Abstract: Disclosed are an apparatus, system and method for switching high voltage currents using a roller shaped electrode arranged with another electrode to create a spark gap.

Abstract: Disclosed are an apparatus, system and method for switching high voltage currents using a roller shaped electrode arranged with another electrode to create a spark gap.

Abstract: An electrostatic spray gun includes a power supply, an enclosure having a wall and a valve providing access through the wall to evacuate the enclosure. Components of the power supply are housed in the enclosure and subject to the atmosphere within the enclosure.

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 coating material dispensing device includes an output port through which the coating material is dispensed and an electrode projecting from the dispensing device adjacent the output port for transferring electrical charge to the coating material dispensed through the output port. The coating material dispensing device further includes a shield for shielding a portion of the electrode adjacent the electrode's connection to the dispensing device.

Abstract: A remote low voltage power source for electrostatic paint applicators used in hazardous locations. A low voltage generator and voltage conditioning and regulating circuitry are mounted in a small explosion proof housing. A generator shaft and a shaft on a voltage level adjusting potentiometer extend through and projects from the housing. The flamepath and the flame gap for the shafts meet explosion proof standards while permitting shaft rotation. An air driven turbine is mounted on the exterior of the housing and is connected to the projecting generator shaft to drive the generator. The low voltage is applied to a spray gun which includes circuitry for increasing the voltage to a high level for electrostatic charging sprayed paint.

Abstract: A coating system includes a source of electrically non-insulative coating material, a dispenser for dispensing the coating material toward an article to be coated thereby, and an electrostatic high potential supply for supplying charge to the coating material. The high potential supply is coupled across the dispenser and the article The coating system further includes a reservoir, a valve having a housing providing first, second, third and fourth ports, and a component movable within the housing and having a first passageway selectively to connect the first port to the second port to permit the flow of coating material between the first port and the second port The first port is coupled to the coating material source. The second port is coupled to the reservoir. The third port is coupled to the dispenser The component is movable within the housing selectively to connect the second port to the third port to permit the flow of coating material between the reservoir and the dispenser.

Abstract: A coating system includes a source of electrically non-insulative coating material, a dispenser for dispensing the coating material toward an article to be coated thereby, and an electrostatic high potential supply for supplying charge to the coating material. The high potential supply is coupled across the dispenser and the article. The coating system further includes a reservoir, a valve having a housing providing first, second, third and fourth ports, and a component movable within the housing and having a first passageway selectively to connect the first port to the second port to permit the flow of coating material between the first port and the second port.

Abstract: An atomizer for mounting on an output shaft of a motor to be rotated by the motor includes a front surface, a back surface, a coating material cup into which coating material to be atomized by the atomizer is dispensed, and at least one passageway from the cup to the front surface to permit the flow of coating material from the cup to the front surface as the atomizer is rotated. The front surface terminates at a discharge edge from which the coating material is discharged as the atomizer is rotated. The atomizer/shaft comprises an electrically conductive first electrode, an electrically non-conductive portion, and a semiconductive coating provided on the back surface. The semiconductive coating terminates adjacent the edge.

Abstract: An atomizer for mounting on an output shaft of a motor to be rotated by the motor includes a front surface, a back surface, a coating material cup into which coating material to be atomized by the atomizer is dispensed, and at least one passageway from the cup to the front surface to permit the flow of coating material from the cup to the front surface as the atomizer is rotated. The front surface terminates at a discharge edge from which the coating material is discharged as the atomizer is rotated. The atomizer/shaft comprises an electrically conductive first electrode, an electrically non-conductive portion, and a semiconductive coating provided on the back surface. The semiconductive coating terminates adjacent the edge.

Abstract: An electrically non-insulative, typically metal, atomizer bell is housed in a shroud-like housing. A prime mover, such as an air turbine motor, typically also housed in the housing, rotates the bell to atomize coating material delivered to the bell. A second shroud movable relative to the bell has a first, retracted orientation in which the second shroud does not shield the charging portion from the approach of articles to the bell and a second, projected orientation in which the second shroud does shield the bell from the approach of articles to reduce the likelihood of disruptive electrical discharges from the bell.

Abstract: An atomizing apparatus comprises an electrode, an orifice through which coating material to be atomized is discharged, and a power supply for maintaining across the electrode and an article to be coated by coating material dispensed from the apparatus a potential for transferring electrical charge to the material to be atomized to cause the material to be attracted toward the article. The apparatus has a first surface providing a locus for electrical discharge when the potential is maintained on the electrode. At least one first resistance has first and second terminals adjacent the first surface and the electrode, tending to localize the discharge at the first surface to the first terminal.

Abstract: A circuit is provided for the circulation of solvent to and from a valve having a movable component and a housing for movably housing the movable component. The movable component has a first orientation with respect to the housing in which it permits the flow of a valved fluid from the valve through a first port provided on the valve and a second orientation with respect to the housing in which it permits the flow of the valved fluid from the valve through a second port provided on the valve. The circuit includes a first passageway provided between the movable component and the housing. A third port is provided on the housing for the introduction of the solvent into the housing and a fourth port is provided on the housing for removal of the solvent from the housing. The first passageway couples the fourth port to the third port. The solvent is a solvent for the valved fluid. A reservoir is provided for the solvent, along with conduits for coupling the third and fourth ports to the reservoir.

Abstract: A coating material dispensing and charging system comprises first electrical conductors extending between first electrically non-conductive supporting members, a power supply coupled across the first conductors and articles to be coated to maintain a high magnitude electrostatic potential difference across a space defined between the first conductors and the articles, a dispenser for dispensing the coating material into the space, and a supply of coating material for the dispenser. The first electrical conductors comprise electrically conductive filaments surrounded by electrically non-conductive sheaths.

Abstract: A valve has a housing and a component movable within the housing. The housing has first, second, third and fourth ports formed in it. The movable component has a first passageway formed in it. Movement of the movable component within the housing selectively connects the first port through the first passageway to the second port. The movable component is selectively movable to disconnect the first port and second port and to connect the second port through the first passageway to the third port. A second passageway is defined between the housing and the movable component. The fourth port is connected to the second passageway.

Abstract: A coating system comprises a source of electrically non-insulative coating material, a dispenser for dispensing the coating material toward an article to be coated thereby, an electrostatic high potential supply for supplying charge to the coating material, means for coupling the high potential supply across the dispenser and the article, a first reservoir, and a first valve. The first valve has a first housing providing first, second, third, fourth and fifth ports, and a first component movable within the first housing and having a first passageway selectively to connect the first port to the second port to permit the flow of coating material from the first port to the second port. The first port is coupled to the coating material source, the second port to the first reservoir, and the third port to the dispenser. The second port is coupled to the third port to permit the flow of coating material from the first reservoir to the dispenser. A source is provided for an electrically non-conductive fluid.

Abstract: A method and system for supplying electrically conductive coating materials to an electrostatic dispenser with a parallel arrangement of subsystems selectably coupled to the dispenser by a four-port system voltage blocking valve, which electrically isolates the subsystems. The subsystems each include first and second piston cylinders that alternatingly receive a selected coating material from a corresponding manifold and supply the coating material to the dispenser by a subsystem voltage blocking valve, which isolates the dispenser from the manifold, when coupled to the dispenser. The first and second piston cylinders of each subsystem also alternatingly receive a solvent from the corresponding manifold and direct the solvent to a waste receptacle by a corresponding subsystem voltage blocking valve when the subsystem is not coupled to the dispenser.

Abstract: A fluent, electrically non-insulative coating composition for an electrically non-conductive rotary atomizer comprises about one-tenth to about one-seventh, by weight, short oil alkyds, about one-fourth to about one-third, by weight, phenolic, and about one-half to about two-thirds, by weight, powdered mixture of oxides of antimony and tin, all in a fluid carrier.

Abstract: A coating system comprises a source of electrically non-insulative coating material, a dispenser for dispensing the coating material toward an article to be coated thereby, an electrostatic high potential for supplying charge to the coating material, means for coupling the high potential supply across the dispenser and the article, a first reservoir, and a first valve. The first valve has a first housing providing first, second, third, fourth and fifth ports, and a first component movable within the first housing and having a first passageway selectively to connect the first port to second port to permit the flow of coating material from the first port to the second port. The first port is coupled to the coating material source, the second port to the first reservoir, and the third port to the dispenser. The second port is coupled to the third port to permit the flow of coating material from the first reservoir to the dispenser. A source is provided for an electrically non-conductive fluid.

Abstract: A fluent, electrically non-insulative coating composition for an electrically non-conductive rotary atomizer comprises about one-tenth to about one-seventh, by weight, short oil alkyds, about one-fourth to about one-third, by weight, phenolic, and about one-half to about two-thirds, by weight, powdered mixture of oxides of antimony and tin, all in a fluid carrier.