Patent GB-853360-A (GB)
Title: Electrolytic cells
IPC: C25B15/04
Filed: 1958-01-31
Abstract: 853,360. Control of several motors. SOLVAY ET CIE. Jan. 31, 1958 [Feb. 9, 1957], No. 3261/58. Class 38 (3). [Also in Group XXXVI] An electrolytic cell having a plurality of anodes and a horizontal flowing mercury cathode has electrically controlled means for moving each anode in turn towards the cathode by a current-conducting supporting rod An for the anode, the rod passing through the cell cover, electrically controlled means responsive to a sudden increase in current passing through the anode as it contacts the surface of the cathode automatically to arrest the movement, and electrically controlled means for withdrawing the anode a predetermined distance from the cathode subsequent to the anode contacting the cathode. The control apparatus comprises a trolley C 1  movable longitudinally of the cell, a trolley C 2  movable transversely of the trolley C 1  on rollers G, six electric motors 1, 5, 7, 12, 30, 34 and two electromagnets 3, 9, actuating fingers 2, 8 for locking the trolleys C 1 , C 2  respectively. The apparatus operates as follows, by means of electric switches and relays actuated automatically by moving parts of the apparatus: Movement of trolley C 2 .-A switch is closed (a) to energize the motor 5 and lower a contact plug 6 into a socket 70 in a copper bar linking the cathode of one cell to the anodes of the next; and (b) to energize the electromagnet 9 to withdraw the finger 8 which energizes the motor 7 to move the trolley C 2  until a shoe 50 actuates a switch on the trolley C 2  to de-energize the electromagnet 9 and release the finger 8, the motor 7 being thereby switched off. Lowering of anode.-Entry of the finger 8 in a socket 10 on the trolley C 1  actuates a switch to energize (a) the motor 12 to initiate the descent of a tube 15 through a pinion 13 and rack 14 to cause a socket 16 to engage a spur 17 on a part P on the cell cover, the rack 14 being so shaped (see Fig. 2) that the tube 15 is rotated to lock with the part P, the rotation switching off the motor 12; and (b) the motor 34 which rotates a screw 35 and thus causes a support 20 to descend to bring a button 27 into contact with rod An, whereupon a part 43 moves upwards relative to the support 20 to disengage a heeled rod 25 from a spur 26 to permit springs 29 to move cones 23, 24 and so close claws 18 about a recess 21 in the rod An. A switch is actuated to slow the motor 34 and hence the speed of descent of the anode. Withdrawal of anode.-The tube 15 is withdrawn on the anodes contacting the mercury by reversal of the motor 34 which is caused by a switch which is actuated by a mechanism dependent on a sudden increase in the current tested by the plug 6. A safety device comprises two normally equally opposed dynamos 39 turning at the same speed as the motor 34. The dynamos are connected to the screw 35, through gears 36, 37, one via a friction coupling 38 which slips under a mechanical load, i.e. if the anode touches the cell base, the voltage difference produced actuating a relay to reverse the motor 34. A device 41 controlled by an endless screw 40 integral with the screw 35 acts to cut off the motor 34 after a predetermined vertical return movement of the screw 35, 40. Simultaneously, the motor 30 is started to lift a screw 32 and thus rods 33 to cause the parts 25, 26 to reengage and the claws 18 to open. At its top position the screw 32 actuates a switch which (a) causes reversal of the motor 30 and hence descent of the screw 32 and re-setting of the device 41; (b) energizes the motor 12 which rotates and then lifts the tube 15 which, on reaching its upper position, switches off the motor 12; and (c) switches on the motor 34 which raises the parts 18 . . . 20 which then switch off the motor 34. The adjustment of one anode is thus completed. The electric circuits continue to control a sequence of operations in which each anode in turn is adjusted until all in one row have been dealt with, when the plug 6 is automatically lifted, the trolley C 2  returned to its original position on the trolley C 1 , and the trolley C 1  moved to the next row of anodes, where the sequence of events described above takes place. The apparatus is switched off by the trolley C 1  on arrival at the end of the cell. Specification 599,968 is referred to.