| Electrical conductive contact ring for electroplating or electrodeposition -> Monitor Keywords |
|
|
  Electrical conductive contact ring for electroplating or electrodepositionUSPTO Application #: 20070278093Title: Electrical conductive contact ring for electroplating or electrodeposition Abstract: A conductive contact ring for an electroplating or electrodeposition process on a cylindrical surface includes a frame defining an opening through which the object can be passed and an array of electrically conductive fibers spanning the opening. The frame is electrically conductive and is connected to a DC power source in the process. Two or more contact rings can be used in a process to provide consistent electrical contact with the surface sliding therethrough. A single contact ring can have first and second groups of filaments spaced from each other along the axial length of the surface. (end of abstract) Agent: Illinois Tool Works Inc. - Glenview, IL, US Inventors: Michael P. Barnard, Hieyoung W. Oh, Jeffrey W. Richardson USPTO Applicaton #: 20070278093 - Class: 204242 (USPTO) The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070278093. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001]The present invention relates generally to electro-coating processes, such as electroplating and electrodeposition processes, and, more particularly, the invention pertains to such processes for tubing and even more particularly to the electrical contact formed with the tubing in an electrodeposition or electroplating process. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002]Electroplating and electrodeposition have been used to provide surface layers on parts of many types, including tubing used in manufacturing coaxial cables to shield the conductor in the cable from ambient signals that would adversely affect the performance of the cable. In a known tubular coating process a continuous tube is pulled through a bath solution with conductive metal ions therein, such as, for example, silver, gold, copper, nickel and others. A cathode (negative pole) connection of a DC power supply is made with the endless tube. An anode of the metal used in the coating process is connected to the anode (positive pole) of the DC power supply. A metal coating is applied during the process. [0003]In the coating process, a normally metallic coating is applied to the surface of an object by the action of electric current. The deposition of a metallic coating onto an object is achieved by creating a negative charge on the object to be coated and immersing it in a solution containing a salt of the metal to be deposited. The object to be coated is made the cathode of an electrolytic cell. Since the metallic ions of the salt carry a positive charge, the ions are attracted to the object. When the ions reach the negatively charged object that is to be coated, the object provides electrons to reduce the positively charged ions to metallic form. The result is a metal coated surface on the charged object. Such processes are used frequently for individual discrete parts. However, it is also known to use such processes for coating continuous lengths of tubing such as the aforementioned tubing used for manufacturing coaxial cable. [0004]Creating a continuous electrical contact with a moving endless tube has presented difficulties. Known conductive methods to apply a charge to a continuous moving tube have included the use of copper or phosphorus brushes. A continuous conductive link is required between the brush and the moving tube for proper tubular coating as the electrical charge passes through the brush to the moving tube. A problem known in the tube coating industry is that known methods of brush to tube conductive contact tend to be somewhat intermittent. Intermittent electrical contact with the moving tube can cause inconsistent metal coating on the surface and possibly even extended areas of poor coating or voids that have no coating. Known brush contacts for electroplating continuous tubing wear relatively quickly and require frequent replacement. Further, copper brushes that have been used conduct charge to the tube differently as the brush wears, requiring constant monitoring of the charge or voltage, and adjustment as necessary. [0005]There is a need for an efficient, reliable conductive contact system that can be used effectively in an electrocoating process for moving endless tubing, which contact system is of long life and requires minimal service or replacement. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0006]The present invention provides an annular structure holding conductive fibers that encircle a tube passed through the structure. Continuous electrical contact is established between the conductive filaments and the tube passing therethrough. [0007]In one aspect thereof, the present invention provides an electrical contactor for a cylindrical surface with a frame defining an opening therethrough of sufficient size for the cylindrical surface to be slid through the opening or slot. A first array of electrically conductive fibers partially spans the opening; and a second array of electrically conductive fibers partially spans the opening in generally opposed relation to the first array. [0008]In another aspect thereof, the present invention provides a coating process assembly for coating an object having a cylindrical surface. The assembly has a bath for a coating solution, with the bath being adapted for the object to pass therethrough. An electrical contact ring has a frame defining an opening therethrough of sufficient size for the cylindrical surface to be slid through the opening. A first array of electrically conductive fibers partially span the opening, and a second array of electrically conductive fibers partially span the opening in generally opposed relation to the first array. An electrical power source is connected to contact ring. [0009]In a still further aspect thereof, the present invention provides an electrical contactor for a cylindrical surface, with a frame of the contactor defining an opening therethrough of sufficient size for the cylindrical surface to be slid through the opening; and a plurality of electrically conductive fibers having ends thereof exposed in the opening. The fibers are flexible and pliable for deflection by an object sliding through the opening. [0010]An advantage of the present invention is providing a contact ring useful for coating processes for plating continuous cylindrical objects moving through the contact ring. [0011]Another advantage of the present invention is providing an electrical contact ring for an electro-coating process that is of long life useful and requires minimal service. [0012]Still another advantage of the present invention is providing an annular contact ring for cylindrical objects or other similar shapes to be electro-coated that can be provided in different sizes for plating objects of different diameters. [0013]Yet another advantage of the present invention is providing an electrical contact system for moving cylindrical objects that provides substantially consistent electrical contact around the circumference of the object. [0014]Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon review of the following detailed description, claims and drawings in which like numerals are used to designate like features. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0015]FIG. 1 illustrates an electroplating process using a contactor of the present invention; [0016]FIG. 2 is an elevational view of the contactor shown in FIG. 1; [0017]FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the contactor shown in the previous drawings; [0018]FIG. 4 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view similar to that of FIG. 3, but illustrating half of a further embodiment of the electrical contact ring; [0019]FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the electrical contact ring shown in FIGS. 1-3; and [0020]FIG. 6 is an illustration of another coating system. Continue reading... Full patent description for Electrical conductive contact ring for electroplating or electrodeposition Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Electrical conductive contact ring for electroplating or electrodeposition patent application. Patent Applications in related categories: 20080169187 - Electrical circuit for an electrolyser and method for reducing the electromagnetic fields near the electrolyser - An electrical circuit for reducing electromagnetic fields in a vicinity of an electrolyzer, including an electrolyzer and an electrical line including at least one busbar for returning the current flowing through the electrolyzer, and a power supply of at least two rectifiers for delivering currents whose waveforms are phase-shifted with ... ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Electrical conductive contact ring for electroplating or electrodeposition or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Steam electrolysis Next Patent Application: Method for preparing membrane electrode assemblies from fluoropolymer dispersions Industry Class: Chemistry: electrical and wave energy ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Electrical conductive contact ring for electroplating or electrodeposition patent info. IP-related news and info Results in 0.37166 seconds Other interesting Feshpatents.com categories: Software: Finance , AI , Databases , Development , Document , Navigation , Error |
||
