Panel-mounted electrostatic spray nozzle system

Abstract

An electrostatic spray nozzle assembly mounted to a panel made of insulating material. The electrostatic spray nozzle assembly includes a nozzle cap having a nozzle outlet, and a liquid tip assembly having a liquid inlet adapted to be connected to a source of coating composition, and a liquid outlet adapted to dispense the coating composition through the nozzle outlet of the nozzle cap. The electrostatic spray nozzle assembly further includes a nozzle body, a first side of the nozzle body adapted to be coupled to the nozzle cap, and a substantially electrically non-conductive panel being positioned between the nozzle body and the nozzle cap. The substantially electrically non-conductive panel is adapted to accumulate an electrostatic charge having a same polarity as that of the coating composition dispensed during a spray operation. Further deposition of spray droplets onto the panel is prevented by electrostatic repulsion forces due to the accumulation of sufficient charge onto the surface of the electrically non-conductive panel from an initial deposit of a small volume of spray.

1 . An electrostatic spray nozzle assembly comprising: 
 a nozzle cap having a nozzle outlet;    an electrode;    a liquid tip assembly having a liquid inlet adapted to be connected to a source of coating composition, and a liquid outlet adapted to dispense the coating composition through the nozzle outlet of the nozzle cap;    a nozzle body, a first side of the nozzle body adapted to be coupled to the nozzle cap;    an electrically insulating panel being positioned between the nozzle body and the nozzle cap; and    at least one sealing surface to inhibit current flow between the electrode of the electrostatic spray nozzle assembly and a pathway to a potential difference.    
     
     
         2 . The electrostatic spray nozzle assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the electrically insulating panel comprises a substantially electrically non-conductive panel.  
     
     
         3 . The electrostatic spray nozzle assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the electrically insulating panel is adapted to accumulate an electrostatic charge having a same polarity as that of the coating composition dispensed during a spray operation.  
     
     
         4 . The electrostatic spray nozzle assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the spray nozzle further comprises: 
 an air cap having an air cap outlet, the air cap being positioned between the nozzle cap and the first side of the nozzle body.    
     
     
         5 . The electrostatic spray nozzle assembly of  claim 4 , wherein the air cap comprises an electrode adapted to induce a charge to the coating composition.  
     
     
         6 . The electrostatic spray nozzle assembly of  claim 4 , wherein the air cap is adapted to be removable from the spray nozzle assembly.  
     
     
         7 . The electrostatic spray nozzle assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the liquid tip assembly is adapted to be removable from the spray nozzle assembly.  
     
     
         8 . The electrostatic spray nozzle assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the liquid tip assembly is adapted to be positioned into and held concentric with a central air channel bore of the nozzle body.  
     
     
         9 . The electrostatic spray nozzle assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the liquid tip assembly further includes at least one air channel cut along a length of the liquid tip assembly, the at least one air channel cut adapted to allow air to flow around the liquid outlet.  
     
     
         10 . The electrostatic spray nozzle assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the nozzle body includes an air inlet being adapted to provide the air to the at least one air channel.  
     
     
         11 . The electrostatic spray nozzle assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one sealing surface is positioned between the nozzle body and the electrically insulating panel.  
     
     
         12 . The electrostatic spray nozzle assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one sealing surface is fixedly mounted to the insulating panel and is adapted to provide a liquid seal between the nozzle body and the electrically insulating panel.  
     
     
         13 . The electrostatic spray nozzle assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one sealing surface is adapted to provide electrical isolation between the nozzle body and the electrically insulating panel.  
     
     
         14 . The electrostatic spray nozzle assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one sealing surface is positioned between the nozzle cap and the electrically insulating panel.  
     
     
         15 . The electrostatic spray nozzle assembly of  claim 14 , wherein the at least one sealing surface is adapted to provide a liquid seal between the nozzle cap and the electrically insulating panel.  
     
     
         16 . The electrostatic spray nozzle assembly of  claim 14 , wherein the at least one sealing surface is adapted to provide electrical isolation between the nozzle cap and the electrically insulating panel.  
     
     
         17 . The electrostatic spray nozzle assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the electrically insulating panel comprises a nozzle mounting surface of a nozzle drum.  
     
     
         18 . The electrostatic spray nozzle assembly of  claim 17 , wherein the nozzle drum is adapted for oscillatory movement about a pivot axis.  
     
     
         19 . The electrostatic spray nozzle assembly of  claim 17 , wherein the nozzle drum is formed of an electrically insulating material.  
     
     
         20 . The electrostatic spray nozzle assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the nozzle body is pivotally mounted within a socket of the electrically insulating panel.  
     
     
         21 . The electrostatic spray nozzle assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the nozzle body is formed of a substantially electrically non-conductive material.  
     
     
         22 . The electrostatic spray nozzle assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the electrically insulating panel includes a void adapted to allow a portion of the nozzle body to be mounted therethrough.  
     
     
         23 . The electrostatic spray nozzle of  claim 1 , wherein the electrically insulating panel is adapted for fixed attachment to the nozzle body.  
     
     
         24 . The electrostatic spray nozzle of  claim 1 , wherein the electrically insulating panel is adapted for fixed attachment to the nozzle cap.  
     
     
         25 . The electrostatic spray nozzle of  claim 1 , wherein the electrically insulating panel is adapted for mounting the nozzle body at a particular orientation.  
     
     
         26 . The electrostatic spray nozzle of  claim 1 , wherein the potential difference comprises a ground.  
     
     
         27 . An electrostatic spray nozzle assembly comprising: 
 a nozzle cap having a nozzle outlet;    an electrode;    a liquid tip assembly having a liquid inlet adapted to be connected to a source of coating composition, and a liquid outlet adapted to dispense the coating composition through the nozzle outlet of the nozzle cap;    a nozzle body, a first side of the nozzle body adapted to be coupled to the nozzle cap;    an electrically insulating panel positioned between the nozzle body and the nozzle cap, the nozzle body being pivotally mounted to the electrically insulating panel; and    at least one sealing surface to inhibit current flow between the electrode of the electrostatic spray nozzle assembly and a pathway to a potential difference.    
     
     
         28 . The electrostatic spray nozzle assembly of  claim 27 , wherein the electrically insulating panel comprises a substantially electrically non-conductive panel.  
     
     
         29 . The electrostatic spray nozzle assembly of  claim 27 , wherein the electrically insulating panel is adapted to accumulate an electrostatic charge having a same polarity as that of the coating composition dispensed during a spray operation.  
     
     
         30 . The electrostatic spray nozzle assembly of  claim 27 , wherein the spray nozzle further comprises: 
 an air cap having an air cap outlet, the air cap being positioned between the nozzle cap and the first side of the nozzle body.    
     
     
         31 . The electrostatic spray nozzle assembly of  claim 30 , wherein the air cap comprises an electrode adapted to induce a charge to the coating composition.  
     
     
         32 . The electrostatic spray nozzle assembly of  claim 30 , wherein the air cap is adapted to be removable from the spray nozzle assembly.  
     
     
         33 . The electrostatic spray nozzle assembly of  claim 27 , wherein the liquid tip assembly is adapted to be removable from the spray nozzle assembly.  
     
     
         34 . The electrostatic spray nozzle assembly of  claim 27 , wherein the liquid tip assembly is adapted to be positioned into and held concentric with a central air channel bore of the nozzle body.  
     
     
         35 . The electrostatic spray nozzle assembly of  claim 27 , wherein the at least one sealing surface is positioned between the nozzle body and the electrically insulating panel.  
     
     
         36 . The electrostatic spray nozzle assembly of  claim 27 , wherein the at least one sealing surface is fixedly mounted to the insulating panel and is adapted to provide a liquid seal between the nozzle body and the electrically insulating panel.  
     
     
         37 . The electrostatic spray nozzle assembly of  claim 27 , wherein the at least one sealing surface is adapted to provide electrical isolation between the nozzle body and the electrically insulating panel.  
     
     
         38 . The electrostatic spray nozzle assembly of  claim 27 , wherein the at least one sealing surface is positioned between the nozzle cap and the electrically insulating panel.  
     
     
         39 . The electrostatic spray nozzle assembly of  claim 27 , wherein the at least one sealing surface is adapted to provide a liquid seal between the nozzle cap and the electrically insulating panel.  
     
     
         40 . The electrostatic spray nozzle assembly of  claim 27 , wherein the at least one sealing surface is adapted to provide electrical isolation between the nozzle cap and the electrically insulating panel.  
     
     
         41 . The electrostatic spray nozzle assembly of  claim 27 , wherein the nozzle body is pivotally mounted within a socket of the electrically insulating panel.  
     
     
         42 . The electrostatic spray nozzle assembly of  claim 27 , wherein the nozzle body is formed of a substantially electrically non-conductive material.  
     
     
         43 . The electrostatic spray nozzle of  claim 27 , wherein the electrically insulating panel is adapted for mounting the nozzle body at a particular orientation.  
     
     
         44 . The electrostatic spray nozzle of  claim 27 , wherein the potential difference comprises a ground.