Method and system for coating a workpiece
AssigneeDeere & Company
InventorsNan Wei, Brian P. Burghgrave
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A system and method for coating a desired portion of the workpiece with a layer of paint comprises an upper reservoir for storing paint. A female shell has at least two sections joined together to generally surround the workpiece with a gap. An energy source applies a first voltage of a first polarity to at least one of the shell, a conductive layer of the shell, or conductive inlet associated with the shell. The energy source provides a ground or a second voltage of a second polarity, which is different in polarity to the first polarity, to the workpiece. A lower reservoir receives excess paint that flows off the workpiece. A foam reduction module receives the excess paint positioned between the workpiece and the lower reservoir.
Claims22
A system for coating a desired portion of the workpiece with a layer of paint, the system comprising:
- an upper reservoir for storing paint;
- a female shell having at least two sections joined together to generally surround the workpiece with a gap, wherein the female shell is configured to receive the paint from the upper reservoir;
- an energy source for applying a first voltage of a first polarity to at least one of the female shell, a conductive layer associated with the female shell, and a conductive inlet of the female shell, and providing a ground or a second voltage of second polarity, different than the first polarity, to the workpiece;
- a lower reservoir that is configured to receive excess paint that flows off the workpiece within the female shell;
- and
- a foam reduction module for receiving the excess paint positioned between the workpiece and the lower reservoir, wherein the foam reduction module comprises a sloped ramp and a primary barrier, the primary barrier having a lower portion with an opening for the paint and an upper portion to capture air bubbles or foam in the paint.
A method for coating a desired portion of the workpiece with a layer of paint, the method comprising:
- providing a supply of paint;
- joining together at least two sections of a female shell to generally surround the workpiece with a gap;
- filling the gap of the female shell with the paint;
- applying a first voltage to at least one of the female shell, a conductive layer of the female shell, and a conductive inlet of the female shell, and providing a ground or a second voltage of different polarity with respect to the first voltage to the workpiece;
- receiving excess paint that flows off the workpiece in a lower reservoir;
- and
- reducing any foam in the excess paint prior to introduction into the lower reservoir, wherein the reducing comprises placing a primary barrier associated with a sloped ramp in the path of the excess paint, the primary barrier having a lower portion with an opening for the paint and an upper portion to capture air bubbles or foam.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.