Abstract: A multistage turbine having one or more input stage fan blades formed of aluminum and having one or more output stage fan blades formed of steel. One or more intermediate stages may be formed of aluminum or steel or a combination thereof.

Abstract: Improved method for cleaning a pump, fluid hose, and spray gun is provided by, for example, repeatedly changing the flow rate of the cleaning fluid pumped through the system to generate turbulence or increased turbulence and increased frictional resistance for enhanced cleaning action. A pressure control can cyclically vary the speed of the pump motor and pump connected thereto to generate the turbulence. The pumping cycle can alternate between a first and second power level and at a desired time interval for each speed. With a suitable solvent as the pumped fluid, the turbulence that is generated by the cyclical pumping action causes an increase in the scrubbing action of the solvent to quickly loosen residual material in the fluid passageways.

Abstract: Improved method for cleaning a pump, fluid hose, and spray gun is provided by, for example, repeatedly changing the flow rate of the cleaning fluid pumped through the system to generate turbulence or increased turbulence and increased frictional resistance for enhanced cleaning action. A pressure control can cyclically vary the speed of the pump motor and pump connected thereto to generate the turbulence. The pumping cycle can alternate between a first and second power level and at a desired time interval for each speed. With a suitable solvent as the pumped fluid, the turbulence that is generated by the cyclical pumping action causes an increase in the scrubbing action of the solvent to quickly loosen residual material in the fluid passageways.

Abstract: A method of orienting a misaligned spray tip in a reversible turret of a paint spray gun by tapping the turret to rotate the tip until a key and keyway of the tip and turret are aligned. In one embodiment of the method, the turret is held in the left hand and tapped with the right hand to cause counterclockwise rotation of the tip. In another embodiment, the turret is held in the right hand and the turret is tapped with the left hand to cause clockwise rotation of the tip in the turret. Once the tip is oriented in the turret, an elastomer washer and hollow retaining screw are installed in the turret behind the tip to seal and retain the tip in the turret, and the turret is installed in the paint spray gun.

Abstract: A dual mode reversible spray tip seal includes a tip-retaining set screw and a resilient washer in a transverse passageway in a turret of a portable paint spray gun. A cone-shaped taper on the set screw simultaneously urges the washer both axially and radially to axially seal the upstream end of the tip and radially seal the passageway of the turret.

Abstract: Apparatus for indicating when the air intake filter of portable turbines useful with spray paint guns is blocked and a method and apparatus for close coupled mounting of a pair of series connected turbines by axially aligning and abutting the axial outlet of one turbine against the axial inlet of the other turbine with a seal surrounding the turbine junction and with tie rods extending between radially projecting apertured ears of the turbines securing the turbines together and supporting the turbines on a generally U-shaped mounting bracket having spaced apart flanges engaging the tie rods. An air baffle partitions the space containing the two turbines into two air plenums to prevent hot air exhausted by the larger turbine from entering the air inlet to the turbine impellers. A visual or audible indicator provides a perceptible indication that the filter is becoming blocked.

Abstract: A reversible spray tip assembly with a replaceable tip member keyed to orient an orifice therein to a turret of the assembly and carrying a replaceable member having visually perceptible indicia to identify the size and fan width of the orifice of the tip member installed in the turret assembly. The replaceable member may be in the form of a plug, clip, band, sticker, or tablet insertable into the handle of the turret, or the handle itself may be user-replaceable. Alternatively, thumbwheels may be provided in the handle to display the tip identification indicia.

Abstract: An outlet fitting for portable turbines used in paint spraying, the outlet fitting including an exhaust pipe threadedly carrying an annular reducer sized to closely interfit with a cylindrical exhaust tube of the turbine and sealed thereto with an O-ring, with the outlet fitting secured to a wall of an enclosure for the turbine by a decorative ring.

Abstract: A spray gun assembly having a paint cup, a removable lid, a pivotable syphon tube unit rotatably secured to the lid and having an intake end located inside the paint cup, and a handle attached to the pivotable syphon tube unit exterior of the paint cup above the lid. The pivotable syphon tube unit is rotatable in the lid to permit manually positioning the intake end to the lower most region of the paint cup so that the intake end stays immersed in liquid when the spray gun assembly is tilted to a particular position.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for close coupled mounting of a pair of series connected turbines by axially aligning and abutting the axial outlet of one turbine against the axial inlet of the other turbine with a seal surrounding the turbine junction and with tie rods extending between radially projecting apertured ears of the turbines securing the turbines together and supporting the turbines on a generally U-shaped mounting bracket having spaced apart flanges engaging the tie rods. An air baffle partitions the space containing the two turbines into two air plenums to prevent hot air exhausted by the larger turbine from entering the air inlet to the turbine impellers, and an indicator provides a perceptible indication that the filter is becoming blocked.

Abstract: A silencer for the primary air intake part of an air compressor which includes (a) a housing defining a cylindrical chamber with an inlet orifice at one end and an outlet orifice at the other and (b) a baffle including (i) a substantially cylindrically shaped portion generally concentrically positioned within the chamber which divides the chamber into a central cylindrical compartment in fluid communication with the outlet orifice and an annular compartment in fluid communication with the inlet orifice, (ii) an opening through the cylindrical shaped portion of the baffle proximate the inlet orifice for providing fluid communication between the central cylindrical compartment and the annular compartment, and (iii) a wing extending generally radially from the cylindrically shaped portion of the baffle into contact with the housing sidewall between the inlet orifice and the opening forcing air flowing into the chamber from the inlet orifice to travel along substantially the entire circumference of the annular co

Abstract: A silencer for the primary air intake port of an air compressor which includes (a) a housing defining a cylindrical chamber with an inlet orifice at one end and an outlet orifice at the other and (b) a baffle including (i) a substantially cylindrically shaped portion generally concentrically positioned within the chamber which divides the chamber into a central cylindrical compartment in fluid communication with the outlet orifice and an annular compartment in fluid communication with the inlet orifice, (ii) an opening through the cylindrical shaped portion of the baffle proximate the inlet orifice for providing fluid communication between the central cylindrical compartment and the annular compartment, and (iii) a wing extending generally radially from the cylindrically shaped portion of the baffle into contact with the housing sidewall between the inlet orifice and the opening forcing air flowing into the chamber from the inlet orifice to travel along substantially the entire circumference of the annular co

Abstract: A integrally threaded outlet for a turbine for paint spraying equipment of the type having a die cast turbine to provide air for operation with a portable paint spraying gun, the threaded outlet integrally formed on an extension projecting tangentially of the turbine enclosure and having a diameter approximately the same as a flexible hose coupling the turbine to the portable paint spraying gun.

Abstract: A turbine sound reducer for reducing high frequency noise generated by a bleed air discharge from a paint spraying equipment turbine for operation with a non-bleeder gun. The sound reducer includes an enclosure containing inlet and outlet tubes in a spaced, opposed parallel relationship. The enclosure may be part of the turbine housing or it may be an independent closed body. In one embodiment, the inlet and outlet tubes are integrally molded with the enclosure, and a bifurcated, molded barbed fitting is provided to connect turbine bleed air to the sound reducer.