Air measuring apparatus and method for paint rotary bell atomizers

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to FIG.
2, a preferred form of air velocity measuring tool 40 made in accordance with the preferred form of the present invention basically comprises a cylindrical adaptor ring 41 that permits the tool to fit snugly against a paint atomizer with a minimum amount of air leakage.
The adaptor ring may be made from a compressible material, or may include a gasket that fits against the atomizer.
Ring 41 preferably has an inside diameter of 23/4 inches.
Tool 40 also includes a conical collecting funnel 42 that increases the velocity of the air collected by collar 41 and channels the air into an airflow straightening section 44.
Section 44 preferably has a length of 31/2 inches.
Section 44 preferably comprises a 304 stainless steel honeycomb material, such as Model KYM162 having 0.
062 inch wide hexagonal holes and 0.
003 inch thick walls.
Such a model is made by Kentucky Metals INCO, New Albany, Ind.
47150.
Section 44 also can be fabricated from a cylindrical section of a CELCOR brand oval monolithic automotive catalyst Model 083 834582 9475 1000EM, size 3.
54.
times.
7.
28.
times.
6.
00 inches, with 400 cells per square inch and 6.
0 mil thick walls.
After the air has been straightened in section 44, it is conducted through an open section 46 of tube 40 that transmits the straightened air into a measurement section.
Section 46 preferably has a length of 61/2 inches.
Sections 44 and 46 preferably have an inside diameter of 1 inch.
Tool 40 also includes a air velocity measuring device.
A pressure sensing device, such as a Kiel probe 48 having an inlet tube 50 that defines an opening 51, may be successfully used.
The Kiel tube is mounted by mounting collars 54 and 55 on the wall of tube 46 as shown.
Adaptor ring 41, collecting funnel 42, straightening section 44, tube 46 and opening 51, each have a longitudinal axis located on a common axis 58.
In addition to Kiel probe 48, other types of Pitot meters can be employed.
Other types of anemometers also can be used to measure the air velocity in tube 46, such as turbine flow meters and thermal anemometers