Abstract:
An electrostatic particle spray gun (10) having, in one preferred embodiment, a conical deflector (16) of insulative material mounted in the nozzle (14) in the particle path for forming a conical particle spray pattern. A resistive sheet (44) connected to a high voltage electrostatic supply is sandwiched between the forward (40) and rearward (42) ends of the deflector (16), leaving only the perimeter of the sheet exposed at the peripheral region of the conical deflector. The perimeter of the resistive sheet (44) functions as a multi-point circular electrode for charging the particles such that improved coating transfer efficiencies are achieved. Also, because of the resistive nature of the resistive sheet (44), the sheet constitutes a resistor in the electrical current path between the center of the sheet where it connects to a high voltage terminal and the circular periphery of the sheet which serves as the multiple point charging electrode, thereby minimizing unsafe electrical discharges should the electrode inadvertently approach a grounded object.
Abstract:
An apparatus for the electrostatic spraying of liquids, especially aqueous liquids, comprising a sprayhead chargeable to a high electrical potential and at least one electrode having a sharp edge or point. The electrode is so arranged and is maintained at such a potential that the generally radially directed electrical forces acting upon the surface of a liquid emerging from the sprayhead are reduced. The liquid then assumes a ligamentary form prior to atomisation.
Abstract:
An apparatus is disclosed suitable for electrostatic spraying from fixed wing aircraft. The apparatus includes a linear electrostatic spraying nozzle (2) and electrodes (4) placed near the nozzle's spraying edge to intensify the electric field strength at the spraying edge sufficiently to produce ligaments of the liquid to be sprayed from the spraying edge. In order that the airstream due to the aircraft's movement does not destroy the ligaments, the sprayhead and the electrodes are positioned so that part of the airstream flows between them. The spray head and the electrodes are so shaped and positioned that when directed to spray in substantially the same direction as the airstream, a turbulence free wake is left in the region of the ligaments.
Abstract:
Difficult problems of electric insulation, which make present systems costly, need to be overcome for achieving direct or contact charging of high-speed rotary atomizers used for applying water paint. In order to solve these problems, a paint reservoir (5) is disclosed which is subdivided by a flexible partition (6) into two inner chambers (9, 10) each linked with its own distribution duct and paint supply duct (11, 12), an electrically insulating switching mechanism (2) being inserted between the circular duct (1) and both distribution ducts (3, 4), interconnecting them.
Abstract:
A toner applicator assembly (18) for electrostatic drum printers featuring a toning shoe (17) with a biasing mechanism (32) in which the toning shoe is biased only at a single point (40). The toning shoe scans a sheet (13) having an electrostatic latent image supported on a rotating drum (11), in a helical path, and applies liquid developer to the sheet to develop the latent image. The toning shoe has a normal orientation which is skewed with respect to the drum's rotation axis (z) so as to follow a helical path. The toning shoe is movable with respect to three degrees of freedom ( theta , O &cir& /, psi ) relative to the normal orientation so as to automatically adjust its orientation to match the orientation of the sheet.
Abstract:
An electrostatic spraying apparatus having an electrostatic sprayhead (5) and a deflector (9) comprising an electrically conductive element (19) at least partially shrouded by electrically insulating material (17). The conductive element (19) is charged to an electrical potential of the same sign as the charge applied to the sprayhead and the deflector (9) is so positioned that charged spray droplets (15) are urged away from the deflector towards the crop (3). Leakage of charge from the conductive element is reduced by the presence of the insulating material.
Abstract:
A powder charging apparatus, in which a plasma electrode pair (3, 4) is disposed within a insulative tubular passage (1) for transporting powder as carried by gas, a device for intermittently applying a D.C. voltage between that pair of plasma electrode (3, 4) is provided to form a space (13) where mainly desired polarity ions (6) drawn from the plasma electrode pair (3, 4) exist and another space (14) where mainly opposite polarity ions (7) exist, well dispersed powder (8) is fed to the former space (13) where mainly the desired polarity ions (6) exist, and thereby stable and strong charging performances can be assured for a long term without adhesion and accumulation of the powder to and on either one of the pair of plasma electrodes; and an electrostatic powder painting apparatus containing this powder charging apparatus therein.
Abstract:
An electrostatic nozzle assembly for coating row crops and other plants with electrostatically charged particles of pesticide including a nozzle body (12) formed with a passageway (22) to receive air and an earthed stream of waterborne pesticide for delivery through a nozzle tip (74) to an inductor ring (48) mounted between the nozzle body (12) and an air nozzle having a discharge orifice (32). As the stream of waterborne pesticide is projected from the nozzle tip (74), it is impacted with a swirling, spirally moving stream of air produced by a swirl plate (64) having a plurality of tapered air channels (86) oriented tangentially relative to the pesticide stream and communicating with the air passageway (22) in the nozzle body (12). The inductor ring (48) inductively charges the pesticide in the terminal end of the nozzle tip (74). The swirling air stream atomizes the charged pesticide stream expelled from the nozzle tip (74) into finely divided particles, and then imparts the swirling motion to the charged particles which fan radially outwardly in a wide spray pattern when ejected from the discharge orifice (32) in the air nozzle. An electrical standoff is also provided by forming the air nozzle with an irregularly-shaped outer surface which lengthens the electrical path which charged particles collected on the air nozzle would have to travel to migrate to an earthed support for the nozzle body or the nearest earthed point.
Abstract:
A hand-held, battery powered, electrostatic spraying apparatus incorporating a device such as a gas-rap discharge tube (16 or 54) or a buzzer that emits visible or audible signals to indicate the power supply to the HV generator is switched on. The signal emitting device is an essential part of the high voltage generator circuit and/or emits the signals at a frequency of 0.1 to 4Hz.
Abstract:
Electrostatic spraying apparatus e.g. for graphic work, having a hand or finger held body carrying a nozzle to which the atomising potential is applied from a high voltage generator. The nozzle is of the non-drip type, e.g. a capillary bore or a felt- or fibre- tip so that no liquid is dispensed therefrom in the absence of the atomising potential. The nozzle and liquid reservoir may be a cartridge, e.g. a felt-tip graphic marker. The generator may be within the body so as to provide a self contained unit which can be "earthed" via the user's hand.