CA2232992C - Electrode - Google Patents
Electrode Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2232992C CA2232992C CA002232992A CA2232992A CA2232992C CA 2232992 C CA2232992 C CA 2232992C CA 002232992 A CA002232992 A CA 002232992A CA 2232992 A CA2232992 A CA 2232992A CA 2232992 C CA2232992 C CA 2232992C
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- electrode
- carbon
- end surfaces
- carbon fibres
- signal conductor
- 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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Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01R—MEASURING ELECTRIC VARIABLES; MEASURING MAGNETIC VARIABLES
- G01R29/00—Arrangements for measuring or indicating electric quantities not covered by groups G01R19/00 - G01R27/00
- G01R29/08—Measuring electromagnetic field characteristics
- G01R29/0864—Measuring electromagnetic field characteristics characterised by constructional or functional features
- G01R29/0878—Sensors; antennas; probes; detectors
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- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Electromagnetism (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Geophysics And Detection Of Objects (AREA)
- Inert Electrodes (AREA)
Abstract
An electrode having a contact surface with the electrolyte consisting of a number of carbon fibers (1), and a method for the manufacture of an electrode where a number of carbon fibers (1) are wound into a carbon fibre skein (2) whereupon the skein (2) is gathered together at a connection area and embedded to form a connecting stud (5), which is then treated so that the end surfaces (6) appear of all the carbon fibres gathered together in the connecting stud (5), after which the carbon fibre end surfaces (6) are connected to a signal conductor (8). And an antenna (12) comprising electrically connected electrodes where the contact surface of each electrode with the electrolyte consists of a number of carbon fibres (1).
Description
,' CA 02232992 2006-04-05 Electrode TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to the technique of achieving a large area of contact and a good connection between a conductive electrode and the electrolyte which is in contact with the electrode. The electrolyte could for instance be in the form of either salt water or fresh water. Such an electrode with water as electrolyte can be used for measuring purposes or as a part of an antenna construction. With this large area of contact, very small changes in electrical fields can be measured, whereby the electrode can be used for instance for measuring of water-currents.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
For detecting changes in the electrical field under water, pairs of different kinds of electrodes, made of zinc, graphite, silver/silver chloride etc., have previously been used. They have all had their benefits and drawbacks, such as silver/silver chloride electrodes having high sensitivity but at high costs, zinc electrodes having a low price but beingvmechanically o~ electrically instable, and graphite electrodes which are difficult to manufacture according to defined specifications without discarding.
Large active areas have required large physical dimensions and have, in connec-tion with graphite electrodes, caused irreproducible properties conditioned by small chemical or morphological variations. Consequently, there are big problems with the previously available techniques.
PURPOSE OF THE INVENTION
The purpose of the invention is to solve these problems by accomplishing an elec-trode based on bundles of carbon fibres which are connected to a desired conduc-tor, and a method for manufacturing this electrode. A further purpose of the inven-tion is to accomplish an underwater electrode having much better performance characteristics than previously available underwater electrodes. Furthermore, the purpose of the invention is to accomplish an antenna mainly for underwater mea-surements.
la SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electrode having a contact surface that is able to contact an electrolyte, wherein the contact surface includes a plurality of carbon fibres, with at least one of their two ends gathered together and electrically connected to a signal conductor through end surfaces of the carbon fibres.
In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for the manufacture of an electrode, wherein a bundle of carbon fibres is wound into a carbon fibre skein, after which the carbon fibre skein is gathered together at a connection area where it is bound together to form a connecting stud, the connecting stud is treated to make the end surfaces of all the carbon fibres gathered together in the connecting stud appear, and the carbon fibre end surfaces thereafter are connected to a signal conductor.
In accordance with a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an antenna comprising electrically connected electrodes, each electrode having a contact surface that is able to contact an electrolyte, wherein the contact surface of each electrode with the electrolyte includes a plurality of carbon fibres with at least one of their two ends gathered together and electrically connected to a signal conductor through end surfaces of the carbon fibres.
The present invention relates to the technique of achieving a large area of contact and a good connection between a conductive electrode and the electrolyte which is in contact with the electrode. The electrolyte could for instance be in the form of either salt water or fresh water. Such an electrode with water as electrolyte can be used for measuring purposes or as a part of an antenna construction. With this large area of contact, very small changes in electrical fields can be measured, whereby the electrode can be used for instance for measuring of water-currents.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
For detecting changes in the electrical field under water, pairs of different kinds of electrodes, made of zinc, graphite, silver/silver chloride etc., have previously been used. They have all had their benefits and drawbacks, such as silver/silver chloride electrodes having high sensitivity but at high costs, zinc electrodes having a low price but beingvmechanically o~ electrically instable, and graphite electrodes which are difficult to manufacture according to defined specifications without discarding.
Large active areas have required large physical dimensions and have, in connec-tion with graphite electrodes, caused irreproducible properties conditioned by small chemical or morphological variations. Consequently, there are big problems with the previously available techniques.
PURPOSE OF THE INVENTION
The purpose of the invention is to solve these problems by accomplishing an elec-trode based on bundles of carbon fibres which are connected to a desired conduc-tor, and a method for manufacturing this electrode. A further purpose of the inven-tion is to accomplish an underwater electrode having much better performance characteristics than previously available underwater electrodes. Furthermore, the purpose of the invention is to accomplish an antenna mainly for underwater mea-surements.
la SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electrode having a contact surface that is able to contact an electrolyte, wherein the contact surface includes a plurality of carbon fibres, with at least one of their two ends gathered together and electrically connected to a signal conductor through end surfaces of the carbon fibres.
In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for the manufacture of an electrode, wherein a bundle of carbon fibres is wound into a carbon fibre skein, after which the carbon fibre skein is gathered together at a connection area where it is bound together to form a connecting stud, the connecting stud is treated to make the end surfaces of all the carbon fibres gathered together in the connecting stud appear, and the carbon fibre end surfaces thereafter are connected to a signal conductor.
In accordance with a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an antenna comprising electrically connected electrodes, each electrode having a contact surface that is able to contact an electrolyte, wherein the contact surface of each electrode with the electrolyte includes a plurality of carbon fibres with at least one of their two ends gathered together and electrically connected to a signal conductor through end surfaces of the carbon fibres.
An electrode according to the invention is provided with tufts or bundles of carbon fibres which have been cleaned along the fibre surtaces to get a good electrical contact with surrounding water, and which, furthermore, have been gathered to-gether at one end and connected to an electrical conductor.
Such a manufactured electrode constitutes, together with an electrode of the same kind, a pair of electrodes which has turned out to have good antenna properties in water. Furthermore, it is comparatively easy to manufacture. As the electrode is made by carbon fibres, which have a homogenous chemical structure all along the fibres, an electrode having reproducible properties is obtained.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 shows a step in the manufacture of a device according to the invention.
Figure 2 shows a further step in the manufacture of a device according to the invention.
Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional view according to fig. 1.
Figure 4 shows a first embodiment of the invention.
Figure 5 shows a second embodiment of the invention.
Figure 6 shows an antenna according to the invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
An electrode according to the invention is produced by winding a bundle of carbon fibres into a carbon fibre skein 2, which is then gathered together at a connection area where the carbon fibres are bound together to form a connecting stud 5, which is then treated so that the end surfaces 6 will appear of all the carbon fibres gath-ered together in the connecting stud 5, after which the carbon fibres are connected to a signal conductor 8 through their end surtaces 6.
The electrode according to the invention is suitably produced, see fig. 1, by winding carbon fibres 1, in form of a bundle of generally 6000 carbon fibres, approximately 50 turns around two end poles 3,4 with an intermediate distance of about half a meter, into a skein 2. These chosen values of the number of carbon fibres, the number of turns and the distance, will result in an electrode having approximately 600 000 carbon fibre ends for connection to a signal conducting cable. With these values, the area of contact with the electrolyte will be fully 3 m2.
Such a manufactured electrode constitutes, together with an electrode of the same kind, a pair of electrodes which has turned out to have good antenna properties in water. Furthermore, it is comparatively easy to manufacture. As the electrode is made by carbon fibres, which have a homogenous chemical structure all along the fibres, an electrode having reproducible properties is obtained.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 shows a step in the manufacture of a device according to the invention.
Figure 2 shows a further step in the manufacture of a device according to the invention.
Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional view according to fig. 1.
Figure 4 shows a first embodiment of the invention.
Figure 5 shows a second embodiment of the invention.
Figure 6 shows an antenna according to the invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
An electrode according to the invention is produced by winding a bundle of carbon fibres into a carbon fibre skein 2, which is then gathered together at a connection area where the carbon fibres are bound together to form a connecting stud 5, which is then treated so that the end surfaces 6 will appear of all the carbon fibres gath-ered together in the connecting stud 5, after which the carbon fibres are connected to a signal conductor 8 through their end surtaces 6.
The electrode according to the invention is suitably produced, see fig. 1, by winding carbon fibres 1, in form of a bundle of generally 6000 carbon fibres, approximately 50 turns around two end poles 3,4 with an intermediate distance of about half a meter, into a skein 2. These chosen values of the number of carbon fibres, the number of turns and the distance, will result in an electrode having approximately 600 000 carbon fibre ends for connection to a signal conducting cable. With these values, the area of contact with the electrolyte will be fully 3 m2.
The oblong skein 2 of fibres is loosened carefully and is fixed in the middle thereof, for instance with a piece of shrinkage hose. After cutting in the middle of the piece of shrinkage hose, the ends of the two carbon fibre bundles fitted with hose are em-bedded in epoxy plastic in vacuum so that a connecting stud 5 is formed, see fig. 2, which after curing is shaped by means of grinding tools. The connecting stud 5 is grinded until all the end surfaces 6 of the carbon fibres appear in the grinding sur-face, see fig. 3. On these carbon fibre end surtaces a metallic coating is applied, see fig. 4, which forms a connecting plate 7 for connection of a signal conducting cable 8. After the connection, the connection place is embedded in epoxy plastic to form a protective cover 9 for shielding the contact surfaces from water influence.
Thereafter, the epoxy coating which the fibres have been given during their manu-facture is cleaned off from the fibre surfaces. This coating has generally been ap-plied to improve the wetting properthes of the fibres and their ability of binding to an epoxy matrix, and it constitutes a layer having insulating properties. Through the cleaning, the fibres, and thereby also the electrode, have been adapted for use in electro-chemical applications. The cleaning is carried out in a normal way with dif-ferent solvents, for instance with acetone, alcohol and water in tuns. Between the different steps in the manufacturing process it is checked that none of the individu-als differs in various aspects from empirically obtained set values, to make sure that the different individuals in a manufacturing process are as equal as possible regard-ing for instance electric resistance, length etc.
The manufacturing process is finished by cutting open the loop-shaped carbon fibre tufts 10, if a brush-like appearance with a lot of fibre ends sticking out in the water is desired, see fig. 4. Otherwise the carbon fibres are remained in loop-shape, see fig. 5, so that an attachment is possible in both ends, whereby a similar utilisation in water is possible independent of the spatial orientation of the attachment.
Final as-sembling with mounting ears 11 for mechanical fixation and with a water permeable flow protection around the fibres is done in the easiest way, after which final testing and verification of the individuals, i.e. each electrode, is done in laboratory.
Another possible method of manufacturing is to form the connecting stud 5 at first, by making an embedment at the middle part of the carbon fibre skein 2, after which the connecting stud 5 is bisected and the carbon fibre end surfaces 6 of each bi-secting surface are connected to a signal conductor 8 in the way mentioned above.
The connection place is then embedded and the fibres are cleaned in accordance with what is mentioned above.
Thereafter, the epoxy coating which the fibres have been given during their manu-facture is cleaned off from the fibre surfaces. This coating has generally been ap-plied to improve the wetting properthes of the fibres and their ability of binding to an epoxy matrix, and it constitutes a layer having insulating properties. Through the cleaning, the fibres, and thereby also the electrode, have been adapted for use in electro-chemical applications. The cleaning is carried out in a normal way with dif-ferent solvents, for instance with acetone, alcohol and water in tuns. Between the different steps in the manufacturing process it is checked that none of the individu-als differs in various aspects from empirically obtained set values, to make sure that the different individuals in a manufacturing process are as equal as possible regard-ing for instance electric resistance, length etc.
The manufacturing process is finished by cutting open the loop-shaped carbon fibre tufts 10, if a brush-like appearance with a lot of fibre ends sticking out in the water is desired, see fig. 4. Otherwise the carbon fibres are remained in loop-shape, see fig. 5, so that an attachment is possible in both ends, whereby a similar utilisation in water is possible independent of the spatial orientation of the attachment.
Final as-sembling with mounting ears 11 for mechanical fixation and with a water permeable flow protection around the fibres is done in the easiest way, after which final testing and verification of the individuals, i.e. each electrode, is done in laboratory.
Another possible method of manufacturing is to form the connecting stud 5 at first, by making an embedment at the middle part of the carbon fibre skein 2, after which the connecting stud 5 is bisected and the carbon fibre end surfaces 6 of each bi-secting surface are connected to a signal conductor 8 in the way mentioned above.
The connection place is then embedded and the fibres are cleaned in accordance with what is mentioned above.
With the present type of electrode a large active area of an inert kind with small external physical dimensions and an extremely high reproducibility and mechanical durability is combined in a new way with a for the purpose simplifiable manufactur-ing technique. Two electrodes can also be combined to form a reliable and cost ef-fective antenna 12, see fig. 6, for detecting variations in the electrical field under water.
Possible utilisations could be scientific measurements of the geological E-field, measurement of sea-heave and water-currents, detection and measurement of ship movements, or signal transmission between water vessels or divers with limited range of voice messages .
Possible utilisations could be scientific measurements of the geological E-field, measurement of sea-heave and water-currents, detection and measurement of ship movements, or signal transmission between water vessels or divers with limited range of voice messages .
Claims (10)
1. An electrode having a contact surface that is able to contact an electrolyte, wherein the contact surface includes a plurality of carbon fibres, with at least one of their two ends gathered together and electrically connected to a signal conductor through end surfaces of the carbon fibres.
2. The electrode according to claim 1, wherein the carbon fibres in both of their ends are gathered together and electrically connected to the signal conductor.
3. A method for the manufacture of an electrode, wherein a bundle of carbon fibres is wound into a carbon fibre skein, after which the carbon fibre skein is gathered together at a connection area where it is bound together to form a connecting stud, the connecting stud is treated to make the end surfaces of all the carbon fibres gathered together in the connecting stud appear, and the carbon fibre end surfaces thereafter are connected to a signal conductor.
4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the connecting stud is formed by making an embedment of the carbon fibre skein at the connection area, and the connecting stud thereafter is bisected whereupon the carbon fibre end surfaces of each bisecting surface are connected to the signal conductor.
5. The method according to claim 3, wherein the carbon fibre skein is cut in the connection area whereupon thereby obtained end piece is embedded, and the connecting stud formed by the embedment is grinded until all the end surfaces of the carbon fibres appear in the grinding surface.
6. The method according to any one of claims 3-5, wherein the signal conductor is connected to the carbon fibre end surfaces through a metallic coating which is applied on the carbon fibre end surfaces.
7. The method according to claim 6, wherein the connecting stud, the carbon fibre end surfaces, the metallic coating and a part of the signal conductor are embedded in a polymeric substance to form a protective cover.
8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the carbon fibres used for the manufacturing of the electrode have an epoxy coating which is cleaned off from the fibre surfaces by means of different solvents.
9. An antenna comprising electrically connected electrodes, each electrode having a contact surface that is able to contact an electrolyte, wherein the contact surface of each electrode with the electrolyte includes a plurality of carbon fibres with at least one of their two ends gathered together and electrically connected to a signal conductor through end surfaces of the carbon fibres.
10. The antenna according to claim 9, wherein the carbon fibres in both of their ends are gathered together and electrically connected to the signal conductor.
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| SE9503325-4 | 1995-09-26 | ||
| SE9503325A SE505231C2 (en) | 1995-09-26 | 1995-09-26 | Electrode |
| PCT/SE1996/001202 WO1997012419A1 (en) | 1995-09-26 | 1996-09-25 | Electrode |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2232992A1 CA2232992A1 (en) | 1997-04-03 |
| CA2232992C true CA2232992C (en) | 2007-03-06 |
Family
ID=37891598
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002232992A Expired - Lifetime CA2232992C (en) | 1995-09-26 | 1996-09-25 | Electrode |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2232992C (en) |
-
1996
- 1996-09-25 CA CA002232992A patent/CA2232992C/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| CA2232992A1 (en) | 1997-04-03 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| MKEX | Expiry |
Effective date: 20160926 |