Valve unit for air type electrostatic spray gun

Claim 2

In an electrogasdynamically powered electrostatic spray device, first conduit means for directing at least a portion of seeded air emanating from the outlet end of an electrogasdynamic power generator to a first location remote therefrom, second conduit means for directing another portion of the seeded air emanating from the outlet end of said generator to a second location remote therefrom, valve means for automatically inversely controlling the ratio of the flows of seeded air through said first and second conduit means while preventing the back pressure at the outlet end of said generator from increasing to a magnitude that would materially decrease the electrical output of said generator.

Claim 3

In an air atomizing electrogasdynamically powered electrostatic spray coating device operationally responsive to at least a portion of vapor seeded air emanating from the outlet end of a self-contained electrogasdynamic power generator, first air emitting aperture means for effecting atomization of a stream of liquid coating material into an atomized spray, second air emitting aperture means for controlling the shape of said atomized spray, third aperture means disposed remote from the locus of atomization, and valve means for automatically inversely varying the flow of seeded air emanating from said generator through said third and said second aperture means to prevent the pressure at the outlet end of said generator from increasing to a magnitude that would materially decrease the electrical output of said generator while varying the amount of seeded air emitted through said second aperture means.

Claim 4

In an air atomizing electrogasdynamically powered electrostatic spray coating device operationally responsive to at least a portion of vapor seeded air emanating from the outlet end of a self-contained electrogasdynamic power generator, first air emitting aperture means for effecting atomization of a stream of liquid coating material into an atomized spray, second air emitting aperture means for controlling the shape of said atomized spray, third aperture means disposed remote from the locus of atomization, and valve means for automatically inversely varying the flow of seeded air emanating from said generator through said third and said second aperture means to prevent the pressure at the outlet end of said generator from increasing to a magnitude that would materially decrease the electrical output of said generator while varying the amount of seeded air emitted through said second aperture means.

Claim 5

In an air atomizing electrogasdynamically powered electrostatic spray coating device wherein seeded air emanating from the outlet end of a self-contained electrogasdynamic power generator is employed for atomizing coating fluid into a spray thereof and for shaping said atomized spray, first conduit means of fixed cross-sectional flow area for directing a portion of said seeded air from the outlet end of said generator to a locus of atomization, second conduit means for directing a second portion of said seeded air from the outlet end of said generator to a shaping orifice positioned adjacent to said locus of atomization, third conduit means connected to said second conduit means for venting a portion of the air emanating from said generator to the atmosphere at a location remote from said locus of atomization, and selectively positionable valve means interposed at the junction of said second and third conduit means for varying the effective cross-sectional flow area of said third conduit means in inverse complemental relation with selected variations introducable in the effective cross-sectional flow areas of said second conduit for controlling the amount of shaping air emitted from said shaping orifice whereby the back pressure at the outlet end of said generator is prevented from increasing to a magnitude that would materially decrease the electrical output of said generator.

Claim 6

In an air atomizing electrogasdynamically powered electrostatic spray coating device wherein seeded air emanating from the outlet end of a self-contained electrogasdynamic power generator is employed for atomizing coating fluid into a spray thereof and for shaping said atomized spray, first conduit means of fixed cross-sectional flow area for directing a portion of said seeded air from the outlet end of said generator to a locus of atomization, second conduit means for directing a second portion of said seeded air from the outlet end of said generator to a shaping orifice positioned adjacent to said locus of atomization, third conduit means connected to said second conduit means for venting a portion of the air emanating from said generator to the atmosphere at a location remote from said locus of atomization, and selectively positionable valve means interposed at the junction of said second and third conduit means for varying the effective cross-sectional flow area of said third conduit means in inverse complemental relation with selected variations introducable in the effective cross-sectional flow areas of said second conduit for controlling the amount of shaping air emitted from said shaping orifice whereby the back pressure at the outlet end of said generator is prevented from increasing to a magnitude that would materially decrease the electrical output of said generator.

Claim 7

The device as set foRth in claim 3 wherein said value means comprises means defining an elongated cylindrical bore having said first and second conduit means opening in fluid communication therewith. a plug member selectively displaceable in said bore into overlying relation with said opening fluidly communicating with said second conduit and means responsive to the position of said plug member within said bore for controlling the effective cross-sectional flow area of said third conduit means.