Improvements in and Apparatus for the Manufacture of Wire:
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 1st Dec., 1890
Complete Specification Left, 1st Oct., 1891-Accepted, 28th Nov., 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and Apparatus for the Manufacture of Wire:
I, JOSEPH WILSON SWAN of Lauriston, Bromley in the County of Kent
Gentleman do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The object of my invention is to simplify and render more efficient the means of
producing wire by direct electrolytic deposition.
My improved process consists in repeatedly and alternately electro coating and
drawing through a draw plate or through draw plates a foundation wire, so as to
produce elongation of the wire to any desired extent. The following apparatus is
suitable for carrying out my invention. A trough or tank containing the metallic
solution from which the metal is to be deposited. This 1 preferably make of
considerable length and divide into three compartments. The middle one and
longest being that in which the electrolytic action takes place. Rollers for gripping
and drawing the wire are placed in the end compartments and also drums for
winding up the wire as it accumulates. I may operate with only one stretch of
wire traversing the electrolytic portion of the tank or I may extend the wire from
end to end of this compartment backwards and forwards many times in which case
each stretch of the wire is wrapped round a threaded or grooved drum placed at
each end of the middle or electrolytic compartment of the tank.
By these means several stretches of wire may be kept taut separated from each
other by equal spaces and capable of being carried by the action of the rollers and
winding drums in the end compartments at any required speed from one of the end
winding drums through the electrolytic compartment into the opposite end
compartment and around the winding drum in that compartment. The several
rollers and drums are so geared together and to a motor that this action may be
reversed and repeated as often as desired. Between the middle and end compart-
ments I fix either at one or both ends a draw plate with a hole the size of the wire
to be produced and preferably made in sapphire or diamond and I pass the wire
through the draw plates to and from the electrolytic cell into the end compartments
where it is drawn through or around the drawing rollers and wound around the
winding drum. The mechanical arrangements described having been made and the
foundation wire of sufficient length to allow of the winding out of the electrolytic
cell the entire length contained in it at one time, having been placed in position
with at least one half of the foundation wire round one of the end drums, and the
other half stretched in the electrolytic cell, and thence through the draw-plate to
the drawing and winding rollers in the opposite end compartment it only remains
to make the following electrical arrangement to complete the apparatus and prepare
it for action. The trough or tank is filled in all three compartments with a suitable
solution of the metal to be deposited-for example, if the wire to be produced be
copper wire, I charge the tanks with any of the solutions of copper well known in
electrotyping operations to be capable of yielding a ductile deposit of copper-I
place anodes of copper in proximity to the wire in the electrolytic cell, and so as
nearly as convenient to surround it, and these anodes I connect with the positive
oxydising pole of a generator of electric current of suitable power. The other pole
I connect by means of rubbing contacts with the foundation wire, and preferably at
more than one part of the wire; and by these means I transmit such a current of
electricity through the metallic solution contained in the electrolytic cell, as to
cause the wire in the middle compartment to receive a ductile deposit of copper,
and while this depositing action is taking place, I actuate by a motor and suitable
gearing, the drums and rollers around which the wire is stretched and wound, so as
to draw the thickened wire through the draw-plate and when the whole length has
or

page_text: been made to traverse the electrolytic bath in one direction, I reverse the gearing,
and cause it to be drawn through in the opposite direction, and this I continue, until
by the elongation consequent on the repeated drawing down of the thickened wire,
the required amount is produced. In this operation I am careful to so regulate the
rate of deposit to the rate of transit through the electrolytic bath, as not to cause
undue stress on the wire in its passage through the draw plate or draw plates. It
is obvious that if the process be long continued the original or foundation wire will
become a core attenuated to an inconsiderable quantity.
Dated this 1st day of December 1890.
J. H. JOHNSON & Co.,
47, Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, W.C., Agents.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and Apparatus for the Manufacture of Wire.
I JOSEPH WILSON SWAN, of Lauriston, Bromley, in the County of Kent,
Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner
the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and
by the following statement:-
The object of my invention is to simplify and render more efficient, the means of
producing wire by direct electrolytic deposition.
My improved process consists in repeatedly, and alternately, electro-coating and
drawing a foundation wire or foundation wires to and fro through a die or draw-
plate or dies or draw plates provided with a hole or holes of the size which the
finished wire is to have, so as to produce elongation of the wire or wires to any
desired extent as metal is deposited thereon.
I will describe with reference to the accompanying drawings apparatus suitable
for carrying out my invention but I do not restrict myself to the precise construction
and arrangement of the parts shewn and described, as it will be evident that
variations may be made therein without departing from the nature of my invention.
Figure 1 is a side elevation and Fig. 2 is a plan of an apparatus constructed
according to my invention operated by electro motors. Figure 3 is a side elevation
and Figure 4 is a plan of one end of the apparatus drawn to a larger scale and
Figures 5 and 6 are respectively a longitudinal section and a transverse section of
the same.
Figures 7 and 8 are respectively a side elevation and a plan illustrating
mechanical means for reversing the direction of the traverse of the wire through
the apparatus.
The apparatus is represented as being used for treating six wires simultaneously
but any other number of wires may be acted on at the same time by providing a
corresponding number of dies or draw plates and auxiliary apparatus.
The several wires are maintained apart by the dies or draw plates which have
draw holes corresponding in size to the size of the finished wire required and they
are preferably made in sapphire. A is the trough or tank containing the metallic
solution from which the metal is to be deposited. This trough is carried on
supports B and is preferably made of considerable length to permit of long lengths
of wire being subjected at one time to the electrolytic action. At each end of the
trough A is a tank (C C') which tanks may contain a solution like, or similar to,
that contained in the trough. Fitted to rotate in each of the tanks C C¹ is a
roller (DD) round which the wires are wound so as to obtain a grip on the wires
to draw them through the dies or draw plates as hereinafter described. At opposite
ends of the apparatus winding drums E E' are provided the said drums rotating in
tanks E2 containing water or other suitable liquid for washing the wire on the
drums. The drums are rotated at the required speed, from the axles of the
rollers D D by cords I I¹ so as to take up the wire as it is produced.
The
drums E E' should run with sufficient friction to prevent the wire from sagging.

page_text: Each foundation wire on which the operation is to be commenced should be (in
the arrangement shewn) in length equal to at least four times the length of the
trough A and can be conveniently arranged in position by passing one end of the
wire through the die or draw plate at one end of the trough and temporarily
attaching the end to the roller D or D' at that end say for example the roller D'
This roller is then rotated until a length of the wire at least equal to the length of
the trough is wound thereon and then the end of the wire is detached from the
roller D. The roller is then further rotated so as to wind more of the wire thereon
and at the same time unwind the same quantity from the roller so as to admit of
the end which was attached to the roller being attached to the winding drum E' at
this end of the trough. The rotation of the roller D' and the drum E' are then
continued so as to wind the wire onto the drum E' until the opposite end of the
wire is drawn into the trough which end is then passed through the die or draw
plate Fat the opposite end of the trough and temporarily attached to the roller D.
This roller is then rotated so as to draw the wire from the roller D' and wind a
length of the wire at least equal to the length of the trough onto the roller D.
The end of the wire is then detached from the roller D and this roller farther
rotated to permit of the said end being attached to the drum E. The quantity of
each foundation wire on each of the rollers D D¹ and the drum E' should be at
least equal to the length of the trough A so as to permit of the length of wire
contained in the trough being drawn onto the roller D and an equal length to be
drawn from the roller D' into the trough whilst that which was on the roller D will
be wound onto the drum E always keeping on each of the rollers D D' a length of
wire at least equal to the length of the trough.
i
The trough A and tanks C C' are charged with a suitable solution of the metal
to be deposited. For example if copper wire is to be produced the trough A and
tanks CC are charged with any of the solutions of copper well known in electro-
typing operations as yielding a ductile deposit of copper. In proximity to the
wires in the trough A which wires constitute the cathode I arrange anode plates
of copper supported by conducting bars H. The bars H extend up the sides and
over the edge of the trough A and make contact with a conducting bar L secured
along the exterior of the side of the trough, which bar L is connected by wires a
with the positive or oxidising pole of a generator of electricity of suitable power.
make
The other pole of the generator I connect by wires b to another bar M and
electrical connection between this bar M and the wires G, in the trough, by wire
brushes N, or the like, passing through glass tubes c or the like, supported in
insulating material d arranged at suitable intervals along the top of the trough A.
The wire brushes N are in contact with the wires G at several parts as shewn, so
that by this means a current of electricity is transmitted through the metallic
solution contained in the trough A to cause the wires G therein to receive a deposit
of copper. I have shewn the brushes as being situated between partitions provided
with slots or openings for the passage of the wire as thereby objectionable deposit
of copper on the brushes themselves is prevented. While the deposition of the
copper is taking place the rollers D D¹ and drums E E' may be rotated by any
suitable means such for example by electric motors e e¹ as shown, which transmit
motion through gearing as hereinafter described to the rollers D D' alternately so
as to draw the wire (as it is thickened by the electro deposition) to and fro through
While the
the holes in the dies or draw plates For F onto the winding drums.
wire is being drawn from the trough by one of the rollers D or D' wire is at the
same time being drawn from the other roller into the trough to receive a deposit
thereon of the copper, and when the length of thickened wire has been drawn from
the trough through the draw plates at one end of the trough, the mechanism which
gives motion to the draw roller at that end, is thrown out of action and the
mechanism for driving the roller at the opposite end of the trough is brought into
action whereupon the wire will be drawn in the reverse direction. The wire is thus
traversed to and fro through the solution contained in the trough and through the

page_text: draw plates or dies at the opposite ends of the trough, alternately and this process
is continued until by the repeated increments to the length of the wire consequent
on the repeated drawing down of the wire during deposition the required length is
produced.
The drawing rollers D D¹ may be alternately thrown into and out of action
automatically by mechanical means as hereinafter described, or electrically as
shown in Figures 1 to 4 by means of a switch or switches operated at the termina-
tion of each traverse through the trough of a length of wire equal to the length of
the trough, so as to make and break contacts which will cause the electric motors e e¹
to be alternately placed in and out of the main by which the current is supplied to
the said motors. I have shown each of the rollers D D¹ as being rotated by means
of a strap passing round pulleys f and g carried respectively on the axle of the
corresponding motor and on a shaft or spindle h (shown clearly in Figures 3 and 4)
carrying a worm which gears with a worm wheel mounted on the axle of the
roller D, but if desired the axle of the motor may be connected directly to the
spindle by any suitable coupling device.
The wheel carries a pawl m which is maintained by a spring n in gear with a
ratchet wheel o fast on the axle of the roller D so that when the wheel is rotated
it imparts through the pawl m and ratchet wheel o rotation to the roller D.
The
Mounted, so as to be capable of turning, on a stud p on the wheel is a notched or
star wheel 9. which at the completion of each revolution of the wheel is caused to
make a partial rotation to the extent of one tooth by reason of one of the teeth on
the wheel 9 coming into contact with a stationary projection or pawl r.
number of teeth on the wheel g will depend upon the length of the trough A and
the diameter of the roller D and should be such that when the roller D has made a
sufficient number of revolutions to draw lengths of wire through the draw plate
equal to or rather more than the length of the trough, the wheel will have been
turned on its stud by the pawl's one complete revolution. " is a detent to prevent
the wheel g from rotating when not acted upon by the pawl r.
At each complete rotation of the wheel q à pin s thereon comes into contact with
the tail t of the pawl m so as to disengage the pawl from the ratchet wheel o thereby
leaving the roller free to turn in the reverse direction by the pull of the wire when
being wound onto the roller at the opposite end of the trough.
At the same time that or immediately after, the pawl m is disengaged from the
wheel o a contact piece u on the wheel q comes into contact with a plate v, thereby,
in combination with a plate w in contact with the wheel l, closing a circuit through
a switch which will cause the motor which is in operation to be cut out of the
supply main and the other motor at the opposite end of the trough to be placed in
the said main and thereby reverse the direction of motion of the wire. This
reversing is continued until by the elongation consequent on the intermittent
deposition and repeated drawing of the wire to and fro through the dies or draw
plates F F sufficient wire of the thickness corresponding to the size of the holes in
the draw plates is produced. In the mechanical arrangement illustrated in
Figures 7 and 8 for automatically reversing the direction of motion of the wire a
counter shaft P is mounted in suitable bearings which shaft may be driven from
any suitable prime mover by a strap passing round the pulley Q. The shaft P
carries fast and loose pulleys R R and S S₁ round which pass straps T T which.
also pass round the pulleys g₁ on the spindles h¹ carrying the worms k k¹ which
drive the wheels as hereinbefore described. Each star wheel (9 9¹) carries a
projections which at each complete revolution of the wheel g comes into contact
with one arm of a lever U₁ centred to the frame of the apparatus. The other arm
of this lever is connected by a rod u¹ to one arm of a bell crank lever U connected
to a bar P2 mounted so as to slide longitudinally in supports V. This bar carries
strap forks W W engaging the straps T T and is moved longitudinally alternately
in opposite directions by the levers U U¹ at opposite ends of the trough acted on by
the projections S S' so that the straps T and T' are alternately shifted from their

page_text: fast pulleys onto the loose pulleys whereby the rollers D D are alternately started
and stopped so as to cause the wire to be traversed to and fro through the metallic
solution and draw plates or dies as hereinbefore described.
Although I have particularly referred to copper as the metal deposited yet it is
to be understood that the invention is applicable to the making of wires from other
metal which can be deposited and drawn as described.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is :-
1st. The manufacture of wire by repeatedly, and alternately, electro-coating, and
drawing to and fro through a die or draw plate or dies or draw plates having a hole
or holes therein of the size which the finished wire is to have, until by the elongation
consequent on the repeated and alternate deposition and drawing as described the
required length of wire is produced.
2nd. The combination of parts constituting apparatus for the manufacture of
wire by alternately electro-coating and drawing to and fro through dies or draw
plates having holes therein of the size which the finished wire is to have substantially
as hereinbefore described and illustrated by accompanying drawings.
3rd. In apparatus for the manufacture of wire by repeated and alternate deposition
and drawing to and fro through dies or draw plates, the combination of a trough
containing the metallic solution from which the metal is deposited dies or draw
plates having therein holes of the size which the finished wire is to have and
drawing rollers arranged at opposite ends of the trough, and means for automatically
operating the drawing rollers so as to draw the wire to and fro through the metallic
solution and the said dies or draw plates substantially as hereinbefore described with
reference to the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 1st day of October 1891.
J. H. JOHNSON & Co.,
Agents.