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:
A METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ATOMIZING AND SPRAYING LIQUIDS SUCH AS FUEL, PAINT OR WATER IN THE FORM OF MINUTE DROPLETS UTILIZING A SMALL AMOUNT OF AIR TO PROVIDE THE ATOMIZING FORCE. THE LIQUID UNDER A PRESSURE OF FROM 30-100 PSI IS CAUSED TO FLOW IN A THIN FILM. STREAMS OF GAS AT A SLIGHTLY HIGHER PRESSURE ARE INPINGED AGAINST THE LIQUID FILM SO THAT THE GAS IS SHEARED INTO MICROBUBBLES WHICH ARE ENTRAINED IN THE LIQUID TO FORM A FROTH IN WHICH THE LIQUID IS THE CONTINUOUS PHASE, AND IN WHICH THE AIR TO LIQUID MASS RATIO IS FROM 0.1 TO 1.6. THE FROTH FLOWS THROUGH A SPACE IN WHICH THE PRESSURE DECREASES AS THE FROTH MOVES TOWARD A NOZZLE. DURING THIS FLOW THE FROTH BECOMES HOMOGENEOUS. THE FROTH IS DISCHARGED THROUGH A NOZZLE WHEREUPON THE AIR BUBBLES EXPLODE RUPTURING THE LIQUID FILM AND CAUSING THE LIQUID TO DISINTEGRATE INTO FINELY ATOMIZED
DROPS. THE APPARATUS FOR CARRYING OUT THIS METHOD COMPRISES A LIQUID FILM-FORMING CHANNEL CONNECTED TO A LIQUID INLET LINE SUPPLIED WITH LIQUID UNDER PRESSURE, AN AIR INJECTION CHANNEL TERMINATING ADJACENT TO THE LIQUID FLOW CHANNEL, A FLOW SPACE INTERCONNECTING THE LUQID FILM CHANNEL AND A NOZZLE ORIFICE. IN THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT THE FILM-FORMING CHANNEL IS ANNULAR WITH AIR BEING INJECTED FROM THE OUTSIDE OF THE CHANNEL. IN A MODIFICATION THE LIQUID FILM-FORMING CHANNEL IS PLANAR WITH AIR BEING INJECTED INTO THE FILM FROM ONE OR BOTH SIDES OF THE CHANNEL.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus for spraying a coating material such as paint, in a flat fan pattern. In the gun a stream of paint under a relatively low pressure is caused to flow in an annular film. Streams of gas at a slightly higher pressure are directed against the paint film so that the gas is sheared into microbubbles which are entrained in the paint stream to form a froth. The froth flows through a chamber in which the bubbles disperse uniformly in the paint and is then discharged through a narrow slit nozzle effective to give it a fan shape. As the froth is released to atmospheric pressure, the microbubbles of air expand rapidly and rupture, causing the paint to disintegrate into finely atomized drops. The apparatus includes a cooperating orifice plate and collar which define a thin annular paint flow channel; and a plurality of air injection channels which intersect the paint flow channel. Air is introduced through these channels and is directed against the paint film. In the preferred gun, the nozzle includes a hemispherical endwise portion provided with an elongated discharge slot. A protuberance or ball is disposed within the nozzle and deflects the froth so that the froth passes through a relatively narrow passageway between the ball and nozzle. A modified gun includes a conventional airless flat fan orifice; and does not utilize an internal ball.