Avoidance of spattering in the supply of conductive liquids to charged reservoirs

Claim 2

Apparatus for supplying uncharged electrically conductive liquid to an electrostatically charged electrically isolated reservoir thereof comprising, conduit means for supplying said liquid to said reservoir in the form of an unconfined column having a length which prevents the passage of an electrostatic charge back to said conduit means, an electrically isolated container positioned to receive said unconfined column of liquid to provide a reservoir of electrostatically charged liquid, said charged reservoir establishing an electrical field having an arcing level close to said reservoir and a spattering level further removed from said reservoir, said levels defining a spattering zone therebetween, said unconfined column of liquid passing through said field and through said spattering zone, and at least one grounded conductor surrounding said unconfined column and electrically proximate thereto within said spattering zone to dissipate the electrical field in said spattering zone in the vicinity of said unconfined column of liquid and thereby minimize loss of liquid from said unconfined column by spattering.

Claim 3

Apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said grounded conductor is annular shaped having an internal diameter greater than the diameter of said unconfined column and up to about 8 inches.

Claim 4

Apparatus as recited in claim 2 wherein there are a plurality of ring-shaped grounded conductors spaced apart along the length of said unconfined liquid column within said spattering zone.

Claim 5

Apparatus as recited in claim 2 wherein said grounded conductor has a diameter of from 3 to 8 inches.

Claim 6

Apparatus as recited in claim 4 wherein said grounded conductor has a diameter of from 4 to 6 inches.

Claim 7

Apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said reservoir is in communication with an electrostatically charged spray head.

Claim 8

Apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein dry air is blown around the descending unconfined column of liquid, thereby avoiding arcing to the walls of the Reservoir.

Claim 9

Electrostatic apparatus for spraying electrically conductive liquid comprising, conduit means for supplying said liquid to said reservoir in the form of an unconfined column having a length which prevents the passage of an electrostatic charge back to said conduit means, an electrically isolated container positioned to receive said unconfined column of liquid to provide a reservoir of electrostatically charged liquid, said charged reservoir establishing an electrical field having an arcing level close to said reservoir and a spattering level further removed from said reservoir, said levels defining a spattering zone therebetween, said unconfined column of liquid passing through said field and through said spattering zone, and at least one grounded conductor surrounding said unconfined column and electrically proximate thereto within said spattering zone to dissipate the electrical field in said spattering zone in the vicinity of said unconfined column of liquid and thereby minimize loss of liquid from said unconfined column by spattering, an electrostatically charged spray head for spraying said liquid and conduit means communicating between said reservoir and said spray head.

Claim 10

Electrostatic apparatus for spraying electrically conductive liquid comprising, conduit means for supplying said liquid to said reservoir in the form of an unconfined column having a length which prevents the passage of an electrostatic charge back to said conduit means, an electrically isolated container positioned to receive said unconfined column of liquid to provide a reservoir of electrostatically charged liquid, said charged reservoir establishing an electrical field having an arcing level close to said reservoir and a spattering level further removed from said reservoir, said levels defining a spattering zone therebetween, said unconfined column of liquid passing through said field and through said spattering zone, and at least one grounded conductor surrounding said unconfined column and electrically proximate thereto within said spattering zone to dissipate the electrical field in said spattering zone in the vicinity of said unconfined column of liquid and thereby minimize loss of liquid from said unconfined column by spattering, an electrostatically charged spray head for spraying said liquid and conduit means communicating between said reservoir and said spray head.