Abstract: A system for dispensing pulverulent coating material comprises a source of pulverulent coating material, a source of compressed gas, a device for movably supporting a nozzle, the nozzle coupled to the source of pulverulent material and providing an opening through which the pulverulent material is dispensed, a deflector supported by the device and spaced from the opening to aid in shaping a cloud of dispensed coating material, and a source of high-magnitude electrostatic potential coupled to impart electrostatic potential to the dispensed pulverulent material. The deflector includes at least one first passageway extending with a radial component of the deflector and communicating with the source of compressed gas to direct gas with a radial component into the cloud of dispensed coating material.

Abstract: A pump adapted for coupling in a fluid circuit between a source of coating material and a dispensing device. The pump includes an operating member which extends through a pump housing to a location adjacent the fluid circuit. The passage of the operating member to a location adjacent the fluid circuit includes a seal system permit operation of the pump while reducing the likelihood of leakage of the coating material from the circuit out of the housing along the operating member. The seal system includes at least first and second seals defining between them a flushable seal chamber facing a pump chamber containing the coating material being pumped.

Abstract: A shade or blind comprises a header and a photovoltaically active area. The photovoltaically active area is suspended from the header. The shade or blind further comprises a light and conductors coupling the photovoltaically active area to the light.

Abstract: A device for dispensing coating material includes at least two electrodes for coupling to at least one high-magnitude potential supply so that the at least two electrodes are maintained substantially at two different high-magnitude potentials so that an electric field exists between the at least two electrodes. At least one of the at least two electrodes includes a passageway extending therethrough to provide a flow of compressed gas through the at least one of the at least two electrodes.

Abstract: A pump adapted for coupling in a fluid circuit between a source of coating material and a dispensing device. The pump includes an operating member which extends through a pump housing to a location adjacent the fluid circuit. The passage of the operating member to a location adjacent the fluid circuit includes a seal system permit operation of the pump while reducing the likelihood of leakage of the coating material from the circuit out of the housing along the operating member. The seal system includes at least first and second seals defining between them a flushable seal chamber facing a pump chamber containing the coating material being pumped.

Abstract: A device for dispensing coating material includes at least two electrodes for coupling to at least one high-magnitude potential supply so that the at least two electrodes are maintained substantially at two different high-magnitude potentials so that an electric field exists between the at least two electrodes. At least one of the at least two electrodes includes a passageway extending therethrough to provide a flow of compressed gas through the at least one of the at least two electrodes.

Abstract: A system for dispensing pulverulent coating material comprises a source of pulverulent coating material, a source of compressed gas, a device for movably supporting a nozzle, the nozzle coupled to the source of pulverulent material and providing an opening through which the pulverulent material is dispensed, a deflector supported by the device and spaced from the opening to aid in shaping a cloud of dispensed coating material, and a source of high-magnitude electrostatic potential coupled to impart electrostatic potential to the dispensed pulverulent material. The deflector includes at least one first passageway extending with a radial component of the deflector and communicating with the source of compressed gas to direct gas with a radial component into the cloud of dispensed coating material.

Abstract: A composite pump comprises multiple fluid pumps, each including a movable component and a crank coupled to the movable component. At least two of the movable components define between them a non-zero included angle.

Abstract: A vessel for fluidizing bulk pulverulent material to render the pulverulent material flowable for removal from the vessel includes first, second, third and fourth ports. The first port is provided for entry of a fluidizing gas or mixture of gases to the vessel. The second port controls a first stream of fluidizing gas or mixture of gases escaping from the vessel at a relatively constant rate to promote the fluidization of bulk pulverulent material introduced into the vessel. The third port is selectively controlled to vary the rate of escape of a second stream of fluidizing gas or mixture of gases. The fluidized pulverulent material is withdrawn from the vessel through the fourth port at a rate in opposition to the rate of escape of the second stream of fluidizing gas or mixture of gases.

Abstract: A valve including a valve body, the valve body providing an inlet and an outlet, a valve seat between the inlet and the outlet, a valve member, the valve member and valve seat being relatively movable to control flow through the valve, the valve member engaging the valve seat to prevent flow through the valve and disengaging from the valve seat to permit flow through the valve.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for dispensing electrically charged particles of a coating material. A source provides the coating material to a coating material dispenser. An electrical supply supplies electrical charge. A first electrode provides charge to the coating material as it is dispensed. At least one second electrode is provided at a location removed from the first electrode. Both the first electrode and the at least one second electrode are coupled to the supply of electrical charge.

Abstract: A seal assembly for providing multiple fluid tight seals about a valve needle or other axially moveable shaft, such as a valve needle in a spray gun. The seal assembly is disposed in a chamber through which the shaft passes. Two conical sealing surfaces are formed co-axially about the shaft at either end of the chamber. Two packing members are urged apart by a spring, each packing member being urged into a respective conical recess formed by one of the sealing surfaces and the shaft. Each packing member seals against one of the sealing surfaces and against the outer periphery of the shaft. A packing member may be formed to provide multiple stage sealing by providing a collar which causes a second end on the packing member to seal with the shaft.

Abstract: A paint spray gun having a dual operating mode trigger. The trigger pivots on a gun body about an axis. The two operating modes are selected by radially positioning the trigger relative to the axis. In a first operating mode, fluid flow to a nozzle is gradually increased as the trigger is gradually squeezed to permit fluid flow control for feathering the applied coating. In this mode, the trigger is mechanically linked for actuating a valve needle. In a second operating mode, a small actuating movement of the trigger operates a valve which causes a piston to move the valve needle to its fully open position. The second operating mode provides only on-off fluid control with a very short trigger stoke and a low trigger force.

Abstract: An improved hand held spray gun. The spray gun includes at least one manual trigger which when squeezed moves a valve needle to initiate fluid flow. A knob is provided to adjust the maximum fluid flow when the trigger is squeezed. When the trigger is released, a compression spring returns the valve needle to its closed position. An over travel spring is compressed only if an excessive force is applied to the trigger to prevent damage to the spray gun. The over travel spring is stronger than the valve needle return spring so that it compresses only after the spray gun is fully on. If the maximum fluid flow adjustment knob is turned too far, compressed air is vented through the knob as a tactile warning to the spray gun operator to not turn the knob further. The vented air also may whistle to provide an audible warning that the knob should not be turned further.

Abstract: An improved hand held spray gun. The spray gun includes at least one manual trigger which when squeezed moves a valve needle to initiate fluid flow. A knob is provided to adjust the maximum fluid flow when the trigger is squeezed. When the trigger is released, a compression spring returns the valve needle to its closed position. An over travel spring is compressed only if an excessive force is applied to the trigger to prevent damage to the spray gun. The over travel spring is stronger than the valve needle return spring so that it compresses only after the spray gun is fully on. If the maximum fluid flow adjustment knob is turned too far, compressed air is vented through the knob as a tactile warning to the spray gun operator to not turn the knob further. The vented air also may whistle to provide an audible warning that the knob should not be turned further.