Abstract:
An improved Wurster coater in which conditioned fluidizing gas, drawn through a coating chamber bowl from a plenum by a vacuum fan, is directed through a perforated gas distribution plate through one or more Wurster tubes. The perforated gas distribution plate defines three concentric gas flow zones: a central high-flow up-bed zone beneath the Wurster tube, a surrounding annular lower-flow down-bed zone, and an outer peripheral bypass zone defining a bypass cavity underlying the outer lower wall of the bowl. A controlled bypass flow of conditioned fluidizing gas is directed into the bypass zone, either around the edge of the distribution plate or through relatively larger holes in its plate's outer periphery, which causes that portion of the fluidizing gas to flow radially inward across the distribution plate, thereby sweeping particles away which would otherwise stagnate at the inner corners of the bowl due to low gas velocity in that region. The depth of the cavity is adjustable for varying the pressure drop, and thereby the volume and velocity, of the bypass gas stream.
Abstract:
A gas wiping apparatus for use in coating a molten metal onto a steel strip. In the apparatus, a chamber, to which a high pressure gas is supplied, defines a multistage uniform pressure space. A lip support unit is associated with a front of the chamber to allow the high pressure gas to flow therethrough, the lip support unit supporting the apparatus against load. Upper and lower lips are associated with a front of the lip support unit to cooperatively define an outlet. The upper lip adjusts a gap of a gas outlet cooperatively with the lower lip, and can be easily installed in a lip support unit while adjusting the gap of the gas outlet stably. Also, edge over coating (EOC) of the steel strip can be prevented without an additional auxiliary nozzle.
Abstract:
A method of curing a coated article in a curing oven, the method has the steps of delivering a plurality of coated articles on a travel path through an oven. One ore more excess coating sites are determined on the coated articles which are potential sources of excess coating which, if remaining following curing, will require remedial treatment before a subsequent painting step. A plurality of nozzles are provided in nozzle groups of one or more along the travel path in the oven. Each group of nozzles is trained on a specific excess coating site on the coated articles. A flow of air is delivering through each nozzle sufficient to remove the excess coating from the excess coating site. A sufficient number of nozzles are provided so that excess coating has been removed from the excess coating sites on the coated articles.
Abstract:
Apparatus for applying a liquid coating to an irregularly shaped workpiece comprises a housing defining a coating chamber having an inlet and an exit. A conveyor system is adapted to convey the workpiece into the inlet, through the coating chamber, and out the exit. A plurality of sprayheads are mounted in the coating chamber, in generally surrounding relation to the workpiece, and arranged at various angles with respect to the workpiece, for spraying the liquid coating toward the workpiece. A plenum structure is connected to the housing and defines a plenum chamber communicating with the coating chamber. A vacuum system is associated with the plenum chamber for drawing a vacuum thereon. A blower system adjacent the exit of the coating chamber blows air into the coating chamber toward the workpiece.
Abstract:
A system for coating a substrate with an ultra-thin layer includes moving the substrate through a coating station and forming a composite layer including a coming fluid and a carrier fluid. The composite layer flows at a rate that is sufficiently high to form a continuous flowing fluid bridge of composite layer to the substrate surface and to contact the substrate with the flowing composite layer to interpose the coating layer between the substrate and the carrier fluid. The carrier fluid is removed while leaving the coating fluid deposited on the substrate as a coating layer.
Abstract:
A coating control system is provided enabling continuous operations, free of interruption for coating control purposes, while achieving desired coating weight and thickness profile for the various gages, widths and coating specifications encountered on a given continuous strip production line. In each of a pair of elongated pneumatic dies, a pressurized gas jet is controllably shaped and directed by flow-control means internally-mounted of each pneumatic die to impinge against its respective substrate coated surface with its major directional component of force being controlled to be perpendicularly transverse to the travel path of the coated strip across its full width. Adjustment of such internally-mounted means is coordinated with control of gas pressure supply and/or adjustment of die positioning means to maintain desired coating weight and coating profile across the width of the strip. Pneumatic and other crown-control measures of the invention are exercised along the centerline of the of the strip enabling production of continuous-strip galvanized steel product having improved tracking and handling properties.
Abstract:
An apparatus for applying a coating solution to at least a portion of a substrate surface to form a coated surface comprises an arrangement for separating the substrate from the coating solution and an arrangement for creating a flow of gas onto the coated surface in a direction substantially parallel to the coated surface substantially in unison with the separating arrangement separating the substrate from the coating solution.
Abstract:
A jet stripping apparatus comprises a stripping nozzle positioned to direct a stripping gas jet stream (11) against each side of a steel strip (7) emerging from a bath (8) of molten zinc or aluminium/zinc alloy with a layer (9) of bath material thereon, means to supply gas to said stripping nozzle at a pressure sufficient to liberate a relatively strong stripping jet stream (11) therefrom, and surface modifying means spaced closely below said stripping nozzle effective to smooth the surface of said layer (9) prior to it reaching the stripping jet stream (11). Said surface modifying means preferably comprise a smoothing nozzle positioned to direct a relatively weak surface modifying gas jet stream (18) against the layer (9) that is effective to smooth the layer but not to substantially affect the quantity of material passing it.
Abstract:
A low profile coating unit and method for galvanizing strips of steel of varying thicknesses with varying thickness of coating. The unit includes an air knife assembly and supporting means permitting adjustment in the horizontal, vertical and lateral directions independently of one another. The air knife assembly includes (1) a tubular manifold for receiving pressurized fluid and having a slot for discharging such fluid, (2) a housing encircling said slot defining a chamber and terminating in support means for (3) upper and lower lip members each having a fixed contour and cooperating to define an outlet orifice having an outlet orifice of minimum gap opening and tapering to maximum gap opening at its transverse ends and (4) diffuser means between the manifold and the outlet orifice.