Tube Interior Coating Viscosity and Smoothing Member
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for applying coatings to internal tube surfaces, such as flood coating, are time-consuming, laborious, and expensive, as they require multiple applications to achieve the desired thickness, and the coating fluid can dissolve previous layers, limiting maximum thickness.
Innovation Solution
A process involving the application of a coating fluid with a viscosity that exceeds the desired final thickness, followed by a smoothing member passed through the tube at a minimum distance to remove excess fluid, ensuring a uniform and efficient coating application.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If flood coating method is used to apply coating fluid to tube interior, then coating can be applied, but multiple applications are required to achieve desired thickness and the process becomes time-consuming and laborious
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a coating fluid with higher viscosity than traditionally used, which allows the fluid to maintain its position and thickness on the tube interior surface without requiring multiple applications. The preliminary selection of appropriate viscosity ensures that a single application achieves the desired coating thickness, eliminating the need for repeated coating and drying cycles.
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple layers of coating are applied to increase thickness, then desired final thickness can be achieved, but the coating fluid dissolves previously deposited layers, limiting maximum thickness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the viscosity parameter of the coating fluid to a higher value, which fundamentally alters how the coating behaves during application and drying. This parameter change allows the coating to be applied at a thickness that will achieve the desired final thickness after drying, without requiring multiple applications that would cause dissolution of previous layers.
3Manufacturing precision
If multiple flood coating applications are performed to achieve desired thickness, then final coating thickness can be increased, but the process becomes expensive and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary selection of coating fluid with higher viscosity, which enables a single application to achieve the desired coating thickness. This preliminary action eliminates the need for multiple subsequent applications, significantly reducing the time and cost associated with repeated coating and drying cycles.
4Manufacturing precision
If multiple flood coating applications are performed to achieve desired thickness, then final coating thickness can be increased, but the process becomes laborious and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the viscosity parameter of the coating fluid to a higher value, which simplifies the manufacturing process by enabling single-application coating. This parameter change eliminates the complexity of coordinating multiple applications, drying cycles, and quality checks, making the process more economical and easier to manufacture.
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 method allows for a single application to achieve a desired final coating thickness, reducing the need for multiple layers and preventing fluid from dissolving previous coatings, thus enhancing efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
applying a layer of coating fluid to a portion of the internal surface of the tube, the coating fluid having a viscosity selected so that the applied layer of coating fluid has a thickness substantially equal to or in excess of a predetermined wet film thickness
Implementation Method 2
coating fluid-applied portion of the internal surface of the tube
Implementation Method 3
passing a smoothing member through the tube in a spaced-apart relationship relative to, and at a minimum distance from, the coating fluid-applied portion of the internal surface of the tube, the minimum distance corresponding substantially to the wet film thickness, the smoothing member being configured to smooth the coating fluid and remove coating fluid in excess of the wet film thickness
Implementation Method 4
Many coatings require drying after application, which can be accomplished either at ambient conditions, or by exposing the wet coating to a gas stream, vacuum, increased temperature, or a combination thereof
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3A
Figure 3B
AI summary
Processes and devices useful in the application of coatings (14) to the interior of tubes (10) are described. Such processes (40, 400) may include applying a layer (20) of coating fluid (18) to the internal surface (16) of the tube (10) and passing a smoothing member (22) through the tube (10) at a distance from the internal surface (16). The viscosity of the coating fluid (18) may be selected so that the layer (20) of coating fluid (18) has a thickness substantially equal to or in excess of a predetermined wet film thickness (Twf) correlated to a desired final thickness (Tf) of the coating (14). The distance between the smoothing member (22) and the internal surface (16) may substantially correspond to the predetermined wet film thickness (Twf). The smoothing member (22) may smooth the coating fluid (18) and remove coating fluid (18) in excess of the wet film thickness (Twf) from the internal surface (16).