Powder paint spray coating apparatus having selectable, modular spray applicators
First Claim
1. Electrostatic spray apparatus for applying a powder paint coating to substrates, said apparatus comprising:
- universal main wrist receptacle means removably affixed to the end of a multi-axially controllable arm, said receptacle means having attached thereto;
a modular rotary bell cup powder spray applicator, said receptacle means also having connection means to which a modular powder spray gun applicator is optionally and removably affixed, said apparatus having means for spatially switching from one said applicator to the other applicator such that a selected one of said applicators is positioned adjacent said substrate for coating, on command, and including control means for selectively controlling the supply of said spray powder to a selected one of said applicators, on command.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
Apparatus for the electrostatic powder paint spray coating of substrates, such as automotive vehicles, is provided. The apparatus includes modular applicators which are mountable into a programmable, robotically controlled housing. The modular applicators are switchable into and out of an operational mode on command, to facilitate different optimal coating procedures for coating differing surfaces, ranging from large, open surfaces to smaller, highly irregular substrate surfaces. The applicator heads may be spatially switchable on command from, for example, a bell cup spray applicator to a spray gun applicator. Flow control to each applicator is preferably enhanced using selectable pneumatically controlled pinch valves.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. Electrostatic spray apparatus for applying a powder paint coating to substrates, said apparatus comprising:
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universal main wrist receptacle means removably affixed to the end of a multi-axially controllable arm, said receptacle means having attached thereto;
a modular rotary bell cup powder spray applicator, said receptacle means also having connection means to which a modular powder spray gun applicator is optionally and removably affixed, said apparatus having means for spatially switching from one said applicator to the other applicator such that a selected one of said applicators is positioned adjacent said substrate for coating, on command, and including control means for selectively controlling the supply of said spray powder to a selected one of said applicators, on command. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. Electrostatic spray apparatus for applying a powder coating to substrates, said apparatus including a control valve which controls the flow of powder supplied to a coating applicator,
wherein said control valve is a pneumatically sealable pinch valve.
Specification