EP1853393A2 - Title: method and apparatus for automated coating of electrical insulators with a silicone composition - Google Patents

Title: method and apparatus for automated coating of electrical insulators with a silicone composition

Info

Publication number
EP1853393A2
EP1853393A2 EP06705223A EP06705223A EP1853393A2 EP 1853393 A2 EP1853393 A2 EP 1853393A2 EP 06705223 A EP06705223 A EP 06705223A EP 06705223 A EP06705223 A EP 06705223A EP 1853393 A2 EP1853393 A2 EP 1853393A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
component
coating
insulator
curing
composition
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP06705223A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP1853393A4 (en
Inventor
Farooq Ahmed
Faisal Huda
Seraj Huda
John Barr
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
CSL Silicones Inc
Original Assignee
CSL Silicones Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by CSL Silicones Inc filed Critical CSL Silicones Inc
Publication of EP1853393A2 publication Critical patent/EP1853393A2/en
Publication of EP1853393A4 publication Critical patent/EP1853393A4/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
    • B05D—PROCESSES FOR APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
    • B05D1/00—Processes for applying liquids or other fluent materials
    • B05D1/02—Processes for applying liquids or other fluent materials performed by spraying
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
    • B05B—SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES
    • B05B13/00—Machines or plants for applying liquids or other fluent materials to surfaces of objects or other work by spraying, not covered by groups B05B1/00 - B05B11/00
    • B05B13/02—Means for supporting work; Arrangement or mounting of spray heads; Adaptation or arrangement of means for feeding work
    • B05B13/0221—Means for supporting work; Arrangement or mounting of spray heads; Adaptation or arrangement of means for feeding work characterised by the means for moving or conveying the objects or other work, e.g. conveyor belts
    • B05B13/0235—Means for supporting work; Arrangement or mounting of spray heads; Adaptation or arrangement of means for feeding work characterised by the means for moving or conveying the objects or other work, e.g. conveyor belts the movement of the objects being a combination of rotation and linear displacement
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
    • B05B—SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES
    • B05B16/00—Spray booths
    • B05B16/90—Spray booths comprising conveying means for moving objects or other work to be sprayed in and out of the booth, e.g. through the booth
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
    • B05D—PROCESSES FOR APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
    • B05D1/00—Processes for applying liquids or other fluent materials
    • B05D1/002—Processes for applying liquids or other fluent materials the substrate being rotated
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
    • B05D—PROCESSES FOR APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
    • B05D2518/00—Other type of polymers
    • B05D2518/10—Silicon-containing polymers
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
    • B05D—PROCESSES FOR APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
    • B05D2530/00—Rubber or the like
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
    • B05D—PROCESSES FOR APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
    • B05D3/00—Pretreatment of surfaces to which liquids or other fluent materials are to be applied; After-treatment of applied coatings, e.g. intermediate treating of an applied coating preparatory to subsequent applications of liquids or other fluent materials
    • B05D3/02—Pretreatment of surfaces to which liquids or other fluent materials are to be applied; After-treatment of applied coatings, e.g. intermediate treating of an applied coating preparatory to subsequent applications of liquids or other fluent materials by baking
    • B05D3/0218—Pretreatment, e.g. heating the substrate
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
    • B05D—PROCESSES FOR APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
    • B05D3/00—Pretreatment of surfaces to which liquids or other fluent materials are to be applied; After-treatment of applied coatings, e.g. intermediate treating of an applied coating preparatory to subsequent applications of liquids or other fluent materials
    • B05D3/02—Pretreatment of surfaces to which liquids or other fluent materials are to be applied; After-treatment of applied coatings, e.g. intermediate treating of an applied coating preparatory to subsequent applications of liquids or other fluent materials by baking
    • B05D3/0254—After-treatment
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
    • B05D—PROCESSES FOR APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
    • B05D3/00—Pretreatment of surfaces to which liquids or other fluent materials are to be applied; After-treatment of applied coatings, e.g. intermediate treating of an applied coating preparatory to subsequent applications of liquids or other fluent materials
    • B05D3/04—Pretreatment of surfaces to which liquids or other fluent materials are to be applied; After-treatment of applied coatings, e.g. intermediate treating of an applied coating preparatory to subsequent applications of liquids or other fluent materials by exposure to gases
    • B05D3/0406—Pretreatment of surfaces to which liquids or other fluent materials are to be applied; After-treatment of applied coatings, e.g. intermediate treating of an applied coating preparatory to subsequent applications of liquids or other fluent materials by exposure to gases the gas being air
    • B05D3/0413—Heating with air
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
    • B05D—PROCESSES FOR APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
    • B05D3/00—Pretreatment of surfaces to which liquids or other fluent materials are to be applied; After-treatment of applied coatings, e.g. intermediate treating of an applied coating preparatory to subsequent applications of liquids or other fluent materials
    • B05D3/04—Pretreatment of surfaces to which liquids or other fluent materials are to be applied; After-treatment of applied coatings, e.g. intermediate treating of an applied coating preparatory to subsequent applications of liquids or other fluent materials by exposure to gases
    • B05D3/0486—Operating the coating or treatment in a controlled atmosphere

Definitions

  • TITLE METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATED COATING OF ELECTRICAL INSULATORS WITH A SILICONE COMPOSITION
  • the present invention is directed to an automated continuous coating apparatus and method and in particular, to a coating apparatus for coating components such as, high voltage line insulators with silicone rubber coatings, more particularly with one component room temperature vulcanizable (RTV) silicone rubber.
  • components such as, high voltage line insulators with silicone rubber coatings, more particularly with one component room temperature vulcanizable (RTV) silicone rubber.
  • RTV room temperature vulcanizable
  • insulators utilized in electrical utilities such as suspension insulators in high voltage power transmission lines are designed to keep to a minimum, current discharge under normal conditions.
  • leakage current can develop along the surface of the insulator. The amount of this leakage current depends upon the voltage stress and conductivity of the film or contaminant on the surface of the insulator.
  • the leakage currents can incur or cause arcing on the surface of the insulator which can have serious effects upon the insulator surface such as the formation of free carbon and non-volatile semiconductor materials. It may eventually result in a conducting path forming across the surface of the insulator and effectively shorting out the insulator.
  • the outer surface of the electrical insulator is the most important part of the insulator as this is the part that is subjected to the effects of electrical voltage stress, leakage currents and weathering.
  • the surface of the high voltage insulator When the surface of the high voltage insulator is exposed to moisture such as rain or fog in combination with contaminated atmospheres as are found in industrial locations, the surface may be subject to extensive corrosion unless protected in some way from exposure to the corrosive atmosphere.
  • Other potentially corrosive environments include along sea coasts where salt spray is found and in areas where agricultural chemicals are widely distributed.
  • RTV room temperature vulcanizable
  • the coating provides for improved insulation that is arc resistant, hydrophobic and resistant to the stresses imposed upon such electrical insulators. This results in increased tin of the insulator between scheduled maintenance as well as increased overall life of the insulator. Examples of such coatings are shown for example in the applicant's prior US patents and applications, specifically 6,833,407 issued December 21, 2004; 6,437,039 issued August 20, 2002; 5,326,804 issued July 5, 1994; 2004/0006169 published Jan. 8, 2004 and 2003/0113461 published June 19, 2003.
  • the present invention provides an automated continuous coating apparatus for coating industrial components such as porcelain, glass, and polymeric insulators with a silicone elastomeric coating.
  • the apparatus consists of a several stage continuous inline operation. The stages are a cleaning operation, followed by drying and heating, coating, and curing.
  • An aspect of the invention provides an apparatus for automatically coating an industrial component with a silicone elastomeric coating in a continuous inline operation, the apparatus comprising: a conveying means for holding the industrial component and moving the component through the automated apparatus; a cleaning station for cleaning the surfaces of the component; a drying and heating station to dry the surface of the cleaned component and heat the surface of the component to aid in adherence of a silicone elastomeric coating; a coating station to apply a coating of a curable silicone elastomeric composition on the exposed surfaces of the component; and a curing station to accelerate the curing of the silicone elastomeric composition.
  • Figure 1 is a schematic view of a first embodiment of a continuous coating apparatus of the present invention
  • Figure 2 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the conveying apparatus of the present invention.
  • Figure 3 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a spray nozzle arrangement for coating of the present invention.
  • the present invention is directed to an automated continuous coating apparatus for coating industrial components such as porcelain, glass or polymeric insulators with a silicone coating composition.
  • the apparatus consists of a several stage continuous inline operation as illustrated in Figure 1.
  • the first stage of the apparatus is cleaning and set up for ensuring that the surface of the insulator is free from any materials such as oils, grease, dust or other soils which may interfere with the adherence of the silicone coating to the insulator surface.
  • the cleaning of the insulator may be accomplished by any of the methods commonly utilized, such as steam cleaning, hot water spray, hot water blasts, solvent wiping or dry ice blasting.
  • the cleaning operation utilizes either steam cleaning or hot water blasting.
  • detergent and other washing aids may be added to the cleaning solutions to help in the removal of organic materials or other soils from the surface of the insulator.
  • the insulator Once the insulator has been cleaned, it then passes to a drying and heating apparatus where any moisture remaining on the insulator is evaporated in this apparatus.
  • the apparatus moves heated air across the surface of the insulator to improve the drying and heating. Most preferably this is accomplished by the use of a hot air blower blowing air at approximately 40° C to 150 °C, preferably 40 °C to 80 °C, more preferably about 60 °C through the apparatus.
  • the insulator is also heated to a desired temperature level. This heating of the insulator aids in the application and curing of the silicone composition to the surface of the insulator .
  • the insulator Once the insulator has been dried and heated, it passes through a coating apparatus in which the surface of the insulator is coated with a uniform coating of a silicone composition.
  • the silicone composition is preferably as taught in our previous patents and applications, specifically 6,833,407 issued December 21, 2004; 6,437,039 issued August 20, 2002; 5,326,804 issued July
  • This coating may be accomplished by many different processes.
  • the coating is applied by a dip coating wherein the insulator is dipped in a bath of silicone material to allow the material to cover and adhere to the surface of the insulator.
  • the insulator may be rotated at a speed sufficient to provide for the desired coating level on the insulator surface.
  • the viscosity of the silicone composition is also controlled to allow the composition to coat the entire surface of the insulator.
  • the dipping area is maintained under a nitrogen atmosphere to avoid skinning of the surface of the silicone composition.
  • the silicone composition may also be applied to the surface of the insulator by a spray means. This may be accomplished utilizing one or more spray nozzles directing the composition at the surface of the insulator to coat the surface with the uniform coating of the composition.
  • the insulator may be rotated such that the spray of the composition from the nozzle coats the entire surface of the insulator. More preferably, in order to coat both the upper and lower surfaces of the insulator, at least two nozzles are provided in the spray apparatus, one above the path of the insulator through the apparatus, and one below the path of the insulator through the apparatus.
  • a robotic apparatus utilizing a single spray nozzle programmed to spray the exposed surfaces of the insulator may be utilized.
  • the silicone coating is then allowed to cure.
  • the coated insulator is placed in a curing chamber, such as an oven for one part RTV silicone coatings, to decrease the amount of time required for the coating to cure.
  • a curing chamber or oven is maintained at approximately 60 °C with 70-80% relative humidity.
  • the oven is provided with a suitable radiation source, for example UV lighting to initiate and accelerate the curing. In these applications, the oven may also be supplied with a nitrogen atmosphere.
  • a flash oven with an explosion proof chamber is provided prior to the curing chamber to remove the volatile components .
  • the standard curing time is greatly reduced. For example, the standard curing time of several hours for a one-part RTV silicone is reduced to less than one hour. This allows the insulator to have an improved quality and consistency of the coating thickness combined with an increased hourly production rate of coated insulators to cut down the production costs significantly.
  • the automated coating line of the present invention utilizes a conveyor system to move the insulators through each of the stages of the operation.
  • the conveying apparatus utilized also allows for rotation of the insulator through the stages to allow for uniform treatment of the surface of the insulator as described above. In one embodiment, this is accomplished by providing a rotating means to rotate the insulators at a slow rate such as an electric motor as illustrated in Figure 2.
  • the insulator is releasably clamped to the rotation means to which holds onto the insulator during its motion through these stages of the coating apparatus .
  • the electric motors and clamps are disposed along a conveyor means to move through the stages of the apparatus .
  • a dual-speed belt or chain drive such that the clamp for the insulator is connected to a gear driven simultaneously by the two belts or chains as the belts or chains are travelling at different rates of speed in the same direction.
  • the gear and attached insulator rotates as it moves along the line.
  • each of the cleaning and coating stations are provided with robotic spray apparatus, it may not be necessary to rotate the insulators throughout the apparatus .
  • the conveying apparatus moves the insulators along at a speed of approximately 5 metres per minute while rotating the insulators at a rotation speed of 12 revolutions per minute.
  • the insulator is washed in the washing station for approximately 1 minute followed by 1 minute drying time.
  • the insulator is then coated in the spray booth for about 5 seconds before travelling to the curing chamber in which it is heated at 6O 0 C for 20 minutes to cure the coating on the insulator.
  • the insulator is then wrapped in the packaging.
  • the apparatus of the present invention allows for a high throughput coating of electrical insulators with a throughput of approximately 500 insulators coated for every hour of operation. This results in significant labour and cost savings for coating of the high voltage insulators.

Abstract

The present invention provides an automated continuous coating apparatus for coating industrial components such as porcelain, glass, and polymeric insulators. The apparatus consists of a several stage continuous inline operation. The stages are a cleaning operation, followed by drying and heating, coating, and curing.

Description

TITLE: METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATED COATING OF ELECTRICAL INSULATORS WITH A SILICONE COMPOSITION
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to an automated continuous coating apparatus and method and in particular, to a coating apparatus for coating components such as, high voltage line insulators with silicone rubber coatings, more particularly with one component room temperature vulcanizable (RTV) silicone rubber.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Components utilized in industrial structures are frequently exposed to a corrosion environment and must be protected. For example, insulators utilized in electrical utilities such as suspension insulators in high voltage power transmission lines are designed to keep to a minimum, current discharge under normal conditions. However, when the insulator surface becomes contaminated, leakage current can develop along the surface of the insulator. The amount of this leakage current depends upon the voltage stress and conductivity of the film or contaminant on the surface of the insulator. The leakage currents can incur or cause arcing on the surface of the insulator which can have serious effects upon the insulator surface such as the formation of free carbon and non-volatile semiconductor materials. It may eventually result in a conducting path forming across the surface of the insulator and effectively shorting out the insulator. The outer surface of the electrical insulator is the most important part of the insulator as this is the part that is subjected to the effects of electrical voltage stress, leakage currents and weathering. When the surface of the high voltage insulator is exposed to moisture such as rain or fog in combination with contaminated atmospheres as are found in industrial locations, the surface may be subject to extensive corrosion unless protected in some way from exposure to the corrosive atmosphere. Other potentially corrosive environments include along sea coasts where salt spray is found and in areas where agricultural chemicals are widely distributed.
More and more electrical utilities are switching toward the use of a one component room temperature vulcanizable (RTV) silicone rubber coating for these high voltage line sulators. By coating the surface of the insulator with the electrically non-conductive material, the coating provides for improved insulation that is arc resistant, hydrophobic and resistant to the stresses imposed upon such electrical insulators. This results in increased tin of the insulator between scheduled maintenance as well as increased overall life of the insulator. Examples of such coatings are shown for example in the applicant's prior US patents and applications, specifically 6,833,407 issued December 21, 2004; 6,437,039 issued August 20, 2002; 5,326,804 issued July 5, 1994; 2004/0006169 published Jan. 8, 2004 and 2003/0113461 published June 19, 2003.
In addition to electric insulators, other components for industrial structures would also benefit from the automated application and method such as that of the present invention. These insulators are manually coated on the ground and strung on the overhead transmission lines. This is not only labour and cost intensive, but also time consuming, especially for industrialized countries. Thus, there remains a need for a cost effective rapid method of coating a large number of insulators .
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides an automated continuous coating apparatus for coating industrial components such as porcelain, glass, and polymeric insulators with a silicone elastomeric coating. The apparatus consists of a several stage continuous inline operation. The stages are a cleaning operation, followed by drying and heating, coating, and curing.
An aspect of the invention provides an apparatus for automatically coating an industrial component with a silicone elastomeric coating in a continuous inline operation, the apparatus comprising: a conveying means for holding the industrial component and moving the component through the automated apparatus; a cleaning station for cleaning the surfaces of the component; a drying and heating station to dry the surface of the cleaned component and heat the surface of the component to aid in adherence of a silicone elastomeric coating; a coating station to apply a coating of a curable silicone elastomeric composition on the exposed surfaces of the component; and a curing station to accelerate the curing of the silicone elastomeric composition.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Preferred embodiments of the present invention are illustrated in the attached drawings in which:
Figure 1 is a schematic view of a first embodiment of a continuous coating apparatus of the present invention;
Figure 2 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the conveying apparatus of the present invention;
Figure 3 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a spray nozzle arrangement for coating of the present invention;
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The present invention is directed to an automated continuous coating apparatus for coating industrial components such as porcelain, glass or polymeric insulators with a silicone coating composition. The apparatus consists of a several stage continuous inline operation as illustrated in Figure 1. The first stage of the apparatus is cleaning and set up for ensuring that the surface of the insulator is free from any materials such as oils, grease, dust or other soils which may interfere with the adherence of the silicone coating to the insulator surface. The cleaning of the insulator may be accomplished by any of the methods commonly utilized, such as steam cleaning, hot water spray, hot water blasts, solvent wiping or dry ice blasting. Preferably the cleaning operation utilizes either steam cleaning or hot water blasting. In order to improve the cleaning efficiencies, detergent and other washing aids may be added to the cleaning solutions to help in the removal of organic materials or other soils from the surface of the insulator. Once the insulator has been washed with the cleaning solution, it is preferably rinsed with a clean steam or hot water blast.
Once the insulator has been cleaned, it then passes to a drying and heating apparatus where any moisture remaining on the insulator is evaporated in this apparatus. Preferably the apparatus moves heated air across the surface of the insulator to improve the drying and heating. Most preferably this is accomplished by the use of a hot air blower blowing air at approximately 40° C to 150 °C, preferably 40 °C to 80 °C, more preferably about 60 °C through the apparatus. During the drying stage, the insulator is also heated to a desired temperature level. This heating of the insulator aids in the application and curing of the silicone composition to the surface of the insulator .
Once the insulator has been dried and heated, it passes through a coating apparatus in which the surface of the insulator is coated with a uniform coating of a silicone composition. The silicone composition is preferably as taught in our previous patents and applications, specifically 6,833,407 issued December 21, 2004; 6,437,039 issued August 20, 2002; 5,326,804 issued July
5, 1994; particularly the one part RTV compositions shown in U.S. Patent 5,326,804 issued July 5, 1994. The disclosure of these prior patents are incorporated herein by reference. This coating may be accomplished by many different processes. In one process, the coating is applied by a dip coating wherein the insulator is dipped in a bath of silicone material to allow the material to cover and adhere to the surface of the insulator. Preferably in order to maintain the uniformity of the coating on the insulator, the insulator may be rotated at a speed sufficient to provide for the desired coating level on the insulator surface. The viscosity of the silicone composition is also controlled to allow the composition to coat the entire surface of the insulator. When utilizing dip coating, the dipping area is maintained under a nitrogen atmosphere to avoid skinning of the surface of the silicone composition.
The silicone composition may also be applied to the surface of the insulator by a spray means. This may be accomplished utilizing one or more spray nozzles directing the composition at the surface of the insulator to coat the surface with the uniform coating of the composition. Preferably, in order to uniformly coat the entire surface of the insulator, the insulator may be rotated such that the spray of the composition from the nozzle coats the entire surface of the insulator. More preferably, in order to coat both the upper and lower surfaces of the insulator, at least two nozzles are provided in the spray apparatus, one above the path of the insulator through the apparatus, and one below the path of the insulator through the apparatus. In some circumstances with some configurations of insulators, it may also be advantageous to provide more than one nozzle at one or both of the upper and lower surfaces of the insulator as illustrated in Figure 3. Alternatively, a robotic apparatus utilizing a single spray nozzle programmed to spray the exposed surfaces of the insulator may be utilized.
Once the silicone composition has been applied to the surface of the insulator, the silicone coating is then allowed to cure. Preferably, in order to increase the curing of the silicone composition, the coated insulator is placed in a curing chamber, such as an oven for one part RTV silicone coatings, to decrease the amount of time required for the coating to cure. Preferably for RTV systems the curing chamber or oven is maintained at approximately 60 °C with 70-80% relative humidity. For other cure systems such as a radiation cure system, for example UV cure, the oven is provided with a suitable radiation source, for example UV lighting to initiate and accelerate the curing. In these applications, the oven may also be supplied with a nitrogen atmosphere. For coatings utilizing a volatile solvent, a flash oven with an explosion proof chamber is provided prior to the curing chamber to remove the volatile components . By providing the curing chamber or part of the system, the standard curing time is greatly reduced. For example, the standard curing time of several hours for a one-part RTV silicone is reduced to less than one hour. This allows the insulator to have an improved quality and consistency of the coating thickness combined with an increased hourly production rate of coated insulators to cut down the production costs significantly.
Once the coated insulator has properly cured, the insulators are then inspected and packaged for shipping to the final customers . The automated coating line of the present invention utilizes a conveyor system to move the insulators through each of the stages of the operation. Preferably, the conveying apparatus utilized also allows for rotation of the insulator through the stages to allow for uniform treatment of the surface of the insulator as described above. In one embodiment, this is accomplished by providing a rotating means to rotate the insulators at a slow rate such as an electric motor as illustrated in Figure 2. The insulator is releasably clamped to the rotation means to which holds onto the insulator during its motion through these stages of the coating apparatus . The electric motors and clamps are disposed along a conveyor means to move through the stages of the apparatus .
Other means of providing the conveying and rotation of the insulators through the apparatus may also be provided such as, for example, a dual-speed belt or chain drive such that the clamp for the insulator is connected to a gear driven simultaneously by the two belts or chains as the belts or chains are travelling at different rates of speed in the same direction. The gear and attached insulator rotates as it moves along the line.
Alternatively, if each of the cleaning and coating stations are provided with robotic spray apparatus, it may not be necessary to rotate the insulators throughout the apparatus .
The following example is used to illustrate a preferred embodiment of the present invention, but the invention is not limited to this embodiment. In a preferred embodiment of the automated coating apparatus of the present invention, the conveying apparatus moves the insulators along at a speed of approximately 5 metres per minute while rotating the insulators at a rotation speed of 12 revolutions per minute. The insulator is washed in the washing station for approximately 1 minute followed by 1 minute drying time. The insulator is then coated in the spray booth for about 5 seconds before travelling to the curing chamber in which it is heated at 6O0C for 20 minutes to cure the coating on the insulator. The insulator is then wrapped in the packaging. The apparatus of the present invention allows for a high throughput coating of electrical insulators with a throughput of approximately 500 insulators coated for every hour of operation. This results in significant labour and cost savings for coating of the high voltage insulators.
Although various preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described herein in detail, it will be appreciated variations may be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Claims

THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION IN WHICH AN EXCLUSIVE PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:
1. An apparatus for automatically coating an industrial component with a silicone elastomeric coating in a continuous inline operation the apparatus comprising: a conveying means for holding the industrial component and moving the component through the automated apparatus; a cleaning station for cleaning the surfaces of the component; a drying and heating station to dry the surface of the cleaned component and heat the surface of the component to aid in adherence of a silicone elastomeric coating; a coating station to apply a coating of a curable silicone elastomeric composition on the exposed surfaces of the component; and a curing station to accelerate the curing of the silicone elastomeric composition.
2. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the curable silicone elastomeric composition is a one-part room temperature vulcanizable composition.
3. An apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the cleaning station comprises one or more nozzles dispensing steam, hot water or solvent onto the surface of the component.
4. An apparatus according to claim 3 wherein the cleaning station comprises a plurality of nozzles dispensing blasts of hot water onto the surfaces of the component to clean the surface of the component.
5. An apparatus according to claim 4 wherein the drying and heating station comprises a hot air blower blowing hot air over the surface of the component to dry and heat the surface of the component.
6. An apparatus according to claim 5 wherein the coating station comprises a robotic apparatus with a spray nozzle programmed to spray the coating composition onto the exposed surfaces of the component.
7. An apparatus according to claim 6 wherein the curing station comprises a chamber having an atmosphere of 70- 80% relative humidity at about 60° C to accelerate the curing of the curable RTV silicone coating on the surface of the component.
8. An apparatus according to claim 7 wherein the conveying means comprises a rotation means to which is releasably clamped the component to rotate the component as it passes through the stations, the rotation means being attached to a means for moving the rotation means and attached components through the stations .
EP06705223A 2005-02-25 2006-02-27 Title: method and apparatus for automated coating of electrical insulators with a silicone composition Withdrawn EP1853393A4 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US65589305P 2005-02-25 2005-02-25
PCT/CA2006/000268 WO2006089420A2 (en) 2005-02-25 2006-02-27 Title: method and apparatus for automated coating of electrical insulators with a silicone composition

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1853393A2 true EP1853393A2 (en) 2007-11-14
EP1853393A4 EP1853393A4 (en) 2011-01-05

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EP06705223A Withdrawn EP1853393A4 (en) 2005-02-25 2006-02-27 Title: method and apparatus for automated coating of electrical insulators with a silicone composition

Country Status (5)

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EP (1) EP1853393A4 (en)
JP (1) JP4964786B2 (en)
CN (1) CN101340983B (en)
CA (1) CA2537740C (en)
WO (1) WO2006089420A2 (en)

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CN102806173A (en) * 2011-05-30 2012-12-05 张家港市佳龙真空浸漆设备制造厂 Vacuum pressure paint impregnation cluster apparatus having improved leveling device

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CA2537740A1 (en) 2006-08-25
WO2006089420A2 (en) 2006-08-31
WO2006089420A3 (en) 2007-11-08
CN101340983B (en) 2012-03-28
EP1853393A4 (en) 2011-01-05
CA2537740C (en) 2013-05-07
JP2008532216A (en) 2008-08-14
JP4964786B2 (en) 2012-07-04
CN101340983A (en) 2009-01-07

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