WO2025245124A1

WO2025245124A1 - Wiper systems for metal strip processing

Info

Publication number: WO2025245124A1
Application number: PCT/US2025/030211
Authority: WO
Inventors: Luiz Augusto Leal PORTO; Frank Su; Louis Mitchell Nazro; Ingo Guenther Kroepfl; Andrew Russell
Original assignee: Novelis Inc Canada
Current assignee: Novelis Inc Canada
Priority date: 2024-05-22
Filing date: 2025-05-20
Publication date: 2025-11-27
Anticipated expiration: 2026-11-22

Abstract

A system (100) for removing a viscous material from a surface (104) of a metal strip (102) and/or from a surface of equipment of a metal processing system generally includes one or more fillable bladders (110) and a wiper blade (108). The fillable bladder (110) is fillable with a fluid medium and may be inflated and/or deflated to various states as desired. The wiper blade (108) of the system is configured to contact the surface (104) and is directly connected to the fillable bladder (110). The system is configured to control a position of the wiper blade (108) relative to the surface (104) by inflating and/or deflating the fillable bladder (110) with the fluid medium.

Description

WIPER SYSTEMS FOR METAL STRIP PROCESSING

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims the benefit of and priority- to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/650,554, filed on May 22, 2024, and entitled WIPER SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR METAL STRIP PROCESSING, the content of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] This application relates to metallurgy generally and more specifically to metal manufacturing and processing.

BACKGROUND

[0003] Systems and methods for processing metal strips, products, sheets, strips, etc. (collectively referred to herein as “metal strips”) may utilize a wiper to contain viscous materials (e.g., liquid cleaners, lubricants, coolants, pretreatments, or the like, or any combination thereol applied to the metal strip during and/or after various processing steps. In some cases, wipers may be utilized during and/or after a processing step which requires the application of a viscous material (e.g., cleaning, lubricating, cooling, pretreating, etc.).

[0004] Traditional wiper systems include a rigid mechanical device supporting a wiper blade. However, traditional wiper systems are constrained to “flat” (i.e., planar) surfaces because the wiper support and the wiper blade cannot compensate for and/or accommodate crossbow variations in the surface and/or other variations in the incoming profile of the metal product. Due to this, the traditional wiper systems only work for thinner material under tension.

[0005] U.S. Patent No. 11,007,557 to Becker, et al. (“Becker”) describes another system for removing a viscous material from a metal strip. According to Becker, the system “can include a seal and a biasing mechanism” and “the seal can conform to any non-planar cross-sectional shape and/or surface irregularities (e.g., topography).” Becker at col. 7, 11. 8-21. However, the system of Becker is mechanically complex with “a plurality- of mounting devices 210” such that “the plurality- of actuators 120 can be attached to the seal 110” (Becker at col. 8, 11. 21-24) and moreover is complex to control and operate. SUMMARY

[0006] The terms “invention,” “the invention,” “this invention” and “the present invention” used in this patent are intended to refer broadly to all of the subject matter of this patent and the patent claims below. Statements containing these terms should be understood not to limit the subject matter described herein or to limit the meaning or scope of the patent claims below. Embodiments of the invention covered by this patent are defined by the claims below, not this summary'. This summary' is a high-level overview of various embodiments of the invention and introduces some of the concepts that are further described in the Detailed Description section below. This summary is not intended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used in isolation to determine the scope of the claimed subject matter. The subject matter should be understood by reference to appropriate portions of the entire specification of this patent, any or all drawings, and each claim.

[0007] According to certain embodiments, a system for removing a viscous material from a surface of a metal strip includes a fillable bladder Tillable with a fluid medium and a wiper blade directly connected to the fillable bladder. In certain embodiments, the system may control a vertical position of the wiper blade relative to a processing line for the metal strip by inflating and/or deflating the fillable bladder with the fluid medium.

[0008] According to some embodiments, a metal processing system includes a wiper blade system for removing a viscous material from a surface. The wiper blade system includes a fillable bladder fillable with a fluid medium and a wiper blade directly connected to the fillable bladder. In certain embodiments, the wiper blade system may control a position of the wiper blade relative to the surface by inflating and/or deflating the fillable bladder with the fluid medium.

[0009] According to various embodiments, a system for removing a viscous material from a surface of a metal strip includes a wiper guide, a fillable bladder, and a wiper blade. The wi per guide includes a first side and a second side further defining a slot extending in a direction transverse to a processing direction for the metal strip. The fillable bladder is fillable with a fluid medium and is provided on the first side of the wiper guide. The wiper blade may contact the surface and is positionable by the fillable bladder. In certain embodiments, in an inflated state of the fillable bladder, the Tillable bladder positions the wiper blade such that the wiper blade extends through the slot of the wiper guide. [0010] According to certain embodiments, a method of removing a viscous material from a surface of a metal strip includes filling a fillable bladder with a fluid medium and causing a wiper blade directly connected to the fillable bladder to contact the surface of the metal strip.

[0011] Various implementations described in the present disclosure can include additional systems, methods, features, and advantages, which cannot necessarily be expressly disclosed herein but will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art upon examination of the following detailed description and accompanying drawings. It is intended that all such systems, methods, features, and advantages be included within the present disclosure and protected by the accompanying claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] The features and components of the following figures are illustrated to emphasize the general principles of the present disclosure. Corresponding features and components throughout the figures can be designated by matching reference characters for the sake of consistency and clarity.

[0013] FIG. 1 illustrates a metal processing system with a wiper system according to embodiments.

[0014] FIG. 2 illustrates the metal processing system of FIG. 1.

[0015] FIG. 3 illustrates a wiper blade for the wiper system of FIG. 1 according to embodiments.

[0016] FIG. 4 illustrates a wiper blade for the wiper system of FIG. 1 according to embodiments.

[0017] FIG. 5 illustrates a metal processing system with a wiper system according to embodiments.

[0018] FIG. 6 illustrates the metal processing system of FIG. 5.

[0019] FIG. 7 illustrates a wiper system for a metal processing system according to embodiments.

[0020] FIG. 8 illustrates a metal processing system with the wiper system of FIG. 7 according to embodiments. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] Described herein are systems and methods for removing viscous materials from a surface of a metal strip and/or a surface of equipment processing the metal strip (such as but not limited to wipers for backup rolls on rolling mills). In certain embodiments, the systems and methods described herein utilize one or more tillable bladders and a wiper blade directly connected to and/or supported by the one or more fillable bladders. Any number of tillable bladders may be utilized, such as one tillable bladder or a plurality of tillable bladders. The one or more tillable bladders may be tillable with a fluid medium such as but not limited to various gases, air, liquids, combinations thereof, and/or as otherwise desired. In one nonlimiting example, the tillable bladder is an air bladder. In embodiments with a plurality of tillable bladders, the system may accommodate different strip widths and/or reduce wear of the wiper blade. The one or more tillable bladders may be inflated and/or deflated with the fluid medium to move the wiper blade up (e.g., into contact with the surface, such as the surface of the metal or equipment) and down (e.g.. away from the surface).

[0022] Optionally, the systems and methods described herein may utilize a wiper guide, which may promote positioning of the wiper blade and guide the wiper blade during inflation and/or may minimize improper positioning of the wiper blade during inflation of the fillable bladder. In some embodiments, the wiper guide additionally, or alternatively, may allow for the wiper blade to rest, unfastened, on the fillable bladder, thereby enabling a rapid change out of worn wiper blades. As a non-limiting example, the wiper guide may position and/or orient the wiper blade on the Tillable bladder while also allowing for relative movement of the wiper blade relative to the Tillable bladder (e.g., to remove the wiper blade, to install the wiper blade, to temporarily support the wiper blade, etc.).

[0023] In certain embodiments, the systems and methods described herein provide a wiper system which is selT-conforming to the surface oT the metal strip. In various embodiments, the conforming nature of the Tillable bladder and the bendability of the wiper blade allow the w iper system to achieve a cross-width seal for non-planar surface profiles, such as uneven strip profiles, heavily bowed strip profiles, etc. Compared to traditional approaches, the systems and methods described herein provide a simpler approach for removing viscous materials while also providing improved contact (and thus sealing) betw een the wiper blade and the surface of the metal strip or equipment. In some embodiments, the improved contact between the wiper blade and the surface of the metal strip in turn allows for the use of a cooling table, which may reduce the temperature of the metal strip, provide improved control of mechanical properties of the metal strip, and/or allow the metal processing system to run faster. Various other benefits and advantages may be realized with the systems and methods described herein, and the aforementioned benefits and advantages should not be considered limiting.

[0024] FIG. 1 illustrates a metal processing system 100 for processing a metal strip 102 according to embodiments. The metal strip 102 processed by the metal processing system may be various metals as desired, including but not limited to aluminum, aluminum alloys, steel, or other metals as desired. In some examples, the metal strip 102 may be aluminum or an aluminum alloy in the Ixxx series, 2xxx series, 3xxx series, 4xxx series, 5xxx series, 6xxx series, 7xxx series, 8xxx series and/or any other aluminum or aluminum alloy.

[0025] The metal processing system 100 may include one or more pieces of equipment and/or processing stations for processing the metal strip 102. As non-limiting examples, the metal processing system 100 may include a rolling mill, a cooling table, a quenching system, heaters, combinations thereof, and/or other equipment as desired. In some embodiments, one or more pieces of equipment and/or processing stations may apply a viscous material to a surface 104 of the metal strip 102 for performing various processes, such as but not limited to cooling, cleaning, lubricating, pretreating, combinations thereof, and/or as otherwise desired. Viscous materials may include, but are not limited to, coolants, cleaners, pretreatments, lubricants, combinations thereof, and/or other viscous materials as desired.

[0026] During processing of the metal strip 102, the metal strip 102 may move in a processing direction 101. While the processing direction 101 is illustrated as generally horizontal in FIG. 1 , it need not be in other embodiments. In various embodiments, and while the metal strip 102 is moving and/or being processed by the metal processing system 100, the metal strip 102 may have various profiles at a given processing point. As non-limiting examples, while the metal strip 102 moves horizontally in the processing direction 101, at a location where viscous material is applied to the metal strip 102 and/or removed from the metal strip 102, a width profile of the metal strip 102 (e.g., in the horizontal direction transverse to the processing direction 101) and/or a length profile of the metal strip 102 (e.g., in the processing direction 101) may be planar, non-planar, and/or have other profiles.

[0027] As illustrated in FIG. 1, in various embodiments, the metal processing system 100 includes a wiper system 106 for removing viscous material from the metal strip 102 without damaging a surface 104 of the metal strip 102. In certain embodiments, the wiper system 106 may remove viscous material from the metal strip 102 as it is moving in the processing direction 101. Additionally, or alternatively, the wiper system 106 may be utilized for removing viscous material from equipment of the metal processing system 100. As a non-limiting example, the wiper system 106 may be utilized with backup rolls of a work stand of a rolling mill.

[0028] The wiper system 106 generally includes a wiper blade 108 and one or more Tillable bladders 110. Optionally, the wiper system 106 includes a wiper guide 112. In certain embodiments, the wiper system 106 is arranged relative to the processing direction 101 so as to extend transversely to the processing direction 101 and/or in a direction corresponding to a width of the metal strip 102. In some embodiments, the wiper system 106 and/or at least the wiper blade 108 of the wiper system 106 may extend at least across a width of the metal strip 102. In other embodiments, the wiper system 106 may have additional and/or alternate configurations as desired.

[0029] The wiper blade 108 may be constructed from various materials as desired suitable for contacting the surface 104 and removing viscous material from the surface 104. In certain embodiments, the wiper blade 108 is constructed from a flexible material such that the wiper blade 108 may conform to non-planar shapes or surfaces of the metal strip 102. As non-limiting examples, the wiper blade 108 may be constructed from a flexible material such as but not limited to synthetic rubber, natural rubber, elastomers, cellulose, polyurethane, other polymers, combinations thereof, and/or other materials as desired.

[0030] In various embodiments, the wiper blade 108 may have various shapes or profiles as desired. FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate non-limiting examples of cross-sectional shapes of the wiper blade 108 - in FIG. 3, the wiper blade 108 has a triangular cross-sectional profile, and in FIG. 4 the wiper blade 108 has a pentagonal shape. However, the shapes should not be considered limiting, and in other embodiments, other shapes may be utilized as desired. In some embodiments, and as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, the wiper blade 108 may include a base portion 113 and a tip portion 114. The base portion 113 may be directly connected with the one or more fillable bladders 1 10 as discussed in detail below , and the tip portion 114 may be the portion of the wiper blade 108 configured to contact the surface 104. In some embodiments, and as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, a width of the tip portion 114 may be less than a width of the base portion 113. In certain embodiments, the width of the base portion 113 may be a maximum width of the wiper blade 108. although it need not be in other embodiments.

[0031] The wiper blade 108 is directly attached or connected to the one or more fillable bladders 110 such that the wiper blade 108 rests on the one or more fillable bladders 110. Various mechanisms or techniques may be utilized to attach the wiper blade 108 to the one or more fillable bladders 110. including solutions where the wiper blade 108 is monolithic and/or integral with the one or more fillable bladders 110 and/or solutions w erein the wiper blade 108 is removable from the one or more fillable bladders 110. Non-limiting examples of mechanisms or techniques to directly attach the wiper blade 108 to the one or more fillable bladders 1 10 include adhesives, clips, clasps, buttons, snaps, fasteners, magnets, quick connectors, combinations thereof, and/or other techniques or mechanisms as desired.

[0032] In some embodiments, such as illustrated in FIG. 1, a single fillable bladder 110 may be utilized with the wiper blade 108. However, in other embodiments, any number of fillable bladders 110 may be utilized as desired. In embodiments with a plurality of fillable bladders 110, the fillable bladders 110 may be arranged to extend transversely to the processing direction 101 and/or in the direction corresponding to the width of the metal strip 102.

[0033] Each of the one or more fillable bladders 110 generally includes a body 116 with an internal volume for receiving a fluid medium. Various fluid mediums may be utilized for selectively filling the one or more fillable bladders, such as but not limited to gas, air, liquids, combinations thereof, and/or as otherwise desired. The body 116 may have shapes or profiles as desired suitable for receiving the fluid medium. Thus, while the body 116 is illustrated with a circular cross-sectional shape in FIGS. 1 and 2. the particular shape of the body 116 illustrated should not be considered limiting.

[0034] The body 116 may be constructed from various flexible and/or expandable materials such that the body 116 is adjustable between a contracted state (see, e.g., FIG. 1) and an expanded state (see. e.g., FIG. 2) (and various states in between) responsive to filling or removing the fluid medium from the body 116. As non-limiting examples, the body 116 may be constructed from materials such as but not limited to urethane, vinyl, rubbers, plastics, polyurethanes, nitrile, neoprene, fluoropolymers, fabrics, combinations thereof, and/or as otherwise desired. In certain embodiments, filling the one or more fillable bladders 110 with the fluid medium (thereby causing the Tillable bladders 110 to expand) may move the wiper blade 108 toward and/or into contact with the surface 104 of the metal strip 102. In embodiments where the wiper system 106 is arranged in a horizontal direction, causing the fillable bladders 110 to expand may change a vertical position of the wiper blade 108. In certain embodiments, in the expanded state, in addition to positioning the wiper blade 108 towards the surface 104, the flexible material of the body 116 and/or the flexible material of the wiper blade 108 may further allow for the wiper blade 108 to contact and conform to the shape or profile of the surface 104. Conversely, removing the fillable material from the fillable bladders 110 and/or otherwise causing the fillable bladders 110 to return to the contracted state may move the wiper blade 108 away from and/or out of contact with the surface 104. [0035] In some embodiments, and as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, in addition to the wiper blade 108 and the one or more fillable bladders 110, the wiper system 106 optionally includes the one or more wiper guides 112. The wiper guide 1 12 generally includes one or more walls 118, with one wall 118 defining a slot or opening 120 extending through the wall 118 from a first (or outer) side 122 to a second (or inner) side 124. In certain embodiments, the one or more walls 118 may form a housing 126 with a chamber 128, and the slot 120 may provide access to the chamber 128. In certain embodiments, a width of the slot 120 is less than a maximum width of the wiper blade 108. The particular shape of the housing 126 and/or the chamber 128 should not be considered limiting, and in various embodiments the housing 126 and/or the chamber 128 may be various shapes suitable for accommodating the fillable bladder 110 both in the contracted state and the expanded state. In various cases, and as discussed in detail below, the width of the slot 120 may facilitate positioning and/or orienting of the wiper blade 108 relative to the surface 104 and/or as the fillable bladder 110 is inflated with the fluid medium. In other embodiments, the width of the slot 120 need not be less than a maximum width of the wiper blade 108. and the wiper guide 112 may include additional and/or alternative features (see, e.g., FIGS. 5 and 6).

[0036] As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, in certain embodiments, the one or more fillable bladders 110 may be provided on the second side 124 of the wall 118 with the slot 120, optionally within the chamber 128 when the housing 126 is defined. The wiper blade 108 of the wiper system 106 may be positionable to extend at least partially through the slot 120 when the one or more fillable bladders 1 10 are inflated (FIG. 2). In some embodiments, and as illustrated in FIG. 1, the wiper blade 108 optionally may be provided on the second side 124 of the wall 118 when the one or more fillable bladders 110 are in their contracted state (FIG. 1), although they need not be in other embodiments. As illustrated in FIG. 2. when the one or more fillable bladders 110 are inflated with the fluid medium, the wiper blade 108 may extend at least partially through the slot 120. In embodiments where the width of the slot 120 is less than the maximum width of the wiper blade 108, edges 130 of the slot 120 may overlap and/or engage the wiper blade 108, which may facilitate positioning and/or orienting of the wiper blade 108.

[0037] FIGS. 5-8 illustrate another example of a wiper system 506 which is substantially similar to the wiper system 106 except that a wiper guide 512, which is similar to the wiper guide 112, additionally includes slot guides 532. In certain embodiments, the slot guides 532 may be provided on the second side 124 of the wall 118 with the slot 120 and proximate to the edges 130 of the slot 120. In embodiments with the slot guides 532, the slot 120 need not have a width that is less than that of the wiper blade 108. Optionally, and as illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, the width of the slot 120 may be greater than the width of the wiper blade 108.

[0038] As illustrated in FIG. 6, when the fillable bladders 110 are filled and expanded, the slot guides 532 may contact, guide, and/or otherwise engage the fillable bladders 110, thereby limiting further movement of the wiper blade 108 through the slot 120. The slot guides 532 may be constructed from various materials as desired. In certain embodiments, the slot guides 532 may be constructed from a flexible and/or compliant material similar to that of the wiper blade 108 and/or the fillable bladders 110, although they need not be in other embodiments. [0039] As best illustrated in FIG. 7, in certain embodiments, a controller 534 may be utilized for controlling a flow⁷ of the fluid medium into the fillable bladder 110 and/or out of the fillable bladder 110.

[0040] FIG. 8 illustrates a non-limiting example of the wiper system 506 installed within the metal processing system 100 and relative to another piece of equipment 536. In the embodiment of FIG. 8, the equipment 536 is a coolant header 538 for dispensing a coolant onto the surface 104 of the metal strip 102. In other embodiments, the wiper system 506 (and/or the wiper system 106) may be installed with and/or relative to other equipment of the metal processing system as desired, such as but not limited to a cooling table, between work stands of a rolling mill, upstream from a heater, on back up rolls of the rolling mill, combinations thereof, and/or as other ise desired.

[0041] Referring back to FIGS. 1 and 2. a method of removing a viscous material from the surface 104 of the metal strip 102 includes filling the fillable bladder 1 10 with a fluid medium and causing the fillable bladder 110 to expand to its expanded state (FIG. 2). Causing the fillable bladder 110 to expand in turn causes the wiper blade 108 to contact and conform to the profile of the surface 104 of the metal strip 102. In certain embodiments, the fillable bladder 110 may be filled with the fluid medium until the wiper blade 108 contacts and conforms to the surface 104, and/or for a predetermined duration, and/or until the fillable bladder 110 is a predetermined size, and/or as otherwise desired. In certain embodiments, the method may include disengaging the wiper blade 108 from the surface 104 by causing the fillable bladder 110 to contract and/or reduce in size. In some embodiments, the method includes draining and/or discharging the fluid medium from the fillable bladder 110 to reduce the size of the fillable bladder 110.

[0042] Compared to traditional approaches, the systems and methods described herein provide a simpler and modular approach for removing viscous materials from a surface of a metal strip and/or a piece of equipment. In various embodiments, the systems and methods described herein allow for a wiper blade to conform and comply with an uneven surface of the metal strip as the metal strip moves in the processing direction. In some embodiments, the systems and methods described herein provide a self-guiding system which automatically guides the wiper blade into contact with the metal strip (e.g., due to the shape of the wiper blade and/or the use of the wiper guides). In certain embodiments, the systems and methods described herein may provide a system with improved bendabili ty and/or ability to conform to surfaces of the metal strip. In various embodiments, the systems and methods described herein are modular and allow for accommodation of different strip widths (e.g., by providing multiple fillable bladders). Additionally, or alternatively, the systems and methods described herein may provide improved ability to conform to the metal strip using a plurality of fillable bladders. In some embodiments, wiper guides, such as but not limited to slot guides within the chamber of the wiper guide, may help prevent the wiper blade from being jammed inside the housing inflation. Optionally, the wiper guides may allow for the wiper blade to rest, unfastened, on the fillable bladder - enabling rapid change out of worn wiper blades. Various other benefits and advantages may be realized with the systems and methods described herein, and the aforementioned benefits and advantages should not be considered limiting.

[0043] A collection of exemplar}' embodiments are provided below, including at least some explicitly enumerated as “Illustrations” providing additional description of a variety of example embodiments in accordance with the concepts described herein. These illustrations are not meant to be mutually exclusive, exhaustive, or restrictive; and the disclosure not limited to these example illustrations but rather encompasses all possible modifications and variations within the scope of the issued claims and their equivalents.

[0044] Illustration 1. A system for removing a viscous material from a surface of a metal strip, the system comprising: a fillable bladder fillable with a fluid medium; and a wiper blade directly connected to the fillable bladder, wherein the system is configured to control a vertical position of the wiper blade relative to a processing line for the metal strip by inflating and/or deflating the fillable bladder with the fluid medium.

[0045] Illustration 2. The system of any preceding or subsequent illustrations or combination of illustrations, wherein the fluid medium compnses a gas.

[0046] Illustration 3. The system of any preceding or subsequent illustrations or combination of illustrations, w herein the wiper blade comprises a triangular cross-section.

[0047] Illustration 4. The system of any preceding or subsequent illustrations or combination of illustrations, wherein the wiper blade comprises a base portion proximate to the fillable bladder and a tip portion spaced apart from the Tillable bladder, wherein a width of the tip portion is less than a width of the base portion.

[0048] Illustration 5. The system of any preceding or subsequent illustrations or combination of illustrations, wherein the wiper blade comprises polyurethane.

[0049] Illustration 6. The system of any preceding or subsequent illustrations or combination of illustrations, wherein the system is self-conforming to a profile of the surface of the metal strip.

[0050] Illustration 7. The system of any preceding or subsequent illustrations or combination of illustrations, further comprising a wiper guide comprising a housing w ith a chamber and a slot defined in the housing, wherein the fillable bladder is within the chamber of the housing, and wherein the fillable bladder is configured to position the wiper blade through the slot.

[0051] Illustration 8. A metal processing system comprising a wiper blade system for removing a viscous material from a surface, wherein the wiper blade system comprises: a fillable bladder fillable with a fluid medium; and a wiper blade directly connected to the fillable bladder, wherein the wiper blade system is configured to control a position of the wiper blade relative to the surface by inflating and/or deflating the fillable bladder with the fluid medium. [0052] Illustration 9. The metal processing system of any preceding or subsequent illustrations or combination of illustrations, wherein the fillable bladder is a first fillable bladder of a plurality of fillable bladders, and wherein the w iper blade is directly connected to each fillable bladder of the plurality of fillable bladders.

[0053] Illustration 10. The metal processing system of any preceding or subsequent illustrations or combination of illustrations, further comprising a wiper guide comprising a housing defining a chamber and a slot defined within the housing, and wherein the wiper blade is positionable within the slot.

[0054] Illustration 11. The metal processing system of any preceding or subsequent illustrations or combination of illustrations, wherein a width of the slot is greater than maximum width of the wiper blade, and wherein a portion of the wiper blade with the maximum width is within the chamber.

[0055] Illustration 12. The metal processing system of any preceding or subsequent illustrations or combination of illustrations, further comprising slot guides within the chamber and proximate to opposing edges of the slot, wherein the slot guides are configured to guide the wiper blade within the chamber and relative to the slot. [0056] Illustration 13. The metal processing system of any preceding or subsequent illustrations or combination of illustrations, wherein the system is self-conforming to a profile of the surface.

[0057] Illustration 14. The metal processing system of any preceding or subsequent illustrations or combination of illustrations, wherein the surface is a surface of a rolled metal strip or a surface of equipment of the metal processing system.

[0058] Illustration 15. A system for removing a viscous material from a surface of a metal strip, the system comprising: a wiper guide comprising a first side and a second side, wherein the wiper guide defines a slot extending in a direction transverse to a processing direction for the metal strip; a fillable bladder fillable with a fluid medium and on the first side of the wiper guide; and a wiper blade configured to contact the surface and positionable by the fillable bladder, wherein in an inflated state of the fillable bladder, the fillable bladder positions the wiper blade such that the wiper blade extends through the slot of the wiper guide.

[0059] Illustration 16. The system of any preceding or subsequent illustrations or combination of illustrations, wherein the fillable medium comprises one or more gases.

[0060] Illustration 17. The system of any preceding or subsequent illustrations or combination of illustrations, wherein the wiper blade is self-conforming to the surface.

[0061] Illustration 18. The system of any preceding or subsequent illustrations or combination of illustrations, further comprising slot guides on the first side of the wiper guide and proximate to opposing edges of the slot, wherein the slot guides are configured to guide the wiper blade on the first side of the wiper guide and relative to the slot.

[0062] Illustration 19. The system of any preceding or subsequent illustrations or combination of illustrations, wherein the slot guides are configured to guide the wiper blade by guiding an inflation and positioning of the fillable bladder.

[0063] Illustration 20. The system of any preceding or subsequent illustrations or combination of illustrations, wherein the fillable bladder is a first fillable bladder of a plurality of fillable bladders, and wherein the wiper blade is directly connected to each fillable bladder of the plurality of fillable bladders.

[0064] Illustration 21. A method of removing a viscous material from a surface of a metal strip includes filling a fillable bladder with a fluid medium, wherein filling the fillable bladder causes a wiper blade directly connected to the fillable bladder to contact the surface of the metal strip.

[0065] As used herein, the terms “invention;' “the invention," “this invention." and “the present invention” are intended to refer broadly to all of the subject matter of this patent application and the claims below. Statements containing these terms should be understood not to limit the subj ect matter described herein or to limit the meaning or scope of the patent claims below.

[0066] In this description, reference is made to alloys identified by AA numbers and other related designations, such as “series” or “5xxx.” For an understanding of the number designation system most commonly used in naming and identifying aluminum and its alloys, see “International Alloy Designations and Chemical Composition Limits for Wrought Aluminum and Wrought Aluminum Alloys” or “Registration Record of Aluminum Association Alloy Designations and Chemical Compositions Limits for Aluminum Alloys in the Form of Castings and Ingot,” both published by The Aluminum Association.

[0067] As used herein, the meaning of “a,” “an.” and “the” includes singular and plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0068] The subject matter of embodiments of the present disclosure is described here with specificity⁷ to meet statutory requirements, but this description is not necessarily intended to limit the scope of the claims. The claimed subject matter may be embodied in other ways, may include different elements or steps, and may be used in conjunction with other existing or future technologies. This description should not be interpreted as implying any particular order or arrangement among or between various steps or elements except when the order of individual steps or arrangement of elements is explicitly described. Directional references such as “up,” “down.” “top,” “bottom,” “left.” “right,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” “lateral.” “longitudinal,” “front,” and ’‘back,” among others, are intended to refer to the orientation as illustrated and described in the figure (or figures) to which the components and directions are referencing.

[0069] The terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and “containing” are to be construed as open-ended terms (i . e. , meaning “including, but not limited to,”) unless otherwise noted. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary⁷ language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate embodiments of the invention, and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unless otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the invention.

[0070] The above-described aspects are merely possible examples of implementations, merely set forth for a clear understanding of the principles of the present disclosure. Many variations and modifications can be made to the above-described embodiment(s) without departing substantially from the spirit and principles of the present disclosure. All such modifications and variations are intended to be included herein within the scope of the present disclosure, and all possible claims to individual aspects or combinations of elements or steps are intended to be supported by the present disclosure. Moreover, although specific terms are employed herein, as well as in the claims that follow, they are used only in a generic and descriptive sense, and not for the purposes of limiting the described embodiments, nor the claims that follow.

Claims

CLAIMS That which is claimed:

1. A system for removing a viscous material from a surface of a metal strip, the system comprising: a fillable bladder tillable with a fluid medium; and a wiper blade directly connected to the fillable bladder, wherein the system is configured to control a vertical position of the wiper blade relative to a processing line for the metal strip by inflating and/or deflating the Tillable bladder with the fluid medium.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the fluid medium comprises a gas.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the wiper blade comprises a triangular cross-section.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the wiper blade comprises a base portion proximate to the fillable bladder and a tip portion spaced apart from the fillable bladder, wherein a width of the tip portion is less than a width of the base portion.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the wiper blade comprises polyurethane.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the system is self-conforming to a profile of the surface of the metal strip.

7. The system of claim 1, further comprising a wiper guide comprising a housing with a chamber and a slot defined in the housing, wherein the fillable bladder is within the chamber of the housing, and wherein the fillable bladder is configured to position the wiper blade through the slot.

8. A metal processing system comprising a wiper blade system for removing a viscous material from a surface, wherein the wiper blade system comprises: a fillable bladder fillable with a fluid medium; and a wiper blade directly connected to the fillable bladder, wherein the wiper blade system is configured to control a position of the wiper blade relative to the surface by inflating and/or deflating the fillable bladder with the fluid medium.

9. The metal processing system of claim 8, wherein the fillable bladder is a first fillable bladder of a plurality of fillable bladders, and wherein the wiper blade is directly connected to each fillable bladder of the plurality of fillable bladders.

10. The metal processing system of claim 8, further comprising a wiper guide comprising a housing defining a chamber and a slot defined within the housing, and wherein the wiper blade is positionable within the slot.

11. The metal processing system of claim 10, wherein a width of the slot is greater than a maximum width of the wiper blade, and wherein a portion of the wiper blade with the maximum width is within the chamber.

12. The metal processing system of claim 10, further comprising slot guides within the chamber and proximate to opposing edges of the slot, wherein the slot guides are configured to guide the wiper blade within the chamber and relative to the slot.

13. The metal processing system of claim 10, wherein the system is self-conforming to a profile of the surface.

14. The metal processing system of claim 8, wherein the surface is a surface of a rolled metal strip or a surface of equipment of the metal processing system.

15. A system for removing a viscous material from a surface of a metal strip, the system comprising: a wiper guide comprising a first side and a second side, wherein the wiper guide defines a slot extending in a direction transverse to a processing direction for the metal strip; a fillable bladder Tillable with a fluid medium and on the first side of the wiper guide; and a wiper blade configured to contact the surface and positionable by the fillable bladder, wherein in an inflated state of the fillable bladder, the fillable bladder positions the wiper blade such that the wiper blade extends through the slot of the wiper guide.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the fillable medium comprises one or more gases.

17. The system of claim 15, wherein the wiper blade is self-conforming to the surface.

18. The system of claim 15, further comprising slot guides on the first side of the wiper guide and proximate to opposing edges of the slot, wherein the slot guides are configured to guide the wiper blade on the first side of the wiper guide and relative to the slot.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the slot guides are configured to guide the wiper blade byguiding an inflation of the fillable bladder and/or guiding a positioning of the fillable bladder.

20. The system of claim 15, wherein the Tillable bladder is a first Tillable bladder of a plurality of fillable bladders, and wherein the w iper blade is directly connected to each Tillable bladder of the plurality of Tillable bladders.