Non-degrading pressure regulator
AssigneeGraco Inc.
InventorsArthur W. Etchells, David J. Donofrio
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A fluid pressure regulator for metallic flake pigment and other potentially degradable paints is provided by utilizing an orifice of such cross-section, shape and length so as to provide the desired pressure drop while at the same time maintaining flow in the laminar regime through the regulator.
Claims16
A pressure regulator in combination with a material supply system having a reservoir and a pump and containing materials which degrade in turbulent flow, said pressure regulator comprising an orifice having such shape, cross-sectional area and length so as to produce a predetermined pressure drop for a given material at a given flow rate while maintaining flow through the regulator in the laminar regime at all times in order to prevent degradation of said degradable materials.
A coating material circulation system having a predetermined range of flow rates and comprising:
- a material to be circulated through said system, said material having a density and a viscosity and being susceptible to degradation;
- a reservoir containing said material;
- a circulating loop;
- a pump, said pump withdrawing material from said reservoir and pressurizing said loop;
- at least one takeoff connected to an application device;
- and
- a pressure regulator connected between said loop and said reservoir, said regulator having an orifice gap, length and shape such that the Reynolds number (RE) is less than 1000, where
- RE=gVd/v
- where:
- d=said material density
- g=orifice gap
- V=material velocity in the gap
- v=material viscosity
- and where said orifice length for flow rates in said predetermined range is greater than 10 g, whereby laminar flow if maintained and material degradation is prevented.
A method of regulating the pressure of a degradeable fluid material having a density, flow rate and viscosity without causing undue degradation and comprising the steps of:
- passing the fluid through an orifice having a gap and a length;
- and
- maintaining the flow through said orifice in the laminar regime at all times in order to prevent degradation of said degradable materials.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.