Ceramic-Coated Metal Tape Handling With Low-Strain Tension Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing roll-to-roll apparatuses for processing metal tapes with thin and brittle ceramic coatings cause unacceptable damage due to high tension, especially for wide tapes, as reducing tension leads to instability and edge damage.

Innovation Solution

A roll-to-roll apparatus with at least two fixed-axis rolls and one adjustable-axis roll to control tape position and tension, ensuring the tape is touched from one side and stretched by no more than 0.15%, using adjustable spool rotation speeds and roll geometry to minimize strain.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If high tension is applied to the metal tape, then the tape remains stable in position, but the ceramic coating suffers damage due to excessive stress

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetape position stabilityVSAvoidceramic coating damage
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention introduces a roll with variable axis position that can dynamically adjust during operation. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the system to optimize the tape path and tension distribution in real-time, reducing stress concentrations on the ceramic coating while maintaining tape stability throughout the processing apparatus.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes geometric parameters of the rolls (position and diameter) to optimize tape handling. By adjusting the axis position of at least one roll and selecting appropriate roll diameters, the system modifies the tape path geometry to reduce bending stresses and tension requirements, thereby protecting the ceramic coating while maintaining tape stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Object-affected harmful factors

If tension is reduced to protect the ceramic coating, then coating damage is minimized, but the tape becomes unstable and edge forces increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveceramic coating damageVSAvoidtape position stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The variable axis position roll provides dynamic control over tape tension distribution. By adjusting the axis position, the system can maintain optimal tension levels that are low enough to protect the ceramic coating but high enough to prevent tape instability and edge damage, especially for wide tapes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention modifies the geometric parameters (axis position and roll diameter) to change the mechanical leverage and tension distribution along the tape. This parameter optimization allows reduced overall tension while maintaining sufficient edge support and tape stability throughout the apparatus.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Device complexity

If standard roll geometry is used, then the apparatus structure is simple, but wide tapes experience excessive edge forces causing damage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveapparatus structure simplicityVSAvoidtape edge damage
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention optimizes roll parameters (axis position and diameter) specifically for wide tapes. By adjusting these geometric parameters, the system redistributes contact forces across the tape width, reducing edge force concentrations that would otherwise cause damage to wide tapes with ceramic coatings.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The variable axis position roll allows dynamic optimization of the tape path geometry for different tape widths. This adaptability enables the apparatus to handle various tape sizes without excessive edge forces, protecting the ceramic coating while maintaining structural simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3635152B1Roll-to-roll apparatus for processing metal tapes with a ceramic coating
Publication Date: 2024.03.06 AMERICAN SUPERCONDUCTOR CORP
  • EP3635152B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3635152B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3635152B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The present invention is in the field of A roll-to-roll apparatus for processing metal tapes with a ceramic coating. In particular, the present invention relates to a roll-to-roll apparatus for pro- cessing metal tapes with a ceramic coating comprising at least two rolls with fixed axis position, and at least one roll with variable axis position to adjust the tape position and/or tension, wherein the position and the diameter of the rolls are adjusted to touch the metal tape only from one side and to limit the stress on the metal tape at any point such that the metal tape is not stretched by more than 0.15 %.