Electrical conductive contact ring for electroplating or electrodeposition

Abstract

A conductive contact ring for an electroplating or electrodeposition process on a cylindrical surface includes a frame defining an opening through which the object can be passed and an array of electrically conductive fibers spanning the opening. The frame is electrically conductive and is connected to a DC power source in the process. Two or more contact rings can be used in a process to provide consistent electrical contact with the surface sliding therethrough. A single contact ring can have first and second groups of filaments spaced from each other along the axial length of the surface.

1 . An electrical contactor for a cylindrical surface, said contactor comprising:
 a frame defining an opening therethrough of sufficient size for the cylindrical surface to be slid through said opening;   a first array of electrically conductive fibers partially spanning said opening; and   a second array of electrically conductive fibers partially spanning said opening and in generally opposed relation to said first array.   
   
   
       2 . The contact ring of  claim 1 , said first and second arrays of fibers substantially filling said opening. 
   
   
       3 . The contact ring of  claim 2 , said first and second arrays comprising a fabric of closely spaced individual threads severed on a diameter of said opening. 
   
   
       4 . The contact ring of  claim 3 , said fabric being sandwiched between adjacent first and second washers in said frame. 
   
   
       5 . The contact ring of  claim 1 , said frame including a cup and washers in said cup securing said first and second arrays of fibers. 
   
   
       6 . The contact ring of  claim 5 , said frame having a bottom and rivets extending through said washers and said bottom. 
   
   
       7 . The contact ring of  claim 5 , said first and second arrays of fibers substantially filling said opening. 
   
   
       8 . The contact ring of  claim 5 , said first and second arrays comprising a fabric of closely spaced individual threads severed on a diameter of said opening. 
   
   
       9 . The contact ring of  claim 1 , including an additional array of fibers in said frame spaced in said opening from said first and second arrays of fibers. 
   
   
       10 . The contact ring of  claim 1 , said fibers being conductive plastic or micro fibers. 
   
   
       11 . A coating process assembly for coating an object having a cylindrical surface, said assembly comprising:
 a bath for a coating solution adapted for said object to pass therethrough;   an electrical contact ring having a frame defining an opening therethrough of sufficient size for the cylindrical surface to be slid through said opening;   a first array of electrically conductive fibers partially spanning said opening;   a second array of electrically conductive fibers partially spanning said opening and in generally opposed relation to said first array; and   an electrical power source connected to said contact ring.   
   
   
       12 . The assembly of  claim 11 , said first and second arrays of filaments substantially filling said opening. 
   
   
       13 . The assembly of  claim 11 , said first and second arrays comprising a fabric of closely spaced individual threads severed on a diameter of said opening. 
   
   
       14 . The assembly of  claim 11 , including an additional array of fibers in said frame spaced in said opening from said first and second arrays of fibers. 
   
   
       15 . The assembly of  claim 11 , said fibers being conductive plastic or micro fibers. 
   
   
       16 . The assembly of  claim 11 , including a second contact ring spaced from said first-mentioned contact ring, said second contact ring including additional fibers thereof in contact with the surface of the object. 
   
   
       17 . The assembly of  claim 16 , said contact rings oriented at about 90-degress rotationally relative to each other. 
   
   
       18 . An electrical contact ring for a cylindrical surface, said contact ring comprising:
 a frame defining an opening therethrough of sufficient size for the cylindrical surface to be slid through said opening;   a plurality of electrically conductive fibers having ends thereof exposed in said opening, said fibers being flexible and pliable for deflection by an object sliding through said opening.   
   
   
       19 . The contact ring of  claim 18 , said fibers being arranged in first and second arrays confronting and separated from each other, said arrays substantially filling said opening. 
   
   
       20 . The contact ring of  claim 19 , including another array of fibers in said frame spaced from said first and second arrays of fibers.