Abstract: A method and apparatus for spray-coating the marginal area of a surface includes an air nozzle movable with the spray head for directing an air curtain against the surface spaced from the edge to limit coating spray from the head to a determined marginal area and vacuum means disposed adjacent the edge of the surface and movable with the air nozzle means for withdrawing airborne coating particles from the spray area at the side opposite the air curtain.

Abstract: In an apparatus for the use of so-called water enamels or some other similarly conductive coating material, the electrical field for charging the sprayed particles is produced between the grounded spraying edge (6) of a bell-shaped atomizer (10) and a large number of external electrodes (10) inserted into an annular element (20) made of an insulating material.

Abstract: A fuel injection nozzle for an internal combustion engine includes a valve member which is slidable in a nozzle body. The body is provided with a bore in which is formed a seating and to support the valve member there is provided a sleeve which is an interference fit within a wider portion of the bore. Fuel under pressure is conveyed by grooves defined on the outer surface of the sleeve from a nozzle inlet and the fuel flows from the grooves through slits formed in the sleeve, to a space defined between the valve member and the bore. The pressure of fuel acts on the valve member to lift the valve member from the seating and the slits are sufficiently narrow to retain particles of dirt entrained in the fuel.

Abstract: In the case of rotary atomizers, especially those having external electrodes on a grounded spray head, there is a danger of self-contamination of the front part of the atomizer housing; the latter is, therefore, provided with a rotating cover (10) which may be connected to the rotating spray head (2).

Abstract: A viscoelastic and ink-immiscible fluid is used to form a membrane over the ink orifice of a drop-on-demand, pressure pulse ink jet head. The membrane lies in a plane perpendicular to the direction of emission of ink drops, and provides a barrier between the ink orifice and the external atmosphere. Evaporation of the ink, or entry of contaminants including air into the ink, is thus inhibited. The elimination of evaporative clogging then permits the use of a smaller orifice. Wetting of the exterior surface of the ink jet head by the flow of ink through the ink orifice is also inhibited, thus making possible the production of more uniform ink drops that will emerge in a constant direction. The elastic property of the membrane permits the passage of an ink drop therethrough, followed by the closing up of the membrane.

Abstract: For overcoming certain inherent disadvantages associated with most agricultural fertilizer distributors, a hopper having a distributor under its floor has a clean out door that is adapted to be closed using a tensioned flexible cover. The flexible cover is drawn into sealing abutment with the edges of the hopper housing walls by tensioning members. Advantages of this difference in construction include, for example, the ease with which blockages can be cleared from the distributor mechanism without the necessity of first emptying the contents of the hopper. The flexible cover is made of non-corrosive material and is not easily damaged by rough handling.

Abstract: A method for atomizing dispersions or solutions containing particles wherein the dispersion or solution is discharged from a nozzle. Before it leaves the nozzle it is brought to form a rotating annular film which is exposed to the influence of high-frequency sound for the disintegration of the liquid.

Abstract: A self-cleaning system and method for dispersing aggregates in a fluid medium is provided. The system is comprised of first and second members operatively associated to form an internal chamber and having an inlet to the chamber for admitting the fluid to be treated. At least one of the members is biased toward the other whereby the introduction of a fluid medium to be treated into the chamber under an operating pressure in the range of from about 50 to about 1,000 psid (3.5 to 70.3 kg/cm.sup.2) provides an elongated orifice between the first and second members having a transverse dimension or width of from about 1 to about 1,500 micrometers for egress of the fluid medium. As the fluid passes through the elongated orifice, aggregates contained therein are dispersed. The system is self-cleaning by virtue of the biased nature of at least one of the members toward the other, thereby providing longer onstream operation and requiring less servicing.

Abstract: A control valve for a resonant burner having a burner space for receiving active substance through a conduit with an atomizing nozzle discharging into the space is disclosed. When the valve is shut off to terminate flow of the active substance through the valve to the burner conduit, a spring action in the valve tends to withdraw the active substance from the conduit by creating a suction effect therein.

Abstract: A pressure atomizing fuel nozzle assembly for a gas turbine engine includes a support housing in which a pressure-responsive fuel check valve and metering valve are disposed in line to provide a flow of primary fuel for engine start-up and low power operation and secondary fuel for higher power operation. The check valve is located upstream between the fuel inlet and a sleeve inside of which the metering valve is disposed. The check valve prevents the fuel manifold from draining after engine shut-down and controls fuel entry to both the secondary fuel chamber within the sleeve and to an annular primary fuel chamber between the sleeve and support housing connected in fuel flow relation to the secondary chamber by a fuel filter. The primary fuel flows through the primary chamber around the exterior of the secondary chamber and through an annular primary fuel conduit disposed around the secondary fuel conduit in the housing strut to the nozzle attached to the strut.

Abstract: In a distributor for coating powders for electrostatic coating apparatus, an insulator shield member is provided on top of the powder distributor disk, preventing accumulation of charged powder thereon which might otherwise result in uneven distribution of powder from the distributor.

Abstract: A pumping system for use in a self-service car wash for supplying liquid at a high or low-pressure having a pump in communication with a liquid applicator and in communication with a first liquid supply. A second liquid supply is in communication with an inlet portion of the pump through a supply valve which selectively permits liquid to be drawn from one of the liquid supplies. A by-pass mechanism, in communication with the pump, is provided to reduce the pressure of the liquid supplied from the pump to the liquid applicator. A control mechanism is connected to the supply valve and the by-pass mechanism whereby when the control mechanism is activated the supply valve and the by-pass mechanism are actuated and liquid from the second liquid supply is supplied to the liquid applicator at a pressure lower than liquid supplied from the first liquid supply.

Abstract: A sprayer which includes a plastic bag having in its upper end a perforated pipe and adapted to receive the end of a syringe and a draw string at the bottom for securing the bag around a flower pot to retain therein insecticidal sprays or powder.

Abstract: An irrigation system for use in a citrus grove. Water is pumped from a well into a chamber of an elongated filter which has an outer casing and an inner treating unit defining the chamber. The filter also has a spiggot and valve for flushing the filter. Irrigation water goes in one end, through the filter, passing from the chamber into the treating unit and out the other end to a main line. The main line supplies sub-main and branch lines to T-shaped pipes which terminate in posts. Each post has a vertical pipe which emerges from the post and has a spraying head designed to be just above the post. The T-shaped pipes are disposed so that the posts will emerge on both sides of a tree trunk and spray water from both sides onto the tree trunk to feed the roots.

Abstract: A vehicular herbicide spraying apparatus having a mobile support frame, a reservoir for herbicide, a spray means for dispensing the herbicide, a means for measuring the flow rate of the herbicide being sprayed, shields enclosing the spray means to protect plants from herbicide overspray in their vicinity, and cleaning means for intermittently washing off any herbicide which may be retained on the surface of the plant shield.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods of cutting spallable material such as rock using high pressure water jets. Two jets which preferably diverge cut slits in the material face. These slits are close together so that the material between them spalls out. The invention also provides apparatus for providing such jets.