The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jul. 29, 1997
Filed:
Jun. 24, 1993
Theodore H Krengel, Flossmoor, IL (US);
John J Borzym, Birmingham, MI (US);
The IDOD Trust, Warren, MI (US);
Abstract
An improved continuous tube forming and coating process and apparatus, wherein the tube is preferably formed and welded with the seam located at the bottom of the tube. One surface of the strip is coated with a paint or other protective coating and the open seam tube is formed with the painted surface on the inside of the tube. An improved coating applicator and impeder is disclosed which coats the inner surface of the seam following welding preferably in an inert atmosphere. The improved impeder includes an outer annular chamber adjacent the casing which includes one or more ferrite rods and circulating coolant and an inner axial paint applicator tube having a free end which extends through the impeder casing having a nozzle which applies a protective coating over the seam, preferably located in the lower portion of the tube. In one preferred embodiment of the impeder, an inert gas passage surrounds the paint applicator tube. An improved galvanizing apparatus is also disclosed having a sealed galvanizing tank which receives the seamed tube below the level of the molten zinc and which is enclosed within a sealed housing and wherein the inert gas pressure in the galvanizing tank is greater than the inert gas pressure in the housing. The galvanizing apparatus includes improved inert gas seals which may be also used to shape the molten zinc on the tube leaving the housing.