CA2041927C - Cathode stripping apparatus - Google Patents
Cathode stripping apparatusInfo
- Publication number
- CA2041927C CA2041927C CA002041927A CA2041927A CA2041927C CA 2041927 C CA2041927 C CA 2041927C CA 002041927 A CA002041927 A CA 002041927A CA 2041927 A CA2041927 A CA 2041927A CA 2041927 C CA2041927 C CA 2041927C
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- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- sheets
- cathode
- station
- cathodes
- electrodeposited
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Lifetime
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- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02P—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN THE PRODUCTION OR PROCESSING OF GOODS
- Y02P10/00—Technologies related to metal processing
- Y02P10/20—Recycling
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for stripping electrodeposited metal sheets from permanent cathodes comprising a rotating carousel for receiving and sequentially advancing suspended permanent cathodes having electrodeposited metal sheets to a plurality of stations about the carousel including a loading station, a hammering station for loosening the upper edges of the metal sheets from the cathodes, an opening station for stripping of the metal sheets from the cathodes, a discharge station for discharge of pairs of metal sheets, and an unloading station for removal of stripped cathodes.
The pairs of stripped metal sheets preferably are bottom discharged to a vertical envelope which is rotated to a horizontal position for removal of the metal sheets.
Also, preferably, every second set of a pair of metal sheets is corrugated and alternate sets of planar and corrugated metal sheets are stacked to a predetermined height and bundled to form a novel bundle of metal sheets most suitable for melting.
The pairs of stripped metal sheets preferably are bottom discharged to a vertical envelope which is rotated to a horizontal position for removal of the metal sheets.
Also, preferably, every second set of a pair of metal sheets is corrugated and alternate sets of planar and corrugated metal sheets are stacked to a predetermined height and bundled to form a novel bundle of metal sheets most suitable for melting.
Description
CATHODE STRIPPING APPARATUS
The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for stripping electrodeposited metal sheets from cathodes, and is particularly directed to a method and apparatus for stripping electrodeposited copper sheets from stainless steel cathodes.
The stripping of electrodeposited metal sheets such as zinc or copper metal sheets from cathodes by means o of mechanical stripping apparatus is well known. U.S.
Patent 4,039,418 granted August 2, 1977 discloses an apparatus for peeling electrodeposited metal plate from a cathode including a hammering apparatus, peeling apparatus and transfer means wherein sensing and control means are provided to remove cathodes having electrodeposited metal plates remaining thereon.
U.S. Patent 3,953,312 issued April 27, 1976 discloses an apparatus for peeling electrodeposited metal plate from a cathode by giving a mechanical impact to the upper edge of the electrodeposited metal plate to form a fine void, jetting a low pressure fluid into the fine void to separate the upper edges of the electrodeposited metal plate from the cathode, and then inserting a wedge to peel the electrodeposited metal plate from the cathode.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a stripping method and apparatus for stripping electrodeposited metal sheets from a cathode in a positive manner within a relatively small operating area, using a rotating carousel for that purpose.
SUMMARY OF THE lNv~l.~ION
The present invention is directed to the stripping of electrodeposited metal sheets from cathodes and, although the description will proceed with reference 0 to the stripping of electrodeposited copper sheet or plate from stainless steel cathodes, it will be understood that this description is exemplary only and that the method and apparatus of the invention may also have utility in the stripping and separation of electrodeposited zinc sheets from aluminum cathodes, of nickel and cobalt sheets from cathodes and generally of electrodeposited metal sheets from permanent cathodes.
The method of the present invention relates to the stripping of electrodeposited sheets from cathodes having a hanger bar for vertical support of the cathodes on the periphery of a carousel apparatus mounted for rotation through 360~past a plurality of stations located about the periphery of the carousel and comprises the steps of feeding said cathodes sequentially at a loading station onto the carousel, rotating the carousel to transfer a cathode from the loading station to a hammering station 2~927 for loosening of upper edges of the electrodeposited sheets from the cathode, rotating the carousel to transfer said cathode to an opening station for stripping of the electrodeposited sheets from the cathode, rotating the carousel to transfer the cathode to a discharge station for discharging the stripped sheets, and rotating the carousel to transfer the stripped cathodes to an unloading station for removal of said stripped cathodes The upper edges of the electrodeposited sheets are ]~ loosened at the hammering station by clamping the upper end of the cathode and by striking the electrodeposited sheets on the cathode in a random pattern in proximity to their upper edges from opposite sides of the cathode Gaps are formed between the upper edge~ of the electrodeposited sheets and the cathode at the opsning station by fl-xing a central portion of the cathode lat-rally in a first dir-ction to create a gap between an upper edg~ oi an electrodepo-ited sheot and the cathode and in~-rting at least one finger in said gap, and flexing th cathod- laterally in the opposite direction to create a g~p ~t _- th- upper edge of th- other electrodeposited sheQt and the cathode and inserting at least one finger in said gap, and retracting said finger~ from the cathGde to strip tha el-ctrodeposited sheets from the cathode If, at thi~ ~tage, the separation of the sheet~ from the cathode is not complete, it can be completed at another cathode is not complete, it can be completed at another full-opening, station by feeding each of the partially stripped sheets between a pair of stripping fingers which engage the upper edges of the sheets and, upon retraction from the cathode, fully strip the sheets from the cathodes. Furthermore, completion of stripping may be ensured for thin sheets by providing a separation station after the opening or full-opening station wherein the upper end of the cathode is secured and a pair of opposed o stripping knives are lowered between the sheets and the cathode to complete stripping from the cathode. It was found, however, that in most cases the full-opening station and the additional separation station are not required as the complete stripping operation is usually readily performed at the opening station.
A passive guide extending to the next station may be interposed between the electrodeposited sheets and the cathode to prevent the sheets from returning to rest against the cathode if they were only partially stripped, and a second passive guide extending to the next station is positioned exterior to the electrodeposited sheets to restrain the said sheets from excess lateral movement when the sheets are completely freed from the cathode.
The apparatus of the invention for stripping electrodeposited metal sheets from cathodes comprises, in combination, a carousel mounted for rotation through 360~
having means for supporting and sequentially advancing cathodes to a plurality of stations located about the periphery of the carousel. The stations will normally include a loading station for receiving cathode plates having electrodeposited sheets thereon, a hammering station for loosening the upper edges of the said metallic sheets from the cathodes, an opening station for gripping the loosened upper edges of the said metallic sheets and forming a gap between the said loosened upper edges and o cathodes as well as inserting retractable fingers in said gaps and stripping of the metallic sheets from the cathodes by retracting said fingers, a discharge station for discharge of pairs of metallic sheets, and an unloading station for removal of stripped cathodes.
The carousel is multi-sided and the means on the carousel for supporting the cathodes each comprises a pair of downwardly extending side arms spaced apart to receive a cathode therebetween secured to the carousel at each of the sides, a hanger bracket secured to each side arm in proximity to its upper end for supporting the hanger bar of a cathode, a V-support having an apex secured at opposite ends to the lower ends of the pair of side arms below the bottom of a cathode, and means for opening the V-support. Each of the hanger brackets is L-shaped and has a slight recess formed in a lower horizontal portion of the L to receive the cathode hanger therein.
Each V-support comprises a pair of spaced-apart, parallel rods rotatably mounted in the lower ends of the pair of side arms, and a pair of opposed plates, one of which i~ secured to one of each of said rods, to define a V-shape therebetween in a closed position, and means to rota e said bars and the plates secured thereto to separate said plates into an open position The hammering station comprises a pair of opposed, reciprocally mounted carriages, each having a plurality of air hammers, one on each side of the cathode, adapted to be extended towards and retracted away from the cathode whereby the air hammers strike th- elQctrodeposited sheets in a random pattern in proximity to upper edges of said sheets for loosening of said upper edges The carriages 1~ carry upper g~pGL~ means which rigidly abut the cathode abov- th- el-ct~ posited sh~ets and low-r support means whlch rigidly grip the elect~ o~ited sheets below the air hammer~
Th- 5~ ~ ~ ng station comprise~ a pair of opposed, r-ciprocally mounted carriages on each side of the cathode each having an upper clamp for abutting the cathode above th- upper edg- of the electrodepo~ited sheat and a lower clamp for abutting the electrodeposit-d sheet in proximity to its low~r edge, a central push bar having a 2e piston-cylinder assembly operatively connected thereto for ~nd~endrnt actuation and at least one downwardly depending ~inger pivotally mountod at the top o~ the carriage, whereby the cathode can be rigidly clamped between the upper clamp~ and the electrodepo~ited sheets in proxlmity to their lower ends clamped by the lower cla~p~ upon extenslon of the carriages toward~ each other The cathode i~ flexed in a fir~t direction by extending a ~irst push bar to ~orm a gap between the upper edge of the electrodeposited sheet and the cathode on the opposite sidQ o~ the cathode and insertlon Or at least one ~inger into said gap, and then ~lexed in the opposite direction by retracting th- ~irst push bar and ex*en~tng the second push bar to form a gap betwe-n the upper edge of the electrodeposited sh--t and th- cathod- on the other side o~ th- cathod- with ins-rtion of at least one ~inger into 1~ said gap Th- s-cond push bar and th- carriage~ are retract-d so that th- fing-r~ ln~-rt-d b-tw-en elD_t~&~ oit d ~h--tJ and th- cathod- will at least partially and u-ually compl-t-ly ~trip the el~o~ it d ~h--t~ from the cathode An ~longat-d arcuat- pa~-iv- guid- may bo mounted to ~xt-nd ~ro~ th- oF~nir1 station to th- next ~tatlon b-tw -n ~a¢h o~ th- upp-r edg-~ o~ th- ~l-ctrodeposited she-t~ and th- cathode to p~a~ ~ said upp-r edges from r-turning to r-~t aga~n4t th- cathode if they are only partially ~tripp-d Al~o, an elongat-d arcuat- passive guid- i4 mount-d to extend b-tween the openin~ station and the next station to support the electrodeposited sheets in the event the sheets are completely freed from the cathodes, as is commonly the case.
An optional, full-opening station comprises a pair of opposed, reciprocally mounted carriages on each side of the cathode each having a pair of downwardly depending, spaced-apart fingers for receiving and engaging a partially-stripped upper edge of an electrodeposited sheet therebetween, and means for retracting said o carriages with depending fingers for stripping of the electrodeposited sheets from the cathode if they have not been completely stripped in the opening station.
A separation station may also be located between the full-opening station and the discharge station to ensure completion of stripping of electrodeposited metal sheets from the cathodes prior to discharge. The separation station comprises means for securing the upper end of the cathode and a pair of opposed stripping knives, one on each side of the cathode, for completion of stripping of electrodeposited sheets from the cathode by lowering the knives between the electrodeposited sheets and the cathode. Such station will be required only on rare occasions and normally it is unnecessary.
The discharge station is a bottom discharge station having an envelope for receiving pairs of vertically-disposed metallic sheets, for rotating said pairs of vertical metallic sheets to a horizontal position, and for discharglng said pairs of metallic sheets horizontally from the carousel More particularly, the discharge station comprises an envelope positioned below the cathode for receiving the pair o~ stripped electrodeposited sheots, means for pushing the sheets into looso vertical abutment alignment against the cathode, and means for actuating the opening means for the V-support whereby the electrodeposited sheets drop by gravity into the envelope, means for rotating the env-lope into a substantially horizontal position, and e~ection means rOr di~ch~rge o~ the sub~tantially horizontal stripp-d sh-ets from the envelope A corrugating pr-ss pref-rably is provided for corrugating alternato pairs o~ strippod metal sheets and a stack-r i- provld-d ~or g~ac~ng sald palrs o~ metallic she-t~ ln alt-rnating pairs of planar and corrugated metal sh--t~ to a ~ t-rminod h-ight, and bundling said st~ck d ~h--ta into a bundle Po~ D~a~~~ O~ Qr TP~ g~
An ~mbodlm~nt of tho apparatu~ of the invention will now b- d-scrib-d with re~erenc- to th- accompany$ng drawinga, in which Figur~ a plan viow o~ th- carousel apparatus of the inv-ntion showing tho cathode ~e-d system and ~charge sy~tom - lO - 2041 921 Figure 2 is a perspective view of the frame of the carousel apparatus;
Figure 3 is a plan view of the carousel apparatus shown in Figure 2 illustrating the drive mechanism;
Figure 4 is a side elevation, partly cut away, of the carousel assembly shown in Figure 3;
Figure 5 is an enlarged plan view, partly cut away, of the drive mechanism of the invention showing partial rotation thereof by ghost lines;
Figure 6 is a perspective view of the drive mechanism shown in Figure 5;
Figure 7 is a perspective view of a cathode hanger assembly showing a cathode with metallic sheet deposited thereon in ghost lines;
Figure 8 is an end elevation of a cathode in an operative position at a hammering station;
Figure 9 (located on the same sheet as Figure 7) is a perspective view illustrating the operation of opposed hammers at the hammering station depicted in Figure 8;
Figure 10 is an end elevation of a cathode in its operative position at the opening station;
Figure 11 is an enlarged end elevation of a cathode at the opening station;
Figure 12 is an end elevation of an upper portion of a cathode at the opening station illustrated in Figures and 11 showing the interaction of grippers with the upper edges of the metallic sheets;
Figure 13 is an end elevation of a cathode at an optional additional full-opening station depicted in Figure 1 showing the partially separated metallic strips preparatory to stripping by peeling from the cathode when required;
Figure 14 is an end elevation of a cathode showing the pair of metallic strips fully detached from o the cathodei Figure 15 is an end elevation of the lower portion of a cathode having the metallic sheets pivoted into abutment with the cathode preparatory to bottom discharge into the sheet rotator for substantially horizontal discharge;
Figure 16 is an enlarged end elevation of a cathode with metallic sheets pivoted thereagainst, as shown in Figure 15, indicating opening of the bottom V-support by ghost lines;
Figures 17 is an end elevation, partly cut away, of a portion of a stack of alternate corrugated and uncorrugated pairs of metallic sheets, with strapping; and Figure 18 is a side elevation of an optional separation station.
2 ~
~Y~.~n D~CRIP~lON or ~w~ pP~DU~ nnT~T
With re~erence to Figure 1 of the drawings, the apparatus ~or stripping metal sheets from cathodes generally comprises a multi-sided carousel 10 having, in the ~ nt illustrated, 12 sides, rotated about central support shaft 12 to convey cathodes having electrodepo~ited metal sheet~ on opposite sides thereof in a clockwise direction as viewed in Figure 1 sequentially past a number of station locations The stations in this particular ~ '-'1 a~t include loading station 14, 1~ hammering station 16, 3~n~ng station 18, full-opening station 20, separation station 22, ~l~charge station 24, in ~ ion station 25, cathod- eYrhA-J~ station 26 and cathod- unloading station 28 A load of cathode~ bearing electrodeposited metal shoet~, aft-r ~ ~t~g, i~ load-d onto a carrier car 30 mount-d for r-ciprocal trav-l on th- top rails 32 of a tranJpOrt-r fram- for tran~portation of the bundle to rotating and low-ring tran-~-r a~--mbly 34 The bundle of cathod-~, uJually cont~ning 44 cathod-s, is rotated t~roug~ about 30 by rotating and lowering assembly 34 onto chain con~yor dopict6d by numeral 36 A complete bundl- of cathod-~ i~ depo-it-d on chain conveyor 36 which advanc-J th- bundl- toward- loading ~tation 14 An overh-ad w~l~tng b-am 38 pick- up a cathod- for advancement onto a fixed beam with repeat of this motion 2 ~
untll the cathode ig trang~erred onto the hanger of the carousel at loading gtation 14 for 9equential advancement through each station for eventual di~charge of stripped sheets from discharge station 24 and removal of stripped 5 cathodes at cathode unloading station 28 With particular reference now to Figures 2-6, the carousel 10 comprises a support frame 50 having rigid ~teel structural corner post-~ 52, diagonal reinforcing gussets 54 bolted or welded to lateral beams 56, and longitudinal b-ams 58 Rectangular transverse beams 60, shown mo~t clearly in Figures 3 and 4, support drive assembly 62 Upright central shatt 70 is mounted at its lower end on ba~- 72 having a bearing, not shown, for rotation thereon and is ~upported at its upper end by bearing 74 mount-d in housing 76 supported by transverse beam- 60 Radial b-~nJ 78 ~ at th-ir inner ends to collar 80, whlch in turn is secur-d to a column 82 forming part o~ ~hatt 70, ar- ~upported by diagonal struts 84 extt '1n~ ~,t/ -~ the bas- o~ collar 80 and an int-rm-diat- point on radial beam~ 78 Peripheral beams 86 int-,~orn~ t th- outer ends ot b-ams 78 to define a sid- ot th- multi-sid-d carous-l and ~upport an equal numb-r Or cathod- hang-rs 88, thre- o~ which are shown in Figur- 2 ~il 927 Each cathode hanger 88, details for which are shown in Figure 7, comprises downwardly extendi~g side-arms 90 rigidly interconnected to beams 86 by plates 92 welded thereto An L-shaped hanger bracket 94 welded to the inner side of each of arms 90 is adapted to receive hanger bar 96 secured to the top edge of cathode 98, shown by ghost lines Cathode 98 and its construction are disclosed in detail in applicant's U S Patent No 4,882,027 A pair of spaced apart transverse rods 100 are mounted for rotation in bushings 102 rigidly secured to the underside of arms 90 to carry V-support 104 Each V-support 104 comprises a pair of opposgd upper plates 106 rigidly interconnected to their Les~e~Live transverse rods 100 by spaced apart plates 108, for reasons which will hac~ - appar-nt as the description p~ e'~
It will be obs-rv-d that the conterminous bottom edge~ 110 of cathod- 98 and metallic sheets 112, 114 are po-ition-d a ~hort distance above V-support 104 The carousel 10 is driven in a clockwise direction, a~ viewed in Figures 5 and 6 of the drawings, by a Geneva-type,~r'-Y~n1 drive ~ ly 62 which comprises an hydraulic motor 120 driving via a counter-clockwise rotating shaft 132 a torgue arm drive 122 having a pair of downwardly exts~n~ roller subshafts 124, 126, engaging into radial slots 128 formed in the Geneva drive wheel 2~1927 130, a shown most clearly by t~le ghost lineg in Figure s The Genova drive wheel 130 has twelve radial slots 128 spaced 30 apart, onQ for each of the twelve station locations, to permlt accurate inexing of a cathode hanger on tho carousel into each station At the time when both rollers 124, 126 are in contact with consecutive slots, tho wheel 130 and consequently the entire carousel as~ 'ly, are stationary At these junctures, the cathode hangers are correctly po~itioned within a station and the driv~ 120 ig stoppQd for a predeteL ~ne~ period of time to allow the desired functionJ to occur at the plurality of stations !~'r~T~ 8~ 0~1 Cathod-- 98 having mQtallic sh-ets 112, 114 are tran~-rr-d ~-gu-ntially onto a cathod- hanger assembly 8 8 at loading ~tation 14 Hang-r bar 96 is supported at each end in hang-r brack-t- 94 with bottom edg-- 110 suspended abov- V ~uyyG~ 104 Th- tran~-r of a cathode 98 onto hang-r b~ S~lt~ pr-r-rably is compl-ted in about 2 5 ~ within a minimum cycl- tim- at each station of about 4 5 ~ , thu~ allowing about 2 0 secon~ for tran~-r to and ~n~ ng o~ the cathod- hanger and cathode at th- n-xt station Cathod- 98 is th-n advanced to hamm-ring station 16 by rotation Or drive assembly 62 for b~ ng th- adh-~ion of the upp-r edg-J of th- deposited metal she-t~ to th- cathod-THE HAMMERING STATION
Turning now to figures 8 and 9, hammering station 16 comprises a pair of opposed, reciprocally mounted carriages 150, 152 mounted on frame 153 adapted to be extended towards and retracted away from cathode 98 such that opposed air hammers 154, 156 supported thereby will, upon actuation, strike metallic sheets 112, 114 on cathode 98 in proximity to the upper edges 158, 160 of the sheets.
Upper pair of opposed clamps 162, 163 mounted on vertical o support members 166, 167 carried by carriages 150, 152, about the upper end of cathode 98 during the hammering operation while the lower pair of opposed clamps 164, 165 grip the lower portions of sheets 112, 114 therebetween to ensure the metallic sheets are not prematurely dislodged from the cathode. In the preferred operation, the striking surfaces of the hammers are composed of steel and the hammers are driven by a common air-cylinder such that their striking action follows a random pattern.
THE OPENING STATION
The hammering operation normally releases the upper edges 158, 160 of the metallic sheets from cathode 98 whereby flexing of the cathode, shown in Figures 10-12, at CA 0204l927 l997-09-03 the opening station 18 frees one upper edge 160 and then the second upper edge 158 from cathode g8. With particular reference to Figure 10, the opening station 18 comprises a pair of opposed carriages 168, 169 each mounted for reciprocal travel towards each other and away from each other on guide frame 170 by the actuation of piston-cylinder assemblies 171 mounted on frame 173. The right hand portion of the figure shows polyurethane-covered upper clamp 172 adapted to rigidly engage the o upper portion of cathode 98 above the upper edges 158, 160 of the metallic sheets and lower steel clamps 174 adapted to engage the lower extremity of cathode 98 and metal sheets 112, 114 immediately above V-support 104. Piston cylinder assembly 176, carried by carriage 168, unit 164 permits initial extension of central push bar 180 to the position depicted in Figure 10, and by ghost lines in Figure 11, thereby bending the cathode to separate loosened upper edge 160 from cathode 98. The deflection of cathode 98 opens the upper edge 160 from cathode 98 a sufficient distance to allow the insertion of finger 182 on the side opposite to bar 180 into the said opening by actuation of piston-cylinder 184.
Piston-cylinder assembly 176 is then retracted and the procedure repeated on the opposite side of cathode 98 by actuating an opposite piston-cylinder assembly, not shown, to deSect cathode 98 in the opposite direction for separation o~ the loosened upper edge 158 from cathode 98 to ~reate an opening into which finger 183 is inserted in like mannor, as illustrated in Figure 12 Upon completion of the inQertion of the fingers 182, 183 into the gaps between upper edgea 158, 160 and cathode 98, the fingers 182, 183 are retracted with carriages 168, 169 sequentially or simultaneously to at least partially and usually fully strip the metallic sheets from the 1~ cathode such that upper edges 158, 160 are bent outwardly Or arcuate passlve guides 192 which extend to the next stat~on to engag- and p~.ve t said uppor edges 158, 160 from returning to rest against cathode 98 during rotation and in~y~ng of the carou el to the next station Arcuate passiv- gulde~ 190, one of which is shown, extend to the next ~tation on each ~id- of th- cathodo 98 to support the m-tallic ~h--t~, a~ shown by gho~t lines in Figure 10, in the ev-nt a ~h--t i~ compl-tely freed from the cathode as iJ noroally th- ca~-_~5~Q~r~ o~ 8~IO~
Turnlng now to Figuro~ 13 and 14, in case of partial stripping only, th- cathod- with partially opened metallic sheot~ i~ n-xt po~itioned at station 20 wher- a pair of oppos~ r-ciprocating carriageQ mounted on opposite side of th- cathod- are normally in an at-rest position with stripping fingera 200, 202 in po~ition to receive the 2~f~ 27 metallic sheet~ therebetween from the opening station The fingers 200, 202 of each pair are supported a spaced distance apart on carriages 204 which are reciprocally mounted on frame 206 to peel the metallic shQets from the S cathode upon retraction of the eaid fingers 200, 202 Inner finger 202, upon complete retraction of carriage 204 as shown by ghost lines in Figuro 14, is withdrawn sufficiently to allow metallic sheets 112, 114 to drop against the passive guide rail-~ 210 which extend in an arc to the ~-qchArge station The lower end~ of metallic sheets 112, 114 normally have bQs - dotached from cathode 98 and drop onto th- V-support 104, th- angle sub-tended between plate~ 106 being about the same as the angle asaumQd b~6-- the metallic sheets ~ully opened OPT~ONrT 9~Y~lO~ 8T'~10~
Separation statlon 22, which may be located after full o,~ ~nq ~tation 20, may b- us-d ~or stripping of relatlv-ly ~l-xlble ~lectrodeposit-d shoet~ such as thin ~a~ sh--t- or zinc sheets which do not have the stl~n-s- o~ normal thickn-ss copp-r she-ts The ~-parating m chanism at ~tation 22 comprises frame 191 and carriag-e 193, 194 reciprocally mount-d thereon for extension toward- and retraction ~rom cathode 98 by actuation of pi~ton-cylinder a~g l~lies l9S, one of which is shown, wh-r-by th- upper end o~ partially stripped cathod- 98 can be rigidly gripped between opposed clamps 196, 198. Polyethylene-coated knives 198 supported by piston-cylinder assembly 199, one of which is shown are then simultaneously lowered between the electrodeposited sheets and the cathode to complete stripping of the said sheets to the bottom of the cathode. This is illustrated in Figure 18.
THF DISCHARGE STATION
Cathodes 98 having metallic sheets 112, 114 separated therefrom and supported by V-support 104 are indexed to o discharge station 24, shown more clearly in Figure 15, for horizontal discharge from the stripping apparatus.
Station 24 comprises a pair of opposed hydraulic rams 220 mounted for extension and retraction on support frames 222 and each actuated by piston 224 extending from cylinder 226. Stripped metallic sheets 112, 114 are pushed from the spread-apart position shown by ghost lines in Figures and 16 to loose abutment against cathode 98 for vertical alignment followed by opening of V-support 104, as illustrated by the ghost lines in Figure 16 by rotation of rods 100 and pivoting of plates 106 away from each other by actuating means, not shown, located at station 24. Metallic strips 112, 114 fall by gravity vertically to the position designated by 112a, 114a shown in Figure 15 under the guidance of opposed rollers 230 journaled at the ends of rams 220. Lower support assembly or envelope 232 is rotated through 2~41192r5' about 90 in a clockwise direction as viewed in Figure 1~
to the position depicted by ghost lines 232a and the pair of abutting metallic sheets ej~cted by hydraulic ram 234 to the position depicted by numerals 112b, 114b for A i gch~rge onto a shuttle conveyor The stripped cathodo may then be indexed through in ~r~ion station 25 to a re~ect and replacement station 26 for substitution of damaged cathodes The carousel is then indeYed to a cathode unloading station 28 for sequential loading and ~is~hArge of the cathodes onto a chain conveyor for accumulation of a full load of cathod-s for removal from the stripping assembly and transfer to a t~n~hou~- for reus-TR~ B~a ~q!so~
Th- stripped metallic sheet travels in pairs from th~ ch~rg- station 24 by means of a shuttle conveyor onto a 100 tonn- corrugat$ng pr--s 2S0 Every second pair of m-tallic sh--ts is corrugat-d and th- alternate cO~u~at-d and planar pairs of sh-ets moved onto a set of tr~p rolls which deposits the sheets onto a stacker lift 252 at th- cycl- rat- of about 4 5 secon~ per double sh--t Th~ stack-r lift 252 compri~es a lowering assembly which lowers th- bundlo as it is form-d so that the distanco b~t~ th- trip roll and the top of the bundle ~5 re~ains constant When the reguired guantity of pairs of 2 ~ ri metallic sheets, i.e. planar sheets 112, 114 and corrugated sheets 112a and 114a as typified in Figure 17, has been attained to form a bundle, e.g. approximately 3 tonnes, the bundle is lowered on to a chain conveyor 254 for transfer to weight lift 256 and strapper lift 258.
The lowering assembly is returned to its uppermost position to receive pairs of metallic sheets for the next bundle.
After weighing of the bundle by conventional weighing equipment at lift 2S6, the bundle normally is placed on a pair of wood blocks, not shown, and compressed prior to wrapping and clamping steel straps 115 about the bundle.
The present invention provides a number of important advantages. Cathodes such as stainlQss steel cathodes having copper sheets electrodeposited thereon can be quickly and positively stripped of the sheets without damag- to th- cathodes or sheets permitting an effective and r-liabl- operation. Automation of the operation minimizQJ or Qliminates -nual operations to increase rate of ~rod~cLivity while obviating many hazards. The carou~Ql configuration minimizes space requirements for important ~avings in construction costs.
The bundles of product metallic sheet stacked and bound in altsrnate layer~ of pairs of corrugated and uncor.~gated or planar sheets provide continuous elongated 2~4~ 92r~J
air gaps extend$ng from one end o~ the bundle to other to enhance the rate o~ heat transfer in a subsequent melting operation. Such bundle represents a novel product.
It will bs understood, of course, that modifications can b~ mad- in the ~ 'o'1 ~nt o~ the invention illustrated and describQd herein without departing fro~ the scope and purview o~ the invention a~ deflnQd by the appended claims.
.
The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for stripping electrodeposited metal sheets from cathodes, and is particularly directed to a method and apparatus for stripping electrodeposited copper sheets from stainless steel cathodes.
The stripping of electrodeposited metal sheets such as zinc or copper metal sheets from cathodes by means o of mechanical stripping apparatus is well known. U.S.
Patent 4,039,418 granted August 2, 1977 discloses an apparatus for peeling electrodeposited metal plate from a cathode including a hammering apparatus, peeling apparatus and transfer means wherein sensing and control means are provided to remove cathodes having electrodeposited metal plates remaining thereon.
U.S. Patent 3,953,312 issued April 27, 1976 discloses an apparatus for peeling electrodeposited metal plate from a cathode by giving a mechanical impact to the upper edge of the electrodeposited metal plate to form a fine void, jetting a low pressure fluid into the fine void to separate the upper edges of the electrodeposited metal plate from the cathode, and then inserting a wedge to peel the electrodeposited metal plate from the cathode.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a stripping method and apparatus for stripping electrodeposited metal sheets from a cathode in a positive manner within a relatively small operating area, using a rotating carousel for that purpose.
SUMMARY OF THE lNv~l.~ION
The present invention is directed to the stripping of electrodeposited metal sheets from cathodes and, although the description will proceed with reference 0 to the stripping of electrodeposited copper sheet or plate from stainless steel cathodes, it will be understood that this description is exemplary only and that the method and apparatus of the invention may also have utility in the stripping and separation of electrodeposited zinc sheets from aluminum cathodes, of nickel and cobalt sheets from cathodes and generally of electrodeposited metal sheets from permanent cathodes.
The method of the present invention relates to the stripping of electrodeposited sheets from cathodes having a hanger bar for vertical support of the cathodes on the periphery of a carousel apparatus mounted for rotation through 360~past a plurality of stations located about the periphery of the carousel and comprises the steps of feeding said cathodes sequentially at a loading station onto the carousel, rotating the carousel to transfer a cathode from the loading station to a hammering station 2~927 for loosening of upper edges of the electrodeposited sheets from the cathode, rotating the carousel to transfer said cathode to an opening station for stripping of the electrodeposited sheets from the cathode, rotating the carousel to transfer the cathode to a discharge station for discharging the stripped sheets, and rotating the carousel to transfer the stripped cathodes to an unloading station for removal of said stripped cathodes The upper edges of the electrodeposited sheets are ]~ loosened at the hammering station by clamping the upper end of the cathode and by striking the electrodeposited sheets on the cathode in a random pattern in proximity to their upper edges from opposite sides of the cathode Gaps are formed between the upper edge~ of the electrodeposited sheets and the cathode at the opsning station by fl-xing a central portion of the cathode lat-rally in a first dir-ction to create a gap between an upper edg~ oi an electrodepo-ited sheot and the cathode and in~-rting at least one finger in said gap, and flexing th cathod- laterally in the opposite direction to create a g~p ~t _- th- upper edge of th- other electrodeposited sheQt and the cathode and inserting at least one finger in said gap, and retracting said finger~ from the cathGde to strip tha el-ctrodeposited sheets from the cathode If, at thi~ ~tage, the separation of the sheet~ from the cathode is not complete, it can be completed at another cathode is not complete, it can be completed at another full-opening, station by feeding each of the partially stripped sheets between a pair of stripping fingers which engage the upper edges of the sheets and, upon retraction from the cathode, fully strip the sheets from the cathodes. Furthermore, completion of stripping may be ensured for thin sheets by providing a separation station after the opening or full-opening station wherein the upper end of the cathode is secured and a pair of opposed o stripping knives are lowered between the sheets and the cathode to complete stripping from the cathode. It was found, however, that in most cases the full-opening station and the additional separation station are not required as the complete stripping operation is usually readily performed at the opening station.
A passive guide extending to the next station may be interposed between the electrodeposited sheets and the cathode to prevent the sheets from returning to rest against the cathode if they were only partially stripped, and a second passive guide extending to the next station is positioned exterior to the electrodeposited sheets to restrain the said sheets from excess lateral movement when the sheets are completely freed from the cathode.
The apparatus of the invention for stripping electrodeposited metal sheets from cathodes comprises, in combination, a carousel mounted for rotation through 360~
having means for supporting and sequentially advancing cathodes to a plurality of stations located about the periphery of the carousel. The stations will normally include a loading station for receiving cathode plates having electrodeposited sheets thereon, a hammering station for loosening the upper edges of the said metallic sheets from the cathodes, an opening station for gripping the loosened upper edges of the said metallic sheets and forming a gap between the said loosened upper edges and o cathodes as well as inserting retractable fingers in said gaps and stripping of the metallic sheets from the cathodes by retracting said fingers, a discharge station for discharge of pairs of metallic sheets, and an unloading station for removal of stripped cathodes.
The carousel is multi-sided and the means on the carousel for supporting the cathodes each comprises a pair of downwardly extending side arms spaced apart to receive a cathode therebetween secured to the carousel at each of the sides, a hanger bracket secured to each side arm in proximity to its upper end for supporting the hanger bar of a cathode, a V-support having an apex secured at opposite ends to the lower ends of the pair of side arms below the bottom of a cathode, and means for opening the V-support. Each of the hanger brackets is L-shaped and has a slight recess formed in a lower horizontal portion of the L to receive the cathode hanger therein.
Each V-support comprises a pair of spaced-apart, parallel rods rotatably mounted in the lower ends of the pair of side arms, and a pair of opposed plates, one of which i~ secured to one of each of said rods, to define a V-shape therebetween in a closed position, and means to rota e said bars and the plates secured thereto to separate said plates into an open position The hammering station comprises a pair of opposed, reciprocally mounted carriages, each having a plurality of air hammers, one on each side of the cathode, adapted to be extended towards and retracted away from the cathode whereby the air hammers strike th- elQctrodeposited sheets in a random pattern in proximity to upper edges of said sheets for loosening of said upper edges The carriages 1~ carry upper g~pGL~ means which rigidly abut the cathode abov- th- el-ct~ posited sh~ets and low-r support means whlch rigidly grip the elect~ o~ited sheets below the air hammer~
Th- 5~ ~ ~ ng station comprise~ a pair of opposed, r-ciprocally mounted carriages on each side of the cathode each having an upper clamp for abutting the cathode above th- upper edg- of the electrodepo~ited sheat and a lower clamp for abutting the electrodeposit-d sheet in proximity to its low~r edge, a central push bar having a 2e piston-cylinder assembly operatively connected thereto for ~nd~endrnt actuation and at least one downwardly depending ~inger pivotally mountod at the top o~ the carriage, whereby the cathode can be rigidly clamped between the upper clamp~ and the electrodepo~ited sheets in proxlmity to their lower ends clamped by the lower cla~p~ upon extenslon of the carriages toward~ each other The cathode i~ flexed in a fir~t direction by extending a ~irst push bar to ~orm a gap between the upper edge of the electrodeposited sheet and the cathode on the opposite sidQ o~ the cathode and insertlon Or at least one ~inger into said gap, and then ~lexed in the opposite direction by retracting th- ~irst push bar and ex*en~tng the second push bar to form a gap betwe-n the upper edge of the electrodeposited sh--t and th- cathod- on the other side o~ th- cathod- with ins-rtion of at least one ~inger into 1~ said gap Th- s-cond push bar and th- carriage~ are retract-d so that th- fing-r~ ln~-rt-d b-tw-en elD_t~&~ oit d ~h--tJ and th- cathod- will at least partially and u-ually compl-t-ly ~trip the el~o~ it d ~h--t~ from the cathode An ~longat-d arcuat- pa~-iv- guid- may bo mounted to ~xt-nd ~ro~ th- oF~nir1 station to th- next ~tatlon b-tw -n ~a¢h o~ th- upp-r edg-~ o~ th- ~l-ctrodeposited she-t~ and th- cathode to p~a~ ~ said upp-r edges from r-turning to r-~t aga~n4t th- cathode if they are only partially ~tripp-d Al~o, an elongat-d arcuat- passive guid- i4 mount-d to extend b-tween the openin~ station and the next station to support the electrodeposited sheets in the event the sheets are completely freed from the cathodes, as is commonly the case.
An optional, full-opening station comprises a pair of opposed, reciprocally mounted carriages on each side of the cathode each having a pair of downwardly depending, spaced-apart fingers for receiving and engaging a partially-stripped upper edge of an electrodeposited sheet therebetween, and means for retracting said o carriages with depending fingers for stripping of the electrodeposited sheets from the cathode if they have not been completely stripped in the opening station.
A separation station may also be located between the full-opening station and the discharge station to ensure completion of stripping of electrodeposited metal sheets from the cathodes prior to discharge. The separation station comprises means for securing the upper end of the cathode and a pair of opposed stripping knives, one on each side of the cathode, for completion of stripping of electrodeposited sheets from the cathode by lowering the knives between the electrodeposited sheets and the cathode. Such station will be required only on rare occasions and normally it is unnecessary.
The discharge station is a bottom discharge station having an envelope for receiving pairs of vertically-disposed metallic sheets, for rotating said pairs of vertical metallic sheets to a horizontal position, and for discharglng said pairs of metallic sheets horizontally from the carousel More particularly, the discharge station comprises an envelope positioned below the cathode for receiving the pair o~ stripped electrodeposited sheots, means for pushing the sheets into looso vertical abutment alignment against the cathode, and means for actuating the opening means for the V-support whereby the electrodeposited sheets drop by gravity into the envelope, means for rotating the env-lope into a substantially horizontal position, and e~ection means rOr di~ch~rge o~ the sub~tantially horizontal stripp-d sh-ets from the envelope A corrugating pr-ss pref-rably is provided for corrugating alternato pairs o~ strippod metal sheets and a stack-r i- provld-d ~or g~ac~ng sald palrs o~ metallic she-t~ ln alt-rnating pairs of planar and corrugated metal sh--t~ to a ~ t-rminod h-ight, and bundling said st~ck d ~h--ta into a bundle Po~ D~a~~~ O~ Qr TP~ g~
An ~mbodlm~nt of tho apparatu~ of the invention will now b- d-scrib-d with re~erenc- to th- accompany$ng drawinga, in which Figur~ a plan viow o~ th- carousel apparatus of the inv-ntion showing tho cathode ~e-d system and ~charge sy~tom - lO - 2041 921 Figure 2 is a perspective view of the frame of the carousel apparatus;
Figure 3 is a plan view of the carousel apparatus shown in Figure 2 illustrating the drive mechanism;
Figure 4 is a side elevation, partly cut away, of the carousel assembly shown in Figure 3;
Figure 5 is an enlarged plan view, partly cut away, of the drive mechanism of the invention showing partial rotation thereof by ghost lines;
Figure 6 is a perspective view of the drive mechanism shown in Figure 5;
Figure 7 is a perspective view of a cathode hanger assembly showing a cathode with metallic sheet deposited thereon in ghost lines;
Figure 8 is an end elevation of a cathode in an operative position at a hammering station;
Figure 9 (located on the same sheet as Figure 7) is a perspective view illustrating the operation of opposed hammers at the hammering station depicted in Figure 8;
Figure 10 is an end elevation of a cathode in its operative position at the opening station;
Figure 11 is an enlarged end elevation of a cathode at the opening station;
Figure 12 is an end elevation of an upper portion of a cathode at the opening station illustrated in Figures and 11 showing the interaction of grippers with the upper edges of the metallic sheets;
Figure 13 is an end elevation of a cathode at an optional additional full-opening station depicted in Figure 1 showing the partially separated metallic strips preparatory to stripping by peeling from the cathode when required;
Figure 14 is an end elevation of a cathode showing the pair of metallic strips fully detached from o the cathodei Figure 15 is an end elevation of the lower portion of a cathode having the metallic sheets pivoted into abutment with the cathode preparatory to bottom discharge into the sheet rotator for substantially horizontal discharge;
Figure 16 is an enlarged end elevation of a cathode with metallic sheets pivoted thereagainst, as shown in Figure 15, indicating opening of the bottom V-support by ghost lines;
Figures 17 is an end elevation, partly cut away, of a portion of a stack of alternate corrugated and uncorrugated pairs of metallic sheets, with strapping; and Figure 18 is a side elevation of an optional separation station.
2 ~
~Y~.~n D~CRIP~lON or ~w~ pP~DU~ nnT~T
With re~erence to Figure 1 of the drawings, the apparatus ~or stripping metal sheets from cathodes generally comprises a multi-sided carousel 10 having, in the ~ nt illustrated, 12 sides, rotated about central support shaft 12 to convey cathodes having electrodepo~ited metal sheet~ on opposite sides thereof in a clockwise direction as viewed in Figure 1 sequentially past a number of station locations The stations in this particular ~ '-'1 a~t include loading station 14, 1~ hammering station 16, 3~n~ng station 18, full-opening station 20, separation station 22, ~l~charge station 24, in ~ ion station 25, cathod- eYrhA-J~ station 26 and cathod- unloading station 28 A load of cathode~ bearing electrodeposited metal shoet~, aft-r ~ ~t~g, i~ load-d onto a carrier car 30 mount-d for r-ciprocal trav-l on th- top rails 32 of a tranJpOrt-r fram- for tran~portation of the bundle to rotating and low-ring tran-~-r a~--mbly 34 The bundle of cathod-~, uJually cont~ning 44 cathod-s, is rotated t~roug~ about 30 by rotating and lowering assembly 34 onto chain con~yor dopict6d by numeral 36 A complete bundl- of cathod-~ i~ depo-it-d on chain conveyor 36 which advanc-J th- bundl- toward- loading ~tation 14 An overh-ad w~l~tng b-am 38 pick- up a cathod- for advancement onto a fixed beam with repeat of this motion 2 ~
untll the cathode ig trang~erred onto the hanger of the carousel at loading gtation 14 for 9equential advancement through each station for eventual di~charge of stripped sheets from discharge station 24 and removal of stripped 5 cathodes at cathode unloading station 28 With particular reference now to Figures 2-6, the carousel 10 comprises a support frame 50 having rigid ~teel structural corner post-~ 52, diagonal reinforcing gussets 54 bolted or welded to lateral beams 56, and longitudinal b-ams 58 Rectangular transverse beams 60, shown mo~t clearly in Figures 3 and 4, support drive assembly 62 Upright central shatt 70 is mounted at its lower end on ba~- 72 having a bearing, not shown, for rotation thereon and is ~upported at its upper end by bearing 74 mount-d in housing 76 supported by transverse beam- 60 Radial b-~nJ 78 ~ at th-ir inner ends to collar 80, whlch in turn is secur-d to a column 82 forming part o~ ~hatt 70, ar- ~upported by diagonal struts 84 extt '1n~ ~,t/ -~ the bas- o~ collar 80 and an int-rm-diat- point on radial beam~ 78 Peripheral beams 86 int-,~orn~ t th- outer ends ot b-ams 78 to define a sid- ot th- multi-sid-d carous-l and ~upport an equal numb-r Or cathod- hang-rs 88, thre- o~ which are shown in Figur- 2 ~il 927 Each cathode hanger 88, details for which are shown in Figure 7, comprises downwardly extendi~g side-arms 90 rigidly interconnected to beams 86 by plates 92 welded thereto An L-shaped hanger bracket 94 welded to the inner side of each of arms 90 is adapted to receive hanger bar 96 secured to the top edge of cathode 98, shown by ghost lines Cathode 98 and its construction are disclosed in detail in applicant's U S Patent No 4,882,027 A pair of spaced apart transverse rods 100 are mounted for rotation in bushings 102 rigidly secured to the underside of arms 90 to carry V-support 104 Each V-support 104 comprises a pair of opposgd upper plates 106 rigidly interconnected to their Les~e~Live transverse rods 100 by spaced apart plates 108, for reasons which will hac~ - appar-nt as the description p~ e'~
It will be obs-rv-d that the conterminous bottom edge~ 110 of cathod- 98 and metallic sheets 112, 114 are po-ition-d a ~hort distance above V-support 104 The carousel 10 is driven in a clockwise direction, a~ viewed in Figures 5 and 6 of the drawings, by a Geneva-type,~r'-Y~n1 drive ~ ly 62 which comprises an hydraulic motor 120 driving via a counter-clockwise rotating shaft 132 a torgue arm drive 122 having a pair of downwardly exts~n~ roller subshafts 124, 126, engaging into radial slots 128 formed in the Geneva drive wheel 2~1927 130, a shown most clearly by t~le ghost lineg in Figure s The Genova drive wheel 130 has twelve radial slots 128 spaced 30 apart, onQ for each of the twelve station locations, to permlt accurate inexing of a cathode hanger on tho carousel into each station At the time when both rollers 124, 126 are in contact with consecutive slots, tho wheel 130 and consequently the entire carousel as~ 'ly, are stationary At these junctures, the cathode hangers are correctly po~itioned within a station and the driv~ 120 ig stoppQd for a predeteL ~ne~ period of time to allow the desired functionJ to occur at the plurality of stations !~'r~T~ 8~ 0~1 Cathod-- 98 having mQtallic sh-ets 112, 114 are tran~-rr-d ~-gu-ntially onto a cathod- hanger assembly 8 8 at loading ~tation 14 Hang-r bar 96 is supported at each end in hang-r brack-t- 94 with bottom edg-- 110 suspended abov- V ~uyyG~ 104 Th- tran~-r of a cathode 98 onto hang-r b~ S~lt~ pr-r-rably is compl-ted in about 2 5 ~ within a minimum cycl- tim- at each station of about 4 5 ~ , thu~ allowing about 2 0 secon~ for tran~-r to and ~n~ ng o~ the cathod- hanger and cathode at th- n-xt station Cathod- 98 is th-n advanced to hamm-ring station 16 by rotation Or drive assembly 62 for b~ ng th- adh-~ion of the upp-r edg-J of th- deposited metal she-t~ to th- cathod-THE HAMMERING STATION
Turning now to figures 8 and 9, hammering station 16 comprises a pair of opposed, reciprocally mounted carriages 150, 152 mounted on frame 153 adapted to be extended towards and retracted away from cathode 98 such that opposed air hammers 154, 156 supported thereby will, upon actuation, strike metallic sheets 112, 114 on cathode 98 in proximity to the upper edges 158, 160 of the sheets.
Upper pair of opposed clamps 162, 163 mounted on vertical o support members 166, 167 carried by carriages 150, 152, about the upper end of cathode 98 during the hammering operation while the lower pair of opposed clamps 164, 165 grip the lower portions of sheets 112, 114 therebetween to ensure the metallic sheets are not prematurely dislodged from the cathode. In the preferred operation, the striking surfaces of the hammers are composed of steel and the hammers are driven by a common air-cylinder such that their striking action follows a random pattern.
THE OPENING STATION
The hammering operation normally releases the upper edges 158, 160 of the metallic sheets from cathode 98 whereby flexing of the cathode, shown in Figures 10-12, at CA 0204l927 l997-09-03 the opening station 18 frees one upper edge 160 and then the second upper edge 158 from cathode g8. With particular reference to Figure 10, the opening station 18 comprises a pair of opposed carriages 168, 169 each mounted for reciprocal travel towards each other and away from each other on guide frame 170 by the actuation of piston-cylinder assemblies 171 mounted on frame 173. The right hand portion of the figure shows polyurethane-covered upper clamp 172 adapted to rigidly engage the o upper portion of cathode 98 above the upper edges 158, 160 of the metallic sheets and lower steel clamps 174 adapted to engage the lower extremity of cathode 98 and metal sheets 112, 114 immediately above V-support 104. Piston cylinder assembly 176, carried by carriage 168, unit 164 permits initial extension of central push bar 180 to the position depicted in Figure 10, and by ghost lines in Figure 11, thereby bending the cathode to separate loosened upper edge 160 from cathode 98. The deflection of cathode 98 opens the upper edge 160 from cathode 98 a sufficient distance to allow the insertion of finger 182 on the side opposite to bar 180 into the said opening by actuation of piston-cylinder 184.
Piston-cylinder assembly 176 is then retracted and the procedure repeated on the opposite side of cathode 98 by actuating an opposite piston-cylinder assembly, not shown, to deSect cathode 98 in the opposite direction for separation o~ the loosened upper edge 158 from cathode 98 to ~reate an opening into which finger 183 is inserted in like mannor, as illustrated in Figure 12 Upon completion of the inQertion of the fingers 182, 183 into the gaps between upper edgea 158, 160 and cathode 98, the fingers 182, 183 are retracted with carriages 168, 169 sequentially or simultaneously to at least partially and usually fully strip the metallic sheets from the 1~ cathode such that upper edges 158, 160 are bent outwardly Or arcuate passlve guides 192 which extend to the next stat~on to engag- and p~.ve t said uppor edges 158, 160 from returning to rest against cathode 98 during rotation and in~y~ng of the carou el to the next station Arcuate passiv- gulde~ 190, one of which is shown, extend to the next ~tation on each ~id- of th- cathodo 98 to support the m-tallic ~h--t~, a~ shown by gho~t lines in Figure 10, in the ev-nt a ~h--t i~ compl-tely freed from the cathode as iJ noroally th- ca~-_~5~Q~r~ o~ 8~IO~
Turnlng now to Figuro~ 13 and 14, in case of partial stripping only, th- cathod- with partially opened metallic sheot~ i~ n-xt po~itioned at station 20 wher- a pair of oppos~ r-ciprocating carriageQ mounted on opposite side of th- cathod- are normally in an at-rest position with stripping fingera 200, 202 in po~ition to receive the 2~f~ 27 metallic sheet~ therebetween from the opening station The fingers 200, 202 of each pair are supported a spaced distance apart on carriages 204 which are reciprocally mounted on frame 206 to peel the metallic shQets from the S cathode upon retraction of the eaid fingers 200, 202 Inner finger 202, upon complete retraction of carriage 204 as shown by ghost lines in Figuro 14, is withdrawn sufficiently to allow metallic sheets 112, 114 to drop against the passive guide rail-~ 210 which extend in an arc to the ~-qchArge station The lower end~ of metallic sheets 112, 114 normally have bQs - dotached from cathode 98 and drop onto th- V-support 104, th- angle sub-tended between plate~ 106 being about the same as the angle asaumQd b~6-- the metallic sheets ~ully opened OPT~ONrT 9~Y~lO~ 8T'~10~
Separation statlon 22, which may be located after full o,~ ~nq ~tation 20, may b- us-d ~or stripping of relatlv-ly ~l-xlble ~lectrodeposit-d shoet~ such as thin ~a~ sh--t- or zinc sheets which do not have the stl~n-s- o~ normal thickn-ss copp-r she-ts The ~-parating m chanism at ~tation 22 comprises frame 191 and carriag-e 193, 194 reciprocally mount-d thereon for extension toward- and retraction ~rom cathode 98 by actuation of pi~ton-cylinder a~g l~lies l9S, one of which is shown, wh-r-by th- upper end o~ partially stripped cathod- 98 can be rigidly gripped between opposed clamps 196, 198. Polyethylene-coated knives 198 supported by piston-cylinder assembly 199, one of which is shown are then simultaneously lowered between the electrodeposited sheets and the cathode to complete stripping of the said sheets to the bottom of the cathode. This is illustrated in Figure 18.
THF DISCHARGE STATION
Cathodes 98 having metallic sheets 112, 114 separated therefrom and supported by V-support 104 are indexed to o discharge station 24, shown more clearly in Figure 15, for horizontal discharge from the stripping apparatus.
Station 24 comprises a pair of opposed hydraulic rams 220 mounted for extension and retraction on support frames 222 and each actuated by piston 224 extending from cylinder 226. Stripped metallic sheets 112, 114 are pushed from the spread-apart position shown by ghost lines in Figures and 16 to loose abutment against cathode 98 for vertical alignment followed by opening of V-support 104, as illustrated by the ghost lines in Figure 16 by rotation of rods 100 and pivoting of plates 106 away from each other by actuating means, not shown, located at station 24. Metallic strips 112, 114 fall by gravity vertically to the position designated by 112a, 114a shown in Figure 15 under the guidance of opposed rollers 230 journaled at the ends of rams 220. Lower support assembly or envelope 232 is rotated through 2~41192r5' about 90 in a clockwise direction as viewed in Figure 1~
to the position depicted by ghost lines 232a and the pair of abutting metallic sheets ej~cted by hydraulic ram 234 to the position depicted by numerals 112b, 114b for A i gch~rge onto a shuttle conveyor The stripped cathodo may then be indexed through in ~r~ion station 25 to a re~ect and replacement station 26 for substitution of damaged cathodes The carousel is then indeYed to a cathode unloading station 28 for sequential loading and ~is~hArge of the cathodes onto a chain conveyor for accumulation of a full load of cathod-s for removal from the stripping assembly and transfer to a t~n~hou~- for reus-TR~ B~a ~q!so~
Th- stripped metallic sheet travels in pairs from th~ ch~rg- station 24 by means of a shuttle conveyor onto a 100 tonn- corrugat$ng pr--s 2S0 Every second pair of m-tallic sh--ts is corrugat-d and th- alternate cO~u~at-d and planar pairs of sh-ets moved onto a set of tr~p rolls which deposits the sheets onto a stacker lift 252 at th- cycl- rat- of about 4 5 secon~ per double sh--t Th~ stack-r lift 252 compri~es a lowering assembly which lowers th- bundlo as it is form-d so that the distanco b~t~ th- trip roll and the top of the bundle ~5 re~ains constant When the reguired guantity of pairs of 2 ~ ri metallic sheets, i.e. planar sheets 112, 114 and corrugated sheets 112a and 114a as typified in Figure 17, has been attained to form a bundle, e.g. approximately 3 tonnes, the bundle is lowered on to a chain conveyor 254 for transfer to weight lift 256 and strapper lift 258.
The lowering assembly is returned to its uppermost position to receive pairs of metallic sheets for the next bundle.
After weighing of the bundle by conventional weighing equipment at lift 2S6, the bundle normally is placed on a pair of wood blocks, not shown, and compressed prior to wrapping and clamping steel straps 115 about the bundle.
The present invention provides a number of important advantages. Cathodes such as stainlQss steel cathodes having copper sheets electrodeposited thereon can be quickly and positively stripped of the sheets without damag- to th- cathodes or sheets permitting an effective and r-liabl- operation. Automation of the operation minimizQJ or Qliminates -nual operations to increase rate of ~rod~cLivity while obviating many hazards. The carou~Ql configuration minimizes space requirements for important ~avings in construction costs.
The bundles of product metallic sheet stacked and bound in altsrnate layer~ of pairs of corrugated and uncor.~gated or planar sheets provide continuous elongated 2~4~ 92r~J
air gaps extend$ng from one end o~ the bundle to other to enhance the rate o~ heat transfer in a subsequent melting operation. Such bundle represents a novel product.
It will bs understood, of course, that modifications can b~ mad- in the ~ 'o'1 ~nt o~ the invention illustrated and describQd herein without departing fro~ the scope and purview o~ the invention a~ deflnQd by the appended claims.
.
Claims (13)
1. A method of stripping electrodeposited metal sheets from cathodes, which comprises sequentially feeding the cathodes with electrodeposited metal thereon for support on the periphery of a rotatable carousel, moving said cathodes through a plurality of stations located about the periphery of said carousel and subjecting said cathodes to predetermined operations at said stations so as to strip the electrodeposited metal therefrom and discharge it from the carousel and then remove the stripped cathodes from the carousel for reuse in the electrodeposition of metal.
2. A method as claimed in claim 1, in which each cathode has a hanger bar for vertical support of the cathode on the periphery of the carousel, each cathode being fed at a loading station onto the carousel which is then rotated to transfer the cathode from the loading station to a hammering station for loosening of upper edges of the electrodeposited metal sheets from the cathode, thereafter the carousel is rotated to transfer said cathode to an opening station for flexing the cathode to form gaps between the upper edges of the electrodeposited sheets and the cathode and for stripping said sheets from the cathode, then the carousel is rotated to transfer the cathode to a discharge station for discharging stripped sheets and finally the carousel is rotated to an unloading station for removal of stripped cathodes.
3. A method as claimed in claim 2, in which between the opening station and the discharge station there is provided an additional full-opening station and/or a separation station at which the stripping is completed through the use of retractable fingers and/or stripping knives, when required.
4. A method as claimed in claim 2 in which the stripped sheets are discharged at the discharge station by pushing the stripped sheets against the cathode into vertical alignment and dropping the sheets by gravity as a pair into a vertical envelope, rotating the envelope to a substantially horizontal position and ejecting the pair of stripped sheets therefrom.
5. A method as claimed in claim 4 in which alternate pairs of sheets ejected from the discharge station are corrugated and stacked with alternate pairs of non-corrugated planar sheets and strapped together to form a bundle.
6. Apparatus for stripping electrodeposited metal sheets from cathodes comprising a carousel mounted for rotation through 360°, means for charging said cathodes one by one onto the carousel and supporting them vertically at the periphery of said carousel, a plurality of stations located at the periphery of the carousel for subjecting said cathodes to various operations required to strip the electrodeposited metal from the cathodes and means for sequentially advancing the cathodes through said stations and subjecting them to the operations required to strip the same and discharge the stripped sheets and then the cathodes from the carousel.
7. Apparatus as claimed in claim 6 in which said stations include a loading station for receiving the cathodes having electrodeposited sheets thereon, a hammering station for loosening the upper edges of said electrodeposited sheets from the cathodes, an opening station for forming gaps between the loosened upper edges of said electrodeposited sheets and the cathodes and for stripping said sheets from the cathodes, a discharge station for discharge of electrodeposited sheets and an unloading station for removal of stripped cathodes.
8. An apparatus as claimed in claim 7 in which the carousel is multi-sided and said means on the carousel for supporting said cathodes having electrodeposited sheets thereon comprises a pair of downwardly extending side arms spaced apart to receive a cathode therebetween secured to the carousel at each side, a hanger bracket secured to each side arm in proximity to its upper end to support the hanger bar of a cathode, a V-support having an apex secured at opposite ends to the lower ends of the pair of side arms below the bottom of a cathode, and means for opening the V-support.
9. An apparatus as claimed in claim 7 which additionally comprises a full-opening and/or a separation station between the opening station and the discharge station for ensuring completion of stripping of electrodeposited metal sheets from the cathodes prior to discharge.
10. An apparatus as claimed in claim 7 in which the hammering station comprises a pair of opposed reciprocally mounted carriages, each having a plurality of air hammers, one on each side of the cathode, adapted to be extended towards and retracted away from the cathode whereby the air hammers strike the electrodeposited sheets in proximity to upper edges of said sheets for loosening of said upper edges.
11. An apparatus as claimed in claim 7 in which the opening station comprises a pair of opposed reciprocally mounted carriages on each side of the cathode, each having an upper clamp for abutting the cathode above the upper edge of the electrodeposited sheet and a lower clamp for abutting the electrodeposited sheet in proximity to its lower edge, a central push bar having a piston-cylinder assembly operatively connected thereto for independent actuation and a downwardly depending finger pivotally mounted at the top of the carriage whereby the cathode can be rigidly clamped between the upper clamps and the electrodeposited sheets in proximity to their lower ends, clamped by the lower clamps upon extension of the carriages towards each other, and flexed in a first direction by extending a first push bar to form a gap between the upper edge of the electrodeposited sheet and cathode on the opposite side of the first push bar and insertion of at least one finger into said gap, and then flexed in the opposite direction by retracting the first push bar and extending a second push bar to form a gap between the upper edge of the electrodeposited sheet and the cathode on the opposite side of the second push bar and insertion of at least one finger into said gap, retracting the second push bar and retracting the carriages with the fingers to strip the electrodeposited sheets from the cathode.
12. An apparatus as claimed in claim 7 in which said discharge station is a bottom discharge station for discharging pairs of metal sheets, and means are provided in said bottom discharge station for receiving pairs of vertically-aligned metal sheets, for rotating said pairs of vertically-aligned metal sheets to a horizontal position, and for discharging said pairs of metal sheets horizontally from the carousel.
13. An apparatus as claimed in claim 7 additionally comprising means for corrugating alternate pairs of metallic sheets, means for stacking said alternate pairs of corrugated and uncorrugated sheets into a stack, and means for bundling said stack.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002041927A CA2041927C (en) | 1990-10-16 | 1991-05-07 | Cathode stripping apparatus |
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US07/598,369 | 1990-10-16 | ||
| EP90311692A EP0482258B1 (en) | 1990-10-25 | 1990-10-25 | Cathode stripping apparatus |
| CA002041927A CA2041927C (en) | 1990-10-16 | 1991-05-07 | Cathode stripping apparatus |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2041927A1 CA2041927A1 (en) | 1992-11-08 |
| CA2041927C true CA2041927C (en) | 1998-02-10 |
Family
ID=25674598
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002041927A Expired - Lifetime CA2041927C (en) | 1990-10-16 | 1991-05-07 | Cathode stripping apparatus |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2041927C (en) |
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2011157893A1 (en) * | 2010-06-18 | 2011-12-22 | Outotec Oyj | Method and apparatus for securing together stripped metal deposit sheets |
| CN110257235A (en) * | 2019-05-31 | 2019-09-20 | 西安工程大学 | A kind of unicellular sequence testing chip automatic clamping device |
-
1991
- 1991-05-07 CA CA002041927A patent/CA2041927C/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Cited By (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2011157893A1 (en) * | 2010-06-18 | 2011-12-22 | Outotec Oyj | Method and apparatus for securing together stripped metal deposit sheets |
| CN110257235A (en) * | 2019-05-31 | 2019-09-20 | 西安工程大学 | A kind of unicellular sequence testing chip automatic clamping device |
| CN110257235B (en) * | 2019-05-31 | 2022-10-04 | 西安工程大学 | Single cell sequencing chip automatic clamping device |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| CA2041927A1 (en) | 1992-11-08 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| MKLA | Lapsed | ||
| MKEC | Expiry (correction) |
Effective date: 20121202 |