Europaisches Patentamt

(19) European Patent Office

Office europeen
peen des brevets
brevets EP 0 824 153 B1

(12) E U R O P E A N PATENT S P E C I F I C A T I O N

(45) Date of publication and mention (51) Int Cl.e: C23C 2 / 0 0

of the grant of the patent:
08.09.1999 Bulletin 1999/36

(21) Application number: 96308391.0

(22) Date of filing: 20.11.1996

(54) Pot for coating continuous metallic strip

Heisstauchbeschichtungstopf fur kontinuierliche metallische Bleche
Cuve d'enduction a chaud par trempage pour bandes metalliques continues

(84) Designated Contracting States: (56) References cited:

AT BE DE ES FR GB IT LU NL EP-A- 0 230 180 DE-U-9 016 284

(30) Priority: 14.08.1996 US 696538 PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN vol. 097, no.
004, 30 April 1997 & JP 08 337855 A (KAWASAKI
(43) Date of publication of application: STEEL CORP), 24 December 1996,
18.02.1998 Bulletin 1998/08 PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN vol. 003, no.
118 (C-060), 4 October 1979 & JP 54 100934 A
(73) Proprietor: INDUCTOTHERM CORP. (AS AH I GLASS CO LTD;OTHERS: 01), 9 August
Rancocas, New Jersey 08073-0157 (US) 1979,
PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN vol. 095, no.
(72) Inventors: 005, 30 June 1995 &JP 07 048661 A (NKK CORP),
• Mortimer, John H. 21 February 1995,
Mt. Laurel, New Jersey 08054 (US) PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN vol. 095, no.
• Heine, Hans G. 006, 31 July 1995 & JP 07 076760 A (KAWASAKI
San Mateo, Florida 32187 (US) STEEL CORP), 20 March 1995,

(74) Representative: Lyons, Andrew John et al

ROYSTONS,
Tower Building,
Water Street
Liverpool L3 1BA, Merseyside (GB)

DO
CO

CM
00 Note: Within nine months from the publication of the mention of the grant of the European patent, any person may give
notice to the European Patent Office of opposition to the European patent granted. Notice of opposition shall be filed in
o
a written reasoned statement. It shall not be deemed to have been filed until the opposition fee has been paid. (Art.
a.
99(1) European Patent Convention).
LU
Printed byJouve, 75001 PARIS(FR)
 1 EP0 824 153 B1 2

Description Description of the Drawings

[0001] The present invention relates to hot dip coating [0007] For the purpose of illustrating the invention,
of continuous metallic strip, and is particularly, but by no there is shown in the drawings a form which is presently
means exclusively, applicable to the coating of ferrous 5 preferred; it being understood, however, that this inven-
metals with zinc, aluminum, and other coatings. tion is not limited to the precise arrangements and in-
strumentalities shown.
Background of the Invention [0008] Figure 1 is a top plan view of a coating instal-
lation employing a coating pot according to the inven-
[0002] In coating of ferrous metals, such as in galva- 10 tion.
nizing, parts to be coated are immersed into a bath coat- [0009] Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view through a
ing material after having been chemically pretreated and coating pot according to the invention.
cleaned. The amount of time the parts stay immersed [0010] Figures 3 and 4 illustrate installation and re-
depends upon the material of the parts, their shapes, movable of the bottom portion of the coating pot illus-
the bath temperature, the coating composition, and the 15 trated in Figure 2.
desired coating thickness. [0011] Figure 5 illustrates how the bottom portion may
[0003] Coating is frequently used to coat continuous be emptied of dross after it has been removed from the
strips of ferrous base metal to produce iron or steel strip pot.
stock having a thin coating of zinc, aluminum, or the like. [0012] Figure 6 illustrates how interchangeable bot-
In continuous-strip coating, the strip to be coated is first 20 toms may be removed and replaced from beneath the
cleaned and pretreated, passed through a bath of mol- coating installation to increase cycle time.
ten coating material, and then withdrawn from the bath
in a generally upward direction. The coating material ad- Description of the Invention
hering to the withdrawn strip is finished by coating rolls,
air knives, or the like, and is subsequently solidified. 25 [0013] Referring nowto the drawings, wherein like nu-
[0004] The molten coating material, usually a molten merals indicate like elements, there is shown in Figure
metal such as zinc, for example, is contained in an ex- 1 a coating installation 10 incorporating a coating pot 12
ternally-heated iron or steel pot. Metal coating pots have according to the invention. Installation 10 comprises, in
several disadvantages, however. They have a relatively addition to coating pot 12, a coreless induction melter
short life. This is due to several factors, including rapid 30 14 and a holding pot 16 located between the coreless
build-up of dross at the bottom of the pot. melter 14 and the coating pot 12. Molten metal is sup-
[0005] In normal operation, the coating pot is kept full plied to coating pot 12 via a launder 18. The holding pot
with molten metal supplied via a launder from a premelt- 16 holds molten coating metal, which is pumped from
er. Where a bottom dross generating alloy, such as a coating pot 12 to holding pot 16 when it is desired to
zinc alloy, is used, it becomes necessary to periodically 35 empty coating pot 12, and which is pumped from holding
empty the pot completely, and allow it to cool, to remove pot 16 to coating pot 12 when it is desired to refill coating
the dross which has collected at the bottom of the pot. pot 12. Molten metal pumps for transferring molten met-
To avoid this, it has been proposed to remove dross by al between coating pot 12 and holding pot 16 are com-
using a circulating pump to continuously pump molten mercially available, and are known per se to those
metal through a filter, to remove the dross, and return it 40 skilled in the art.
to the coating pot. Zinc filtration is not yet a proven tech- [0014] The coating installation 10 is supported on a
nology, however, and there is a need to provide an ef- deck or floor 20, except as will be described below.
fective yet simple method of dross removal. The present [0015] A vertical section through coating pot 12 is il-
invention fills that need. lustrated in Figure 2. Coating pot comprises side walls
45 22 and a substantially horizontal bottom 24. Together,
Summary of the Invention the side walls 22 and bottom 24 define an interior vol-
ume for containing molten coating material. Side walls
[0006] The present invention is directed to a hot dip 22 and bottom 24 are made of refractory materials, such
coating pot for containing a coating material in a liquid as, for example, a "cold face" layer 26 and a "hot face"
state. The coating pot comprises a substantially hori- so layer 28 of refractory material 30. More details of this
zontal bottom and substantially vertical side walls. The aspect of the construction of coating pot may be had by
bottom and the side walls define a first interior volume reference to U.S. patent 5,354,970, assigned to the
for containing the coating material. The bottom wall and same assignee as the present invention.
a lower portion of each of the side walls defines a bottom [0016] A difference between coating pot 12 and prior
portion which is separable from an upper portion of the 55 coating pots is that each side wall 22 divided into an
side walls. The bottom portion has a predetermined in- upper portion 36 and a lower portion 38 along a parting
terior volume less than the first interior volume. line 40. Lower portions 38 of side walls 22 are joined to
bottom 24, and together define a bottom portion 42

2
 3 EP0 824 153 B1
which is separable from the upper portions 36 along the
parting line 40. The lower portions 38 and bottom 24 de-
fine a predetermined interior volume which is less that
the interior volume of coating pot 12. If desired, a suit-
able seal 44 may be provided between upper portions 5 such as by pumping molten metal out of it, to a level
36 and lower portions 38 of side walls 22, so that molten
metal does not leak out of pot 12 along parting line 40.
[0017] As seen in Figure 3, coating pot 12 is located
below the level of the deck 20. Bottom portion 42 is sup-
ported and held in place against upper wall portions 22 10 portion 42 containing the dross is conveyed by transfer
by mechanical, hydraulic, or pneumatic jack screws 46
on transfer car 48, which is movable along a pair of rails
50 by means of wheels 52. Rails 50 are located on a
floor below and spaced from deck 20. Transfer car 48
and bottom portion 42 are moved into place below coat- is Latch mechanisms 54 are the actuated to secure the
ing pot 12, and then jack screws 46 are actuated to el-
evate bottom portion 42 into contact with the upper por-
tions 36 of side walls 22.
[0018] As seen in Figure 6, bottom portions 42 may
be provided with a latch mechanism 54 which cooper- 20 [0023] An advantage of the invention is the speed with
ates with projections 56 on the outer surface of upper
portions 36 of side walls 22. The latch mechanism 54 is
preferably remotely operable, such as by a hydraulic cyl-
inder or by an electromechanical device (e.g., a sole-
noid). Latch mechanism 54 and projections 56 cooper- 25 an hour.
ate to secure bottom portions 42 to upper portions 36.
With the bottom portion 42 in place, molten coating met-
al can be added to coating pot 12 and the coating proc-
ess of strip 34 can begin.
[0019] Although the latch mechanisms 54 are shown 30 tion.
as being located on bottom portion 42, they may also
be located on the lower portions of side walls 22.
[0020] As the pot is used, dross is formed. In many
cases, such as where the coating material is zinc, the
dross is denser than the molten metal, and tends to sink 35 1. A hot dip coating pot (12) for containing a coating
and collect in the bottom portion 42. Periodically, the
coating process must be stopped and the dross re-
moved. This is easily done by lowering bottom portion
42, after coating pot 12 has been emptied of molten
coating metal. When coating pot 12 has been safely 40
emptied of molten metal, the locking clamps are re-
leased, the jack screws 46 are actuated, and bottom
portion 42 is lowered downward onto the bed of transfer
car 48, as seen in Figure 4. Sufficient distance is pro-
vided so that, when lowered, bottom portion 42 clears 45
the upper portions 36 of side walls 22. After bottom por-
tion 42 has been fully lowered onto the bed of transfer
car 48, transfer car is moved along rails 50 to a position
away from installation 10 where bottom portion can be
emptied. If desired, bottom portion 42 may be tilted for so
emptying, as illustrated in Figure 5.
[0021] As also seen in Figure 6, several bottom por-
tions 42 may be provided, each on its own transfer car
48, so that while one bottom portion is being conveyed
away from coating pot 12 for emptying, another is put 55
into place below coating pot 12, while a third is available
for use when needed. In this manner, downtime of coat-
ing installation can be greatly reduced, since coating pot
3
4
12 can be used with a clean bottom portion while the
previously used, dross-containing bottom portion is be-
ing emptied.
[0022] For dross removal, coating pot 12 is emptied,
below parting line 40. While the jack screws 46 support
bottom portion 42, latch mechanisms 54 are released
and bottom portion 42 containing the dross is lowered
by jack screws 46 to the bed of transfer car 48. Bottom
car 48 to a tipping station, where it is tipped, as illustrat-
ed in Figure 5, and its contents dumped. In the mean-
time, a new bottom portion 42 is moved into place below
coating pot 12, and raised into place by jack screws 46.
new bottom portion 42 onto coating pot 12. After the new
bottom portion 42 is secured to coating pot 12, coating
pot 12 is filled, such as by pumping molten metal from
one of the holding pots 16.
which the coating pot may be emptied of dross and re-
filled for subsequent use. Total elapsed time, including
emptying the coating pot, exchanging bottom portions,
and refilling the coating pot, is estimated to be only about
[0024] The present invention may be embodied in oth-
er specific forms and, accordingly, reference should be
made to the appended claims, rather than to the fore-
going specification, as indicating the scope of the inven-
Claims
material in a liquid state, comprising a substantially
horizontal bottom (24) and substantially vertical
side walls (22), the bottom and the side walls defin-
ing a first interior volume for containing the coating
material, the bottom wall and a lower portion of each
of the side walls defining a bottom portion (42)
which is separable from an upper portion of the side
walls, the bottom portion having a predetermined
interior volume less than said first interior volume.
2. A hot dip coating pot according to claim 1, further
comprising at least one coreless induction furnace
means (1 4), mounted on one of the side walls (22),
the coreless induction furnace means defining an
interior volume therein in communication with the
interior volume of the pot for inductively heating the
coating material.
3. A hot dip coating pot according to claim 1 or 2, fur-
ther comprising a latch mechanism (54) for releas-
ably securing the bottom portion (42) to said side
walls (22).
 5 EP0 824 153 B1
4. A hot dip coating pot according to claim 1, 2 or 3,
wherein the pot (12) has an interior lining of refrac-
tory material (30).
5. A hot dip coating pot according to any one of claims
1 to 4, further comprising a seal (44) between the
bottom portion (42) and the side walls (22).
6. A hot dip coating installation, comprising a melting
furnace (14) for melting coating material, at least
one holding pot (16) in communication with the
melting furnace for holding coating material melted
in the melting furnace, a coating pot (1 2) in commu-
nication with the holding pot, a pump connected be-
tween the coating pot and the holding pot for trans-
ferring molten coating material between the holding
pot and the coating pot, the coating pot having a
removable bottom portion (42) and a movable ve-
hicle (48) for conveying the bottom portion to a po-
sition below the coating pot and for conveying the
bottom portion away from the coating pot, the vehi-
cle including a lift means (46) for raising and lower-
ing the bottom portion into and out of engagement
with the coating pot.
7. A hot dip coating installation as in claim 6, further
comprising a seal (44) between the bottom portion
and the coating pot.
8. A hot dip coating installation as in claim 6 or 7, fur-
ther comprising a latch mechanism (54) for releas-
ably securing the bottom portion (42) to the coating
pot (12).
9. A hot dip coating installation as in claim 6, 7 or 8,
further comprising at least one coreless induction
furnace means (14) mounted on at least one side
wall (22) of the coating pot (12), the coreless induc-
tion furnace means defining an interior volume
therein in communication with the interior of the
coating pot for inductively heating the coating ma-
terial.
Patentanspriiche
1. GefaB zum Beschichten durch HeiBtauchen (12)
zur Aufnahme von Beschichtungsmaterial im fliis-
sigen Zustand, das
einen im wesentlichen horizontalen Boden (24)
und im wesentlichen vertikale Seitenwande
(22) aufweist, wobei
der Boden und die Seitenwande ein erstes in-
neres Volumen zur Aufnahme des Beschich-
tungsmaterials begrenzen,
die Bodenwand und ein unterer Abschnitt jeder
Seitenwand einen Bodenabschnitt (42) ab-
6
grenzen, der von einem oberen Abschnitt der
Seitenwande abtrennbar ist,
der Bodenabschnitt ein vorbestimmtes inneres
Volumen, das kleiner als das erste innere Vo-
5 lumen ist, hat.
2. GefaB zum Beschichten durch HeiBtauchen nach
Anspruch 1, das femer
10 mindestens ein kemloses Induktionsofen-Mittel
(1 4), das an einer der Seitenwande (22) ange-
bracht ist, wobei
das kemlose Induktionsofen-Mittel darin ein in-
neres Volumen in Verbindung mit dem inneren
is Volumen des GefaBes zum induktiven Heizen
des Beschichtungsmaterials begrenzt, auf-
weist.
3. GefaB zum Beschichten durch HeiBtauchen nach
20 Anspruch 1 oder 2, das femer einen Rastmechanis-
mus (54) zum losbaren Befestigen des Bodenab-
schnittes (42) an den Seitenwanden (22) aufweist.
4. GefaB zum Beschichten durch HeiBtauchen nach
25 Anspruch 1, 2 oder 3, wobei das GefaB (12) eine
innere Beschichtung mit Refrakter-Material (30)
aufweist.
5. GefaB zum Beschichten durch HeiBtauchen nach
30 der Anspruche 1 bis 4, das femer eine Dichtung (44)
zwischen dem Bodenabschnitt (42) und den Seiten-
wanden (22) aufweist.
6. Vorrichtung zum Beschichten durch HeiBtauchen,
35 die
einen Schmelzofen (14) zum Schmelzen des
Beschichtungsmaterials,
mindestens ein Aufbewahrungs-GefaB (16) in
40 Verbindung mit dem Schmelzofen, urn das Be-
schichtungsmaterial im Schmelzofen im ge-
schmolzenen Zustand zu halten,
ein Beschichtungs-GefaB (12) in Verbindung
mit dem Aufbewahrungs-GefaB,
45 eine mit dem Beschichtungs-GefaB und dem
Aufbewahrungs-GefaB verbundene Pumpe,
urn das geschmolzene Beschichtungsmaterial
zwischen dem Aufbewahrungs-GefaB und dem
Beschichtungs-GefaB zu uberfuhren, wobei
50
so das Beschichtungs-GefaB einen entfernbaren
Bodenabschnitt (42) und ein bewegliches Be-
forderungsmittel (48) zum Befordern des Bo-
denabschnittes in eine Position unterhalb des
Beschichtungs-GefaBes und zum Hinweg-Be-
55 fordem des Bodenabschnittes vom Beschich-
tungs-GefaB aufweist, wobei
das Beforderungsmittel ein Hebemittel (46)
zum Heben und Senken des Bodenabschnittes
4
 7 EP0 824 153 B1
in und aus dem Eingriff mit dem Beschichtungs-
GefaB aufweist.
7. Vorrichtung zum Beschichten durch HeiBtauchen
nach Anspruch 6, die femer eine Dichtung (44) zwi-
schen dem Bodenabschnitt und dem Beschich-
tungs-Gefa(3 aufweist.
8. Vorrichtung zum Beschichten durch HeiBtauchen
nach Anspruch 6 oder 7, die femer einen Rastme-
chanismus (54) zum losbaren Befestigen des Bo-
denabschnittes (42) an dem Beschichtungs-GefaB
(12) aufweist.
9. Vorrichtung zum Beschichten durch HeiBtauchen
nach Anspruch 6, 7 oder 8, die femer
mindestens ein kemloses Induktionsofen-Mittel
(14) aufweist, das an mindestens einer Seiten-
wand (22) des Beschichtungs-GefaBes (12)
angebracht ist, wobei
das kemlose Induktionsofen-Mittel darin ein in-
neres Volumen in Verbindung mit dem Inneren
des Beschichtungs-GefaBes zum induktiven
Heizen des Beschichtungsmaterials begrenzt.
Revendications
1. Un creuset (12) pour le revetement au trempe a
chaud pour contenir un materiau de revetement a
I'etat liquide, comprenant un fond (24) sensiblement
horizontal et des parois laterales (22) sensiblement
verticales, le fond et les parois laterales definissant
un premier volume interieur pour contenir le mate-
riau de revetement, la paroi de fond et une partie
inferieure de chacune des parois laterales definis-
sant une partie de fond (42) qui est separable d'une
partie superieure des parois laterales, la partie de
fond presentant un volume interieur predetermine
et interieur audit premier volume interieur.
2. Un creuset pour le revetement au trempe a chaud
selon la revendication 1, comprenant en outre au
moins des moyens (14) de four a induction sans
noyau ou a creuset, montes sur I'une des parois la-
terales (22), les moyens de four a induction a creu-
set definissant a I'interieur un volume interieur en
communication avec le volume interieur du creuset
pour chauffer par induction le materiau de revete-
ment.
3. Un creuset pour le revetement au trempe a chaud
selon la revendication 1 ou 2, comprenant en outre
un mecanisme de fermeture a loquet ou a crochet
(54) pour fixer de maniere amovible la partie de fond
(42) auxdites parois laterales (22).
8
4. Un creuset pour le revetement au trempe a chaud
selon la revendication 1, 2 ou 3, dans lequel le creu-
set (12) comporte un garnissage interieur en mate-
riau refractaire (30).
5
5. Un creuset pour le revetement au trempe a chaud
selon I'une quelconque des revendications 1 a 4,
comprenant en outre un joint d'etancheite (44) entre
la partie de fond (42) et les parois laterales (22).
10
6. Une installation pour le revetement au trempe a
chaud, comprenant: un four de fusion (14) pour
provoquer la fusion du materiau de revetement, au
moins un creuset de maintien (en temperature) (1 6)
is en communication avec le four de fusion pour con-
server le materiau de revetement en fusion dans le
four de fusion, un creuset de revetement (12) en
communication avec le creuset de maintien, une
pompe connectee entre le creuset de revetement
20 et le creuset de maintien pour transferer le materiau
de revetement en fusion entre le creuset de main-
tien et le creuset de revetement, le creuset de re-
vetement presentant une partie de fond amovible
(42), et un vehicule mobile (48) pour transporter la
25 partie de fond en une position situee en dessous du
creuset de revetement, et pour transporter la partie
de fond a distance du creuset de revetement, le ve-
hicule comprenant des moyens de levage (46) pour
lever et abaisser la partie de fond respectivement
30 au contact et hors de contact du creuset de revete-
ment.
7. Une installation pour le revetement au trempe a
chaud selon la revendication 6, comportant en outre
35 un joint d'etancheite (44) entre la partie de fond et
le creuset de revetement.
8. Une installation pour le revetement au trempe a
chaud selon la revendication 6 ou 7, comportant en
40 outre un mecanisme (54) de fermeture a loquet
pour fixer de maniere amovible la partie de fond (42)
au creuset de revetement (12).
9. Une installation pour le revetement au trempe a
45 chaud selon la revendication 6, 7 ou 8, comportant
en outre au moins des moyens (1 4) de four a induc-
tion sans noyau ou a creuset, montes sur au moins
une paroi laterale (22) du creuset de revetement
(1 2), les moyens de four a induction a creuset defi-
50 nissant a I'interieur un volume interieur en commu-
nication avec I'interieur du creuset de revetement,
pour chauffer par induction le materiau de revete-
ment.
55
5
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