Ak Steel Corporation

Ralph W Martin

Robert D Wines, Ii

David L Kleimeyer

The invention includes a vessel (24) for containing a bath (28) of molten coating metal such as zinc, a sink roll (30) submerged into the bath defining a path of travel for a metal strip (12) through the bath with the strip applying force to the roll as a result of tensile load on the strip and a pair of stabilizing rolls (32). Sink roll (30) is supported by a pair of spaced arms (36) and each stabilizing roll (32)is supported by a pair of spaced arms (44). Each roll has a cylindrical body (52) having an outer surface for being in contact with strip (12) and a trunnion (54) projecting axially from each end of the roll body. Each arm (36) has an upper end (38) and a lower end (40), the upper ends being mounted at positions (42) above the vessel and the lower ends for being submerged into the bath. Each lower end of the arms includes means (58) for supporting the roll and means (56) for restraining lateral thrust of the roll. The support means includes an oversized opening (59), a ceramic wear resistant bearing (68) mounted within the opening and a cylindrical sleeve (66) mounted onto each of the trunnions. Each sleeve has an outer wear resistant surface (72). Each of the sleeve mounted trunnions is positioned within and supported by one of the openings. Restraining means (56) includes a stop surface (60) disposed adjacent to the outer end of the trunnion. The bearing surface is at least as wide as the width of the sleeve and the distance between the stop surfaces is greater than the over all length of the roll. This insures that the full width of the outer surface of the sleeve is supported by the bearing during coating of the strip.

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Ashland, KY, United States of America

Ralph W Martin