Abstract:
Systems and methods for coating medical devices are provided that allow for relatively precise control over the deposition area and coating uniformity with improved efficiency. A microdrop source is used to provide a flow of coating microdrops. A charging electrode disposed near the outlet of the coating source gives each microdrop an electrostatic charge. As the microdrop travels toward the medical device to be coated, a control electrode alters the trajectory of the microdrop. The invention can include a scanner to scan or image the medical device as the coating is applied and a control system to adjust parameters of the deposition process based on information provided by the scanner.
Abstract:
An electrostatic atomizer is disclosed, which includes an electrode or other charge injection device and a source of liquid for passing a stream of liquid past the charge injection device to a variable orifice. The variable orifice is defined between at least two elements, which are movable with respect to each other. A compact stove incorporating the atomizer includes a support for supporting articles to be heated by the burning of atomized fuel. The variable orifice may be used in the stove to control the flow, and therefore thermal output, of the stove.
Abstract:
An electrostatic spray gun comprising a housing (32) for receiving a replaceable collapsible container, a nozzle (39) from which fluid is to be sprayed, squeeze grip mechanism (36, 35, 34) for compressing the container to feed fluid to the nozzle and high voltage contacts (38a, 38b) for applying electrostatic potential to the fluid such that the fluid issues from the nozzle in the form of an electrically charged atomized spray, wherein the nozzle (39) forms or is fed by a resealable delivery valve having inner (11) and outer valve members (12) with fluid fed to a gap between them by the compression of the container, from which gap the fluid emerges to form the spray and the gap being closable, desirably with a wipping, fluid-cleaning action, by relative movement of the members.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus for producing nanodrops which are liquid drops with diameters less than one micron and producing therefrom solid nanoparticles and uniform and patterned film deposits. A liquid precursor is placed in an open ended tube within which is a solid electrically conductive needle which protrudes beyond the open end of the tube. Surface tension of the liquid at the tube end prevents the liquid from flowing from the tube. Mutually repulsive electric charges are injected into the liquid through the needle, causing the surface tension to be overcome to produce a plurality of liquid jets which break up into nanodrops.
Abstract:
An electrospray coating head system for applying thin coating to a substrate comprising a slot or blade to meter a liquid onto a shaping structure which forces the liquid to have a single continuous and substantially constant radius of curvature around the shaping structure. A voltage applied to the liquid around the shaping structure causes the liquid to produce a series of filaments which are spatially and temporally fixed, the number of filaments being defined by a simple adjustment in the applied voltage. The filaments break up into a uniform mist of charge droplets and are driven to a substrate by electric fields to produce a coating. Also a method for electrospray coating wherein liquid to be coated is dispensed from a metering portion to a lower shaping means where it achieves a single continuous and substantially constant radius of curvature, a voltage is applied to produce a series of filaments of the liquid which are spatially and temporally fixed, and the filaments break up into a uniform mist of charge droplets.
Abstract:
A fluid dispenser is provided including a reservoir for a fluid material, at least one sealable chamber capable of receiving material from the reservoir, a closure valve device between the chamber and a fluid outlet from the dispenser and a pumping device for pressurizing any fluid material in the chamber, the chamber including at least one resilient wall portion arranged to be deformed by pressurizing of the fluid material.
Abstract:
Liquid to be dispensed is supplied to a dispensing nozzle (88) from a compressible container (30) such as a sachet with a valve-controlled outlet (66) by compressing the sachet through the agency of a pad (46) of resiliently deformable material. The dispensing device is embodied in a hand held unit having a trigger (102) and electrical circuitry (91, 96, 106, 98, 106) for applying high voltage to the liquid in order to effect dispensing of the liquid in the form of an electrostatically charged, atomised spray.
Abstract:
A system and method for electrostatic coating of articles with paint particularly suited for coating irregular surfaces from a substantial distance. Water-borne conductive paint may be handled from an electrically grounded supply. Plural paint particle charging mechanisms are established by a DC potential applied to an electrode physically divorced from the paint stream. The articles being coated are electrically charged.
Abstract:
An improved construction for a hand operated electrostatic spray coating device of the so-called airless type in which atomization is effected by the interaction of a high speed fluid stream with air, including a self-contained electrogasdynamic generator as a power source for charging the spray and maintaining an electrostatic depositing field and a pneumatically assisted fluid valve mechanism operatively responsive to at least a portion of the air flowing through the electrogasdynamic generator.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus for spraying paint and similar coatings. In one form the paint is sprayed at low pressure from a flat fan nozzle. A flat fan of air impinges upon the fan of paint at an angle of from 30*-70*. The air atomizes the paint to form a soft spray with low-forward velocity. In another form of the method, two fans of paint are projected toward one another at an angle and an air fan is directed along the bisector toward the zone of intersection. The air fan atomizes both streams of paint. An electrode can be placed in the air stream to ionize the air stream which in turn charges the paint particles. The width of the paint spray pattern is varied by varying the included angle of the air fan. A spray gun is disclosed having two tubular paint nozzles for projecting two fan-shaped fans of paint. An air nozzle is mounted between the paint nozzles for projecting a fan of air against the paint fans to atomize the paint. The air nozzle is adjustable to provide air fans of different angles for varying the width of the paint spray pattern. An electrode is disposed in the air nozzle for ionizing the air stream. This electrode is energized through a resistor and flexible cable. The cable is spring-urged toward the resistor so that when the resistor is removed, the cable shifts causing a safety switch to open deenergizing the gun. When a nozzle mounting member is removed, the cable and surrounding tube are shifted forwardly to automatically close a valve to seal off the air and electrical conduits. Removable caps are provided on the ends of the tubular paint nozzles for facilitating cleaning of the nozzles.