Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
196 words
An apparatus for heat-treating a continuous length of a flexible metal element travelling in an unheated space containing a protective non-oxidizing gas, comprising a. a plurality of metal rollers for conveying the continuous length of the metal element along a plurality of zig-zag paths from an inlet to an outlet, b. electric power means for applying electrical energy across some of said rollers adjacent to the inlet to pass electric current therethrough and to heat directly portions of the length of the metal element extending transiently between adjacent rollers, by the Joule effect, c. sealed chambers enclosing said rollers with ducts therebetween for confining said gas, the length of said ducts and the spacing between said electrically energized rollers being so adjusted as to progressively reduce the length of said paths therebetween in correspondence to the remoteness from said inlet, to equalize the electric power consumption across adjacent rollers despite the increase in resistivity of the travelling length of the metal element as it increases in heat content beyond the inlet end, d. insulating mounting means for said rollers, chambers and ducts, and e. means for supplying said protective gas to said sealed chambers and ducts.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
196 words
An apparatus for heat-treating a continuous length of a flexible metal element travelling in an unheated space containing a protective non-oxidizing gas, comprising a. a plurality of metal rollers for conveying the continuous length of the metal element along a plurality of zig-zag paths from an inlet to an outlet, b. electric power means for applying electrical energy across some of said rollers adjacent to the inlet to pass electric current therethrough and to heat directly portions of the length of the metal element extending transiently between adjacent rollers, by the Joule effect, c. sealed chambers enclosing said rollers with ducts therebetween for confining said gas, the length of said ducts and the spacing between said electrically energized rollers being so adjusted as to progressively reduce the length of said paths therebetween in correspondence to the remoteness from said inlet, to equalize the electric power consumption across adjacent rollers despite the increase in resistivity of the travelling length of the metal element as it increases in heat content beyond the inlet end, d. insulating mounting means for said rollers, chambers and ducts, and e. means for supplying said protective gas to said sealed chambers and ducts.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
39 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said electric power means comprises a source of three-phase alternating current with connections from each phase across each of the first three rollers adjacent to the inlet of the apparatus.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
41 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said electric power means comprises a source of alternating current and a pair of rectifying systems connected thereto for energizing the first two paths of said travelling length of the metal element.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
44 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said last-mentioned means is connected to the ducts adjacent to the outlet for travel through said ducts and sealed chambers in a direction countercurrent to the travel of the length of the metal element therethrough.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 4, including a liquid treating bath beyond the connection of said protective gas supply with said ducts.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
67 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, including a molten metal coating bath at said outlet for the passage of the heat-treated length of the metal element therethrough, and an inlet for the protective gas supplied to said sealed chambers and ducts in advance of said coating bath for travel through said ducts in a direction opposite to that of said length of the metal element.