US2084150A

US2084150A - Apparatus for coating material

Info

Publication number: US2084150A
Application number: US743181A
Authority: US
Inventors: Roger C Lawrence
Original assignee: Western Electric Co Inc
Current assignee: AT&T Corp
Priority date: 1934-09-08
Filing date: 1934-09-08
Publication date: 1937-06-15
Anticipated expiration: 1954-06-15

Description

June 15, 1937. R. c. LAWRENCE 2,034,150

APPARATUS FOR COATING MATERIAL Filed Sept. 8, 1954 0 'KA/I/HVTOR I IQ. 6. [A WEE/V62- 5 awfim ATTGRA/f) Patented June 15, 1937 UNITED STATES APPARATUS FOR COATING MATERIAL Roger 0. Lawrence, Ridgewood, N. 3., assignor, by

mesne assignments, to Western Electric Company, Incorporated, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application September a, 1934, Serial No. 743,181

10 Claims.

This invention relates to an apparatus for coating material and more particularly to a nozzle for steam wiping strip or sheet material while advanced longitudinally.

The object of the invention is to provide an improved nozzle for applying steam or other gas to coated material.

I g In one embodiment of the present invention a nozzle is mounted to receive and direct a gas iongitudinally of material while advancingfrom a coating bath for. removing excess coating therefrom, said nozzle having portions relatively movable to condition the nozzle for materials differing in width and thickness.

The invention will be more fully understood from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, wherein Fig. 1 is a vertical sectional view of the nozzle mounted in a casing for receiving material from a coating bath;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 2-2 of Fig. 1 showing one form of adjusting means;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the line 33 of Fig. 2, and

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view showing another form of adjusting means.

- Referring now to the drawing, wherein like reference numerals designate similar parts through-' out the view, numeral l0 designates a fixed portion of a nozzle which portion is U-shaped in general contour, the side walls extending upwardly therefrom as indicated in Fig. 2 by reference numerals II and I2. Mounted upon the side walls II and I2 of the fixed nozzle portion I0 is a supporting top l3 having a plurality of apertures therein for receiving upper ends of adjusting screws I as illustrated in Fig. 1. The

threaded ends of the adjusting screws M are re- 7 ceivable in threaded apertures of a movable nozzle portion I6. Set screws l5 carried by the supporting top and having their inner ends engaging lugs of the movable nozzle portion cooperate with the adjusting screws H to lock the movable nozzle portion IS in adjusted position. The

movable nozzle portion is similar in general contour to the fixed nozzle portion ID with the ex ception that it is not provided with side walls as is the latter, but is slidably disposed between the side walls II and I2 where it may be moved by the adjustment of the screws l4 and I5. Adjacent the center of the nozzle portions l0 and I6, their facing surfaces form a throat l8 for the nozzle which surfaces gradually taper outwardly away from each other as they approach the outlet left end I! of the nozzle. The walls of the nozzle portions l0 and I6 also taper outwardly from the throat l8 to the right thereof as illustrated in Fig. 1 forming walls of gas chambers 20 and 2| respectively. The right hand ends of the nozzle portions l0 and "5 are turned inwardly and have secured thereto directing elements 22 of the cross-sectional contour shown in Fig. l, which elements extend into the nozzle and terminate in edges 23 positioned short distances from the throat N. The adjacent surfaces of the elements 22 are parallel with each other for a short distance, extending from the edges 23 to the right to form a passageway for a strip of material 25 to pass.

Positioned between the elements 22 and the adjacent surfaces of their respective nozzle portions l0 and I6 are spacing members 26 disposed at spaced positions along the inner edges of the elements, as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, to assure the proper passageway between the chambers 20 and 2| and the throat l8 of the nozzle. These spacing members are somewhat elliptical in crosssection, giving them a stream-lined formation so as to cause the least disturbance possible to the gas, which, as hereinafter described, is forced from conduits 21 and 28 into and through the chambers 20 and 2|, respectively, through the throat l8 of the nozzle and through the passageway leading to the outlet end 9 of the nozzle. The inner ends of the elements 22 are held against the spacing members 26 by screws, as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2.

The side walls II and I2 of the fixed nozzle portion l0 taper outwardlyas illustrated in Fig. 2 and the point where the taper begins constitutes a portion of the throat l8 of the nozzle in that it formsthe sides thereof. The side walls II and I2 seal the ends oi the chambers 20 and 2| and although the nozzle portion I6 is movable relative to the side walls, the ends of the chambers remain sealed regardless of the position into which the nozzle portion I6 is moved.

In Figs. 2 and 3 an adjustable element is illustrated for conditioning the nozzle to receive strips of material of any desired width, the adjustable element consisting of an arm 3| having longitudinal projections 32 disposed upon each side of a longitudinal extending groove and arranged to extend betweenthe inner edges 23 of the elements 22 and the adjacent portions of the nozzle members l0 and IE to close the passageway between the chambers 20 and 2| and the throat l8 of the nozzle for a desired distance. The inner edges 23 of the elements 22 are receivable in the groove of the arm 3|, as illustrated in Fig. 3. A partitioning portion 33 01' the adjustable element extends in a plane parallel to the tapered portion of the side wall l2 and has a contour corresponding to the surface contour of portions III and It. An adjusting screw 34 is rotatably mounted in the partition 33. A guide arm 35 integral with the partitioning member 33 extends parallel with the arm 3| through a cutaway portion in the wall l2 to assist in holding the adjusting element against displacement and to assist in the movement of the adjusting member by the rotation of the screw 34. The arms 3| and 35 not" only extend through the side wall l2 but through the adjacent wall of a casing 39 in which the nozzle is disposed. The adjusting screw 34 also extends through the wall I2 and through a threaded aperture in the wall of the casing 39 (Fig, 2). The wall of the casing 39 adjacent the supporting top l3 has apertures positioned in alignment with the adjusting screws l4 and the set screws i5 to permit adjustment of the nozzle portion IS without removing the nozzle from the casing.

As shown in Fig. 3 the upper portion I6 of the nozzle is lowered into engagement with the partitioning

member comprising elements

32, 33 and 35. For coating thicker sheets a thicker partition may be substituted for the one shown, although this is not in all cases essential as a small separation between the portion l6 and the element 32 will only result in a slight loss of steam and will not interfere with the wiping operation.

The adjustable nozzle is mounted in the casing 39 and removably held in place by any suitable means (not shown). Suitable insulating packing 40 may be disposed at spaces between the nozzle and the casing 39 and between the adjustable nozzle portion l6 and the supporting top l3 (Fig. 1). The casing 39 is mounted upon a tank 4! and has its open or lower end positioned beneath the upper surface of a coating bath 42, the casing serving as a separating chamber for the gas and the coating material during the final wiping operation. A door 43 hingedly secured to the casing 39 and constituting a part thereof has a recessed portion in the lower surface thereof cooperating with a recessed portion in the upper surface of a fixed horizontally extending element 44 for forming a wiping die 45. The fixed element 44 has its ends secured to projections 46 of the casing 39 and at each side of the wiping die 45 are positioned cam latches 41 for holding the door 43 in any desired adjusted position determined by the positions of adjusting screws 49, the latter serving as means to vary the size of the opening of the wiping die 45. The hinge connection for the door may be constructed so as to allow this movement to take place either by having the hinge connection loose as shown or having the apertures oi the door which receives the hinge pin elongated. The location of the hinge makes it possible to swing the door upwardly into a position so that an operator may freely adjust the screws I 4 and I5.

In the present embodiment of the invention which contemplates coating metal sheets with tin, zinc, or the like, one form of gas which may be utilized in the adjustable nozzle for the final wiping operation may be superheated steam which is passed through the nozzle at a pressure greater than atmospheric pressure. The material 25 upon passing from the bath 42 of coating material passes through the wiping die 45 where a quantity of the excess coating material is removed, the remainder of the excess coating material being removed as the strip of material 25 passes through the steam wiping nozzle. During the passing of the coated material through the nozzle, the superheated steam which is sent to the nozzle through the conduits 21 and 28 passes through the chambers 29 and 2| and enters the throat l8 of the nozzle completely surrounding the coating material and moves through the excess coating material therefrom from the throat iii of the nozzle to the inner end l9 thereof. The velocity of the steam increases due to its expansion so that the coated material is subjected to a wiping action by the movement of the steam at a high velocity longitudinally thereof for a substantial distance. The remainder of the excess coatingmaterial which is removed by this steam wiping operation is broken up into particles which are separated from the steam by gravity in the casing 39 and returned to the bath 42. The spent steam passes from the easing into a laterally and upwardly extending exhaust pipe ill. The thickness of the coating material remaining on the coated sheet of material 25 may be controlled by varying either the speed of the coated material or the pressure of the steam or both, the higher speed tending to produce a heavier coating while a higher steam pressure or temperature tends to produce a lighter coating.

In the present embodiment of the invention, a sheet of material is shown being coated. An important feature of the present invention is that the nozzle may be adjusted to condition it to receive sheets of material not only of.various widths but of various thicknesses. If it is desired to condition the nozzle to receive a sheet of material of greater thickness, the adjusting screws I4 are rotated to move the movable portion l6 of'the nozzle away from the fixed portion I0 thereof to increase the vertical dimensions of the passageways in the nozzle. The nozzle may also be adjusted to receive strips of material of different widths by rotating the adjusting screw 34 (Fig, 2) to move the member 33 to a desired location with respect to the side wall i l to obtain the desired active width of the nozzle. Further-.

more, as above indicated, one of a plurality of sets of these units may be employed, depending upon the thickness of the material being coated.

The form of adjusting means shown in Fig. 4 comprises a wedge shaped element 55 having its upper and lower surfaces extending angularly with respect to each other to engage the adjacent surfaces of the nozzle portions l0 and I3 and its side walls parallel to each other but extending at like angles from its front wall to conform to the taper of side wall 22 of the nozzle in advance of the throat l9. When the element 55 isdisposed in place, its inner or rear wall abuts the edges 23 of the elements 22 or extends between these elements, the element 55 being being held in place by a clamp 53, the inwardly the wedge shape of the element 55, one size may be used for more than'one gage of material 25, whereas different sizes may be used for difierent widths of material.

What is claimed is:

1. In an apparatus for removing excess liquid coating from material'while advancing from a liquid bath, a nozzle having nozzle portions forming a passageway therein through which the portions for directing a gas under pressure through a portion of the passageway around the material to remove the excess liquid coating therefrom, one of said nozzle, portions being 70 a coated material may pass, means in said nozzle movable relative to the other for varying the size of the passageway through the said nozzle, and. means for movingsaid nozzle portion perpendicularly to the path of said advancing material to 5 maintain the same relation between the nozzle portion and the material. I

2. In an apparatus for removing excess liquid coating from material while advancingimm a liquid bath, a nozzle having nozzle portions forming a passageway therein through which the coated material may pass, means 'in said nozzle portions for directing a gas under pressure through a portion of the passageway around the material to remove the excess liquid coating 15 therefrom, and means for moving one of said nozzle portions'relative to the other in a direction perpendicular to the path of the advancing material for varying the size of the passageway through said nozzle. f 20 3. In an apparatus for removing excess liquid coating from material while advancing from a liquid bath, a nozzle having nozzle portions forming a passageway therein through which the coated material may pass, means in said nozzle 25 portions for directing a gas under vpressure through a portion of the passageway around the material to. remove the excess liquid coating therefrom, movable means disposed in said pas- "sageway for varying the size thereof, and means 3'01'for moving said movable means in a direction perpendicular to the path of the advancing material. I

4. In an apparatus for removing excess liquid coating from material while advancing from a 35 liquid bath, a nozzle having a passageway therein through which the coated material may pass and comprising relatively movable elements supported and guided for relative movement in a rectilinear direction, and meansffor moving rel- 40 ati'vely said elements in a rectilinear direction for varying thesize of the passagewayin said,

nozzle.

5. A nozzle for receiving a material having a liquid coating thereon comprising nozzle portions having their inner surfaces formed to provide a passageway for the coated material, a gas compartment formed in each of said nozzle portions having their outlets positioned adjacent said passageway for directing gas under pressure therethrough during movement of the material for removing excess liquid coating therefrom, and means for varying the relative positions in a rectilinear direction of said nozzle portions for varying the size of the passageway through said nozzle.

6. A nozzle for receiving a material having a liquid coating thereon comprising nozzle portions having their inner surfaces formed to procoated materials to be advanced therethrough.

7. A nozzle for receiving a material having a liquid coating thereon comprising nozzle portions having their inner surfaces formed to progvide a passageway for the coated material. gas

compartments. formed in said nozzle portions having their outlets positioned adjacent said passageway for directing gas under pressure therethrough during movement of the material for V removing excess liquid coating therefrom, means 8. A nozzle for receiving material advanced I longitudinally from a liquid bath comprising a nozzle portion having a base wall and side walls extending substantially at right a therefrom, a movable nozzle portion disposed between said side walls, means for moving said movable nozzle portion relative to the other nozzle portion perpendicular to the path of movement of the advancing material for varying-the size of the passageway formed between said nozzle portions; and chambers formed in said nozzle portions for receiving gas under pressure and having theiroutlets positioned to direct the gas through the passageway around the material for removing theexcess liquid coating therefrom.

9. In an apparatus for removing excess liquid coating from material while advancing from a liquid bath, a nozzle having nozzle portions forming a passageway therein through which the coated material may pass, one of said nozzle portions having a base wall and side walls extending substantially at right angles thereto, the other of said nozzle portions being movably disposed between said side walls and guided thereby, means for moving said movable nozzle portion' relative to the other nozzle portion for varying the size .of the passageway in vsaid nozzle in accordance with variations in thickness of coated materials advanced therethrough, means in said nozzle portions for directing a gas under pressure therethrough during movement of the material for removing excess liquid coating therefrom, and means supported in one of said side walls and disposed in said passageway for vary-- ing the size of the passageway in accordance with variations in .the widthsof coated materials advanced therethrough.

10. A nozzle for receiving amaterial having a liquid coating thereon comprising nozzle portions having their inner surfaces formed to provide a passageway for the coated material, means in said nozzle portions for directing a gas under a pressure therethrough during movement of the material for removing excess liquidcoating therefrom, meansfor varying the relative positions of the nozzle portions for varying the size of the passageway in said nozzle to accommodate material of different thicknesses to be advanced therethrough, and movable means disposed between the nozzle portions for varying the size of the passageway in accordance with variations in. the widths of materials advanced therethrough.

'- ROGER C. LAWRENCE.