US2125037A - Electrolytic apparatus - Google Patents

Description

July 26, 1938.I w. sYKEs ELECTROLYTIC APPARATS Filed June 12, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet l Wm. mm. @mi waff JQN QM NN Y MN5 Q QN @Nl m.. m mm KN m h .01% mm Am, QQ Wk Nm mm NN SNN July 26, 1938. w. sYKEs yELECTROLYTIC APPARATUS Filed June 12, 1935 h2 Sheets-Sheet 2 to the underside of the lplate electrode and in intimate electric-current conducting relation thereto, as by lead-burning a llet represented at 2| to the adjacent surfaces of the lugs and plate, as by means of a. lead welding rod in accordance with the art of welding together lead objects.

The lugs 20 are shown as extending upwardly to substantially the level of the upper surface ofl the electrode and to protect the portions of the leads I9 above the lugs against the action of 'these parts at each zone.

the acidbath, these portions are sheathed in lead as represented at 22, in turn covered by rubber current-insulating sleeves 23. `A llet 24 is preferably provided at the-base of the sheathing 22 which expands the lower end of the sleeve 23. To ensure acid-tight joints between the sleeves 23 and the lugs 20, strips 25 of rubber are wrapped tightly around the sleeves and lugs at the joints between them preferably to cause each strip to extend in superposed layers, the sleeves 23 and the strips 25 being preferably preliminarily coated with rubber cement,

Located in each tank 1 and 8 directly above the electrodes I3-I8, inclusive, respectively, and in flatwise-opposed relation thereto and to the strip 9, is a group of plate electrodes 26-3I, inclusive, which are spaced apart in end-to-end relation, extend lengthwise of the tank, and in operation are immersed in the pickling bath.

Each electrode 26-3I, according to the illustrated embodiment of the invention, comprises a pair of substantially parallel bars 32 as, for example, of copper which extend lengthwise of the tank and are completely sheathed in lead, as for example by casting about them, a lead plate represented at 33 and shown as of general rectangular shape, the lead plate, not being subject to corrosion by the acid of the electrolyte, serving to protect the copper bars 32, from contact with the acid and thus avoid corrosion thereof.

Extending over the bottom surface of the plate 33 is a lead pad 34 sealedto the plate along its marginal edges at the joint between it and the plate as by a continuous lead-burnt joint produced as for example by endlessly grooving these plates at their meeting edges as represented at 35 and burning a lead fillet 36 to the walls of the groove 35 as by the use of a lead welding rod.

At intervals over the area of each upper electrode I provide zones I of reduced resistance to current flow between the plate 33 and pad 34 with the result of causing the current to be distributed to a relatively large number of points in the area of the electrode; these zones being shown as arranged in rows at opposite sides of, and substantially parallel with, the bars 32, the zones of each row being substantially equidistantly spaced apart and spaced a substantially uniform distance from the adjacent longitudinal edges of. the bars 32, sixteen of these zones being provided in the particular construction illustrated.

These zones in the construction shown are produced by a metal-fusing operation producing a bond between the Plate and pad at each zone, resulting in continuous metal contact between The pressing together of the plate and pad may be effected either with or without extra metal such as is supplied when a lead welding rod is used, the construction shown involving the use of such a rod. In this construction openings IOI are provided in the lead plate 33 at thepoints where the zones are to be located and masses |02 of lead are burnt to the walls of the openings IOI and to the upper surfaces of the pad at these openings, as by means of a lead welding rod, thus rendering the metal continuous between the plate and pad at these zones, these masses being shown as filling the openings though this is not necessary.

Rising from each plate electrode 23-3I is a group of rods 31 of current conducting material as for example copper which extend through the plate 33 and screw into the bars 32, the rods for each of these electrodes being arrangedl in rectangular formation, two of each being connected with each bar 32.

'I'he rods 31 of each electrode are electrically connected together in any suitable way to a common lead in any suitable way this lead being, in turn, connected with a suitable source of current supply as hereinafter explained.

The rods 31 not only serve as conductors along which the current passes but also serve as means for supporting the electrodes, preferably in vertically adjustable position especially to the end of permitting these electrodes to be elevated clear of the bath when the apparatus is not in use, as for example, as described for the construction disclosed in my said copending application.

While the provision of the bars 32 and connectors 31 as shown results in a measure of distribution of current in the electrodes it is de- .sirable that such distribution be augmented and this is accomplished by producing the above referred to zones or small areas |03 of reduced resistance to current flow between the plates 33 and 34.

By the provision of the zones referred to the current is substantially uniformly distributed throughout the entire area of the electrode as distinguished from the distribution of the current through only those areas of the electrode which are immediately adjacent the bars 32 and which would occur were the zones not provided.

The rods 31, as in the case of the lead-strips I3, are encased in lead sheathings 39 covered by rubber sleeves 40, both the sheathings and sleeves extending above the level of the bath, the joints between the lower ends of the vsleeves 40 and the electrodes being rendered acid-tight by winding strips o'f rubber about the lower ends of these sleeves and against the bodies of the electrodes as represented at 40a and generally as described of the coverings for the joints between the sleeves 23 and the lugs 20. y

My invention contemplates the use of either direct or alternating current as the means for effecting, in its passage from one set to the other of the vertically spaced electrodes and through the interposed bath and strip 3, the desired electrolytic action for accelerating the action of the bath n the strip and thus greatly reducing4 the time required for effecting the desired pickling of the strip.

inasmuch, however, as itis preferred that alternating current be-used, I have illustrated the invention as embodied in apparatus designed for operation by such current employing a threephase circuit.

Referring .more particularly to Fig. 1 the three line current conductors leading from a suitable generator (not shown) for supplying current to such a circuit are represented at 4I, 42 and 43. T wo single-phase step-down transformers 44 and 45 are employed, the primary windings 43 and 41 of which are connected to the three leads 4I, 42

ductor 4I in. accordance with common practice: The secondary winding 4l of the transformer V-and 43 and with each other by the current con- 'and 28 of tank` 1, by current conductors 63-68,

inclusive.

Likewise the secondary of the transformer 51 is formed of three separate and individual windings 69, 'l0 and 'II connected, respectively, in circuit with the pairs of opposed electrodes I5 and 29; I1 and 30; and I8 and 3l of tank 1, by current conductors l2-11, inclusive.

The secondary winding 18 of transformer 45 is connected, in parallel, with the primary windings 19 and 80 of single-phase transformers vilI and 82, by current conductors 83, 84, 85 and 86, with interposed tap selector switches 81 and 88, as explained of the connections between the secondary 49 and the primary windings 54 and 55.

The secondaries of the transformers 8| and 82 comprise separate and individual windings 89, 98 and 9i; and 92, 93 and 94, respectively, the windings, 89-94, inclusive, being connected, respectively, in circuit withthe pairs of opposed electrodes I3and 26; I4 and 21; I5 and 28; I8 and 29; I1 and 30;and I8 and 3I of tank 8 by current conductors 95-III6, inclusive, respectively.

The three-phase current is thus converted by the transformers 44 and 45 into two-phase current, the strip 9 itself representing the neutral connection of the two-phase secondary, each phase of the two-phase current being connected with the electrodes of a tank so that a substantially balanced load is maintained on the threephase circuit.

By the provision of the secondaries of each transformer 54 and 55 and I9 and 88 of sectional form and the connections between these transformer taps and the various sections of the top and bottom electrodesections all as shown and described, the current flow between all of the opposed electrodes is substantially uniform.

While I have illustrated and described a particular embodiment of my invention, I do not wish to be understood as intending to limit it thereto as the same may be variously modified and altered and the invention embodied in other forms of structure without departing from the spirit of my invention.

In this connection it may be st'ated that the invention is not limited to use in an apparatus wherein spaced apart electrodes separate from .the object to be treated by the electrolytic action,

tively low current conducting material, a bar of relatively high current conducting material for connection with an electric circuit, said bar being enveloped by said body, a pad of current conducting material extending across said body, and means providing continuous metalcontact between the bar and pad at spaced apart zones, the pointsof contact affording zones of reduced resistance to current flow between said bodyand pad.

2. An electrode comprising a body of relatively low current conducting material, a bar of relatively high current conducting material for connection with an electric circuit, said bar being enveloped by said body, and a pad of current conducting material extending across said body, said body and pad being fused together at spaced apart points to ailord spaced apart zones of reduced resistance to current now between said body and pad.

3. An electrode comprising `a body of lead, a bar of relatively high current conducting material for connection with an electric circuit, said bar being enveloped by said body, a pad of lead extending across said body, and means providing continuous metal contact between the bar and pad at spaced apart zones, the points of contact aording zones of reduced resistance to' duced resistance to current iow between said` body and pad.

5. An electrode comprising a plate-like body of relatively low current conducting material, a bar of relatively high current conducting ma# terial for connection with an electric circuit, said bar being enveloped by said body, a pad of current conducting materialextending across said body, and means providing continuous metal contact between the bar and pad at spaced apart zones, the points of contact affording zones of reduced resistance to current now between said body and pad, the pad being oi a thickness relatively small compared with its superficial area.

6. An electrode comprising a body of relatively low current conducting material, a bar of relatively high current conducting material for connection with an electric circuit, said bar being enveloped by said body; conductor means leading to the said bar, a lead coating on said conductor means, a sheathing of insulating material surrounding said coating, a pad of current conduct-v ing material extending across said body, and means providing continuous metal contact between the bar and pad at spaced apart zones, the points of contact aiording zones of reduced resistance to' current ilow between said body and pad.

7. An electrode comprising a body of relatively low current conducting material, spaced apart bars of relatively high current conducting material for connection with an electric circuit, said bars being embedded in said body, -a pad of current conducting material extending across said body, and means providing continuous metal contact between the bars 'and pad-at spaced apart zones, the points of contact affording zones of reduced resistance to current flow between said body and pad.

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