Patent ID: 6832576
Filing Date: 2004-12-21
Classification: B01J,B05B,B05C

Abstract:
In a manufacturing processes with a cylindrical coating chamber having wall with an interior facing surface defining an interior space and at least one inflatable seal positioned within the wall having a seal face arranged to face the interior space within the chamber, the inflatable seal being in direct or indirect contact with a coating solution applied to a substrate positioned within the chamber which can adhere to the inflatable seal, the improvement consists of an inflatable seal cleaning system which is comprised of:a. one or more spray nozzles mounted above the seal and chamber, the spray nozzles are positioned so as to direct water in a direction downwardly toward the seal in a fan pattern so as to impact the seal and a portion of the chamber above the seal with sufficient velocity to reflect the water to the opposite facing portion of the wall; b. a pulse pump controlled by a controller to deliver individual pulses of the water to the spray nozzles at a pressure of 20 to 125 psig; c. one or more solenoid valves controlled by the controller to direct the pulses of water to select individual spray nozzles; d. one or more mounting blocks for securing the position of the spray nozzle relative to the chamber and the seal, the spray nozzles are secured in the mounting blocks in such a way so as to direct the water spray downward toward the seal face at an angle of 15 to 45 degrees from horizontal; and e. tubing to conduct the water from the pulse pump to the spray nozzles.