Annular Wire Coating Chamber for Tension-Stable Vapor Deposition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for coating wires using vapor deposition face challenges in maintaining thread tension and processing efficiency, leading to potential wire separation and reduced throughput.
Innovation Solution
A device with a reduced length treatment chamber and annular-shaped treatment zone, featuring offset inlet and outlet orifices, allows for improved thread tension control and increased processing capacity by distributing threads circumferentially, enhancing the homogeneity and reliability of the coating process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a long treatment chamber is used to accommodate multiple pulleys for wire transport, then the wires can be conveyed through the treatment zone, but it becomes difficult to maintain adequate wire tension and wires may exit from the grooves of the conveying pulleys
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the linear arrangement of pulleys along the longitudinal axis into a circumferential arrangement around a cylindrical treatment chamber. This dimensional change allows the treatment chamber to be short in length while accommodating multiple pulleys in a circular configuration, thereby maintaining wire tension and preventing wire exit from pulley grooves.
Solution Approach 2:
The treatment chamber is designed with a cylindrical geometry, and pulleys are arranged circumferentially around it. This curved/spherical arrangement allows compact positioning of multiple pulleys in a limited space, enabling adequate wire tension control without requiring a long treatment chamber.
2Reliability
If the treatment chamber length is reduced to improve wire tension control, then wire reliability improves, but the number of yarns that can be processed per unit time may decrease
Solution Approach 1:
By arranging pulleys and wires circumferentially around the treatment chamber rather than linearly along its length, the system maximizes the use of radial space. This allows multiple yarns to be processed simultaneously in a compact chamber, maintaining high productivity while ensuring reliable wire tension control.
Solution Approach 2:
The treatment chamber is divided into multiple treatment zones, each with inlet and outlet orifices positioned at different circumferential locations. This segmentation allows multiple independent coating processes to occur simultaneously, increasing the number of yarns processed per unit time while keeping the overall chamber length short.
3Quantity of substance
If inlet and outlet orifices are positioned offset along the longitudinal axis, then gas flow path is established, but the device length increases and wire tension control becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions inlet and outlet orifices at different circumferential locations rather than at different longitudinal positions. This circumferential offset creates an effective gas flow path around the treatment chamber while maintaining a short longitudinal length, thereby establishing proper gas phase distribution without compromising wire tension control.
4Productivity
If multiple treatment zones are implemented in series to increase processing capacity, then more yarns can be coated, but the device complexity and length increase
Solution Approach 1:
The treatment chamber is segmented into multiple treatment zones with inlet and outlet orifices positioned at different circumferential locations. Each zone can process yarns independently, increasing overall coating capacity. The segmented design allows for modular configuration, managing device complexity while enhancing productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple treatment zones are arranged circumferentially around the treatment chamber rather than sequentially along its length. This circumferential arrangement increases processing capacity by allowing parallel treatment of multiple yarns simultaneously, while keeping the device length short and structural complexity manageable.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution enables more efficient and reliable vapor phase deposition with reduced risk of wire separation, allowing for higher thread throughput and improved coating homogeneity, while maintaining adequate tension and controlling deposition conditions effectively.
Implementation Method 1
a treatment zone located between an inner circumferential wall and an outer circumferential wall in which at least one yarn is intended to be coated by the application of a vapor phase deposition process
Implementation Method 2
The interphase coating can for example be formed by chemical vapor deposition ('Chemical Vapor Deposition'; 'CVD')
Implementation Method 3
Unreacted gaseous reactant mixture and reaction by-products are pumped through an outlet which is offset from the inlet along the longitudinal axis of the processing chamber
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a device (1) for the coating of one or more wires (2) using a vapour phase deposition method, said device comprising at least: a treatment chamber (4) extending along a longitudinal axis (X) and comprising at least one treatment zone (4a) located between an internal circumferential wall (5) and an external circumferential wall (7) and in which at least one wire (2) is intended to be coated using a vapour phase deposition method; a conveyor system designed to transport said at least one wire (2) through the treatment zone (4a); an injection device designed to inject a treatment gas phase (10a) into the treatment zone (4a) through at least one inlet port (7a) provided in the internal (5) or external (7) circumferential wall; a discharge device designed to discharge the residual gas phase (11a) from the treatment zone (4a) through at least one outlet port (8a) provided in the internal (5) or external (7) circumferential wall, said inlet port (7a) and said outlet port (8a) being located in the same plane (P) perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (X) of the treatment chamber (4) and being offset in the circumferential direction (C) of the treatment chamber (4).