Patent Application
20160051997
The invention relates generally to an electrostatic spray system.
Electrostatic tools spray electrically charged materials to more efficiently coat objects. For example, electrostatic tools may be used to paint objects. In operation, a grounded target attracts electrically charged materials sprayed from an electrostatic spray system. As the electrically charged material contacts the grounded target, the material loses the electrical charge.
These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood when the following detailed description is read with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like characters represent like parts throughout the drawings, wherein:
One or more specific embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below. In an effort to provide a concise description of these embodiments, all features of an actual implementation may not be described in the specification. It should be appreciated that in the development of any such actual implementation, as in any engineering or design project, numerous implementation-specific decisions must be made to achieve the developers' specific goals, such as compliance with system-related and business-related constraints, which may vary from one implementation to another. Moreover, it should be appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and time consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking of design, fabrication, and manufacture for those of ordinary skill having the benefit of this disclosure.
When introducing elements of various embodiments of the present disclosure, the articles “a,” “an,” “the,” and “said” are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms “comprising,” “including,” and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements. Any examples of operating parameters and/or environmental conditions are not exclusive of other parameters/conditions of the disclosed embodiments.
The present disclosure is generally directed to a portable and/or wearable electrostatic spray system (e.g., an electrostatic backpack spray system) that enables a mobile operator to simultaneously pressurize and electrically charge fluid during spraying operations (e.g., spraying plants). For example, the electrostatic spray system may include a manual actuator (e.g., lever, a wheel, a pedal, a pull-string, or any combination thereof) that couples to a compressor (e.g., pump) and to a power supply system. In operation, the compressor uses the mechanical motion of the manual actuator to pressurize a fluid in a tank, while the power supply system uses the mechanical motion to generate electricity. In some embodiments, the power supply system may use the mechanical power of the manual actuator to generate electricity in combination with electricity from another source (e.g., a battery, a photovoltaic cell, an electric generator, a capacitor, an electric generator driven by an internal combustion engine, and/or an external electrical energy source). In other embodiments, the electrostatic spray system may only use electrical power from a battery, a photovoltaic cell, an electrical generator, a capacitor, an electric generator driven by an internal combustion engine, and/or an external electrical energy source (e.g., a power cord coupled to an outlet) to electrically charge the fluid exiting the electrostatic spray system.
In order to charge the fluid, the power supply system 20 may include a power source 22, a cascade 24, and a controller 26. Depending on the embodiment, the power source may be a battery, a photovoltaic cell, an electric generator driven by a mechanical driver, an electrical generator driven by an internal combustion engine, a capacitor, and/or an external electrical energy source 27 that couples to the electrostatic spray system 10 through an outlet 28. In operation, the controller 26 may use a processor 30 that executes instructions stored by the memory 32 to control the delivery of the electrical signal or current (e.g., control amount of power, convert alternating current into direct current) from the power source 22 to the cascade 24. As the cascade 24 receives the electrical signal, the cascade 24 increases the voltage enabling electrostatic charging of the fluid. In some embodiments, the controller 26 may also execute instructions to control the increase in voltage of the electrical signal by the cascade 24. After passing through the cascade 24, the electrical signal passes through conductive cables 34 that conduct the electrical signal to the tank 12 and/or a hose 36, wherein the electrical signal charges the fluid. In some embodiments, the electrostatic spray system 10 may include a grounding device 25 to complete the electrical circuit and ground an operator. For example, the grounding device 25 may be a metal chain, metal wire, etc. that couples to the electrostatic spray system 10 or operator and is dragged along the ground.
As illustrated, the hose 36 couples to the tank 34 and directs fluid flow out of the tank 12. For example, the hose 36 may be a flexible hose that enables the operator to control the direction of the fluid spray. To facilitate discharge of the fluid, the electrostatic spray system 10 may include a compressor 38 that pumps a gas (e.g., air) into the tank, which pressurizes the fluid. The pressure within the tank 12 then drives the fluid out of the tank 12 through the hose 36 and towards a target. As illustrated, the compressor 38 couples to a manual actuator 40 (e.g., lever), which enables the operator to actuate the compressor 38 and increase pressure within the tank 40. More specifically, the operator may rotate the manual actuator 40 in clockwise and counter clockwise directions 42 and 44, which rotates the manual actuator 40 about the axis 46. In some embodiments, the manual actuator 40 may also couple to a mechanical driver 48 that drives power production by a power source 22. For example, the mechanically driver 48 may be a cam or gear coupled to one or more shafts 50 that drive a magnet within an electric generator. Accordingly, the operator may simultaneously pressurize and electrically charge the fluid by moving the manual actuator 40, which actuates the compressor 38 and the mechanical driver 48.
As illustrated, mechanical driver 48 may be a cam 72 that couples to the first and second shafts 66 and 68 with respective pins 74 and 76. The cam 72 includes an aperture 77 that enables the cam 72 to couple to the manual actuator 40. In operation, rotation of the manual actuator 40 rotates the cam 72 about the axis 46. As the cam 72 rotates, about the axis 46, in the clockwise and counter-clockwise directions 42, 44, the cam 72 drives the first and second shafts 66 and 68 into and out of the cavity 70 in axial directions 78 and 80. For example, as the cam 72 rotates in the clockwise direction 42, the cam 72 drives the first shaft 66 into the cavity 70, while simultaneously retracting the second shaft 68. Likewise, when the cam 72 rotates in the counter-clockwise direction 44, cam 72 drives the second shaft 68 into the cavity 70 while simultaneously retracting the first shaft 66. The alternating motion of the first and second shafts 66 and 68 enables the magnet 56 to move axially within the cavity 70 and therefore in and out of the stator coils 60 that circumferentially surround the cavity 70. The changing magnetic field, induced by the motion of the permanent magnet 56 within the cavity 70, forms an electrical signal (e.g., current) within the stator coils 60 that travels from the stator coils 60 to the controller 26. As the electrical signal enters the controller 26, the controller 26 adjusts the electrical signal (e.g., convert alternating current into direct current). The electrical signal then exits the controller 26 and enters the cascade 24. In the cascade 24, the voltage of the electrical signal is increased and then transmitted through the cable 34 to the tank 12 and/or hose 36 to electrically charge the fluid. In some embodiments, the power supply system 20 may include a battery or capacitor 82 that stores electrical power generated by the electrical generator 54 (e.g., when the electrical generator 54 produces excess power). The controller 26 may then release the electrical power to the cascade to electrically charge the fluid or supplement power production by the electric generator 54. In some embodiments, the battery or capacitor 82 may receive power from another power source (e.g., photovoltaic cell, external power source) enabling the controller 26 to supplement or replace power production by the electric generator 54.
As explained above, the electrostatic spray system (e.g., an electrostatic backpack spray system) enables a mobile operator to simultaneously pressurize and electrically charge fluid during spraying operations (e.g., spraying plants). Indeed, the mechanical power from the manual actuator enables the power supply system to generate electricity that electrically charges the fluid. The compressor likewise uses the mechanical power of the manual actuator to pressurize the tank enabling the electrostatic spray system to spray fluid.
While only certain features of the invention have been illustrated and described herein, many modifications and changes will occur to those skilled in the art. It is, therefore, to be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit of the invention.
This application claims priority to and benefit of U.S. Application No. 62/041,440 entitled “Electrostatic Spray System,” filed on Aug. 25, 2014, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62041440 | Aug 2014 | US |
