Electrocoating apparatus
AssigneeElcoat Systems, Inc.
InventorsLeo L. Case, Michael A. Koltuniak
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A modular membrane box for use in an electrocoating system. The modular construction allows a number of cells to be assembled as a single unit as may be required by the tank dimensions. The anolyte supply and return lines, which are pressurized, and the membrane box assemblies and their controls are removably mounted on the tank. Provisions are made for easy and relatively inexpensive installation, inspection and maintenance of the membrane boxes, piping and controls.
Claims17
In an electrocoating apparatus, a membrane box assembly comprising a plurality of identical membrane boxes, each box having top and bottom walls, side walls and a back wall, each box having a membrane forming the front wall thereof, an electrode plate secured to the inner surface of said back wall, an inlet opening in said bottom wall and an outlet opening in said top wall, aligned openings in said top and bottom walls and a supply tube extending between said aligned openings, support members for supporting two or more of said boxes in vertically stacked relation, piping connecting the lower end of the supply tube of an upper box with the upper end of the supply tube of the next lower box of said assembly, additional piping connecting the outlet opening of a lower box with the inlet opening of the next upper box of said assembly, and piping disposed exteriorly of the lowermost box of said assembly and communicating the lower end of its supply tube with its inlet opening.
In an electrocoating apparatus, a membrane box having top and bottom walls, side walls and a back wall, an ionselective membrane forming the front wall of the box, an anode plate secured to the inner surface of said back wall, an inlet opening in said bottom wall and an outlet opening in said top wall, aligned openings in said top and bottom walls and a supply tube extending between said aligned openings, piping disposed exteriorly of said box for communicating the lower end of said supply tube with said inlet opening, means for supplying liquid under pressure to the upper end of said supply tube, and eductor means for withdrawing liquid from said outlet opening.
In a cathodic electrocoating apparatus, including an electrocoating tank, a membrane box assembly comprising a plurality of identical membrane boxes, each box having top and bottom walls, side walls and a back wall, each box having an ionselective membrane forming the front wall thereof, an anode plate secured to the inner surface of said back wall, an inlet opening in said bottom wall and an outlet opening in said top wall, aligned openings in said top and bottom walls and a supply tube extending between said aligned openings, support members for supporting two or more of said boxes in vertically stacked relation, piping connecting the lower end of the supply tube of an upper box with the upper end of the supply tube of the next lower box of said assembly, additional piping connecting the outlet opening of a lower box with the inlet opening of the next upper box of said assembly, piping disposed exteriorly of the lowermost box of said assembly and communicating the lower end of its supply tube with its inlet opening whereby said boxes may be filled with anolyte liquid successively beginning with the lowermost box, means for supplying liquid under pressure to said upper end of the supply tube of the uppermost box, eductor means for withdrawing liquid from the outlet opening of the uppermost box, and means secured to said support members for removably supporting said assembly on the wall of said tank.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.