Abstract: Methods for desorbing volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from beaded activated carbon (BAC) that is loaded with VOCs, during the VOC abatement process using the fluidized carbon bead system include transferring the loaded BAC in an adsorber to a desorber, where a stream of organic solvent passes over the BAC to dissolve at least a portion of the adsorbed VOCs into the organic solvent to regenerate BAC. The regenerated BAC is returned to the adsorber. The organic solvent containing dissolved VOCs may be transferred to a distiller to separate the organic solvents from the dissolved VOCs and may be reused as the organic solvent in the desorber.

Abstract: A method of controlling application of material onto a substrate is provided. The method includes ejecting an ultraviolet (UV) curable material through a plurality of micro-applicators in the form of atomized droplets. At least one UV light source is positioned adjacent to the plurality of micro-applicators and the atomized droplets are irradiated with UV light by the at least one UV light source and curing of the atomized droplets is initiated. The atomized droplets are deposited onto a surface of the substrate and a UV cured coating on the surface is formed thereon. The UV curable material may include a photolatent base catalyst such that the atomized droplets deposited onto the surface continue to cure after being irradiated with the at least one UV light source. The at least one UV light source can include a UV light ring, a UV light emitting diode, and the like.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying a coating to a substrate includes a base, an applicator, and a quick-connect connector. The base includes a fluid conduit. The applicator includes at least one actuator and an array of nozzle plates. Each nozzle plate defines at least one aperture. The at least one actuator is configured to oscillate the nozzle plates to eject fluid from the apertures. The quick-connect connector couples the fluid conduit to the applicator for fluid communication therebetween.

Abstract: A method of controlling application of material onto a substrate includes ejecting atomized droplets from an array of micro-applicators while the array of micro-applicators cyclically moves about at least one axis. The atomized droplets from each of the plurality of micro-applicators overlap with atomized droplets from adjacent micro-applicators and a diffuse overlap of deposited atomized droplets from adjacent micro-applicators is provided on a surface of the substrate. The array of micro-applicators cyclically rotates back and forth around the at least one axis and/or moves back and forth parallel to the at least one axis. For example, the at least one axis can be a central axis of the array of micro-applicators, a length axis of the array of micro-applicators, a width axis of the array of micro-applicators, and the like. Also, the array of micro-applicators can be part of an ultrasonic material applicator used to paint vehicles.

Abstract: A nozzle for an atomizer includes a plate, a piezoelectric actuator, a body, and a connector. The plate defines an aperture. The actuator is configured to oscillate the plate. The body supports the plate. The connector is configured to reversibly mount the body to the atomizer in a first orientation and in a second orientation. In the first orientation, fluid exits the nozzle along a first axial direction through the aperture. In the second orientation, fluid exits the nozzle along an opposite axial direction through the aperture.

Abstract: An atomizer for applying a coating includes a nozzle plate, an actuator, and an acoustic focusing device. The nozzle plate defines at least one aperture. The actuator is configured to oscillate to form pressure waves within a fluid to eject the fluid from the nozzle plate. The acoustic focusing device focuses the pressure waves toward the apertures.

Abstract: A system for non-contact color harmony analysis is provided. The system may include an image acquisition system and an image analysis system. One or more cameras may take images of two regions of an object (e.g., a vehicle). The images may be transferred to the image analysis system, which may compare color values from each region and determine a color value difference. The color value difference may be compared to a predetermined threshold value to identify a possible color mismatch. The system may be used to analyze color harmony of adjacent vehicle components, for example, a front fascia and a fender or a rear fascia and a quarter panel.

Abstract: A system for non-contact color harmony analysis is provided. The system may include an image acquisition system and an image analysis system. One or more cameras may take images of two regions of an object (e.g., a vehicle). The images may be transferred to the image analysis system, which may compare color values from each region and determine a color value difference. The color value difference may be compared to a predetermined threshold value to identify a possible color mismatch. The system may be used to analyze color harmony of adjacent vehicle components, for example, a front fascia and a fender or a rear fascia and a quarter panel.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for monitoring paint color across regions of a vehicle, for identifying color mismatches, and for dynamically determining the acceptability of an identified mismatch. The system includes a vehicle image acquisition array digital cameras for digitally scanning selected regions of the vehicle and an image analyzer connected to the vehicle image acquisition system. The image analyzer is programmed with standard confidence color curves and includes software programmed with an analysis algorithm to convert an image of a scanned region into a standard image format. Individual color curves are extracted from the standard format to compare the extracted color curves against the standard confidence color curves to determine whether or not the extracted color curves fall within standard confidence color curves. The standard confidence color curves may be adjusted during color testing based upon accumulated extracted color curves.

Abstract: A system for monitoring paint color across regions of a vehicle and for identifying color mismatches and for dynamically determining the acceptability of an identified mismatch is disclosed. The system includes a vehicle image acquisition array of one or more digital cameras for digitally scanning selected regions of the vehicle and an image analyzer connected to the vehicle image acquisition system. The image analyzer is initially programmed with upper and lower standard confidence color curves.

Abstract: According to at least one aspect of the present invention, a coating composition is provided. In at least one embodiment, the coating composition includes an intermediate layer having a surface smoothness value, a basecoat layer in overlaying contact with the intermediate layer and including one or more metallic flakes having a size scale, wherein the surface smoothness value of the intermediate layer accommodates the size scale of the one or more metallic flakes of the basecoat layer such that the one or more metallic flakes are substantially aligned to each other to provide the basecoat layer with a liquid metal travel index.

Abstract: A washer system which includes a first reservoir containing a freezable washer liquid and having a drain port therein. The drain port is in fluid communication with the freezable washer liquid when the first reservoir is in at least a full state. The washer system also includes a temperature sensor for measuring a critical temperature corresponding to approximately a freezing temperature of the freezable washer liquid, a drain plug sealingly communicating with the drain port, and an electrical control unit in operative communication with the temperature sensor and the drain plug. The electrical control unit controls the drain plug to drain the liquid from the first reservoir in response to the critical temperature.

Abstract: A washer system which includes a first reservoir containing a freezable washer liquid and having a drain port therein. The drain port is in fluid communication with the freezable washer liquid when the first reservoir is in at least a full state. The washer system also includes a temperature sensor for measuring a critical temperature corresponding to approximately a freezing temperature of the freezable washer liquid, a drain plug sealingly communicating with the drain port, and an electrical control unit in operative communication with the temperature sensor and the drain plug. The electrical control unit controls the drain plug to drain the liquid from the first reservoir in response to the critical temperature.

Abstract: An injection molding process for a thermoplastic resin using a mold having disrupters in the location in which weld lines will be formed. Molten resin is injected into a mold cavity as at least two separate streams having a flow front and a flow core. The mold cavity is filled with resin from each of the streams whereby a weld line will be formed at an interfacial area where the flow fronts meet. The disrupters located perpendicular to the resin flow direction disrupt the flow fronts prior to the interfacial area. The flow fronts are thereby fragmented. This allows the flow front fragments, and the flow cores to be more homogeneously dispersed within the interfacial area thereby increasing the weld line strength and appearance.