Coating Apparatus With Shaker Mechanism For Fluidized Bed Penetration
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing coating methods for components, particularly those with intricate designs like watertight door seals on seagoing vessels, face challenges in achieving uniform and penetrating coatings due to crevices and complex geometries, leading to rapid corrosion and frequent maintenance needs.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the use of fluidized beds with a carriage system that agitates the component during coating application, utilizing a hook and shaker mechanism to induce abrupt changes in direction and ensure proper penetration of the coating into intricate surfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a component is coated using a fluidized bed without agitation, then the coating application is simple, but the coating is non-uniform and does not penetrate intricate surfaces properly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies mechanical vibration through a shaker mechanism that agitates the component during immersion in the fluidized bed coating material. This vibration causes the coating particles to penetrate into crevices and intricate surfaces more effectively, ensuring uniform coating coverage on complex geometries that would otherwise be difficult to coat.
2Manufacturing precision
If a complex agitation system with multiple control stations is used, then coating penetration is improved, but the apparatus footprint and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the agitation function with the support structure by integrating the shaker mechanism directly into the carriage that holds the component. This merging of functions eliminates the need for separate agitation stations and control mechanisms, reducing the overall apparatus footprint while maintaining effective coating penetration.
Solution Approach 2:
The carriage structure serves multiple functions: it supports the component during immersion, provides the shaker mechanism for agitation, and controls the immersion depth and duration. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional dedicated components, thereby minimizing the apparatus footprint.
3Adaptability or versatility
If manual intervention is used to control component movement during coating, then flexibility is improved, but productivity decreases and labor requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements automated control systems that enable the coating process to operate autonomously. The carriage automatically positions the component, the shaker mechanism automatically agitates the component during immersion, and the system automatically controls immersion depth and duration. This self-service capability maintains process flexibility while significantly improving productivity and reducing manual intervention.
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
This approach provides a flexible and controlled coating process, ensuring uniform and penetrating coatings on complex surfaces, reducing corrosion and maintenance needs while minimizing the apparatus' footprint and human intervention.
Implementation Method 1
applying a coating to a component which comprises steps of positioning said component adjacent to a fluidized bed, immersing the component into the fluidized bed to apply a coating thereto
Data Source
AI summary
A transfer and coating apparatus transfers a component from a conveyor to a coating station for application of a coating. The transfer apparatus includes a mast that can move about orthogonal axes in a horizontal plane and a mast having a carriage that can move vertically. The carriage includes a hook that swings about a horizontal axis relative to the mast for movement of the component in the horizontal direction. A sway bar extends between the hook and component to inhibit movement about a horizontal axis. The component is delivered to an upper compartment of a coating apparatus where it can be lowered in to a lower compartment containing coating material. Excess coating material is removed by an array of nozzles in the upper compartment as the component is raised from the coating material.