Enhanced electrostatic paint deposition method and apparatus
US5086972A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 1, 1990 |
| Grant date | Feb 11, 1992 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 1, 2010 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB05B5/0533
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
An enhanced electrostatic paint deposition apparatus (10) comprising a nozzle (16), a conduit (14) coupled to the nozzle for supplying paint (12) thereto, and a plurality of electrically conductive whiskers (18) positioned within the nozzle for applying an electrostatic charge to droplets of the paint. Each of the whiskers terminates in a jagged end (30) for enabling the droplets to acquire an enhanced electric charge. The whiskers may be provided with lengths which are tailored to provide an array of whiskers with a desired three-dimensional curvature for controlling the focussing field on the paint droplets. Each whisker is secured to a holder (22) which is, in turn, secured to a porous grid (20) whose mesh size is selected to divide that paint into narrow streams of desired size, which exit nozzle 16 in droplet form. The holder is configured by decreasing its center portion (28) in dimension to tume the holder's current limiting capabilities. Pulsed negative high voltage is applied to the whiskers for enabling them to negatively charge the paint. Phased deflector plates 22, 24, 26 are provided to steer the paint stream.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.