Patent Application
20160175861
Provided are nozzle assemblies along with related systems and methods for controlled fluid delivery systems. More particularly, the provided nozzle assemblies are for use in spray guns, spray gun platforms, and spray head assemblies.
Handheld spray guns are commonly used in a variety of commercial and industrial applications. Such spray guns can be used with any of a number of coating media, including primers, paints, clearcoat, slurries, fine powders, and other fluid media capable of being atomized and directed through a spray nozzle onto a substrate. Notable applications for spray guns include painting and texturizing architectural surfaces such as walls and ceilings, as well as painting and body repair for marine and automotive exteriors.
The foregoing spray guns typically have a gun platform connected with a compressed air source and liquid passageway in communication with a spray nozzle. The air and liquid are generally directed into a flow channel, where the air atomizes the liquid into fine droplets that are propelled through the nozzle. One nuisance associated with such traditional spray guns is the accumulation of the coating media on the exterior and interior surfaces of the gun. Unless meticulously cleaned between operations, dried coating media can adversely impact spray performance and/or contaminate subsequent applications.
To overcome these difficulties, the flow channel can be incorporated into a discrete spray head assembly, such as described in PCT Publication WO 2010/085801 (Escoto, et al.). The spray head assembly, in turn, can be releasably attached to a spray gun platform that delivers compressed air to the spray head assembly. Optionally, the spray head assembly has an air supply manifold that delivers air to both a center air passage for atomizing the liquid and a separate fan control air passage for shaping the conical spray pattern after it leaves the nozzle. Advantageously, the spray head assembly can be easily detached for cleaning. If desired, the assembly can be molded from plastic and discarded after each application.
Certain specialized applications, such as vehicle seam sealer applications, benefit from dual-mode applicators capable of either spraying or extruding a bead of coating media onto a given substrate. Seam sealers can be used to provide a tough, yet flexible, material for the sealing of joints on primed or painted substrates such as steel or aluminum enclosures. Advantageously, these materials can provide a quick cure time and non-sag properties that assist in vertical applications.
While dual-mode applicators presently exist, they tend to suffer from poor spray performance and require a high degree of labor to clean out the flow channels. Moreover, these dual mode spray guns often have intricate internal cavities that are difficult to access and thoroughly clean. As a result, repeated use can lead to blockage or impair spraying performance. In some cases, the spray gun itself may be rendered inoperable if the residual material is not cleaned out properly and subsequently cures. Even where spray performance is not impacted, residual debris from prior spraying operations can spontaneously dislodge and become transmitted to the spraying surface, producing spray defects.
Using a detachable nozzle assembly could address some of the difficulties above, but no such nozzle assembly presently exists in the state of the art configured to dispense fluid coating media in both spray and bead patterns. While some spray guns allow adjustment of air flow to a nozzle assembly from the spray gun platform, these require a secondary valve and substantial time and labor for cleaning spray gun parts between applications. This secondary valve can wear out or otherwise degrade over time. Further, even meticulous cleaning may not prevent debris from becoming entrained in the discharged coating media, which adversely affects spray performance. Finally, such solutions would require wholesale replacement of the entire spray gun platform to provide dual-mode operation. The above drawbacks are obviated by the claimed invention.
In one aspect, a nozzle assembly is provided. The nozzle assembly comprises: a fluid outlet extending along a fluid axis and comprising a fluid aperture and a fluid side wall surrounding the fluid aperture; an atomizing aperture adjacent the fluid side wall and at least partially surrounding the fluid axis; an atomizing inlet configured to receive a pressurized gas; and an adjustment member located on the nozzle assembly and movable to: (i) an atomizing position such that the atomizing inlet is in communication with the atomizing aperture; and (ii) a non-atomizing position such that the atomizing inlet is not in communication with the atomizing aperture.
In some embodiments, the adjustment member is movably coupled to a base member, wherein at least one of the adjustment member and the base member comprises a pressure aperture permitting selective communication between the atomizing inlet and the atomizing aperture, and further wherein: (i) in the non-atomizing position, the pressure aperture is substantially occluded; and (ii) in the atomizing position, the pressure aperture is not substantially occluded.
In another aspect, a method of adjusting a dispensing mode for a spray gun is provided, the spray gun comprising a spray gun platform and a nozzle assembly connected to the spray gun platform, wherein the nozzle assembly includes a fluid aperture that receives and dispenses a coating media and fluid side wall surrounding the fluid aperture. The method comprises: providing an atomizing aperture adjacent the fluid side wall, wherein the atomizing aperture at least partially surrounds the fluid axis; and moving an adjustment member located on the nozzle assembly between: (i) an atomizing position where the atomizing aperture communicates with a pressurized gas whereby the coating media sprays from the fluid aperture; and (ii) a non-atomizing position where the atomizing aperture does not communicate with a pressurized gas whereby the coating media extrudes from the fluid aperture.
In still another aspect, a spray gun system is provided, comprising: a spray gun platform; and a set of nozzle assemblies adapted for modular connection to the spray gun platform, wherein at least one but fewer than all nozzle assemblies in the set comprise: a fluid outlet extending along a fluid axis and comprising a fluid aperture and fluid side wall surrounding the fluid aperture; an atomizing aperture adjacent the fluid side wall and at least partially surrounding the fluid axis; an atomizing inlet configured to receive a pressurized gas; and an adjustment member located on the nozzle assembly and movable to: (i) an atomizing position such that the atomizing inlet is in communication with the atomizing aperture; and (ii) a non-atomizing position such that the atomizing inlet is not in communication with the atomizing aperture.
The above summary is not intended to describe each embodiment or every implementation of the reservoirs and associated vent assemblies described herein. Rather, a more complete understanding of the invention will become apparent and appreciated by reference to the following Description of the Illustrative Embodiments and Claims in view of the accompanying figures of the drawing.
Throughout the specification, reference is made to the appended drawings, where like reference numerals designate like elements.
The words “preferred” and “preferably” refer to embodiments described herein that may afford certain benefits, under certain circumstances. However, other embodiments may also be preferred, under the same or other circumstances. Furthermore, the recitation of one or more preferred embodiments does not imply that other embodiments are not useful, and is not intended to exclude other embodiments from the scope of the invention.
As used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to “a” or “the” component may include one or more of the components and equivalents thereof known to those skilled in the art. Further, the term “and/or” means one or all of the listed elements or a combination of any two or more of the listed elements.
It is noted that the term “comprises” and variations thereof do not have a limiting meaning where these terms appear in the accompanying description. Moreover, “a,” “an,” “the,” “at least one,” and “one or more” are used interchangeably herein.
Relative terms such as left, right, forward, rearward, top, bottom, side, upper, lower, horizontal, vertical, and the like may be used herein and, if so, are from the perspective observed in the particular figure. These terms are used only to simplify the description, however, and not to limit the scope of the invention in any way.
Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment,” “certain embodiments,” “one or more embodiments” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, material, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the invention. Thus, the appearances of the phrases such as “in one or more embodiments,” “in certain embodiments,” “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment of the invention. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, materials, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.
A spray gun according to one exemplary embodiment is shown in
Advantageously, the fluid inlet 12 is formed outboard from the gun interface portion 120 such that a coating fluid delivered to the nozzle assembly 10 does not pass through the spray gun platform 130. In some embodiments, the nozzle assembly 10 is disposable and conveniently discarded after use. Since the coating fluid does not pass through the spray gun platform 130, cleaning of the spray gun platform 130 is obviated, saving substantial operator time and labor. Further, the spray gun 50 can be converted over to dispense a different fluid, if desired, by attaching a different nozzle assembly 10 connected to the same or a different fluid container.
Alternatively, the fluid inlet 12 is formed within the gun interface portion 120 such that coating fluid delivered to the nozzle assembly 10 passes through the spray gun platform 130.
The connection between the nozzle assembly 10 and the spray gun platform 130 can be made using any attachment mechanism known in the art. In the embodiment shown, the spray gun platform 130 includes mating connection features that mechanically interlock to a gun interface portion (shown in
In some embodiments, the spray gun platform 130 and nozzle assembly 10 are interconnected using an interference fit. To this end, the former includes a pair of flexible connection tabs 14 having respective rectangular openings 16a. The rectangular openings 16a snap over matching rectangular projections 16b located on the nozzle assembly 10 and prevent the nozzle assembly 10 from becoming inadvertently detached. Alternatively or in combination, other mechanisms can be used, such as bayonet-type fixtures, clamps, collars, magnets, and threaded connections.
Referring again to
Additional manual controls are built into the rear-facing surface of the frame 18, including a fan control regulator 26 and a fluid control regulator 28. In this implementation, the fan control regulator 26 is a rotatable knob and allows an operator to control air flow to a pair of optional air horns used to adjust the spray pattern geometry (air horns not present in the nozzle assembly 10). The fluid control knob (center air regulator 28) can be adjusted so as to limit the longitudinal travel distance of a fluid needle in a needle valve (not visible here). As will be shown later, the travel of the fluid needle can affect both fluid flow and center air flow (atomization air).
As illustrated in
As described earlier, the coating fluid is fed into the base member 152 of the nozzle assembly 10 through the fluid inlet 12. In some embodiments, the coating fluid is fed with the assistance of gravity. Alternative configurations, such as pressurized feed or pressure-assisted feed, are also possible. For example, while
Located at the working end of the pressure cap 114 of the nozzle assembly 10 is a fluid outlet 100. The fluid outlet 100 extends along the fluid axis 102 and includes a fluid side wall 164 defining a fluid aperture 104 from which a coating fluid is dispensed. Optionally and as shown, the fluid outlet 100 has a generally circular cross-section and is symmetrically disposed about the fluid axis 102. Although the inner and outer diameters of the fluid side wall 164 are not critical, these parameters may be adjusted to control the degree of precision in spraying or extruding coating fluid from the nozzle assembly 10.
Further details of the base member 152 and pressure cap 114 are provided with reference to
As shown in
When the nozzle assembly 10 is secured to the spray gun platform 130, the air chamber 160 can be connected to a source of pressurized air. In some embodiments, the pressurized air flows out of a port in the spray gun platform 130. When the spray gun 50 is operating in “spray” mode, the air entering the air chamber 160 traverses the base member 152 and exits through one or more (here, six) rear pressure apertures 154 perforating the front wall 166 of the base member 152. Optionally and as shown, the outer side wall 162 is connected to the inner fluid side wall 164 by a plurality of radially extending webs 168. The webs 168 assist in providing increased structural integrity of the base member 152 but are not so large as to fully divide the air chamber 160 into independent cavities.
As will be further described later, when the spray gun 50 is operated in its “bead” mode, air entering the air chamber 160 will be blocked from passing through the rear pressure apertures 154 by adjacent adjustment member 150 (visible in
Notably, the embodiment of the nozzle assembly 10 shown in
In some embodiments, the fan control stopper 170 is not needed because the fan control air and center air are allowed to mix within the air chamber 160 and become expelled together through the atomizing aperture 108. As a further alternative, the fan control stopper 170 could be obviated by routing the fan control air to a dead space within the nozzle assembly 10 that is not in communication with the atomizing aperture 108.
As illustrated in these figures, interior surfaces of the nozzle assembly 10 collectively define air and fluid passageways used to dispense the coating fluid from the spray gun 50. For example, tracing the interior path of the coating fluid in
When the nozzle assembly 10 is coupled to the spray gun platform 130, an optional fluid needle 112 extends into the fluid passageway 156. The fluid needle 112, which is controlled by the spray gun platform 130, advances and retracts longitudinally within the fluid passageway 156 as the operator depresses and releases the trigger 22 of the spray gun 50, respectively. Towards the rear of the fluid passageway 156, o-ring 180 forms a fluid-tight seal around the fluid needle 112 and prevents the coating fluid from flowing backward into the spray gun platform 130. In some embodiments, the viscosity of the coating fluid may be such that, even in the absence of the fluid needle 112, the coating fluid would not necessarily flow out of the fluid needle inlet 182 in an uncontrolled manner.
Optionally but not shown, the fluid needle 112 could be built into the nozzle assembly 10 while having a configuration substantially similar to that shown
In the position shown in
As shown in
The rear pressure apertures 154 are visible on the opposing surface of the front wall 166. In the embodiment shown, the one or more pressure apertures 154 are optionally evenly distributed along a circular path about the fluid axis 102. In this particular embodiment, each of the rear pressure apertures 154 is circular as viewed from a direction parallel the fluid axis 102. The adjustment member 150 resides immediately in front of the base member 152 and includes corresponding front pressure apertures 172 passing through the adjustment member 150 parallel to the fluid axis 102. In the embodiment shown, unlike the circular rear pressure apertures 154, the front pressure apertures 172 are represented by slots elongated along a circular path concentric with the fluid axis 102 as viewed from a direction parallel the fluid axis 102.
When the adjustment member 150 resides in an intermediate position, the atomizing inlet 110 is in communication with the atomizing aperture 108, but with increased air flow restriction between the atomizing inlet 110 and the atomizing aperture 108 relative to when the adjustment member 150 is in its atomizing position.
Advantageously, either the rear or front pressure apertures 154, 172 can be shaped to cooperate to achieve the desired air flow characteristics through the nozzle assembly 10. For example, either or both the pressure apertures 154, 172 could be tapered such that the radial width of each aperture varies along its length. Such aperture geometries could provide for a gradual transition between the atomizing and non-atomizing modes. In some embodiments, the degree of flow restriction as the adjustment member 150 is moved from the atomizing position toward the non-atomizing position. In some cases, such increase can be configured to increase approximately linearly. As an added advantage, the adjustment member 150 can essentially function much like the fluid control regulator 28 in that it adjusts the magnitude of the atomizing air flow provided at the atomizing aperture 108. With air flow controlled exclusively from the pressure cap 114, the fluid control regulator 28 can be entirely omitted from the spray gun platform 130.
Air injected under pressure through the nozzle assembly 10 accelerates as it enters regions of decreasing cross-section and generates a pressure drop at the atomizing aperture 108 due to Bernoulli's principle. This tends to draw the coating fluid out of the fluid passageway 156 through the aperture 104, where it encounters the moving air and is projected from the fluid outlet 100 as a fine spray of droplets (i.e. atomized). It should be noted that the coating fluid may be additionally (or primarily) urged through the fluid outlet by pressurization of the coating fluid and/or gravity acting upon the fluid in the fluid container, such that the primary function of the moving air is to atomize, rather than to draw the coating fluid through the fluid outlet.
If desired, the fluid outlet 100 can be adjusted to assume different cross-sections or profiles, thereby forming beads of different geometries. For example, a flattened bead could be dispensed from the spray gun 50 by extruding the fluid through an elongated rectangular fluid outlet. The ultimate size of the bead is controlled by the air pressure within the fluid container and the rate at which the fluid outlet 100 is moved along the substrate. For a large bead, the pressure can be increased and the tip moved slowly. For smaller beads, the pressure can be reduced and the tip moved quickly. Optionally, additional attachments may be implemented to help provide a more controllable bead size and reduced technique sensitivity.
In preferred embodiments, each of the components of the nozzle assembly 10—particularly base member 152, adjustment member 150, and pressure cap 114—are substantially made from disposable materials (e.g. plastics) and are intended to be disposed of after a single use. In some embodiments that use plastics, the plastic is solvent resistant. Each of the base member 152, adjustment member 150, and pressure cap 114 can be manufactured using any known method for manufacturing plastic components, such as injection molding. In preferred embodiments, the spray gun platform 130 is durable and reusable, and may be substantially made from metal. The illustrated embodiment is advantageous because the coating fluid only normally contacts the distal end 112′ of the fluid needle 112 of the spray gun platform 130. As a result, only minimal cleaning is required between dispensing operations. As previously mentioned, even this cleaning step may be avoided by using a disposable fluid needle 112 incorporated into the nozzle assembly 10.
As described earlier, rotational stops may be used to limit rotational freedom of the pressure cap 214. As a further option, these components may include markings on their exterior surfaces along their interface apprising the operator of the dispensing mode associated with a given position of the pressure cap 214.
The nozzle assembly 30 is distinguished in one aspect from prior embodiments in that adjustment member 250 is incorporated into the pressure cap 214. As shown, the pressure cap 214 includes: (i) a back wall 290 having a plurality of front pressure apertures 272 (representing the adjustment member 250), and (ii) a side wall 292 having a generally parabolic shape and extending over the front surface of the back wall 290. As shown, the side wall 292 includes a centrally located distal opening 294.
The adjustment member 250 and pressure cap 214 rotate about fluid axis 202 relative to the base member 252. This rotation is guided by mating structures located on the adjustment member 250 and base member 252. As shown in the exemplary embodiment of
The locations of the receiving groove 288 and the annular ridge 284 may also be reversed such that the annular ridge 284 is located on the adjustment member 250 and the receiving groove 288 is located on the base member 252. These features may also be replaced or supplemented by one or more alternative retaining features suitable to permit the adjustment member to be retained with the base member while permitting relative motion between the parts.
Air flow though the nozzle assembly 30 is governed by interaction between rear pressure apertures 254 on the front wall 266 of the base member 252 and the front pressure apertures 272 on the back wall 290/adjustment member 250 of the pressure cap 214. As depicted in
Further options and advantages of the nozzle assembly 30 are analogous to those already described with respect to nozzle assembly 10 and will not be repeated.
Using a translation motion to seal the pressure apertures 472 can be advantageous because the conical protrusions 455 are oversized to create an interference fit against the inner walls of the pressure apertures 472. This, in turn, results in a robust seal and reduced likelihood of undesirable air leakage.
Moreover, pressure apertures 472 and protrusions 455 may be adapted to cooperate to provide proportional air flow control. For example, when a conical protrusion is positioned partially within a cooperative pressure aperture, an annular cross-sectional air flow area is created. As the conical protrusion translates further into the pressure aperture, the annular cross-sectional air flow area is reduced, thereby providing increased flow restriction (and thereby reduced air flow). Conversely, as the conical protrusion translates out of the pressure aperture, the annular cross-sectional air flow area is increased, thereby providing reduced flow restriction (and thereby increased air flow).
As described herein, the term “conical” refers to a category of geometric profiles having a cross-sectional area that reduces along a major axis of the profile from an attached end to a distal end, wherein the cross-sectional area need not be circular, and the reduction of the cross-sectional area need not be linear or continuous. Other geometries for the protrusions 555 may include, for example, hemispheres, pyramids, and rectangular prisms.
As the adjustment member 550 translates along fluid axis 502 toward or away from the base member 552, neither component rotates about the fluid axis 502. The base member 552 is fixed relative to the spray gun platform, while the adjustment member 550 has inwardly protruding tabs 506 that are received in longitudinal indentations 507 extending parallel the fluid axis 502 along the exterior surface of the base member 552. The tabs 506 are constrained to travel along the indentations 507, preventing rotation of the adjustment member 550.
Translation of the adjustment member 550 is achieved by rotating the pressure cap 514 relative to the base member 552. As shown in
The locations of the camming track(s) 596 and the button(s) 598 may also be reversed such that a camming track 596 is located on the adjustment member 550 and a button 598 is located on the pressure cap 514. These features may also be replaced or supplemented by one or more alternative features suitable to permit the pressure cap to rotate with respect to the base member 552 while permitting the adjustment member 550 to translate with respect to the base member 552.
Translating the adjustment member 650 toward the base member 652 causes the protrusions 655 (when fully translated) to form a fluid-tight seal against pressure apertures 654. To accomplish this, the operator uses finger pressure to urge these components toward each other and shift the tabs 606 from a first equilibrium position 607a corresponding to an atomizing position to a second equilibrium position 607b corresponding to a non-atomizing position. From there, the reverse action can be used to return the nozzle assembly 46 to its atomizing mode. As described above, such features can be also be used to provide proportional air flow control, in addition to on/off functionality.
Other aspects of nozzle assemblies 40, 46 are similar to those already described with respect to nozzle assemblies 10, 30.
Although not illustrated here, the adjustment member can optionally move between the atomizing position and the non-atomizing position by both rotating about and translating along the fluid axis. For example, the base member and adjustment member could be operatively coupled to each other by a screw-type mechanism, where protrusions on one member are suitably angled to seal against apertures on the opposing member.
It should be understood that, for the purposes of aligning pressure apertures on the base member and/or adjustment member, relative movement need not occur along or about the fluid axis of the nozzle assembly. For example, the adjustment member could slide along a track in a direction perpendicular to the fluid axis, or some other direction, and still effectively function as a shutter to toggle air flow through the atomizing aperture. Likewise, the adjustment member could rotate relative to the base member about a direction not aligned with the fluid axis, yet still serve the foregoing function.
In the configuration of
Next to the fan control aperture 740 is a fan control sidewall 738 adjacent to the fan control inlet 736 and positioned along a rotational path of travel relative to the base member 752. The fan control sidewall 738 surrounds the fan control aperture 740, defining a movable orifice that permits air flow to the air horns 732 when the air horn functionality is needed and blocks air flow to the air horns 732 when such functionality is not needed. The fan control sidewall 738 is registered with the spray gun platform 130 such that the horn apertures 734 do not communicate with the fan control inlet 736 when the adjustment member 150 is rotated to its non-atomizing position. Further details concerning operation of the air horns 732 are described in PCT Application No. WO 2010/085801 (Escoto, et al.).
Spray gun systems, kits, and other packaged assemblies that include the foregoing nozzle assemblies are also contemplated. For example, a spray gun system could include a spray gun platform and a set of nozzle assemblies adapted for modular connection to the spray gun platform. If the nozzle assemblies are disposable, they can be provided in replicated sets for high volume applications. Optionally, the system could include an assortment of different nozzle assemblies, some being adapted for dual-mode use and some adapted only for single-mode use. Sets of nozzle assemblies could further include nozzle assemblies having a variety of fluid outlet diameters appropriate for different applications and/or different coating fluids.
Moreover, the foregoing nozzle assemblies could be provided as part of a kit that includes one or more other modular components including, but not limited to, caps, connectors, adaptors, and fluid containers for use with the nozzle assemblies. Kits may also include one or more coating fluids dispensable through the nozzle assemblies. Various combinations of the above components may also be integrated and packaged accordingly.
Various aspects of the invention are exemplified by one or more of the following embodiments:
A. A nozzle assembly including: a fluid outlet extending along a fluid axis and including a fluid aperture and fluid side wall defining the fluid aperture; an atomizing aperture adjacent the fluid side wall and at least partially surrounding the fluid axis; an atomizing inlet configured to receive a pressurized gas; and an adjustment member located on the nozzle assembly and movable to: (i) an atomizing position such that the atomizing inlet is in communication with the atomizing aperture; and (ii) a non-atomizing position such that the atomizing inlet is not in communication with the atomizing aperture.
B. The nozzle assembly of embodiment A, further including a fluid needle including a distal end, the fluid needle being movable along the fluid axis to: (i) a closed position such that distal end fully occludes the fluid aperture; and (ii) an open position such that distal end does not fully occlude the fluid aperture.
C. The nozzle assembly of embodiment A or B, further including a gun interface portion adapted to releasably attach the nozzle assembly to a spray gun platform.
D. The nozzle assembly of any one of embodiments A-C, where the adjustment member is movable to the atomizing position and the non-atomizing position by rotation of the adjustment member about the fluid axis.
E. The nozzle assembly of any one of embodiments A-D, further including a pressure cap adjacent the adjustment member and having a pressure cap side wall, where the atomizing aperture is formed between the pressure cap side wall and the fluid side wall.
F. The nozzle assembly of embodiment E, where the adjustment member is movable relative to the pressure cap.
G. The nozzle assembly of embodiment E, where the adjustment member is movable together with the pressure cap.
H. The nozzle assembly of embodiment G, where the adjustment member is integral with the pressure cap.
I. The nozzle assembly of embodiment E, where the nozzle assembly further includes a fan control inlet and the pressure cap further including a pair of horns projecting outwardly from the pressure cap side wall, the pair of horns having respective air horn apertures in communication with the fan control inlet when the adjustment member is in its atomizing position, whereby air flowing through the atomizing inlet flows against opposing sides of a stream of fluid being discharged from the nozzle assembly.
J. The nozzle assembly of embodiment I, where the adjustment member includes a fan control shutter that prevents communication between the horn apertures and the fan control inlet when the adjustment member is in its non-atomizing position.
K. The nozzle assembly of any one of embodiments A-J, where the adjustment member is movably coupled to an opposing base member, where at least one of the adjustment member and the base member includes a pressure aperture permitting selective communication between the atomizing inlet and the atomizing aperture, and further where: (i) in the non-atomizing position, the pressure aperture is substantially occluded; and (ii) in the atomizing position, the pressure aperture is not substantially occluded.
L. The nozzle assembly of embodiment K, where the pressure aperture includes a front pressure aperture located on the adjustment member and a rear pressure aperture located on the base member, and further where: (i) in the non-atomizing position, the front pressure aperture is misaligned with the rear pressure aperture whereby both the front and rear pressure apertures are fully occluded; and (ii) in the atomizing position, the front pressure aperture is at least partially aligned with the rear pressure aperture whereby neither the front pressure aperture nor the rear pressure aperture is fully occluded.
M. The nozzle assembly of embodiment L, where rotation of the adjustment member relative to the base member causes the alignment and misalignment of the front and rear pressure apertures.
N. The nozzle assembly of embodiment M, where the adjustment member rotates relative to the base member about the fluid axis.
O. The nozzle assembly of any one of embodiments L-N, where at least one of the front and rear pressure apertures is generally circular as viewed along the fluid axis.
P. The nozzle assembly of any one of embodiments L-N, where at least one of the front and rear pressure apertures includes an elongated slot as viewed from a direction parallel the fluid axis.
Q. The nozzle assembly of embodiment P, where the slot is tapered such that its radial width varies along its length.
R. The nozzle assembly of any one of embodiments K-Q, where at least one of the adjustment member and the base member includes a plurality of pressure apertures disposed along a circular path concentric with the fluid axis.
S. The nozzle assembly of any one of embodiments K-R, where the adjustment member is movable between the atomizing position and the non-atomizing position by translation along the fluid axis.
T. The nozzle assembly of embodiment S, where either the base member or adjustment member includes a protrusion receivable into a corresponding pressure aperture located on the opposing base member or adjustment member as the adjustment member moves toward the non-atomizing position.
U. The nozzle assembly of embodiment T, where the protrusion has a generally conical configuration adapted to form an interference fit with the pressure apertures.
V. The nozzle assembly of embodiment T or U, where neither the base member nor adjustment member rotate relative to each other as the adjustment member translates along the fluid axis.
W. The nozzle assembly of embodiment V, where the adjustment member is operatively coupled to the pressure cap whereby the adjustment member translates as the pressure cap rotates.
X. The nozzle assembly of embodiment K, where the adjustment member is movable between the atomizing position and the non-atomizing position by rotation about the fluid axis and translation along the fluid axis.
Y. The nozzle assembly of any one of embodiments A-X, where the adjustment member is movable to an intermediate position such the atomizing inlet is in communication with the atomizing aperture, but with flow restriction between the atomizing inlet and the atomizing aperture relative to when the adjustment member is in the atomizing position.
Z. The nozzle assembly of embodiment Y, where the degree of flow restriction increases approximately linearly as the adjustment member is moved from the atomizing position toward the non-atomizing position.
AA. The nozzle assembly of any one of embodiments A-Z, further including a fluid inlet adapted for releasable connection to a fluid container.
AB. The nozzle assembly of embodiment AA, further including a gun interface portion adapted to releasably attach the nozzle assembly to a spray gun platform, where the fluid inlet is formed within the gun interface portion such that a fluid delivered to the nozzle assembly passes through the spray gun platform.
AC. The nozzle assembly of embodiment AA, further including a gun interface portion adapted to releasably attach the nozzle assembly to a spray gun platform, where the fluid inlet is formed outboard from the gun interface portion such that a fluid delivered to the nozzle assembly does not pass through the spray gun platform.
AD. A spray gun assembly including the nozzle assembly of any one of embodiments A-AC and a spray gun platform releasably connected to the nozzle assembly.
AE. A method of adjusting a dispensing mode for a spray gun, the spray gun including a spray gun platform and a nozzle assembly connected to the spray gun platform, the nozzle assembly including a fluid aperture extending along a fluid axis for receiving and dispensing a fluid and a fluid side wall defining the fluid aperture, the method including the steps of: providing an atomizing aperture adjacent the fluid side wall, where the atomizing aperture at least partially surrounds the fluid axis; and moving an adjustment member located on the nozzle assembly between: (i) an atomizing position where the atomizing aperture communicates with a pressurized gas whereby the fluid sprays from the fluid aperture; and (ii) a non-atomizing position where the atomizing aperture does not communicate with a pressurized gas whereby the fluid extrudes from the fluid aperture.
AF. The method of embodiment AE, where the nozzle assembly and spray gun platform releasably connect to each other.
AG. The method of embodiment AE or AF, where the adjustment member is movably coupled to a base member on the nozzle assembly and where at least one of the adjustment member and the base member includes a pressure aperture for providing selective communication between the atomizing aperture and the pressurized gas.
AH. The method of any one of embodiments AE-AG, where moving the adjustment member includes rotating the adjustment member relative to the base member between the non-atomizing and atomizing positions.
AI. The method of any one of embodiments AE-AG, where moving the adjustment member includes translating the adjustment member relative to the base member between the non-atomizing and atomizing positions.
AJ. The method of embodiment AI, where the nozzle assembly further includes a pressure cap rotatably connected to the base member and having a pressure cap side wall, the atomizing aperture being formed between the pressure cap side wall and the fluid side wall, and where translating the adjustment member relative to the base member includes rotating the pressure cap relative to the base member.
AK. The method of any one of embodiments AE-AJ, where the nozzle assembly includes a fluid inlet adapted for releasable connection to a fluid container.
AL. The method of embodiment AK, where the nozzle assembly further includes a gun interface portion for releasably attaching the nozzle assembly to a spray gun platform and where the fluid inlet is formed within the gun interface portion such that a fluid delivered to the nozzle assembly passes through the spray gun platform.
AM. The method of embodiment AK, where the nozzle assembly further includes a gun interface portion adapted to releasably attach the nozzle assembly to a spray gun platform and where the fluid inlet is formed outboard from the gun interface portion such that a fluid delivered to the nozzle assembly does not pass through the spray gun platform to prevent contaminating the spray gun platform during a dispensing operation.
AN. A spray gun system including: a spray gun platform; and a set of nozzle assemblies adapted for modular connection to the spray gun platform, where at least one but fewer than all nozzle assemblies in the set include: a fluid outlet extending along a fluid axis and including a fluid aperture and fluid side wall defining the fluid aperture; an atomizing aperture adjacent the fluid side wall and at least partially surrounding the fluid axis; an atomizing inlet configured to receive a pressurized gas; and an adjustment member located on the nozzle assembly and movable to: (i) an atomizing position such that the atomizing inlet is in communication with the atomizing aperture; and (ii) a non-atomizing position such that the atomizing inlet is not in communication with the atomizing aperture.
All patents and patent applications mentioned above are hereby expressly incorporated by reference. Although the invention herein has been described with reference to particular embodiments, it is to be understood that these embodiments are merely illustrative of the principles and applications of the present invention. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the method and apparatus of the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Thus, it is intended that the present invention include modifications and variations that are within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/US14/57649 | 9/26/2014 | WO | 00 |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61889583 | Oct 2013 | US |
