Systems and methods for preparing and plating of work rolls

Abstract

The present embodiments are directed to systems and methods for plating of work rolls. In one embodiment, a system includes an inner tank having an inner diameter dimensioned to receive a work roll, and an outer tank, wherein the inner tank is disposed coaxially within the outer tank. The inner tank and the outer tank may each include cylindrical shapes. A temperature regulating tank, positioned outside of the outer tank, may be in fluid communication with an annular space between the inner and outer tanks. An exhaust hood having a generally ring-shaped profile including a plurality of slots formed therein may suction fumes from the inner tank. An anode configuration also is disclosed, having a shunt incorporated into the anode, wherein current going to the anode passes through the shunt.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A system for plating of work rolls, the system comprising:
 a tank having a main reservoir dimensioned to receive a work roll; and   a chamber positioned within the tank, wherein introduction of a fluid towards the chamber urges a surplus of a substance within the chamber towards the main reservoir of the tank, and wherein removal of fluid from the chamber allows a portion of the substance within the main reservoir of the tank to fill the chamber, wherein a membrane separates the fluid from the substance.   
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 21 , further comprising an exhaust hood disposed over a perimeter of the tank, the exhaust hood comprises a generally ring-shaped profile having a plurality of slots formed therein to suction fumes from the tank. 
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 21 , further comprising an anode having a shunt incorporated into the anode, wherein current going to the anode passes through the shunt. 
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 23 , wherein the anode comprises an upper region and a lower region, wherein the shunt separates the upper and lower regions of the anode. 
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 21 , further comprising at least one actuator operatively disposed for incremental vertical positioning of a work roll within the tank. 
     
     
         26 . The system of  claim 21 , further comprising at least one actuator operatively disposed for incremental horizontal positioning of a busbar adjacent to a work roll. 
     
     
         27 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the chamber is defined by a partition that is placed in a lower portion of the tank and the membrane is disposed below and across the partition to define a fluid chamber above the membrane and below the partition, and further comprising tubing in fluid communication with the fluid chamber. 
     
     
         28 . The system of  claim 27 , wherein when fluid is urged into the fluid chamber the membrane is urged in a downward direction within the tank. 
     
     
         29 . The system of  claim 28 , further comprising an anode having a shunt incorporated into the anode, wherein current going to the anode passes through the shunt. 
     
     
         30 . The system of  claim 29 , wherein the anode comprises an upper region and a lower region, wherein the shunt separates the upper and lower regions of the anode. 
     
     
         31 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the tank is an inner tank, wherein the system further comprises an outer tank, and wherein the inner tank is disposed coaxially within the outer tank. 
     
     
         32 . The system of  claim 31 , wherein the inner tank and the outer tank comprise cylindrical shapes. 
     
     
         33 . The system of  claim 32 , wherein an annular space is formed between the inner tank and the outer tank, wherein temperature regulating fluid is disposed within the annular space. 
     
     
         34 . The system of  claim 33 , further comprising a temperature regulating tank, positioned outside of the outer tank, which is in fluid communication with the annular space between the inner and outer tanks. 
     
     
         35 . The system of  claim 31 , wherein the inner tank comprises titanium and the outer tank comprises steel. 
     
     
         36 . The system of  claim 31 , further comprising an exhaust hood disposed over a perimeter of the inner tank. 
     
     
         37 . The system of  claim 36 , wherein the exhaust hood comprises a generally ring-shaped profile having a plurality of slots formed therein to suction fumes from the inner tank. 
     
     
         38 . The system of  claim 21 , further comprising a plurality of anodes, wherein each of the plurality of anodes comprises a shunt incorporated into the anode, wherein each of the plurality of anodes further comprises an upper region and a lower region, wherein the shunt separates the upper and lower regions of the anode.