With Electrode For Collecting Fugitive Or Off-target Coating Material Patents (Class 118/628)
  • Patent number: 9256201
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus having: a filter member configured to trap particles floating in the apparatus; a suction section configured to suck air including the particles at a variable suction rate; a determiner configured to determine the suction rate of the suction section; an exhaust path capable of leading the air sucked by the suction section to outside of the apparatus through the filter member; a circulation path capable of allowing the air sucked by the suction section and passing through the filter member to circulate inside the apparatus; a switching member configured to make switches between the exhaust path and the circulation path; and a control unit configured to control at least the suction section and the switching member. The control unit allows the switching member to open the exhaust path only when the suction rate determined by the determiner is equal to or less than a predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.
    Inventors: Mitsuru Satou, Dong Zhang
  • Publication number: 20150040827
    Abstract: This disclosure describes the application of a supplemental corona source to provide surface charge on submicrometer particles to enhance collection efficiency and micro-structural density during electrostatic collection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2014
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Inventors: John L. Fulton, George S. Deverman, Dean W. Matson, Clement R. Yonker, C. Douglas Taylor, James B. McClain, Joseph M. Crowley
  • Publication number: 20150024516
    Abstract: Methods are disclosed including applying a layer of binder material onto an LED structure. A luminescent solution including an optical material suspended in a solution is atomized using a flow of pressurized gas, and the atomized luminescent solution is sprayed onto the LED structure including the layer of binder material using the flow of pressurized gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2013
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Applicant: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: Harry A. Seibel, II, Brian Thomas Collins
  • Patent number: 8443754
    Abstract: An atomizer (2) with a rotary atomizing head (4) is mounted on the front side of a housing member (6) in which an air motor (3) is accommodated. A primary external electrode (8) is located around the outer peripheral side of the housing member (6) in such a way as to encircle the housing member (6). A secondary external electrode (10) is located on the front side of the housing member (6), in a position closer to the rotary atomizing head (4) than the primary external electrode (8). A first high voltage (V1) in the form of a direct-current voltage is supplied to the primary external electrode (8) from a first high voltage generator (11). On the other hand, a second high voltage (V2), in the form of a pulsating voltage (V2p) consisting of a series of intermittent pulses in a range lower than the first high voltage (V1), is supplied to the secondary external electrode (10) from a second high voltage generator (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: ABB K.K.
    Inventor: Yukio Yamada
  • Patent number: 8307780
    Abstract: Intended is to enable an electrostatic coating apparatus including a plurality of needle electrodes formed in an annular shape and having a blot preventing function, to prevent the generation of a spark discharge reliably, in case an arbitrary needle electrode approaches an earth element, and to keep the intensity of a generated electrostatic field properly. A coating gun comprises a blot preventing device including a ring-shaped electrode unit having a plurality of needle electrodes protruding radially at a substantially equal spacing radially outward from an annular base member, and a high-voltage generator for applying a high voltage to the electrode unit. The needle electrodes are connected in parallel with the high-voltage generator through individual resistors, block-by-block resistors and built-in resistors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Ransburg Industrial Finishing K.K.
    Inventors: Isamu Yamasaki, Akira Kato, Michio Mitsui, Kimiyoshi Nagai
  • Patent number: 8166911
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for electrostatic spray deposition (ESD) for fabricating a thin-layer yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) electrolyte on a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) anode substrate constructed of nickel-YSZ cermet. By reducing the thickness of the electrolyte, and thereby reducing the cell internal IR drop, an intermediate temperature SOFC (ITSOFC) can operate at 600-800° C. A collar positioned at a distance from a discharge end of a spray nozzle enhances a spray pattern of a precursor including the electrolyte material and thus provides a very thin electrolyte layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Illinois Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Jan Robert Selman, Hiroshi Nomura, Said Al-Hallaj
  • Patent number: 8096264
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for coating articles with a coating material comprise forming a charged body of coating material, atomizing coating material from the charged body to form charged atomized coating material particles, and repelling the charged coating material particles from an apparatus which forms the charged body of coating material and atomizes the coating material from the charged body to form charged atomized coating material particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: David M. Seitz
  • Patent number: 8025025
    Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, an apparatus having a plurality of applicators, each applicator with an ingress opening to receive a liquid, and an egress opening to release the liquid, and a conductor positioned in a conduit of each of the plurality of applicators, the conductor and the conduit having dimensions to cause a surface tension of the liquid to prevent a constant flow of the liquid from the egress opening. Each conductor of the plurality of applicators can be coupled to one of one or more power sources operable to apply a charge to the liquid to overcome the surface tension and form at the egress opening of each applicator a plurality of jet sprays of the liquid applicable on a substrate to form a thin film. Additional embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois
    Inventors: Kyekyoon Kim, Hyungsoo Choi
  • Patent number: 7966967
    Abstract: An electrostatic coating system (1) comprising a coating gun (2) for spraying a coating material toward an article (9) to be coated, and a robot arm (3) for moving the coating gun (2) with respect to the article (9) to be coated wherein a voltage is applied to the coating gun (2). A needle-like electrode (11) which is an electrostatic electrode having a pointed end applied with a voltage having the same polarity as that of the voltage applied to the coating gun (2), is attached to the coating gun (2) or the robot arm (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Ransburg Industrial Finishing K.K.
    Inventors: Masahito Sakakibara, Shinichi Washizu, Michio Mitsui, Kimiyoshi Nagai
  • Patent number: 7942110
    Abstract: An electrostatic coating device (10) comprising a body defining to an interior chamber (13) communicating with the exterior by means of a first coating powder inlet conduit (14) and a second outlet conduit (15) for said powders, a plurality of electrodes (16) and one or more voltage generators (17) connected to said electrodes (16), wherein said electrodes (16) are positioned so as to generate an electrical field inside said second conduit (15).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: Trasmetal S.p.A.
    Inventor: Francesco Saverio Chimienti
  • Patent number: 7748343
    Abstract: An electrohydrodynamic spray apparatus includes a liquid inlet and a spray nozzle in fluid communication with the liquid inlet, where the spray nozzle has an opening downstream of the liquid inlet. An inner electrode is situated at least partially inside the spray nozzle. An outer electrode is situated external to the spray nozzle and within about 100 mm of the opening of the nozzle. The electrohydrodynamic spray apparatus can be combined with a substrate to form an electrohydrodynamic spray system. The electrohydrodynamic spray apparatus or system can be used to form nanostructures such as nanodrops, nanoparticles and thin films.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois
    Inventors: Kyekyoon Kim, Ravindra Pratap Singh
  • Patent number: 7569181
    Abstract: A method of deactivating chemical contaminants and biological agents from a target surface by and aerosol spraying the target surface with a electrostatically charged, photosensitizer solution, and then illuminating the surface with ultraviolet light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Assignee: Clean Earth Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Jeffry Golden
  • Patent number: 6982004
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for electrostatic loading of drugs on an implantable medical device is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2006
    Assignee: Advanced Cardiovascular Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Shamim Malik, Syed F. A. Hossainy
  • Patent number: 6890475
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for manufacturing a thin-walled article, wherein a single- or multi-component, essentially polymer-based material (1), such as plastics, elastomers, and/or the like, is sprayed in an elecrical field (E) in an electrically charged state. The thin-walled article is manufactured in the electrical field (E) by spraying (II) an electrically charged material into the contact with a mould (2) set at an electric potential, after which spraying cycle (II) the article is, at least in terms of its appearance, immediately a finished product after its demoulding/releasing from the mould (2). The invention relates also to an apparatus operating in accordance with the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2005
    Assignee: Oy OMS Optomedical Systems Ltd.
    Inventors: Leo Hatjasalo, Jarkko Valtanen
  • Patent number: 6071348
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method of operating a powder coating system, comprising at least one coating device, a coating compartment and a suction system in the coating compartment. In the method, a workpiece is passed through a coating compartment. The coating powder is discharged by the coating device to the workpiece and excess coating powder is sucked off from the coating compartment, wherein the powder mass flow of the coating powder discharged by the or each coating device is detected and the suction system is controlled in accordance with the powder mass flow. For this purpose the invention provides a powder coating system comprising a measuring means for detecting the powder mass flow of the coating powder discharged by the or any coating device, and an actuator means for setting the suction system in accordance with the powder mass flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2000
    Assignee: Wagner Inaternational AG
    Inventors: Kurt Seitz, Markus Hasler, Horst Adams
  • Patent number: 5629051
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming an insulator 62 on one major surface of a uniaxial tension focus mask 25 includes the steps of: positioning a mask sheet 27, having a multiplicity of openings 42 that extend from a first major surface of the mask sheet through a main body portion thereof to an oppositely disposed second major surface, at a distance from a charging gun 72, 172 having a source 74, 174 of a dry-powdered insulative material; charging and directing the dry-powdered insulative material toward the first major surface of the mask to provide a coating of the charged, dry-powdered insulative material thereon, and providing means 70, 272 for preventing the charged, dry-powdered insulative material from extending into the openings 42 and being deposited onto the main body portion of the mask surrounding the openings and the second major surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 13, 1997
    Assignee: Thomson Multimedia, S. A.
    Inventor: Eugene S. Poliniak
  • Patent number: 5584931
    Abstract: An electrostatic spray device contains a tube-like spray element (3); at least one charging electrode (12) to transfer electrostatic charges to the powder; at least one counterelectrode (44) arranged in the vicinity of the charging electrode (12), which is connected to an electrical potential (20) different from the charging electrode (12), so that it takes up at least part of the free ions generated during electrical charging of the powder; at least one ring-shaped element (44; 68; 74) which forms or carries the counterelectrode (44; 64; 74, 76) and extends around the downstream segment (72) of the spray element (3), on which it is radially supported; at least one connection ridge (78) outside the spray element (3), which carries the ring-shaped element (74) at its downstream end (79) and can be attached to the spray element (3) by its upstream end; and an electrical connection between the electrical potential connection (20) and the counterelectrode (44) by way of the connection ridge (78).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 17, 1996
    Assignee: Gema Voltstatic AG
    Inventor: Eugen T. Buhlmann
  • Patent number: 5324359
    Abstract: A material deposition device places droplets on a substrate. A conveyer on a chassis moves the substrate relative to a plane so a deposition means on the chassis may release material onto the substrate moved by the conveyer. A movable support means attached between the chassis and the deposition means locates it with respect to the conveyer allowing relative motion therebetween. A supply of material connected to the deposition means sends pressurized material thereto. A control causes relative motion between the conveyer and the movable support means varying the position of the deposition means relative to the substrate. The control has a memory operatively connected to timely activate the deposition means. The deposition means has a body communicating with the supply of material and a valve means responsive to the control selectively delivers droplets to the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 28, 1994
    Assignee: Nouvas Manufacturing Technology Co.
    Inventors: Wade J. Cleveland, Norman Hays
  • Patent number: 5316800
    Abstract: A coating is applied to a substrate by conveying the substrate past a number of liquid spraying nozzles (32) to which high voltage is applied to produce spray in the form of liquid ligaments which deposit as such, or in the form of droplets, on the substrate to form generally parallel tracks which merge with each other to produce a substantially uniform thickness coating. The nozzles (32) are operable in two modes: a normal spraying mode and a deflect mode in which the ligaments are deflected away from the substrate and towards a collector electrode (34). Operation of the nozzles (32) may be co-ordinated so that different formulations are deposited as separate panels in succession lengthwise of the substrate. The coating system is particularly suitable for coating multicoloured dyesheets for use in thermal transfer printing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 31, 1994
    Assignee: Imperial Chemical Industries PLC
    Inventors: Timothey J. Noakes, Ian D. Pavey, Christopher S. Jeffs
  • Patent number: 4543908
    Abstract: A conductive filter material or cloth is utilized in spray booths, (1) to eliminate "bleed through" due to electrostatic force to grounded supporting structure, (2) to reduce clogging of the openings between the fibers of the filter material, and (3) to eliminate the possibility of arcing in low humidity and highly volatile solvent conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1982
    Date of Patent: October 1, 1985
    Inventor: Arvid C. Walberg
  • Patent number: 4510170
    Abstract: In the electrostatic application of a coating material on to a product to be coated, the product leaves a supply hopper over a tube enlargement and falls freely in a chamber in the form of a tubular curtain. The tubular curtain falls around a central, elongate, vertical corona discharge electrode so that a high voltage electrostatic charge of one sign is applied to the falling curtain of the product. Coating material is sprayed on to the product by atomizers in the chamber. A high voltage electrostatic charge of opposite sign is applied to the coating material by way of the atomizers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1984
    Date of Patent: April 9, 1985
    Assignee: Pharmindev Limited
    Inventors: Roberto F. Cosentino, Franco Bonapace
  • Patent number: 4378158
    Abstract: A developing apparatus used to develop the latent image on the latent image holding body, which has a developing agent holding roller established in proximity or in contact with the latent image holding body and a developing agent supplying roller which supplies the developing agent to the developing agent holding roller. The developing agent supplying roller is arranged with a gap against the developing agent holding roller and to this gap an electric field is applied to deliver the developing agent from the one to the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1980
    Date of Patent: March 29, 1983
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Junichiro Kanbe
  • Patent number: 4354451
    Abstract: A booth forming a spraying chamber for workpieces to be coated with powder particles has a substantially fully open front side, giving access to an electrostatic spray gun, and a substantially fully open rear side adjoining a housing of a detachable powder-collecting unit which is open toward the chamber while being separated therefrom by an apertured screen. Tubular filter elements in the housing of the powder-collecting unit, having air-permeable peripheral surfaces, communicate with the suction end of a blower in an overlying clean-air unit, thereby giving rise to an air stream which passes generally horizontally through the chamber from its front side to its rear side and entrains particles discharged by the spray gun. Particles bypassing the workpiece to be coated may traverse the apertured screen and cling to the surfaces of the filter elements from which they may be intermittently dislodged by an air blast directed into these elements from the clean-air unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1980
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1982
    Assignee: ESB Elektrostatische Spruh- und Beschichtungsanlagen G.F. Vohringer GmbH
    Inventors: Gerhard F. Vohringer, Gerhard Hestermann
  • Patent number: 4205112
    Abstract: A process for forming a high viscosity coating composition from low viscosity polymeric colloidal dispersion by substantially effecting the thickening of the colloidal dispersion in a mixing head, and for producing from the mixing head a range of high viscosity coatings using the same low viscosity polymeric colloidal dispersion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1978
    Date of Patent: May 27, 1980
    Assignee: Reichhold Chemicals, Incorporated
    Inventor: Gaillard A. Mervin
  • Patent number: 3981020
    Abstract: In an ink jet system printer wherein ink droplets are emitted from a nozzle toward a recording paper, objectionable ink dust is formed and diffused in various directions after the ink droplets impinge upon the recording paper. When the diffused ink dust attaches to a unit such as deflection means, the system may operate erroneously. An electrode is arranged in a position suited for minimizing the deleterious effects of diffused ink dust from the ink jet system printer by the use of an electrostatic attraction force or an electrostatic repulsion force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1974
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1976
    Assignees: Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Public Corporation, Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Rikuo Takano, Yuji Sumitomo, Toshio Kobayashi, Yoichi Yamamoto, Tomoo Makita