Nordson Corporation

Invacare Corporation

Colin K Drummond

Joseph B Richey, Iii

Christopher P Bertellotti

Joseph Rogari

Mark Heckler

Don Urig

A microvalve sensor for sensing fluid flow therethrough and generating an electrical signal indicative thereof comprises: a housing connectable inline with a fluid passageway; a microvalve disposed in the housing to permit fluid to flow unidirectionally through the housing, the microvalve including: a substrate; an insulating layer disposed over the substrate, the substrate and insulating layer including an orifice to accommodate fluid flow through the housing; and a diaphragm element disposed over the insulating layer, the diaphragm element including: a solid center portion having an area sufficient to cover the orifice, and an outer portion surrounding the center portion having a plurality of apertures for passing fluid from the orifice through the housing, the outer portion being affixed to the insulating layer around a periphery thereof, the diaphragm element and substrate forming opposite plates of a capacitor having a capacitance which changes with fluid flow through the housing; and a circuit coupled across the opposite plates of the capacitor and powered by an electrical source for measuring the capacitance of the capacitor and generating an electrical signal indicative thereof.

Fluidic demand apparatus and MEMS flow sensor for use therein

An electrostatic fluidized bed powder coating apparatus including powder coating structure, such as a coating enclosure, hood or booth, and a powder fluidizing bed operatively associated with an electrostatic charging device. An enclosed powder accumulator is provided for collecting excess powder from the powder coating structure. A vacuum pump communicates between the powder coating structure and the powder accumulator and is operable by a source of compressed air for forming and controlling a cloud of powder emanating from the fluidizing bed and for transferring excess powder from the powder coating structure to the powder accumulator. In the preferred embodiment, the accumulator includes a cyclone housing. A powder reclaim feeder is disposed below and in communication with the cyclone housing and further communicates with a new powder feeder. A powder conveyor, in the preferred form of a rotating auger, transfers powder from the new powder feeder into the powder reclaim feeder and ultimately transfers the mixed powder into the powder coating structure.

Fluidized bed powder handling and coating apparatus and methods

An apparatus and method of reclaiming particles of powder material from a powder spray system (100) having an inlet passageway (190) of a collection subsystem (104) in fluid communication with an interior of a spray booth (108). An airflow conduit (250) extends between a trough (140) located under a conveyor belt (130) which in turn is located below the spray booth (108) and the inlet passageway (190) of the collection subsystem (104). Airflow through the airflow conduit (250) is augmented by a compressed air injector (280) disposed in the airflow conduit (250) and oriented so that it ejects compressed air in the direction of the inlet passageway (190). In this manner, particulate matter (overspray) settling in the trough (140) becomes entrained in an airstream (252) flowing into the collection subsystem (104). The collection subsystem (104) suitably includes a cyclone separator (170) and a filter stack (200).

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Lakewood, OH, United States of America

Colin K Drummond