US1279192A - Electrode. - Google Patents

Description

F. G. WHEELER.

ELECTRODE.

APPLICATION HLED JUtYZh 19:0.

art-v21 H01:

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FRANK G. WHEELER, OF APPLETON. WISCONSIN, ASSIGNOR TO BLEACH PROCESS COMPANY. OF APPLETON. WISCONSIN. A CORPORATION OF WISCONSIN.

ELECTRODE.

Specification of Letters Igatent.

Patented Sept. 17, 1918.

To all who if may concern:

Be it known that I. FRANK G. Yum-2111a. a citizen of the l'nited States. residing at Appleton. in the county of Outagamie and State of Wisconsin. have invented certain new aml useful Improvements in Electrodes. of which the following is a specification.

This invention is an electrode which is designed especially for use as an anode in the electrolysis of chlorid solutions. although obviously susceptible of use in many other relations. In its preferred embodiment the electrode comprises a bar. rod. or the like of graphite or other form of carbon which constitutes the active anode. and a metallic terminal in internal screw-threaded engagement with the carbon. that portion of the carbon which surrounds the metallic terminal being so impregnated with a liquidproofing composition as effectively to prevent access of the electrolyte or its decomposition products: to the metal of the terminal. The portion of the metal terminal which engages the interior of the carbon bar is preferably formed of a fusible metal or alloy. such as hard lead. whereby the metal elements of the terminal may be recovered from the carbon stubs at the end of their period of useful life. In use the electrode so mounted in conjunction with the cover or other portion of the cell wall that the active carbon electrode lies wholly within the cell. the metallic terminal extending through the cell-cover or other portion of the cell wall. for connection to the current leads. The word carbon" as ei'nployed herein includes graphite.

An illustrative embodiment of'the invention is shown in the accompanying drawings. wherein the figures are central vertical sec tions of electrodes embodying the invention. the said figures illustrating also certain preferred modes of mounting the electrodes in the electrolytic cell.

Referring to Figure 1. 1 indicates the upper portion of a graphite bar constituting the anode proper. and 2 an internally screw-thrcadwl recess therein. The conductor which may be of tinned steel. copper. bronze or other metal or alloy extends axially into the. recess '2. and is mechanically and electrically connected with the graphite by a body of fusible metal. usually hard lead. This metal is cast upon the conductor 3 before the latter is inserted in place'in the carbon, and is provided as shown with screwthreads for engaging the internal threads of the carbon bar. Preferably the recess! is of slightly greater depth than the screwthreaded portion of the lead connector 4. and the latter is provided at its upper or outer portion with a shoulder or flange 5. the purpose of this arrangement being to permit the shoulder 5 to contact firmly with the upper face of the carbon bar in such manner as to increase the area of effective electrical contact therewith. The fusible metal may enter one or more recesses (i in the conductor 3 for the purpose of preventing displacement under torsional strains when the metallic portion of the terminal is screwed into the carbon: or this result may be obtained by providing any other form of positive engagement between the metal members 3 and t.

In a construction of this type it is absolutely necessary for the maintenance of a permanently effective electrical connection between the lead and the carbon that any access'to the metal of the electrolyte. or of chlorin or other products of dccomlmsition thereof. should be prevented. This result I accomplish by impregnating the adjacent portions of the carbon with a suitable tilling material. To this end I introduce the impregnating liquid or composition into the recess in the upper portion of the carbon bar. and thereafter screw the metal terminal firmly to its seat. Under these conditions the plunger action of the terminal upon the liquid composition in the recess forces the latter into the pores of the carbon. thus providing the most effective conditions for pressure impregnation. \Vhile my invention is not limited to any particular impregnating composition. I may use corncottonseedfishtunglinseed-oils or like glycerids: or such asphaltic products as gilsonite. claterite. etc.; or preferably mixtures of a glycerid and an asphaltic product. thinned if necessary by a light. hydrocarbon such as gasolene.

The employment of lead in the manner above (lescribed not only provides a highly effective and pcrn'iancnt electrical connection with the carbon throughout the life of the latter. but permits the metal' elements of the terminal to be readily recovered in usalile condition. For this purpose it is merelv necessary to heat the stuh of the electrode in order to melt the fusil le metal or alloy. when the. conductor an he withdrawn and the molten metal poured out in condition for re-eastin Although I prefer in every case to use a fll ilile metal lietween the conductor bar and th carbon which constitutes the active anode. inv invention is not limited thereto. ina much as excellent results are obtainable with proper impregnation when using a terminal consisting of an integral metal part. and comprising for example a screwthreaded portion. shoulder. and shank of lua s or hronze. as indicated at T in Fig. '2.

.\n electrode constructed described hove must he so mounted in connection with the cell-cover or other portion of the (fell liody as eti'ectively to protect all metal parts again t the action of chlorin or other corrosive products: at the same time it is desiralile that the carlion portion of the electrode should lie wholly within the cell. since in this way it can he most fully utilized. These results may lie accomplished as illustrated in Fig. 1 hy passing the conductor 2. through an aperture 8 in the stoneware or other cover J of the cell. a gasket 1U of soft ruhher or the like being provided between the upper surface of the carbon and the lower face of the cover. the whole being drawn into firm engagement by means of a nut 11 on the conductor 23. 1'. indicates a lead washer. and 13 the anode conductor 01' hits HU'. The lower surface of the cover may lie recessed a indicated at 1-l to receive the houlder .3 of the metal terminal.

The cell-cover may if desired he of iron as indicated at in Fig. .3. heing provided of course. with an internal resistant lining indicated at i In such cases the present form oi connector presents the advantage that the conductor liar may lie flat upon the top of the cell. whereby the whole cover serves as a current conductor and distributer to the anodes at one and the same time.

'hen the carbon portion of the anode is to he mounted some distance below the cellcover I provide a sleeve of hard rnl'iher. stoneware or other inert material. as indicated at 15 in Fig. 2. this sleeve encircling the shank of the terminal and bearing upon soft ruhher gaskets 10 located hetween the. sleeve and the cell-cover and cal-lion anode res ta -tively. This sleeve may of course he of any desired thickness and may he recessed as at 14 to receive the shoulder of the terminal.

I claim 1. .\u electrode comprising a carhon portion provided with a recess. a metalli con duetor extending into said recess. and a hody of fusi ile metal hetween said conductor and the t'ilI'lNiIi and engaging the latter hy in ans of a scrc\\"tlil'cntl. the portion of tho carhon adjacent the metal hcing impervious to the t lectrolyte or its decomposition products.

'3. .\n electrode comprising a carlion hody provided with a recess having an internal screw thread. the portion immediately surrounding the recess heing impregnated with an acid proof sulistanee. a body ot'i'usihle metal having an external screw thread to tit the threads of said recess and a metallic terminal securely locked in the iody ot' t'usil)lt' metal.

3. In comhination with an electrolytic cell having a cover. an electrode comprising a ttll'lltlll portion provided with a rece having an internal screw-thread. 'a metallic terminal extending into said recess and engaging the threaded portion thereof. the portion of the carlion adjacent the metal lieing impervious to the electrolyte or its decomposition products. a gasket encircling the terminal and lying hetwccn the cat-lion hotly of the electrode and the interior face f the cell cover. and means for forcing the carhon hody of the electrode into contact with said gasket to make a liquid-tight joint therewith.

4. In comhination with an electrolytic cell having a cover. an electrode comprising a carhon portion provided with a rece s having an internal scre\vthre:ul. a metallic. terminal extending into said recess and engaging the threaded portion thereof. the portion of the tttll)t)l1 adjacent the metal being impervious to the electrolyte or its decomposition products. an insulating sleeveencircling the metallic terminal hetween the ca rl on body of the electrode and the interior face of the cell cover. and means for forcing said elements into contact to make a liquidtight joint.

5. An electrode comprising a carlion hody and a metal terminal. the portion of the carbon adjacent the metal terminal heing impregnated with a mixture containing asphaltum and a glycerid.

In testimony whereof I atlix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

FRANK (i. Wlllllllilil-t. \Vitnesses:

Ana E. Lannm. S. R. S'nLP.

1 Copiei of ihll patent may be obtained for In cent: F5, 117 a'ldi iii ng' the "G'binmluloxter (if Petun

Images