Abstract: An arc suppressor is disclosed which includes at least one cartridge having a housing formed with a first end carrying an electrode, a hollow interior and a second end which mounts a cylinder whose piston head is axially movable within the interior of the housing. The electrode of the cartridge and the metal body of the cylinder are each electrically connected by wires to respective grounded and electrostatically charged elements of the voltage block device associated with a system for supplying electrically conductive coating materials. The piston head of the cylinder is caused to move proximate the electrode carried by the housing sufficiently in advance of the movement of the grounded and charged elements of the voltage block device toward one another so as to induce the formation of an electrostatic discharge or arc within the interior of the cartridge instead of between the elements of the voltage block device.

Abstract: A piston pump, particularly adapted for use in a system for supplying and dispensing electrically conductive coating material, includes a pump housing having an outer wall, opposed first and second ends and a hollow interior separated into a first cavity and a second cavity by a centrally disposed divider plate. A connector rod extends through a bore formed in the divider plate, and mounts first and second piston heads on opposite ends thereof which move in tandem in a first direction in response to the introduction of coating material into the second cavity, and in a second direction when pressurized air is introduced into the first cavity to discharge the coating material from the second cavity.

Abstract: An apparatus for transferring electrically conductive coating material comprises a filling station having a first coupling element connected to a source of the coating material and a shuttle carrying a second coupling element which is movable with respect to the filling station between a paint transfer position in which the coupling elements engage and a neutral position physically spaced from the filling station. The shuttle, in turn, is connected to the reservoir of a piston pump which communicates with one or more air operated or air assist spray guns. A high-voltage power supply is connected to the metal body of the piston pump to charge the electrically conductive coating material immediately before it is supplied to the spray gun.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for transferring electrically conductive coating materials, such as water-based paint, from a source to at least one coating dispenser such as a spray gun for discharge onto a substrate. In alternative embodiments, the coating material is supplied to the dispenser(s) from parallel flow paths which are comparatively simple and inexpensive in construction, and which are capable of delivering high pressure, high volume flows of coating material while substantially eliminating pressure fluctuations in the coating material supply when switching from one flow path to another.

Abstract: An apparatus for transferring electrically conductive coating material comprises a filling station having a first coupling element connected to a source of the coating material and a shuttle carrying a second coupling element which is movable with respect to the filling station between a paint transfer position in which the coupling elements engage and a neutral position physically spaced from the filling station. The shuttle, in turn, is connected to the reservoir of a piston pump which communicates with one or more air operated or air assist spray guns. A high-voltage power supply is connected to the metal body of the piston pump to charge the electrically conductive coating material immediately before it is supplied to the spray gun.

Abstract: An apparatus for transferring electrically conductive coating material comprises a filling station having a first coupling element connected to a source of the coating material and a shuttle carrying a second coupling element which is movable with respect to the filling station between a paint transfer position in which the coupling elements engage and a neutral position physically spaced from the filling station. The shuttle, in turn, is connected to the reservoir of a piston pump which communicates with one or more air operated or air assist spray guns. A high-voltage power supply is connected to the metal body of the piston pump to charge the electrically conductive coating material immediately before it is supplied to the spray gun.

Abstract: An apparatus for transferring electrically conductive coating materials such as water-based paint from a source to an electrostatically charged dispenser includes first and second shuttle devices and two large reservoir, piston pumps each having structure for preventing contamination of the coating material and pressure build-up at their piston heads. The first shuttle device is movable between a neutral position wherein it is electrically isolated from a filling station connected to the coating material source, and a transfer position wherein coating material is transmitted to one of the piston pumps through a coupling device which connects the filling station and first shuttle.

Abstract: An apparatus for transferring electrically conductive coating materials, such as water-based paint, from at least one source to one or more coating dispensers or spray guns for discharge onto a substrate includes two "parallel" flow paths, each having a large reservoir pump, which transmit coating material to a common valve which, in turn, switches flow to the coating dispensers from one flow path to the other. Each parallel flow path provides a voltage block between one or more sources of coating material and the electrostatically charged coating material discharged from the spray guns to ensure that there is never a completed electrical path between the source of conductive coating material and the charged coating material during a coating operation. Additionally, a rapid and efficient color change capability is provided for the entire system which permits different colored coating materials to be dispensed from the apparatus herein with minimum downtime of the coating operation.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for transferring electrically conductive coating materials, such as water-based paint, from at least one source to one or more coating dispensers for discharge onto a substrate. One voltage block is provided to avoid the creation of an electrical path between one or more sources of coating material and the coating material which is electrostatically charged during a coating operation, and a secondary voltage block is provided between each of a number of individual spray guns and the charged coating material so that each spray gun can be electrically isolated from the charged coating material when not in use. The apparatus is optionally provided with a color changer, and/or a heater which is electrically isolated from the charged coating material and is effective to elevate the temperature of the coating material prior to discharge from the spray guns.

Abstract: An apparatus for transferring electrically conductive coating materials such as water-based paint from a source to an electrostatically charged dispenser includes first and second shuttle devices and two large reservoir, piston pumps each having structure for preventing contamination of the coating material and pressure build-up at their piston heads. The first shuttle device is movable between a neutral position wherein it is electrically isolated from a filling station connected to the coating material source, and a transfer position wherein coating material is transmitted to one of the piston pumps through a coupling device which connects the filling station and first shuttle.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for transferring electrically conductive coating materials, such as water-based paint, from at least one source to one or more coating dispensers for discharge onto a substrate. One voltage block is provided to avoid the creation of an electrical path between one or more sources of coating material and the coating material which is electrostatically charged during a coating operation, and a secondary voltage block is provided between each of a number of individual spray guns and the charged coating material so that each spray gun can be electrically isolated from the charged coating material when not is use. The apparatus is optionally provided with a color changer, and/or a heater which is electrically isolated from the charged coating material and is effective to elevate the temperature of the coating material prior to discharge from the spray guns.

Abstract: An apparatus for transferring electrically conductive coating materials such as water-based paint from a source to an electrostatically charged dispenser includes first and second shuttle devices and two large reservoir, piston pumps. The first shuttle device is movable between a neutral position wherein the first shuttle is electrically isolated from the filling station, and a transfer position wherein coating material is transmitted from the source to one of the piston pumps through a coupling device which connects the filling station and first shuttle. The second shuttle device is movable with respect to a discharge station between an neutral position wherein the second shuttle is spaced from the discharge station, and a transfer position wherein coating material is transmitted from the filled piston pump, through another coupling device which connects the second shuttle and discharge station and then to the second piston pump for transmission to one or more electrostatic coating dispensers.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for applying liquid coating materials, adhesives or other liquids is provided in which the liquid material is pumped from a source through a pneumatically operated, diaphragm-type pressure regulator which discharges the liquid at a controlled pressure to a dispenser such as a spray gun. Pressurized air from a pneumatic panel or other air supply device is transmitted to one side of the diaphragm in the pressure regulator through a one-way valve such as a check valve which protects the pneumatic panel from an upstream flow of liquid from the pressure regulator in the event of a failure of its diaphragm.

Abstract: A wax spray gun and spray nozzle for discharging an atomized stream of molten wax onto a vehicle body component or other substrate comprises a gun body having an atomizing chamber within which an internal wax spray nozzle and atomizing cap are located. A stream of atomizing air is tangentially directed into the atomizing chamber to form a rotating, swirling stream of atomizing air which is accelerated through a venturi inlet formed in the atomizing cap to impact and thoroughly atomize molten wax discharged from the internal spray nozzle. The atomized stream of molten wax is then discharged from the gun body into an external nozzle which preferably comprises a nozzle body having a wall formed with external threads which carry a coil spring. A flat is formed in the wall of the nozzle body with a discharge opening therein over which at least two spaced spring wires are positioned in the path of atomized molten wax emitted from the discharge opening.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying viscous coating material to a surface through spraying devices such as spray guns in which an alarm is activated in the event one or more of the spray guns becomes clogged or otherwise malfunctions. The apparatus includes separate pumps for each of any number of fixtures which supply coating material such as molten wax to spray guns carried by the fixtures. Each fixture includes a valve, and a pressure switch which is operative to sense the fluid pressure within the fixture and activate an alarm at a predetermined level. A controller simultaneously opens at least one spray gun and closes the valve of each fixture to discharge coating material onto a surface. In the event a spray gun becomes clogged or otherwise malfunctions, the fluid pressure within the fixture increases and such increase is sensed by the pressure switch which activates the alarm when the pressure exceeds a predetermined level.

Abstract: A reversing-ratchet wrench for use, for example, with various interchangeable socket heads. One end of the wrench serves as a handle and the fulcrum end has an opening that defines internal ratchet teeth and that receives a pawl carrier rotatable about the axis of turn of the wrench. The ratchet teeth are engaged by a double pawl pivotally mounted in a lateral slot cut in the side of the pawl carrier, the pawl being urged to either a forward drive or reverse drive position of engagement with the ratchet teeth by a selector mechanism. The selector mechanism includes a hub received in a central bore in the pawl carrier and a pivotal selector button on the upper end of the hub. The lower end of the hub has a lateral opening that receives a spring-loaded pawl-operating plunger. The plunger has a length greater than the depth of the lateral opening and extends into the slot in the pawl carrier to resiliently engage the double pawl and also to secure the selector mechanism in the pawl carrier.

Abstract: A target for the anode of an X-ray tube is disclosed which greatly increases both the individual length of time which an X-ray tube may be operated and the total useful life of an X-ray tube. A conventional X-ray target is provided with one or more cavities within each of which a slug of material having a relatively low melting point with respect to the base of the target is encapsulated and sealed by means of a diffusion bonding method. The slug material is chosen so that heat which builds up when the target is operated causes the slug to melt and absorb large quantities of heat produced by the generation of X-rays so that the target as a whole is capable of sustaining a greater total heat input.

Abstract: An apparatus for transferring electrically conductive coating materials, such as water-based paint, from at least one source to one or more coating dispensers or spray guns for discharge onto a substrate includes two "parallel" flow paths, each having a large reservoir pump, which transmit coating material to a common valve which, in turn, switches flow to the coating dispensers from one flow path to the other. Each parallel flow path provides a voltage block between one or more sources of coating material and the electrostatically charged coating material discharged from the spray guns to ensure that there is never a completed electrical path between the source of conductive coating material and the charged coating material during a coating operation. Additionally, a rapid and efficient color change capability is provided for the entire system which permits different colored coating materials to be dispensed from the apparatus herein with minimum downtime of the coating operation.