Acoustically enhanced paint application
First Claim
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1. A method of coating a substrate comprising the steps of:
- applying a liquid polymeric layer to an area of the substrate; and
directing a main lobe of an acoustic pressure field to impinge on said liquid polymeric layer applied to said area, said step of directing being carried out from a position that causes said main lobe to be substantially perpendicular to said liquid polymeric layer applied to said area, said step of directing being carried out simultaneously with said step of applying.
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Abstract
The present invention is a method of coating a substrate. First, a layer of liquid polymeric coating having a pigment and a solvent is applied to the substrate. An ultrasonic acoustic source is then provided and operated at a frequency of from about above 40 kHz to provide an acoustic pressure field and an it acoustic pressure of above 190 dB and directing the main lobe of the acoustic pressure field toward the layer of liquid polymeric coating. This acoustic pressure field reduces the gradient in and smoothes any uneven surface features in the liquid polymeric coating.
18 Citations
17 Claims
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1. A method of coating a substrate comprising the steps of:
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applying a liquid polymeric layer to an area of the substrate; and
directing a main lobe of an acoustic pressure field to impinge on said liquid polymeric layer applied to said area, said step of directing being carried out from a position that causes said main lobe to be substantially perpendicular to said liquid polymeric layer applied to said area, said step of directing being carried out simultaneously with said step of applying. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17)
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15. A method of coating a substrate comprising the steps of:
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spraying a liquid polymeric layer, comprising a polymer selected from the group consisting of polyolefins, polyurethanes and epoxies and a pigment and a solvent, onto an area of the substrate from a position that is spaced apart from the substrate, wherein said liquid polymeric layer has a thickness and said thickness has a gradient, and said liquid polymeric layer has an uneven surface;
providing an ultrasonic acoustic source approximately aligned with said position;
operating, simultaneously with said step of applying, said ultrasonic acoustic source at a frequency above 20 kHz to provide an acoustic pressure field having a main lobe defined by an angular width thereof; and
aligning, simultaneously with said step of applying, said ultrasonic acoustic source such that said main lobe is directed toward said liquid polymeric layer to apply an acoustic pressure of about 190 dB on said liquid polymeric layer, said step of aligning further being carried out such that said main lobe is directed approximately perpendicular to said liquid polymeric layer with said angular width of said main lobe covering said area of the substrate as said liquid polymeric layer is being applied thereto;
whereby said acoustic pressure field reduces said gradient and smoothes said uneven surface of the liquid polymeric layer.
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16. A method of coating a substrate comprising the steps of:
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applying a liquid polymeric layer to an area of the substrate from a position that is spaced apart from the substrate, wherein said liquid polymeric layer has a thickness and said thickness has a gradient, and said liquid polymeric layer has an uneven surface;
providing an ultrasonic acoustic source approximately aligned with said position;
operating, simultaneously with said step of applying, said ultrasonic acoustic source at a frequency above 20 kHz to provide an acoustic pressure field having a main lobe defined by an angular width thereof; and
aligning, simultaneously with said step of applying, said ultrasonic acoustic source such that said main lobe is directed toward said liquid polymeric layer and is approximately perpendicular to said liquid polymeric layer with said angular width of said main lobe covering said area of the substrate as said liquid polymeric layer is being applied thereto;
whereby said acoustic pressure field reduces said gradient and smoothes said uneven surface of the liquid polymeric layer.
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Specification