Patent GB-190522630-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in Apparatus for Detinning and Utilizing Tin Plate Scrap, Old Tinned Articles and other like Waste Materials.
Inventor: MILLWARD JOHN
Filed: 1905-11-06
Granted: 1906-05-17
Abstract: 22,630. Millward, J., and Tillson, W. E. Nov. 6. Cells and receptacles; electrodes; removing metal by.- Relates to apparatus for use in recovering tin from scrap, old tinned articles, and like waste materials by an electrolytic process. The scrap &c. is placed in cages D, Fig. 1, which are suspended by rotating spindles F from carriers G mounted on a gantry arranged over the vats A, between which is arranged a washing tank or tanks B. Above the vats &c. is the working stage K, provided with openings through which the cages pass as required, the openings being fitted with rolling platforms k. The spindle F works in bearings g<2>, Fig. 4, in the carrier G, and runs loose in a worm-wheel f, the upper end of the spindle having a clutch f<1> adapted to engage with a similar clutch on the wormwheel when the spindle is in its lowest position. The wormwheel is operated by a worm h on the shaft J, which runs through the bracket g<4> on the carrier G, the worm having a fixed key which slides in a groove in the shaft. The shaft is provided preferably with belt reversing-gear so that the cage may be rotated in either direction at will. On the underside of the carrier are brackets 0 provided with bearings o through which runs the slow-moving shaft J<1>, on which is slidingly mounted a spur pinion o' which operates a spur-wheel o<2> connected with a winding- barrel o<3>. Steel wire or other ropes or chains attached to the drum are also attached to a gimbal piece o<6>, which bears under a fast collar o' on the spindle F. The shaft J<1> is operated from one end by worm gearing, which may be driven from the shaft J or direct from the engine or motor, reversing-gear preferably being provided. The cages D, Fig. 3, may be circular in cross-section, and are preferably built up of wrought-iron rods held together by rings d, or of horizontal rings fastened to four uprights secured to the frame rings. Pivots d<1> on the middle ring are mounted in slings e carried by a yoke E. which is securely connected to the spindle F. When the cage is desired to have a compound rotation, a grid-like top d', Fig. 4, is provided. On the side of the yoke is mounted a spindle Q carrying a worm q<1> which gears with a worm-wheel d<4> on an extension of one of the pivots. A sprocket-wheel q<2> at the top of the spindle Q engages with a ring of pins q' on the top of the vat when the cage is lowered into the latter, so that, as the cage rotates horizontally, it also receives a vertical rotation. A dummy sprocketwheel and spindle on the other side keep the cage even. The carrier may be traversed by means of a chain-wheel fixed to an extension of one of the spindles of the rollers upon which the carrier is mounted, or devices operated from the shaft J may be employed. The electric fittings to the vats may be arranged in any usual manner. For the cages, the main from the dynamo is connected with the metallic bearings of the gantry, the current passing through the carrier, spindle, and yoke to the cage. When a non-conductiug yoke is used, a metallic ring is mounted on the top of the latter, and current is conveyed to the ring by a trolly arm and pulley, the ring being wired to the slings. The cathodes in the vats are secured by wooden pieces to prevent swaying by the swish of the liquid in the vats. The vats are provided with sluices for running off thick deposits, and may be arranged in a straight line or in a circle. To prepare old tin cans and soldered stuff for the process, the cages when charged may be passed into stoves sufficiently hot to melt the solder, which falls into a receptacle on a truck beneath the cage. After the scrap &c. has been treated in the vat, it is discharged over a shoot or into trucks.