Patent GB-1005069-A (GB)
Title: Improvements relating to electrochemical apparatus
Inventor: HYMAN ROBERT ANTHONY
IPC: G01R22/02
Filed: 1962-02-06
Abstract: 1,005,069. Integrating arrangements; selective signalling. STANDARD TELEPHONES & CABLES Ltd. Feb. 1, 1962 [Feb. 6, 1962], No. 4459/62. Headings G4G and G4H. [Also in Division G1] Apparatus capable of integrating the current passing between two electrodes, of storing the result, and of yielding an analogue output, utilizes an electrolytic cell and means for measuring electrically the extent of an electrochemical gas-generating or electro-deposition reaction within the cell. As shown, Fig. 1, input signals are applied between electrodes 5, 6 of an electrolytic cell 1, the electrolyte 4 of which comprises an aqueous solution of a mineral acid, e.g. dilute sulphuric acid. Quantities of hydrogen and oxygen, liberated by electrolysis, form a gas pocket 11 in cell 1, which is connected by a tube 3 to a vessel 2 containing an inert gas 9. A quantity of a conductive liquid 7 of high resistivity, e.g. a 0À1% solution of iodine in chloroform, is interposed in tube 3 between the inert gas 9 and the electrolyte 4, with which liquid 7 is immiscible. The position of the interface 8 between electrolyte 4 and liquid 7 is representative of the integrated current applied to electrodes 5, 6, and is determined by measuring the resistance between electrode 5 and an electrode 10 located in liquid 7. In a modification, Fig. 2, the connecting tube 14 has a constriction 15 in the portion containing the high resistivity liquid 16, and the output resistance is measured between an electrode 22 in liquid 16 and a further electrode 23 located in a quantity of liquid 18 of low resistivity, e.g. electrolyte, interposed between liquid 16 and inert gas 19. This modification is utilized in the circuit of Fig. 3, in which input pulses impressed at X produce at Y output pulses whose duration depends on the charging rate of a capacitor C. Since the resistance between electrodes 22, 23 is included in the charging circuit, the output pulses reflect the cumulative value of the input pulses. The multiple device of Fig. 4, in which three cells; 26, 27, 28 are interconnected by tubes 29, 30, 31 and a junction vessel 32 containing high resistivity liquid 34, is used for combining data from a plurality of sources. In Fig. 5, an aqueous solution 45 of copper sulphate is held in a container whose base comprises a plate 46 of P- type semi-conductor material of high resistivity, having low resistivity N-type regions 47, 48 formed integral with it, and a pair of parallel metal stripes 49a, 49b and 49c, 49d deposited on the surface opposite the resulting PN junctions. Electric pulses applied between a copper anode 50 in the electrolyte 45 and either of the N-type regions 47, 48 causes copper to be deposited in the area of the corresponding pair of metallic stripes, the impedance between which is indicative of the integrated pulses. In a further embodiment, input signals are applied between A1 electrodes in an electrolyte of ammonium borate solution; an anodic oxide film forms on one of the electrodes, the capacitance between the electrodes being measured.