Patent ID: 7217345

Claim:
Apparatus to control perimeter deposition on the edges of the cathodes in an electro-metallurgical bath comprising: a plurality of cathode guidance profiles each having a generally channel shape with an elongated channel opening therein, energizable through electrical conductors inserted lengthwise along the profile, the channel-shaped cathode guidance profiles being arranged vertically in first and second horizontally spaced apart sets, with the profiles of each set being generally parallel to, and spaced from, each other, and the profile channel openings of each set facing in the same direction; a supporting structure built of electrically insulating material, the first and second sets of profiles being mounted to said supporting structure with the profile channel opening of the sets facing each other and being spaced at a distance slightly less than the width of the cathodes and separated laterally from adjacent channels by substantially uniform spaces; a plurality of cathodes each having a perimeter edge and each being positioned between a different opposed pair of profiles of the first and second profile sets, with their respective opposite vertical perimeter edge sections thereof projecting into the channel openings of the opposed profile pair; and a source of unidirectional electrical current connected to the electrical conductors of the profiles to facilitate electro-deposition onto the cathodes inhibiting deposition on the cathode perimeter edges when the cathodes and cathode guidance profiles are in an electro-metallurgical bath.