US1423815A - Electroplating process - Google Patents

Description

N v, PARK. ELECTROPLATING PROCESS..

APPLICATION FILED JULY 6, 1921.

Patented July 25, 192 2.

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gmehtoz @UNI'TEVISTATES NELSON V. PARK, OF NILES,' MICHIGAN.

ELE CTROPLATING PROCESS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed'July 6, 1921. Serial No. 482,769.

. tain new and useful Improvements in Electroplating Processes; and

.' composition of the plating metal and its i provide a process. which may be practiced- I do hereby declarethat the following is a full, clear, and

exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention has reference to improvemnts in electrof-plati ng by aqueous bath having for an obj'ect, the provision of a novel process for. effecting the rapid detransfer to the receiving body without losses of the same and without the addition of metals in chemical form with the electrolyte,

It is also an object of the invention to at a cost materially less than that required by such methods or processes of electroplating heretofore known in the art, and also, to permit of electroplating in an effi cient manner in materially less time than that heretofore required.

i said cell electrical conductors 8 and 4, the

Other objects will be in part obvious and in 'art pointed out hereinafter.

' 11 order thatthe invention and its mode of application may be readily understood by persons skilled in the art, I have in the accompanying illustrative drawings and in the detailed following description based thereon, set forth one embodiment of the same.

In these drawings:

Figure 1 is a sectional view, partly diagrammatic, showing the manner in whichmy improved electro plating process is practiced; and,

Figure 2 is an enlarged detail in cross section through the air injecting pipe.

Having more particular reference to the drawings, in connection with which like characters of reference will designate corresponding parts, in practicing my improved process, I employ the usual electro-platlng cell 1, placing therein an electrolyte 0r plating bath 2 and leading into conductor 3 constituting the positive side of the source of energy to whlch'said conductors are connected (not shown) while the conductor 4 constitutes the negative "sidethereof.

v An anode 5 composed of the metalbtobe. transferred in the plating processisfsups ported by means of as-uitable hook- 6 upon the positive wire 3-while a cathode 7 or: the article or body which is to receiye the plat ing metal from the anode is likewise. sup.- ported as at 8 upon the ncgativefirire 4:; said anode and cathode, of cojnrse, being immersed. in the electrolyte 25 p A blower 9 or other sui'tablei source of air is arranged at one side of the electroplating cell 1 and has connection with the adjacent end of a tubular elongated nozzle 10, which, as will=be noted, is formed on its lower side with a plurality of orifices ll varying in diameterpas clearly shown :in the Figure 2. It is desirable that then'oz-. zle 1O occupy as much space as it is possible in the bottom of the electro-plating cell 1 and in this connection, it ma be here noted, that if desirable, said nozz e may be provided with lateral branches or other forms of extensions, such as conditions or preference may dictate, but not herein respect to the elongated nozzle 10 issuch as to cause the directing of currents of air varying in pressure downwardly towards the bottom of said electroplating cell 1' whereby this air introduced into the electrolyte 2 will be diffused and caused to thoroughly agitate the electrolyte as a body in order that the same will constantly circulate by the anode 5 and the cathode 7.

In practicing the process, current is set up in the positive and negative wires 4, from a suitable source, not shown, causing electro chemical action as between the anode and the cathode 5 and 7 respectively. This electro-chemical action} results in the decomposition of metal on the anode 5 and by trolyte 2, such decomposed metal will be immediately washed from the anode and transferred through the medium of the electrolyte to .the cathode or receiving body 7 By injecting 'all into the electrolyte 2 through the medium of the nozzle 10 with its orifices 11 of varying diameters or sizes, it will be understood that the plating bath will be agitated within the cell 1 and during decomposition of metal upon the anode 5,

.will' immediately wash the same therefrom which amount is ample for the cathode.

Also, due tothe constant washing of the anode by the electrolyte, I am enabled to practically eliminate the forming of nonsolvent substances, hence. requiring the use of but a small portion of chemical agents, in comparison to the amount now used in prevalent methods or processes. Furthermore, by constantly washing the anode the same will be practically free from' any insulatingsubstances and because of this, it will be understood that the current set up in the wires 3 and 4 may be materially reduced and yet obtain practical results.

The amount of pressure of air injected into the electrolyte 2, of course, is to becommensurate with the requirements of the work or matter to be plated. and as heretofore stated. by being directed downwardly from the nozzle will serve to maintain the electrolyte in a state of constant agitation without violently disturbing the same in such a manner as to cause its displacement.-

To prevent the overloading of the electrolyte with the plating metal which would result in its precipitation to the bottom of the cell, the metal anode 5 is removed from the electrolyte at intervals and replaced by an anode of carbon, thus allowing the amount of plating metal in the bath to be regulated to prevent waste of the same.

' I claim:

1. The herein described process of electroplating which consists in introducing downwardly directed currents of air differing in pressure by means of.-a nozzle having openings of various diameters therein into an electrolyte containing cell having airanode and a cathode element immersed therein whereby the currents of air will agitate the electrolyte and effect the continuous washing of metal from the anode for transfer to the cathode.

2. The herein described process of electroplating which consists in introducing downwardly directed currents of air differing in pressure into an electrolyte containing cell haying an anode formed of the plating metal and a cathode element. immersed therein whereby the currents of air will agitate the electrolyte and effect the continuous washing of metal from the anode for transfer to the cathode, and replacing said metal anode, at intervals, with-an anode of carbon.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

NELSON V. PARK.

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