Energy damping device for spray gun

Claim 1

In an electrostatic spray gun of the type having fluid passages therein for the passage of fluid therethrough, and having passages therethrough for containing electrically conductive components for carrying a voltage to a forwardly projecting electrode, the electrode and the forwardmost fluid passage being in axial alignment, the improvement comprising (a) a fluid ejection orifice proximate the forward end of said forwardmost fluid passage; (b) a fluid valve adapted for seating in fluid sealing relationship in said fluid ejection orifice; (c) a conductor in said fluid valve, said conductor having a segment projecting forwardly through said fluid ejection orifice to form said forwardly projecting electrode, and said conductor having a further segment projecting externally of said fluid valve into said forwardmost fluid passage; (d) a resistive element in said forwardmost fluid passage, said resistive element having an axial opening therethrough sized to permit axial movement of said fluid valve therein, said further segment of said conductor in said fluid valve being in electrical contact against said resistive element; (e) means for electrically connecting said resistive element to further electrically conductive components in said spray gun passages; (f) means for coupling said forwardmost fluid passage to further fluid passages in said spray gun; and (g) means for axially moving said fluid valve in opening and closing relationship to said fluid flow.