Abstract: Methods and reactors for electrochemically expanding a parent material and expanded parent materials are described. Current methods of expanding parent materials incompletely-expand parent material, requiring expensive and time-consuming separation of expanded parent material from unexpanded parent materials. This problem is addressed by the methods and reactor for electrochemically expanding a parent material described herein, which during operation maintain electrical connectivity between the parent material and an electrical power source. The resulting materials described herein have a greater proportion of expanded parent material relative to unexpanded parent material compared to those made according to others methods.

Abstract: Weld balls disposed in solutions in full immersion tanks of a phosphate system are collected by magnets attached to at least some of the hangers that carry skids through stages of the phosphate system. The magnet attached to a hanger is immersed in the solutions when the hanger is immersed in the solutions and magnetically attracts the weld balls.

Abstract: A device for filtering a processing liquid in a processing tank includes an opening for recovering a surface-layer processing liquid on a work-discharging side of the tank, a separating part for recovering an intermediate-layer processing liquid on a work-receiving side of the tank, a hopper for recovering a bottom-layer processing liquid on a bottom surface on the work-receiving side, a first processing liquid discharge nozzle on a bottom surface of the tank and which is oriented in an opposite direction to a work-conveying direction and toward the bottom surface, second processing liquid discharge nozzles on both side surfaces of the processing tank and which are oriented in an opposite direction to the work-conveying direction and toward a work, cyclone devices which filter the processing liquids recovered by the opening, the separating part, and the hopper, and which individually separate foreign material, a separating tank, and a screw conveyor.

Abstract: A protective coating is applied to the electrically conductive surface of a reflective coating of a solar mirror by biasing a conductive member having a layer of a malleable electrically conductive material, e.g. a paste, against a portion of the conductive surface while moving an electrodepositable coating composition over the conductive surface. The moving of the electrodepositable coating composition over the conductive surface includes moving the solar mirror through a flow curtain of the electrodepositable coating composition and submerging the solar mirror in a pool of the electrodepositable coating composition. The use of the layer of a malleable electrically conductive material between the conductive member and the conductive surface compensates for irregularities in the conductive surface being contacted during the coating process thereby reducing the current density at the electrical contact area.

Abstract: An immersion treatment method with which a vehicle body horizontally immersed in liquid is taken out in a tilted position. The vehicle body is taken out of the liquid at high speed in a tilted position. Foreign matter is separated from the vehicle body and removed together with the liquid.

Abstract: In order to create a workpiece carrier for conveying a workpiece to be painted, in particular, a vehicle body through at least one electrophoretic dip paint bath and by means of at least one conveyor device following the electrophoretic dip paint bath, comprising at least one electrical contacting device for passing a coating current into the workpiece when the workpiece is conveyed through the electrophoretic dip paint bath and at least one contact surface, at which the workpiece carrier comes into contact with the conveyor device following the electrophoretic dip paint bath, with which dip paint is prevented from rubbing off in the conveyor device following the electrophoretic dip paint bath, it is suggested that at least one contact surface be electrically insulated from the at least one contacting device.

Abstract: Electrodeposition painting systems may include an electrodeposition bath containing an electrodeposition paint solution, wherein the electrodeposition paint solution is in contact with an electrodeposition bath anode that charges the paint such that it electrocoats parts submerged therein to form electrocoated parts, a rinse tank that rinses the electrocoated parts, wherein a rinse tank reservoir of the rinse tank is capable of fluid communication with the electrodeposition bath, a filter that filters the electrodeposition paint solution to separate filtered water from the paint, and an ionizer assembly including one or more electrodes in contact with the filtered water and a power supply connected to the one or more electrodes, wherein the power supply causes a plurality of electrode ions from the one or more electrodes to enter the filtered water to produce filtered water including electrode ions such that the filtered water including electrode ions flows into and sterilizes the electrodeposition paint solu

Abstract: An apparatus and system for electromotively coating a part can include a conveyor that has a plurality of hangars that are configured to be positively connected to respective parts that are to be coated. An attachment mechanism can be provided on the hangar and the part, the attachment mechanism being configured to exert force in more than a single direction. The part can be a conductive plastic part and can include an attachment structure that is formed thereon, for example, screw threads integrally formed in the part. The hangar can include a similar fastener that is configured to connect to the attachment structure of the part. For example, the fastener of the hangar can be a screw thread that mates with threads integrally or otherwise formed on the part.

Abstract: A method for the electrophoretic application of a polymeric coating to an object having an elongate portion on a continuous belt, comprising the steps of positioning the object to engage a retaining member, the retaining member engaging the continuous belt such that a retaining portion on the retaining member releasably retains the elongate portion of the object to the belt; conveying the continuous belt with a drive mechanism; and coating the object on the continuous belt.

Abstract: Disclosed is a production process of an electronic circuit that can efficiently form a highly accurate electrically conductive pattern. The production process comprises the steps of: adhering insulating particles onto an electrically conductive base material to form an insulating pattern comprising a pattern region and a nonpattern region on the electrically conductive base material; adhering electrically conductive particles to the nonpattern region by first electrophoretic treatment; removing the pattern region by second electrophoretic treatment; and transferring the electrically conductive particles onto a recording medium to form an electrically conductive pattern of the electrically conductive particles onto the recording medium.

Abstract: Processes for forming a coating on electroconductive flat blanks having two major surfaces and sheared edges are provided. Also provided is a process for forming a multi-composite coating on a pre-sheared, electroconductive, flat blank having two major surfaces and sheared edges. Methods for forming and coating metal blanks are also provided. The present invention further provides a pre-sheared, flat electroconductive blank having two major surfaces and coated with a multi-layer composite coating composition on one major surface. The present invention also provides a method for coating a continuous metal strip, optionally, thereafter forming a coated blank therefrom, and, optionally, applying a second coating to the blank.

Abstract: Processes are disclosed for the coating of objects with a coating composition. The processes include positioning the objects on a continuous belt comprising a supporting member positioned to retain the object thereon, conveying the continuous belt with a drive member such that the continuous belt passes through both a coating unit and a drying unit, coating the objects on the continuous belt with the coating composition, and drying the objects on the continuous belt.

Abstract: A method for the electrophoretic coating of workpieces with a coating medium, in particular lacquer, and a coating installation are described. In the method, at least one workpiece is immersed in the coating medium. With a voltage source, a d.c. voltage is applied between the workpiece and at least one electrode immersed in the coating medium. The d.c. voltage is increased continuously, in an essentially stepless manner, throughout virtually the entire coating operation in such a way that the coating current density on the surface of the workpiece remains essentially constant over time.

Abstract: Processes for forming a coating on electroconductive flat blanks having two major surfaces and sheared edges are provided. Also provided is a process for forming a multi-composite coating on a pre-sheared, electroconductive, flat blank having two major surfaces and sheared edges. Methods for forming and coating metal blanks are also provided. The present invention further provides a pre-sheared, flat electroconductive blank having two major surfaces and coated with a multi-layer composite coating composition on one major surface. The present invention also provides a method for coating a continuous metal strip, optionally, thereafter forming a coated blank therefrom, and, optionally, applying a second coating to the blank.

Abstract: Processes for forming a coating on electroconductive flat blanks having two major surfaces and sheared edges are provided. Also provided is a process for forming a multi- composite coating on a pre-sheared, electroconductive, flat blank having two major surfaces and sheared edges. Methods for forming and coating metal blanks are also provided. The present invention further provides a pre-sheared, flat electroconductive blank having two major surfaces and coated with a multi-layer composite coating composition on one major surface. The present invention also provides a method for coating a continuous metal strip, optionally, thereafter forming a coated blank therefrom, and, optionally, applying a second coating to the blank.

Abstract: A processing solution tank of forming an agitating flow by flowing and circulating a processing solution in directions opposite to each other between the side of a liquid surface and the side of a tank bottom, in which a guide plate substantially of an arcuate shape is formed to an end of the tank situated at least to the downstream on the side of the liquid surface or the downstream on the side of the tank bottom in the agitating flow for reversing the flow downward to the tank bottom or upward to the liquid surface, and a swirl chamber having a swirl generating portion of a substantially arcuate face for capturing dusts is provided at the bottom of the tank, whereby high quality surface treatment, for example, electrodeposition coating can be conducted by uniformly stirring the processing solution so as not to cause backflow or turbulence in the processing solution tank while dipping a work on a conveyor in the processing solution.

Abstract: A method for the continuous selective electroplating of a metallic substrate material (10) and more particularly of a substrate material band having prestamped contact elements, comprises the following steps: a) the substrate material (10) is coated in an electrophoretic coating means (14) with an electrophoretic coating composition selective with at least one composition strip, b) the at least one composition strip is removed at those parts by means of a laser (40), which are to be electroplated, c) in an electroplating process a metal layer is applied to the areas (42) deprived of composition in at least one composition strip using selective electroplating and d) the at least one composition strip is then removed.

Abstract: Methods for forming adsorbent laminate structures particularly for use in pressure swing adsorption processes and devices are disclosed. One disclosed embodiment comprises providing a metal or alloy support and depositing adsorbent material onto the support by electrophoretic deposition. Adsorbent material also may be deposited on plural strips, which are then assembled into a laminate structure along the support. Adsorbers also are described comprising first and second wire mesh sheets having adsorbent material deposited on a first major planar surface thereof. The first and second sheets are placed adjacent one another and spaced sufficiently to define a flow channel. Another disclosed embodiment comprises plural wire mesh sheets having adsorbent material deposited on both first and second major opposed planar surfaces thereof, the sheets being spaced from each other to define a gas flow channel. The adsorber may include ventilation gaps to provide ventilation between flow channels.

Abstract: Processes for forming a coating on electroconductive flat blanks having two major surfaces and sheared edges are provided. Also provided is a process for forming a multi-composite coating on a pre-sheared, electroconductive, flat blank having two major surfaces and sheared edges. Methods for forming and coating metal blanks are also provided. The present invention further provides a pre-sheared, flat electroconductive blank having two major surfaces and coated with a multi-layer composite coating composition on one major surface. The present invention also provides a method for coating a continuous metal strip, optionally, thereafter forming a coated blank therefrom, and, optionally, applying a second coating to the blank.

Abstract: There is provided an electrodeposition coating apparatus for dipping a body into an electrodeposition coating liquid filled in an electrodeposition tank, which includes a first circulation system for causing a flow direction of the coating liquid in a surface area and an intermediate area through which the body passes in the electrodeposition tank to be opposite to a moving direction of the body, and a second circulation system for causing a flow direction of the coating liquid in a bottom area in the electrodeposition tank to be equal to the moving direction of the body.

Abstract: An electrochemical reaction assembly and methods of inducing electrochemical reactions, such as for deposition of materials on semiconductor substrates. The assembly and method achieve a highly uniform thickness and composition of deposition material or uniform etching or polishing on the semiconductor substrates by retaining the semiconductor substrates on a moving cathode immersed in an appropriate reaction solution wherein a wire mesh anode rotates about the moving cathode during electrochemical reaction.

Abstract: The apparatus is provided with a wire guiding means disposed in a liquid bath for turning the direction of a wire to feed the wire into and out of the bath contained by the liquid. The wire guiding means includes a tubular conduit having a first open end disposed in the liquid, a second open end disposed above the liquid, and a middle curved portion for guiding the wire through the tubular conduit. The tubular conduit can be at least partially filled with the liquid. Preferably, the treatment liquid is an electrodeposition liquid. A plurality of the tubular conduits may be disposed in the bath substantially parallel with each other. Preferably the first open end is connected to a bottom portion of the bath through a coupling such that the treatment liquid in the bath can flows into the tubular conduit. The second open end is positioned higher than the first open end.

Abstract: In a device for surface treatment, in particular for electrochemical coating followed by electrophoretic coating, the material to be treated is moved through coating vessels in one or more planes. This is carried out using stepped cage conveyors which are provided, at different heights, with bearing arms for trays on which the material to be treated is located. Horizontal electrodes, past which the trays are moved, project between the bearing arms of each plane or into the space between each tray.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for forming a coating on conductive particles by grafting a polymer and/or a copolymer of the particles from a bath containing at least a monomer from which the polymer and/or copolymer is formed. The method consists of producing the grafting by electrochemical reduction of the monomer in an electrolytic solution, where at least a cathode and an anode are provided, and containing an aprotic solvent, a support electrolyte and the monomer(s) required for polymerizing or copolymerizing the coating, by suspending the particles and moving the solution so as to produce an intermittent contact between the particles and the cathode, and to form, by polymerization or copolymerization, the coating on the particles by applying an electric potential.

Abstract: A process for conveying vehicle bodies through a treatment tank for the surface treatment of the vehicle bodies, where the liquid of the treatment tank offers only a slight immersion resistance to the vehicle bodies during immersion and the flow velocities of the liquid relative to the submerging and emerging vehicle bodies are kept low. Prior to their introduction into the treatment tank the vehicle bodies are transferred from a standard position, in which window openings of each vehicle body are arranged above the floor pan of the vehicle body, into a headfirst position, in which the window openings of each vehicle body are arranged beneath the floor pan of the vehicle body. The vehicle bodies are subsequently introduced into the treatment tank in the headfirst position, conveyed through the treatment tank and brought out of the treatment tank again in the headfirst position.

Abstract: A system for dipping workpieces into a coating tank that includes a conveyor disposed above the tank and a workpiece carrier movable on the conveyor along a path above the tank The carrier includes a box frame having pivotal corner connections and vertically spaced guide rollers disposed on lateraly opposed sides of the frame. Longing spaced cables suspend the carrier frame from winces on the conveyor for selectively raising and lowering the carrier with respect to the conveyor. The winches and cables are also selectively operable for rocking the carrier frame about a horizontal axis lateral to the path of travel along the conveyor. A pair of track rails are disposed in fixed position on laterally opposed sides of the conveyor for engaging the guide rollers on laterally opposed sides of the carrier frame during lowering of the frame into the tank and maintaining horizontal position of the carrier frame during rocking thereof within the tank.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system for treating a surface of an article with a liquid material by dipping. This system includes (a) a major tank having therein the liquid material for dipping the article thereinto; and (b) a circulatory mechanism for circulating the liquid material through the major tank. The circulatory mechanism is arranged to make a flow of the liquid material through the major tank such that the majority of the flow is in one direction that is substantially along the longitudinal direction of the major tank. Thus, contaminants and/or bubbles are not distributed over the entire major tank, but are effectively promptly removed from the major tank. The flow of the liquid material may include a first flow of the liquid material in the major tank and a second flow that is lower than the first flow in position. The first and second flows run substantially in parallel with each other, before the first and second flows reach a downstream end thereof in the major tank.

Abstract: A vertical dip pretreatment and electro-deposition system has a plurality of dip stations and a plurality of spray stations. The process limited dip stations, such as the degrease dip station, the phosphate dip station and the electro-coat dip station, have expandable dip tanks which can have a bulkheads that divide the tanks into two sections providing the tanks with two compartments, or have removable end walls that can be removed and replaced with a tank section. If the bulkhead divided tanks are used, during the initial period of operation when production rates would typically be less than ten to twelve jobs an hour, one compartment of each expandable dip tank is used for immersion and the other compartment left dry or used for other purposes such as storage. When volume increases to above the design capacity, the expandable tanks are expanded. If bulkhead divided tanks are used, the bulkhead is removed which joins the first and second compartments, thus doubling the length of the tank.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring electrodes for the electrodeposition of paint onto metallic workpieces includes detecting current from the electrodes and displaying a plot of current versus time. A method and apparatus for controlling electrodeposition of paint onto metallic workpieces includes monitoring current from electrodes over time and adjusting a rate of current increase over time. The monitor and/or control may be performed for each electrode individually or for the electrodes as a group. The monitor and/or control allows bad and/or poorly positioned electrodes to be located. The monitor and/or control may be used to stop the electrodeposition coating after a sufficiently thick coating has been obtained.

Abstract: A method of producing a fiber tow reinforced metal matrix composite having effective alloy infiltration throughout the tow includes providing a conductive fiber tow comprised of a plurality of individual conductive ceramic fibers; providing an electrode; immersing the tow and the electrode in a slurry including particulates of a metal matrix composite material; applying an electric field between the conductive fiber tow and the electrode, wherein the individual fibers spread open thereby allowing uniform infiltration of the particulates onto the fibers; and consolidating the infiltrated tow.

Abstract: A method for the electrophoretic dip coating of small parts and bulk goods aving an electrically conducting surface wherein the items to be coated are placed in a single layer onto a support which may be electrically conducting or nonconducting. During immersion, the surface contact locations are changed between the items to be coated themselves and the surface contact locations between the items and the support.

Abstract: A method for producing by electrophoretic deposition multi-layer, polyfunctional, catalyst members for use in catalytic converters having a plurality of suitably porous and adherent catalyst support coatings of substantially uniform thickness, a plurality of non-identical catalytic agents imbued therein/on, and a flexible metal substrate, are disclosed. Such process involves maintaining electrical interaction between a metal substrate previously coated with catalyst-catalyst support material, the power source, and the electrodes disposed in the electrophoretic deposition ("EPD") cell containing a slurry of a second catalyst support material and a second catalyst composition non-identical to that found in the first catalytically-active layer.

Abstract: The transmittance of ionic dye molecules through a thin electrically conductive high polymer film is controlled to vary between at least two states of the film as selected from among oxidized, neutral and reduced states, such that the ionic dye molecules are transferred onto a recording medium, thereby forming an image. A surface of a substrate having fine pores through which the ionic dye molecules can pass is provided with the thin electrically conductive high polymer film to fabricate a cylindrical printing unit 16, which is provided in a face-to-face relationship with an electrode unit 17 such that a voltage can be applied therebetween. The printing unit 16 is filled with a solution 21 containing ionic dye molecules. When electrodes in the electrode unit 17 are supplied with a potential pattern that brings the electrically conductive high polymer to an oxidized state, the ionic dye molecules are released from the printing unit 16 to form a one-dimensional image on a moving sheet of paper 17.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for depositing emitter material (3) on a wire cathode by means of electrodeposition. An amount (13) of a suspension comprising an alkaline-earth compound is transferred by a drop holder (11) which is positioned around the wire (2), by movement in a direction transverse to a longitudinal axis of the wire (2), whereafter an electric voltage is applied to the drop holder (11) and the wire (2) to deposit the emitter material (3) on the wire (2), after which the drop holder (11) is withdrawn from the wire (2) again. During the electrodeposition process the drop holder (11) and the wire (2) can be moved with respect to each other along sections of the wire (2) where the emitter material (3) has to be deposited.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for selectively electroplating apertured products. The products are masked in accordance with the intended plating and subsequently exposed to an electrolyte in order to electroplate the products. For masking purposes a fully closed photoresist layer is electrophoretically applied to the products, and after drying of the photoresist layer, the products are covered with a photomask in accordance with the locations to be plated, after which exposure takes place. Then the photoresist layer is partially removed, while the remaining part of the photoresist layer remains behind on the products, to serve as a mask for the metal products upon electroplating.