Method and device for continuously producing glass-sheathed metal wires by supplying metal particles

Abstract

The method allows the continuous, very regular production of glass-coated metal wire on the basis of the TAYLOR-ULITOVSKY principle. The feeding of the molten bath ( 12 ) by the guide tube ( 45 ) is made by means of a regulated dispensing system ( 40 ) allowing the very regular, precise adding of metal particles at a rate corresponding to the rate of wire drawing without disturbing the molten metal bath ( 14 ). The system is advantageously completed with a vacuum system ( 38 ), a pyrometer ( 30 ), a magnet ( 47 ), an automatic travel system ( 25 ) for the glass tube ( 20 ), a spooling system ( 11 ) and a water spray ( 34 ). Application to the manufacture of metal wire and in particular to glass-coated ferromagnetic wire.

1 . Method for the continuous, stable production of glass-coated metal wire ( 10 ), consisting of: 
 adding metal to a glass tube ( 20 ) inside which a tube ( 45 ) to feed metal is positioned and is fixed with respect to the glass tube ( 20 ) which is mobile, whose outer diameter is smaller than the inner diameter of the glass tube ( 20 ) and is fully inert against a molten metal bath ( 14 ) for which it is intended to be used and does not soften at the working temperature, intended to receive the metal required for fabricating a glass-coated metal wire ( 10 ), its lower end lying at a short determined distance from the molten metal bath ( 14 );    heating the metal to melting point inside the glass tube ( 20 ), in its lower part, for the purpose of creating the molten metal bath ( 14 ) in the lower part of the glass tube ( 20 ) to soften it and allow the continuous feeding of metal, so that the size of the molten metal bath ( 14 ) remains substantially constant during drawing of the wire ( 10 ); and    continuously drawing the assembly formed of the molten metal surrounded by glass derived from the lower part of the glass tube ( 20 ), while gradually lowering the glass tube ( 20 ) as and when it is consumed by drawing the coated wire obtained,    characterized in that, during the continuous wire production, it consists of feeding the molten metal bath with metal continuously and regularly by means of a regulated, metal particles dispensing system and via the tube intended for metal feeding which is a guide tube ( 15 ) for the particles towards the molten metal bath ( 14 ).    
   
   
       2 . Device for the continuous, stable production of glass-coated metal wire ( 10 ) chiefly comprising: 
 a glass tube ( 20 ) sealed at its base, of determined diameter containing a molten metal bath ( 14 );    a tube intended to feed metal placed in the glass tube ( 20 ), whose outer diameter is smaller than the inner diameter of the glass tube ( 20 ) and which does not soften at the melting temperature of the metal to be melted, this tube having a lower end placed close to the lower part of the glass tube ( 20 );    heating means ( 23 ) to melt the metal mass ( 12 ) placed in the glass tube ( 20 ) and to maintain a molten metal bath ( 14 ) in the liquid state, softening a lower part of the glass tube ( 20 ); and    means for moving the glass tube ( 20 ) to lower it gradually as and when it is consumed by drawing of the wire ( 10 );    characterized in that it comprises a regulated dispensing system ( 40 , 50 , 60 ) of metal particles to feed the molten metal bath ( 14 ) continuously and regularly, the tube intended to feed the metal is a guide tube ( 45 ) for the particles towards the molten metal bath ( 14 ).    
   
   
       3 . Device according to  claim 2 , characterized in that it is completed by: 
 a water spray ( 34 ) placed underneath the heating means ( 23 );    a spooling system ( 11 ) to wind the manufactured wire ( 10 );    vacuum means ( 38 ) to regulate the flow of metal; and    means for controlling the temperature of the molten bath ( 14 ), in the form of a pyrometer ( 30 ).    
   
   
       4 . Device according to  claim 2 , characterized in that the regulated dispensing system uses a metering unit with rotating spindle ( 50 ).  
   
   
       5 . Device according to  claim 2 , characterized in that the regulated dispensing system uses an automatic strip cutter ( 60 ).  
   
   
       6 . Device according to  claim 2 , characterized in that the regulated dispensing system uses a worm screw metering unit.  
   
   
       7 . Device according to  claim 2 , characterized in that the regulated dispensing system uses a vibratory metering unit.  
   
   
       8 . Device according to  claim 2 , characterized in that the regulated dispensing system uses a notched belt metering unit.