A recirculating powder applicator includes an applicator body having an inlet on an upstream surface and an outlet on a downstream surface, wherein the inlet and outlet define a passage that extends transversely through the thickness of the applicator body, a powder conduit, an air inlet, an exhaust aperture located on one of the upstream or downstream surfaces, and a circulation chamber located on the interior of the applicator body. The powder conduit and air inlet are in fluid communication with the passage and the passage is in fluid communication with the circulation chamber. A method of applying powder to a substrate during a continuous process includes using a recirculating powder applicator.

A fluid delivery device includes: a first chamber configured to receive fluid from a fluid reservoir; a second chamber configured generate a vacuum therein to apply pressure to the fluid in the first chamber to enable the fluid in the first chamber to be output from the fluid delivery device; and a flow control member configured to allow the fluid in the first chamber to flow through the flow control member into the fluid reservoir at a predetermined flow rate to decrease the vacuum in the second chamber.

A powder delivery system for use in an additive manufacturing device includes a powder control valve configured to selectively divert at least a portion of an input fluid flow to a return line while a remainder of the input flow is delivered to a delivery nozzle. In some embodiments, the powder delivery valve may be modulated to alter the percentage of input flow diverted to the return line. Alternatively, the powder delivery valve may be either fully open or closed. In each embodiment, the powder delivery valve permits rapid changes in the amount of powder delivered to the nozzle.

A feed center for powder coating material includes a hopper, an extraction duct, and a control valve. The hopper is in fluid communication with a fluidizing pressure source. The extraction duct is in fluid communication with at least one suction source. The control valve connects the extraction duct with an extraction port of the hopper. The control valve is operable between a first position for applying suction from the at least one suction source to the hopper, and a second position providing an exterior opening in at least one of the control valve and the first extraction duct for exhausting pressurized fluid from the hopper and/or collecting at least some of the air and powder that is exhausted from the powder.

The present invention relates to a double bell cup installed on an end portion of a painting robot to centrifugally spray paint to an object to be painted, the double bell cup comprising: an outer body having a tapered structure that becomes gradually wider from the top to the bottom, wherein the outer body has an inlet passage formed on the top side thereof, a stagnation passage formed therein to communicate with the inlet passage, and a spray passage formed on the bottom side thereof to communicate with the stagnation passage, and paint is introduced through the inlet passage and retained in the stagnation passage; and an inner body having a tapered structure that becomes gradually wider from the top to the bottom.

A feed center for powder coating material includes a hopper, an extraction duct, and a control valve. The hopper is connectable in fluid communication with a fluidizing pressure source. The extraction duct is connectable in fluid communication with at least one suction source. The control valve connects the extraction duct with an extraction port of the hopper. The control valve is operable between a first position for applying suction from the at least one suction source to the hopper, and a second position providing an exterior opening in at least one of the control valve and the first extraction duct for exhausting pressurized fluid from the hopper and/or collecting at least some of the air and powder that is exhausted from the powder.

A base for a powder coating booth, including a base structure, through which the booth is intended to rest on a floor, the base structure being configured to support a powder coating compartment of the booth. The base also includes a floor, which is supported by the base structure and which is configured to delimit the bottom of the powder coating compartment. To reduce the accumulation of residual powder, the floor includes at least one oblique panel, which is inclined with respect to the horizontal and which is configured to delimit the bottom of the powder coating compartment of the booth, whereas the at least one oblique panel is porous so as to be permeable to the air and impermeable to the residual powder resulting from powder coating an article within the powder coating compartment.

A feed center for powder coating material includes a hopper, an extraction duct, and a control valve. The hopper is connectable in fluid communication with a fluidizing pressure source. The extraction duct is connectable in fluid communication with at least one suction source. The control valve connects the extraction duct with an extraction port of the hopper. The control valve is operable between a first position for applying suction from the at least one suction source to the hopper, and a second position providing an exterior opening in at least one of the control valve and the first extraction duct for exhausting pressurized fluid from the hopper and/or collecting at least some of the air and powder that is exhausted from the powder.

A fluid delivery device includes: a first chamber configured to receive fluid from a fluid reservoir; a second chamber configured generate a vacuum therein to apply pressure to the fluid in the first chamber to enable the fluid in the first chamber to be output from the fluid delivery device; and a flow control member configured to allow the fluid in the first chamber to flow through the flow control member into the fluid reservoir at a predetermined flow rate to decrease the vacuum in the second chamber.

The apparatus for coating systems comprises: a first feeding unit provided with first loading and unloading means of a first coating powder; a second feeding unit provided with second loading and unloading means of a second coating powder; a pump assembly associated with a spraying system for sending the first powder and the second powder into a coating booth; connecting means of the pump assembly to the first feeding unit and to the second feeding unit, variable between: a first configuration, in which the pump assembly is operatively connected to the first feeding unit for sending the first powder into the booth; and a second configuration, in which the pump assembly is operatively connected to the second feeding unit for sending the second powder into said booth.