Patent attributes
A rotary atomizer includes a motor for spinning an output shaft. At least a portion of the shaft is electrically relatively non-insulative. An atomizing device is mounted on the shaft for rotation therewith. A passageway extends the length of the shaft. A feed tube extends through the passageway for supplying a coating material to be atomized to the atomizing device. At least a portion of the feed tube in contact with the coating material to be atomized as the coating material to be atomized flows through the feed tube toward the atomizing device is electrically relatively non-insulative. The atomizer further includes a device for promoting electrical charging of the coating material to be atomized as the coating material to be atomized is in contact with the electrically relatively non-insulative at least a portion of the feed tube.