Abstract:
A power supply for generating a high unidirectional voltage at a charging electrode of an electrostatic spray coating apparatus has circuitry for sensing the magnitude of current flow to the electrode and for controlling application of an input voltage to the power supply in accordance therewith to control the magnitude of the high voltage. The arrangement is such that whenever the current flow is less than a predetermined value all cycles of the input voltage are applied to the power supply, but whenever the current exceeds the predetermined value only a limited number of the cycles are applied to the power supply. In this manner, the danger of arcing between the electrode and an article being coated is eliminated or at least significantly reduced.
Abstract:
A method of coating an article comprising passing a coating material adjacent to a plurality of conductors connected to a high voltage source whereby to electrostatically charge the material and wherein each of the conductors is connected to said source through an impedance adapted to resist reduction of charge on a conductor relatively remote from an articles to be coated in consequence of reduction of charge on a conductor relatively adjacent to said article to be coated. The coating material may be supplied from a powder dispensing and metering device comprising a powder reservoir, a rotor mounted for rotation at the base of the reservoir and an air inlet adjacent the rotor through which air is drawn in use to mix with powder during rotation of the rotor to draw a powder-air mixture away from the reservoir.
Abstract:
Apparatus for applying powdered coating materials includes a channel portion wherein the powder coating material is passed around a conduit which delivers an air jet to the powder material, and where the powder material is ionized, and then forced through an outlet channel. The latter is made of nonconductive material, and includes a non-conductive insert disposed in the channel, with the dielectric constant of the insert being different from the dielectric constant of the material of the remainder of the channel. The ionized powder is directed by gas pressure through the channel toward a grounded object to be coated. The ionization electrode within the apparatus is hollow and an air jet is passed therethrough to aid in the dispersion of the powdered coated material.
Abstract:
An improved electrostatic powder painting apparatus is described herein, in which in the vicinity of a discharge electrode disposed in opposition to a body to be painted there is separately provided a driving electrode, for establishment of a driving electric field. The generation of a mono-polar ion current is achieved by said discharge electrode, so that the driving electric field and the ion current density may be controlled quite independently of each other, whereby generation of inverse ionization can be prevented perfectly, while a maximum amount of electric charge can be given to paint powders and a maximum driving force is acted upon said paint powders.
Abstract:
A coating system for efficient electrical precipitation of powder to articles. Articles are conveyed through a coating chamber where they are coated with a powder. Electrogasdynamic guns direct a cloud of charged particles into the coating chamber. Dilution air moves the cloud through the chamber with the articles. As the cloud moves with the articles, the charged particles precipitate to the articles. An exhaust section draws off the dilution air as the coated articles leave the chamber. Electrically conductive articles may be grounded through the conveyor system to provide a discharge path from the charged particles. For nonconducting or hard to ground articles, a precharge section places on the articles an initial charge of opposite polarity from the charged particles. A powder feed using a cylinder and piston arrangement to contain fluidized powder supplies a uniform powder suspension to the guns.
Abstract:
A measuring arrangement for an apparatus for electrostatic coating of grounded objects for measuring the ground or earthing resistance thereof, and wherein the objects are moved past the apparatus. An electrode is arranged in front of the apparatus, viewed in the object conveying direction, and this electrode is intended to influence the electrical potential of the object without contacting the same. There is also provided a measuring circuit which is electrically coupled with such electrode or with an electrostatic or induction electrode also arranged in front of the apparatus.
Abstract:
1. A DEVICE FOR TESTING THE ELECTRICAL CONTACT BETWEEN A METALLIC OBJECT AND A GROUNDED SUPPORT ON WHICH SAID OBJECT IS TO BE SUBJECTED TO AN ELECTROSTATIC COATING PROCESS, SAID DEVICE COMPRISING MEANS FOR IMPARTING AN ELECTRICAL CHARGE TO SAID OBJECT (AND MEANS FOR INDICATING WHETHER SAID CHARGE IS CONDUCTED AWAY FROM SAID OBJECT THROUGH SAID GROUNDED SUPPORT OR A SUFFICIENT CHARGE ACCUMULATES ON SAID OBJECT TO GENERATE A SPARK BETWEEN SAID OBJECT AND SUPPORT) JUST BEFORE IT IS TO BE SUBJECTED TO SAID COATING PROCESS, AND A SPARK DETECTOR POSITIONED TO DETECT ANY SPARK RESULTING FROM THE IMPARTING OF SAID ELECTRICAL CHARGE.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus employs the currents of a high voltage electrostatic system to determine incipient grounded conditions. The electric current in the ground return to its high voltage electrostatic system is sensed to provide a signal. All alternating current components of the signal above substantially pure direct current are attenuated to provide a resulting DC signal that increases as a grounded article approaches a charged electrode. In one embodiment the resultant DC signal is sampled at a rate fast enough to acticipate the fastest expected approach of a grounded article to the charged electrode. Every other sample is retained so that it may be compared with the sample immediately following it. The samples are compared in a summing circuit which provides a signal corresponding to the change in conditions in the ground return circuit. A level is selected corresponding to incipient grounding of the charged high voltage electrode. If a difference of the successive samples exceeds this level, an alarm is actuated providing a useful output.
Abstract:
An improved high voltage sensing and disabling circuit having a desensitizing feature to compensate for initial turn-on of an electrostatic spray gun is disclosed. The circuit provides a safeguard against excessive electrostatic spray gun ionizing currents, but automatically compensates for current surges caused by line charging during turn-on.
Abstract:
A material coating system to apply charged materials to objects to be coated by electrostatic spray guns. The spray gun itself has a double cone-shaped deflecting member in its barrel and an adjustable collar on its barrel to change the spray pattern. An internal electrode in the material conveying tube charges the material and a wound wire ground connection attached to the gun prevents an accumulation of charge at the gun. A material storage bin with multiple venturis feeds material to the gun by suction via its conveying tube. In addition, a polarity reversing circuit allows the power source to apply different charges to sprayed materials.