Abstract:
An apparatus and a method are provided for producing a solid particulate aerosol which is sufficiently precise in concentration to be suitable for testing HEPA filters. The apparatus continuously delivers a measured quantity of a solid particulate material to a mixer where it is combined with a controlled flow of gas. The solid particulate material is delivered to the mixer in precisely measured quantities via pockets of constant volume which are disposed radially and equidistantly about a rotating wheel.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus for coating a metal substrate with a finely divided powdered material, which method includes the steps of providing a supply of resin particles adjacent a coating zone, releasing a gentle flow of gas through the supply of resin particles to permit the particles to flow freely, delivering a uniform flow of particles to a comminuting site, releasing the fluid energy of a compressed gas to the flow of resin particles to impart sufficient momentum to said resin particles to reduce their average particle size to a very finely divided resin particle size of 10 microns or less, providing a flow of finely divided resin particles and diffusing the flowing gas to provide a substantially quiescent, slowly and upwardly moving gas stream to maintain the very finely divided resin particles segregated in a uniform cloud and to carry said cloud to the coating zone; confining said cloud of very finely divided resin particles in the coating zone, said particles having a diameter-to-weight ratio such that they will remain suspended in the substantially quiescent atmosphere of the coating zone; moving sheet metal stock to be coated in strip form through the coating zone; and providing an electric charging and depositing field terminating on the metal stock strip in the coating zone having a potential gradient sufficient to charge the finely divided resin particles and deposit said particles on the metal surface while the particles are in a repelling relationship with respect to one another thereby providing a uniform distribution of particles on the strip.
Abstract:
The leveling device comprises a rectangular duct connected at its inlet end to a pneumatic fiber supply and at its outlet end to the upper end of a feed chute for a carding machine. A pair of opposed accelerator plates are adjustably mounted adjacent the duct's inlet end to accelerate the incoming stream of fibers, which then passes between two deflector nozzles that are mounted with their discharge ends opening on opposite sides of the duct, and with their outer or inlet ends connected to opposite ends of a flexible, generally U-shaped tube. Downstream from the nozzles the opposed sidewalls of the duct curve outwardly and away from each other to form a diffusion section, the enlarged end of which is connected to the upper end of the feed chute. In use the air pressure at the outlet end of each nozzle alternately rises and falls causing the stream of fibers to be deflected alternately toward one and then the other of the opposed, curved sidewalls of the duffusion chamber. The stream adheres briefly to each curved sidewall before being directed back toward the other, thereby directing fibers to the opposite side of the chute. The U-shaped tube has corrugated legs which permit the tube to be increased or decreased in length, thereby to increase or decrease, respectively, the frequency with which the stream of fibers is directed back and forth toward opposite sides of the chute.
Abstract:
An electrostatic flocking system having a hopper for gravitationally feeding flock fibers at a controlled rate to a pickup chamber in an air flow pump. The flow pump has a venturi inlet connector with a multi-branched outlet for delivering accelerated air into the pickup chamber. The pickup chamber has an arcuately recessed bottom wall to cause air from the inlet connector to swirl within the chamber to entrain the flock fibers and to carry them out of the flow pump via an outlet connector to an applicator gun. Conveniently, the flow pump has an auxiliary air inlet port opening into the pickup chamber to allow additional flock-entraining air to be pulled into the chamber by the air swirling therein. The applicator gun has a non-conductive outlet nozzle for reception into the front of the applicator gun, with a plurality of electrodes extending forwardly from the nozzle for electrostatically charging flock fibers passing therethrough. The outlet nozzle has an opening for passage of the flock fibers and entraining air stream, and that opening has a circular cross section at the rear of the nozzle for concentric alignment with the barrel of the applicator gun. The nozzle opening blends into a generally elliptical portion with an elongated axis increasing from the rear to the front of the nozzle so that the flock fibers and air stream are spread into a fan pattern. A diffuser bar extends along the shorter axis of the nozzle elliptical portion to enhance spreading of the exiting fibers and air stream. Conveniently, the exterior of the outlet nozzle has forwardly and inwardly sweeping concave sides so that additional flock-propelling air is drafted into the air stream exiting the nozzle to enhance fiber delivery to an article being coated.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus for generating dry dust particles of a constant concentration from dry solid particles. The apparatus has a dust dispersion section receiving powdered material from a dust feeding section. The dust dispersion section includes a bed of beads subjected to a constant supply of air. An endless chain delivers a continuous supply of powdered material to the bed of beads and the air moving through the bed of beads. The chain is scrubbed by the beads and the air whereby the particles of powdered material are dispersed and entrained in the moving air. The particles move through a tube and are electrically neutralized with a radioactive source. A particle separator can be used to remove large particles. A photometer monitors the concentration of the particles emanating from the apparatus in aerosol form.
Abstract:
Apparatus for feeding fine particulate material, comprising a supply chamber having a foraminous bottom member and superposed brush arms for brushing the material therethrough at a regulatable rate. A collecting funnel member is disposed beneath the foraminous member, with its large end open upward to receive the material. Conveying gas is admitted into the funnel member and passes out through the bottom opening of the funnel with the particulate material entrained therein. In three embodiments the funnel member is vibrated to maintain uniform flow of the material and gas may be admitted into the upper end of the funnel. In another embodiment the gas is admitted through gas manifold conduits rotating along a stationary funnel wall, and is directed along wall scrapers supported on these conduits. A vibratile screen preferably is interposed between the foraminous member and the upper end of the funnel to assist in deagglomeration of the falling particles and in obtaining uniform feeding of the material.
Abstract:
A feeder for feeding particulate, thermoplastic material in a gaseous suspension to spray means. The feeder includes a hopper section at an upstream end thereof, and an elongate trough section extending downstream from the hopper section and separated from the hopper section by a gate. The trough section is subdivided into a plurality of channels by transversely spaced, elongate partitions. A delivery conduit is in separate communication with each of the channels, and a vacuum creating means is associated with each delivery conduit for creating a region of partial vacuum in commmunication with each channel when a gaseous medium is passed therethrough for aiding in drawing the particulate material into each of the delivery conduits from the channels to form separate gaseous suspensions of the particulate maerial.
Abstract:
An arrangement for spray coating components with a dry material, such as powder, or a wet material, such as paint, includes a removable and replaceable supply container for the material in which the material is circulated and is supplied to a feeding trough through a regulatable discharge opening. Within the container and the feeding trough the material is selectively vibrated and then delivered to an injector where compressed air is added and the mixture of compressed air and material is conveyed through a closed passageway to a spray gun equipped with high-voltage electrodes at its outlet. The arrangement includes a control panel for selecting the voltage and polarity at the spray gun outlet and for regulating the vibration effect and the supply of air provided to the apparatus.