Particle spray apparatus and method
First Claim
1. A method comprising the steps of directing a flow of air with particles entrained therein toward a workpiece, deflecting at least a portion of the flow of air with particles entrained therein with a deflector, said step of deflecting at least a portion of the flow of air with particles entrained therein with a deflector includes conducting a flow of air with particles entrained therein along a first surface area on the deflector at a first volumetric flow rate of particles, and simultaneously therewith conducting a flow of air with particles entrained therein along a second surface area on the deflector at a second volumetric flow rate of particles, said second volumetric flow rate of particles being greater than said first volumetric flow rate of particles.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus for use in directing a flow of air with particles entrained therein toward a workpiece includes a nozzle and a deflector. The nozzle has a passage with a noncircular cross sectional configuration. The deflector has an outer side surface with a circular cross sectional configuration. A flow of air with particles of powder entrained therein is conducted along outer surface areas on the deflector at a first volumetric flow rate. A flow of air with particles of powder entrained therein is conducted along outer surface areas on the deflector at a second volumetric flow rate which is greater than the first flow rate. The deflector includes a porous member which is releasably connected with a main portion of the deflector to facilitate cleaning and provide access to the interior of the deflector. Seal members are provided between an electrode sheet, the porous member, and the main portion of the deflector.
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Citations
35 Claims
- 1. A method comprising the steps of directing a flow of air with particles entrained therein toward a workpiece, deflecting at least a portion of the flow of air with particles entrained therein with a deflector, said step of deflecting at least a portion of the flow of air with particles entrained therein with a deflector includes conducting a flow of air with particles entrained therein along a first surface area on the deflector at a first volumetric flow rate of particles, and simultaneously therewith conducting a flow of air with particles entrained therein along a second surface area on the deflector at a second volumetric flow rate of particles, said second volumetric flow rate of particles being greater than said first volumetric flow rate of particles.
- 6. A method comprising the steps of directing a flow of air with particles entrained therein toward a workpiece, deflecting at least a portion of the flow of air with particles entrained therein with a deflector, said step of deflecting at least a portion of the flow of air with particles entrained therein with a deflector includes conducting a flow of air with particles entrained therein along a first surface area on the deflector at a first volumetric flow rate of particles, simultaneously therewith conducting a flow of air with particles entrained therein along a second surface area on the deflector at the first volumetric flow rate of particles, simultaneously therewith conducting a flow of air with particles entrained therein along a third surface area on the deflector at a second volumetric flow rate of particles, said second volumetric flow rate of particles being greater than said first volumetric flow rate of particles, and simultaneously therewith conducting a flow of air with particles entrained therein along a fourth surface area on the deflector at the second volumetric flow rate of particles.
- 11. An apparatus for use in directing a flow of air with particles entrained therein toward a workpiece, said apparatus comprising a housing, a nozzle connected with said housing, said nozzle having a passage through which the flow of air with particles entrained therein is conducted, said passage having a noncircular cross sectional configuration in a plane perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of said passage, and a deflector connected with said housing and disposed in a coaxial relationship with said nozzle, said deflector having an outer side surface which is engaged by the flow of air with particles entrained therein, said outer side surface of said deflector having a circular cross sectional configuration in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal central axis of said passage, said nozzle includes a pair of parallel inner side surfaces which at least partially define said passage through which the flow of air with particles entrained therein is conducted.
- 22. An apparatus for use in directing a flow of air with particles entrained therein toward a workpiece, said apparatus comprising a housing, a nozzle connected with said housing, said nozzle having a passage through which the flow of air with particles entrained therein is conducted to a spray orifice, said passage having a noncircular cross sectional configuration in a plane perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of said passage, said noncircular cross section extending at least along a portion of the passage which terminates in said spray orifice, and a deflector connected with said housing and disposed in a coaxial relationship with said nozzle in front of said spray orifice, said deflector having an outer side surface which is engaged by the flow of air with particles entrained therein, said outer side surface of said deflector having a circular cross sectional configuration in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal central axis of said passage.
- 27. An apparatus for use in directing a flow of air with particles entrained therein toward a workpiece, said apparatus comprising a nozzle having an opening through which the flow of air with particles entrained therein leaves said nozzle, said opening having a noncircular cross sectional configuration in a plane perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of said nozzle, and a deflector connected with said nozzle, said deflector having an outer side surface which is engaged by the flow of air with particles entrained therein, said outer side surface of said deflector having a cross sectional configuration in a plane perpendicular to a longitudinal central axis of said nozzle which is different than the noncircular cross sectional configuration of said openings, wherein said opening from said outer end portion of said nozzle has first and second side surface areas which are spaced a first distance from the longitudinal central axis of said nozzle and third and fourth side surface areas which are spaced a second distance from a longitudinal central axis of said nozzle, said second distance being smaller than said first distance.
- 30. An apparatus for use in directing a flow of air with particles entrained therein toward a workpiece, said apparatus comprising a housing having a passage through which the flow of air with particles entrained therein is conducted, said housing includes a structure having openings through which said passage extends, a portion of said passage downstream from said structure having a noncircular cross sectional configuration in a plane perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of said passage, and a deflector connected with and supported by said structure, said deflector having an outer side surface which is engaged by the flow of air with particles entrained therein, at least a portion of said outer side surface of said deflector having a circular cross sectional configuration in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal central axis of said passage.
Specification