Patent ID: 6692689
Filing Date: 2004-02-17
Classification: B21B,C23C,F16C

Abstract:
A rotatable self-lubricating apparatus supported by a hydrodynamic forced film lubricated bearing apparatus comprising:a roll assembly having a strip-engaging roll and a trunnion; an arm structure; bearing means mounted on the arm structure for supporting the trunnion for rotation about an axis when the trunnion is submerged in a bath of a molten metal, the bearing means including: a stationary first bearing member, and a second bearing member movable with respect to the first bearing member as the roll's trunnion is being rotated, the first bearing member and the second bearing member each being formed of a metal that is resistant to solution in the molten metal; a pumping member suited for disposal in the molten metal and connected to the roll's trunnion for a pumping motion of the molten metal as the roll is being rotated; and a pump housing enclosing the pumping member in a pumping chamber, the pump housing having an inlet opening for receiving molten metal into the pumping chamber as the pumping member is moving in said pumping motion, the pump housing having an outlet means for delivering molten metal at a pressure sufficient to form a hydrodynamic film of the molten metal between the first bearing member and the second bearing member as the roll is being rotated.