Abstract: A microwave excited ultraviolet lamp system with a data logging and retrieval circuit and method for operating the same. The data logging and retrieval circuit stores operational data in a cache memory using a FIFO data storage protocol. The contents of the cache memory are periodically copied to a larger removable memory so that the removable memory contains a relatively long historical record of the system operational parameters. The data logging and retrieval circuit includes a data port configured to load the contents of the cache memory into an external device when the device is coupled to the data port. A second data port allows the external device to supply power to the data logging and retrieval circuit so that data may be retrieved when the internal power supply is malfunctioning. Data stored in the removable memory may be protected so that it may only be accessed by authorized personnel.

Abstract: A can coating machine control system includes a coating control signal that functions as a go/no-go signal based on a plurality of monitored conditions such as can in position, vacuum pressure, gun in position, guard in position and speed condition. Local pressure regulation of the coating material in the spray gun is provided along with optional control of the material temperature. Local pressure regulation allows for optional spray weight control based on a wrap number derived from speed and gun spray durations. A CAN to CAN network buffer is provided as well for primary network isolation. A gun control circuit may be used to select specific gun drive signals and to adjust gun drive signals based on real-time feedback of the actual spray duration.

Abstract: A UV system for irradiating a substrate includes a RF source capable of generating RF energy, a UV lamp capable of emitting UV energy when excited by the RF energy generated by the RF source, and a monitor coupled to the RF source. The monitor includes data relating to the RF source. The UV system further includes a controller capable of communication with the monitor, and the controller determines if the RF source is suitable for operation with the UV system based on the data of the monitor and/or the end of its useful life.

Abstract: A can coating machine control system includes a coating control signal that functions as a go/no-go signal based on a plurality of monitored conditions such as can in position, vacuum pressure, gun in position, guard in position and speed condition. Local pressure regulation of the coating material in the spray gun is provided along with optional control of the material temperature. Local pressure regulation allows for optional spray weight control based on a wrap number derived from speed and gun spray durations. A CAN to CAN network buffer is provided as well for primary network isolation. A gun control circuit may be used to select specific gun drive signals and to adjust gun drive signals based on real-time feedback of the actual spray duration.

Abstract: A can coating machine control system includes a coating control signal that functions as a go/no-go signal based on a plurality of monitored conditions such as can in position, vacuum pressure, gun in position, guard in position and speed condition. Local pressure regulation of the coating material in the spray gun is provided along with optional control of the material temperature. Local pressure regulation allows for optional spray weight control based on a wrap number derived from speed and gun spray durations. A CAN to CAN network buffer is provided as well for primary network isolation. A gun control circuit may be used to select specific gun drive signals and to adjust gun drive signals based on real-time feedback of the actual spray duration.

Abstract: A UV system for irradiating a substrate includes a RF source capable of generating RF energy, a UV lamp capable of emitting UV energy when excited by the RF energy generated by the RF source, and a monitor coupled to the RF source. The monitor includes data relating to the RF source. The UV system further includes a controller capable of communication with the monitor, and the controller determines if the RF source is suitable for operation with the UV system based on the data of the monitor and/or the end of its useful life.

Abstract: A UV system for irradiating a substrate includes a lamphead having an enclosure with an interior. A UV bulb is positioned in the interior and is capable of emitting UV energy when excited by RF energy. The UV system also includes a solid state RF source capable of generating the RF energy. The RF energy is transmitted to the UV bulb, which causes the UV bulb to ignite and emit the UV energy from the interior of the lamphead.

Abstract: Apparatus for detecting powder flow along a powder flow path includes a light source and a light detector for detecting light from the light source directed across the powder flow path as powder flows through said powder flow path. A circuit receives the output from the light detector and determines an average or RMS of the signal received by the light detector. The circuit may determine whether there is flow or no flow of powder or whether there is a change in flow rate of powder. Preferably, the apparatus is used in combination with a dense phase powder pump, which causes the powder to flow in pulses from the pump outlet into the powder flow path. More preferably, the light source and detector are enclosed in a housing that is connected between the pump outlet and a powder feed hose which supplies powder to a spray gun or hopper.

Abstract: A UV system for irradiating a substrate includes a lamphead having an enclosure with an interior. A UV bulb is positioned in the interior and is capable of emitting UV energy when excited by RF energy. The UV system also includes a solid state RF source capable of generating the RF energy. The RF energy is transmitted to the UV bulb, which causes the UV bulb to ignite and emit the UV energy from the interior of the lamphead.

Abstract: A can coating machine control system includes a coating control signal that functions as a go/no-go signal based on a plurality of monitored conditions such as can in position, vacuum pressure, gun in position, guard in position and speed condition. Local pressure regulation of the coating material in the spray gun is provided along with optional control of the material temperature. Local pressure regulation allows for optional spray weight control based on a wrap number derived from speed and gun spray durations. A CAN to CAN network buffer is provided as well for primary network isolation. A gun control circuit may be used to select specific gun drive signals and to adjust gun drive signals based on real-time feedback of the actual spray duration.

Abstract: A microwave excited ultraviolet lamp system with a data logging and retrieval circuit and method for operating the same. The data logging and retrieval circuit stores operational data in a cache memory using a FIFO data storage protocol. The contents of the cache memory are periodically copied to a larger removable memory so that the removable memory contains a relatively long historical record of the system operational parameters. The data logging and retrieval circuit includes a data port configured to load the contents of the cache memory into an external device when the device is coupled to the data port. A second data port allows the external device to supply power to the data logging and retrieval circuit so that data may be retrieved when the internal power supply is malfunctioning. Data stored in the removable memory may be protected so that it may only be accessed by authorized personnel.

Abstract: A can coating machine control system includes a coating control signal that functions as a go/no-go signal based on a plurality of monitored conditions such as can in position, vacuum pressure, gun in position, guard in position and speed condition. Local pressure regulation of the coating material in the spray gun is provided along with optional control of the material temperature. Local pressure regulation allows for optional spray weight control based on a wrap number derived from speed and gun spray durations. A CAN to CAN network buffer is provided as well for primary network isolation. A gun control circuit may be used to select specific gun drive signals and to adjust gun drive signals based on real-time feedback of the actual spray duration.

Abstract: Apparatus for detecting powder flow along a powder flow path includes a light source and a light detector for detecting light from the light source directed across the powder flow path as powder flows through said powder flow path. A circuit receives the output from the light detector and determines an average or RMS of the signal received by the light detector. The circuit may determine whether there is flow or no flow of powder or whether there is a change in flow rate of powder. Preferably, the apparatus is used in combination with a dense phase powder pump, which causes the powder to flow in pulses from the pump outlet into the powder flow path. More preferably, the light source and detector are enclosed in a housing that is connected between the pump outlet and a powder feed hose which supplies powder to a spray gun or hopper.

Abstract: Apparatus for detecting powder flow along a powder flow path includes a light source and a light detector for detecting light from the light source directed across the powder flow path as powder flows through said powder flow path. A circuit receives the output from the light detector and determines an average or RMS of the signal received by the light detector. The circuit may determine whether there is flow or no flow of powder or whether there is a change in flow rate of powder. Preferably, the apparatus is used in combination with a dense phase powder pump, which causes the powder to flow in pulses from the pump outlet into the powder flow path. More preferably, the light source and detector are enclosed in a housing that is connected between the pump outlet and a powder feed hose which supplies powder to a spray gun or hopper.

Abstract: A can coating machine control system includes a coating control signal that functions as a go/no-go signal based on a plurality of monitored conditions such as can in position, vacuum pressure, gun in position, guard in position and speed condition. Local pressure regulation of the coating material in the spray gun is provided along with optional control of the material temperature. Local pressure regulation allows for optional spray weight control based on a wrap number derived from speed and gun spray durations. A CAN to CAN network buffer is provided as well for primary network isolation. A gun control circuit may be used to select specific gun drive signals and to adjust gun drive signals based on real-time feedback of the actual spray duration.

Abstract: A can coating machine control system includes a coating control signal that functions as a go/no-go signal based on a plurality of monitored conditions such as can in position, vacuum pressure, gun in position, guard in position and speed condition. Local pressure regulation of the coating material in the spray gun is provided along with optional control of the material temperature. Local pressure regulation allows for optional spray weight control based on a wrap number derived from speed and gun spray-durations. A CAN to CAN network buffer is provided as well for primary network isolation. A gun control circuit may be used to select specific gun drive signals and to adjust gun drive signals based on real-time feedback of the actual spray duration.

Abstract: Apparatus for detecting powder flow along a powder flow path includes a light source and a light detector for detecting light from the light source directed across the powder flow path as powder flows through said powder flow path. A circuit receives the output from the light detector and determines an average or RMS of the signal received by the light detector. The circuit may determine whether there is flow or no flow of powder or whether there is a change in flow rate of powder. Preferably, the apparatus is used in combination with a dense phase powder pump, which causes the powder to flow in pulses from the pump outlet into the powder flow path. More preferably, the light source and detector are enclosed in a housing that is connected between the pump outlet and a powder feed hose which supplies powder to a spray gun or hopper.

Abstract: A can coating machine control system includes a coating control signal that functions as a go/no-go signal based on a plurality of monitored conditions such as can in position, vacuum pressure, gun in position, guard in position and speed condition. Local pressure regulation of the coating material in the spray gun is provided along with optional control of the material temperature. Local pressure regulation allows for optional spray weight control based on a wrap number derived from speed and gun spray-durations. A CAN to CAN network buffer is provided as well for primary network isolation. A gun control circuit may be used to select specific gun drive signals and to adjust gun drive signals based on real-time feedback of the actual spray duration.

Abstract: A monitoring system that permits an operator to observe on a visual display operating data for a plurality of dispensing devices. These data displays are visual representations based on signals received from a monitor control. The operator is able to arrange and group the displays of a plurality of dispensing devices as required. In one embodiment, the visual representations include graphical representations of a characteristic of the dispensed fluid on a time line, such as a pressure reading for example. Such graphical representations may include alarm limits or bands. Each visual representation may include fault indications that are time and date stamped. The visual representations may also be color coded to indicate normal and fault conditions. All of this monitoring may conveniently be performed at a location that is remote from the dispensing devices. The collected information may be logged for later analysis such as exporting the data to another program such as a spreadsheet database.

Abstract: An improved electronic driver circuit that is particularly effective at high-speed activation of high-capacitance devices, such as ceramic multilayer piezoelectric actuators, generating a high-voltage driver signal that is proportional to an input signal. The driver circuit has a relatively high power efficiency, having power dissipation losses that are much less than linear drivers in the same application. The driver circuit preferably operates as a switched mode, bidirectional, flyback converter in which energy is transferred from a capacitor to a high-capacitance device as the high-capacitance device is charged and energy is transferred back from the high-capacitance device to said charge storage device as the high-capacitance device is discharged. The driver circuit preferably has two control units—one for controlling charging of the high-capacitance device and the other for controlling the discharging of the high-capacitance device.