Patents by Inventor Terrence M. Fulkerson
Terrence M. Fulkerson has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Publication number: 20140261739Abstract: A dense phase pump has two housings that are attached together using a single releasable fastener. The fastener can be released to allow the two housings to be separated thereby providing access to replaceable components. The replaceable components may include one or more pinch valves or one or more barrier elements. A pinch valve for a dense phase pump has a shape or profile for aligning the pinch valve when the pinch valve is installed in a pinch valve body. The pinch valve optionally has two end flanges, with each end flange having a shaped periphery. The two end flanges may have the same size and shape so that the pinch valve can be installed in either of two orientations that are inverse. A dense phase pump has a pump chamber that can be purged by purge gas that enters the pump off-axis from a purge path axis.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2013Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: Nordson CorporationInventors: Terrence M. Fulkerson, Benjamin J. Becker, Donna Campbell, Nicholas Klasovsky, Joseph G. Schroeder
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Patent number: 8827191Abstract: A nozzle assembly for a material application device includes an expansion chamber for slowing down the velocity of powder fed to the nozzle from a dense phase pump. The nozzle assembly includes a nozzle insert that forms the expansion chamber and provides air assist function. The nozzle includes an integral deflector, and further includes a passageway for a charging electrode so that the electrical path is routed away from the powder path, while permitting the electrode tip to be centered in the powder spray pattern from the nozzle. The nozzle also includes air wash for the electrode. The nozzle outlet orifice has a cross-sectional area that is equal to or greater than the inlet cross-sectional area so that a slow moving dense phase powder cloud is produced by the nozzle.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2011Date of Patent: September 9, 2014Assignee: Nordson CorporationInventors: Brian D. Mather, James V. Bachman, Joseph G. Schroeder, Terrence M. Fulkerson, Herman E. Turner
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Publication number: 20140248437Abstract: A powder hopper is provided with a low turbulence zone for supplying powder to a spray gun. The low turbulence zone is defined by a baffle inside the hopper with the low turbulence zone being within a volume of the baffle, and an annular zone between the baffle and the hopper is used to bulk feed powder into the hopper. The low turbulence zone may alternatively be in the annular zone with powder added to the volume of the baffle. One preferred application for this hopper is in connection with the use of fine powder coating materials to coat the interior of small diameter cans.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 13, 2014Publication date: September 4, 2014Applicant: Nordson CorporationInventors: Joseph G. Schroeder, Terrence M. Fulkerson, Angelo Bellini, Ralf Scheuffgen, Claus Ruschitzka
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Patent number: 8807464Abstract: A nozzle assembly for a material application device includes an expansion chamber for slowing down the velocity of powder fed to the nozzle from a dense phase pump. The nozzle assembly includes a nozzle insert that forms the expansion chamber and provides air assist function. The nozzle includes an integral deflector, and further includes a passageway for a charging electrode so that the electrical path is routed away from the powder path, while permitting the electrode tip to be centered in the powder spray pattern from the nozzle. The nozzle also includes air wash for the electrode. The nozzle outlet orifice has a cross-sectional area that is equal to or greater than the inlet cross-sectional area so that a slow moving dense phase powder cloud is produced by the nozzle.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 2010Date of Patent: August 19, 2014Assignee: Nordson CorporationInventors: Brian D. Mather, James V. Bachman, Joseph G. Schroeder, Terrence M. Fulkerson, Herman E. Turner
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Patent number: 8783208Abstract: A powder hopper is provided with a low turbulence zone for supplying powder to a spray gun. The low turbulence zone is defined by a baffle inside the hopper with the low turbulence zone being within a volume of the baffle, and an annular zone between the baffle and the hopper is used to bulk feed powder into the hopper. The low turbulence zone may alternatively be in the annular zone with powder added to the volume of the baffle. One preferred application for this hopper is in connection with the use of fine powder coating materials to coat the interior of small diameter cans.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 2009Date of Patent: July 22, 2014Assignee: Nordson CorporationInventors: Joseph G. Schroeder, Terrence M. Fulkerson, Angelo Bellini, Ralf Scheuffgen, Claus Ruschitzka
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Patent number: 8767214Abstract: Apparatus for detecting powder flow along a powder flow path includes a light source and a light detector for detecting light from the light source directed across the powder flow path as powder flows through said powder flow path. A circuit receives the output from the light detector and determines an average or RMS of the signal received by the light detector. The circuit may determine whether there is flow or no flow of powder or whether there is a change in flow rate of powder. Preferably, the apparatus is used in combination with a dense phase powder pump, which causes the powder to flow in pulses from the pump outlet into the powder flow path. More preferably, the light source and detector are enclosed in a housing that is connected between the pump outlet and a powder feed hose which supplies powder to a spray gun or hopper.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 2011Date of Patent: July 1, 2014Assignee: Nordson CorporationInventors: Mario Romanin, James M. Khoury, Joseph G. Schroeder, Jeffrey A. Perkins, Terrence M. Fulkerson
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Publication number: 20140169990Abstract: A dense phase pump for particulate material includes a pump chamber wherein material flows into the pump chamber under negative pressure and flows out of the pump chamber under positive pressure. A plurality of pinch valves are provided to control flow of material into and out of the pump chamber. The pinch valves are operated independent of each other and of the pump cycle rate. A modular design of the pump is provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 4, 2014Publication date: June 19, 2014Applicant: Nordson CorporationInventors: Terrence M. Fulkerson, Edwin Jeroen Beuk, Ulf Kleineidam, Andreas Kleineidam
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Patent number: 8678777Abstract: A dense phase pump for particulate material includes a pump chamber wherein material flows into the pump chamber under negative pressure and flows out of the pump chamber under positive pressure. A plurality of pinch valves are provided to control flow of material into and out of the pump chamber. The pinch valves are operated independent of each other and of the pump cycle rate. A modular design of the pump is provided.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2012Date of Patent: March 25, 2014Assignee: Nordson CorporationInventors: Terrence M. Fulkerson, Edwin Jeroen Beuk, Ulf Kleineidam, Andreas Kleineidam
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Publication number: 20130294848Abstract: A pump for particulate material includes a pump chamber wherein material flows into the pump chamber under negative pressure and flows out of the pump chamber under positive pressure. A plurality of pinch valves are provided to control flow of material into and out of the pump chamber. The pinch valves are operated independent of each other and of the pump cycle rate. A modular design of the pump is provided. A pump control feature is provided for air flow rate control during positive and negative pressure conditions.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 25, 2013Publication date: November 7, 2013Inventors: Terrence M. Fulkerson, Stephen G. Nemethy, Terry John Thompson, Jeffrey A. Perkins, Joseph G. Schroeder
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Publication number: 20130280437Abstract: Apparatus and method for electrostatic charging of a container for an electrostatic coating operation includes a support member for supporting a container during an electrostatic coating operation with the support member comprising a non-metallic conductive material or electrically semiconductive portion that directly contacts a surface of the container. The electrically semiconductive portion comprises non-metallic, resistive or low conductivity material and is coupled to a source of electrical energy such that the container is electrostatically charged to an opposite polarity to offset or reduce electrostatic charge build up produced by the electrostatic coating operation.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 18, 2013Publication date: October 24, 2013Inventors: Terrence M. Fulkerson, Timothy E. Wilson, Michael A. Bordner, Jon Davisson, Brad W. Syrowski
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Patent number: 8491227Abstract: A pump for particulate material includes a pump chamber wherein material flows into the pump chamber under negative pressure and flows out of the pump chamber under positive pressure. A plurality of pinch valves are provided to control flow of material into and out of the pump chamber. The pinch valves are operated independent of each other and of the pump cycle rate. A modular design of the pump is provided. A pump control feature is provided for air flow rate control during positive and negative pressure conditions.Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 2012Date of Patent: July 23, 2013Assignee: Nordson CorporationInventors: Terrence M. Fulkerson, Stephen G. Nemethy, Terry John Thompson, Jeffrey A. Perkins, Joseph G. Schroeder
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Patent number: 8474402Abstract: Apparatus and method for electrostatic charging of a container for an electrostatic coating operation includes a support member for supporting a container during an electrostatic coating operation with the support member comprising a non-metallic conductive material or electrically semiconductive portion that directly contacts a surface of the container. The electrically semiconductive portion comprises non-metallic, resistive or low conductivity material and is coupled to a source of electrical energy such that the container is electrostatically charged to an opposite polarity to offset or reduce electrostatic charge build up produced by the electrostatic coating operation.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2009Date of Patent: July 2, 2013Assignee: Nordson CorporationInventors: Terrence M. Fulkerson, Timothy E. Wilson, Michael A. Bordner, Jon Davisson, Brad M. Syrowski
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Patent number: 8353469Abstract: A nozzle for a powder spray gun optionally includes an internal filter that allows air to be added to the powder flow within the nozzle shell. The nozzle may optionally include an off-axis outlet slot relative to a main flow axis of the powder into the nozzle shell so that powder encounters an obstruction before exiting through the outlet slot.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2012Date of Patent: January 15, 2013Assignee: Nordson CorporationInventors: Terrence M. Fulkerson, Michael R. Sanner, Brian D. Mather, Joseph G. Schroeder, Jeffery Edward Dailidas
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Patent number: 8333570Abstract: A dense phase pump for particulate material includes a pump chamber wherein material flows into the pump chamber under negative pressure and flows out of the pump chamber under positive pressure. A plurality of pinch valves are provided to control flow of material into and out of the pump chamber. The pinch valves are operated independent of each other and of the pump cycle rate. A modular design of the pump is provided.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2010Date of Patent: December 18, 2012Assignee: Nordson CorporationInventors: Terrence M. Fulkerson, Edwin Jeroen Beuk, Ulf Kleineidam, Andreas Kleineidam
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Publication number: 20120282398Abstract: A dense phase powder coating system includes a powder supply, dense phase pump, a spray gun and a diverter valve that can be used to select between conveying powder to the spray gun or circulating the powder back to the powder supply. The diverter valve may include two pneumatically actuate valve members. In one embodiment, the powder spray gun applies powder coating material to inside surfaces of a tubular container. A spray nozzle concept also is presented having a nozzle body with a conical deflector. The spray nozzle provides an uninterrupted flow between spray nozzle outlet holes and a deflector surface. The deflector may be integrally machined with the nozzle body to provide a one piece spray nozzle.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 2, 2011Publication date: November 8, 2012Applicant: NORDSON CORPORATIONInventors: Terrence M. Fulkerson, Brian D. Mather
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Publication number: 20120209437Abstract: A pump for particulate material includes a pump chamber wherein material flows into the pump chamber under negative pressure and flows out of the pump chamber under positive pressure. A plurality of pinch valves are provided to control flow of material into and out of the pump chamber. The pinch valves are operated independent of each other and of the pump cycle rate. A modular design of the pump is provided. A pump control feature is provided for air flow rate control during positive and negative pressure conditions.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 11, 2012Publication date: August 16, 2012Applicant: NORDSON CORPORATIONInventors: Terrence M. Fulkerson, Stephen G. Nemethy, Terry John Thompson, Jeffrey A. Perkins, Joseph G. Schroeder
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Publication number: 20120137969Abstract: A nozzle for a powder spray gun optionally includes an internal filter that allows air to be added to the powder flow within the nozzle shell. The nozzle may optionally include an off-axis outlet slot relative to a main flow axis of the powder into the nozzle shell so that powder encounters an obstruction before exiting through the outlet slot.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 31, 2012Publication date: June 7, 2012Applicant: NORDSON CORPORATIONInventors: Terrence M. Fulkerson, Michael R. Sanner, Brian D. Mather, Joseph G. Schroeder, Jeffery Edward Dailidas
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Publication number: 20120114864Abstract: A color changer has a common feed passage that is connected to two or more inlet passages. The common feed passage can be reverse purged in a direction that is opposite a direction of powder flow through the common feed passage. A valve element seals a supply port that connects the inlet passage to the common feed passage to eliminate dead space and form a near bore line seal. The valve element is an elastic material that expands in response to applied compressed air inside the valve element.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 18, 2012Publication date: May 10, 2012Applicant: NORDSON CORPORATIONInventors: Terrence M. Fulkerson, Terry John Thompson, Jeffery Edward Dailidas, Kenneth A. Kreeger, Joseph G. Schroeder
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Patent number: 8167517Abstract: A pump for particulate material includes a pump chamber wherein material flows into the pump chamber under negative pressure and flows out of the pump chamber under positive pressure. A plurality of pinch valves are provided to control flow of material into and out of the pump chamber. The pinch valves are operated independent of each other and of the pump cycle rate. A modular design of the pump is provided. A pump control feature is provided for air flow rate control during positive and negative pressure conditions.Type: GrantFiled: May 6, 2010Date of Patent: May 1, 2012Assignee: Nordson CorporationInventors: Terrence M. Fulkerson, Stephen G. Nemethy, Terry John Thompson, Jeffrey A. Perkins, Joseph G. Schroeder
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Patent number: D696694Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2013Date of Patent: December 31, 2013Assignee: Nordson CorporationInventors: Terrence M. Fulkerson, Donna Campbell