Improvements in and relating to Electroplating Ships, Vats, and other Articles.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 30th May, 1895
Complete Specification Left, 30th Mar., 1896-Accepted, 9th May, 1896
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Electroplating Ships, Vats, and
other Articles.
1, JOHN HENRY Cox Engineer and Electro Metallurgist of 13 Nicholson
Street Greenock in the County of Renfrew North Britain do hereby declare the
nature of this invention to be as follows:-
It relates to the electro deposition of copper and other metal upon large
metallic surfaces such as the hulls of ships, vats, boilers, screw-propellers and
other articles which are too large for immersion in an electroplating bath.
It is especially designed and applicable for electroplating, externally, the
metallic hulls of ships with thick adhesive coats of copper or other metal, for
the purpose chiefly of protecting them against fouling and the corrosive action
of water.
Paint and dirt are cleaned from off ships sides or other surfaces by sand blast
or other means before the process of plating is performed.
In carrying out this invention in the electroplating, externally, of a ship's hull
with copper a sectional bath is formed upon the outside of the vessel by means of
a copper plate or a series of copper plates united together and so shaped as to
form a belt or strap which is fixed temporarily to the vessel and extends down one
side of it, underneath the keel and up the other side to the height required
similarly to a horses belly band.
This copper plate is adjusted at the required distance from the vessel by means
of a flexible or watertight joint along each margin of the said plate.
India rubber cords or other packing is or are used in the formation of these
watertight joints and the enclosed space between the copper plate and the vessel's
side constitutes the bath or chamber for containing the cyanide or other plating
solution: this copper plate is the anode.
A sheet of flannel or other porous material being inserted between the aforesaid
copper plate and ship's side keeps this copper anode and the cathode slightly
apart: this sheet of porous material becomes saturated with the plating solution
with which the bath is subsequently filled.
The bath thus formed is a continuous one of crescent form, extending beneath
the hull of the ship from the water line on one side thereof to the water line on the
other side: so that when it is fully formed the solution which is poured into it on
one side fills the whole bath from one water line to the other.
This bath is made and kept in its place upon the ship's side or hull and its joints
rendered watertight by external pressure derived from marginal iron straps
external to the bath combined with screws stakes wedges or other appliances
suitable for the purpose.
Whilst one bath constructed as aforesaid is in operation for plating purposes,
others similarly made are constructed at intervals upon other parts of the hull
and when these first portions of the ship's hull are covered with electro metallic
deposits and the baths are removed, other baths are constructed so as to enclose
the unplated parts and the process of plating is repeated until the whole of the
hull is covered with an electro metallic deposit.
The complete hull of a vessel is thus covered by these belly band electroplating
baths by applying them first to those portions where the keel is clear of the
supporting blocks and afterwards fixing other blocks under the plated portions

page_text: and removing the original blocks so that other belly band baths may be constructed
upon those parts in line with the original blocks. This method is applicable to
new vessels upon the stocks in the ship-builders yards: also to small and light
vessels wherever they may be fixed.
When a large vessel is dry docked for plating by the method described those
parts of the hull are plated first which are not in line with the immoveable
supporting blocks (which are) fixed to the bed of the dry dock. The vessel is
then (sometimes) moved into another position so that the belly band baths can
be applied in succession to those parts which had first been in line with the fixed
blocks.
The aforesaid sheet of copper constitutes the anode and one wall of the bath :
the side of the ship forms the cathode and another wall of the bath.
When the cyanide or other solution is filled into any of the aforesaid baths a positive
current of electricity from a dynamo or battery is applied to the anode and a negative
current to the cathode (or ship's side) and the process of electro-deposition thus
commenced is continued until a sufficiently thick deposit of copper is obtained
upon the ship's hull.
When it is found inconvenient to refloat or remove a ship in a dry dock as before
described for and before plating the parts which are in line with the fixed blocks
these parts of the hull are covered with half belly band baths extending from the
keel to the waterline.
A further modification of this invention consists in the combination with any of
the aforesaid baths of a heating chamber or hot water jacket formed upon the
outside of the anode. This heating chamber is made with a metal sheet or series
of metal sheets united together and jointed upon the aforesaid copper anode with
rubber or other joints compressed and retained in a watertight state by any of the
well known appliances of a shipyard or dry dock.
This second or outer chamber
is kept filled during the process of plating with either a dry or moist heat:
caloric, steam, or water made hot by the introduction of steain, are made use of
for this purpose.
The application of an intense heat either to the anode or the plating solution
or both throughout the process of plating accellerates the electro deposition of
the metal to an extraordinary degree.
Specially shaped baths to suit portions of the ships hull, keel and propeller or
propeller post are made chiefly with the anode and flexible packing as in the case
of the belly band and half belly band ones previously described. With any of
these baths the heating chamber is combined.
In carrying out this invention in the electro-plating internally of a large vat,
cistern or such like vessel with copper, the anode is made of copper sheets united
together into the belly band form before described so as to fit the interior of the
said vessel in successive sections similarly to the methods of construction described
in connection with the exterior of a ship's hull: sufficient spaces being left between
the anode and cathode (the walls and floor or sides of the vessel) for the circula-
tion of the plating solution, also for a separating sheet of flannel, or porous
substance: these are fixed in. position by any simple contrivances.
An alternative form of construction for an internal bath for the last named
purpose is one wherein the copper anode is made of sheets fitted together with
watertight seams into a form corresponding to but smaller than the interior of the
vessel to be plated so that such vat cistern or trough shaped copper anode may be
suspended or otherwise supported within the said vessel at an equidistance from its
interval walls, sides and floor each intervening space being furnished with a
separating sheet of flannel or porous material and the chamber that is formed
between these face to face plates is filled with the plating solution: the trough
shaped anode being weighted sufficiently by fluid, sand or other material or means
to keep it permanently in position during the process of plating.
By these methods only a comparatively small quantity of plating solution is
required for electro-plating the interior of a large vessel.

page_text: The plating solution used in the baths herein described is either hot or cold as
required. It is sometimes made hot before it is filled into the hath and thereafter
maintained at or near a boiling heat.
Asbestos or other non-conducting substance applied to the outside of the anode
or of the hot jacket retains the heat therein.
Other metals than copper are used in place of copper plates for the aforesaid
anodes when electro deposits of such other metals are desired instead of copper ;
the construction and general operation of the baths so constructed of these other
metals and the process throughout being in all essential respects the same as those
berein described in connection with the copper anodes and in all these latter
instances the process is essentially the same as in the former ones.
The plating solution in any of the baths herein described is raised, when
required, to a boiling heat by means of steam led into the bath or baths from one
or more steam generators. Steam also is led into the outer heating chamber or
water jacket from one or more steam generators.
When the heating chamber described herein is for use with a dry heat caloric is
led into it from one or more heating appliances.
The solution which leaks through any of the bath joints is caught in vessels
placed conveniently for the purpose, and when each section is plated the solution is
drawn off from the bath or baths by means of one or more taps, valves, spigots
or syphoning appliances.
Dated this 29th day of May 1895.
ག
JOSEPH LOCKWOOD,
263 Argyle Street, Glasgow, Agent for the Applicant.
JOSEPH
LOCKWOOD,
263 Argyle Street, Glasgow, Agent for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Electroplating Ships, Vats, and
other Articles.
I, JOHN HENRY Cox Engineer and Electro Metallurgist of 13 Nicholson
Street Greenock in the County of Renfrew North Britain, 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 :-
It relates to the electro deposition of copper and other metals upon large
metallic surfaces such as the hulls of ships vats, boilers, screw propellers and other
articles which are too large for immersion in an electro plating bath.
It is especially designed and applicable for electroplating, externally, the
metallic hulls of ships with thick adhesive coats of copper or other metal, for the
purpose, chiefly, of protecting them against fouling and, the corrosive action of
Paint and dirt are cleaned from off ship sides or other surfaces by sand blast or
other means before the process of plating them is performed.
water.
.
The accompanying drawings will make clear the several particulars of this
invention in which :-
Figure 1 is a view in section shewing the belly-band form of electroplating bath,
herein described, constructed upon a ships hull.
Figure 2 is a view in section shewing the half belly-band forin of electroplating
bath, herein described, constructed upon the side of a ships hull.
Figure 3 is a longitudinal view in elevation of a ship's hull with indications of
a series of the belly-band baths described herein constructed upon it.
Figures 4 and 5 are fragmentary views in elevation of one of the baths shewn
in Fig. 3.
•
Figures 6, 7 and 8 are fragmentary views in section shewing details of the
electroplating baths herein described.

page_text: Figures 9 and 10 are fragmentary views shewing the jacketted bath for electro-
plating purposes as herein described.
Figure 11 is a fragmentary view in perspective shewing details of the appliances
for fixing these baths upon a ships side.
Figure 12 is a fragmentary view in section of a bath with asbestos cover as
herein described.
Figure 13 is a perspective view shewing certain means for fixing the electro-
plating baths, he: ein described, to a ships sides or hull.
Figures 14, 15 and 16 are views in section and perspective shewing certain
modifications of this invention for the purpose of electroplating vats or tanks.
Similar letters of reference and numerals throughout the drawings indicate
corresponding parts.
In carrying out this invention in the electroplating externally of a ship's hull A,
Figs. 3 and 13 with copper, a sectional bath B Figs. 3, 4, 5 and 13 is formed
upon the outside of the vessel by means of a copper plate or a series of copper
plates C united together and so shaped as to form a belt or strap which is fixed
temporarily to the vessel and extends down one side of it, underneath the keel and
up the other side to the height required similarly to a horses belly-band; see B, C,
Figs. 1 and 3.
This copper plate is adjusted at the required distance from the vessel by means
of a flexible or watertight joint D, Figs. 4 and 5 along each margin of the said
plate, right and left.
India rubber cords D, throughout the drawings or other packing is or are used
in the formation of these watertight joints and the enclosed space E between the
copper plates C and the vessel's side A constitutes the chamber for containing the
cyanide or other plating solution: this copper plate is the anode.
The bath thus formed is a continuous one of crescent form, see E Fig. 1,
extending beneath the hull of the ship from the water line on one side thereof to
the water line on the other side: so that when it is fully formed the solution
which is poured into it on one side fills the whole bath from the water line on one
side to that upon the other.
This bath B is made and kept in its plaee upon the ship's side or hull and its
joints rendered watertight by external pressure derived from marginal iron
straps F external to the bath combined with screws f¹ stakes f, wedges f³ or
other appliances suitable for the purpose: these wedges being forced in between B
and the parts F or f' until the rubber joints D are compressed into a watertight
state.
Whilst one bath B, constructed as aforesaid is in operation for plating purposes,
others similarly made are constructed at intervals upon other parts of the hull as
shewn in Fig. 3 and when these first portions of the ship's hull are covered with
electro metallic deposits and the baths are removed, other baths B are constructed
so as to enclose the unplated parts and the process of plating is repeated until
the whole of the hull below the water line is covered with an electro metallic
deposit.
The complete hull of a vessel is thus covered below the water line by these
belly band electroplating baths B by applying them first to those portions where
the keel is clear of the supporting blocks G, Fig. 2 and afterwards fixing other
blocks under the plated portions and removing the original blocks so that other
belly band baths may be constructed upon those parts in line with the original
blocks. This method is applicable to new vessels upon the stocks in the ship-
builders' yards: also to small and light vessels wherever they may be fixed.
When a large vessel is dry docked for plating by the method described those
parts of the hull are plated first which are not in line with the immoveable
supporting blocks (which are) fixed to the bed of the dry dock. The vessel is
then (sometimes) moved into another position so that the belly band baths B can
be applied in succession to those parts which had first been in line with the fixed
blocks.

page_text: The aforesaid sheet B or series of copper sheets C united together constitutes
the anode and one wall of the bath the side or sides A of the ship forms the
cathode and another wall of the bath bordered right and left with fluid
joints D.
When the cyanide or other solution is filled into any of the aforesaid baths a
positive current of electricity from a dynamo or battery is applied to the auode.
and a negative current to the cathode (or ship's side) and the process of electro-
deposition thus commenced is continued until a sufficiently thick deposit of copper
is obtained upon the ship's bull.
When it is found inconvenient to refloat or remove a ship in a dry dock as before
described, for, and before, plating the parts which are in line with the fixed blocks
these parts of the hull are covered with half belly band baths 6' Fig. 2 extending
up each side of the ship from the keel to the waterline but not including the
underside of the keel.
A further modification of this invention consists in the combination with any of
the aforesaid baths of a heating chamber or hot water jacket e¹ Figs. 9 and 10
formed upon the outside of the anode B, C. This heating chamber is made with
a metal sheet c' or series of metal sheets united together similarly to the anode B, C,
and jointed upon the aforesaid copper anode with rubber or other joints d¹ com-
pressed and retained in a water-tight state by any of the before mentioned
appliances or any of the well known appliances of a shipyard or dry dock.
This second or outer chamber is kept filled during the process of plating with
either a dry or moist heat: caloric, steam, or water made hot by the introduction
of steam, are made use of for this purpose. The parts marked e³ indicate pipes for
conveying steam into the chambers E or e¹.
The application of an intense heat either to the anode B, C or the plating
solution or both, throughout the process of plating accellerates the electro-deposition
of the metal to an extraordinary degree.
Specially shaped baths to suit portions of the ships hull, keel and propeller or
propeller post are made chiefly with the anode B, C, and flexible packing D, as in
the case of the belly band and half belly band ones previously described.
With any
of these baths the heating chamber is combined according to the modification
before named.
In carrying out this invention in the electroplating internally of a large vat
cistern or such like vessel, H, Figs. 14 and 15 with copper the anode B, C, is made
of copper sheets united together into the belly band forms before described so as to
fit the interior of the said vessel in successive sections similarly to the methods of
construction described in connection with the exterior of a ships hull sufficient
space being left between the anode and cathode (the walls and floor, or sides, of
the vessel) for the circulation of the plating solution: these are fixed in position
by any simple contrivances such as the stakes f* and wedges f' combined with
metal plates as shewn in the various drawings.
:
An alternative form of construction for an internal bath for the last named
purpose is a copper anode B, C, made of sheets C, fitted together with water-
tight seams into a form corresponding to but smaller than the interior of the vessel
to be plated so that such vat cistern or trough shaped copper anode may be
suspended or otherwise supported within the said vessel at an equidistance from its
internal walls sides and floor, see Fig. 16, each intervening space being furnished,
or otherwise with a separating sheet of flannel or porous material and the chamber
that is thus formed between these face to face plates is filled with the plating
solution the trough shaped anode B, C, Fig. 16 being weighted sufficiently by
fluid, sand, or other material or means to keep it permanently in position during
the process of plating.
By these methods only a comparatively small quantity of plating solution is
required for electroplating the interior of a large vessel.
The plating solution used in the baths herein described is either hot or cold as
required. It is sometimes made hot before it is filled into the bath and thereafter

page_text: maintained at or near a boiling heat by means of steam conveyed through the
pipes into the chambers E or e¹.
Asbestos or other non-conducting substance applied to the outside of the
anode or of the hot jacket retains the heat therein as indicated by c³ Figs. 7
and 12.
Other metals than copper are used in place of copper plates for the aforesaid
anode when electro-deposits of such other metals are desired instead of copper:
the construction and general operation of the baths made of these other metals
and the process of electro-deposition thereof throughout being in all essential
respects the same as those herein described in connection with the copper
anodes B, C, and in all these latter instances the process is essentially the same
as in the foriner ones.
The plating solution in any of the baths herein described is raised, when required,
to a boiling heat by means of steam conveyed into the bath or baths from one or
more steam generators through the pipes e³. Steam also is led into the outer
heating chamber or water jacket in a similar manner from one or more steam
generators.
When the heating chamber el described herein is for use with a dry heat caloric
is led into it from one or more heating appliances through a pipe flue at the base
of the said chamber.
The solution which leaks through any of the bath joints is caught in vessels
placed conveniently for the purpose, and when each section is plated the solution is
drawn off from the bath or baths B by means of one or more taps b¹ Fig. 4, valves,
spigots or syphoning appliances.
The iron or metal straps F are by preference made in segments bolted and held
together temporarily with screws and nuts f', pins and chains J or other means.
The stakes Fig. 13 are also bolted together at f* and bound by chains J. The
wedges Fig. 11 are driven in between the straps F and the plates f until the
pressure produces a fluid-tight joint between the parts A, B, C or A, B, C
and c¹.
When the wood stakes fare used for holding the bath anodes in their places,
blocks and wedges f³ of any required form or dimensions are used to fill in the
varying spaces as shewn in Figs. 1, 13 and 15.
I am aware that previous to my invention sectional baths have been fixed upon
ships sides for electroplating purposes and that hot solutions and steam jets have
been used in the process: it will therefore be understood that I do not claim these
things broadly as my invention.
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 :-
First. In electroplating a ship's hull externally a bath consisting of the
anode B or B, C, fixed upon the cathode or ship's side A and forming a
chamber E by temporary appliances, all substantially as herein described with
reference to the drawings or any mere modification thereof for the purposes
specified.
Second. An electroplating bath consisting of the ships hull A, anode B or B, C,
joints D and cavity E, constructed substantially as herein described with
reference to the drawings or any mere modification thereof for the purposes
specified.
Third. In an electroplating bath the solution chamber E formed by the
cathode A or H and anode B or B, C, with packing D all substantially as
herein described and drawn or any mere modification thereof for the purposes
specified.
Fourth. An electroplating bath of "belly band" form constructed upon a ship's
hull all substantially as herein described with reference to Figs. 1 and 13 of the
drawings or any mere modification thereof for the purposes specified.

page_text: <5
"
Fifth. An electroplating bath of crescent or half belly band form con-
structed upon a ships side all substantially as herein described and drawn with
reference to Figs 2, 7, 8 and 12 of the drawings or any mere modification thereof
for the purposes specified.
Sixth. In an electroplating bath the combination there with of the asbestos or
non-conducting covering all substantially as herein described and drawn or any
mere modification thereof for the purposes specified.
Seventh. In an electroplating bath B or B, C, the combination therewith of the
heating chamber el all substantially as herein described and drawn or any mere
modification thereof for the purposes specified.
Eighth. In an electroplating bath the solution chamber E formed by the
cathode A or H, the anode B or B, C and packing or joints D all substantially
as herein described with reference to the drawings or any mere modification thereof
for the purposes specified.
Ninth. An electroplating bath wherein the plating solution has contact with
only one side of the anode B or B, C in addition to the cathode A or H all
substantially as herein described and drawn or any mere modification thereof for
the purposes specified.
Tenth. In electroplating ships, vats and other large articles the combination of
devices all substantially as herein described and drawn or any mere modification
thereof for the purposes specified.
Eleventh. In electroplating the interior of a vat or other large article an anode
made in the general form of the vat or article to be plated, all substantially as
herein described with reference to Fig. 16 of the drawings or any mere modifi-
cation thereof for the purposes specified.
Twelfth. In electroplating the exterior of a large article a bath shaped anode
made in the general form of the said article substantially as herein described for
the purposes specified.
Dated this 28th day of March 1906
JOSEPH LOCKWOOD,
263 Argyle Street, Glasgow, Agent for the Applicant.