Chemistry: electrical and wave energy – Apparatus – Electrolytic
Reexamination Certificate
1998-09-10
2001-03-06
Bell, Bruce F. (Department: 1741)
Chemistry: electrical and wave energy
Apparatus
Electrolytic
C204S280000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06197170
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to a conductor roll used in an electroplating apparatus.
BACKGROUND ART
Electroplating has heretofore been conducted by mounting collector rings (referred to as C rings hereinafter) on both shaft ends of a conductor roll (referred to as a CDR hereinafter), and applying a current through brushes. For the purpose of maintaining the plating stability and the stabilized operation, it is important to ensure the current-conducting properties in the collector portions while it is naturally important to maintain the surface properties of the CDR body directly contacted with a steel strip.
Conventional CDRs each have cast Cu-made C rings which are larger than the diameter of the steel-made roll shaft and which are mounted on the right and left roll shaft ends, and an electric current is applied to the C rings. The conventional CDRs, therefore, have the following problems (1) to (3).
(1) Poor contact between the C rings and the roll shaft often produces burning troubles of brushes, etc.
That is, application of a current to a poor contact portion formed by improper maintenance of the roll shaft, improper mounting of the C rings, or the like, results in generation of heat in a large quantity which makes the poor contact portion reach a high temperature. A thermal expansion difference between the C rings and the roll shaft arises because the materials are different. Since the amount of thermal expansion of the C rings is larger than that of thermal expansion of the roll shaft, the poor contact between the C rings and the roll shaft is worsened. The balance of currents uniformly flowing in the C rings mounted on the right and left roll shaft ends is destroyed due to the poor contact between the C rings and the roll shaft caused by such improper maintenance and mounting, and application of the currents. As a result, a large current flows on the C ring side which has a smaller contact resistance, and the brushes and the lead wires of the C ring side may be burned.
(2) The operation burden of removal and installation of the C rings, and adjustment of the sliding contact, becomes heavy during the repairing operation of the roll body.
(3) The life of the sliding collector parts, such as the C rings and the brushes, is short due to their wear.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
An object of the present invention is to provide a ringless-collector conductor roll which obviates the burning trouble, which makes removal and installation of the C rings and adjustment of the sliding contact unnecessary, and which extends the life of the sliding collector parts.
In order to achieve the object mentioned above, the present invention provides a ringless-collector conductor roll comprising an electroplated Cu layer provided on the outer peripheral surface of the shaft ends of the conductor roll and having a Vickers hardness of at least 100 Hv, the electroplated Cu layer being directly contacted with brushes.
When the thickness of the electroplated Cu layer is too small, repairing of the Cu plating on the roll shaft becomes frequent. Accordingly, the thickness is preferably at least 3 mm. When the thickness of the electroplated Cu layer is too large, the conductor roll tends to become costly. Accordingly, the thickness is preferably up to 6 mm.
In addition, the Vickers hardness of the electroplated Cu layer is preferably at least 150 Hv, more preferably at least 200 Hv.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4036337 (1977-07-01), Arjalies et al.
patent: 5516414 (1996-05-01), Glafenhein et al.
patent: 49-115936 (1974-11-01), None
patent: 49-128810 (1974-12-01), None
patent: 1-74271 (1989-05-01), None
Bell Bruce F.
Kenyon & Kenyon
Nippon Steel Corporation
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