Including Heating Or Cooling Patents (Class 239/13)
  • Patent number: 6315755
    Abstract: A control system for a Liquefracture handpiece that uses output from a surgical console to generate a control signal for an RF amplifier. The output from the RF amplifier is used to drive the handpiece heating element. To prevent excessive heated fluid from entering the eye, the vacuum in the handpiece is monitored and excessive or rapid increases in vacuum level (indicating an occlusion or low aspiration flow) causes the power to the heating element to be reduces or eliminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2001
    Assignee: Alcon Manufacturing, Ltd.
    Inventor: Glenn Sussman
  • Publication number: 20010022321
    Abstract: A flow mixer apparatus and method in an injection molding system which transitions a flowing medium around an obstruction and/or a degree change in direction, said flowing medium exhibiting reduced stagnation points and substantially uniform flow characteristics downstream of the obstruction and/or change in direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2001
    Publication date: September 20, 2001
    Inventor: Abdeslam Bouti
  • Publication number: 20010013555
    Abstract: A liquid processing apparatus is provided to improve its processing efficiency, together with a liquid processing method. The apparatus is capable of both reduction in temperature-variation of a processing liquid at processing and shortening for temperature-recovery of the processing liquid. Further, the liquid processing apparatus can facilitate the establishment of respective designated temperatures for different processes and carry out different processes continuously and effectively. The apparatus includes an inner cylinder 25 to accommodate semiconductor wafers W and a chemical supply unit 50 to supply the semiconductor wafers W in an inner cylindrical chamber 23 with a chemical liquid. The apparatus further includes a case heat exchanger 90 arranged in an outer peripheral position of the inner cylinder 25 and allowing a temperature-adjustment medium to flow and a medium supplier 100 to supply the regulator 90 with the temperature-adjustment medium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2001
    Publication date: August 16, 2001
    Inventors: Koji Egashira, Koji Tanaka
  • Patent number: 6174160
    Abstract: Method and apparatus to prevaporize and premix liquid and/or gaseous fuels with air in two stages at two different temperatures prior to combustion. The invention is directed to the entry of a finely atomized liquid fuel, such as No. 2 diesel, into an inlet end of an annular chamber. Air is mixed with finely atomized liquid fuel, preferably generated by a small flow number liquid fuel nozzle, in a first chamber of the annular chamber at a first (relatively high) temperature for a relatively long residence time. The air and liquid fuel is moved into a second chamber of the annular chamber where a secondary hotter air is injected into the annular chamber by a plurality of staggered high velocity jets to prevaporize and premix the combined fuel and air mixture at a second higher temperature, but for a shorter time. The intense prevaporization and premixing make the mixture suitable for entry into a combustor, but without the need to add water or steam to keep pollutant emissions low.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2001
    Assignee: University of Washington
    Inventors: John C. Y. Lee, Philip C. Malte
  • Patent number: 6105878
    Abstract: Apparatus and method is provided for applying agriculturally active substances in a controlled manner from the ground in the most effective droplet size range and at ultra low volumes so that efficiency is optimized while contamination of areas adjacent to the targeted area is greatly reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Inventors: Richard David Robinson, Jack H. Dyer
  • Patent number: 6102298
    Abstract: An ultrasonic atomizer is provided including an ultrasonic vibrator, a reservoir, and a heat exchanger. The ultrasonic vibrator is connected to an amplifying section. The amplifying section has an exterior surface and a tip thereon. The amplifying section can be elongated and the amplifying section can be inclined at an angle that is preferably between about 5.degree. to 10.degree. from horizontal. The reservoir is in fluid communication with the exterior surface of the amplifying section. The reservoir contains a liquid. A pump can be located between the reservoir and the exterior surface of the amplifying section in order to assure a liquid flow rate of between about 10 to about 30 ml/min. The heat exchanger is provided in order to control the temperature and viscosity of the liquid. The liquid is directed to flow from the reservoir and over the exterior surface of the amplifying section to the tip. A feed tube having a dispensing end can be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2000
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Stephan Gary Bush, Robert Edward Stahley
  • Patent number: 6073859
    Abstract: Weeds grow on the ballast of railway tracks, on sports fields, such as plastic running tracks, in parking lots and on cemetery paths. A machine is disclosed for eliminating them more economically. The weeds are sprayed with boiling water and steam at temperatures from 90.degree. and 140.degree. . A travelling device is used for that purpose having a water container, a heater device and spraying nozzles. When heated, the plant protein coagulates, and chlorophyll is totally or partially destroyed, causing the weeds to wither. The boiling water and steam can also be used to eliminate graffiti, oil traces and chewing gum from surfaces of all types, and thus to clean said surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2000
    Assignee: Werner Gorgens Consulting and Trading
    Inventor: Werner Gorgens
  • Patent number: 6051204
    Abstract: A method of, and apparatus for, preventing the formation of deposits on surfaces downstream of a mixer in which possibly supersaturated mixtures issuing from the mixer are surrounded by a sheath of unsaturated solution. In an arrangement described, the sheath of unsaturated mixture is obtained by bleeding off some of the mixture issuing from the mixer sufficiently downstream of the mixer definitely to be unsaturated and returning this portion of the mixture to surround that issuing from the mixer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2000
    Assignee: AEA Technology PLC
    Inventors: Michael Joseph Bowe, Paul Fallows
  • Patent number: 6027607
    Abstract: A process for extracting salt from brine contained in at least one open evaporation basin. At least part of the brine is heated in a heating unit located outside the evaporation basis and returned to the evaporation basin. The heating unit is driven by waste heat from a recooling industrial plant. According to this process, climatic values and the degree of recooling are measured and evaluated in a control unit. At least part of the heated brine and some non-heated brine are sprayed by a spraying device of the evaporation basin. The amount of sprayed brine is regulated by the control unit depending on the measured data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2000
    Assignee: Krebs & Co. AG
    Inventor: Vicente Gracia Corniel
  • Patent number: 5954267
    Abstract: A method for spraying starting material particles in a continuous hydrothermal reaction, comprising spraying an aqueous fluid pressurized and heated in excess of the saturated vapor temperature and a starting material slurry pressurized at ordinary temperature. A starting material slurry feed orifice is provided in a central portion of an aqueous fluid spray orifice to spray and mix the aqueous fluid and the staring material slurry. In order to avoid entry of heat into the starting material fluid from the aqueous fluid, a heat-insulating layer is provided between feed paths for the respective two fluids. According to the above method, the starting material slurry is sprayed particularly under subcritical to supercritical conditions beyond the saturated vapor temperature to form fine particles without agglomeration thereof, whereby a hydrothermal reaction can be continuously and efficiently effected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1999
    Assignees: Nakamichi Yamasaki, YKK Corporation
    Inventors: Nakamichi Yamasaki, Tsuneaki Mochida, Akihiro Maeda, Takeshi Fukuda, Tsuyoshi Morimura
  • Patent number: 5927601
    Abstract: A method of killing or controlling vegetation particularly along roadside berms involves the application of pressurized hot water from a moving applicator head in close proximity to the ground. The pressurized hot water is applied as jets of hot water from an applicator head at a temperature in the range of 100.degree. C. to 110.degree. C. and a flow rate of about 10 liters/minute supplied from one or pumps operating at a pump pressure of between 200 and 1000 psi. The apparatus is mounted on or in a vehicle such as a van, containing a water tank (1), a boiler (2) arranged to heat pressurized water supplied by a pump (4) under pressure to the boiler (2). The pump (4) is a piston pump which supplies the pressurized water through the boiler to a hand held applicator (5) or optionally a towed boom applicator (6). The hand held applicator (5) has an applicator head inside a shroud so that the pressurized hot water is applied to the surface of vegetation as jets of water within the confines of the shroud.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1999
    Assignee: Waipuna International Limited
    Inventors: Richard John Newson, Graham Leslie Collins
  • Patent number: 5897057
    Abstract: The method and apparatus of the present invention provides a more efficient and cost effective method and apparatus for applying agents to plants, crops, vegetation, and trees, while avoiding the problems associated with conventional impingement velocity tunnel sprayers. The method and apparatus of the present invention utilizes the conditions in a controlled atmosphere to deposit agents on plants and provides a device which increases the maneuverability of pesticide spray rigs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1999
    Assignee: Dauenhauer Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventor: John Hulls
  • Patent number: 5871152
    Abstract: A remote controlled carpet cleaner includes a rectangular outer support frame of structural steel. A gasoline engine drives a vacuum pump and through a pulley and belt assembly is also powers a liquid pump. The exhaust gas from the engine is directed to a heat exchanger which is used to heat water which is pumped through the heat exchanger by the liquid pump. A liquid injector allows carpet cleaning chemicals to be mixed with the water as it enters the pump. The liquid injector is connected to a plurality of solenoid valves. Each solenoid valve is connected to a tank containing a carpet cleaning chemical. When a solenoid valve is opened, a specific carpet cleaning chemical in drawn into the liquid injector and mixed with the water entering the pump. The opening and closing of the solenoid valves is controlled by servo motors operated by a radio controlled receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1999
    Inventor: Bahman B. Saney
  • Patent number: 5863613
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for spray painting of an article where the paint is heated to reduce the viscosity prior to being fed to a paint spray device such as an electrostatic paint spray device. A heat exchange unit is provided between each of a plurality paint supply sources and a paint spray device of a paint spray station, the heat exchange unit located closely adjacent to a respective paint spray device such that only paint being supplied to a paint spray device is heated by a respective heat exchange unit. The heat exchange unit preferably uses a hot dielectric oil for indirect heat exchange with the paint, and preferably a volume of heated paint between a heat exchange unit and a respective paint spray device is only about 15 percent or less of the volume of paint in the heat exchange unit, while the volume of heated paint is about one to three times the volume per minute of flow through the heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1999
    Assignee: PPG Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Donaldson J. Emch
  • Patent number: 5855323
    Abstract: An apparatus and process for jetting molten solder in the form of balls directly onto all the metallized interconnects lands for a ball grid array package in one step with no solder paste required. Molten solder is jetted out of a grid of holes using a piston attached to a piezoelectric crystal. When voltage is applied to the crystal it expands forcing the piston to extrude a desired volume of solder through holes in the aperture plate. When the voltage is decreased the piston reverses motion creating an instability in the molten solder at the aperture plate surface and thereby forming spherical solder balls that fall onto a metallized substrate. The molten solder balls land on the substrate and form a metallurgical bond with the metallized lands. The size of the solder balls is determined by a combination of the size of the holes in the aperture plate, the duration of the piston pulse, and the displacement of the piston. The layout of the balls is dictated by the location of the hooks in the grid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1999
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: Frederick G. Yost, Darrel R. Frear, David T. Schmale
  • Patent number: 5662267
    Abstract: The method and apparatus of the present invention provides a more efficient and cost effective method and apparatus for applying agents to plants, crops, vegetation, and trees, while avoiding the problems associated with conventional impingement velocity tunnel sprayers. The method and apparatus of the present invention utilizes the conditions in a controlled atmosphere to deposit agents on plants and provides a device which increases the maneuverability of pesticide spray rigs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 2, 1997
    Assignee: Dauenhauer Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventor: John Hulls
  • Patent number: 5579998
    Abstract: Coating a substrate with a reinforced resin matrix comprised of liquid resin and reinforcing material can be accomplished with an apparatus where the liquid resin and the reinforcing material are mixed external to the apparatus prior to impacting the substrate. The liquid resin is directed through a cylinder 12 and then through an orifice 7 in nozzle 1, while the reinforcing material is carried in a gas stream through cavity 13, around cylinder 12, and past the nozzle 1. As the reinforcing material passes the nozzle 1, it is drawn into the liquid resin. Due to the distribution of the reinforcing material around the liquid resin flow, the reinforcing material is substantially homogeneously wetted by the liquid resin prior to impacting the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 3, 1996
    Assignee: USBI Co.
    Inventors: Terry L. Hall, Jack G. Scarpa, David D. Mathias
  • Patent number: 5544811
    Abstract: A flame spray system and a method for applying uniform coatings of powdered plastics to surfaces which utilizes a pressurized carrier gas stream to transport plastic powder to a spray gun. The spray gun passes the powder through a flame produced at the end of the spray gun, melting the powder into droplets. When the molten plastic droplets strike the application surface, they adhere and combine to form a solid coat of plastic upon cooling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 13, 1996
    Assignee: Acoatings, Inc.
    Inventors: Dean Tillery, Paul D. Musgrave, John McClusky, Russell L. Myers
  • Patent number: 5526981
    Abstract: A system for spraying water-based adhesive and a method of using the system is disclosed. The system includes a hot air gun connected to both a source of hot pressurized air and a source of flowable adhesive. The gun includes a body having a handle assembly and a spraying assembly. The handle assembly includes a depressible trigger and first knob for adjusting the amount of flowable adhesive in the spray gun and a second knob for adjusting the pattern of the spray. The spraying assembly includes a spray nozzle and control valves operably connected with the trigger for controlling the flow of pressurized hot air and adhesive. The spraying assembly also includes an air routing insert for routing air currents to the nozzle and an adhesive fluid tube for routing adhesive fluid to the nozzle. The adhesive fluid is atomized upon leaving the nozzle when combined with the hot pressurized air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 18, 1996
    Inventor: Bruce A. Sanson
  • Patent number: 5518178
    Abstract: Known thermal spray apparatus are modified to achieve rough thermal spray coatings. Thermal spray apparatus operate to develop a plasma stream for introduction to a nozzle, for eventual application to the surface of a substrate. Upon entering the nozzle, the plasma stream is passed through a plasma cooling zone defined by a plasma cooling passageway, to a plasma accelerating zone defined by a narrowed passageway that expands into a plasma/particle confining zone for the discharge of material from the apparatus. The narrowed passageway of the apparatus is cooled, and the powder material to be applied by the apparatus is introduced into the plasma stream along the cooled, narrowed passageway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 21, 1996
    Assignee: Sermatech International Inc.
    Inventors: Purusottam Sahoo, Anthony Mallilo
  • Patent number: 5503872
    Abstract: A stream of hot air passes from a combustion chamber through an application gun to a preheated substrate. A powdered thermoplastic is fed into the application gun. The hot air stream heats the powdered thermoplastic to its fusion temperature and transports it to the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 2, 1996
    Inventors: Kenneth R. MacKenzie, Randy E. Gosselin
  • Patent number: 5445325
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for operating a small diameter thermal spray gun to thermal spray a coating onto a substrate. A fuel is burned within a combustion chamber of a small diameter thermal spray gun to generate a high energy flow stream, into which a coating material is injected. The combustion chamber includes an inner sleeve with cooling ports which pass cooling air laterally therethrough. A flow nozzle directs the high energy flow stream towards the substrate. The flow nozzle transfers a heat flow from a first portion of the high energy flow stream to a second portion of the high energy flow stream, and provides a thermal barrier to retain heat within the high energy flow stream. The small diameter thermal spray gun may be tuned for operating with a wide variety of coating materials by replacing the combustion chamber inner sleeve and the flow nozzle thermal transfer member with alternative members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 29, 1995
    Inventor: Randall R. White
  • Patent number: 5405085
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for thermal spraying a coating onto a substrate is provided wherein a coating material is transported within a high energy flow stream. A high energy flow stream, which includes the coating material, is generated within the thermal spray gun. A flow nozzle having a barrel directs the high energy flow stream towards the substrate. The flow nozzle includes a thermal transfer member for absorbing a heat flow from a first portion of the high energy flow stream, and transferring the heat flow back to a second portion of the high energy flow stream. Additionally, the thermal member provides a thermal barrier for retaining heat within the high energy flow stream by absorbing and retaining sufficient heat within the thermal flow nozzle so that the temperature gradient between the high energy flow stream and the flow nozzle is reduced, which reduces the amount of heat transferred therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 11, 1995
    Inventor: Randall R. White
  • Patent number: 5388761
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for mixing and delivering plural liquid components in a selected volume ratio. For each component, a separate motor drives a separate rotary gear pump that delivers the component to a common mixing and delivery device (spray gun). The speed of each motor, and correspondingly the volume of fluid delivered by that pump, is determined by a respective programmable computer. The individual computers are interlinked, with one master computer and the rest slave(s). Desired motor speeds are input into the computers in a selected ratio. A change in the speed of the master motor therefore produces a corresponding change in the speed of a slave motor according to the ratio. Actual motor speed is monitored and transmitted to the respective computer for feedback control. A simple manual ratio test is provided for calibration of the system. Each pump is magnetically coupled to its respective motor drive shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 14, 1995
    Inventor: Gary D. Langeman
  • Patent number: 5366154
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling vegetation, as well as insect infestation, as are typically encountered in agricultural environments is disclosed. The apparatus is characterized by its construction to include a high pressure pump liquid spray material may be applied to vegetation at a pressure from about 100 psi to as much as about 4,000 psi. The apparatus further includes a heater whereby the liquid spray material may be heated to a temperature of from about 100.degree. F. to about 240.degree. F. before it is sprayed. The apparatus is constructed so that it can be attached to a standard tractor for ease of use. The method of this invention is characterized by its utilization of a high pressure spray so that agricultural chemicals in amounts from virtually 0% to about 50% of their current recommended dose rates can be used with efficacy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 22, 1994
    Assignee: Aquaheat Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: James E. Thompson
  • Patent number: 5340023
    Abstract: A plasma flame flowing to a substrate around a beam of melt droplets is trimmed by spraying a refrigerant on the periphery of the plasma flame in the direction which allows the refrigerant to contact with the beam of the melt droplets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 23, 1994
    Assignee: Onoda Cement Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsutomu Itoh, Shinji Fukami, Masayuki Kitoh
  • Patent number: 5338688
    Abstract: A method for the metered application of a biochemical analytical liquid to a target, wherein the liquid is ejected in small quantities on to the target through a jet from a jet chamber by a procedure in which a partial volume of the liquid in the jet chamber is evaporated and expanded for a short time whenever a quantity of the liquid is to be ejected. The invention further relates to a device with a disposable jet element which contains prepackaged analytical liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 16, 1994
    Assignee: Boehringer Mannheim GmbH
    Inventors: Rolf Deeg, Eberhard Maurer, Reiner Babiel, Sigmar Klose, Bernhard Kopfer
  • Patent number: 5297730
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling weeds and undergrowth, as well as insect infestation, as are typically encountered in agricultural environments is disclosed. The apparatus is characterized by its construction to include a heater whereby liquid spray material is first heated to a temperature of from about 100.degree. F. to about 240.degree. F. and then sprayed on the substance to be controlled. The apparatus is further characterized by its construction to include an insulating apron for maintaining the heated spray material in close contact with the substance onto which it is sprayed, while at the same time insulating the heated spray and treated substance from ambient conditions. A variety of fluid conduits and controls are provided so that a variety of spray liquids may be applied in predetermined fashion. The apparatus is constructed so that it can be attached to a standard tractor for ease of use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 29, 1994
    Assignee: Aquaheat Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: James E. Thompson
  • Patent number: 5282573
    Abstract: A flame spray coating system includes a thermoplastic resin powder supply hopper, an eductor adapted to entrain powder in a stream of conveying air, a valve disposed between the powder hopper and eductor for controlling the flow of powder from the hopper into the eductor, a flame spray gun and conduits interconnected between the flame spray gun and pressurized air and combustion gas sources for delivering flows of propelling air, conveying air, powder entrained in conveying air, and a combustible gas to the flame spray gun, and an eductor control disposed on the flame spray gun for controlling operation of the valve disposed between the powder hopper and eductor. A solid circular coating pattern is created with a nozzle constructed for twirling the entrained powder and conveying air. Interchangeable combustion nozzles of different sizes allow the same spray gun to be used for different substrate conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 1, 1994
    Assignee: Plastic Flamecoat Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: James H. Reimer
  • Patent number: 5265801
    Abstract: A method of spraying a coating onto a substrate using low pressure, high volume air is disclosed. More specifically, the step of using a vortex tube with valves at both the hot and cold air discharge ends to supply the low pressure, high volume air to a spray gun is disclosed. The use of the vortex tube results in an inexpensive system, that can be used in electrically hazardous areas, and allows very precise control of air temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1993
    Assignee: E. I. Du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventor: John C. Larson
  • Patent number: 5217362
    Abstract: In a process for atomizing a slurry or liquid process stream in which a slurry or liquid is passed through a nozzle to provide a primary atomized process stream, an improvement which comprises subjecting the liquid or slurry process stream to microwave energy as the liquid or slurry process stream exits the nozzle, wherein sufficient microwave heating is provided to flash vaporize the primary atomized process stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 8, 1993
    Inventors: Richard E. Thompson, Jerome R. White
  • Patent number: 5197800
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming and dispensing a coating material formulation containing a liquid coating composition and a supercritical fluid as a diluent comprises a closed vessel having a hollow interior; a system for supplying fluid diluent into the vessel interior and for transforming the fluid diluent into supercritical fluid within the vessel; and, a system for introducing liquid coating composition into the vessel interior in such a way that it is sufficiently exposed to the supercritical fluid to form a fluid diluent rich phase and a liquid coating composition or resin rich phase which is saturated with supercritical fluid up to or near its saturation point for the temperature and pressure conditions within the vessel. The resin rich phase has a higher density than the fluid diluent rich phase and therefore collects on the bottom of the vessel from where it is withdrawn and supplied to coating dispensers for deposition on a substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1993
    Assignee: Nordson Corporation
    Inventors: Laurence B. Saidman, James C. Smith
  • Patent number: 5174610
    Abstract: An apparatus for providing bleed air to exit an air outlet fitting where an air hose is connected to a turbine housing to cool the turbine and outlet fitting. The bleed air is directed through longitudinal channels outside the air hose and to an air diffuser collar where it is deflected to exit the apparatus radially.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1992
    Assignee: Wagner Spray Tech Corporation
    Inventors: John M. Svendsen, John J. Anderley, Peter L. Frank
  • Patent number: 5171613
    Abstract: This invention is directed to improved spraying apparatus for coating substrates with a coating material and supercritical fluid which apparatus is provided with various features, either alone or in combination, to prevent undesirable premature cooling of the coating mixture which might detrimentally affect the final coating on the substrate; to prevent undesirable depressurization of supercritical fluid contained in the coating mixture which remains in the spray gun after spraying has been stopped; and/or to desirably provide the ability to mix the components of the coating mixture directly in the spray gun. Methods for utilizing these features in the spraying apparatus of the present invention are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1992
    Assignee: Union Carbide Chemicals & Plastics Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Hendrik F. Bok, Charles W. Glancy, Kenneth L. Hoy, Chinsoo Lee, Kenneth A. Nielsen
  • Patent number: 5135166
    Abstract: A thermal spray gun having an advanced, streamlined design which simplifies assembly of the gun components and reduces maintenance downtime. The thermal spray gun has a fuel/oxidant gas nozzle with a plurality of oxygen outlets arranged in a ring upon a discharge face. Three alternative fuel gas outlet configurations provide a combustion flame within a barrel having an inlet adjacent the fuel/oxidant gas nozzle discharge face. Powdered feedstock is supplied through a centrally disposed feedstock injector and is heated by the combustion flame. Oxidant gas, fuel gas and power feedstock are simultaneously discharged into the barrel, through a single plane perpendicular to the direction of gas and feedstock flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1992
    Assignee: Plasma-Technik AG
    Inventors: Markus Dietiker, Andreas Bachmann
  • Patent number: 5120582
    Abstract: A compressed air with or without water droplets in mist form and additional pure oxygen is passed over the radially exterior hot surfaces of an expansion nozzle having a L/D ratio of at least 3-to-1 and preferably surrounded by thermal insulation to enhance regenerative heat exchange between the expansion nozzle and the compressed air stream, as well as regenerative heat exchange with the exterior of a combustion chamber wall of an internal burner, also surrounded by thermal insulation prior to the compressed air entering the combustion chamber for ignition with a mixture of fuel. This permits large operating economics to be realized, reducing the need for expensive pure oxygen as the oxidant and permits the elimination of forced cooling by confined water flow for such internal burners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1992
    Inventor: James A. Browning
  • Patent number: 5108034
    Abstract: A spray header and nozzle assembly which includes a first elongated tubular member and a second elongated tubular member of a smaller diameter than the first tubular member coaxially disposed within the first tubular member to form an annular space between the first and second tubular members and a plurality of spray nozzle assemblies in fluid communication with the inside of the second tubular member. The spray nozzle assemblies are perpendicularly disposed to the axis of both tubular members and recessed into the annular space. Also, the nozzle assemblies include a first tube extending a predetermined distance beyond the circumference of the first tubular member and a second tube of a smaller diameter than the first tube coaxially disposed within the first tube and recessed into the first tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1992
    Assignee: The Dow Chemical Company
    Inventors: Andrew M. Huey, Arthur R. Shirley, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5106659
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for spraying liquid coating material containing supercritical fluid or liquified gas as a diluent comprises a spray gun having internal passages which transmit the liquid coating material under high pressure from an inlet to a nozzle at the tip of the gun and then to an outlet so that the liquid coating material can be continuously recirculated. A relatively short flow discharge path is formed between the internal passages in the spray gun and the nozzle to avoid the formation of an area of ambient or reduced pressure so that the supercritical fluid or liquified gas is substantially maintained in solution in the liquid coating until it is discharged from the gun. A pressure regulator is provided to maintain a substantially constant pressure drop across the inlet and outlet of the gun to induce flow of liquid coating material through the gun, and to permit several guns to be connected in series without creating a substantial pressure drop therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1992
    Assignee: Nordson Corporation
    Inventors: Donald R. Hastings, John A. Hendricks
  • Patent number: 5096615
    Abstract: An improved solid aerosol generator used to produce a gas borne stream of dry, solid particles of predetermined size and concentration. The improved solid aerosol generator nebulizes a feed solution of known concentration with a flow of preheated gas and dries the resultant wet heated aerosol in a grounded, conical heating chamber, achieving high recovery and flow rates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1992
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
    Inventors: Donald S. Prescott, Robert K. Schober, John Beller
  • Patent number: 5058805
    Abstract: A paint spray system includes a source of pressurized paint. At least a first and second spray gun are provided. Each spray gun has a gun inlet for receiving paint, a gun spray outlet for spraying paint on an article to be painted, and a gun bypass passage for passing through the gun an unused portion of paint. A feed conduit feeds paint from the source to the spray guns. A paint recycle conduit recycles unused paint from the paint spray guns. Each of the spray guns is separately adjustable for adjusting a rate at which paint is sprayed on an article independent of any adjustment of the other guns. The system is particularly adapted to spraying fast drying mixtures of a base paint and a catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1991
    Assignee: Brunswick Corporation
    Inventors: Jerry L. Anderson, Thomas R. Boyington
  • Patent number: 5050776
    Abstract: In a polyurethane foam dispensing apparatus there is provided a foam gun block heater for the isocyanate and the polyol feed lines to prevent cold shots from occuring when the foam dispensing apparatus is initially used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 24, 1991
    Assignee: Olin Corporation
    Inventor: William F. Rosenplanter
  • Patent number: 5048754
    Abstract: A conditioning system for water based can sealing compounds comprising a pressure regulation means, such as a gravity fed supply tank adjacent a double diaphragm pump, a filter and a lining nozzle, an exit line from the nozzle connected to an upstream pressure regulator and a return line meeting the supply line between the pressure regulation means and the pump. Additionally, one or more dampeners may be added to the system as well as various pressure gauges and other sensors. The use of multiple lining nozzles on one conditioning system is also disclosed, with the nozzles being capable of independent control. The system without dampeners controls film weights to within +/-5% of the desired amount. The use of one or more dampeners improves film weight control to within +/-3% of the desired amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1991
    Assignee: W. R. Grace & Co.-Conn.
    Inventor: Samuel W. Rich
  • Patent number: 5047265
    Abstract: A method is provided for flame-spraying powdered materials onto a substrate by means of an autogenous flame-spraying apparatus of the type in which a combustion gas-oxidation gas mixture is produced and ignited at the outlet of a burner nozzle with the powdered material conveyed by a carrier gas to the burner nozzle and introduced in the flame at the outlet of the burner nozzle. The working parameters of the flame-spraying apparatus are chosen so as to provide an energy constant P.sub.E which together with the kinetic energy E.sub.k of the particles enables the use of a broad range of flame speeds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1991
    Assignee: Castolin S.A.
    Inventors: Wolfgang Simm, Hans-Theo Steine
  • Patent number: 5009367
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods and apparatus for spraying liquid compositions by airless spray techniques so as to obtain wider spray patterns without having to alter the construction or configuration of conventional nozzles, nozzle tips or spray guns. By means of the present invention, the width of a spray pattern may be changed while the spraying operation is being conducted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 23, 1991
    Assignee: Union Carbide Chemicals and Plastics Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Kenneth A. Nielsen
  • Patent number: 4991774
    Abstract: In electrostatic atomization of liquids wherein a stream of electrically charged liquid is atomized under the influence of the electrical charge, the stream is surrounded by a mist to increase the dielectric breakdown strength of the surrounding atmosphere. This permits use of higher charge levels and hence more efficient atomization. The mist may incorporate minute droplets of the liquid to be atomized. An insulating vapor may be formed from the liquid by heating a portion of the liquid and employed in place of or in addition to the mist.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 12, 1991
    Assignee: Charged Injection Corporation
    Inventor: Arnold J. Kelly
  • Patent number: 4973379
    Abstract: A device and method for etching a body are provided capable of etching fine geometry patterns utilizing the high selectivity of wet etching and the anisotropic etch characteristics of dry etching. The body to be etched is placed in a reduced pressure etching chamber. An inert carrier gas is bubbled through heated liquid etchant producing a vapor stream of liquid etchant. A non-reactive gas is chilled producing a cold gas stream. The vapor stream and the cold gas stream are combined in an aerosol generation nozzle producing a high concentration of fine aerosol particles by homogeneous nucleation. The fine aerosol particles enter an aerosol growth chamber and form larger particles through thermal coagulation. The larger particles are accelerated out of the growth chamber through an expansion nozzle positioned within the reduced pressure etching chamber and directed toward the body to be etched. This aerosol jet of etchant impacts the surface of the body to be etched.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1988
    Date of Patent: November 27, 1990
    Assignee: Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
    Inventors: James R. Brock, Isaac Trachtenberg
  • Patent number: 4964568
    Abstract: A powder or wire thermal spray gun, useful for spraying a low oxide coating of oxidizable material, comprises a nozzle member with a nozzle face, and a gas cap extending from the nozzle member and having an inwardly facing cylindrical wall defining a combustion chamber with an open end for propelling combustion products into the ambient atmosphere at supersonic velocity and an opposite end bounded by the nozzle face. An annular flow of a combustible mixture is injected from the nozzle member coaxially into the combustion chamber at a pressure therein sufficient to propel combustion products of the mixture from the open end at supersonic velocity. A first annular flow of inert gas is injected adjacent to the cylindrical wall radially outward of the annular flow of the combustible mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 23, 1990
    Assignee: The Perkin-Elmer Corporation
    Inventors: Anthony J. Rotolico, Woodarczy, Fanusz R.
  • Patent number: 4964569
    Abstract: An air spray system including an air spray device including an oil-less piston type air compressor for heating an air output of the compressor, an air supply line, an air return line, an air spray device and control valves which can be adjusted to supply a proper amount of air to the spray device. The air supply and air return lines are insulated in a flexible type insulation so that the air flow in the supply and return lines will remain warm to prevent any formation of condensation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 23, 1990
    Assignee: SPR International, Inc.
    Inventor: Clarence L. Stevens
  • Patent number: 4958767
    Abstract: This invention relates to a process and device for injecting at least one stream of a fluid matter into a hot gaseous flow, such as a plasma jet. According to the invention, said hot gaseous flow has the shape of an envelope of revolution communicated thereto, and the nozzle for injection of the stream of fluid matter is dispsoed coaxially to the axis (X--X) of said envelope of revolution. The invention is more particularly applicable to plasma chemistry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 25, 1990
    Assignee: Aerospatiale Societe Nationale Industrielle
    Inventors: Maxime Labrot, Jean Feuillerat, Yves Valvy
  • Patent number: 4928879
    Abstract: A thermal spray gun, for spraying wire and powder simultaneously at high velocity to produce a dense and tenacious coating, comprises a nozzle and a gas cap extending from the nozzle. Combustible gas is injected from the nozzle coaxially into the combustion chamber in the gas cap. An annular outer flow of pressurized air is injected into the chamber adjacent to the gas cap. Heat fusible wire is fed axially from the nozzle into the combustion chamber. An annular inner flow of pressurized air is injected into the combustion chamber adjacent to the wire. Powder in a carrier gas is fed annularly from the nozzle into the combustion chamber coaxially between the combustible mixture and the inner flow, such that a spray stream containing the powder and the heat fusible material commingled in finely divided form is propelled through the open end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 29, 1990
    Assignee: The Perkin-Elmer Corporation
    Inventor: Anthony J. Rotolico