Janet Sage Gregg

US Patent:

58040536, Sep 8, 1998

Filed:

Oct 25, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/738080

Inventors:

Anthony J. Vaccaro - Sugarland TX
Janet S. Gregg - Mentor OH
Daniel W. Gibbons - Mentor OH
James R. Brannan - Perry OH
Gerald R. Pohto - Mentor OH
Jean M. Hinden - Chambesy, CH

Assignee:

ELTECH Systems Corporation - Chardon OH

International Classification:

C25D 706
C25D 554
C25D 1700

US Classification:

205138

Abstract:

A process is disclosed, as well as apparatus useful therefor, for continuously electroplating a strip of reticulated foam using multiple electroplating zones that each contain electroplating bath. In each zone there is a cathode and an anode. In at least one electroplating zone there is an insoluble anode, typically as the sole anode. In some of the electroplating zones soluble anodes may be used. As a first cathode, there can be provided a cathode roll outside of the electroplating bath. The reticulated foam is guided in the bath past the anodes, as well as past cathodes, e. g. , including a cathode roll which may be positioned outside of the bath. The resulting electroplated foam emerging from the bath has an improved electroplate weight distribution and the process achieves enhanced efficiencies and economies of operation.

US Patent:

57389071, Apr 14, 1998

Filed:

Aug 4, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/511270

Inventors:

Anthony J. Vaccaro - Sugar Land TX
Kenneth J. Gregg - Mentor OH
Daniel W. Gibbons - Mentor OH
Janet S. Gregg - Mentor OH
John R. Griesser - Madison OH

Assignee:

Eltech Systems Corporation - Chardon OH

International Classification:

B05D 316

US Classification:

427172

Abstract:

A porous product, typically a metal foam sheet, is produced as a tailored, engineered product. The porous product can have enhanced strength, as well as more desirable electrical and mechanical properties. The product which first exists typically as a flexible, generally polymeric foam sheet in strip form, which strip is produced in the longitudinal direction, is stretched in a direction other than its direction of production. The porous product can have pores which would be anisotropic in form in usual production, which are stretched to at least substantially isotropic form. The product can even be tailored to have pores which are anisotropic in the direction of the stretch. Thus, an engineered product can be produced which, for example, as an open-cell metal foam prepared from a polymeric foam can have conductivity, both thermal and electrical, as well as strength and ductility, tailored for greater uniformity and performance.