Fluid Current Projector, E.g., Spray Type Patents (Class 118/629)
  • Patent number: 11413639
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a supply system for supplying multiple consumers with a substance to be applied, preferably paint, for application to motor vehicle bodies and/or add-on parts thereof. The supply system comprises a feed line, a return line, a first consumer device which comprises a first consumer, the first consumer being connected to the feed line and the return line and preferably forming a first consumer of the feed line in the flow direction of the substance to be applied, and a further consumer device which comprises a further consumer, the further consumer being connected to the feed line and the return line and preferably forming a last consumer of the feed line in the flow direction of the substance to be applied and/or being arranged after the first consumer in the flow direction of the substance to be applied. The supply system is distinguished in particular in that the feed line is connected to the return line via a connecting line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: Dürr Systems AG
    Inventor: Alexander Rüger
  • Patent number: 10883399
    Abstract: Method and system for filling a muffler with fibrous material. The muffler includes a muffler shell comprising a first shell member and a second shell member, at least one partition extending between the first and second shell members, and at least one slot formed in the first shell member above the partition. The first shell member is positioned and held relative to the second shell member to form an open portion, a closed portion, and a space between an upper surface of the partition and the first shell member. Fluid is introduced into the space through a fluid delivery device inserted into the muffler shell through the slot, and fibrous material is introduced into the muffler shell through a filling nozzle inserted into the muffler shell through the open portion. The fluid delivery device and nozzle are removed after filling and the shell members are closed and affixed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: OCV Intellectual Capital, LLC
    Inventor: Luc Brandt
  • Patent number: 10654056
    Abstract: A deposition method includes: (1) providing a nozzle structure including: (a) at least one corona generator having an elongated charge emitting surface; and (b) at least one aerosol channel adapted to guide an aerosol along a flow path past the at least one corona generator; (2) generating an aerosol of a precursor solution; (3) applying to the at least one corona generator a positive or negative voltage of 1 kV-100 kV with respect to the substrate to generate a corona; and (4) flowing the aerosol through the at least one aerosol channel, along the flow path near the at least one corona generator and toward the surface of the substrate so as to charge the aerosol with ions emitted from the at least one corona generator to form charged droplets which are attracted to and deposited on the substrate, wherein the elongated charge emitting surface is a wire or blade edge, which is substantially parallel to the surface of the substrate and substantially perpendicular to the flow path, provided that the at least one
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: Clearist Inc.
    Inventors: Paul P. Nguyen, Nelson Rob Holcomb
  • Patent number: 10549291
    Abstract: A spray nozzle for electrostatic spraying of a coating product including a needle forming a mobile shutter of a valve for controlling the spraying, which is positioned in a recess of a barrel of the nozzle. The recess defines a surface for guiding the axial translation of the needle along a longitudinal axis of the recess. The needle includes a front shaped for abutting a seat to obstruct a duct for flow of the coating product, a rear portion which interacts with means for controlling the translation of the needle and a central portion comprised between the front end and the rear portion, while a high-voltage unit included in the nozzle is capable of applying a high-voltage to the front end of the needle. A raised portion provided on the central portion of the needle, inside the recess, can increase the electric creepage distance along the central portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: SAMES KREMLIN
    Inventors: Patrick Ballu, Michel Di-Gioia, Gilles Goisot, Philippe Provenaz
  • Patent number: 10112207
    Abstract: A mist generating apparatus is provided for suppressing foreign material from becoming airborne prior to an application of a surface coat or treatment to a substrate. The assembly includes a frame assembly that may include a base mount and an intermediate mount movably coupled to the base mount. The apparatus includes an extension assembly movably coupled to the frame assembly and selectively positioned between a retracted position and an extended position. A manifold is coupled to the extension assembly, and the manifold is in fluid communication with a volatile liquid. The apparatus includes a spray nozzle in fluid communication with the manifold. The spray nozzle is configured for directing a mist of the volatile liquid to a portion of the substrate for at least temporarily suppressing foreign material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert A. Paulo
  • Patent number: 10052644
    Abstract: Exemplary coating methods and coating systems, e.g., for coating the component surface of a component with a coating agent by means of an atomizer in a coating system, for example to paint a body part of a motor vehicle with paint, are disclosed. An exemplary method comprises moving the atomizer over the component surface of the component to be coated, or moving the component in the spray jet, thereby applying the coating agent to the component surface by means of the atomizer. The atomizer may be operated with at least one electrical and/or kinematic operating variable comprising a certain voltage for the electrostatic charging of the coating agent and/or a certain rotational speed of a rotating spray element of the atomizer. In one example, the electrical and/or kinematic operating variable of the atomizer may be dynamically varied during the movement of the atomizer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: Duerr Systems GmbH
    Inventor: Frank Herre
  • Patent number: 9901941
    Abstract: An electrostatic spray device for spraying a liquid coating product, including a rotating bowl and a device for driving the bowl around a rotational axis, the bowl defining a concave surface for distributing the coating product and an edge which limits an area for the spraying the coating product. The spray device includes an electrode that charges by ionization of drops of the coating product. The electrode is arranged, in relation to the edge and along the rotational axis, opposite the spray area, between the edge and the device for driving the bowl. A second electrode mounted on a stationary body allows the creation of an electrostatic field for transporting drops. A third electrode, which is also mounted on a stationary body, is brought to an intermediate potential between those of the first and second electrodes during the operation of the spray device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: SAMES KREMLIN
    Inventors: Eric Prus, Didier Chevron
  • Patent number: 9808814
    Abstract: A rotary atomizing head (4) is mounted on a front end side of an air motor (3). A shaping air ring (9) with air spout holes (10, 11) formed therein is provided on the rear side of the rotary atomizing head (4). The shaping air ring (9) is formed of a conductive material and is connected to ground. External electrode units (13) are provided in the periphery of the rotary atomizing head (4). A film cover (17) made of an insulating material is provided to cover an outer peripheral side of the air motor (3). A semi conductive member (21) is replaceably mounted to an adaptor (16) provided on an outer peripheral side of the shaping air ring (9). A rear end part (21B) of the semi conductive member (21) is made in contact with a front end part (19D) of the film cover (17). A front end part (21C) of the semi conductive member (21) is made in contact with the shaping air ring (9).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: ABB K.K.
    Inventor: Yukio Yamada
  • Patent number: 9679465
    Abstract: Hazard detection systems and methods according to embodiments described herein are operative to enable a user to interface with the hazard detection system by performing a touchless gesture. The touchless gesture can be performed in a vicinity of the hazard detection system without requiring physical access to the hazard detection system. This enables the user to interact with the hazard detection system even if it is out of reach. The hazard detection system can detect gestures and perform an appropriate action responsive to the detected gesture. In one embodiment, the hazard detection system can silence its audible alarm or pre-emptively turn off its audible alarm in response to a detected gesture. Gestures can be detected using one or more ultrasonic sensors, or gestures can be detected using a motion detector in combination with one or more ultrasonic sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: GOOGLE INC.
    Inventors: Yoky Matsuoka, AJ Minich, Yash Modi, Andrew W. Goldenson
  • Patent number: 9616440
    Abstract: The electrode holder for a powder spray gun operable at high voltage includes a powder channel and a web, arranged in the powder channel, for holding a high-voltage electrode. In addition, an annular groove arranged concentrically with the powder channel is provided and is open on the downstream side. A labyrinth for the high voltage is formed by the annular groove together with an annular web of a cap nut, the annular web protruding into the annular groove and said cap nut being used to lock the electrode holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: J. Wagner AG
    Inventors: Hanspeter Dietrich, Rene Schmid, Gilbert Lutz, Kurt Seitz, Urban Bischofberger, Patrik Studerus
  • Patent number: 9455596
    Abstract: A method for reducing interference in an inductive charging system is provided. The method includes steps of inductively charging a chargeable device with an inductive charger, detecting the operation of a receiver in an AM band, and adjusting at least one of a frequency band employed by the charger and an amount of power provided to the chargeable device by the charger based on the operation of the receiver in the AM band.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Luis David Gonzalez Valdez, John Robert Van Wiemeersch, Michael Hrecznyj
  • Patent number: 9370787
    Abstract: A feed tube is provided in a rotational shaft that is rotated by a motor. The feed tube includes a connecting member that includes a paint supplying port, a tube body including a base end connected to the connecting member and a front end that extends in the rotational shaft toward a rotary atomizing head, a positioning member provided in the front end of the tube body and including a tube positioning hole, and a paint tube including a base end connected to the paint supplying port of the connecting member and a front end inserted through the tube positioning hole of the positioning member. The paint tube is formed of a tubular body in an inside of which a paint passage is formed by using a resin material having water repellency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: ABB K.K.
    Inventor: Kuniharu Yamauchi
  • Patent number: 9327299
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method for producing a liquid film from one or more liquid precursors onto the surface of a substrate in order to establish a coating, the apparatus being arranged to direct an aerosol flow against the surface of the substrate in a coating chamber. The apparatus includes a homogenizing nozzle for making the aerosol flow homogeneous substantially in the direction of the surface of the substrate prior to passing the flow into the coating chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: BENEQ OY
    Inventor: Kai Asikkala
  • Patent number: 9188719
    Abstract: A manufacturing method and template of color filters belong to the field of liquid crystal display. The manufacturing method comprises: forming a black matrix (2) on a substrate (1), a pixel region being formed around the black matrix (2); forming pixel resin layers (3, 4, 5) on the substrate (1) on which the black matrix is formed; boxing the template with the substrate on which the pixel resin layers are formed, the template being located above the substrate (1), and a plurality of columnar hollow protrusions (13) being arranged at a part of a template body (12), corresponding to the pixel region, of the template; subjecting the boxed substrate to heat treatment, taking off the template so as to form a hole (11) in the pixel resin layer; and forming, through a patterning process, a pattern of the pixel resin layer on the substrate on which the hole (11) is provided. Therefore, the aperture and the opening area can be accurately controlled when providing an opening on the pixel region of the color filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: BOE Technology Group Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jinbo Lu, Zhuo Zhang, Jisheng Zhao, Lin Li
  • Patent number: 9032905
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for coating a substrate using one or more liquid raw materials, includes: at least one atomizer for atomizing the one or more liquid raw materials into droplets, charging means for electrically charging the droplets during or after the atomization and a deposition chamber in which the droplets are deposited on the substrate, the deposition chamber being provided with one or more electric fields for guiding the electrically charged droplets on the substrate. According to the invention there is a charging chamber arranged upstream of the deposition chamber and provided with charging means for electrically charging the droplets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: BENEQ OY
    Inventors: Sami Kauppinen, Markku Rajala
  • Publication number: 20150047561
    Abstract: Apparatus for coating a heated pipe section with a fusible powder includes a booth enclosing a powder application volume, at least one powder dispensing device for dispensing powder supplied to the device in the direction of the heated pipe section as the heated pipe section passes through the volume, and a filter mechanism coupled to the booth for extracting from the booth a stream of air entraining fusible powder that does not stick to the heated pipe section and extracting the fusible powder that does not stick to the heated pipe section from the volume. The apparatus further includes an opening between the volume and the filter mechanism. The opening permits the mixing of cooler air into the stream of air entraining fusible powder that does not stick to the heated pipe section before the stream of air entraining fusible powder that does not stick to the heated pipe section reaches the filter mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2013
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Inventor: Philip S. Flasher
  • 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
  • Patent number: 8875593
    Abstract: A robot, such as a painting robot for painting components such as motor vehicle body components, is disclosed having a plurality of robot elements that are pivotable relative to each other. At least one flexible supply line may run from a proximal robot element to a distal robot element. The supply line may be axially displaceable in the proximal robot element relative to the longitudinal axis of the supply line, so that the supply line can perform an axial compensating motion during a pivot motion of the robot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Duerr Systems GmbH
    Inventor: Andreas Collmer
  • Publication number: 20140295095
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for the continuous powder coating of a non-conductive profile produced in a continuous forming process, such as pultrusion or extrusion, such that the profile is powder coated while on the profile forming machine and before the subject segment of the continuous profile is severed from the continuous profile on the forming machine (i.e. in-line).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2013
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Inventors: Robert Langlois, Jeffrey Sugar, Gary Sugar
  • Patent number: 8807464
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Nordson Corporation
    Inventors: Brian D. Mather, James V. Bachman, Joseph G. Schroeder, Terrence M. Fulkerson, Herman E. Turner
  • Patent number: 8794179
    Abstract: The main object of the present invention is to provide a method for manufacturing a pattern formed body by the electric field jet method, capable of stabilizing the discharge amount and the discharge direction of a liquid. The present invention achieves the object by providing a method for manufacturing a pattern formed body characterized in that a pattern is formed on a substrate by: discharging a liquid from a discharge orifice by applying a voltage between a first electrode, disposed in the vicinity of the discharge orifice of a nozzle of a discharge head, and a second electrode, disposed in between the discharge orifice and the substrate, having an opening for discharge; and adhering the liquid onto the substrate by passing through the opening for discharge of the second electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsunori Tsuchiya, Masato Idegami
  • Patent number: 8794177
    Abstract: A coating apparatus has a rotary atomizing head that discharges paint to a work, and an air injecting unit that injects annular shaping air towards an outer peripheral edge portion of the rotary atomizing head. The air injecting unit has first air injecting ports and second air injecting ports. First air of relatively high wind speed is injected from the first air injecting ports and second air of relatively low wind speed is injected from the second air injecting ports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaki Shigekura, Kohei Ogata, Gaku Kawabe
  • Patent number: 8728241
    Abstract: An apparatus for combinatorial site-isolated thin film deposition may include a source of a liquid precursor, a nebulizer configured to convert the liquid precursor to an aerosolized mist of particles, a first deposition cell configured to direct an aerosolized mist of particles onto a first selected region of the substrate, and a second deposition cell configured to direct an aerosolized mist of particles onto a second selected region of the substrate. A method for combinatorial site-isolated thin film deposition may include providing a liquid precursor, converting the liquid precursor to an aerosolized mist of particles, transporting the aerosolized mist of particles to a first deposition cell and a second deposition cell in proximity to a surface of a substrate, and depositing the transported aerosolized mist of particles onto a first selected region and a second selected region of the surface of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Intermolecular, Inc.
    Inventor: Rajesh Kelekar
  • Patent number: 8689730
    Abstract: A robotic painting system includes an applicator, a first paint metering device in fluid communication with the applicator, a second paint metering device in fluid communication with the paint applicator, and a paint supply in fluid communication with each the paint metering devices to fill at least one of the paint metering devices with a desired amount of paint, wherein each of the paint metering devices is electrostatically isolated from the paint supply, and wherein a color change time and a paint waste are minimized and a cleaning operation of the system is optimized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Fanuc Robotics America, Inc.
    Inventor: Scott J. Clifford
  • Patent number: 8693081
    Abstract: A device and method of making and using the same. The device includes first and second substrates that are spaced to define a fluid space. Polar and non-polar fluids occupy the fluid space. A first electrode, with a dielectric layer, is positioned on the first substrate and electrically coupled to at least one voltage source, which is configured to supply an electrical bias to the first electrode. The fluid space includes at least one fluid splitting structure that is configured to facilitate the movement of the non-polar fluid into a portion of the polar fluid. Fluid splitting structure assisted movement of the non-polar fluid splits the polar fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: University of Cincinnati
    Inventors: Jason Heikenfeld, Matthew Hagedon, Kenneth Dean Andrew
  • Patent number: 8628619
    Abstract: A plasma coating system includes at least one coating station with a first side and a second side defining a pathway with at least one bend. The coating station also includes a first plasma arc that provides a plasma jet directed towards a substrate. The first plasma arc is positioned on either the first side or the second side of the bend.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Exatec LLC
    Inventor: Steven M. Gasworth
  • Patent number: 8602326
    Abstract: A rotary atomizer spray coating device, in certain embodiments, has a bell cup with a generally parabolic flow surface. This generally parabolic flow surface provides additional surface area for dehydration of coating fluids, thereby improving color matching as compared to traditional bell cups, for example, by affording capability for higher wet solids content. In addition, the coating fluid accelerates along the generally parabolic flow surface, resulting in the fluid leaving the bell cup at a greater velocity than in traditional bell cups. Furthermore, a splash plate disposed adjacent the bell cup, in certain embodiments, is designed such that fluid accelerates through an annular area between the splash plate and the generally parabolic flow surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Inventors: David M. Seitz, Roger T. Cedoz
  • Patent number: 8601977
    Abstract: An electronic spraycoating control device for implementing spraycoating methods includes at least one manually driven program selecting element for selecting programs from two different groups of programs. The electronic spraycoating control device further includes a plurality of manually driven parameter setting elements and display units to automatically display the adjusted parameter references values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: ITW Gema GmbH
    Inventors: Felix Mauchle, Christian Marxer
  • Patent number: 8544410
    Abstract: The invention is an immobilization apparatus comprising: a container (1) having a nozzle (4) formed for exhausting a solution; a charging means (PS, 5, 4) for charging the sample solution within the container; and an airflow generating means for generating airflow (Af) crashing into the sample solution. The immobilization apparatus is configured to operate the charging means and the airflow generating means simultaneously, atomize the solution into microparticulate substances charged while maintaining its activity and functionality by the electrostatic force due to the charge of the sample solution charged by the charging means and the crash energy due to the crash of the airflow generated by the airflow generating means into the sample solution, and exhaust it from the exhaust outlet (4), and the charged microparticulate substances are deposited on a substrate (7) by the electrostatic force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignees: Fuence Co., Ltd., Hit Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akihiko Tanioka, Kozo Inoue, Kazuya Nitta, Masaru Tamaru
  • Patent number: 8495969
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for producing electrically conducting nanostructures by means of electrospinning, the apparatus having at least a substrate holder (1), a spinning capillary (2), connected to a reservoir (3) for a spinning liquid (4) and to an electrical voltage supply (5), an adjustable movement unit (6, 6?) for moving the spinning capillary (2) and/or the substrate holder (1) relative to one another, an optical measuring device (7) for monitoring the spinning procedure at the outlet of the spinning capillary (2), and a computer unit (8) for controlling the drive of the spinning capillary (2) relative to the substrate holder (1) in accordance with the spinning procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Inventors: Stefan Bahnmüller, Andreas Greiner, Joachim H. Wendorff, Roland Dersch, Jacob Belardi, Max Von Bistram, Stefanie Eiden, Stephan Michael Meier
  • Patent number: 8485125
    Abstract: A transformer arrangement is disclosed for an electrostatic sprayer or in an adjacent moving element of a coating machine. A transformer provides a galvanic isolation between the line arrangement provided for supplying power to the sprayer arrangement, and consumers at high voltage in the sprayer or possibly in the robot arm. This isolation may be provided with an isolating transformer which has a sufficient isolation distance or other isolation device between the primary and secondary circuits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Dürr Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Baumann, Frank Herre, Juergen Haas, Harry Krumma, Hans-Jurgen Nolte, Marcus Frey, Bernhard Seiz, Herbert Martin, Erwin Bieber, Torsten Block
  • 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: 8418647
    Abstract: A dual action piston type metering device is installed between the color changer of a coating system and its atomizer, the metering cylinder of which includes two input ports with the color changer output ports connected to the atomizer. The dual action piston type metering device enables the alternating operation of the cylinder ranges (A/B-operation) with only one single metering cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Dürr Systems Inc.
    Inventor: Herbert Martin
  • Patent number: 8394461
    Abstract: A powder-containing oil-based lubricant for die contains 60 to 99% by mass of an oil-based lubricant consisting of oil, 0.3 to 30% by mass of a solubilizing agent, 0.3 to 15% by mass of an inorganic powder and 7.5% by mass or less of water, the lubricant being electrostatically applied to a die. The powder-containing oil-based lubricant may be applied to a die by electrostatic spraying. The electrostatic spray apparatus includes a device that imparts static electricity to the powder-containing oil-based lubricant and an electrostatic spray gun installed on a multi-axis robot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignees: Aoki Science Institute Co., Ltd., Toyota Motor Corporation, Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroaki Komatsubara, Masanao Kobayashi, Toshiaki Shimizu, Daisuke Serino, Munenori Sugisawa, Tomiyuki Murayama, Noriaki Osawa, Tomohiro Yamaguchi, Ryujiro Aoki, Tatsuya Hattori
  • Patent number: 8356696
    Abstract: A system and method for lubricating components where the lubricant is applied in mist form within a substantially enclosed cavity. The cavity contains a draining aperture which collects excess lubricant for subsequent re-use by the system. The cavity is defined by a spray head that includes a base having attached thereto a cover plate with an opening adapted to receive therethrough a component to be lubricated. The cavity and lubrication chamber prevents the escape of excess lubricant. The collection and reuse of excess lubricant provides a closed loop system that reduces lubricant waste.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Brian Carroll, Michael Neu, Chris Petty, Dudley Headley, David McCoy, Stephen Smith
  • Patent number: 8353469
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: Nordson Corporation
    Inventors: Terrence M. Fulkerson, Michael R. Sanner, Brian D. Mather, Joseph G. Schroeder, Jeffery Edward Dailidas
  • Patent number: 8342120
    Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, an apparatus having a tube with an ingress opening to receive a liquid, and an egress opening to release the liquid, a conductor positioned in a conduit of the tube, 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, and a power supply coupled to the conductor to apply a charge to the liquid to overcome the surface tension and form at the egress opening a single jet stream of the liquid applicable on a substrate to create a pattern. The single jet stream can be controllable in part by a viscosity of the liquid. Additional embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois
    Inventors: Kyekyoon Kim, Hyungsoo Choi, Philip Edward Heil, III
  • Patent number: 8333164
    Abstract: A coating apparatus for serially coating workpieces with different shades or colors is disclosed. A metering device comprises a plunger-type dosing mechanism or a metering pump that has a separate inlet with an integrated color valve for each of the most commonly used colors is located in or near the sprayer of the coating apparatus. A separate color changer can be provided for less frequently used colors. The outlet of said color changer may be connected to another inlet of the metering mechanism or to the discharge valve of the sprayer via a separate metering mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: Duerr Systems, GmbH
    Inventors: Frank Herre, Rainer Melcher, Manfred Michelfelder
  • Patent number: 8329259
    Abstract: An electrostatic painting apparatus for electrostatically painting a door on a vehicle body. The painting apparatus uses a robot arm that opens/closes the door. A high voltage is applied to the robot arm and the amount of any current between an electrode pin on the robot arm and the door is measured to determine the positional relationship between the door and the robot arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shinji Tani
  • Patent number: 8322301
    Abstract: An intermediate reserve tank for temporarily storing a conductive coating medium is provided in a coating medium supply passage for supplying the conductive coating medium from a color switch valve mechanism to a spray gun. A block valve mechanism for electrically insulating the color switch valve mechanism and the intermediate reserve tank is provided. A coating medium extrusion portion for supplying water or a cleaning solution is connected to a transmission passage between the intermediate reserve tank and the spray gun via a switch valve. When an amount of the coating medium necessary until an end of a coating operation becomes a predetermined amount, the conductive coating medium is extruded by the water or the cleaning solution by switching the switch valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Daisuke Nakazono, Kohei Ogata, Masaki Shigekura
  • 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: 8309184
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for priming a substrate by contacting the substrate with a primer fed from a primer source and depositing the primer on the substrate. Compared to other priming methods, the claimed priming gives better results because the deposition is carried out electrostatically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Stora Enso Oyj
    Inventors: Tapani Penttinen, Kimmo Nevalainen, Isto Heiskanen, Kaj Backfolk, Minna Peltola, Ali Harlin
  • Patent number: 8276539
    Abstract: An observation sample is prepared by immobilizing a nanomaterial on a substrate 10 by applying a voltage between a nanomaterial dispersion liquid 13, filled in an interior of an electrostatic spray nozzle 20, and the observation substrate 10 to electrostatically spray and dry the dispersion liquid 13 and electrostatically deposit the nanomaterial. With respect to the observation substrate 10, including a conductive grid portion 11 and a supporting film 12, a reference electrode 81 is disposed below the substrate 10 and a bias voltage of the same polarity as the electrostatic spraying voltage is applied to the grid portion 11 of the substrate 10 to adjust immobilization positions of the nanomaterial on the substrate 10. An observation sample, with which the nanomaterial is immobilized in a satisfactory state on the substrate, can thereby be prepared.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Hamamatsu-Photonics K.K.
    Inventor: Tomonori Kawakami
  • Patent number: 8272345
    Abstract: An electrohydrodynamic spraying or spinning deposition system, which includes a common source of pressurized liquid within a manifold, and an array of 2 or more spraying tips, each tip being fed from the common source of pressurized liquid to create a liquid flow path. An individual flow impedance device is disposed within each tip's individual liquid flow path from the pressurized liquid source into each spraying tip. The individual flow impedance devices are disposed within a replaceable sheet, which can be easily cleaned or changed to accommodate the instance liquid viscosity and composition. A high voltage source is applied to create a high voltage potential applied between the tip array and a deposition surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Nanostatics Corporation
    Inventors: John A. Robertson, Ashley Steve Scott
  • Patent number: 8245661
    Abstract: A system for coating a surface comprising providing a source of iron-based amorphous metal, the iron-based amorphous metal including devitrified ferrite; directing the iron-based amorphous metal toward the surface by a spray for coating the surface; and separating at least a portion of the devitrified ferrite from the spray before the spray reaches the surface. Also an apparatus for coating a surface comprising a source of iron-based amorphous metal, the iron-based amorphous metal including devitrified ferrite; an application system for directing the iron-based amorphous metal toward the surface by a spray for coating the surface, and a system for separating at least a portion of the devitrified ferrite from the spray before the spray reaches the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignees: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC, Sandia National Laboratories
    Inventors: Phillip D. Hailey, Sumner D. Day, Joseph C. Farmer, Nancy Yang, Thomas M. Devine, Jr., Larry Kaufman
  • Patent number: 8225740
    Abstract: An arm of a coating robot is used to prevent external leakage of a high voltage. A tank is installed on a robotic arm and contains water as an actuating liquid. The water is supplied to a paint cartridge by a pump controlled by a controller. The water sent from the pump under pressure is supplied to the paint cartridge by a conduit tube. A high voltage generator and a bleeder resistor are combined with the tank such that a high voltage generated by the high voltage generator is supplied to the electrostatic paint applicator via the water. For replenishment of water to the tank is attained by relatively connecting a nozzle in communication with a water source to a main pipe. While the high voltage generator generates a high voltage, the nozzle and the main pipe are kept disconnected to maintain electrical insulation between the nozzle and the main pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Ransburg Industrial Finishing K.K.
    Inventors: Michio Mitsui, Ryuji Tani, Sadao Inose
  • Patent number: 8176869
    Abstract: A production assembly and associated process for mass producing such as a thermoplastic pallet and which utilizes a multiple insert supporting and continuously moving carousels inter-faceable with an input line upon which is transported a plurality of rigid and planar shaped inserts, as well as an output line a spaced relationship from the input line for removing, from the carousel, the resin coated articles. The invention further teaches a series of subset variants for spray applying a two part resin and hardener upon the insert according to a selected thickness, following which the inserts are cured and dried prior to transferring to the output line and in order to create a finished product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Oria Collapsibles, LLC
    Inventor: Miguel A. Linares
  • Patent number: 8166912
    Abstract: A powder spray coating discharge assembly (230, 260, 216, 228, 232) for connection to an electrostatic spray coating gun (210), the gun (210) having a gun body (212), means for connecting to a supply of coating powder and means for supplying a voltage (20) at first and second potentials respectively to first (292) and second electrical connections (294) each for connection to a respective one of a discharge electrode (232) and a counter electrode (260), the means for supplying the voltage (20) comprising: a variable voltage power supply (114) having an input connected to an electrical power source (110), an output connected to each of the first and second electrical connections (292, 294), a control circuit (128) for controlling the variable voltage power supply (20) and means (120) for sensing an output load, wherein the control circuit (128) is adapted to adjust the variable voltage power supply (20) to reduce the voltage and current in proportion to a sensed increase in load, or vice-versa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Yu Tung Investment Holdings Limited
    Inventor: Man Kin Mickey Ko
  • 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: 8123147
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Nordson Corporation
    Inventors: Terrence M. Fulkerson, Michael R. Sanner, Brian D. Mather, Joseph G. Schroeder, Jeffery Edward Dailidas