Patent ID: 7611069
Filing Date: 2009-11-03
Classification: B05B

Abstract:
1. A method for forming and controlling a pattern for spraying surfaces with a fluid using a rotary atomizer spray head comprising the steps of: a. providing a shaping air assembly connected to a supply of pressured air and having an open end; b. rotatably mounting a bell cup in the open end of the shaping air assembly on an axis of rotation, wherein the axis of rotation is a longitudinal axis of the bell cup; c. mounting a shaping air ring with a plurality of nozzles in the open end of the shaping air assembly surrounding the bell cup and adjacent an outer edge of the bell cup, the nozzles each having an inlet end for receiving air from the source of pressured air and an outlet for directing a flow of shaping air past the outer edge of the bell cup, wherein each of the plurality of nozzles have a right handed triad, base coordinate system that is placed on the longitudinal axis of the nozzle with an origin in the same plane as an outlet of the nozzle, the base coordinate system including an X-axis extending positively outward from the outlet of the nozzle, parallel with the axis of rotation of the bell cup, and away from the tubular housing, a Z-axis extending positively away from the outlet of the nozzle and perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the bell cup, and a Y-axis orthogonal to the X-axis and the Z-axis, at least one of the nozzles being angled from the inlet end to the outlet end in a predetermined direction of rotation of the bell cup, wherein a longitudinal axis of the at least one nozzle is not parallel to the axis of rotation of the bell cup, wherein the at least one nozzle extends from the inlet end to the outlet end in a +X and a −Y direction; and d. rotating the bell cup in the predetermined direction of rotation while supplying a fluid to be sprayed to the bell cup to maintain a high transfer efficiency and improved surface finish uniformity of the fluid.