle members is equal to at least three times the length of the flange portions and more preferably at least four times the width of the web portions. In one embodiment, the free ends of the flange portions include inwardly projecting lips or hook-shaped portions and the flange portions preferably do not overlap.

Abstract: A discrete pod gas scrubber system for removing contaminants from the air of a work area, such as a paint spray booth. Each scrubber pod includes an inlet section having opposed converging planar walls and side walls, an intermediate section having opposed diverging walls and side walls communicating with the inlet section through a reduced diameter venturi, and an outlet section having a bottom wall perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the scrubber pod, a diverging top wall and an end wall. The end wall includes an orifice opening and orifice plates for adjusting the orifice opening and the combined lengths of the aligned scrubber pods are between fifty and ninety percent of the total length of the scrubber system, more preferably between sixty percent and eighty five percent of the total length. The scrubber system of this invention significantly reduces the noise generated in the work area normally located above the gas scrubber system.