US4124454A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electrolytic treatment of metal sheet
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1977-09-06
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Granted: 1978-11-07
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Expires: 1997-09-06
Abstract
Abstract A ferromagnetic metal sheet, e.g. of mild steel to be tin-plated, is transported across the surface of a bath of electrolyte by means of a conveyor comprising a series of rollers. A magnetic field is produced in each roller, e.g. by permanent magnets, so that the sheet is held against the underside of the conveyor by the resulting magnetic force acting on the sheet. The upper surface of the sheet may be in contact with the series of rollers or with an endless flexible strip passing along the underside of the series of rollers. The lower surface of the sheet is in contact with the electrolyte.
Inventors
- 👤 Wai K. Shang
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 20:20
CPC Classifications
C; C25; C25D; C25D17/00; C25D17/06; B; B65; B65G; B65G49/00; B65G49/02; B65G49/04; B65G49/0409; B65G49/0413; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S204/00; Y10S204/05
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
101 words
Apparatus for use in electrolytic treatment of a ferromagnetic metal sheet, comprising a tank for containing an electrolyte means for maintaining the electrolyte at a constant level and a conveyor for transporting the sheet across the surface of the electrolyte, the conveyor comprising a series of rollers, each roller having means for producing a magnetic field so that the sheet will be held against the underside of the conveyor by the resulting magnetic force acting on the sheet, said rollers being positioned to guide the metal sheet so that only the surface opposite that engaging the rollers is coated with electrolyte.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
101 words
Apparatus for use in electrolytic treatment of a ferromagnetic metal sheet, comprising a tank for containing an electrolyte means for maintaining the electrolyte at a constant level and a conveyor for transporting the sheet across the surface of the electrolyte, the conveyor comprising a series of rollers, each roller having means for producing a magnetic field so that the sheet will be held against the underside of the conveyor by the resulting magnetic force acting on the sheet, said rollers being positioned to guide the metal sheet so that only the surface opposite that engaging the rollers is coated with electrolyte.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 1, in which the magnetic field producing means comprise electromagnets.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 1, in which the magnetic field producing means comprise permanent magnets.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 1, in which the rollers are exposed at the underside of the conveyor.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 4, in which the surface of at least one roller is electrically conductive.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
44 words
The apparatus of claim 1, in which the conveyor includes an endless flexible strip passing along the underside of the series of rollers in order to cover the upper surface of the sheet to further protect the upper surface against being coated with electrolyte.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 6, in which the endless strip is electrically conductive.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said rollers are each comprised of a hollow elongated tube formed of a metal which resists electrodeposition; said magnetic field producing means being housed within said tube.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said magnetic field producing means comprises a plurality of permanent magnets arranged at spaced intervals along the length of each tube.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 9 further comprising soft iron armatures positioned on opposite sides of each permanent magnet for directing magnetic flux toward the exterior surface of said tube.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
71 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein electrolyte is continuously fed to said tank so that the electrolyte overflows from the tank in order to maintain a constant surface level at the top of said tank; said rollers being arranged so that their undersides are positioned just above said constant level to assure that plates magnetically held to said rollers and conveyed therealong have only their bottom surfaces coated with the electrolyte.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
95 words
A method of electrolytically treating a ferromagnetic metal sheet, comprising the steps of transporting the sheet across the surface of a bath of electrolyte by means of a conveyor comprising a series of rollers, rotating said rollers and producing a magnetic field in each roller which field is directed to the exterior of the roller so that the sheet is held against the underside of the conveyor by the resulting magnetic force acting on the sheet, and positioning the rollers so that only the lower surface of the sheet is in contact with the electrolyte.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
95 words
A method of electrolytically treating a ferromagnetic metal sheet, comprising the steps of transporting the sheet across the surface of a bath of electrolyte by means of a conveyor comprising a series of rollers, rotating said rollers and producing a magnetic field in each roller which field is directed to the exterior of the roller so that the sheet is held against the underside of the conveyor by the resulting magnetic force acting on the sheet, and positioning the rollers so that only the lower surface of the sheet is in contact with the electrolyte.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 12, further including positioning the rollers so that the sheet is in contact with at least two rollers as it is being conveyed.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 13, further including spacing the axes of the rollers by a distance which is less than one-third of the length of the sheet.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 13, in which the surface of at least one roller is electrically conductive and a source of electrical power is electrically connected to said one roller as it rotates.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 12, in which the conveyor includes an endless flexible strip about said rollers which strip passes along the underside of the series of rollers and covers the upper surface of the sheet being conveyed.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 12, in which the endless strip is electrically conductive and connects a source of electrical power to the sheet being treated.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3697399A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1981-11-06 | 1982-05-08 | 1982-11-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-11-06 | 1986-05-08 | 1986-11-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-11-06 | 1990-05-08 | 1990-11-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |