Abstract:
Apparatus and methods for electrostatically coating a workpiece in which a spray of atomized coating material particles is charged electrically and thereafter confined within a surrounding shroud of moving air to control dispersal of the charged particles and to increase the charge potential carried by the particles. The shroud of air issues from the spray apparatus as a multiplicity of separate airstreams that extend toward the workpiece to be coated a distance sufficient to confine the charge particles against electrostatic attraction to objects other than the workpiece. Electrostatic charges are imparted to the coating material particles by a rearwardly directed corona discharge established between a corona electrode positioned in the spray path and the spray head. An air-operated switch energizes the corona electrode upon the flow of air to the spray head, thus preventing sparking between the corona electrode and the spray head by ensuring that the corona electrode is immersed in an airflow prior to being energized.
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.
Abstract:
The invention is directed to air-liquid atomizing nozzles, particularly for electrostatic paint spray systems. The nozzle of the invention is characterized by having an annular liquid discharge opening closely surrounded by an annular air discharge opening. The arrangement of the air discharge opening is such that the air, while being discharged in a generally cylindrical flow, is caused and permitted immediately to contract in diameter in front of the nozzle, and thereafter to gradually expand in diameter to form a desired paint spray pattern.