Patent ID: 7361224

Claim:
Device for the hot dip coating of metal strands ( 1 ), said device comprising a tank ( 3 ) that contains the molten coating metal ( 2 ) and an upstream guide channel ( 4 ) such that a metal strand ( 1 ) can be guided vertically through the guide channel ( 4 ) and the tank ( 3 ) in a direction of movement (x) thereby coating the metal strand ( 1 ), wherein, in the area of the guide channel ( 4 ), an electromagnetic inductor ( 5 ) is installed, which can induce induction currents in the coating metal ( 2 ) for holding back the coating metal ( 2 ) in the tank ( 3 ) by means of an electromagnetic blocking field, wherein the induction currents interact with the electromagnetic blocking field to exert an electromagnetic force, wherein the inductor comprised of inductor coils ( 7 ) and is ( 5 ) is connected to electric supply means ( 6 ) that supplies the inductor with alternating current with a frequency (f) that is less than 500 Hz, such that the supply means ( 6 ) supplies the inductor ( 5 ) with single-phase alternating current, and wherein said device further comprises means ( 8 ) for guiding the metal strand ( 1 ) in the guide channel ( 4 ), which consist of at least two correction coils ( 8 b ) for controlling the position of the metal strand ( 1 ) in the guide channel ( 4 ) in the direction (N) normal to the surface of the metal strand ( 1 ), wherein the correction coils ( 8 b ) are arranged at the same height as the induction coils ( 7 ), as viewed in the direction of movement (X) of the strand ( 1 ).