Method and apparatus for galvanizing linear materials
AssigneeAllied Tube & Conduit Corporation
InventorsKalyan K. Maitra, Daniel G. McInerney, Carl H. Unger
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for continuous galvanizing of a linear element wherein controlled flow of molten zinc onto the linear element is effected through one or more nozzles, whereby galvanizing may be accomplished without immersion of the linear element in molten zinc. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus of the invention comprises an annular nozzle having a central opening through which the linear element is axially advanced. The nozzle is configured to provide a converging, generally frustoconical curtain of molten zinc flowing continuously onto the exterior surface of the linear element.
Claims7
Apparatus for galvanizing a tubular form linear element defining an outside surface composed of a ferrous metal comprising:
- a reservoir of molten zinc;
- means for providing an enclosed space containing an atmosphere of inert gas;
- an annular nozzle within said enclosed space, the annular nozzle having a central opening through which the tubular form linear element is advanced;
- means for maintaining said reservoir of molten zinc at a temperature within a predetermined range;
- means for preheating the tubular form linear element to a temperature greater than or about equal to that of said reservoir;
- means for effecting flow of molten zinc from said reservoir through said central opening of said annular nozzle to create a jet of molten zinc converging on said tubular form linear element;
- and
- means for driving the tubular form linear element through said central opening and said jet so that each point on said outside surface of said tubular form linear member makes contact with said jet of molten zinc for less than 0.1 second, whereby said outside surface of said tubular form linear element is coated with molten zinc and galvanized.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.