Abstract: A retort is described for use with paperboard containers (48) to reduce moisture absorption during processing of foodstuffs therein. The improvement includes using solid cone spray nozzles (50) with spray angles in the range of about 100 degrees to about 115 degrees. In one embodiment, the distance (D?) between the nozzles and the container is in the range of about 70 mm to about 200 mm. In another embodiment, the flow rate if each nozzle (50) is reduced relative to known systems, while the total vessel flow rate is kept the same as per cubic meter load. Further, an overpressure may be added to the vessel via compressed air. In accordance with other aspects, an Impact reduction is used which relates nozzle flow rate, pressure, distance, etc. with moisture absorption in paperboard containers.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device (100) for injecting a pulsed supersonic gas flux, including a first chamber (2) inside which the gas to be injected is found under pressure on either side of a free piston (4), the device comprising means (12) for setting this free piston into motion, connected to the first chamber and able to cause propulsion of the free piston (4), the device further including a supersonic nozzle (6) able to communicate with the first chamber via an aperture (8), and also including a valve (10) closing up the aperture (8) and able to be actuated by percussion of the free piston (4).

Abstract: A method of periodically spraying live plants and/or animals, using a portable electric sprayer, is described and claimed. In the preferred embodiments, the portable electric sprayer includes: (i) a fluid reservoir; (ii) a nozzle for producing a spray of fluid; (iii) a conduit between the fluid reservoir and the nozzle; (iv) an electric pump coupled so as to pump fluid from the reservoir, through the conduit and out of nozzle; and (v) a control panel. In addition, a control circuit in the portable electric sprayer accepts the user settings from the control panel, and activates and deactivates the electric pump when indicated by the user settings. The nozzle is directed so as to provide the sprays toward at least one of: a terrarium, a bird cage, an aviary, a garden or a potted plant, and the portable electric sprayer is allowed to cycle through a plurality of the sprays while unattended.

Abstract: This invention is to improve the reproducibility and yield in separating a bonded substrate stack. A bonded substrate stack having a porous layer inside is held by substrate holding portions 105 and 106, and a fluid is injected from a nozzle to the porous layer of the bonded substrate stack, thereby separating the bonded substrate stack at the porous layer. The variation in pressure of the fluid is suppressed within a predetermined range by a servo-driven pump.

Abstract: A fluidic insert that receives fluid under pressure from a fluid inlet tube and generates a specified spatial distribution of the fluid exiting the insert includes: (1) a body member having top, bottom, front and rear outer surfaces, (2) top and bottom fluidic circuits located, respectively, at least partially within the member's top and bottom surfaces, wherein each of these circuits has at least one power nozzle, an interaction chamber, and an outlet whose exit lies within the member front surface, (3) the bottom fluidic circuit having a portion of its surface area located upstream of the power nozzle and adapted so that it can mate with a fluid inlet tube that supplies fluid to the insert, and (4) an inter-circuit flow passage that allows fluid to flow from the bottom fluid circuit to the top fluid circuit, the bottom end of this passage located such that it is downstream of the point where the inlet tube mates with the bottom circuit and upstream of the bottom circuit's power nozzle, with the top end of t

Abstract: A metering device for the conveyance of small substance quantities out of a reservoir into an application space by a diaphragm micropump that can be used, in particular, for the conveyance of small doses of gases includes the diaphragm micropump conveying an aromatic through a nozzle/diffuser system in fixed doses out of a reservoir first into a pump chamber and subsequently into an application space. As such, by the action of the diaphragm micropump, the volume and pressure of the pump chamber are varied so that aromatic is alternately drawn out of the reservoir into the pump chamber and pressed out of the pump chamber into the application space. In the event of a periodic change in the volume of the pump chamber, a substance located in the reservoir is, thus, conveyed slowly and in predetermined minimal doses into the application space in the course of time.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a nozzle type atomizer with two or more aligned “horn” stages. The definition of a “horn” stage is well known in the prior art as an effectively half wavelength length and a tapering shape with a central conduit. The present invention uses two to five, or more, horn stages integrally attached end to end. The dramatic improvement in amplitude of the vibration at the tip of the nozzle is without precedence in the prior art. The present invention makes application of transducer vibration at greater than 200 kHz possible. The present invention reduces the required applied energy for generating the necessary amplitude at the tip by the discovery of amplitude multiplication with two or more horn stages.

Abstract: A liquid pressuring device comprises a reciprocating pump (1), pressure sensor (23) and pressure control unit (25) which is adapted to control the motion of the plungers (5A, 5B) so as to make an actual delivery pressure value reach a predetermined threshold and, after reaching the threshold, control the actual delivery pressure value so as to determine an optimum feed rate, and thereafter maintain the feed rate of the plungers constant at the optimum feed rate. The pressure control means (25) may include a proportional control element for performing, after the actual delivery pressure value has reached the threshold, the proportional control of the actual delivery pressure value during a time until the plungers (5A, 5B) first reach the forward stroke end thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a water director for distributing a surge or flow of water to one or more of a plurality of output ports, which can vary in shape, size, and number, typically for use in marine and fresh water aquariums. Water pumped through a conduit into the hermetically sealed Switching Current Water Director (SCWD), powers an internally mounted gear driven fluid motor, which turns a rotational valve, alternately opening and closing a plurality of water outlet ports. When mounted externally to an aquarium, proper placement of output nozzles, which are connected to a water conduit attached to the various SCWD outlet ports, provides the desired opposing, or switching back and fourth currents. Depending on the inlet and outlet port configuration, the SCWD can be adapted to suit many applications.

Abstract: A bi-direction pumping droplet mist ejection apparatus includes a casing which has two sides each has an inlet and a plurality of nozzle orifices, and a piezoelectric plate located in the casing and clamped and anchored by a clamping pad on one end thereof. The casing has a reservoir and an ejection chamber located on each of two sides of the piezoelectric plate. The reservoir and the ejection chamber are interposed by flow guiding slant surfaces and buffer edges to enable the piezoelectric plate and the nozzle orifices to form a gap therebetween to cerate nozzle and dispersion effects so that after the piezoelectric plate is activated fluid may be ejected evenly through the nozzle orifices on two sides to generate even fuel ejection and a desired atomization effect in a bi-direction fashion.

Abstract: This invention is to improve the reproducibility and yield in separating a bonded substrate stack. A bonded substrate stack having a porous layer inside is held by substrate holding portions 105 and 106, and a fluid is injected from a nozzle to the porous layer of the bonded substrate stack, thereby separating the bonded substrate stack at the porous layer. The variation in pressure of the fluid is suppressed within a predetermined range by a servo-driven pump.

Abstract: When a liquid tank of a liquid spraying apparatus is filled with a liquid, after the liquid has been supplied into the spray tank of the liquid spraying apparatus, if the existence of residual bubbles is detected by a bubble detecting means, an operation is carried out in which the liquid inside the spray tank is drained so as to drain out the bubbles from the tank and the spray tank is refilled with a liquid. As a result, residual bubbles inside the spray tank are removed from the spray tank and the liquid can be applied appropriately to a photosensitive material without causing atomization failure.

Abstract: A spray sprays a liquid medicine from a spray part 30. When a liquid sensing electrode 55, 56 arranged on the spray part 30 senses the quantity of the liquid stored in a storage part 30a and determines that the quantity of the liquid decreases, a pin part 27 is driven by a solenoid 26 for feeding the liquid medicine from a liquid medicine bottle 20 to the storage part 30a of the spray part 30 through a feed pipe 25, and the feeding interval is obtained when the liquid medicine is intermittently fed for adjusting power supplied to a piezoelectric element 50 of the spray part 30 so that the feeding interval is constant. Consequently, a spray capable of automatically adjusting the quantity of spraying per unit time to a constant level for spray liquids having various properties can be provided.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a nozzle type atomizer with two or more aligned “horn” stages. The definition of a “horn” stage is well known in the prior art as an effectively half wavelength length and a tapering shape with a central conduit. The present invention uses two to five, or more, horn stages integrally attached end to end. The dramatic improvement in amplitude of the vibration at the tip of the nozzle is without precedence in the prior art. The present invention makes application of transducer vibration at greater than 200 kHz possible. The present invention reduces the required applied energy for generating the necessary amplitude at the tip by the discovery of amplitude multiplication with two or more horn stages.

Abstract: A fluidic insert that receives fluid under pressure from a fluid inlet tube and generates a specified spatial distribution of the fluid exiting the insert includes: (1) a body member having top, bottom, front and rear outer surfaces, (2) top and bottom fluidic circuits located, respectively, at least partially within the member's top and bottom surfaces, wherein each of these circuits has at least one power nozzle, an interaction chamber, and an outlet whose exit lies within the member front surface, (3) the bottom fluidic circuit having a portion of its surface area located upstream of the power nozzle and adapted so that it can mate with a fluid inlet tube that supplies fluid to the insert, and (4) an inter-circuit flow passage that allows fluid to flow from the bottom fluid circuit to the top fluid circuit, the bottom end of this passage located such that it is downstream of the point where the inlet tube mates with the bottom circuit and upstream of the bottom circuit's power nozzle, with the top end of t

Abstract: With a device for applying a coating agent onto a cyclically moved substrate, a uniform coating thickness may be achieved, although the rate of advance is not constant. At least one spray valve is provided which is permanently supplied with coating agent and the nozzle opening of which being adjustable with regard to the size of its effective discharge area in case of change of the rate of advance of the substrate according to the dependency, for a constant layer thickness of the coating agent, on the discharge rate of the coating agent out of the spray valve on the rate of advance of the substrate.

Abstract: The self-contained miniature laminar ornamental fountain shown in FIG. 1 comprises an enclosure and water reservoir, 5, a pump, 1, flow control means, 3, pipe or tubing means 5 to conduct water from the pump, 2, to a laminar nozzle, 6. Water in the reservoir, 1, enters the pump, 2, where it is pressurized, thence through the adjustable valve or flow control means, 4, through the tubing, 5, to the laminar nozzle, 6. The laminar stream, 7, emanating from the laminar nozzle, 6, forms a graceful arch and then falls back into the reservoir, 1, to repeat the cycle. In another embodiment of the invention the fountain includes one or more additional laminar or non-laminar nozzles nozzles. In another embodiment the fountain above in which the laminar nozzle(s) contain internal lighting means for producing lighted laminar streams. In another embodiment in the fountain, the laminar stream(s) are interrupted to form jets of water which appear to leap from place to place.

Abstract: A quantitative discharge apparatus for powder material, comprising: a tubular body for storing powder material; and an elastic membrane having plural penetrating apertures, the membrane constituting a bottom of the tubular body. The elastic membrane is vibrated by applying a positive pulsating vibration air, and thereby discharging powder material stored in the tubular body from the penetrating apertures of the elastic membrane. The plural penetrating apertures of the elastic membrane are formed on the circumference of a circle, of which center is a specific point of the elastic membrane.

Abstract: A high frequency pulsed fuel injector is disclosed. The fuel injector incorporates a resonance tube in outlet fluid communication with a fuel nozzle. During operation the resonance tube provides a pulsating output which is directed into the fuel nozzle. The pulsating output of the resonance tube perturbs the flow of fuel in the fuel nozzle, effectively breaking it up into discrete slugs or chunks for subsequent combustion in a combustion chamber. The combustion process is greatly enhanced by this breakup of the fuel jet, improving combustion efficiency as well as reducing undesirable emissions.

Abstract: A pressure washer includes a chassis as well as a liquid pump, a pump-driving prime mover, plural chemical product containers and a product selecting valve, all supported by the chassis. Each of the containers is attached to a separate valve conduit extending to the valve and the valve is connected to a device conduit extending to the mixing device. A distributor is mounted for movement with respect to the valve body and has a channel for selectively connecting one of the valve conduits to the device conduit. The user may thereby use the pressure washer to dispense any one of plural solutions. A fresh water container facilitates “wash out” of the valve and device conduit before switching to another chemical product.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for combining a liquid material and a filler and the composition prepared from the method. A method is also provided for pre-treating the filler, prior to combining with the liquid material. A spray gun is provided for mixing and spraying the liquid material and the filler, the spray gun nozzle having an inner chamber carrying the liquid material and an outer chamber carrying the filler material, the outer chamber surrounding the inner chamber, whereupon leaving the nozzle, the filler and liquid materials combine.

Abstract: The reagent dispenser head has a piezoelectric actuator supported by a back plate, a front plate having a conical well and a fluid inlet connected by a shallow channel, and a thin, impermeable membrane disposed between the piezoelectric actuator and the well. The well has a window defined therein opening on a nozzle plate having an array of orifices which are arranged to define a predetermined image or pattern. The dispenser head is supplied with a reagent or other liquid through the fluid inlet, the fluid feeding into the well through the channel. A control system is connected to the piezoelectric actuator to provide an electrical pulse or trigger which causes the piezoelectric actuator to bend or deform, contracting the depth of the well and ejecting drops of reagent through all the orifices simultaneously, coating a substrate with reagent in the image pattern.

Abstract: In order to provide a discharge device which forms microlenses, etc., with high precision, a switch circuit selects a predetermined one of drive pulses COM1, COM2, and COM3 included in a drive signal COM on the basis of waveform selection data obtained from control means, and applies the selected drive pulse.

Abstract: A water irrigation system includes a dripper tube having a plurality of water discharge openings along its length for discharging water at a slow rate from each opening; and a pulsator device connecting a water supply conduit to the dripper tube and producing a pulsatile water flow to the dripper tube having a frequency substantially exceeding one cycle per second (CPS). In a described preferred embodiment, the pulsator device is connected to the dripper tube by a connecting tube of a length and cross-sectional area such as to produce a resonant feedback system with the pulsator device producing a pulsatile water flow to the dripper tube having a frequency exceeding 10 CPS.

Abstract: A fluidic nozzle having multiple operating modes comprising a fluidic oscillator circuit having an oscillation chamber having an upstream end and a downstream end and a power nozzle at the upstream end for introducing a jet of a liquid (water) into the oscillation chamber. An outlet throat at the downstream end has a width, which does not allow the oscillation circuit to fill up and start to oscillate without entrained liquid. A pair of control ports are at the upstream end of the oscillation chamber and a pair of feedback passages connect said control ports to downstream ends of said oscillation chamber adjacent said outlet throat. A pair of controllable entrainment holes are provided in the oscillation chamber at the upstream end and a valve opens and closes the entrainment holes, such that when the entrainment holes are open to air, air is entrained and the oscillator does not oscillate.

Abstract: A dispenser can automatically dispense chemical from an aerosol container at predetermined intervals without the use of electric power. A diaphragm at least partially defines an accumulation chamber that receives chemical from the can during an accumulation phase. Once the internal pressure of the accumulation chamber reaches a predetermined threshold, the diaphragm moves, carrying with it valving that controls a spray burst. The diaphragm assumes its original position when the pressure within the accumulation chamber falls below a threshold pressure. A barrier prevents the aerosol container from resupplying the accumulation chamber at a high rate during the spray phase, preferably due to a porous gasket disposed in a passageway linking the dispenser to the aerosol container.

Abstract: An injector is disclosed, in which the change in the internal pressure of each chamber is relaxed when a pressure application mechanism is reciprocating thereby to lengthen the service life of the component parts including a diaphragm portion.

Abstract: A control system for use in a liquid dispensing system to measure and adjust a liquid spray pattern dispensed from the liquid dispensing system. The control system includes a sensor that detect edges of the liquid spray pattern and, from the detected positions of those edges, is operable to adjust the liquid spray pattern to a pattern width set by the operator. The control system is also operable to measure the width of the liquid spray pattern and the offset of the liquid spray pattern relative to a nozzle centerline of the liquid dispensing system and provide warnings to the operator if those measurements fall outside of acceptable ranges.

Abstract: A molded fluid device having a power nozzle with a width W and a coupling passage coupling a source of fluid to the power nozzle. The coupling passage is formed on one chip or insert surface and has a planar enlargement and a plurality of posts spaced across the enlargement, the spacing S between each post being less than the width of the power nozzle with the sum of spacing S being greater than the width W. A liquid spray nozzle is formed on an opposing chip surface and connected to the coupling passage downstream of the posts.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for the production of small, uniform sized droplets. The apparatus is a droplet generator including a housing defining a chamber for holding a material to be ejected therefrom, an inlet and a droplet outlet communicating with the chamber. The housing is coupled to a pressurizing system connected to the inlet for applying pressure pulses to the chamber. The housing includes a vent in communication with the chamber for relieving pressure in the chamber. The vent has an effective size so that during application of the pressure pulse the chamber is pressurized to a pressure effective to eject a droplet of the material therefrom and thereafter the chamber is vented through the vent at a rate sufficient to prevent further discharge of droplets. The droplet generator produces molten metal or alloy droplets and is particularly suitable for generating single droplets on demand in manufacturing techniques using droplet deposition.

Abstract: A fountain which allows interaction by the viewer which alters the fountain's water display. An apparatus and method are disclosed wherein a person viewing the fountain may provide a control indication which causes the fountain display to vary. The preferred embodiment uses an ultrasonic sensor to determine the height of a viewer's hand above a sensor and the water pressure delivered to the fountain is adjusted according to position of the viewer's hand. The invention may use a single or a plurality of sensors to control different groups of jets thereby allowing a large variety of fountain design options.

Abstract: A droplet ejecting apparatus includes: droplet quantity evaluation means, wherein the mass of a droplet ejected onto an article is measured, and a measurement signal is generated based on the measurement result; feedback control means, wherein said measurement signal is compared with a respective reference value and then a control signal is generated based on the result of comparison; and droplet ejecting means for adjusting the amount of ejection for the droplet on the basis of said control signal. In the apparatus, the amount of droplets ejected from a droplet ejecting means can be accurately determined in real time, and the variation in the amount of ejected droplets, the presence thereof and the deviation of the arrival position thereof can also be determined.

Abstract: A fountain which allows interaction by the viewer which alters the fountain's water display. An apparatus and method are disclosed wherein a person viewing the fountain may provide a control indication which causes the fountain display to vary. The preferred embodiment uses an ultrasonic sensor to determine the height of a viewer's hand above a sensor and the water pressure delivered to the fountain is adjusted according to position of the viewer's hand. The invention may use a single or a plurality of sensors to control different groups of jets thereby allowing a large variety of fountain design options.

Abstract: A method for generating a liquid mist to produce phantom targets or camouflage. A liquid is launched by a water cannon (1) at high velocity and initially the liquid is held together in a liquid packet (2) in order to decompose after a certain distance, under the effect of the air resistance, and atomize into small liquid drops to form a liquid mist (3).

Abstract: A method for the controlled break-up of liquid jets for production of substantially monodispersed drops stands out for the fact that it comprises the steps of: feeding a plurality of first liquid jets (4) having stationary motion to a plurality of mutually independent sectors and defined in a perforated surface (8); forming a head of liquid (10) in said sectors (7) near said perforated surface (8); causing said liquid to flow across said perforated surface (8) to form a plurality of second liquid jets (6); periodically changing with a predetermined frequency the momentum of the liquid fed to a predetermined sector (7) so as to impart to the liquid present in said sector a disturbance of predetermined magnitude consisting of a periodic change in the pressure near said perforated surface (8) which is transmitted to the second liquid jets (6) causing their controlled break-up in a plurality of substantially monodispersed drops.

Abstract: A gun for spraying a product such as paint supplied under constant pressure to the gun, includes a structure for the pulsed spraying of the product that includes a nozzle and an oscillating membrane associated with an intermittent closure device for supplying the product toward the nozzle. A control for the pulsed spray structure of the product is provided. A closure mechanism with a plunger is secured to the membrane and passes through the membrane to be connected to the control.

Abstract: A fluid delivery device providing a pulsating discharge. The device comprises a housing having an elongated chamber, a fluid inlet passage to the chamber, and a cylindrical rotor mounted in the chamber and comprising a plurality of grooves. The inlet passage comprises a first fluid injection channel through which the fluid enters the chamber and impinges upon the grooves in the rotor. The fluid thereby rotates the rotor and exits as a fluid pulse through a linear fluid discharge. The grooves in the rotor may be helical such that the pulse of fluid traverses the linear fluid discharge from one portion to another or sequences through a linearly aligned plurality of fluid exits. The device may further comprise a second fluid inlet passage adapted to inject a second fluid into the grooves. One fluid may be compressible and one non-compressible. A method for cleaning an object, such as a circuit board, using the fluid delivery device of the present invention is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a device where the liquid film changes into many kinds of shapes and furthermore these shapes can change according to the changes of outside factors including the sound and light etc.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide a phosphor ink applying device that can apply phosphor ink in a plurality of lines to an intricately-shaped surface of a back panel of a PDP while preventing phosphor colors mixing.

Abstract: In an electrostatic sprayer, a pulsating voltage developed using a battery or a generator as a power supply is stepped up using a step-up transformer. A resultant high-voltage pulse is rectified and applied to an electrostatic electrode. A spray jetted from a spray nozzle is thus electrified. Herein, the step-up transformer is located near the spray nozzle. Owing to this structure, a high voltage produced by the step-up transformer can be applied to the electrostatic electrode with a loss minimized.

Abstract: A method for active suppression of hydrodynamic instabilities in a combustion system in which liquid or gaseous fuel is premixed with combustion air and the fuel/air mixture is then burnt. The mass flow of the supplied fuel is modulated on the basis of a selected time function. Simplification and increased functional reliability are achieved by the modulation which is carried out using fluidics.

Abstract: Liquid to be atomized is supplied from a wick to the underside of a vibrating orifice plate which pumps the liquid up through atomizing orifices in the plate and ejects the liquid from is upper side; and liquid which is pumped up through the orifices in an elevated region of the plate, but which has not been ejected, is directed back down through larger openings in a lower region of the plate. The liquid also flows back onto the wick which places the liquid in capillary communication along the underside of the plate with the atomizing orifices for reputing and ejection.

Abstract: Particles are made from a liquid feedstock (13) containing a pharmaceutical composition, the particles either being solid or being liquid droplets in an aerosol, by supplying the feedstock to an electronic droplet generator (18), and collecting the droplets in a holding chamber (20). Evaporation of the solvent creates particles which may be trapped using a cyclone (22). The generator (18) comprises a feed chamber (28) to which the feedstock is supplied, a dispensing chamber (30) having an inlet port communicating with the feed chamber and having an outlet port (34), and electronic means (36) for repeatedly applying a pressure pulse to the feed chamber and a pressure pulse to the dispensing chamber so that a droplet is ejected. Each droplet is of volume substantially equal to that of the dispensing chamber, so the particles can be substantially monodisperse, and may be of diameter in the range 0.1-20 &mgr;m.

Abstract: In an electrostatic sprayer, a pulsating voltage developed using a battery or a generator as a power supply is stepped up using a step-up transformer. A resultant high-voltage pulse is rectified and applied to an electrostatic electrode. A spray jetted from a spray nozzle is thus electrified. Herein, the step-up transformer is located near the spray nozzle. Owing to this structure, a high voltage produced by the step-up transformer can be applied to the electrostatic electrode with a loss minimized.

Abstract: A fountain control system capable of synchronizing a water, light, and sound performance. The fountain control system includes a plurality of variable speed pumps which are used to control the flow of water through the discharge conduits and ultimately the height of the stream of water projected by the discharge outlet. The fountain control system is capable of varying the speed of the pumps in accordance with an audio input signal and thereby control the height of the stream of water without the use of valves. The light and sound aspects of the performance are delayed to compensate for mechanical delays in the system to ensure a synchronized performance. The fountain control system has the added ability of providing a unique performance based on different pieces of music without the need of reprogramming.

Abstract: An ultra high pressure waterjet cutting system which includes a valve for selectively delivering either a stream of ultra-high pressure water or alternatively, a moderately reduced but yet sufficiently high pressure to initiate cutting. The arrangement provides a convenient means for initiating cuts along the edges of workpieces and is particularly useful when encountering surfaces of brittle workpieces.

Abstract: A molded fluidic device having a power nozzle with a width W and a coupling passage coupling a source of fluid to said power nozzle. The coupling passage has a planar enlargement and a plurality of posts spaced across the enlargement, the spacing S between each post being less than the width of the power nozzle with the sum of spacing S being greater than the width W.

Abstract: A dusting gun for removal of dirt and for cleaning purposes, where dirt, dust, oil and other loose or firmly sticking coats are removed with compressed air. The dusting gun comprises an oscillating pressure discharge valve which causes splitting up of the air flow into periodically repeated pressure discharges. The oscillating valve acts automatically under the influence of the static and dynamic pressures of the compressed air and is designed to oscillate with a frequency in the range of 2-50 Hz. The oscillating valve is connected to a nozzle by an elongated air duct.

Abstract: A method of monitoring and regulating the viscosity of paint in an automotive paint application is provided. The method includes delivering paint to the paint application system with a pump. Continuously monitoring the pressure that the paint is delivered to the paint application by the pump. Returning the paint which is not applied to the automotive vehicle by the paint application system through a return line. Continuously monitoring the pressure of the paint flowing through the return line. Continuously calculating the viscosity from the pressure differential between the delivery pressure and the return line pressure and the flow rate in the return line and the fluid resistance of the paint application system to determine the viscosity of the paint. Delivering the paint from the return line to a sump. Selectively adding thinners to the paint to cause the paint to have a predetermined level of viscosity.

Abstract: Apparatus which is selectively operable at low frequencies (less than 5,000 Hz and preferably between about 100 Hz to about 1,000 Hz) breaks up jets of high-viscosity fluid into monodisperse droplets. The apparatus includes a housing having a chamber, a piston disposed in the chamber, a magnetic-coil system operably attached to the housing and to the piston, and an oscillator for driving the magnetic-coil system. The housing and the piston define a reservoir for receiving a supply of high-viscosity fluid which is acted upon by oscillating motion of the piston to impart pressure perturbations on the supply of fluid so that the fluid upon discharge from the reservoir separates and breaks up into a plurality of monodisperse droplets. Also disclosed is a method for optimizing the performance of the apparatus to minimize the power required for droplet formation.