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  Electrophoretic deposition systemUSPTO Application #: 20070235334Title: Electrophoretic deposition system Abstract: An electrophoretic disposition system for simultaneously coating the exterior and interior of metal parts having an exterior portion and an interior portion comprising an emersion tank having four side walls and a bottom, at least one vertical anode for conducting current through the paint positioned along one of the walls, and at least one retractable remote anode positioned adjacent the at least one vertical anode. Once a part to be coated is submerged into the emersion tank, the at least one remote anode is extended into the interior of the part. Once in place, a current is passed through both the anodes. The at least one vertical anode creates a current path on the exterior of the part and the at least one horizontal anode creates a current path on the interior of the part. (end of abstract) Agent: Robert L. Knechtel, M.d., J.d. - Chicago, IL, US Inventors: Dick Wicker, Lucas Creasy USPTO Applicaton #: 20070235334 - Class: 204471000 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Chemistry: Electrical And Wave Energy, Non-distilling Bottoms Treatment, Electrophoresis Or Electro-osmosis Processes And Electrolyte Compositions Therefor When Not Provided For Elsewhere, Coating Or Forming Of Object The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070235334. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
RELATED UNITED STATES PROVISIONAL PATENT APPLICATION [0001] This application claims the priority of provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/787,916, filed Mar. 31, 2006. I. TECHNICAL FIELD [0002] The present invention relates to electrophoretic disposition systems and, more particularly, to an electrophoretic disposition system which evenly and simultaneously coats the interior and exterior surfaces of hollow apparatus. II. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION AND PRIOR ART [0003] Electrophoretic deposition (EPD) covers a broad range of material coating processes which have as a characteristic feature colloidal particles suspended in a liquid medium that migrate under the influence of an electric field (electrophoresis) and are deposited onto an electrode. Non-limiting examples of EPD processes include electrocoating, electrophoretic coating, and electrophoretic painting. [0004] In general, any colloidal particle that can be used to form a stable suspension and that can carry a charge can be used in electrophoretic deposition. Non-limiting examples of suitable materials include polymers, pigments, dyes, ceramics and metals. [0005] EPD is useful for applying materials to any electrically conductive surface and is used industrially for applying coatings to metal fabricated products. It has been widely used to coat automobile bodies and parts, tractors and heavy equipment, electrical switch gear, appliances, metal furniture, beverage containers, fasteners, and many other industrial products. [0006] During the EPD process itself, direct current is applied to a solution of polymers with ionizable groups or a colloidal suspension of polymers with ionizable groups which may also incorporate solid materials such a pigments and fillers. The ionizable groups incorporated into the polymer are formed by the reaction of an acid and a base to form a salt. The particular charge, positive or negative, which is imparted to the polymer depends on the chemical nature of the ionizable group. If the ionizable groups on the polymer are acids, the polymer will carry a negative charge when salted with a base. If the ionizable groups on the polymer are bases, the polymer will carry a positive charge when salted with an acid. [0007] There are two types of EPD processes, anodic and cathodic. In the anodic process, negatively charged material is deposited on the positively charged electrode, or anode. In the cathodic process, positively charged material is deposited on the negatively charged electrode, or cathode. [0008] When an electric field is applied, all of the charged species migrate by the process of electrophoresis towards the electrode with the opposite charge. In anodic deposition, the material being deposited will have salts of an acid as the charge bearing group. These negatively charged anions react with the positively charged hydrogen ions (protons) which are being produced at the anode by the electrolysis of water to reform the original acid. The fully protonated acid carries no charge (charge destruction) and is less soluble in water, and may precipitate out of the water onto the anode. [0009] The analogous situation occurs in cathodic deposition except that the material being deposited will have salts of a base as the charge bearing group. If the salt of the base has been formed by protonation of the base, the protonated base will react with the hydroxyl ions being formed by electrolysis of water to yield the neutral charged base (again charge destruction) and water. The uncharged polymer is less soluble in water than it was when was charged, and precipation onto the cathode occurs. [0010] The cathodic process results in considerably more gas being trapped within the film than the anodic process. Since the gas has a higher electrical resistance than either depositing film or the bath itself, the amount of gas has a significant effect on the current at a given applied voltage. This is why cathodic processes are often able to be operated at significantly higher voltages than the corresponding anodic processes. [0011] The ability for the EPD coating to coat interior recesses of a part is called the "throwpower." In many applications, it is desirable to use coating materials with a high throwpower. The throwpower of a coating is dependent on a number of variables, but generally speaking the higher the coating voltage, the further a given coating will "throw" into recesses. High throwpower electrophoretic paints typically use application voltages in excess of 300 volts DC. [0012] However, prior art systems often fail in the complete coating of interior surfaces as the ability to completely coat the interior surface of a part using EPD is limited. This can occur for many reasons, including but not limited to the to-be-coated-part size, insufficient voltage capibilities, colloid insufficiency, insufficient coating time, and systems directed at a general coating scheme as opposed to site specific coatring. This is a significant shortcoming when working in environments in which it is important that all surfaces of the treated object are coated, leaving no uncovered areas such as a truck bed or utility box. Uncoated areas require hand coating. This, in turn, results in increased cost due to having to have an employees inspect and coat the uncoated surfaces, increased production time in having to do the hand work, and the increased probability that the part may be ruined to inadequate hand coating work. [0013] There is need, therefore, for a system to coat parts having an interior surface that must be completely coated, leaving no uncovered areas. The present invention provides such a solution. III. OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES OF THE PRESENT INVENTION [0014] It is an object of the present invention to provide an electrophoretic disposition system which evenly coats the exterior and interior surfaces of a part. [0015] It is a further object of the present invention to provide an electrophoretic disposition system which coats the exterior and interior surfaces of a part in a continuous process. [0016] It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide an electrophoretic disposition system which decreases manufacturing time. [0017] It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide an electrophoretic disposition system which decreases manufacturing cost. [0018] The advantages offered by the present invention include but are not limited to providing parts having an interior surface being less susceptible to corrosion, and to further decrease the time and cost involved in manufacturing the coated parts. IV. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0019] The present invention comprises an emersion tank having four side walls and a bottom, at least one vertical anode for conducting current through the paint positioned along one of the walls, and at least one retractable remote anode positioned adjacent the at least one vertical anode. Continue reading... Full patent description for Electrophoretic deposition system Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Electrophoretic deposition system patent application. ###  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. 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