Abstract:
A method and apparatus for the accurate formation of a three-dimensional article (280) comprises providing a supply of substantially uniform size droplets (282) of a desired material wherein each droplet has a positive or negative charge. The supply of droplets is focused or aligned into a narrow stream by passing the droplets through or adjacent an alignment device which repels each droplet towards an axis extending through the alignment device. The droplets are deposited onto a target to form the three-dimensional article without the use of a mold of the shape of the article. The deposited droplets may be stress relief annealed using a beam of energy (306) directed to a portion (286) of the material being deposited by various directing devices (302, 304).
Abstract:
Pipes (15, 15') of the type used in subterranean or submerged pipelines for the recovery of oil, gas, slurries or like pipe transportable materials from a subterranean well are coated sequentially in a flood coating station booth (20) including a catchment tray (40) for collecting excess coating for recycling, and pipe handling means adapted to contact a pipe at predetermined times and in a predetermined manner permitting the pipe to be progressively advanced through the coating booth without the need for pipe supports passing under the flood coating which avoids the integrity of the applied coating becoming compromised by the pipe handling means and minimises the risk of the handling apparatus becoming fouled by coating spillage.
Abstract:
A nozzle (24) for application of an extrudable material (4) to a substrate optically couples an electromagnetic beam (20) to the extrudable material. The nozzle (24) forms a flow channel (12) with a window (38) at one end. The extrudable material (4) is admitted to the flow channel (12) such that it flows across the bottom surface of the window (22) and through the flow channel (12). The nozzle (24) is removably held in a head (26) to permit replacement of the nozzle when worn or for installation of a nozzle having different characteristics for a different application.
Abstract:
A process is disclosed for consolidating and coating an air-core coil (3) with a winding made of naked electroconductive cables (5) made of twisted wires of substantially rectangular cross-section wound one or several times. A liquid duroplastic synthetic resin mixture is poured on the upper end of the pre-dried coil of the air-core coil rotated around its vertical axis in an impregnating station and flows downwards along the inner and outer surfaces of the coil, if required also between the layers of the coil winding, partially entering the intermediate spaces between the wires of which the conductive cable (5) is composed. The excess of synthetic resin mixture is collected and re-used, and the air-core coil (3) is then cured at a higher temperature. A device for carrying out the process has a chain conveyor system which moves hanging treatment units constituted of a revolving ring (10) to which is secured the air-core coil (3) between several working or processing stations. In the impregnating station (2) the revolving ring (10) is coupled to a driving device (21) in order to rotate the air-core coil (3).
Abstract:
An apparatus for distribution of a liquid flow (1') as equal part flows (m) to any number of outlet apertures (32) comprises an open vessel (2) fed by said flow (1') and any number of straight, parallel channels (3) of equal cross section feeding individually said apertures (32) and fed from a liquid bath (11) in said vessel (2). The apertures (32) are thus positioned (4) that a static liquid pressure (h) for flow propulsion in any one of the channels (3k) is essentially proportioned to the channel length (1).
Abstract:
Painting with curtain-painting machines (9-12) is complicated by the occurrence of air bubbles in the paint, causing an uneven paint surface. This is avoided by allowing the paint to pass a compensator with overflow (6), the paint being supplied to the compensator (5) at a level below that of the overflow (6) in such a manner that air enclosed therein strives upwards towards the space above the overflow.
Abstract:
The rate of travel of each spray head (27) (27A) of a rotary sprayer along arcuate paths across a conveyor (16) carrying work to be spray-coated is so varied from a maximum adjacent the margins of the conveyor (16) to a minimum centrally thereof that the thickness of the deposited layer is substantially uniform wherever applied. In one embodiment, each spray head (27) has a connection (26) (92) (93) (94) with the outer end of a fixed rotor arm (25). A rod (95) pivotally attached to the connection (26) has a cam follower (99) in engagement with a rotor-encircling cam path (100) and a link (97) pivotally connected to the rotor hub (23) with the cam path (100) operable to effect the swinging of the spray heads (27) to affect their travel rates in the wanted manner. In another embodiment, each spray head (27A) is fixed on a rotor arm (26A) pivotally connected to the rotor hub (23A) and having an angularly disposed arm (105) carrying a cam follower (99A) held in a rotor-encircling cam path (100A) operable to swing the rotor arms (26A) to affect the required variations in the rates of travel of the spray heads (26A). To prevent momentary pressure increases and decreases as spray head valve elements (38) are closed and opened from being causes of uneven sprayed coats, the rotor (20B) has a chamber (110) through which spray material is delivered which is disposed and dimensioned to provide an air cushion.