Abstract: A substrate processing tool includes a plurality of process modules configured to process a semiconductor substrate. Each of the plurality of process modules is arranged at a different location within the substrate processing tool. A vacuum transfer module (VTM) includes a robot and is configured to move between a plurality of different positions corresponding to the different locations within the substrate processing tool to allow the robot to access respective ones of the plurality of process modules.

Abstract: A substrate processing tool includes a plurality of process modules configured to process a semiconductor substrate. Each of the plurality of process modules is arranged at a different location within the substrate processing tool. A vacuum transfer module (VTM) includes a robot and is configured to move between a plurality of different positions corresponding to the different locations within the substrate processing tool to allow the robot to access respective ones of the plurality of process modules.

Abstract: Apparatus for supporting the lower elbow assembly of a jet pump in a reactor pressure vessel (RPV) of a nuclear reactor are described. The clamp apparatus includes a lower clamp element and an upper clamp element. The upper and lower elements are configured to be positioned at the interface between the thermal sleeve and the jet pump riser elbow. The upper and lower elements include extended ridges that are configured to fit in circumferential grooves precisely machined into the sleeve-elbow assembly on opposing sides of the interface.

Abstract: A guide nozzle for feeding multiple fusible filler metal wires into reduced-width, high-aspect-ratio (ratio of depth to width) metallic joints with control and stability of the filler metal position as it enters the molten pool area. The multiple filler wires are fed concurrently at the same or different feed rates. The guide nozzle is fabricated by flattening a circular tube into an oval or elliptical shape. In the case when the filler wires have the same diameter, the resulting oval or elliptical hole in the guide nozzle has a height greater than two times the diameter of the filler wires and a width greater than one diameter but less than two times the diameter of the filler wire. Alternatively, the guide nozzle is formed by forming a flat side on each of two circular tubes and then joining the flat sides together. Each tube has a circular hole of diameter greater than the diameter of the filler wire to be guided therein.

Abstract: A hot-wire nozzle for feeding pre-heated filler material into a welding groove. The nozzle has a contact tube made of electrically conductive material surrounded by a thin structural outer sheath. The outer sheath is electrically insulated from the contact tube by means of layers of electrically insulating material sandwiched between the contact tube and the outer sheath. The contact tube is configured to feed two or more filler wires simultaneously.

Abstract: An apparatus for manipulating a spray device having a spray nozzle relative to a target substrate, which apparatus includes drive mechanisms for moving the spray device in the X, Y and Z directions, and separate mechanisms for rotating the spray nozzle relative to the spray device and for tilting the spray nozzle relative to the spray device.

Abstract: Electrostatic liquid spray coating apparatus including a rotary atomizing cup of insulative material driven by an air turbine, is provided with a semi-conductive charging device extending through the cup, the inner portion of which is proximate the inner surface of the cup for contact charging liquid coating material supplied to the rear of the cup as it flows forwardly and outwardly over the rotating cup interior and contacts the charging device prior to atomization at the forward edge of the cup. A generally cylindrical insulative support body, housing a turbine and its associated air bearing and cup drive shaft, has a reduced diameter intermediate section which provides an annular cavity in which are located liquid coating and solvent valves for controlling the flow of liquid coating and solvent to the cup.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for pumping a steady flow of powder from a powder spray gun of a powder spray system by pumping the powder from a fluidized bed feed hopper to the spray gun via a small auxiliary fluidized bed hopper located in close proximity to the powder spray gun. The apparatus comprises a primary fluidized bed hopper into which reclaimed powder is supplied from a powder spray booth via a powder filter module and a sieve. Powder from the primary feed hopper is pumped to the gun via an auxiliary and much smaller capacity auxiliary fluidized bed hopper located in relative close proximity to the spray gun.

Abstract: An electrostatic particle spray gun having, in one preferred embodiment, a conical deflector of insulative material mounted in the nozzle in the particle path for forming a conical particle spray pattern. A resistive sheet connected to a high voltage electrostatic supply is sandwiched between the forward and rearward ends of the deflector, leaving only the perimeter of the sheet exposed at the peripheral region of the conical deflector. The perimeter of the resistive sheet functions as a multi-point circular electrode for charging the particles such that improved coating transfer efficiencies are achieved. Also, because of the resistive nature of the resistive sheet, the sheet constitutes a resistor in the electrical current path between the center of the sheet where it connects to a high voltage terminal and the circular periphery of the sheet which serves as the multiple point charging electrode, thereby minimizing unsafe electrical discharges should the electrode inadvertently approach a grounded object.

Abstract: An electrostatic spray device and cable assembly for charging coating material applied to an article in industrial finishing operations includes a gun body having a powder flow passageway and a dielectric sleeve contained within the passageway such that the discharge opening of the spray device surrounds the sleeve. The cable assembly comprises a dielectric tube having a hollow interior and a high voltage electrostatic cable mounted within the tube and connected at one end to a supply of electrostatic voltage. A particle deflector having an electrode in the form of a resistive sheet is mounted by the tube in charging relationship to a coating particle discharge opening in the spray gun, and the opposed end of the cable is electrically connected to the electrode. An adjustment device acts on the tube and cable to move them as a unit within the passageway in the spray gun to adjust the axial position of the deflector and electrode relative to the particle discharge opening in the spray device.

Abstract: An electrostatic spray system including a spray device having an electrode for electrostatically charging coating particles emitted from the spray device toward an article to be coated, a high voltage electrostatic supply, and a high voltage insulated electrical cable interconnecting the electrostatic supply and the spray device electrode. The high voltage cable includes a fibrous resistive core, preferably fabricated from silicon carbide fibers, a fiber-restraining layer of insulative thread tightly wrapped spirally around the entirety of the core to prevent fiber ends from projecting outwardly from the core, an outer dielectric sheath, and an intermediate sheath sandwiched between the spirally wound inner fiber-restraining layer and the outer dielectric sheath and having a resistivity lying between that of the inner resistive fiber core and the outer dielectric sheath.

Abstract: An improved powder pump for pumping air entrained solid particulate powder material comprising a pneumatic conveyor line within which there is located a low pressure venturi pumping chamber. This venturi pumping chamber is intersected by a powder supply passage through which powder is drawn via a siphon tube into the conveyor line from a fluidized bed source of powder material. Over the inlet end of the siphon tube there is a cone shaped deflector plate which functions to reduce the inflow of air bubble created powder voids and consequent uneven flow of powder from the pump.

Abstract: A pneumatic powder collector for determining the transfer efficiency of a powder spray system comprises a funnel for directing powder into a sealed collection chamber. A vacuum is drawn on this chamber by an air flow amplifier having an air flow inlet open to the chamber and an exhaust open to atmosphere. Contained within the chamber there is an air permeable powder collection bag having an inlet open to the funnel so that air entrained powder drawn into the funnel is collected in the bag. The amount of vacuum drawn on the chamber is controlled by a pressure regulator through which high pressure air is supplied to the air flow amplifier so that the vacuum is just sufficient to pull all powder sprayed by a spray gun of the spray system into the chamber without increasing the flow of powder from the gun.

Abstract: An electrostatic spray system including a spray device having a coating-charging electrode, a source of high voltage electrostatic potential, and a resistive path for safely transmitting high voltage between the electrode and the electrostatic supply. The resistive high voltage transmission path is composed of plural parallel-connected continuous silicon carbide fibers.

Abstract: An exteriorly mounted and positionable spray coating nozzle assembly for a spray coating system wherein a series of workpieces to be coated, such as bottles, are conveyed into a spray cabinet, along a path through a spray chamber, and past a bank of spray nozzles which apply a coating to the workpieces. A nozzle assembly support which is pivotally mounted to the outside of the spray cabinet permits the entire assembly to be swung to laterally position the nozzles relative to the length of the workpieces. The nozzles in turn are carried on a pivotal nozzle block which further permits the nozzles to be turned to adjust the aim of the nozzles with respect to the workpieces. The two pivotal movements provide for accurate aiming of the nozzles with greater lateral adjustability of the nozzles for spraying different length workpieces.

Abstract: A system for spray coating a substrate such as a plastic container with a gas barrier coating of a polymer dispersion. The system includes a spray coating booth or chamber including spray nozzles dispensing a spray of a coating material onto the surface of a series of containers continuously moving into and out of the coating chamber, an oven for drying the wet coating to remove the water from the coating to form a dried film on the container without distorting the container, and a conveyor for transferring the containers into the coating booth into proximity to the spray nozzles such that on actuation of the nozzles a stream of coating material coats the surface of the bottles with a wet coating layer and, thereafter, to the oven where the wet coating is dried. Means are provided for rotating the bottles during coating, during transport between the spray coating booth and the oven, and while in the oven.

Abstract: A system for precipitating vapors from a continuous coater and retrieving suspended matter therefrom. The entrance and exit passages communicating with a spray coating booth are vented to a scrubbing chamber where a precipitant spray drives the vapors through a precipitant baffle. Suspended matter in the vapor is thus precipitated and drained into a recovery tank. The scrubbed vapors are then exhausted up a stack. In one embodiment of the invention, the vapors are vented through openings in the top of the entrance and exit passages, in which embodiment there is also provided an input chamber for receiving the vapors and transferring the same to the scrubbing chamber. In a second embodiment, the vapors are vented through openings in the side walls of the entrance and exit passages, in which case they are vented directly to the scrubbing chamber.

Abstract: An in-line electric heater for heating fluids, such as paint, moving in a conduit has a thermally conductive massive body in which is formed a fluid passage having an inlet port and a outlet port. An electric heating element in the body directly heats only the upstream portion of the fluid passage and heater body. The downstream portion of the fluid passage and heater body is indirectly heated to a substantially lesser temperature by heat conduction from the upstream portion whereby the downstream portion acts as a "thermal accumulator" which damps the cycling, overshoot and undershoot of the temperature of the fluid at the outlet port of the passage.