Method and apparatus for cleaning a bell atomizer spray head
AssigneeFANUC Robotics North America, Inc.
InventorsScott J. Clifford, Donald S. Bartlett, Michael G. Beem
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A cleaning system and method for a bell atomizer spray head provides an air/solvent mixture to an exterior surface of a bell cup through shaping air passages and outlets during a color change or bell cleaning operation. In the alternative, cleaning passages can be provided for the air/solvent mixture to exit adjacent the bell cup exterior.
Claims12
A method of cleaning an exterior surface of a bell cup in a rotary atomizer spray head comprising the steps of:
- a. providing at least one outlet in a shaping air assembly of a rotary atomizer spray head, said one outlet being positioned adjacent an exterior surface and an outer edge of a bell cup of the rotary atomizer spray head
- b. mixing pressured air and a cleaning solvent to produce a pressured air/solvent mixture;
- and
- c. selectively supplying the pressured air/solvent mixture to the one outlet to clean the exterior surface and the outer edge of the bell cup.
An apparatus for cleaning an exterior of a bell cup in a bell atomizer spray head comprising:
- a bell cup having an exterior surface terminating in an outer edge;
- a generally cylindrical shaping air assembly having an end surface adjacent said exterior surface and outer edge of said bell cup;
- at least one passage formed in said shaping air assembly having an inlet at one end and an outlet at an opposite end formed in said end surface;
- and
- a selectively actuated valve having an outlet connected to said one passage inlet and having an inlet whereby when a pressured air/solvent mixture is applied to said valve inlet and said valve is actuated to open, the pressurized air/solvent mixture is applied to said exterior surface and said outer edge of said bell cup.
A method of cleaning an exterior surface of a bell cup in a rotary atomizer spray head comprising the steps of:
- a. providing at least one outlet in a shaping air assembly of a rotary atomizer spray head, said one outlet being positioned adjacent an exterior surface and an outer edge of a bell cup of the rotary atomizer spray head
- b. mixing pressured air and a cleaning solvent to produce a pressured air/solvent mixture;
- c. selectively applying the pressured air/solvent mixture to an interior surface of the bell cup;
- and
- d. selectively supplying the pressured air/solvent mixture to the one outlet to clean the exterior surface and the outer edge of the bell cup.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.