Importance

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Abstract

System, apparatus, circuitry and method for improving electrical conductivity of contact between an electrically conductive workpiece and an electrically conductive work carrier while the workpiece is supported on the work carrier prior to moving the workpiece through an electrocoating treatment zone while supported by the work carrier. The workpiece is suspended on the carrier prior to entry into the zone bath, and then carried past a series of electrically conductive wipers during transit on the carrier toward said zone to cause successive contact with each wiper as the workpiece travels thereby. Each wiper is energized with a high voltage from a capacitor discharge power supply prior to contact with said workpiece, and the power supply is discharged from the wiper into said workpiece as a result of contact therebetween during transit of the workpiece past the wiper. This produces a successive series of spark arc discharges across the workpiece-carrier interface prior to entry of the workpiece into the zone for either graphitizing or burning off of any coating material on the work carrier creating a resistive barrier between the workpiece and carrier to thereby improve electrically conductivity therebetween during subjection thereof to the subsequent electrocoating treatment.

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First Claim