Powder coating spray booth with a powder extraction system

Abstract

A powder spray booth includes a booth canopy wall arrangement to contain powder during a spraying operation; and a booth floor that is rotatable relative to the booth wall during a spraying operation. The floor can be rotated about an axis that is also the longitudinal axis of the spray booth. The booth may be generally cylindrical in shape with a round floor. The booth canopy and top are supported on a base frame separately from the floor. By this arrangement, the floor can be rotated relative to the booth canopy. A powder extraction apparatus in the form of a low pressure duct suspended off the floor draws up powder that has collected on the floor. The extraction duct is stationary with respect to the rotating floor during a spraying operation. The floor may also be translated along the axis of rotation between a first position in which the floor can rotate and a second position in which the floor is sealed against a lower edge of the booth canopy wall. The booth canopy and floor are made of composite materials that are very low in conductivity to minimize powder adhering to the floor and booth walls. The booth is thus easy to clean with a substantially shorter time period required for color change.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The invention relates generally to powder coating spray systems which use powder containment spray booths. More particularly, the invention relates to a powder spray booth that facilitates cleaning and quick color change by the operation of a rotating floor and a powder overspray extraction duct, which results in very little powder remaining in the spray booth and minimizes the amount of powder in process during a spraying operation.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Powder coatings are commonly applied to objects by powder spray guns that may be manually operated or automatic. In an automatic system, one or more spray guns are controlled to spray powder onto the objects as the objects are conveyed past the guns. In a manual gun operation, typically the object is suspended or otherwise positioned near a spray gun and the operator controls when the gun starts and stops spraying. A powder spray gun may be selected from a wide variety of gun designs. Since a spraying operation is intended to coat an object evenly, a common technique for spraying powder is to apply an electrostatic charge to the powder particles which causes the powder to better adhere to the object and also results in a more uniform application. Electrostatic spray guns include corona guns and tribocharging guns. In a corona type spray gun, a high voltage electrode is positioned in or near the powder flow path, either within the gun itself or just outside the gun near or at the gun nozzle. In a tribocharging type gun, the powder flow path through the gun body is made of suitable materials that impart an electrostatic charge to the powder as it is forced through the gun body.

[0004] The object being sprayed is electrically grounded such that the charged powder is attracted to and adheres to the object. This electrostatic attraction increases the transfer efficiency by increasing the amount of powder that adheres to the object. Transfer efficiency refers to the relationship between the amount of powder that adheres to the object being sprayed versus the amount of powder sprayed from the gun.

[0005] In most electrostatic spray systems, the powder is ejected from the gun nozzle as a cloud. This permits the powder spray to envelope the object to coat all the surfaces of the object, even when the object is irregular in geometric shape. Multiple guns may be positioned on different sides of the object and/or directed at different angles to increase the uniformity of the powder applied thereto. However, due to the inherent nature of the powder spray pattern, there is a substantial amount of powder that does not adhere to the object and ends up either falling to the floor or collecting on other objects and structures in the immediate area. This non-adherent powder residue is generally referred to as powder overspray.

[0006] Because powder overspray is generated during each spraying operation, spraying operations typically are performed within a spray booth. The spray booth is used for powder containment and may only be partially enclosed. Most spray booths have an air flow system that contains the powder overspray within the structure of the booth by producing a negative pressure zone that draws air from the powder booth along with powder overspray that is entrained in the air flow. The powder laden air is then transferred to a cartridge filter system or cyclone separator system outside the spray booth to recover the powder. However, in known spray booth systems, the powder overspray still tends to collect on the booth walls, ceiling and the booth floor. In electrostatic systems especially, the powder overspray will also tend to be attracted to and collect on any structure that is electrically grounded. The powder particles tend to be very small and well dispersed and therefore can collect in the smallest of recesses, seams and crevices and irregular spray booth wall structures.

[0007] Powder overspray presents a two-fold challenge. First, if possible it is usually desirable to try to reclaim or recover powder overspray so that the powder can be reused during subsequent spraying operations. Known powder recovery systems typically work on the basis of a large air volume that entrains the powder overspray. These air flow volumes are routinely generated by conventional high volume exhaust fans. The powder laden air is then filtered, such as for example using cartridge type air filters or cyclone separators. The separated powder is then sieved to remove impurities and returned to a hopper or powder feed center where it is supplied once again to the spray guns. In known systems the actual reintroduction of recovered powder to the powder spray application system is usually accomplished by a positive air pressure conveyance system back to a powder feed center through a series of hoses, valves and pumps.

[0008] Besides the challenge of recovering powder overspray for subsequent use or disposal, powder overspray that collects within the spray booth must be removed from the booth when changing over the powder coating color. In order to switch from one color to another the guns, booth and powder recovery system must be as completely purged of the previous colored powder as possible to prevent contamination of the subsequent colored powder. The operation of changing from one color to another is generally known as a “color change” operation and it is an ongoing challenge in the art to make spraying systems that are “quick color change” meaning that the goal is to keep reducing the down time when the spraying system is off line in order to clean the spraying apparatus and system. Thus, the amount of in-process powder, as well as the amount of powder overspray that remains in the spray booth, have a significant impact on the amount of time and effort it takes to perform a color change operation.

[0009] A powder coating booth and application system must be completely cleaned and purged of one color of powder coating material prior to a successive coating operation using a different powder color. Cleaning a powder coating spray booth can be a labor-intensive effort. Powder coating materials, in varying degrees, tend to coat all the internal surfaces of the spray booth during a powder coating spray operation, which directly impacts color change time. In a production powder coating environment, minimizing the system down time to change from one color of powder coating material to another is a critical element in controlling operational costs. Seams between booth panels and recessed ledges, such as where access doors or automatic or manual spray application devices may be located, are typically hard to clean areas and tend to hold concentrations of oversprayed powder coating material that could present a contamination risk after a color change. In addition to seams and ledges and other recesses within the booth, charged powder can adhere to booth interior surfaces.

[0010] In typical powder coating booth construction, an outer steel framework is provided for supporting individual panel members which form the roof, side and end walls of the booth. These panel members are known to be made of a fabricated or thermoformed plastic, such as polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyvinyl carbonate or polycarbonate. The floor may also be of thermoformed plastic or stainless steel construction. In other known embodiments, powder coating spray booths can have metallic walls, ceilings and vestibule ends, as well a metallic floor and exterior support framework.

[0011] U.S. Pat. No. 5,833,751 to Tucker is an example of a powder coating spray booth intended to reduce powder particle adhesion to the interior surfaces of the booth during an electrostatic powder spray operation. Tucker discloses a booth chamber comprising a pair of thermoformed plastic shells with smooth curvilinear interior surfaces that are intended to inhibit oversprayed powder particle adhesion. Two identical ends connect with the shells and an external support frame is disclosed, but not shown. Possible booth materials disclosed include polycarbonate.

[0012] Known booth materials are available in limited sizes requiring some method of seaming to generate the overall size. These seams require much effort and cost to achieve a virtually uninterrupted, seamless surface.

[0013] In addition, known powder coating spray booths have numerous features that reduce operational efficiencies. These sub-optimal features are evidenced during powder coating color changes between successive runs of different coating colors and during assembly and maintenance of the booth itself. Known powder coating spray booths use metallic external support frames and stainless steel or thermoplastic, floors, walls and ceilings. During an electrostatic powder spray coating operation, oversprayed powder material can actually be attracted and adhere to these booth interior surfaces. Higher concentrations of oversprayed powder coating material are typically seen in the immediate vicinity of the highly conductive steel frame members, which are typically grounded. Although thermoformed plastics are typically thought of as insulators, their insulation properties vary and powder particle adhesion can vary with the conductance and resistance of these materials. With age, physical properties of the thermoformed plastic materials can change with corresponding increases in powder particle adhesion, as they can absorb moisture from the ambient air over time. Ultraviolet light is also known to change the physical properties of thermoplastics over time.

[0014] In addition, typical booths have numerous design features that act to increase accumulated oversprayed powder coating materials in the spray booth, thus increasing cleaning times during color change operations. In booths using panel members connected with each other and supported by an external frame, numerous seams exist throughout the booth interior that entrap oversprayed powder coating material, thereby making the booth harder to clean during a color change or routine booth maintenance. In addition to the seams, ledges are present in some powder coating spray booths on which spray gun application devices rest and are mounted, and where openings for doors and other access portals are reinforced and secured, for example. These ledges can either extend into the booth or, more typically, extend away from the inner surface of the booth. Even if otherwise angled or curved toward the floor from the typically vertical side walls, oversprayed powder coating material still tends to accumulate in these areas, thus making them more difficult to clean, as well.

[0015] Known prior systems for removing powder overspray from a spray booth include active systems in which floor sweepers and other mechanical devices are used to mechanically contact the powder and push it off the floor into a receiving device. These systems however tend to be cumbersome and are not thorough in the amount of powder removed from the booth. A substantial effort by one or more operators is still required to completely remove powder from the booth. Thus there can be a large amount of in-process powder and powder overspray on the booth structure.

[0016] In passive removal systems, powder is removed from the floor in a non-contact manner. In one known system, a rectangular floor in the form of a continuous linearly moving belt transports powder over to a collection device such as a vacuum system that removes powder from the belt. Such systems are very complicated mechanically and do not do an adequate job in removing powder from the belt, so much so that in some cases a color change requires a change of the belt itself.

[0017] It is desired therefore to provide a spray booth that is easy to clean as part of a color change operation and operates so as to minimize the amount of in-process powder and the amount of powder overspray remaining in the spray booth after a spraying operation is completed.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

[0018] The present invention is directed to improved spray booth designs that are particularly suited for electrostatic spraying operations, although the various aspects of the invention may be incorporated into spray booths that do not utilize electrostatic spraying apparatus. According to one aspect of the invention, a powder extraction system is contemplated in which powder overspray can be continuously extracted from the booth even during a spraying operation. In one embodiment of the invention, a powder spray booth includes a booth canopy wall and ceiling arrangement to contain powder during a spraying operation; and a booth floor that is rotatable relative to the booth wall during a spraying operation. The booth may be generally cylindrical in shape with a round floor. The floor can be rotated about a vertical axis that is also the longitudinal axis of the spray booth. The booth canopy and ceiling are supported on a base frame separately from the floor. By this arrangement, the floor can be rotated relative to the booth canopy. By continuously removing powder overspray in a real-time manner during a powder spraying operation, the amount of in-process powder is substantially reduced and the time and effort required to clean the booth as part of a color changeover is dramatically and significantly reduced.

[0019] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a powder extraction mechanism is provided for removing powder overspray from the booth floor. In one embodiment, the extraction mechanism is a duct that extends across the booth floor and supported just off the floor. A negative pressure source is connected to the duct to cause a suction effect by which powder overspray is removed from the floor and transported via the extraction duct to a collection device that is disposed outside the booth. In a preferred form, the extraction mechanism is stationary with respect to the rotating floor and extends diametrically across the floor.

[0020] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the booth floor can be translated as well as rotated. In one embodiment, the booth floor can be axially translated along the axis of rotation. The floor can be moved to a first axial position in which the floor is free to rotate during a spraying operation, and a second axial position where the floor sealingly contacts the bottom of the booth canopy or wall during a color change operation. A source of pressurized air is positioned to blow powder from the seal as part of a color change operation.

[0021] Still a further aspect of the invention concerns a mechanism for effecting the axial translation of the floor. In one embodiment the floor is moved by a floor lifter mechanism that moves the floor between the first and second axial positions. In one embodiment the lifter mechanism is a pneumatic actuator that acts on a rocker arm to raise and lower the booth floor.

[0022] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a cyclone system is used to separate the powder overspray from the air drawn in by the extraction duct. A fan is connected to the cyclone system which in turn is connected to the extraction duct. The air flow that is pulled through the duct creates a negative air pressure flow that draws up powder that has collected on the booth floor into the extraction duct and also provides containment air flow within the booth canopy. In one embodiment, the cyclone system is provided with a by-pass valve for selecting between powder overspray reclaim and non-reclaim operating modes.

[0023] Still a further aspect of the invention relates to the use of composite materials for the spray booth and floor that are very low in conductivity to minimize powder adhering to the booth and floor, while possessing significant structural properties that enable the configuration to be mechanically sound. In one embodiment, the booth canopy is made of two composite half cylinders that are entirely self-supporting so that the canopy and ceiling can be suspended over an underlying rotatable floor. In this embodiment the floor is also made of very low conductivity composite materials with sufficient structural strength to permit a floor design whereby the floor can be rotated on a central hub.

[0024] These and other aspects and advantages of the invention will be readily appreciated and understood by those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0025] FIGS. 1 and 1A are isometric schematic representations of a powder spraying system in accordance with the invention, with FIG. 1A illustrating a manual spray booth or vestibule attached to the main spray booth;

[0026] FIG. 2 is a simplified top view of the spray booth and cyclone system;

[0027] FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate in elevation a typical powder coating system layout;

[0028] FIG. 5 is a plan view of a frame that supports a spray booth of the present invention;

[0029] FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate detail of a floor lift assembly for the spray booth, with the floor in the up and down positions respectively;

[0030] FIG. 8 is a plan view of the spray booth floor;

[0031] FIG. 9 is a cross-section of the floor taken along the line 9A-9A in FIG. 8;

[0032] FIG. 10 is an embodiment of a floor hub assembly in plan;

[0033] FIG. 11 is the hub assembly of FIG. 10 in vertical cross-section along the line 11-11 in FIG. 10;

[0034] FIGS. 12 and 12A is an extraction duct shown in elevation and perspective respectively;

[0035] FIG. 13 is the extraction duct of FIG. 12 shown in plan;

[0036] FIG. 14 is a cross-section of the extraction duct of FIG. 12 along the line 13-13 in FIG. 12;

[0037] FIGS. 15A and 15B illustrate an alternative embodiment of an extraction duct, illustrated in exploded perspective in FIG. 15A and in perspective as assembled in FIG. 15B;

[0038] FIG. 16 is the extraction duct of FIG. 15 shown in lateral cross-section;

[0039] FIG. 16A is an alternative embodiment of the extraction duct of FIGS. 15A and 16, shown in lateral cross-section;

[0040] FIG. 17 is an alternative embodiment of a canopy support arrangement;

[0041] FIG. 18 is a bottom view of a bypass plenum;

[0042] FIGS. 19A and 19B illustrate in elevation the bypass plenum of FIG. 18 with a bypass valve and actuator arrangement shown in two positions corresponding to a reclaim and non-reclaim mode;

[0043] FIG. 20 illustrates an embodiment of the valve element of FIG. 19 in front elevation; and

[0044] FIG. 21 is a cross-section of the valve element of FIG. 20 taken along the line 21-21.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0045] With reference to FIGS. 1 and 1A, the present invention is directed to a powder spraying system, as well as specific components within such a system, to improve the cleanability and reduce the time to effect color change operations, while at the same time minimizing impact on transfer efficiency while maximizing impact on containment and recovery of the powder overspray. Various aspects of the invention are described herein in an exemplary manner, and as part of an overall spraying system, but such descriptions are not to be construed in a limiting sense. The various aspects of the invention may be used individually or in any various combinations as required for a particular application. Furthermore, although the present invention is described with respect to the use of electrostatic spray technology, the invention is not limited to the use of electrostatic spraying apparatus.

[0046] FIG. 1 illustrates a powder coating spraying system 1 with several of the main components illustrated in a schematic fashion for ease of illustration. Such components are generally referenced with letters rather than numbers, and are well known and need not be described in detail. Accordingly, the present invention is described in detail as to those elements that relate to the various aspects of the invention.

[0047] The system 1 generally includes a spray booth 10. Note in FIG. 1 that the spray booth 10 is represented in a “transparent” manner so that the basic arrangement of components within the booth 10 can be illustrated. In actual practice the booth 10 is made of non-conductive composite materials that are not necessarily transparent, although there is no specific limitation on the choice of materials used for the booth 10. In a preferred but not necessarily required embodiment of the spray booth 10, the booth is constructed from of materials that are very low in conductivity and are composite in nature. These materials render the booth 10 substantially self-supporting and seamless. A suitable manufacturing process and structure for the booth 10 out of such composite materials is fully described in co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/550,353 filed on Apr. 14, 2000 for POWDER COATING BOOTH CONTAINMENT STRUCTURE, and also described in co-pending PCT Application No. PCT/US 01/40524 filed on Apr. 14, 2001 for POWDER COATING BOOTH CONTAINMENT STRUCTURE, which applications are owned in common by the assignee of the present invention, the entire disclosures of which are fully incorporated herein by reference. Although these structure and materials for the booth 10 are preferred for electrostatic applications, the present invention is not limited to the use of a booth with such structural and materials characteristics, particularly in systems that will not utilize electrostatic spraying devices.

[0048] In the illustrated embodiment, the booth 10 is generally cylindrical in shape, including a vertically extending canopy or wall structure 12, a ceiling, cover or top 14 and a floor 16. In this example, the canopy 12 is realized in the form of two generally hemispherical halves that are joined together by mating flanges (not shown). The halves can be joined by non-conductive fasteners or adhesive so that the basic cylindrical shell is non-conductive. It is preferred although not necessary that the ceiling 14 and the floor 16 also be seamless and made from the same non-conductive composite materials as the canopy. The above-cited patent application discloses a composite booth structure with sufficient strength to permit humans to walk on the floor 16. The canopy 12 is also self-supporting such that no exterior frame is needed to support the booth 10. The canopy 12 and the ceiling 14 may be integrally formed if so desired.

[0049] Although the booth 10 is generally cylindrical in shape, it is not a fully enclosed structure. Access doors and other openings are provided to facilitate a spraying operation. For example, a plurality of gun slots 18 are provided on opposite sides of the booth 10 to permit a corresponding plurality of spray guns 20 to extend into and be withdrawn from the spray booth 10. The guns 20 may be of any suitable design, including a gun design as disclosed in co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/667,663 filed on Sep. 22, 2000 for POWDER SPRAY GUN, the entire disclosure of which is fully incorporated herein by reference.

[0050] For clarity and ease of illustration, the spray guns 20 are only illustrated on one side of the booth 10 in FIGS. 1 and 1A, it being understood that second set of spray guns and a gun mover may be used on the opposite of the booth 10. The particular system 1 illustrated in FIG. 1 is an automatic system in which the spray guns 20 are mounted on a suitable support frame 22 that is installed on a gun mover 24. The gun mover 24 and the frame 22 are illustrated schematically since any of a number of gun mover and support designs may be used. In this example, the gun mover 24 includes an oscillator 26 that can raise and lower the spray guns 20 along the gun slots 18.

[0051] The spray booth 10 however may also be used for manual spraying operations, and therefore may be equipped with an optional vestibule assembly 28 (FIG. 1A only). Preferably the vestibule 28 is made of the same composite materials and structure as the canopy 12.

[0052] Continuing with the general description of the system 1, the booth 10 is supported off the shop floor F by a support frame or base 30. The base 30 is supported on the floor F by a pair of parallel rigid bars 32 (only one shown in FIG. 1) which are described in greater detail hereinafter. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the booth 10 is fully supported on the frame 30 just off the shop floor F such that the entire booth/frame 10/30 assembly can be installed as a retrofit for a preexisting spray booth without the need to modify elevation of the shop floor F or the part conveyor height. Thus there is no need to trench or lower the floor F to accommodate any portion of the spray booth 10 or frame 30. In the illustrated embodiment herein, for example, the booth floor 16 is installed a mere 12 inches or so above the shop floor F. This permits simple ductwork to be used to interconnect the various conventional components of the spraying system 1.

[0053] The upper portion of the canopy 12 and the ceiling 14 are provided with a conveyor slot 34 that extends diametrically across the entire booth 10. Objects that are to be sprayed are suspended (not shown) from the conveyor C (FIG. 2) in a conventional manner so that the objects can be passed into and through the booth 10 past the spray guns 20.

[0054] An extraction duct 40 is installed in the booth 10 in close proximity to the floor 16. This extraction duct 40 has a discharge end is in fluid communication with a dual or twin cyclone separator system 42. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a substantial negative pressure is produced in the extraction duct 40 via air drawn by operation of the cyclone system 42 and an after-filter system assembly 60 (FIG. 4). A large blower in the after-filter system 60 produces a substantial air flow from the booth 10 interior into the extraction duct 40 in the nature of a vacuuming effect such that powder overspray on the floor 16 is drawn up into the duct 40 and entrained in the air flow therein. This powder laden air is drawn into the cyclone system 42 via appropriate ductwork 44 that connects through an opening in the canopy 12 to the discharge end of the extraction duct 40. The opposite end of the extraction duct 40 terminates at an access door duct (172). The cyclone system 42 exhaust air passes to the secondary after-filter system (60) or collection system (not shown in FIG. 1) for removal of fines. A dual cyclone arrangement 42a,b is preferably but not necessarily used in order to provide a substantial air flow through the extraction duct 40 to remove powder overspray from the floor 12.

[0055] In general, the present invention is described herein with reference to an embodiment in which powder overspray is removed from the booth 10 and fed to a powder collection system. In the described embodiments, the powder collection system includes either a powder reclaim system through operation of a cyclone system and apparatus for conveying powder from the cyclone back to the feed center. Alternatively, in the present application we describe a powder collection system in which the powder is not reclaimed but rather is diverted past the cyclone system directly to an after-filter or other arrangement for the powder to be disposed. The present invention therefore does not depend on the particular powder collection system used outside but rather is directed to extracting powder overspray from within the spray booth, and the term “powder collection” should be construed in its broadest sense to encompass any post-spraying disposition of the powder overspray outside the booth, whether the powder overspray is reclaimed or not.

[0056] In FIG. 1 the cyclone system 42 is illustrated as being supported on the shop floor F by a cyclone support frame 43. Alternatively, the cyclone system 42 may be supported directly on the booth support frame 30.

[0057] The air flow that is drawn through the extraction duct 40 also provides a containment air flow within the booth 10 interior. Substantial volume of air is drawn into the booth 10 via various openings and access doors provided in the canopy 12.

[0058] The extraction duct 40 is supported at each end by the base 30, not the booth floor 16. The canopy 12 and installed ceiling 14 are also supported by the base 30 and not the booth floor 16. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the booth floor 16 is rotatable about the central longitudinal axis X of the booth 10. The extraction duct 40 in this case is stationary relative to the rotating floor 16 so as to provide a sweeping action between the extraction duct 40 and the floor 16 surface. In this manner, the floor is cleaned of powder overspray as it collects on the floor even during a spraying operation. Of particular note is that the overspray may be extracted during or after a spraying operation.

[0059] Completing the general description of the system 1, the cyclone system 42 may be conventional in design and separates the entrained powder from the drawn air. The system 1 also includes a powder feed center 46 that supplies powder to the spray guns 20 through an appropriate system of a feed hopper, feed hoses and powder pumps, as is well known to those skilled in the art. A control console or system 48 is also provided that controls the operation of the guns 20, the cyclone system 42, the gun movers 26, the conveyor C, floor 16 rotation and position, and the feed center 48. The control system 48 may be conventional in design. Suitable control systems are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,454,256 and 5,718,767; a suitable cyclone system is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,788,728; and a suitable feed center is disclosed in U.S. provisional patent application serial No. 60/154,624 which corresponds to copending PCT application number 00/25383 filed on Sep. 15, 2000 for QUICK COLOR CHANGE POWDER COATING SYSTEM, the entire disclosures all of which are fully incorporated herein by reference. Powder that is separated by the cyclone system 42 may be returned to the feed center 46 for reuse (not shown in FIG. 1).

[0060] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the floor 16 not only can rotate, but also can be axially translated along the axis of rotation X. This permits the floor 16 to have at least two axial positions, the first being a lowered position in which the floor 16 is free to rotate during a spray coating operation, and a second position in which the floor 16 is raised and is sealed against the lower edge of the canopy 12 walls during a color change operation. By moving the floor 16 into the sealed or raised position, an operator can use an air wand or other suitable device to blow down powder overspray that may have collected on the canopy 12, the ceiling 14 or the outside of the extraction duct 40, into the extraction duct 40. For example, the extraction duct 40 is preferably at least partly made of metal to act as an ion collector for electrostatic spraying systems. Consequently, powder will adhere and collect on the outer surface of the extraction duct 40, but this small amount of powder can quickly and easily be blown off and will be quickly swept up into the duct 40. The blower assembly 60 preferably remains on at all times during spraying and cleaning/color change operations.

[0061] In its raised position, the floor 16 is fully supported (as will be described herein) so that one or more operators may walk across the floor as required for air cleaning the booth 10, usually as part of a color change operation. The floor 16 is then lowered and rotated while operating the cyclone system 42, thereby removing the last remaining quantities of overspray. Color change therefore is a very fast and simple procedure in terms of cleaning out the spray booth 10. The preferred use of the composite materials for the booth 10 substantially eliminates powder collecting on the canopy 12 and ceiling 14, and permits the extraction duct 40 to easily and efficiently remove powder from the floor 16. The floor 16 is non-conductive except at the drive hub assembly (not shown in FIG. 1), but the drive hub assembly is located within the extraction duct 40 such that powder cannot collect at the hub due to the high air flow through the duct 40.

[0062] The outside surfaces of the housings or bodies of the guns 20 may be cleaned by air jets 21 (FIG. 4) that are positioned at the gun slots 18. As illustrated in the enlarged portion of FIG. 4, the air jets 21 (one for each gun body) are installed on a common air tube 21a that extends vertically along the length of its associated gun slot 18. In this embodiment there is an air tube/jet arrangement for each gun slot 18. The air jets 21 blow high pressure air across each gun body as the guns 20 are withdrawn from the booth 10 by the gun movers 24, thereby cleaning powder from the guns 20 and blowing powder off the gun bodies into the booth 10 where it is extracted via the extraction duct 40.

[0063] A significant aspect of the system 10 is that it can be realized as part of a retrofit on an existing system without the need for major changes to the shop area. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the booth floor 16 is a mere 12 inches above the shop floor F. This permits the booth 10 to be interconnected if required with preexisting cyclone and feed systems, as well as fitting under existing conveyor systems.

[0064] With reference to FIG. 2, the spray booth 10 is illustrated in a simplified manner from a top or plan view with the base 30 and the ceiling 14 omitted. The canopy 12 includes access doors 50 that permit larger objects to be conveyed into the spray booth 10. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the doors 50 may be similar to a “dutch” door arrangement in which there are upper doors 50a and lower doors 50b. The lower doors 50b are typically opened simply to permit an operator easy access to the booth 10 interior. These openings provide the major source of air that enters the booth 10 during a spraying operation when the cyclone system 42 is operating. This primary air flow pattern serves as containment air to keep the powder overspray within the booth 10. Although air flow will also be produced in other areas of the booth 10, for example at the conveyor slot 34, these secondary openings and gaps contribute much less to the overall containment air pattern than the air entering through the various door openings and any vestibule when vestibules are used. The diametric centerline Y of the primary air flow pattern, such as for example through the access doors 50, forms an angle a with the centerline Z of the extraction duct 40. Preferably the angle a is about 45 degrees. Thus the air flow (as indicated by directional arrows AA) into the booth 10 is not parallel with the extraction air flow into the duct 40. This causes air flowing into the booth 10 to have to turn and head downward (see also FIG. 4) in order to reach the low pressure zone near the extraction duct 40 along the floor 16, as represented by the directional arrow AA. This air flow pattern thus produces a descending outer air circulation around the booth 10 that results in a relatively low air flow in the central region of the spray booth 10, which central region is where the spray guns 20 are disposed to spray an object. This relatively calm central region means that the powder spray patterns are not adversely affected by the rather high volume of containment air flowing into the booth 10. Thus, excellent powder containment is effected without a significant effect on the transfer efficiency of the guns 20.

[0065] FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate in plan a typical floor layout for the system 1 (the spray booth 10 is illustrated in vertical cross-section). Note that in FIG. 4 we illustrate the use of two gun movers 22. In this arrangement, the cyclone system 42 is connected to the outlet of the extraction duct 40 by a transition elbow duct 52. The powder laden air flows from the extraction duct 40, into the elbow 52 and up the vertical connecting ductwork 44 to the tangential inlet 54 of the cyclone 42. The cyclone system 42 includes a bypass plenum 56 that has a reclaim/non-reclaim bypass valve therein, which will be described further hereinafter. When the cyclone is in a “reclaim” mode of operation, the cyclone exhaust air, which typically still includes powder fines that were not removed by the cyclonic filtering action, passes through additional exhaust ductwork to a conventional after-filter assembly 60 (FIG. 4). Powder that is separated by the cyclone 42 falls into a cyclone hopper 62 (FIG. 3) from where it can be manually removed and returned to the feed center 46 main hopper (not shown) or can be automatically transferred to the feed center 46 by positive air pressure and appropriate ductwork, valves and filters. In prior art systems, a pinch valve assembly (not shown) has sometimes been installed below the cyclone hopper 62 to control the transfer of the reclaimed powder from the cyclone 42 to the feed center 46. In the non-reclaim mode of operation, the cyclone system 42 is in effect taken off line by operation of the bypass valve, so that the powder laden air from the extraction duct 40 passes through the ductwork 44 and straight through the plenum 56 to the exhaust duct 58 and from there into the after-filter assembly 60. Note that the main blower (not shown) for producing the needed air flow within the booth 10, the extraction duct 40, the cyclone system 42 and the interconnecting duct work is physically located in the after-filter assembly 60. The main blower can be conveniently located elsewhere in the overall system as required.

[0066] FIG. 4 shows schematically some additional detail of a suitable gun mover 24. Note that the view angle of FIG. 4 is rotated from the view angle of FIG. 3 to show additional details, and that in FIG. 4 the cyclone system 42 has been omitted for clarity. The guns 20 are mounted on a frame or gun mount 22 which typically includes a number of tube lengths arranged horizontally and vertically to allow the guns 20 to be positioned as required. The oscillator 26 is supported on a moveable platform 64 that can translate back and forth on a base 66. The platform 64 is moved pneumatically or but other suitable means by the control system 48 so as to move the guns 20 horizontally into and out of the booth 10. The oscillator 26 moves vertically to allow the guns to be raised and lowered during a spraying operation. Preferably but not necessarily the gun mover bases 66 are supported on wheel assemblies 106 (FIG. 6) that allow the gun movers 24 to be rolled across the shop floor (see FIG. 6). This allows the gun movers 24 to be part of an overall modular spraying system in that various main components can be added on and separately assembled to the booth 10 and frame 30 assembly as required.

[0067] With reference to FIG. 5, the support frame 30 is realized in the form of a octagonal framework although the actual geometry and configuration may be selected as required. The inner perimeter configuration of the frame 30 however is circular to accommodate the booth floor 16. The frame 30 includes a series of interconnected trusses 68 and frame bars or spars 70. A removable skirt or cover 72 is provided for aesthetics and to prevent accidental contact with the rotating floor 16. The frame 30 also supports various equipment such as a floor drive motor 74 and a series of four floor lifters 76. The bottom of the frame 30 rests on two parallel floor base support bars 32. As shown in greater detail in FIG. 6, the support bars 32 have wheels or casters 78 installed on each end. This permits the entire booth 10 and frame assembly 30 to be easily moved into position on the shop floor F.

[0068] The dashed lines W represent where the booth vertical canopy 12 walls align with the frame. The circle FL indicates the outer perimeter of the booth floor 16. Thus it is apparent that the floor 16 diameter is greater than the diameter of the canopy. In a typical booth, the canopy may be about 10 feet for example in diameter and the floor 16 may be about 11 feet in diameter. There is no practical restriction on the booth size however. The floor 16 extension past the canopy 12 wall acts as a fall-out pan so that powder that escapes through the gap between the floor 16 and the canopy 12 will alight on the extension. This amount of powder is typically going to be very small and consist mainly of fines and thus will tend to be drawn in by operation of the extraction duct 40, as well as a seal blow-off jet that will be described hereinafter.

[0069] A parallel pair of floor hub supports 82 extend across the inner perimeter of the frame 30. These hub supports are rigidly mounted to the frame 30. As will be further explained hereinafter, the floor 16 is mounted on the supports 82 via a hub assembly 84. Thus, the floor 16 is fully supported on the frame 30 as a unit separate from the canopy 12 to permit rotation and vertical movement of the floor 16 relative to the canopy 12.

[0070] The frame 30 supports a number of floor lifter units 76, which in this embodiment there are four lifters 76 evenly spaced around the frame 30. The basic function of the lifters 76 is to raise and lower the floor 16 vertically relative to the bottom edge of the canopy 12 walls. When the floor is raised, it is sealed against the bottom edge of the canopy 12. When in the lowered position, the floor 16 is free to rotate about the longitudinal axis X of the canopy, which is also the translation axis for the vertical movement of the floor 16.

[0071] As noted hereinbefore, the frame 30 also supports the ends of the extraction duct 40, and more specifically in this embodiment the transition duct to the cyclone system and the access door assembly at the opposite end. This permits the extraction duct to be supported in a position that is just above the top surface of the floor 16 when the floor 16 is rotating. The extraction duct 40 is not shown in FIG. 5.

[0072] With reference next to FIGS. 6 and 7, the floor 16 includes a thicker middle section 16a and then at its periphery thins down to a rigid flange portion 16b. Four floor lifter units 76 are evenly spaced about the periphery of the floor 16 (see FIG. 5), and FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate in detail one of the lifters 76, with the other three lifters being substantially the same. Although the lifter 76 design illustrated herein is a preferred design, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that there are many available alternative ways to raise and lower the floor 16, especially since the displacement is rather short, on the order of about two inches or less. It is only necessary to lower the floor 16 from the canopy 12 to provide enough clearance so that the floor 16 can rotate freely. The smaller the gap between the floor 16 and the bottom of the canopy 12 wall 12a, the easier it is to contain powder from alighting beyond the canopy 12 wall periphery.

[0073] Each lifter 76 comprises three basic elements, namely a pneumatic actuator 90, a rocker arm 92 and a roller 94. In this embodiment, the pneumatic actuator 90 is realized in the form of a conventional air cushion shock commonly found in pneumatic suspension applications. The actuator 90 includes an inflatable bladder 96 that is supported by a pinned flange 98 on one of the trusses 70 of the frame 30. Pressurized air is supplied to the bladder 96 via an appropriate fitting and air hose assembly 97. The lower end of the bladder is attached or otherwise displaces a flange 100 that is pinned to a first end 92a of the rocker arm 92. The roller 94 is pinned to the opposite end 92b of the rocker arm and engages the underside of the floor 16 at the region of the floor flange portion 16b.

[0074] The rocker arm 92 is bent approximately at its middle and pinned at 102 to the frame 30 so as to be able to pivot about the axis of the pin 102. The control system 48 may be used to control the air pressure applied to the bladder 97, or this may be a manual control operation. In either case, all four lifters 76 are preferably but not necessarily actuated at about the same time in order to maintain the floor 16 generally level. When the bladder 96 is inflated by the application of pressurized air, the bladder 96 expands thus pushing down the flange 100 which pushes down the first end 92a of the rocker arm 92. This causes the rocker arm to pivot in a counterclockwise direction (as viewed from the illustration in FIG. 6). The counterclockwise pivoting action raises the roller 94 thus raising the floor 16. The floor 16 will be raised until it engages with the lower edge of the canopy wall 12a. This is the raised and sealed position of the floor 16 as shown in FIG. 6, and the floor is non-rotating when in the raised position. An elastomeric seal 104 or other suitable seal is disposed on the floor 16 and engages the lower end of the canopy 12a when the floor 16 is raised into sealing engagement with the canopy 12.

[0075] At least one air jet nozzle 80 is positioned on the frame 30 at the perimeter of the floor 16 to direct pressurized air at the seal 104 when the floor 16 is in its lowered position. This air jet 80 cleans the seal 104 of any overspray powder after cleaning activities inside the booth 10 are completed in preparation for a color changeover. The air jet 80 is not otherwise turned on as it is typically not needed. The nozzle 80 is preferably positioned near one end of the extraction duct 40 so as to blow powder from the seal 104 directly into the duct 40. The small air movement induced by the nozzle 80 will be sufficient to draw powder that has alighted on the floor 16 extension 16c outside the canopy 12 wall to be swept into the duct 40.

[0076] The circumferential elastomeric floor seal 104 is affixed to the floor 16 or carried on the bottom of the canopy 12 and forms an air tight seal between the floor 16 and the canopy 12 when the floor is in the raised position. Any suitable seal or gasket material may be used for the floor seal 104. This permits an operator to enter the booth 12 when the floor is in its raised position and use an air wand or other mechanism to blow powder off the canopy walls, ceiling and the extraction duct 40 without blowing powder out the booth between the floor 16 and the canopy 12 or having powder get trapped between the floor 16 and the canopy 12. This cleaning operation will typically be performed as part of a color change operation.

[0077] When the air pressure in the bladder 96 is relieved, the bladder 96 contracts and pulls up the first end 92a of the rocker arm, thus causing the rocker arm 92 to pivot clockwise (as viewed in FIG. 6). This rotation lowers the roller 94 and the floor 16 lowers under the force of gravity with the roller 94. The roller 94 lowers until it contacts the frame 30. As will be described herein shortly, the floor 16 is mounted on the hub assembly 84 that not only permits the floor to be rotated but also allow for this axial displacement of the floor 16 relative to the canopy 12.

[0078] FIG. 6 also illustrates that the gun mover base 66 may be supported on wheel assemblies 106 so that the gun movers 22 may be easily connected and disconnected from the booth frame 30. A pinned connection 108 may be used to releasably connect the gun mover base 66 to the frame 30.

[0079] FIG. 6 illustrates another aspect of the invention. Since the floor 16 is rotated during spraying and color change/cleaning operations, the canopy 12 and the ceiling 14 need to be supported separate from the floor 16. This is accomplished in the illustrated embodiment by the use of hanging knees 110 that are positioned around the frame 30. Each knee 110 includes a lower horizontal flange 112 that is bolted or otherwise secured to the frame 30. The knee 110 extends up then inward toward the booth 12. The knee further includes a vertically extending flange 114 that may be slightly curved to match the curvature of the canopy 12 wall. It is preferred although not required that the knees 110 are made of non-conductive composite materials, such as in accordance with the processes described in the above-referenced patent application. However, the knees 110 may be made from any non-conductive material provided that the knees 110 have enough rigidity and strength to support the canopy 12 and ceiling 14.

[0080] Each knee 110 is bonded to its respective portion of the canopy 12 outer wall surface. Any suitable bonding agent may be used and will be determined based on the materials of the knee 110 and the canopy 12. By this arrangement, the canopy 12 and ceiling 14 are fully supported just above the floor 16 (which extends under the canopy 12 wall as in FIG. 5) and there are no conductive bolts or plates or other elements that would attract the electrostatically charged powder. The use of the composite materials for the canopy 12 makes the canopy a fully self-supported structure that is cantilevered over the floor 16.

[0081] In an alternative embodiment illustrated in FIG. 17, the canopy 12 wall is attached to a plurality of hanging knees 190 by screws 192. In FIG. 17 the floor 16 is shown for reference purposes. Note in this embodiment that the lower end 12a of the canopy 12 wall is substantially reduced in thickness to provide a mounting flange that is attached to a flange on the hanging knee 190. Each knee 190 is also bolted to a corresponding support truss 70 or other firm structure on the booth support frame 30. FIG. 17 further illustrates the provision of the non-conductive plastic shroud 72 that overlays the frame 30 to keep dust out of the frame interior and for aesthetic value.

[0082] With reference to FIGS. 8 and 9, the floor 16 is a multi-layer construction of composite materials. The floor 16 includes an inner hub hole 120 formed by an integral annular hub flange 122. As best shown in FIG. 9, the floor 16 is built up in a step-wise fashion so as to have its greatest thickness in the middle region of the floor 16. The layers are then step-wise eliminated such that the outer perimeter of the floor is formed by the flange 16b. With reference to FIGS. 8 and 9, the inner hub flange 122 includes four bolt holes 124 that receive mounting bolts to attach the floor 16 to the hub assembly 84. FIG. 9 further shows schematically the laid-up construction of the composite floor 16 when the floor is made in accordance with the processes described in the above-incorporated patent application. The floor 16 upper or active surface 126 is a layer of gelcoat while the underside surface 128 is a layer of epoxy barrier. In between these two layers are layers of PVC coring 130 and bi-directional fabric 132. The resulting floor 16 has very high strength and rigidity and very low conductivity, therefore, powder overspray will not easily adhere to the floor upper surface 126.

[0083] With reference to FIGS. 10 and 11, the hub assembly 84 is supported by the parallel hollow bar hub supports 82 which extend across the frame 30 (FIG. 5) and are mounted to the frame 30 by bolts or other suitable means (not shown). Mounted on each support bar 82 is a gear box support bracket 140. Each bracket 140 may be attached to its respective support bar 82 by bolts 142 for example. A gear reducer box 144 is mounted on the brackets 140 by bolts 146. The gear reducer 144 drives a spline shaft 148 in response to rotation of a drive shaft 150 that is coupled to the gear box 144 by a universal joint 152. The drive shaft 150 is turned by a ¼ horsepower motor 74 that is mounted on the frame 30 as described hereinbefore.

[0084] The spline shaft 148 meshes with a track ball spline 154 that has an inner spline for the spline shaft 148 and an outer spline that meshes with a coupling 156. The coupling 156 is mounted on an aluminum hub plate 158 by a cap 160 that is attached to the coupling 156 by bolts 162, and a collar 164 that is attached to the coupling 156 by bolts 166. The floor 16 is mounted on the hub plate by bolts 168 that pass through the floor hub flange 122 bolt holes 124 (FIG. 8).

[0085] By this arrangement, the motor 74 turns the drive shaft 150 through a gear reducer 170, with the drive shaft turning the spline shaft 148 through the gear reducer 144 that is mounted on the frame 30 via the support bars 82. The spline shaft 148 rotation thus rotates the floor 16 via the coupling 156. By use of the spline arrangement between the drive shaft 150 and the hub plate 158, the floor 16 can be axially translated along the axis X a limited distance as previously described herein under operation of the floor lifters 76. The control system 48 may be programmed to set or adjust the motor 74 speed and hence the floor 16 rotation speed.

[0086] With reference to FIGS. 12, 12A, and 13-14, the extraction duct 40 in this embodiment is a metal duct that is mounted on one end to the cyclone elbow duct 52 and at the other end to an access door duct 172. The cyclone elbow duct 52 and the access door duct 172 are both mounted on the frame 30 and support the extraction duct 40 just off the floor 16. For reference, the canopy 12 wall location is shown with dashed lines W in FIGS. 12 and 13, and the floor FL is also represented.

[0087] The extraction duct 40 includes a lower skirt 174 that tapers downwardly towards the floor 16 along the longitudinal axis of the duct 40. This taper is defined by an angle β. The extraction duct 40 is supported about two inches above the floor 16, and the small optional taper β is used to maintain a constant air flow pattern through the duct 40. Without the taper, the higher negative air pressure closest to the cyclone inlet 52 would cause an uneven flow pattern within the booth. When the floor is in the raised position, there is only a very small or zero gap between the duct 40 and the floor 16 at the cyclone duct 52 end, and about two inches at the opposite end. Thus at its maximum when the floor 16 is lowered, the opposite end has about a four inch or less gap between the bottom of the duct 40 and the floor 16.

[0088] As best illustrated in FIG. 14, the duct 40 further includes two doors 176a and 176b that are attached to the skirt 174 by suitable hinges 178. The hinges 178 allow the doors 176a,b to open as illustrated in phantom in FIG. 14 to prevent excessive pressure build-up in the duct 40. Pressure can build up inside the duct 40 when the floor 16 is in the raised position during booth cleaning and as part of a color change operation. But under normal operating conditions, the doors 176a,b are closed and held closed by the negative air pressure within the duct 40. As the floor rotates under the duct 40, powder on the floor 16 is drawn up into the air stream inside the duct 40 and carried out to the cyclone system 42.

[0089] With reference to FIGS. 15A, 15B and 16, in an alternative embodiment the extraction duct 180 may be partially made of composite materials similar to the materials used for the booth 12. The duct 180 includes two longitudinal metal rails 182 that extend in parallel across the floor 16 and that are joined at the top by a cover 184. The rounded cover reduces powder buildup on the duct 180 and therefore is preferably but not necessarily made of composite very low conductivity materials. In contrast to the embodiment of the all metal duct 40, the cover 184 is a two piece cover 184a,b with each half hinged at the outer longitudinal ends thereof. The covers thus lift vertically from the lengthwise center point of the duct 180 when open as illustrated in phantom in FIG. 15B and extend up along the canopy wall. FIG. 16A illustrates another alternative embodiment in which the composite cover 184′ comprises two halves 184a′ and 184b′ that are hinged lengthwise in a manner similar to the embodiment of FIG. 14. As in the embodiment of FIGS. 15 and 16, the composite cover 184′ of FIG. 16A may, for example, be made using the processes for making the composite booth 12.

[0090] The duct 180 is mounted above the floor 16 and may be installed in a manner similar to the all metal duct 40 embodiment. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, in some applications it may be required to apply additional force to the powder residue that adheres to the floor 16 if the suction from the duct is insufficient to thoroughly dislodge the powder. In the embodiment of FIGS. 15 and 16, the composite duct 180 may be formed with internal air passageways 186 within the rails 182 through which pressurized air is supplied (not shown). Each rail 182 is arcuate in shape so as to include an end portion 182a that lies on a tangent T that forms an included angle θ with the floor 12. The angle θ is preferably less than ninety degrees.

[0091] A series of air jets or orifices 188 are formed in the bottom of each rail 182 and are in fluid communication via passageways 188a with the air passageways 186 such that pressurized air is directed out of each orifice 188 against the floor but at an angle that causes powder on the floor 12 to be blown into the extraction duct 180 interior. The orifices 188 are spaced along the lower edge of each rail 182 on the approach side of the extraction duct 180, thus for each rail 182 the orifices 188 are provided only on one half of each respective rail but a complete line of orifices extend across the entire booth floor 16. This positive pressure air from the jet slots 188 augments the powder removal suction caused by the negative air pressure flow within the duct 180. The pressurized air from the orifices 180 will tend to assist in dislodging powder overspray particles that may have adhered to the floor 12 and cannot be drawn up by the negative air pressure flow from the duct 180. The alternative duct 180 embodiment need not be made of the same materials as the booth 12, however, use of such materials will result in minimal collection of powder overspray on the duct 180.

[0092] Cyclone Bypass Valve

[0093] With reference again to FIG. 3, it is sometimes desired to be able to select whether the powder spraying system 1 operates in a powder reclaim or non-reclaim mode. For example, the system 1 may be operated in a non-reclaim mode when the powder overspray cannot be returned to the feed center for re-use. Since the reclaim powder mode of operation involves the use of the cyclone system 42, it is necessary to in effect take the cyclone 42 “off-line” for the non-reclaim mode.

[0094] FIG. 18 shows a bottom view of the bypass plenum 56. Each of the twin cyclones 42a,b have circular exhaust openings that align with openings 200 and 202 in the bypass plenum 56. In the reclaim mode, exhaust air from the cyclones 42a,b enters the bypass plenum 56 through the openings 200 and 202 and passes through the plenum outlet or exhaust opening 204 to the after-filter ductwork 58. In the non-reclaim mode, the openings 200, 202 are closed off by a bypass valve assembly 206.

[0095] With reference to FIG. 3, the vertical ductwork 44 that connects the extraction duct 40 to the cyclone system 42 is connected to a plenum manifold 207 that includes a first duct 208 that is connected to the cyclone inlet 54 (keeping in mind there are two such inlets when twin cyclones are used) and also includes a cyclone bypass duct 210. The bypass duct 210 extends over the top of the cyclone system 42 and is connected to the bypass plenum 56.

[0096] With reference to FIGS. 19A and 19B, the bypass valve 206 includes three basic components, namely a valve door 212, seals in the form of a pair of cyclone outlet seals 214 and a bypass duct seal 216, and a valve actuator mechanism 218. The valve door 212 is disposed within the bypass plenum 56 and is therefore shown in phantom in FIGS. 19A and B, whereas the valve actuator mechanism 218 is disposed outside the bypass plenum 56. In FIG. 19A the valve door 212 is shown in the cyclone open position and in FIG. 19B the valve door 212 is shown in the cyclone closed position which correspond in this embodiment to the reclaim and non-reclaim modes respectively.

[0097] The seals 214 and 216 are, for example, conventional D-seals. The cyclone seals 214 are installed on the plenum 56 around each of the cyclone openings 200, 202. Alternatively, the cyclone seals 214 may be installed on the valve door 212. The bypass plenum seal 216 may also be a D-seal and is installed in the plenum 56 around the opening between the bypass duct 210 and the bypass plenum 56. Again, alternatively, the duct seal 216 may be installed on the valve door 212 rather than the plenum 56 wall.

[0098] When the valve door 212 is in the upright or cyclone open position, the valve door 212 seals and isolates the bypass duct 210 from the bypass plenum 56. The cyclone exhaust outlets are also open to the bypass plenum 56 via the openings 200, 202. As a result, the powder overspray laden air from the extraction duct 40 passes into the cyclone inlets 54 whereby much of the powder is separated from the air stream and drops to the lower collection regions of the cyclones. The cyclone exhaust air, which may still contain powder fines, flows through the after-filter ductwork 58 to the after-filter assembly 60 (FIG. 4).

[0099] When the valve door 212 is in the down or cyclone closed position (FIG. 19B), the door 212 seals off and isolates the cyclone exhausts from the bypass plenum 56. The bypass duct 210 however is now open to the bypass plenum 56. When the cyclone exhausts are sealed off, the cyclone system 42 is non-operational and represents a high pressure impedance to the flow of air into the cyclone inlets 54. As a result, the powder laden air from the extraction duct 40 bypasses the cyclone inlets 54 and passes through the bypass duct 210, then straight through the bypass plenum 56 into the after-filter ductwork 58 and finally to the after-filter assembly or other waste receptacle.

[0100] The valve actuator mechanism 218 in this embodiment is realized in the form of a pneumatic piston type actuator 220 and a bell crank assembly 222. The bell crank assembly 222 is a lever 224 that is connected at its free end 226 to an actuator rod 228, and at its opposite or pivot end 230 is connected to the valve door 212 through the plenum 56 wall. The actuator 220 is pivotally connected to a mounting bracket 232 so that the actuator 220 is free to rotate slightly to avoid binding as it pushes and pulls on the bell crank lever 224. The actuator 220 may be controlled by the control system 48, or alternatively may be controlled by manual operation of a pressure valve. Still further, the valve door 212 could be manually moved, but an actuator is preferred to assure a good seal when the door 212 is in each position.

[0101] FIGS. 20 and 21 illustrate one embodiment of the valve door 212. The door 212 includes two faces 212a and 212b each of which will overlay respective openings 200, 202 to seal off the cyclone 42 when the door 212 is in the non-reclaim position, and cover the inlet from the bypass duct 210 when the door 212 is in the non-reclaim position. The door 212 is formed of a piece of sheet metal 232 that is bent around an actuator bar 234. One end of the actuator bar 234 is connected to the pivot end 230 of the bell crank lever 224 (FIG. 19). The door 212 is enclosed at its end and top with additional sheet metal and then injected with foam for strength and rigidity. In an alternative form of the door 212, a pair of doors may be used that individually pivot to close each cyclone exhaust opening. In this alternative, a separate third door may be needed to close off the bypass duct 210 when the system 1 is used in the reclaim mode.

[0102] It should be noted that the cyclone bypass valve concept may be used in any powder spraying system that utilizes a cyclone separator system. The bypass valve arrangement is therefore not limited to use in a system that uses other aspects of the system described herein such as, for example, the embodiments of the spray booth 10.

[0103] It is intended that invention not be limited to the particular embodiments and alternative embodiments disclosed as the best mode or preferred mode contemplated for carrying out the invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A powder spray booth comprising: a booth wall arrangement to contain powder during a spraying operation; and a booth floor that is rotatable relative to the booth wall during a spraying operation.

2. The booth of claim 1 comprising a floor rotation control for selectively starting and stopping said floor rotation.

3. The booth of claim 1 wherein said floor rotates about a floor rotation axis that is generally parallel with a longitudinal axis of said booth wall arrangement.

4. The booth of claim 3 wherein said booth wall arrangement is a generally cylindrical structure and said booth floor is generally circular.

5. The booth of claim 4 wherein said floor rotation axis is substantially collinear with a central longitudinal axis of said booth wall arrangement.

6. The booth of claim 3 wherein said booth floor is axially moveable along said floor rotation axis.

7. The booth of claim 6 wherein said floor translates between a first floor position at which said floor is rotatable about said floor rotation axis, and a second floor position at which said floor is sealed against one end of said booth wall arrangement.

8. The booth of claim 7 comprising a lifter mechanism that raises said floor to seal against a lower end of said booth wall arrangement.

9. The booth of claim 3 comprising a powder extraction apparatus disposed in said booth for removing overspray powder that accumulates on said booth floor during a spraying operation.

10. The booth of claim 9 wherein said powder extraction apparatus is mounted stationary with respect to said rotating floor.

11. The booth of claim 9 wherein said powder extraction apparatus produces an air flow that removes overspray powder from said booth floor and transfers said overspray powder to a location outside the spray booth.

12. The booth of claim 9 wherein said powder extraction apparatus uses a negative pressure induced air flow to remove powder from said booth floor.

13. The booth of claim 12 wherein said powder extraction apparatus directs pressurized air at said booth floor to remove powder from said booth floor and into said negative pressure induced air flow.

14. The booth of claim 9 wherein said powder extraction apparatus comprises an air flow duct that at one end is coupled to a low pressure source, said duct being mounted above said booth floor to create a vacuuming effect for removing powder from said booth floor when said low pressure source is operating.

15. The booth of claim 14 wherein said duct comprises side walls have air passageways therein that direct pressurized air at said booth floor.

16. The booth of claim 1 wherein said booth comprises low conductivity composite materials.

17. The booth of claim 9 wherein said powder extraction apparatus transfers powder overspray to a powder recovery system outside said powder booth.

18. The booth of claim 17 wherein said powder recovery system comprises a cyclone that generates a negative air pressure within said powder extraction apparatus to remove powder overspray from said booth floor.

19. The booth of claim 7 comprising an annular seal that seals a joint between said booth floor and said booth wall structure when said booth floor is in said second floor position.

20. The booth of claim 19 comprising a pressurized air source that blows powder from said seal and into the spray booth.

21. A powder spray booth comprising: a booth wall structure that at least partially encloses a powder containment area; a booth floor that is rotatable about an axis; and a powder extraction apparatus mounted in the spray booth and stationary with respect to said rotating floor.

22. The apparatus of claim 21 comprising a floor lifter mechanism that translates said floor between first and second positions along said axis.

23. A powder spray booth comprising: a partially enclosed booth having a wall structure and a floor; and a powder extraction apparatus that removes powder overspray from said floor during a spraying or cleaning operation; said floor and said powder extraction apparatus being rotatable relative to each other.

24. The booth of claim 23 wherein said floor rotates about an axis relative to said powder extraction apparatus that is stationary.

25. The booth of claim 23 wherein said powder extraction apparatus removes powder from said floor by a negative pressure induced air flow.

26. The booth of claim 25 wherein said powder extraction apparatus comprises a duct that is supported above said floor diametrically across said booth.

27. The booth of claim 26 wherein said duct lies on an axis that is nonparallel with a primary air flow path into said booth.

28. The booth of claim 23 wherein said booth wall structure is supported on a base frame separately from said floor.

29. The booth of claim 28 comprising a lifter mechanism that raises and lowers said floor relative to a lower end of said booth.

30 The booth of claim 23 wherein said powder extraction apparatus is connected to a powder collection system located outside the booth.

31. The booth of claim 30 comprising a powder feed apparatus for supplying powder to spray guns that are positioned in said booth, wherein said powder collection system comprises a powder reclaim system that returns powder overspray to said powder feed apparatus.

32. The booth of claim 31 comprising a bypass device for causing powder overspray from said extraction apparatus to bypass said reclaim system and be transferred to another powder disposal device.

33. The booth of claim 30 wherein said powder collection system comprises a powder disposal apparatus that receives powder overspray from said powder extraction apparatus.

34. A powder spraying system comprising: a spray booth with a powder overspray collection apparatus; a cyclone separator that receives powder overspray from the collection apparatus in a reclaim mode of operation; and a bypass valve that operates to connect the cyclone to the powder overspray collection apparatus in a reclaim mode of operation; said valve operating to isolate the cyclone in a non-reclaim mode of operation so that powder overspray from said collection apparatus bypasses the cyclone.

35. A bypass valve for a cyclone separator comprising: a plenum having at least one opening in fluid communication with an outlet of the cyclone and also having an outlet opening; and a valve element that in a first position closes said cyclone outlet and when in a second position said cyclone outlet is open to said plenum outlet.

36. A method for extracting powder from a powder spray booth, comprising the steps of: rotating a floor of the booth about a longitudinal axis of the booth during a spraying operation; and using a low pressure induced air flow to draw powder overspray off of the floor and extract the powder to a location outside the spray booth.

37. The method of claim 36 comprising the step of axially moving the floor along said axis of rotation to seal the floor against a booth side wall structure.

38. The method of claim 37 comprising the step of air blowing powder from the floor and walls of the booth while the floor is in its sealed position against the booth wall structure.

39. The method of claim 36 wherein said induced air flow is also used as powder containment air within the booth.

40. The method of claim 36 wherein powder overspray is drawn into a duct by said air flow, said duct being stationary with respect to said rotating floor.

41. The method of claim 40 comprising the step of using said duct as an ion collector.

42. A spray booth comprising: a non-conductive floor and canopy structure; a powder overspray extraction duct disposed near said floor and comprising material that collect ions from electrostatic spray guns in the booth during a spraying operation.

43. The booth of claim 42 wherein said duct is stationary relative to said canopy and said floor is rotatable relative to said canopy about a longitudinal axis of the booth.

44. A powder spray booth comprising: a canopy having a vertically extending wall portion, a floor and a ceiling; said canopy defining a partially enclosed powder spraying area; said wall arrangement having at least one substantial opening therein for containment air flow into an upper region of said spraying area; and a low pressure source near said floor and extending across said floor at a nonparallel angle to a primary flow direction of said containment air; wherein containment air flows into said booth and at least partially turns to an outer region of said spraying area and descends down to said low pressure source.

45. The booth of claim 44 wherein said canopy is generally cylindrical and said low pressure source comprises a duct that extends diametrically across said floor.

46. The booth of claim 45 wherein containment air flows down and around said outer region of said spraying area to contain powder overspray within said canopy with a central portion of said spraying area having relatively low air flow.

47. A spray booth comprising: a canopy and a floor; said canopy being supported above said floor and separate therefrom.

48. The spray booth of claim 46 wherein said floor is rotatable relative to said canopy.

49. The spray booth of claim 47 wherein said canopy comprises nonconductive self-supporting composite material.

50. The spray booth of claim 49 comprising a frame; said floor and said canopy being independently supported on said frame.

51. The spray booth of claim 50 wherein a hanging knee structure supports said canopy above said floor.

52. The spray booth of claim 47 wherein said floor is translatable from a lowered to a raised position; said floor being in contact with said canopy when in said raised position, and spaced from said canopy when in said lowered position.

53. A powder spray booth, comprising: a floor; said floor having a central hub; a drive shaft; and a connection between said drive shaft and said hub to rotate said floor about said hub during a spraying operation.

54. The booth of claim 53 wherein said floor is substantially round.

55. The booth of claim 54 wherein said connection permits translational and rotational movement of said floor.

56. The booth of claim 55 wherein said connection comprises a ball spline.

57. The booth of claim 53 comprising a motor that turns said drive shaft to rotate said floor; and a lifter mechanism that raises and lowers said floor.

58. A powder spray booth comprising: a canopy and a floor; and a powder extraction duct that extends across said floor; said extraction duct being supported above said floor at first and second ends of said duct; said duct and floor having a gap therebetween along a length of said duct.

59. The booth of claim 58 wherein said gap tapers at an angle such that said gap is greater at one end of said duct than at an opposite end of said duct.

60. The booth of claim 59 wherein said duct is connected at said one end to a low pressure source to draw air into said duct near said floor.

61. The booth of claim 58 wherein said duct comprises electrically conductive and non-conductive portions.

62. The booth of claim 61 wherein said duct comprises a cover portion and a skirt portion; said cover portion being non-conductive.

63. The booth of claim 62 wherein said skirt portion comprises a plurality of air holes that direct pressurized air against said floor to dislodge material that has alighted on said floor.

64. A powder spray booth comprising: a non-conductive floor and canopy structure; a powder overspray extraction duct disposed near said floor and comprising material that collect ions from electrostatic spray guns in the booth during a spraying operation; said duct comprising composite non-conductive materials, wherein said non-conductive portion is a rounded cover for said duct.

65. The booth of claim 64 wherein said cover is formed in two pieces lengthwise along said duct, with each cover piece being hinged at an end thereof.

66. The booth of claim 64 wherein said cover is formed in two pieces lengthwise along said duct, with each cover piece being hinged at a lengthwise edged thereof.