Patent ID: 6045056
Filing Date: 2000-04-04
Classification: B05B

Abstract:
A method of operating a compressed air spray device comprising the steps of:(a) supplying air to a spray applicator, the air having a pressure and a flow rate;(b) supplying a liquid to the spray applicator, the liquid having a flow rate;(c) selecting a desired transfer efficiency;(d) determining an optimized atomization corresponding to the desired transfer efficiency;(e) regulating the pressure and flow rate of the air and the flow rate of the liquid, according to the following equation, for producing an atomized spray having the optimized atomization corresponding to the desired transfer efficiency: ##EQU2## Wherein: TE is the transfer efficiency,T(D) is a drop transfer efficiency function,q(D) is an atomization probability density function,Dmax is a maximum droplet diameter for the atomized spray, andDmin is a minimum droplet diameter for the atomized spray; and(f) applying the atomized spray to a workpiece.