Coating apparatus – With heat exchange – drying – or non-coating gas or vapor... – Plural treatments
Reexamination Certificate
1999-07-12
2001-10-16
Edwards, Laura (Department: 1734)
Coating apparatus
With heat exchange, drying, or non-coating gas or vapor...
Plural treatments
C118S315000, C118S319000, C118S320000, C118S503000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06302961
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention pertains to a multi-station apparatus for processing workpieces and is particularly adapted for applying a hardenable liquid coating to electrical components, such as to the windings of electrical generator or motor rotors or stators.
BACKGROUND
In the art of manufacturing and remanufacturing electric motors and generators the rotor or stator electrical conductor windings are typically coated with a hardenable or curable coating or “varnish” to act as an insulator and as means for retaining the windings in their proper position. Several problems have persisted in the manufacture and remanufacture of electrical components, such as automotive type electrical generators or alternators, wherein the application of a varnish-like coating to the electrical conductor windings of the rotor and stator members, in particular, has been a difficult operation. Dipping the entire rotor or stator member into a bath or shower of the liquid coating is undesirable in that the coating adheres to portions of the structures which interfere with assembly and operation of the associated electrical device. Prior art efforts to “paint” on or spray on such coatings has often resulted in uneven or incomplete distribution of the coatings through the windings.
Immersing the component in the coating or bathing the entire component with the liquid coating or “varnish” has been carried out in order to assure that the coating completely penetrates the bundled electrical conductor windings to properly bind them and insulate them. However, problems associated with removing the coating from certain portions of the component have persisted. Moreover, the high volume production or reconditioning of electrical generators and motors has also dictated a need to develop apparatus and processes for applying liquid coatings to generator or motor windings which are capable of high volume production rate processing.
Accordingly, there has been a strong need to develop apparatus for applying liquid coatings or “varnish” to electrical components, such as electrical generator or motor rotor or stator members, which overcomes the problems associated with prior art methods of manufacturing and remanufacturing such components. It is to these ends that the present invention has been developed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides an improved apparatus for carrying out a manufacturing process on a workpiece and which is particularly adapted for applying a liquid coating to the electrical conductor windings of electrical components, such as electric motor or generator rotor or stator members, for example.
In accordance with one important aspect of the present invention and apparatus is provided for handling multiple workpieces to preheat the workpieces, apply a curable or hardenable liquid coating to the workpieces, allow predetermined residence time of the workpieces on the apparatus to provide for curing or hardening of the coating and to release engagement of the workpieces seriatim for removal from the apparatus and for loading of new workpieces onto the apparatus.
In particular, the apparatus is characterized by multiple workpiece supporting members which are each operable to releasably grip a workpiece and to rotate the workpiece substantially continuously to provide for applying a hardenable liquid coating uniformly thereto, and to provide for even distribution of the coating throughout the workpiece while allowing the coating to harden or cure. The multiple support members also are operable to provide for removal of each workpiece from the apparatus and replacement by other workpieces which require processing in accordance with the operations performed by the apparatus. In this regard, the apparatus is provided with plural workpiece support members mounted on a rotary table and circumferentially spaced about the periphery of the table. The table is rotatable by an indexing type actuator to provide for multi-stage sequential treatment of the workpieces, including two stages of preheating the workpieces, application of a liquid coating to the workpieces and further indexing of the workpieces back to a loading and unloading position for each workpiece.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention an apparatus is provided for supporting workpieces comprising electrical components, such as electrical generator stator or rotor members, wherein the rotor or stator workpieces are releasably supported on a fixture which provides for rotation of the workpieces at a predetermined rate whereby a liquid coating may be applied to certain portions of the workpieces uniformly without spillage or unwanted distribution of the coating to other parts of the workpieces. The multi-station turntable type apparatus of the invention provides for retaining multiple workpieces on the apparatus for a predetermined residence time to allow curing or hardening of the coating after application thereof.
In accordance with yet a further aspect of the present invention a multi-station apparatus is provided which is particularly adapted for releasably supporting a plurality of workpieces, such as electrical generator stator members, wherein the stator members are releasably gripped by remotely controllable gripper assemblies at plural support members, respectively, on the apparatus. The workpieces are rotatably indexed while being supported on their respective gripper assemblies for movement to positions for heating the workpieces, then to a position for application of the liquid coating to windings of the rotor or stator workpiece and then subsequent rotational indexing back to a load and unload station or position to allow curing or hardening of the coating applied to the workpieces, respectively.
Those skilled in the art will further appreciate the advantages and superior features of the invention together with other important aspects thereof upon reading the detailed description which follows in conjunction with the drawings.
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Fallen Stephen L.
Passariello Stephen R.
Robie Paul M.
Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld & LLP
Edwards Laura
Ennis Automotive, Inc.
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