US2439858A

US2439858A - Conductor roll

Info

Publication number: US2439858A
Application number: US500418A
Authority: US
Inventors: Earll R Muddiman; William E Winterhalter
Original assignee: Carnegie Illinois Steel Corp
Current assignee: Carnegie Illinois Steel Corp
Priority date: 1943-08-28
Filing date: 1943-08-28
Publication date: 1948-04-20
Anticipated expiration: 1965-04-20
Also published as: GB582153A

Description

4 sheets-sheet 1 E. R. MUDDIMAN ETAL CONDUCTOR ROLL 'Filed Aug. 28, 1943 Api-i120, 194s.

rmbh

y s Y m NLHH M EWR .a Mmmfm UM/V ME. RM E u 5W April 20, 1948. E. R. MUDDIMAN ET AL 2,439,858

CONDUCTOR ROLL` Filed Aug. ze, 1943 4 sheets-sheet 2 -zw 88 Q6' l ` 10a 12a 100 Flyn- 2. 12 D 12@ i, V12a ,L ,12d j W l f "l ff 58 /30 W 8 Qv/ 50 ckv/'B JSCV ll J5? \l"\`\ {ff/) .252

G. fr

J3@ 12b 75g l@ .98 72a gg @a 114 e ma l 2c 100 .94102 102 y@ 82 4 58 'z z2 l 6.5 Fn

752 im J5 152 INVEN-rons 12b 54ML @MyDD/MAN and April 20, 1948 E. R; MUDDIMAN TAL 2,439,858

l CONDUCTOR ROLL f lFiled Aug. 28, 194s 4 sheets-sheet s Mes. N o0 "I INVENTORS lEAm/QMUoD/MAA/ahd 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 CONDUCTOR ROLL Filed Aug. 28, 1945 Rl f man m. Tm M mmf .m vD e mow ,n UW wf. M uw Dulm w b .QN QQ QR WM. MNM' QM. www

April 20, 1948.

E. R. MUDDIMAN ETAL Patented Apr. 20, 1948 vNITED STATES lPATENT OFFICE 'CONDUCTOR ROLL Earll R. Muddiman, Wilkinsburg, and William E. Winterlialter, Mount Lebanon, Pa., assignors to Carnegie-Illinois Steel tion of New Jersey Corporation, acorporan Application August 28, 1943, Serial No. 500,418

clams. (c1.v 204-209) The present invention provides a conductor roll foruse in conjunction with electrolytic processes, which roll is resistant to chemical attack by the electrolyte used in such processes, whether they fbecleaning processes, where a metallic body, such vas a metal strip, for example, a steel strip, is convidesuch a conductor roll with a surface which fis resistant to wear and corrosion and thereby protects the strip from undesired eiiects, as will bepointed out in particularity hereinafter. A further object of the present invention is to provide an improved conductor roll construction of increased strength and electrical conductivity and which is provided withimproved instrumentalities for eiecting an eiiicient circulation of cooling water Within theinterior of the roll to 1 prevent overheating of the roll.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent as the description proceeds, and the lfea-- tures of novelty will be defined in particularity in the appended claims.

The invention will be understood more readily by reference to the accompanying drawings,

y wherein:

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic showing of va'. portion of a commercial electroplating line for electroplating a continuously rapidly moving metal.

strip, the plating line' having the improved'rolls of the present invention Yassociated therewith;

Figure 1A is a continuation ofthe equipment vof Figure 1, the view showing the completion of the said equipment;

Figure 2 is an enlarged view of a portion of the plating unit shown in Figure 1, showing in greater l invention;

of theapparatus of Figure 3, showing details of the mounting voi? theimproved roll oi the present Figure 5 is aside elevation of theV improved roll of the present invention, together with assoelated parts;

Figure 6 is va longitudinal sectional elevation of the improved roll of the present invention,

` showing details of construction; and

, Figurer 7 is a transverse sectional elevation of the roll taken on the line VII-VII of Figure 6,

' looking in the direction of the arrows.

vThe conductor roll of the present invention will be described withparticular reference to its adaptation for use inconveying a ferrous metal strip through an'electrolytic tin-plating line, and for rendering the strip' itself electrically energized as it moves through the tin-plating apparatus. althoughit will be understood that the invention is not 'necessarily so limited.

When ferrous metal strip is to be coated electrolytically, such as, for instance, with tin, the

strip after annealing and tempering, is subjected to a series of processing steps wherein the surface thereof is provided with acoating which is uniform and tightly adherent thereon, and in which the physical properties imparted to the base metal remain unchanged. jWitl1" reference 'to Figures 1V and 1A, there is shown vby way of illustration, a diagrammatic arrangement of various processing steps, as related to the coatingoperation in which the improved conductor roll of the present invention is employed.

particularity the disposition of the-improved rolls relative to the plating unit, the view being in longitudinal sectional elevation;

, Figure 3 is a transverse sectional elevation through the unit of Figure 2, the viewrbeing taken i on the line III-LIII of Figure 2, looking in the direction of the arrows; Figure 4 is an enlarged View oi the topv portion Referring to these views, coils S of strip steel to' be processed are shown as disposed on unreeling devices. Two or more of .such unreeling devices are provided so that as the end of the strip being processed approaches, anew coil is already positioned so that its front end can be Vjoined to "the reary end of the outgoing strip, thereby providing continuity of the processing through sequential steps to be described subsequently herein. vThe strip S is yshown as being passed through a feed in device 2, a shear 3, a welding apparatus 4, and a pair of feed-in. pinch rolls 5, which pull the strip from the unreeling device and direct it into the looper pit E. The feeding device 2, shear '3, and welding apparatus 4, serve only the func- Y tion of correctly positioning and joining the ends tojremoveitracesjoi'theelectrolyte.

be termedi a pure Water. and. asleh;

eficaces of the outgoing and incoming strip so that passage of the strip through the subsequent processing steps is substantially continuous.

From the looper pit, the strip is pulled through roller` side guides 1 which laterally position the strip so that it is in proper position to pass through the subsequent processing apparatus. The strip then passes through a tensioning device 8, Wherein back-tension is created of a magnitude onlir sucient to hold the strip taut as it passes through subsequent apparatus. From the tension device: 8,' the strip is passed .finto and `through a verticalpi'ckling tankl 9 in which thesurface of the strip is conditioned by subjecting it to an lirlitial vigorous anodic pickling action folloWecifiin-fl mediately thereafter by a straight clrernical fat-V n tack by the acid pickling medium contained therein. Upon emergingfrom the pieklingltank, the steel strip is passed into andgthrough arinsing and scrubbing machine l' Whichremov'es foreign matter and residual pickling solution from its surface. Y i

The strip now enters the plating unitiggwhich may comp-rise a vertical tank having'upper'con- Veying and conductor rolls, 12a., Aof the construction of the vpresent inventiomandlowersink rolls l12b, the combined conveying'and conductorrolls l2@ and the sink rolls l2b beingso positioned with respect 'to' 'eaoh lother ,as to, maintain the` strip in a Vertical position'init's travel'throi'igh thelsev-J eral verticalpassesn provided in ,the saidi.tank.

c Theistrip-is established as cathode -t e plating Atank by its passage @ver fthecontesting .and conductor rollsd 2a jwhich Aare f cdnrjected through suitablefmeansgnot 'shown',;t thenegativesi'de of' @platine erjierator, 'not'.'slmwa XTDQ' .strip is maintained in 'close :engagement with-the" rolls 12a lby means `of pres urelr'olls J ,2 clgwliiharap9stimed -with respegttrlthe:rolls-12cm as.' toJiiress,

urnulating on fsguperioncated* either surfacelismininiized-an1d 'product islobtained. L M f s As nthe strip emerges"froIQthegpla/tingtank,

. and. if it is desired to recover a electrolyte remeningen' the surfacthebfnmsy repasse@ into andithrouehajrecorryapparatusl it :Where:

"The coated strip next is' subjectedgtd rinsing operation, and, ifgdesiredg' operation may include'fablshilfg n; ivi'iereby i sired.

the apparatus; soA that. it emerges therefrom 7o and comes ,into contact with 'the air, it@ 1 driesilmmediately f Since jthegrinsing. actiolnis theresult wf Condensation@ thesteamithisianam may mni- .as it emerges from the steam bearing atmosphere in apparatus i6. While the strip is heated during its passage through the apparatus I6, the temperature attained by it is insuicient to change the physical characteristics imparted by the temper rolling operation. However, the temperature of the strip as it emerges from the apparatus I6 is approximately at the boiling point of water, and to protect the rubber covered forward pulling drive bridle rolls l1, there is positioned Vbetween the exit end of the apparatus and the Y Said bridle rolls l1, a1 blower {[Bg Whichvdirects air upon the surface of the-strip to reduce its tem- I, perature prior to its passage through the said drive bridle rolls I'l.

The st-n'p leaves the drive bridle rolls l1 in a substantially .untensioned condition, and in order to-be--conveyed therefrom and to finishing equip- ;mentfssuch-asfshearing and stacking devices, not '.Shgwn; ::thapntensioned strip is caused to be passed over a bridge-like structure I9, which may .bearollerf:bedhwherein the rollers are freely ro- Vtai-.ed so as to insure passage of the strip thereover Without injury to its surface or causing the same to be buckled or---kinled The foregoinggenerardescription isA presented V @forthe purpose-'ofv exempliiying a specificapplie-cation'or embodimentfof vthe 'combined conveying i 'and ycoriductor-f-ro-lls 1.2 a; -the-particulari construcsationr of#A which forrnsl the subject -matter of vthe presentlirivention;in-order `to show :clearly #just howl these frolls are employed vin i ser-vice,4 and Mwhich is the -inherent-mannerofuse ofi'this gen- "Because f' of the conditions lof ser-viceY -to which -the'rolls 12a aresubjected-,i they1must have; inherently,l certain -particul-arproperties for satisfactory ,oper-ation. i -It -i`sto be notedthat -thestrip is coninuously at high speed-through i' thesystein; the-istrip, V inpractice, lhaving a-linear `speed of -rnany hundreds of feet perm ini1te, and the rolls-havevinrealityadual{functionjinthat they# both convey; thevv strip beingplated through the' Kelectrolytic' cell; and, atthev same time, con- -ductcurrent to K@the fstrip being vcoated, so that "this fstrip; forms the cathode in the plating tank 'g and; as will become apparentifrom'the foregoing 5 description in connection'WithA-l'igures 1 andjlA, 5 ,the rolls. merelyzcenduet current tothe Strip and enter H1111@ Wer mtgtheeleqtrelye aciimiinihe cell. Y

As vhas Ybeen mentioned above, lsuch x'iualj pur- ...P059 COlYYQl @nd- QQQUCI ,191215. sele in ifheltentlr. radicales.pbperties.foriseinnonvey- -ingthe stripbeing :coated throughtheelnectromieren .white conquering current wir ...stripasV willbe seerlremglilienres .1. and.; ,Athe '.:Lstrpl @ein 'nlatesizrasss weiser/eral .Qtihew cogasgitprogresses. imagen, .thaplatinatanbs- ...AS thestnpptnavls tbralieh:ibe.-eletrplrtegitipicks -fililsemeef-ih eleirelrienszthettthe ,emilined A. cvarererfand-fensiutr -rnlls @freine-vergaard vention must be sufficiently:cgrigosionresistant uta-.withstand thaactionpnthamaterials present in the delectrolyteuwhich may include,y efor. ex-

.;ample,.s ulphuricr and phenolsulphoniaaoida fSincesome slippage lbetweenthe rapidly moving strip and the-rolls-is-unavoidable;itligllows that-thesnrf-ace, ofthe rolls (must/ bed handles ,well fiasressiantagainstrcorrosien br.t1f1e...e1e,tr91yte L Additionally; since'-the edges of the strip ,may be ,barrer-tand sincathestrinlr. under-.landen as it I5y is conveyed by th'erolls,V the surface of the rolls must be sufficiently har'd to withstand scoring action of such burred edges.

A further inherent characteristic of the rolls is that the surface of the rolls should not become wetted easily by the electrolyte, since if the rolls were wetted easily, there would be an additional tendency of the surface of the rolls to become attacked by the electrolyte, with resulting deterioration and contamination of the roll surface. Moreover, easy wettability facilitates transfer of foreign material to the roll surface and makes cleaning of the roll more diflicult. Thus, for example, the rst roll of a series thereof, that is to say, the incoming roll on which' the strip travels as it enters the electrolyte, this roll tends to become contaminated with iron compounds, preferably iron hydroxides, minute amounts of which are present in the water lm carried by the strip following cleaning as the result of oxidation of the freshly pickled strip surface by th'e water. The rapidity with which the contaminating layer builds up andthe facility with which it can be removed depends to a great extenton the ease `with wh'ich the roll surface is wetted.

Wettability of the roll surface is also important as regards subsequent rolls in the series. In this case, however, the contaminating material is minute particles of the coating metal itself which are abraded from the coated strip when slippage between the strip and the roll occurs. Such' particles become attached to the roll surface, and then themselves -act to abrade more coating metal from the strip if the slippage continues. The adherence of the particles and the ease with wh'ich such particles are removed, depends upon the wettability of the roll surface.A Hardness of the surface is also important in this respect'since the cleaning must be done without damage to the roll surface, otherwise chances of abrasion of the coating metal are increased and the trouble aggravated.

Roughening of the roll surface, wh'ether caused mechanically by corrosion, or the build-up of contaminating materials results in high spots which, in turn, become points of abnormally high pressure as the strip passes over the roll. Such high spots not only mar the strip with indentations and scratches, but because of the pressure, abnormally high current is transferred `at these points, which condition generally results in arcing and at least in overheating of the strip at the points. The net result is areas which are burned or badly oxidized and which do not coat properly, the coatings being poorly adherent and faulty in appearance.

It is found in practice that a roll possessing the satisfactory mechanical and electrical properties can be obtained by applying a chromium surface to a copper roll, copper being a good conducting material, and the chromium facing having the requisite hardness, corrosion resistance, and wetting properties to give satisfactory results.

Each of the rolls |2a is composed of a suitable metallic cylinder 38, which preferably is a copper cylinder having a facing 32 of chromium thereon, which facing forms a chromium coating for the cylinder and imparts to the cylinder the above described advantages, and desirable properties. The roll is closed at its ends by steel end castings 34 which are extended into stepped hubs 36. A shaft 38 extends through the roll and hubs 36, the shaft 38 being preferably made in two complementary parts threadedly interconnected as indicated at 40. The shaft 38 is tapered towards its end to receive the collector rings or is indicated at 50.

30, preferably composed of copper.

The end castings 34 are held in place by having a drive fit with the cylinder 30. The outer face of each of the end castings is provided with a layer of insulation 52 held in place by means of fasteners 54. The insulating disks 52 are sufficiently largeto cover the ends of Lthe cylinder 33 as well as the end castings 34, th'ereby protecting the operators of the apparatus from accidental shocks as well as protecting the `ends of the roll assembly from damage. The inner surfaces of the end castings 34 are recessed adjacent to the shaft 38 for the provision of water-tight packing 56, which' preferably is lead, for preventing leakage of water between the end castings and shaft.

In order to reinforce the cylinder 30 as well as to conduct current therefrom to the shaft 38 in a more ecient manner, the interior of the cylinder 30 is subdivided by a suitable number of metallic diaphragme 58, which are, like the cylinder The diaphragms 58 are provided with holes 68 for the passage of cooling water therethrough.

In order to introduce cooling water into the roll, the end portion 62 of the shaft 38 is provided with a bore 64 which' is adapted to be connected with a suitable supply of Water 65, and which communicates with radially extending openings 66, which inject water into the interior of the roll. Water passes from these openings through the holes 60 in the diaphragme 58, the diaphragms being welded to the shaft, as indicated at 68, to form a water-tight bond with the shaft. The holes 60 are dispo-sed around the periphery of th'e diaphragm.

The end portion 10 of the shaft 38 is provided with an outlet pipe 'l2 which communicates with a bore 14 in the end portion I0 of the shaft. This bore 14 extends through' the end of the shaft and is closed by a removable plug 1B, if a `water flinger 'I8 is employed, water then leaving the shaft 38, through radial holes which communicate with the water flinger 18 which is enclosed in a h'ousing 32. Glands 84 are provided to hold packing 83 in place. If the water inger I8 is not used, the plug '16 may be removed and the end of the shaft connected to a suitable pipe connection.

The outlet pipe 12 is long enough to extend from the shaft 38 almost to the cylinder 33, so that the interior of the roll will be filled with cooling water. I

The rolls are suspended from cross-beams such as indicated at 88, which cross-beams are positioned above the respective plating tanks and are suitably secured to the framework, not shown, which encloses the tanks. A portion of such framework is indicated by the beams 93 extending along the top portion of the tank, one of which beams carries a bracket arm 92 which supports the end portion 62 of the shaft 38 and defines a housing 94 for a water-tight swivel connection 93 between the water supply 55 and end portion 62 of the shaft. The cross-beams 88 are reinforced and held rigidly spaced apart by means of beams 98 extending longitudinally of theplating tanks and suiiiciently above the tanks to accommodate'the beams 88 which are welded to the beams 38.

The rolls l2a are suspended from the crossbeams 88 by means of stirrup-like brackets |88 accesso" thrrmlglr` antiffrictionbearings;lllzjrlnj .which the. hubs 36;1-o.tate`;' The bearings l'llzaresuitably.

fastened to the` brackets .Kirby means of bolts |04, for-example', the :brackets IUObeHgseCured! in turn to the underside of the cross-.beams 882 by means of bolts |06. Brackets I'UU. areinsulated from bearings. |62 hy'suitalble insulation as indicated at l Also mounted on` the underside Aof thercross.-

beams 88 is a pair of similar brackets Hlin'which. are mounted pivot pins HU' for the mountingVA arms H2 of theholdedown rollersV |20. These armsr are somewhat' sicklfeashaped' tohold the; rolls |2c `ofi center;- the .hold-down ,rolls holding,`l

the strip closely against thelroll 120'; for uniform electrical contact' "therebetween, thezlrolddown.

rolls acting; on'lthe strip" by, gravity; orA it desired, suitable springs' may be provided to increase the pressureof the-'hold-dovvirrolls;l

Thecrossi-beam 88' also carriesxon its end Athe contact' plates il t4,.- which: are Yconnected electrically to the'- collector-rings Yor drums 'dzthrough collector brushes, not shown., The plates it# are..

secured to thel ends' of thexcross-'beami by' meansv of bolts'tt; or other suitable fastening'. means, a layer of in'sulationil" IllL being .interposed between the plates; H4 andthe cross-beam 8?;

The bolts HG* are `suitably insulated 'from the plates! I4.

Itis preferred to-make the roll structureout' of through thefbore Slt'drilled' in-l the and. through the holesiv which are: drilled radially.

into the shaft until .theycommunicate with the bore'd.- lThe outlet pipe l'for the waterextends inside the -roll toward: thexperipheryeto Ja; .short distance therefrom, which .in practice.' is about.. 5,/8 inch-'from theinside'of'the copper cylinder 3l?,l The Water leaves; the shaftthrough radiali holes-89` and bronze'vwater'ninger I8 enclosedinl. the housing 82; the glandsl 81%," vvl'iic'h'` hold 'the packing 86`-in vplace andprevent 'leakage around the'shaft. The Waterpasses from housing-82.

through discharge pipe |2.V

The diaphragme 58A andthe endY castings 34 are turned for shrink and press nts in the copper cyl--` indei` 30 to-assuregoodielectricalcontact; Additionally the copper diaphragms are Welded to the. shaft 38 as shown at 68, and to the inside of the coppercylinder 3|] as is .indicated at |22; The steel end castings 34V and the copper diaphragms 58 Aare designedV with proper current carrying' characteristics so that the diaphragms eachcariy about 1/3- of the total current to the shellv andeacn steel end casting-,carries about -1/6. oi the current.v In this Waygthe maximum current -isl carried dl-4 rectlyvto-tlfieV central portion of the roll Where the greatestcurrent densityl is required. The collec-V tor drums |12 are madepreferably from, copper,

and they assure a large surface area of copper for the collector brushes. The collector brushes, not shown, are fasten-ed to sickle-shaped copper members, not shown, carried by the copper plates ||4.t The ccllectordrums vl2 are pressed. onto a tapered t'on the copper shaft to secure good eie'ctrical contact, andere helldlin place-bylock.

nuts. and 46....

Theanodes |3 .are composed4 of the-metal being plated, .ci g., tin,A andare disposed, on. both sides ofthe-moving strip being plated. Each series of anod'es is suspendefdlfrom ,a conductive .bridge |24 which receives current rom bus .bars |26 vadjacent. the. top, |`28`ofj the. platingtanks..

Snkrolls |2bia're shown asbeing. mounted on shafts such; asV l3ll,havingl suitable bearings.y |32. The sink' rolls |26' are coveredv with rubber for insulation. and forv preventing `marringthe strip being plated'. End'insulation 52,; covering the ends of the conductor rolls. |.2a,lpr.o.tect therolls from damage .during insertion. of the anodes, or duringJ other .assembling of the equipment.

The chromium. suiacealis. appliedV in any suitable manner, and it is. found toconstitute an excellentlcontact surface for theintended purpose.

In operation,the.platinacurrent passes from the anodes to the strip,.thence.to.the surface of the" combined .conveyor and.. conductor roll, thence throughV the diaphragme, 5% and'. end. castingsl'to the shaftA SGL-Zandont bywayot the energizinguthe stript so that .metal is plated on the strip as the strip passes through theelec-trolyte. lVlechanically,y thel conductor roll. serves to facilitate the movement of the, strip through the system 'and .to convey vthe strip `th'rrmgh the `plat-` ing cells, The chromium facing or. coatingr32 1S applied so as to be bonded toth'e .cylinder .tilvvith7 an' integral bond.:

The-.structure of the present invention may beassembledV in various ways. For example, the shaft sections maybe threaded .together and the'V diaphragm members. 58 .inserted -thereover and welded-lin .place thereon. andtheoutlet pipe 'l2` suitably secured. The resulting.. assembly thenis insertedin Athe roll shell',- which previously has'hadthe chromium:facingappliedyto it, and therdiaphragms 58are welded to theinner surfacefof -the'shell' asV shown inFigurei The lead packings 56'A then are .applied over each end of tlie:shaf|:` and placed 'around'.ithe shaft .adjacent to Athelargest"shoulders of (the shat'.. TheV end castings -35 *With' their integral. hubs. Sli then are i placecfover .the endsloflthe. shaft and. brought up to the roll shell, after which they arefpressed suitablydnto place,y ,as bya. hydrauliaram, for example, until the iangesy l|34 l engage vthe shoulders I`36`,`.thisaction .also tightlywedging .the lead packings .56 y'in y pla-ce tofiorm'water-.tight seals bemzeen thez-endgjcastings 34 'and .the shaft; The insulating; facingsriZ: then. Vare applied and fastencdz-im place avithl screwszft. Loeki nuts i6- then are:thi:eadedtonto. threads 5U of` the hubs-36,- and the-collectordrums AllZ. then are pressed onto the shaft'E and."lockediihy means yof :the nuts IM and 46;'. Finallyithe -Water-linger--assembly is' applied-andi-securedto the'shaft,` if such water flingeri'is-tofbe-iused. Discharged Water is led awayl from the-roll' andjsultablydisposedof.- The .hubs 38vl are; provided with anges |38, Awhich As-Willf'beseen, the internal Lconstructionof -the roll' is such that the cooling Water is directed aeeaeas continuously against the side areas of the roll which require maximum cooling.

We claim:

1. Apparatus for electroplating metal on a continuously rapidly moving strip of dissimilar metal, which comprises a combined conveyor and conductor roll for conveying the strip through an electroplating bath, the said roll also contacting and supplying electric current to the strip as it moves through the plating bath and making the said strip the cathode in the bath, the said combined conveyor and conductor roll compr-ising a hollow electrically conducting cylinder, a conductor shaft for mounting the cylinder, current conducting diaphragms between the cylinder and shaft in conducting relation therewith, the said diaphragrns having a diameter equal to the inside diameter of the cylinder and being spaced equally along the shaft and cylinder and at equal distance within the ends of the cylinder, the said diaphragms uniformly distributing current over the entire cylinder, electrically conductingend closu-re members for the` cylinder in tight engagement therewith and with the shaft, the said closure members being of less conductivity than the diaphragms, and forming auxiliary fcurrent conducting and distributing members cooperating with the diaphragms for uniformly distributing the current over the entire cylinder, the said closure members being extended into tapering hubs engaging the shaft, current collecting drums in tight engagement with the shaft, and means in the shaft for circulating cooling fluid through the cylinder.

2. Apparatus for electroplating metal on a continuously rapidly moving strip of dissimilar metal, which comprises a combined conveyor and conductor roll for conveying the strip through an electroplating bath, the said roll also contacting and supplying electric current tothe strip as it moves through the plating bath and making the said strip the cathode in the bath, the said combined conveyor and conductor roll comprising a hollow copper cylinder, a copper shaft for mounting the cylinder, copper conducting members inside the cylinder and welded to the shaft and cylinder, the said members being copper diaphragms spaced equally along the shaft and hollow cylindrical roll body composed of high conductivity metal, a shaft for mounting the Vroll body, the said shaft being composed of high conductivity metal, spaced conductive diaphragm means in the -roll body dividing the said body interiorly into a series of cooling compartments, the said diaphragm means having a diameter equal to the interior diameter of the roll body and welded to the shaft and to the roll body in intimate electrical connection with both the shaft and roll body,v the said diaphragm means constituting the major conductive path for major' portions of current between the shaft and roll'fbody, means for conducting current to the shaft, electrically conductive end closure members for the roll body closely engaging the shaft and roll body, the said 'end closure members being less conductive than the diaphragm means but cooperating with the diaphragm means toassure uniform distribution of current on the roll body, means for circulating cooling uidthrough the shaft, and means for maintaining each of the cooling compartments in the roll sbodyV continuously filled with continuously circulating cooling fluid.

4. Apparatus for electroplating metal on a continuously rapidly'moving strip of dissimilar metal,

f which comprises a combined conveyor and concylinder and at equal distance vwithin the ends t of the cylinder, the said diaphragms being of the same diameter as the inside diameter ofthe cylinder, the said diaphragms being means for conducting major portions of current from the shaft to the cylinder and for uniformly distributing current on the said cylinder, steel end closure members for the cylinder tightly fitting into the cylinder and around the shaft, the said closure members cooperating `with the diaphragms in securing uniform current distribution on the cylinder, each Iclosure member conducting a less amount of current between the shaft and cylinder than do the diaphragms, the said closure members being extended into elongated tapering hubs engaging the shaft, copper current collective drums tightly mounted on the shaft, and locking means on the shaft and hubs .forlocking the drums in'position on the shaft. l 3. Apparatus for electrically energizing a continuously rapidly Imoving strip of metal, which comprises a combined conveyor and electrical contact roll for conveying the strip through an electrolyticbath, the said roll also contacting and supplying electric current to the strip as ductorv-roll for conveying the strip through an electroplating bath, the said roll also contacting the vstrip `and supplying electric current to the strip as itmoves through the plating bath and making the strip the cathode in the bath, the said combined `conveyor and conductor roll comprising ahollow cylindrical rollbody composed of high conductivity metal, a facing on the roll body adapted to contact the stri-p and having a hardness substantially greater than the strip and the metal being plated onto the strip, a shaft for mounting the roll body, the said shaft being composed of high conductivity metal, means for c'onducting current to thev shaft, spaced conductive diaphragm means mountedon the shaft in the roll body dividing the said roll body interiorly into a series of transverse vcooling compartments, the said diaphragmy means having a diameter equal to the interior diameter of the roll body and circumferentially engaging the roll body and welded to the shaft and' to the roll body in intimate electricalv connection with -both the shaft and roll body,'the.said diaphragm means constituting the major conductive path for major portions of current between the shaft and roll body, electrically conductive end closure members for thev roll body closely' engagingV the shaft and roll body, the said endclosure-members being less conductive than the diaphragm means,'but cooperating with the .diaphragm means to assure uniform distribution it moves through the plating bath and making the strip an electrode in the bath, the said cornprising a hollow cylindrical roll body composed of .high conductivity metal, a facing on the roll bodi7 adapted to rcontact. the :strip and having a hard- 11 ness greater than thestrip and the metal being platedcnto thestriprashaftfor mountingthcroll body, thesai-d shaft neing composed; ofi-high: conductivitymetal, means'for conducting-current; to the shaft, spaced conductive.1 diaphragm-.means mounted ontheshaft in theirollbodydividing the roll body .interiorlyfinto ascites-of transverse cooling compartments, .the saidA diaphragm means having adiameter equal'tothesintericr diameter ofthe roll body and: circumferentially engaging the roll body and welded to ther shaftA andto the roll body in intimate electrical.l connection with both the shaftI andi roll bOdmthesaid diaphragm means constituting the major conductive path for major portions.vr or current. between thev shaft :and roll body,V electrically conductive end closure members for the roll body closely. engaging the-shaft and tightly fitting-intothe roll body, thev said? end closure members being less conductive-than the diaphragm meansbut cooperating'withthe diaphragm means no-assureuniformi distribution.` of current on the entire Vroll body, affluid intake passage in the shaft. extending from 4a point beyond the rollito a pointY within Vthe roll adjacent to an end closure member-fortherollibody,fluid supply ports connecting the-intakeu passage with the interior of the roll bodygfluid-passageports through Athe diaphragmmeans adj acentl tothe roll body, an outletV pipe in the-roll: body-.extending from the shaft'toa-point adjacentfztothe-roll' body, the outlet pipe being positioned: in. the4 roll: body adjacent to the end1thereof opposite tolthe'intake ports, and aiiuidoutletpassage through the shaft. extending from thef-outletpipe oppositel'yi-to the intake passage, the shaft'beingx solidr between the intake andi outlet. passages, the ports; in. the diaphragrrrmeanaandtheontletpipemaintaning the entire interior of the roll body.l continuously filled with continuously. circulating cooling-'fluid for preventing overheating. on theroll;

6. An. electricall coritact'rollfor` electrically-.energizing continuously f movingV 'metallic strip. material passing over the rollin. conta-ctpvritli` asurface thereof, whichlcomprises a hollowcylindrlcal roll body composed' of high. conductivity metal;y a mounting shaft for the-.rolbbody-,'means for electrically energizing theshaft, electricallyfconductive end closure members for the rollbody in close electrical contact with theshaft and rollfbody, diaphragms xed' to .the shaftzand' tothe-.roll body interiorly thereof, the said. diaphragmsJden-ing the principal path of conduction? 'of' energizing current for the roll'fbody, `the .saldi diaphragms being composed oa metalhavingrhigher electrical .conductivity than` the end closure-members, the said. diaphragms and:encbclosureimemberscooperating to produce uniform. currentldistribution on allof. the rolllbodyandfmeanslfor continuously circulating a cooling liquid; through the.' interior of the rollbody.

'7. An electrical contactr roll.. for electrically energizing continuously moving metallic-.strip .material passing. over the` roll'. in. contact with4 a surface thereof, which comprisesra.hollowfcylindrical roll body composedffof high conductivity metal, a mounting shaft'fnrthe rollbodyymeans for` electrically energizing. the.Y shaft, y electrically conducting end: closure members for the roll: body in close electrical contact wlthf the shaftandl roll body, and diaphragme xedtc theshaftfandto the roll body interiorly: thereof; .thesaid .diaphrag'ms defining; the.. principal. path; of` conduction of energizingV currentr fortheroll body, the said. diaphragmsbeing composed of: a.. metal having higher electrical. conductivity' than the end closure members, the said dlaphragms and end closure members cooperating to produce uniform current distributioni on ythe'strip-engaging surface of the roll body.

8. Apparatus for electroplating metal on a continuously rapidlyI moving strip of dissimilar metal, vwhich comprises a roll for conveying the-strip through. an electroplating bath and supplying electric current to the strip, .said roll comprising a hollow copper cylindena. facing of chromium on thev cylinder, a copper shaftfor mounting the cylinder composed: of ytapering sections threadedly interconnected, 'means for conducting current to the shaft, reinforcingcopper diaphragms within the cylinder in tight engagement with the shaft and inner cylinder Wall, the said diaphragme deiining principal current supplying means for the cylinder for uniformly distributing major portions of current on the said cylinder, steel end closure members 'for the cylinder in close-fitting engagement therewith and with the shaft and cooperating'with said'diaphragms for uniformly supplying and distributing current to the copper cylinder, axfluid intake passage extending through a portion of. theY shaft from a point beyond the cylinder andicommunicating with theinterior of the cylinder adjacent one end thereof, a iiuid discharge passage extending through another portion of theshaft from within the cylinder to a point beyond the cylinder in a direction opposite to the Yfluid intake passage, a fluid discharge pipe opening within the said cylinder adjacent to an end thereof opposite-to the iiuid intake passage and extending. to a point immediately adjacent to the cylinder, said pipe communicating with the iiuid` discharge passage in the shaft, and passagcsin said-1 copper'diaphragms disposed adjacent, the cylinder for passage of fluid therethrough, said cylinder thereby being swept interiorlyby continuously circulating cooling fluid,

9. Apparatus'for electroplating on a continuouslyr. rapidly moving strip of dissimilar metal, which comprises a roll for conveying the strip through anelectroplating bathV and supplying electric current to the strip, 4said roll comprising a hollow electrically conducting cylinder, a conductor shaft for mounting the cylinder, diaphragmsy between the` cylinder and shaft, said diaphragmsbeing uniformly spaced along the shaft and cylinder and having a diameter equal to the inside diameter ofthe cylinder, thereby tightly engaging the cylinder and dividing the cylinder intericrly thereof into a series of transverse cooling compartments, said diaphragms belng of high electrical conductivity for conducting the major portions of current from the shaft to the cylinder While uniformly distributing the current on the cylinder,` electrically conducting endclosure members for the cylinder in tight engagement With the shaft and cylinder and being or less electrical conductivity than said diaphragms, the enclclosure members cooperating with said diaphragms for uniformly supplying the cylinder-with currentand for uniformly distributingA the current onl the cylinder, current collecting instrumentalities tightly mounted on the shaft, and locking means on the shaft and end closure members for securing the current collecting instrumentalities in position on the shaft.

10. A roll for conveying metal strip and conducting electric current thereto comprising an electrically conductive shaftan electrically conductive hard faced cylinder, electrically conductive closures at the cylinder ends, and electrically 13 conductive diaphragms intermediate the length of the cylinder, said closures and said diaphragms mounting said cylinder on said shaft, the electrical conductivity of said diaphragms being appreciably greater than that 0f said end closures to furnish a substantially uniform current density on the Wall of said cylinder.

EARLL R. MUDDIMAN. WILLIAM E. WINTERHALTER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 706,550 Gollings Aug. 12, 1902 Number Number 15 12,717 513,220