An Improved Electrolytic Apparatus for Forming Copper Ingots.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 23rd July, 1890-Accepted, 6th Sept., 1890
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Electrolytic Apparatus for Forming Copper Ingots.
1, MOSES GERRISH FARMER, of Eliot in the County of York and State of Maine
United States of America Electrical Engineer 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 is an improvement in electrolytic apparatus for the deposition of
copper ingots from copper matte or impure copper, and comprises one or more
stationary anodes and a revolving cathode of approximately cylindrical form.
The improvements which form the subject of this invention reside in the following
features:
In lieu of using a cathode with a true cylindrical surface, I form the said cathode
with a polygonal depositing-surface and employ insulating-divisions between the
several facets, so that square ingots of copper will be formed thereon. I also provide
for the deposition of connecting-bands between the several ingots, whereby they are
held together and to the surface of the cathode. I further provide for an intermittent
movement of rotation of the cathode, employing for this purpose an electro-magnetic
step-by-step device for imparting such movement to the cathode.
In the accompanying drawings I have illustrated the essential details of the
construction of my improved apparatus.
Figure 1 is a vertical cross-section of the complete apparatus.
Fig. 2 is a detached view of one of the insulated divisions above referred to.
Fig. 3 is a central longitudinal section of the cathode.
Fig. 4 is a longitudinal section of the apparatus.
A is the tank or vat, such as is commonly used in apparatus of this kind.
JJ are the anodes of impure copper, preferably bent to conform generally to the
shape of the cathode.
These anodes I sometimes support upon blocks B B, which are of insulating
material and serve to fill up the spaces in the tank A.
Above the surface of the solution is mounted a roller D and upon this is supported the
cathode. This cathode is generally cylindrical in shape, and is cast or otherwise
built up of an alloy of lead and antimony. The interior surface of this cylinder or
hoop, which rests upon the roller D, is trued by turning to a smooth cylindrical face.
The exterior surface of the hoop is polygonal in shape and may have any desired
number of facets. Along the angles or divisions between the several facets of the
exterior surface grooves e are formed, into which strips of wood or other insulating
material F are inserted when the device is to be used. The copper will be deposited
upon this cathode C in the form of independent ingots approximately square; but in
order to avoid the liability of any of the ingots stripping off from the cathode 1 form
notches cc at the ends of the strips F, and generally a central notch d, so that when
the strips F are inserted in the grooves in the cathode C the connection between the
metallic surfaces of the several facets of the polygonal cathode will be connected by
the metal under the notches in the strips F. The ingots deposited on the cathode will
therefore be connected by strips or bands of copper deposited under or through the
notches c d. The ingots may readily be separated by cutting these strips.
If desired, the grooves e may only extend along such portions of the cathode as it
is desired to insulate, as indicated in Fig. 3. The portions of the cathode which are
not to receive a metallic deposit are coated with insulating material, as is usually done.
In order to include the cathode in the circuit, one of its ends may be left bare, and a
brush or strip N, forming one terminal of the generator-circuit, caused to bear
thereon. The other wires of the circuit P P are connected to the anodes. I prefer
to impart to this cathode a slow intermittent movement, for which purpose I secure
I Price 6d l

page_text: to the axle of the roller G a ratchet-wheel E. In connection with this wheel
I employ a pivoted armature H, having a retractile spring L and carrying a pivoted
pawl, G, that engages with the teeth of the ratchet. This armature I move by an
electro-magnet M, the circuit of which may be closed at desired intervals by hand or
by any well-known form of automatic circuit-closer.
By this apparatus I am enabled to produce economically and easily pure copper
ingots of better shape for transportation and commercial uses than in the ordinary
way, and by adapting the construction of cathodes herein described to the revolving
form of cathode I secure all the advantages of the latter.
It will be understood that the surfaces of the cathode which are not designed to
receive a deposit are insulated in the usual manner.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed 1 declare that what I
claim is :-
--
1. In an electrolytic apparatus, the combination, with the anodes supported in a
solution in a tank or vat, of a revolving cathode mounted in said solution, the
exterior surface of said cathode being polygonal or made up of a number of plain
facets.
2. The combination, with the anodes, of a hollow cathode-hoop having a cylindrical
interior and polygonal exterior surface, a roller above the solution upon which the
cathode is hung, and means for turning the roller, as set forth.
3 The combination, with a cathole having a polygonal exterior surface and
provided with insulating divisions at the angles of said surface, of means for
supporting the cathode in the solution, and an electro-magnetic step-by-stop motor
for imparting motion to the cathode through its supports, as set forth.
4. The combination, with a cathode having a polygonal exterior or depositing surface,
of insulating-strips fitted into grooves formed along the angles of the said surface and
separating the plane faces of the cathode, as set forth.
5. The combination, with a cathode having a polygonal exterior or depositing
surface, of insulating-strips fitted into grooves along the angles of said surface and
formed with notches exposing for deposition portions of the cathode between the
several faces, as described.
6. The combination, with a hollow cathode having a cylindrical inner and polygonal
outer surface, of insulating-strips formed with notches and fitted into grooves in the
outer surface of cathode and dividing said surface into separate depositing-surfaces,
as set forth.
.
Dated this 23-d day of Inl 1800
F. W. BARKER,
Applicant's Agent.