Metallurgical apparatus – Means for melting or vaporizing metal or treating liquefied... – With means to discharge molten material
Reexamination Certificate
2001-12-14
2004-02-17
Kastler, Scott (Department: 1742)
Metallurgical apparatus
Means for melting or vaporizing metal or treating liquefied...
With means to discharge molten material
C118S423000, C427S433000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06692689
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention is related to a sink roll assembly, used for providing tension to a metal strip while rotating in molten metal, that includes forced film lubricated bearings and self-aligning holding arms. Generally, a sink roll assembly as used in the galvanizing industry comprises the following components: a roll to guide and provide tension to the metal strip, holding arms at each end of the roll to support it, and bearings in each arm to allow for its rotation.
Sink roll shafts submerged in molten zinc or zinc aluminum typically have a very short life not only because of the distortion and misalignment created between the components by the high metal temperatures in which they are operating, but in addition, because of the chemical reactions that occur between the hot metal, the bearings and the roll shaft materials when operating on a boundary lubrication condition or metal-to-metal contact.
I have solved some problems related to these environmental conditions. See, for example, my U.S. Pat. No. 5,549,393 issued Aug. 27, 1996, for “Self-Aligning Bearing for High Temperature Applications”, U.S. Pat. No. 5,718,517 issued Feb. 17, 1998, for “Self-Aligning Bearing for High Temperature Applications; U.S. Pat. No. 6,261,369 issued Jul. 17, 2001, for “Sink Roll for Galvanizing Bath”; U.S. Pat. No. 6,004,507 issued Dec. 21, 1999, for “Material Formulation for Galvanizing Equipment Submerged in Molten Zinc and Aluminum/Zinc Melts”; and U.S. Pat. No. 6,168,757 issued Jan. 2, 2001 for “Material Formulation for Galvanizing Equipment Submerged in Molten Aluminum and Aluminum/Zinc Melts”.
The invention disclosed in this application enhances the sink roll assembly (roll/holding arms/bearings assembly) as currently being used while submerged in zinc and zinc/aluminum applications, by providing self-alignment capability to the roll/arm interface, and a pumping device connected to the submerged trunnion or roll to deliver pressurized molten metal at the bearing interface to balance the strip tension forces and generate a forced hydrodynamic film to lubricate the bearing components. A radial clearance of about 0.001 to 0.005 inches is provided by the delivered pressurized metal to act between the stationary and rotating surfaces to eliminate the normally metal-to-metal condition of sliding bearing components.
In addition, the rotating bearing components help to “drag” the hydrodynamic molten metal film into the created clearance, thus reducing sliding friction, micro welding and their consequent high wear.
The hydrodynamic film also functions as a hydraulic shock absorber besides avoiding metal-to-metal contact.
Still further objects and advantages of the invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains upon reference to the following detailed description.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5549393 (1996-08-01), Morando
patent: 5718517 (1998-02-01), Morando
patent: 5958518 (1999-09-01), Sippola
patent: 6004507 (1999-12-01), Morando
patent: 6168757 (2001-01-01), Morando
patent: 03115552 (1991-05-01), None
Chandler Charles W.
Kastler Scott
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