TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to at least one padding mechanism which provides padding gas atmosphere on a work piece in order to prevent oxidation of the work piece, coated in coating pots, as a result of contact of the work piece to air.

PRIOR ART

Oxidation is formation of metal-oxide form by reacting of metal with oxygen and is a result of electron giving process of substances. Thus, as a result of oxidation reaction based on this electron exchange, rusting or corrosion of the material occurs due to reasons based on the presence of the related element in the work piece.

The atmosphere which we live in has oxidative character since it includes oxygen. Therefore, all of the components which form the earth crust are oxides, silicates, aluminates or other oxygen compounds which have a stable structure. Thus, as a result of contact of air with the metals other than gold, oxidation occurs, and oxide forms which are in stable structure are formed, and they exist as metal oxides in nature.

Coating of metallic surfaces is a method used for making steel surface, which is an alloy of pure metals and/or iron, to become resistant against oxidation and thus to corrosion. Metal coating, applied for obtaining corrosion resistance, facilitates increase of the conductance of materials and surface hardness. Coating of steel with zinc and/or chrome can be given as examples to this frequently used process.

It is possible to separate metal coatings into 2 separate groups, namely noble coatings and active coatings. Metal coating, where mechanical, physical and chemical processes are used together, is used in various industry branches like automotive industry, agricultural machines and durable white good sectors. Coating processes in metal coatings can be realized by means of different methods like hot immersion, hot spraying, sherardising (vapor galvanizing) and electrolysis. In coating processes, if the air contact of the coated material is less, protection against oxidation shall be better, and a more successful coating can be realized. In the present art, the efficiency of the coating decreases since the coated material cannot be isolated from air, including oxygen, during coating. At the first step, since corrosion, described by rusting which begins at a small and limited point of the metal surface, advances towards the inner parts of the metal by time, protection of the metal surface can also be considered as protecting the metal itself. Since coating is relatively unsuccessful, since the probability of corrosion of the material increases by time, the usage lifetime of the final product is not long and when this condition is evaluated in economical terms, corrosion-sourced high costs occur for various industry branches worldwide. If it is considered that 20% of the iron produced yearly becomes waste, the importance of the precautions which shall be taken for protecting the metal surface becomes prominent.

As a result, because of the abovementioned problems, an improvement is required in the related technical field.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a padding mechanism which creates gas atmosphere on the molten metal surface and at the same time on the coated work piece, for eliminating the abovementioned disadvantages and for bringing new advantages to the related technical field.

The object of the present invention is to provide a padding mechanism in order to prevent oxidation of molten metal inside the pot and coated work piece and pot surface.

In order to realize the abovementioned objects and the objects which are to be deducted from the detailed description below, the present invention describes at least one padding mechanism for preventing oxidation of two main elements, which exist in coating process, namely the metal surface turned into molten form and which exists in the coating pot and the uncoated base metal surface, as a result of contact with air. Accordingly, the improvement is that the subject matter padding mechanism comprises at least one flow pipe positioned around the periphery of at least one part of said pot and through which gas can pass for realizing padding, and at least one flow opening, which enables discharge of said gas outwardly, on said flow pipe and which enables formation of barrier by forming layer on the pot surface. Thus, oxidation probability is reduced by realizing padding at the upper part of the pot where coating is realized. In a possible embodiment of the present invention, said flow pipe is essentially a cylindrical profile and said flow opening is essentially a nozzle.

In another possible embodiment of the present invention, the flow pipe is essentially a cylindrical pipe and the flow opening is essentially a slit opening.

In another possible embodiment of the present invention, the flow pipe is essentially a square profile and the flow opening is essentially a nozzle.

In another possible embodiment of the present invention, the flow pipe is essentially a square profile and the flow opening is essentially a slit opening.

In another possible embodiment of the present invention, the flow pipe is essentially a triangular profile and the flow opening is essentially a slit opening.

In another possible embodiment of the present invention, the carried gas is essentially inert gas.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

In Figure 1 , a representative perspective view where the subject matter padding mechanism is positioned on the pot is given.

In Figure 2, a representative perspective view and a partial cross-sectional view of a first version of the subject matter padding mechanism is given.

In Figure 3, a representative perspective view and a partial cross-sectional view of a second version of the subject matter padding mechanism is given.

In Figure 4, a representative perspective view and a partial cross-sectional view of a third version of the subject matter padding mechanism is given.

In Figure 5, a representative perspective view and a partial cross-sectional view of a fourth version of the subject matter padding mechanism is given.

In Figure 6, a representative perspective view and a partial cross-sectional view of a fifth version of the subject matter padding mechanism is given. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In this detailed description, the subject matter is explained with references to examples without forming any restrictive effect only in order to make the subject more understandable.

With reference to Figure 1 , the invention relates to a padding mechanism (10). The subject matter padding mechanism (10) is positioned on at least one pot (20). There can be a chamber, wherein coating liquid is put, inside said pot (20). Preferably the upper part of the pot (20) is formed in an open form. The work piece (not illustrated in the figures), where coating shall be realized, is immersed into the coating liquid which exists inside the pot (20), and the work piece is coated. This immersed coating process can be in the form of continuously advancing of the work piece, provided in strip form, inside the pot (20). The surface of the work piece is coated with coating liquid and the corrosion resistance is increased. In a possible embodiment of the present invention, the coating liquid can be alloyed metal molten. The padding mechanism (10) is positioned on the pot (20) and is configured to interrupt the contact of molten metal surface, which exists in the pot, and the coated work piece with oxygen.

There is at least one flow pipe (11) on the padding mechanism (10). Said flow pipe (11 ) is configured to at least partially encircle the side of the pot (20) which contacts with air. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the flow pipe (11 ) extends along the four sides of the pot (20). The flow pipe (11 ) has inner space such that a predetermined gas shall be passed through it. The gas which realizes padding by passing through the flow pipe (11) is preferably an inert gas. As an example to inert gases, there can be a gas like argon or nitrogen. However, the invention is not limited with this and can be a different gas.

There can be at least one flow opening (12) on the flow pipe (11 ) on the padding mechanism (10). Said flow opening (12) enables carrying of air, carried through the flow pipe (11), from the flow pipe (11 ). Preferably pluralities of flow openings (12) are provided on the side of the flow pipe (11) facing the work piece. The flow opening (12) is preferably provided in predetermined intervals and in predetermined form along the flow pipe (11 ). By means of this, a homogenous padding can be realized on the pot (20).

The padding mechanism (10) can be connected to a gas source for providing carrying of predetermined gas onto the pot (20). The padding mechanism (10) can be assembled in a removable manner on the pot (20). By means of this, assembly can be realized in a compliant manner to different pot (20) types or can be removed as needed. By means of this, the padding mechanism (10) is turned into modular form. The flow pipe (1 1 ) and the flow opening (12) can be provided in different forms on the padding mechanism (10). These different forms can show variance in accordance with various usage conditions.

In Figure 2, a representative perspective view and a partial cross-sectional view of a first version (I) of the subject matter padding mechanism (10) is given. Accordingly, in the first version (I), the flow pipe (1 1 ) is preferably a cylindrical pipe (1 1 a). Said cylindrical pipe (1 1 a) can be a pipe with predetermined diameter and wall thickness. In the first version (I), the flow opening (12) can be a nozzle (12a). Said nozzle (12a) can essentially be cylindrical shaped. Thus, the nozzles (12a) are collected on the cylindrical pipe (1 1 a). By means of this first version (I), a gas flow can be obtained which has cylindrical cross-section at the instant when it exits the nozzle at the padding mechanism (10) but which dispenses and widens as a result of movement of gas molecules as it diverges from the nozzle and as it advances towards the pot center.

In Figure 3, a representative perspective view and a partial cross-sectional view of a second version (II) of the subject matter padding mechanism (10) is given. Accordingly, in the second version (II), the flow pipe (11 ) is preferably a cylindrical pipe (1 1 a). Said cylindrical pipe (11 a) can be a pipe with predetermined diameter and wall thickness. In the second version (II), the flow opening (12) can be a slit opening (12b). Said slit opening (12b) can essentially be an opening in pocket form provided along the flow pipe (11 ). This opening is preferably an opening provided on the wall of the flow pipe (11 ). Thus, in case the flow pipe (1 1 ) is made of a plate, it can be provided in the form of a space which remains between the two ends thereof while it is being rounded. Thus, slit openings (12b) are connected on the cylindrical pipe (11 a). By means of this second version (II), gas movement, which is in curtain form, can be obtained from the padding mechanism (10).

In Figure 4, a representative perspective view and a partial cross-sectional view of a third version (III) of the subject matter padding mechanism (10) is given. Accordingly, in the third version (III), the flow pipe (1 1 ) is preferably a square profile (1 1 b). The square profile (1 1 b) can be a profile with predetermined diameter and wall thickness. In the third version (III), the flow opening (12) can be a nozzle (12a). Said nozzle (12a) can essentially have circular cross-section. Thus, nozzles (12a) are collected on the square profile (11 a).

In Figure 5, a representative perspective view and a partial cross-sectional view of a fourth version (IV) of the subject matter padding mechanism (10) is given. Accordingly, in the fourth version (IV), the flow pipe (1 1 ) is preferably a square profile (11 b). The square profile (11 b) can be a profile with predetermined diameter and wall thickness. In the fourth version (IV), the flow opening (12) can be a slit opening (12b). Said slit opening (12b) can be produced by producing square profile (11b) from plate or by forming pocket on the square profile. By means of this fourth version (IV), gas movement, which is in curtain form, can be obtained from the padding mechanism (10).

In Figure 6, a representative perspective view and a partial cross-sectional view of a fifth version (V) of the subject matter padding mechanism (10) is given. Accordingly, in the fifth version (V), the flow pipe (11) is preferably triangular profile (11c). Said triangular profile (11c) can be a profile with predetermined edge dimensions and wall thickness. In the first version (I), the flow opening (12) can be a slit opening (12b). Said slit opening (12b) can be an opening provided at the corner parts of the triangular profile (11c). Thus, while gas is being carried outwardly through the triangular profile (11c), it shall be given in curtain form and realizes padding.

By means of all these embodiments, a predetermined gas is collected on the pot (20) for preventing oxidation in pots (20) used in coating processes and oxygen barrier is enabled to be formed, in other words, padding is enabled to be formed. The best padding characteristics can be obtained by means of padding mechanisms (10), which are at different versions, used during this process.

The protection scope of the present invention is set forth in the annexed claims and cannot be restricted to the illustrative disclosures given above, under the detailed description. It is because a person skilled in the relevant art can obviously produce similar embodiments under the light of the foregoing disclosures, without departing from the main principles of the present invention.

REFERENCE NUMBERS

10 Padding mechanism

1 1 Flow pipe

1 1 a Cylindrical pipe

1 1 b Square profile

1 1c Triangular profile

12 Flow opening

12a Nozzle

12b Slit opening

20 Pot

(I) First version

(II) Second version

(III) Third version

(IV) Fourth version

(V) Fifth version