Abstract: The present invention harvests and utilizes fluidized bed drying technology and waste heat streams augmented by other available heat sources to dry feedstock or fuel. This method is useful in many industries, including coal-fired power plants. Coal is dried using the present invention before it goes to coal pulverizers and on to the furnace/boiler arrangement. Coal can be intercepted on current coal feed systems ahead of the pulverizers. Drying fuel, such as coal, is done to improve boiler efficiency and reduce emissions. A two-stage bed utilized in the process first “pre-dries and separates” the feed stream into desirable and undesirable feedstock. Then, it incrementally dries and segregates fluidizable and non-fluidizable material from the product stream. This is all completed in a low-temperature, open-air system. Elevation of fan room air temperature is also accomplished using waste heat, thereby making available to the plant system higher temperature media to enhance the feedstock drying process.

Abstract: An improved hand held rotary atomizer spray gun is disclosed. The spray gun includes a housing with a depending handle. A paint tube within the housing delivers paint to a rotatable bell atomizer which is mounted adjacent the front of the gun. A turbine assembly includes a turbine rotor which drives a turbine shaft which mounts the bell atomizer. The turbine shaft is supported by a bearing air chamber. A turbine air passageway and a bearing air passageway supply turbine air to the turbine rotor and bearing air to the bearing air chamber. When a trigger is squeezed paint is supplied to the atomizer bell while turbine air rotates the turbine shaft and the bell atomizer. An air shuttle assembly prevents air flow to the turbine unless sufficient bearing air is flowing to the bearing air chamber. In a preferred embodiment shaping air is supplied to shaping air openings in a housing air cap and the atomizer bell includes serrations on its inner edge.

Abstract: An improved HVLP spray gun which operates from an air supply source and an improved nozzle therefor are disclosed. The HVLP gun has a fluid nozzle including a first, integral, laterally extending portion including pressure reduction orifices which are calibrated, relative to a fluid passage in the nozzle, so that the spray gun operates as an HVLP spray gun. The fluid nozzle includes a second laterally extending portion including a surface, against which atomization air impinges after exiting the calibrated pressure reduction orifices, and a plurality of longitudinally extending air distribution holes, wherein atomization air, after passing through the calibrated pressure reduction orifices, is directed radially outwardly in an expansion chamber where the low velocity air is pressure equalized before exiting through the air distribution holes and being directed within the air cap inwardly toward a fluid atomizing annulus.

Abstract: A voltage block device for use with electrostatic spraying apparatus for conductive coatings is disclosed. The device maintains an air gap which electrically isolates a grounded paint supply from a charged spray head to prevent the leakage of potential to the grounded paint supply. The device comprises a tube made of non-conductive material and having ends which are closed by upper and lower caps to define a closed space which is pressurized. A valve secured in the upper cap delivers paint into the closed space to raise the level of conductive coating material therein to the level of an external sensor. In a first mode of operation, valve interlock circuitry opens the valve when the spray head is not charged and the sensor detects a low level of coating material. The valve closes if the level of conductive coating material in the closed space reaches the external sensor or the spray head becomes charged, restoring an air gap which electrically isolates the grounded paint supply.

Abstract: The rotary atomizer coater is particularly adaptable to a high voltage rotary atomizer coater which can be robot mounted. A rotatable bell cup, which is mounted on a turbine driven shaft is positioned within a housing. A fluid tube within the housing includes a fluid discharge tip which extends through an inlet opening in the bell cup for supplying charged coating fluid directly to the inner surface of the bell cup interior which is open to atmosphere. An electrical resistor is mounted between the fluid discharge tip and a power supply within the housing. When a grounded object approaches the bell cup, the current between the bell cup and the grounded object will increase and voltage drop across the resistor results, thereby reducing the voltage at the bell cup and diminishing the potential for a high energy spark.

Abstract: An arc preventing electrostatic power supply suitable for operating an electrostatic paint atomizer such as a rotary atomizer. High voltage control is based on the high voltage current, as measured in the ground return path. The power supply is controlled to provide a substantially constant high voltage DC output up to a predetermined current and an output voltage which rapidly drops off as the current increases above the predetermined current. The magnitude of an AC component superimposed on the high voltage DC current is detected to determine incipient arcing. Upon detecting an incipient arcing condition, the output voltage is interrupted for a predetermined short time. When the output voltage is turned back on, it is ramped up from a low level back to the normal high voltage level. While the output voltage is less than a predetermined low level, the sensitivity of the incipient arc detection circuit is increased.

Abstract: Electrostatic coating apparatus including apparatus for establishing an electrostatic field for indirectly charging atomized droplets of paint or other coating material discharged from an atomizer. A flexible tube is formed into an annulus and is positioned coaxially with the atomizer. Pins extend through the tube and have short ends which project towards a workpiece to be coated. The tube is formed from an insulating outer layer and a semi-conducting inner layer having a high distributed resistance. The pins extend through the inner layer which is connected through a large resistance to a high voltage power supply. The apparatus is particularly useful for charging electrically conductive and semi-conductive materials delivered to the atomizer from a grounded source.

Abstract: A rotary atomizer includes a manifold assembly adapted to be attached to a mechanism for moving the atomizer and an air bearing turbine motor housing assembly releasably secured to the manifold assembly. Sources of pressured fluid for actuating the atomizer and coating fluid are connected to the manifold which has fittings for releasably sealing to apertures in the rear cover of the housing assembly. The opposite end of the housing includes a shaping air cap and a shaping air ring which cooperate to define an annulus for discharging a thin ring of shaping air over the peripheral edge of an atomizer bell to direct fluid particles toward a target. Exhaust air from the turbine motor is vented to the inside of the housing and directed to a chamber behind the atomizer bell to aid in directing the fluid particles. A magnetic speed pickup generates a signal which is coupled through a circuit that electrically isolates the high voltage which is applied to the atomizer to electrically charge the coating particles.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a mounting structure for securely and accurately positioning an object on a rotatable shaft. In the preferred embodiment, the mounting structure is utilized to position a rotary bell on a rotatable shaft of a rotary atomizer coater. More specifically, the mounting structure includes a rotatable shaft member having an axis and adapted to be connected to a rotating drive mechanism. The shaft member is provided with a first tapered mounting position. An object is adapted to be securely mounted on the shaft member for rotation therewith, and is provided with an internal bore having a second tapered mounting portion engageable with the first tapered mounting portion. The first and second tapered mounting portions cooperate to accurately align the object with respect to the shaft member.

Abstract: An inproved rotary paint atomizing device of the type having an internal chamber for receiving paint from a paint feed tube extending coaxially through a drive shaft which rotates the device at a high speed. An annular insert is clamped between the drive shaft and the device for forming a rear wall of the paint receiving chamber. The insert prevents paint from splashing into the annular space between the rotating drive shaft and the stationary paint feed tube. When the device is removed from the shaft. The separate insert permits easy access to the paint receiving chamber for cleaning.

Abstract: A rotary atomizer including a manifold assembly adapted to be attached to a mechanism for supporting and/or moving the atomizer and an air bearing turbine motor housing assembly releasably secured to the manifold assembly. Sources of pressured fluid for actuating the atomizer and coating fluid are connected to the manifold which has fittings for releasably sealing to apertures in the rear cover of the housing assembly. The opposite end of the housing includes a shaping air cap and a shaping air ring which cooperate to define an annulus for discharging a thin ring of shaping air over the peripheral edge of an atomizer bell to direct fluid particles toward a target. Exhaust air from the turbine motor is vented to the inside of the housing and directed to a chamber behind the atomizer bell to aid in directing the fluid particles.

Abstract: A rotary atomizer including a manifold assembly adapted to be attached to a mechanism for supporting and/or moving the atomizer and an air bearing turbine motor housing assembly releasably secured to the manifold assembly. Sources of pressured fluid for actuating the atomizer and coating fluid are connected to the manifold which has fittings for releasably sealing to apertures in the rear cover of the housing assembly. The opposite end of the housing includes a shaping air cap and a shaping air ring which cooperate to define an annulus for discharging a thin ring of shaping air over the peripheral edge of an atomizer bell to direct fluid particles toward a target. Exhaust air from the turbine motor is vented to the inside of the housing and directed to a chamber behind the atomizer bell to aid in directing the fluid particles.

Abstract: A rotary atomizer including a manifold assembly adapted to be attached to a mechanism for supporting and/or moving the atomizer and an air bearing turbine motor housing assembly releasably secured to the manifold assembly. Sources of pressured fluid for actuating the atomizer and coating fluid are connected to the manifold which has fittings for releasably sealing to apertures in the rear cover of the housing assembly. The opposite end of the housing includes a shaping air cap and a shaping air ring which cooperate to define an annulus for discharging a thin ring of shaping air over the peripheral edge of an atomizer bell to direct fluid particles toward a target. Exhaust air from the turbine motor is vented to the inside of the housing and directed to a chamber behind the atomizer bell to aid in directing the fluid particles.

Abstract: A rotary atomizer including a manifold assembly adapted to be attached to a mechanism for supporting and/or moving the atomizer and an air bearing turbine motor housing assembly releasably secured to the manifold assembly. Sources of pressured fluid for actuating the atomizer and coating fluid are connected to the manifold which has fittings for releasably sealing to apertures in the rear cover of the housing assembly. The opposite end of the housing includes a shaping air cap and a shaping air ring which cooperate to define an annulus for discharging a thin ring of shaping air over the peripheral edge of an atomizer bell to direct fluid particles toward a target. Exhaust air from the turbine motor is vented to the inside of the housing and directed to a chamber behind the atomizer bell to aid in directing the fluid particles.

Abstract: An improved rotary paint atomizing device in the form of a bell and a cover plate which is releasably attached to the front center of the bell. Paint fed along the axis of the device onto a conical projection on the back surface of the cover plate accelerates and flows outward in a radial direction. The cover plate surface is curved so that as the paint flows outwardly, it also flows first forward and then back until it reaches radial slots formed in a peripheral rim on the cover plate where the cover plate contacts an interior bell surface. Paint discharges from the slots onto a conical interior bell surface and flows in wide, closely spaced ribbons which merge into a uniform, continuous thin sheet before it is discharged from the bell edge. As the paint discharges from the bell edge, the sheet produces extremely fine uniform ligaments which break up to produce fine, uniform small paint particles.

Abstract: A rotary atomizer (20) includes a manifold assembly (22) adapted to be attached to a mechanism for moving the atomizer and an air bearing turbine motor housing assembly (21) releasably secured to the manifold assembly. Sources of pressured fluid for actuating the atomizer and coating fluid are connected to the manifold (29) which has fittings (32, 33, 34, 35, 36) for releasably sealing to apertures (42) in the rear cover (43) of the housing assembly. The opposite end of the housing includes a shaping air cap (24) and a shaping air ring (25) which cooperate to define an annulus for discharging a thin ring of shaping air over the peripheral edge of an atomizer bell (26) to direct fluid particles toward a target. Exhaust air from the turbine motor (46) is vented to the inside of the housing and directed to a chamber (79) behind the atomizer bell to aid in directing the fluid particles.

Abstract: A high speed non-incendive rotary painting assembly including a high voltage power supply, an air supply means and a paint supply means is disclosed. The rotary painting assembly comprises a non-conductive body. A high speed, non-conductive turbine is connected to a non-conductive atomizer bell. In one embodiment, the non-conductive turbine is connected to a non-conductive rotatable shaft which mounts the non-conductive atomizer bell. In another embodiment, the non-conductive shaft is fixed. The non-conductive shaft rotatably mounts a non-conductive turbine and rotary atomizer bell assembly.

Abstract: A fluid tip and air cap assembly for use in a spray gun is disclosed. A spray cap having a central opening also defines an internal threaded opening. A fluid tip is connected to the spray cap by a plurality of mating threads. A tip member of the fluid tip is concentrically and axially aligned, in a predetermined relationship, with the central opening of the spray cap.

Abstract: A coating applicator is disclosed which includes a rotary atomizer on a driven shaft. The shaft operates at high speeds. Coating material is supplied to the rotary atomizer. A pair of spaced bearings rotatably mount the shaft and a seal assembly is positioned between the rotary atomizer and the front bearing. The seal assembly includes a bearing cover having a cutting edge. A mating cap member surrounds the shaft and has a sealing shoulder which is engaged by the cutting edge. Exhaust air is used to cool the bearings, pressure the interior of the applicator and enhance the seal assembly.