US3683846A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Filament plating system
Assignee: Texaco Inc
•
Filing: 1968-10-29
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Granted: 1972-08-15
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Expires: 1988-10-29
Abstract
Abstract A plating system for a fine conductive substrate is provided wherein the substrate is pulled from an eddy-current brake type letoff unit through combination gas seals and electrical contact units to and through a plating chamber and outlet gas seals and electrical contacts by a capstan-drive speed regulating mechanism. After leaving the capstan-drive unit the plated filament is random wound on a spool which is friction driven via its rim so that tension in the plating chamber is independent of spool tension and which drive automatically compensates for changes in diameter as spooling progresses.
Inventors
- 👤 Norman E Flournoy
- 👤 Gerald M Eisenlohr
- 👤 Frank R Black Jr
- 👤 James E Schultz
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 20:26
CPC Classifications
C; C23; C23C; C23C16/00; C23C16/44; C23C16/54; C23C16/545; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S118/00; Y10S118/22
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
136 words
A system for producing plated filaments comprising means for drawing a fine filamentary substrate, at a constant speed, from a spool source thereof through a purging station and a plating station, means controlling the letoff of the substrate from such spool of substrate to maintain a constant tension on said substrate; means for electrically heating the substrate in said purging station and means for electrically heating said substrate to a plating temperature in said plating station; means continuously directing a flow of purging gas through the purging station and plating gas through the plating station, and means continuously reeling said plated filament at a predetermined tension independent of the tension in the purging and plating stations, wherein tension on the substrate is maintained in the purging and plating stations by an eddy current spool breaking mechanism.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
136 words
A system for producing plated filaments comprising means for drawing a fine filamentary substrate, at a constant speed, from a spool source thereof through a purging station and a plating station, means controlling the letoff of the substrate from such spool of substrate to maintain a constant tension on said substrate; means for electrically heating the substrate in said purging station and means for electrically heating said substrate to a plating temperature in said plating station; means continuously directing a flow of purging gas through the purging station and plating gas through the plating station, and means continuously reeling said plated filament at a predetermined tension independent of the tension in the purging and plating stations, wherein tension on the substrate is maintained in the purging and plating stations by an eddy current spool breaking mechanism.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
62 words
The invention defined in claim 1 wherein the eddy current spool braking mechanism is characterized by a permanent magnet having an air gap between the pole faces thereof, a non-magnetic conductive disc adapted to cut the magnetic lines of force in said air gap upon rotation of the spool containing the filamentary substrate, to thereby apply a braking force on said spool.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
47 words
The invention defined in claim 2 wherein said permanent magnet is mounted on a pivotal axis normal to the plane of the non-magnetic disc whereby the eddy current braking effect of said permanent magnet is maintained substantially constant through variable speeds of rotation of the non-magnetic disc.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
The invention defined in claim 3 wherein the permanent magnet is biased in a direction such that a maximum number of lines of force are cut upon rotation of the non-magnetic disc.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system defined in claim 4 wherein a cluster consisting of a three-wheel capstan drive arrangement is employed to draw the substrate from a spool source thereof.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system defined in claim 5 wherein only one of the wheels of the cluster is driven and the other wheels of the cluster are idle wheels.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system defined in claim 4 wherein the means for continuously reeling said plated filament at a predetermined tension comprises a rim-driven spool assembly.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
34 words
The invention defined in claim 7 wherein the tension in the reeled filament is determined by the frictional engagement between the rim of the spool and a driven shaft in contact with the rim.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
The invention defined in claim 7 including means for rapidly traversing the spool to provide for random spooling of the reeled filament.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
187 words
A system for producing plated filaments comprising means for drawing a fine filamentary substrate, at a constant speed, from a spool source thereof through a purging station and a plating station; means controlling the letoff of the substrate from such spool of substrate to maintain a constant tension on said substrate; means for electrically heating the substrate in said purging station and means for electrically heating said substrate to a plating temperature in said plating station; means continuously directing a flow of purging gas through the purging station and plating gas through the plating station, and means continuously reeling said plated filament at a predetermined tension independent of the tension in the purging and plating stations, including gas sealing means positioned at the upper and lower ends of the purging station and at the upper and lower ends of the plating station, wherein the openings in the gas seals are so sized that a pool of mercury may be maintained above the openings in each seal, and wherein the openings in the seals are variable from an operative mercury retaining position to an inoperative filament re-string position.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
187 words
A system for producing plated filaments comprising means for drawing a fine filamentary substrate, at a constant speed, from a spool source thereof through a purging station and a plating station; means controlling the letoff of the substrate from such spool of substrate to maintain a constant tension on said substrate; means for electrically heating the substrate in said purging station and means for electrically heating said substrate to a plating temperature in said plating station; means continuously directing a flow of purging gas through the purging station and plating gas through the plating station, and means continuously reeling said plated filament at a predetermined tension independent of the tension in the purging and plating stations, including gas sealing means positioned at the upper and lower ends of the purging station and at the upper and lower ends of the plating station, wherein the openings in the gas seals are so sized that a pool of mercury may be maintained above the openings in each seal, and wherein the openings in the seals are variable from an operative mercury retaining position to an inoperative filament re-string position.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
29 words
The invention defined in claim 10 wherein the variable openings in each seal are provided by a fixed eccentric opening in the seal and a cooperating rotating eccentric opening.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
The invention deFined in claim 11 wherein the eccentric openings are relatively rotatable and are defined by ceramic washers.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
27 words
The invention defined in claim 10 wherein said variable openings are provided by parallel pairs of rotatable dowels, each of which is provided with a peripheral recess.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
14 words
The invention defined in claim 13 wherein said dowels are constructed of ceramic material.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-08-15 | 1976-02-14 | 1976-08-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-08-15 | 1980-02-14 | 1980-08-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-08-15 | 1984-02-14 | 1984-08-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |