Coated industrial automation device

Abstract

According to various embodiments, a coating mixture is capable of being applied on a substrate. The coating mixture includes acidified graphite particles, a suspension of polytetrafluoroethylene resin in water, and silver ion doped microporous particles. When the coating mixture is applied to a surface of the substrate, the coating resists growth of microorganisms.

1 .- 31 . (canceled) 
     
     
         32 . A coated industrial automation device, comprising:
 an industrial automation device, wherein the industrial automation device selected from a group consisting of sensors, encoders, switches, controllers, push buttons, and cordsets;   an antimicrobial coating covering a surface of the industrial automation device, wherein the coating comprises acidified graphite particles, polytetrafluoroethylene resin particles, and silver ion doped microporous particles.   
     
     
         33 . The coated industrial automation device of  claim 32 , wherein the industrial automation device comprises stainless steel, plastic, or any combination thereof 
     
     
         34 . The coated industrial automation device of  claim 32 , wherein the industrial automation device comprises a proximity sensor. 
     
     
         35 . The coated industrial automation device of  claim 32 , wherein a lens of the industrial automation device is not covered by the antimicrobial coating. 
     
     
         36 . The coated industrial automation device of  claim 32 , wherein the silver ion doped microporous particles comprise pores of less than about 30 angstrom. 
     
     
         37 . The coated industrial automation device of  claim 36 , wherein most of the acidified graphite particles comprise cannot enter into the pores of the silver ion doped microporous particles. 
     
     
         38 . The coated industrial automation device of  claim 37 , wherein most of the acidified graphite particles comprise a diameter of less than about 20 micron. 
     
     
         39 . The coated industrial automation device of  claim 32 , wherein the acidified graphite particles comprise diameters of about 2 micron to 20 micron. 
     
     
         40 . The coated industrial automation device of  claim 32 , wherein the polytetrafluoroethylene resin particles comprise particles with a diameter of about 0.05 micron to 0.5 micron. 
     
     
         41 . The coated industrial automation device of  claim 32 , wherein the silver ion doped microporous particles comprise greater than about 3 percent silver ion by weight. 
     
     
         42 . The coated industrial automation device of  claim 32 , wherein the antimicrobial coating comprises a thickness of about 50 micron to 75 micron. 
     
     
         43 . The coated industrial automation device of  claim 32 , wherein the surface of the industrial automation device is roughened prior to covering with the antimicrobial coating. 
     
     
         44 . A coated industrial automation device, comprising:
 an industrial automation device; and   an antimicrobial coating covering a surface of the industrial automation device, wherein the coating comprises acidified graphite particles of about 2 micron to 20 micron, polytetrafluoroethylene resin particles of about 0.05 micron to 0.5 micron, and silver ion doped microporous particles having pores of less than about 30 angstrom.   
     
     
         45 . The coated industrial automation device of  claim 44 , wherein the silver ion doped microporous particles comprise greater than about 3 percent silver ion by weight. 
     
     
         46 . The coated industrial automation device of  claim 44 , wherein the antimicrobial coating comprises a thickness of about 50 micron to 75 micron. 
     
     
         47 . The coated industrial automation device of  claim 44 , wherein the surface of the industrial automation device is roughened prior to covering with the antimicrobial coating. 
     
     
         48 . The coated industrial automation device of  claim 44 , wherein the silver ion doped microporous particles comprise zeolite. 
     
     
         49 . A coated industrial automation device, comprising:
 an industrial automation device; and   an antimicrobial coating covering a surface of the industrial automation device and comprising acidified graphite particles, polytetrafluoroethylene resin particles, and silver ion doped microporous particles;   the antimicrobial coating being configured to be reactivated by applying an acid to the surface of the coating, allowing the acid to remain in contact with the surface of the coating for a time sufficient to reactivate the antimicrobial coating; and removing excess acid from the surface of the coating.   
     
     
         50 . The coated industrial automation device of  claim 49 , wherein the acidified graphite particles are of about 2 micron to 20 micron, the polytetrafluoroethylene resin particles are of about 0.05 micron to 0.5 micron, and the silver ion doped microporous particles have pores of less than about 30 angstrom, and the silver ion doped microporous particles comprise greater than about 3 percent silver ion by weight. 
     
     
         51 . The coated industrial automation device of  claim 49 , wherein the antimicrobial coating comprises a thickness of about 50 micron to 75 micron.