Abstract: An electrostatic painting apparatus is provided. The electrostatic painting apparatus includes a body, a plurality of rotary atomizers included at least partially within the body, wherein each rotary atomizer is configured to electrostatically apply a coating material to a conductive substrate, and wherein each rotary atomizer is independently controllable, and a single high voltage cascade coupled to the plurality of rotary atomizers and configured to provide a high voltage to each rotary atomizer such that the same voltage is applied to each rotary atomizer.

Abstract: An electrostatic painting apparatus is provided. The electrostatic painting apparatus includes a body, a plurality of rotary atomizers included at least partially within the body, wherein each rotary atomizer is configured to electrostatically apply a coating material to a conductive substrate, and wherein each rotary atomizer is independently controllable, and a single high voltage cascade coupled to the plurality of rotary atomizers and configured to provide a high voltage to each rotary atomizer such that the same voltage is applied to each rotary atomizer.

Abstract: A hand-held, electrostatically- and/or compressed gas-aided coating material dispensing device comprises a barrel and a handle extending downward from the barrel. The handle includes a module selected from modules having a number of different characteristics for coupling sources of coating material, compressed gas and/or electrical supply to the coating material dispensing device.

Abstract: A hand-held, electrostatically- and/or compressed gas-aided coating material dispensing device comprises a barrel and a handle extending downward from the barrel. The handle includes a module selected from modules having a number of different characteristics for coupling sources of coating material, compressed gas and/or electrical supply to the coating material dispensing device.

Abstract: A hand-held, electrostatically- and/or compressed gas-aided coating material dispensing device comprises a barrel and a handle extending downward from the barrel. The handle includes a module selected from modules having a number of different characteristics for coupling sources of coating material, compressed gas and/or electrical supply to the coating material dispensing device.

Abstract: A hand-held, electrostatically- and/or compressed gas-aided coating material dispensing device comprises a barrel and a handle extending downward from the barrel. The handle includes a module selected from modules having a number of different characteristics for coupling sources of coating material, compressed gas and/or electrical supply to the coating material dispensing device.

Abstract: A valve assembly for controlling a flow of a coating to a spray head is provided. The valve assembly has a movable needle for closing an opening in a valve seat. The needle has a non-stick outer coating and extends through a needle seal having first and second ends. The first end of the needle seal is disposed inside a seal holder and abuts an interior surface of the seal holder. A spring applies a force to the second end of the needle seal, thereby pressing the first end of the needle seal against the interior surface of the seal holder.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for electrostatically aided atomization and dispensing of coating material. The apparatus includes a power supply for supplying operating potential and a coating dispensing device remote from the power supply. The coating dispensing device includes an input/output (I/O) device. The I/O device includes at least one indicator for selectively indicating a commanded state of the power supply and a fault state of at least one of the power supply and the coating dispensing device. A pair of conductors couple the I/O device to the power supply. Commands are coupled from the I/O device to the power supply. Commanded state information and fault state information are coupled from the power supply to the I/O device.

Abstract: A device for dispensing coating material includes a handle and a barrel coupled to the handle and extending therefrom toward a forward end from which coating material is dispensed. A first component is provided on the dispensing device. Multiple second components each include a portion which is complementary to the first component. At least one of the multiple second components comprises a tool for use in conjunction with the operation of the dispensing device.

Abstract: Apparatus for cleaning an atomizer includes a cleaning device including an opening sized to receive at least a portion of the atomizer. The cleaning device includes a solvent coupling for supplying solvent to wash an exterior surface of the atomizer and an opening through which waste solvent is discharged. A first conduit is formed in a first closed curve around the opening. The first conduit includes a first sidewall. A supply of drying gas or mixture of gases is coupled to the first conduit. At least a first passageway is provided through the first sidewall. An outer end of the or each first passageway directs a first flow of drying gas or mixture of gases onto the exterior surface of the atomizer to dry the exterior surface of the atomizer as the atomizer is withdrawn from the opening.

Abstract: A valve for controlling the flow of a gas or mixture of gases through a passageway in a coating material dispensing device includes first and second valve portions. The first valve portion is adjustable with respect to the second valve portion selectively to adjust the flow through the passageway. One of the first and second valve portions includes a first engagement member and the other of the first and second valve portions includes a second engagement member. Engagement of the first and second engagement members indicates the relative orientation of the first and second valve portions.

Abstract: A retaining ring for a coating material dispenser including a nozzle for the discharge of coating material and a cap having a plurality of orifices arrayed in a spatial orientation with respect to the nozzle to supply a flow of gas or a mixture of gases to aid in dispensing of the coating material from the nozzle. The retaining ring is adapted for retaining the cap on the coating material dispenser with the plurality of orifices in the spatial orientation. The retaining ring includes first and second members. The second member is adapted for coupling to the coating material dispenser. The first member includes a first torque limiting driving member. The second member includes a second torque limiting driven member for engaging the first torque limiting driving member to limit the torque which the second member can apply to the coating material dispenser in response to manipulation of the first member.

Abstract: A grip cover is provided for fitting over the hand grip of a coating dispensing device for dispensing coating material. The grip cover includes material for cushioning a hand of an operator using the coating dispensing device.

Abstract: A seal includes a first seal retainer, a seal holder and a second seal retainer. A somewhat cup-shaped recess of the first seal retainer opens in a first direction of motion of a movable member against which the seal is to seal. The seal holder includes a first somewhat cuplike portion adjacent to the first seal retainer and a second somewhat cuplike portion more remote from the first seal retainer. The first somewhat cuplike portion opens in a second direction of motion opposite the first. The second somewhat cuplike portion opens in the first direction. The second seal retainer includes a first portion closer to the seal holder and a second portion more remote from the seal holder. The second somewhat cuplike portion of the seal holder receives the first portion of the second seal retainer.

Abstract: A grip cover is provided for fitting over the hand grip of a coating dispensing device for dispensing coating material. The grip cover includes material for cushioning a hand of an operator using the coating dispensing device.

Abstract: A seal includes a first seal retainer, a seal holder and a second seal retainer. A somewhat cup-shaped recess of the first seal retainer opens in a first direction of motion of a movable member against which the seal is to seal. The seal holder includes a first somewhat cuplike portion adjacent to the first seal retainer and a second somewhat cuplike portion more remote from the first seal retainer. The first somewhat cuplike portion opens in a second direction of motion opposite the first. The second somewhat cuplike portion opens in the first direction. The second seal retainer includes a first portion closer to the seal holder and a second portion more remote from the seal holder. The second somewhat cuplike portion of the seal holder receives the first portion of the second seal retainer.

Abstract: A system for atomizing and dispensing powder comprises a fluidized powder bed for entraining the powder fluidized in a bearing air stream, a dispenser, and a motor for rotating the dispenser. The dispenser has a somewhat bell-shaped interior. The motor has an output shaft having a first passageway extending lengthwise thereof. A feed tube extends through the first passageway. The fluidized powder is fed to an end of the feed tube passageway remote from the dispenser to be supplied through the feed tube to the interior as the motor rotates the dispenser. A diffuser is mounted within the interior. A discharge slot is defined between the dispenser and an edge of the diffuser. The feed tube is mounted so that it does not rotate with the output shaft. The diffuser includes a back side facing the interior and bounded by the edge. The back side includes a generally part-spherical concavity into which the fluidized powder is directed from the feed tube.

Abstract: A robot is provided for manipulating an atomizing device. The robot has an arm having a proximal end for coupling to a robot controller and a distal end for supporting the atomizing device. The atomizing device is coupled to the source of fluid to be atomized. The coupling includes a first flexible conduit having a first end coupled to the source of fluid and a rotary fluid coupler for coupling a second end of the first flexible conduit to the atomizing device.

Abstract: Easily replaceable pressure reducers are located at the front of the spray gun behind the air and fluid nozzles. These reducers are calibrated and marked for use with a particular air/fluid nozzle combination and maintain .ltoreq.10 psig exit air pressure. If the air/fluid nozzle combination is changed, the pressure reducers matched to the new combination are installed at the same time, illustratively using a screwdriver. By designing the air/fluid nozzle combination and pressure reducer as matched sets, the spray gun can always inexpensively be kept in compliance with any requirements under which an HVLP device must operate. "Fan-" or shaping-compressed air driven from the same compressed air which supplies the nozzle air is supplied through an additional pressure reducer valve to reduce its pressure below that of the nozzle air. The fan air reducer employs a drilled orifice of a calculated diameter. The atomizing air reducer is of a needle type that utilizes a controlling outside diameter.