University of Kentucky Research Foundation

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.

Toyota Motor Corporation

Trinity Industrial Corporation

Toyota Motor Manufacturing, North America

Toyota Motor Manufacturing

Richard P Alloo

Kozo Saito

Abraham J Salazar

Naoji Tanaka

Masahito Sakakibara

Keng Hoo Chuah

Belal Gharaibeh

Ahmad Salaimeh

Vedanth Srinivasan

Nelson Akafuah

A method of analyzing a thermal image of a coated substrate to determine the presence of defects includes determining a defect temperature range based on a color of the coated substrate and the maximum temperature of the coated substrate in the thermal image. Thereafter, the thermal image is processed by determining a signal value of a pixel of interest based on a temperature of the pixel of interest, temperatures of pixels in a kernel of pixels surrounding the pixel of interest, and the color of the coated substrate. The signal value of the pixel of interest is then compared to the lower temperature threshold of the defect temperature range, wherein the pixel of interest is a defect location when the signal value of the pixel of interest is greater than or equal to the lower temperature threshold.

Systems and methods for detecting defects in coatings utilizing color-based thermal mismatch

One embodiment of the invention is directed to an apparatus for atomizing a fluid. This apparatus includes an atomizing nozzle assembly. The atomizing nozzle assembly includes: a spray applicator enclosure having a fluid entry zone, a flow shape profiler region, a transducer, and a cavitation enhancer module, wherein the cavitation enhancer module includes a residence modulation zone and the residence modulation zone includes a backward facing step region. The apparatus is configured such that fluid can enter the fluid entry zone to the nozzle profiler, the transducer and the cavitation enhancer module. Other embodiments relate to methods for atomizing fluids.

Devices and methods for atomizing fluids

A wet scrubber including an acceleration cone for accelerating an airflow containing paint particles and having a curved inner wall on which water used for capturing paint particles flows downwardly, a mixing chamber for mixing the airflow and water and provided with an impingement pool on which the airflow impacts, a vortex chamber for creating a swirling flow of air and water that further aids the capture of paint particles, and a discharge volute communicating with the vortex chamber and provided with an enlarged discharge port for discharging the air and water. The wet scrubber is used in a paint spray booth, and provides the advantages of reduction in both energy consumption and noise and improvement in the efficiency of the capturing of paint particles.

Wet scrubber and paint spray booth including the wet scrubber

Growing community of inventors

Lexington, KY, United States of America

Richard P Alloo