Improvements in Electro-deposition Apparatus.
Year: 1897

page_text: Improvements in Electro-deposition Apparatus.
I, ALBERT FREDERICK HARRIS, of South Street, Walsall, in the County of
Stafford, Plater, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to improvements in apparatus for electro-deposition.
and more particularly intended for small articles, and consists as follows:-
I use a revolving or it may be an oscillating drum-like cage which may be
raised or lowered into or from the electrolytic bath. This cage has open ends
through which certain parts as later described may pass, that is, I have no central
spindle to such drum or cage. This cage may be variously shaped and con-
structed, but preferably I make it having a surface of a series of corrugations.
These corrugations may be of any desired sectional shape. To each end of this
drum is provided a ring, which said rings form the bearings to carry the drum.
This drum is supported from a framework by means of extending arm-like
supports, (say four in number more or less) having at their ends grooved rollers
in which the rings ride. These arms may be removed one or all so that the cage
may be changed when desirable. This framework as a whole may be raised and
lowered so as to immerse or remove the drum from the bath. The revolving
or oscillating of the drum may be effected in any convenient manner as for in-
stance I may provide a wheel upon one or both ends which shall gear by worm
gearing or otherwise with a driving shaft carried upon the frame, or worked by
chain and tooth gear wheels &c.
Reverting to the cagelike drum:--I may make it of any suitable material
(probably of metal with an enamel coating) within it I carry at the upper part
one or more anodes which are passed thereinto through its open ends. Also at
its lower part I similarly carry a number of cathode ribs or plates, which in the
case of a corrugated drum preferably lie in the troughs of the corrugations.
Transversely to the barrel these ribs may be variously modified in shape, but
follow somewhat the contour of the drum, except at their ends where they are
so arranged as to prevent, on the one hand any clogging of articles between them
and the interior of the cage, and on the other hand, so shaped that the work is
gently thrown over so as to afford a thorough distribution or separation. In
some instances I may carry longitudinal rods or connectors (say five) equidistant
around the exterior of the drum (or even in the interior). To these rods, and
inside the drum, lying somewhat in the troughs of the corrugations are connected
the transverse ribs, which are carried segmentally to within a short distance
of each other, that is, leaving a non-conductive break between them, which may
be filled up level with a non-conducting substance. To each of these rods is
now connected the leads from a revolving commutator which is carried at a higher
level and makes the same number of revolutions as the drum. These leads are
of a spiral or other flexible character in order to provide compensation of move-
ment due to the two levels of motion. Upon the interior of the cage, and suit-

page_text: ably related to the ribs are upstanding pegs which under the motion of the drum
aid in carrying forward the articles in a parallel proximity to the cathode ribs,
until they reach such a height as to fall over into the bottom of the drum.
The method of carrying or revolving the cage may be varied as for instance
it may be carried in slings, at each end engaged in grooved pulleys or their
equivalents. Such slings may in some cases form the driving mediums.
As before intimated I carry one or more anodes within the drum, such being
as near as convenient of a curved shaped to present as near as may be a parallel
surface to the work in hand.
Other anodes are hung in the bath at any desirable points, and preferably also
curved to the contour of drum for the same purpose.
Dated this 26th day of October 1897.
CHARLES T. POWELL,
Applicant's Agent.
I, ALBERT FREDERICK HARRIS, of South Street, Walsall, in the County of
Stafford, Plater, 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:-
This invention relates to improvements in apparatus for electro-deposition and
more particularly intended for small articles, and consists as follows:-
-
In order to more clearly explain this my invention I have appended hereunto
illustrative drawings upon which are figures and numbers of reference, and in
which:
.
Fig. 1, is a general front view of this my invention shown partly in section.
Fig. 2, is an end view of the invention as shown in Fig. 1, on line A-B.
Fig. 3, is an enlarged cross sectional view of the cage.
Fig. 3, is a sectional view in detail of the commutator used in this my
invention.
Fig. 4, is a front view of my invention showing modifications in detail.
Fig. 5, is an end sectional view of the invention on line C-D Fig. 4.
Fig. 6, is an end sectional view of the cage on line E-F Fig. 4.
Figs. 7 and 8, show a modified construction of cage in which my improved
arrangement of carrying cathode may be adopted..
'I will first describe my invention as shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3.
9, is the bath. 10 is the revolving cage, in the ends of which I secure a remov-
able piece 11, having in its centre a hole 12, so that such piece may be readily
removed for facilitating the insertion of anodes &c. when required, and thereby
providing what may practically be termed an axleless revolving cage.
1.1
The body surface of this cage is made with corrugations or grooves 13, with
a large number of perforations 14, around it so that the solution may find ready
flow therein. These corrugations. may, of course be varied in shape. At each
end of the cage is secured the ring 15, which form the bearings to carry the cage
by reason of their resting in the rollers 16, which latter are carried upon arms 17,
which are adjustably and removably carried from the frame 18. This frame and
the cage may be lifted as a whole from the bath, and by the removal of the
arms 17, the cage may be removed from the frame. The revolving of the cage
may be effected by means of the chain wheel 19, and chain-20, driven by wheels 21,

page_text: upon a revolving overhead shaft 22., Such driving mechanism is shown; at one
end only" but where permissible it may be used at both ends if desired.
I of
The cage itself may be of any suitable non-conductive material. I find
vulcanite with an enamel coating to answer very well. Within the cage I now
carry the anode 23, by securing it to the bar 24, which latter is carried by the
depending arm 25, which is rigidly fastened to the frame 18. Thus the anode is
supported from the stationary frame but carried within the cage. It will be
readily seen that the bar 24 (or more than one) may be made to carry more than
one anode if desired. 40, is the circuit wire to the anode. The cathodes 26, con-
sist of strips lying in the hollow of the corrugations and secured by the pins 27
(see enlarged view Fig. 3). The inner ends 27", of these pins serve further not
only as a part of the cathode but also as a projection which as the cage revolves,
shall facilitate the shaking up or disturbing of the work which is being plated.
These cathodes are electrically connected to each other by means of the longi-
tudinal bars 28, which continue from end to end of the cage. At the one end
circuit wires 29, are attached (see Fig. 1) to the bars 28, which are carried to
the commutator 30, over the wooden collar 31. 32, is the brush, transferring the
current from the wire 33, to the commutator. It will be seen that the wires in
passing over the collar 31, are carried to the diametrically opposite side of the
commutator, for this reason. The wires 29, which for the time being are at, the
lower part of the bath communicate with the upper side of the commutator where
the brush 32, is placed. The plates upon the commutator severally agreeing
with the wires 29, are insulated from each other so that no current is passing to
such wires 29, that occupy the upper part of the cage. The commutator 30, is
revolved at the same (revolution) speed as the cage, by means of wheel 34, chain 35,
and wheel 36, upon shaft 22, and the wires 29, are sufficient in length to allow of
their reaching the lowest part required in their revolution.
:
The space at 37, between the cathodes may with advantage be filled up level
with a nonconducting substance.
Referring to Figs. 4, 5 and 6, it will be seen that the cage may be built up
of wires interlaced longitudinally and crosswise. Such wires may be of metal
coated with india-rubber or other insulating material, or they may be of other
suitable substance. The cage is carried as before upon rollers 16, from frame 18,
and driven by bands 20" upon pulleys 19". It will be seen that the rollers 16,
in this case are not absolutely necessary, inasmuch as the cage may simply hang
in the two bands 19, which would serve as slings. The addition of the rollers
however is better as they steady the cage and. carry the weight. As before
described the anode 23, is carried within the cage and similarly from the bar 24,
which however in this case is supported at each end by depending arms 25ª. I
also connect to the arms 25", a second bar 38, from which I carry the cathode 26",
one of which may lie in each of the grooves formed by the corrugations in the
cage. The rear part 39, of these cathodes may be insulated by a suitable cover-
ing. The forward end of these cathodes are carried as high as the articles to be
plated are likely to be carried before they roll back to the bottom of the cage,
and it is shaped to taper inwardly so that should any articles fall below it, at
the bottom, there shall be no tendency for them to wedge themselves tight as they
pass along, but rather the reverse. In this case it will be further noticed that
both the circuit wires 33 and 40 may in this case be connected directly to the
anode and cathode.
It
In Figs. 7 and 8, I have shown how the cage may be built up of chain like
links 41, connected together by rods 28%, and with intervening projections 27b.
Such links are preferably of vulcanite or the like non-conductive material.
will be readily seen that the projections 27b, serve as cathodes, similar to those
at 27, shown in Fig. 3, while the rods 28, also serve as electrical connectors
similar to those at 28, in Figs. 1 and 3. Any suitable door 42, hinged or other-
wise as most convenient may be adopted.
Such parts which are metallic and in circuit but which are not required for
anode or cathode purpose, may be covered with rubber or enamelled or otherwise

page_text: protected from deposition. Other anodes may be hung in the bath at any desir-
able points, which may be also curved somewhat to the contour of the cage.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this my
said invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that
what I claim is:-
1. In electro plating apparatus the carrying or supporting of a horizontally
revolving cage or drum upon rollers such as 16, carried from a fixed frame 18,
substantially as set forth and shown.
2. In electro-plating apparatus the carrying and revolving of a cage or drum
in bands or slings 20, upon pulleys 19, substantially as set forth.
3. In electro-plating apparatus the use and employment of a corrugated sur-
face upon the cage or drum substantially as set forth and shown.
4. The combination with an open ended cage or drum of the stationary inner
anode 23, and the stationary. cathodes 26", carried from frame 18, substantially
as set forth and shown.
5. The combination with the cage or drum of an electro-plating apparatus
having an anode and its necessary electrical connections, of the segmental
cathodes 26, with connection bars 28, wires 29, and commutator 30, all substan-
tially as set forth and shown.
6. The combination with the bars 28, of the inward cathode projections 27,
with or without the cathodes 26, substantially as set forth and shown.
7. The method of connecting the cathodes in the constantly changing lower
part of the cage to the upper part of the commutator by means of the collar 31,
having the wires crossed over it as described and shown, and for the purposes
specified.
8. In electro-plating apparatus the employment of a cage or drum 10, supported
upon circumferential bearings or supports with open ends 12, substantially as
shown and described.
9. The combination and use of the cathode projections 27, and rods 28", with
a cage built up of links such as 41, substantially as set forth and shown in Figs. 7
and 8.
,
1 1000
CHARLES T. POWELL,
Applicant's Agent, 12, Cherry Street, Birmingham.