Abstract: An apparatus and system for in-situ electropolishing and/or for in-situ electroforming a structural or functional reinforcement layer such as a sleeve of a selected metallic material on the internal surfaces of metallic tubular conduits are described. The apparatus and system can be employed on straight tubes, tube joints to different diameter tubes or face plates, tube elbows and other complex shapes encountered in piping systems. The apparatus includes components which can be independently manipulated and assembled on or near a degraded site and, after secured in place, form an electrolytic cell within the workpiece.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for cleaning the inner surface of a pipeline from deposits and for forming a protective coating are disclosed. The apparatus includes a cleaning tool which is caused to move in the interior of the pipeline by a flow of a fluid, the cleaning tool comprising a plurality of guide discs engaging the pipeline surface and mounted along a longitudinal axis of the cleaning tool, an anode positioned inside the cleaning tool, and an impressed current source electrically connected to the anode and the interior of the pipeline, the interior of the pipeline acting as a cathode when current is applied from the current source so that ions flow from the anode, through the fluid, to the interior of the pipeline.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for cleaning the inner surface of a pipeline from deposits and for forming a protective coating are disclosed. The apparatus includes a cleaning tool which is caused to move in the interior of the pipeline by a flow of a fluid, the cleaning tool comprising a plurality of guide discs engaging the pipeline surface and mounted along a longitudinal axis of the cleaning tool, an anode positioned inside the cleaning tool, and an impressed current source electrically connected to the anode and the interior of the pipeline, the interior of the pipeline acting as a cathode when current is applied from the current source so that ions flow from the anode, through the fluid, to the interior of the pipeline.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for coating interior surfaces of products with coating material. The systems and methods can include at least one plug to selectively close an opening of the product, wherein the plug is movable relative to the opening between a first position in which the plug is retracted from the opening and a second position in which the plug is engaged with the opening to seal the opening. When the plug is in the second position, a pump delivers coating material to the cavity of the product via a fluid line and a port in the plug. The coating material can fill the cavity, and an electrode can be energized to coat the interior surface of the product with an electrophoretic deposition process. Other coating processes can also be used in a similar manner.

Abstract: In order to provide a coating facility for coating workpieces, which includes a dip tank, into which the workpieces are introducible in order to coat them, a current conversion system for providing a coating current, which is feedable through the dip tank to coat the workpieces, and an electrode, which is configured to be arranged in the dip tank and which is electrically connected to the current conversion system, which coating facility is configured to be flexibly and reliably operated, it is proposed that the current conversion system comprises a current conversion unit, which includes a power switch and an isolating transformer, the power switch being connectable on the input side to a supply current source and being connected on the output side to the isolating transformer and the isolating transformer being connected on the input side to the power switch and on the output side to an electrode.

Abstract: An electrode assembly for use in electrophoretically depositing an electrodepositable coating composition onto a conductive substrate having a hollowed interior region therewithin includes a first counter electrode and an electrode assembly comprising a second counter electrode and a deployable primary electrode which are introduced within the hollowed out interior region during the electrodeposition process to provide a deposited electrodeposition coating on inner and outer surfaces.

Abstract: A system for electro-coating a metallic substrate includes a DC power supply, a primary electrode, and a wireless auxiliary electrode. The primary electrode transmits electrical current through electrolyte fluid when energized by the power supply. The auxiliary electrode is within the drain hole, and receives the current from the fluid at one end. The auxiliary electrode boosts the calibrated voltage at the opposite end near the drain hole. In a method for depositing thin film material onto the internal surfaces, the wireless auxiliary electrode is positioned in the drain hole, and the calibrated voltage is applied from the DC power supply to the primary electrode. Electrical current transmitted through the fluid is received at the first end of the auxiliary electrode. The calibrated voltage is boosted in proximity to the drain hole at the second end of the same auxiliary electrode. A wireless auxiliary electrode assembly is also provided.

Abstract: A drag through electro-deposition system and a method of performing a drag through electro-deposition process on a vehicle body is disclosed. The system may include pairs of anodes, with each pair having a corresponding anode pair power supply. As a vehicle body is carried through the electro-deposition tank, the electric power to each pair is individually adjusted relative to the vehicle body position in the tank.

Abstract: Provided are fabrication, characterization and application of a nanodisk electrode, a nanopore electrode and a nanopore membrane. These three nanostructures share common fabrication steps. In one embodiment, the fabrication of a disk electrode involves sealing a sharpened internal signal transduction element (“ISTE”) into a substrate, followed by polishing of the substrate until a nanometer-sized disk of the ISTE is exposed. The fabrication of a nanopore electrode is accomplished by etching the nanodisk electrode to create a pore in the substrate, with the remaining ISTE comprising the pore base. Complete removal of the ISTE yields a nanopore membrane, in which a conical shaped pore is embedded in a thin membrane of the substrate.

Abstract: The invention provides novel a hybrid slip casting-Electrophoretic Deposition (EPD) process which can be used to produce arbitrary shape geometries with controlled materials properties. The invention provides processes for the fabrication of Functionally Graded Materials (FGM) by a controlled Electrophoretic Deposition (EPD).

Abstract: A system (apparatus and process) for producing an electrophoretic (display) device is provided for allowing production of such a device wherein electrophoretic particles in the dispersion liquid are easily and evenly distributed to respective cells (pixels) between two substrates of the device even in the case of a very small gap between the two substrates or the case of using a flexible substrate. The system includes a storage unit for a dispersion liquid containing the charged phoretic particles dispersed therein, a stiffer for stirring the dispersion liquid, a substrate-holder for holding the substrate in the dispersion liquid, and a voltage source for applying a voltage to the electrodes formed on the substrate thereby depositing the electrophoretic particles on the electrodes.

Abstract: An electrophoretic coating process of the surface of a sample in a bath, and a coating system, in which, during the flow of an electrophoretic current, one subjects the bath or the sample to vibrational movements so as to produce vaporous cavitations in the vicinity of the surface of the sample. The vibrations may be applied only in an initial phase of the beginning of current flow and/or only in a second phase at the end of current flow. In the system, the vibrations are generated using vibrational generators positioned in only at least one of the beginning and end positions of the container holding the bath.

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: Device for the electrophoretic coating of the internal surface of electrically conductive hollow bodies, in particular of packaging cans, having at least one mount, forming the anode or cathode, for at least one hollow body with the opening pointing downward, at least one nozzle, which can move axially in relation to the hollow body as far as the opening, for a water-soluble surface coating agent, which produces the connection to a cathode or anode, as liquid electrolyte of an electrically insulating seal, for the nozzle in the opening in the hollow body, and at least one return flow passage in the region between the nozzle and the internal edge of the opening in the hollow body.

Abstract: Apparatus for surface treatment by cataphoresis of metal parts (5) particularly of motor vehicle bodies, supplied by direct current. A tank (1) whose sides carry anodes (2) is provided where the treatment occurs. An overhead conveyor is provided which brings the bodies (5) to be treated in swingtrays spaced apart by a regular spacing .lambda.. A carriage or main body (4) equipped with two contact slides (41, 42) mounted on two parallel conductive rails (11, 12) and located above the tank (1), provide electrical connection to each body. The bodies (5) to be treated effectively becoming the cathodes. The two rails (11, 12) are divided regularly into portions or dividing rails (111, 121) by an insulating material, each portion connected to the negative terminals (31) of rectifiers (3), supplying the current. Each mobile body (4) is always in electrical contact with a divided rail (111, 121) to ensure that no unnecessary cut offs of current occur, thereby preventing coating defects.