US1910044A - Means for preventing destructive electrolytic action - Google Patents

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y 3, 1933. H. w PARKER 1,910,044

MEANS FOR PREVENTING DESTRUCTIVE ELECTROLYTIC ACTION Filed Dec. 14, 1931 @WW 'Z PWQK I MM/IIIMMMW 5 uhummmfmmwl, I Z

ENTOR Parker Hem Patented May 23, 1933 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE HENRY W. PARKER, OF TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA, ASSIGNOR TO ROGERS RADIO TUBES, LIMITED, 01? TORONTO, CANADA, A CORPORATION OF ONTARIO, CANADA MEANS FOR r mvnn'rme DEsrRuc'rIvE ELECTROLYTIC ac'rron Application filed December 14, 1931. Serial No. 580,797.

My invention relates in general to electron discharge devices and in particular to the cooling systems utilized with high power electron discharge devices of the exterior 'elec- 5 trode type.

It is an object of my invention to provide means for preventing the destruction through electrolytic action of the water jackets used in such cooling systems.

A further object of my invention comprises providing means for insertion in an electron discharge device cooling system, at desired points, whereby electric currents of sufficient magnitude to cause electrolytic destruction of the water acket or other metal portions of the cooling system are diverted therefrom.

A'still further object contemplated by my invention consists in providing an electrode of a material which will not disintegrate through electrolytic action for insertion in an electron discharge device cooling system.

- A still further object comprises producing means whereby ordinary tap water may be safely utilized in a thermionic tube cooling system.

In high power thermionic tubes the anodes of which are water cooled, the cooling or jacket water is led to and from the water jacket through a rubber hose. Metal nipples join the hose to the water jacket and these distintegrate rapidly due to destructive electrolytic action of leakage currents from the tube anode. requiring replacement of the nipplcs and often the complete water jacket at frequent intervals.- Various means have been utilized in the past in attempts to overcome this undesirable feature which is a very real commercial disadvantage occasioniug numerous' shut-downs of the apparatus employing the system and high replacement costs. Among the expedients which have been tried have been the costly use of distilled water in the cooling system in an attempt to reduce the amount of electrolysis taking place to a minimum.

My invention is directed toward entirely eliminating such destructive electrolytic action by the use of an electrode which is 'in- 'serted at desired places in the conduit conducting the cooling fluid, providing thereby means for by-passing destructive electrolytic currents from the water jacket or other metal elements of the system usually subject to destructive electrolytic action.

In the figures accompanying and forming a part of this specification and in which like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout:

Fig.1 is a sectional elevation of my electrode; and,

Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic representation of a thermionic tube cooling system showing my novel electrodes disposed therein to eliminate destructive electrolytic action of the elements of the cooling system.

Referring now particularly to Fig. 1, my improved electrode comprises an enclosing envelope 1, preferably of glass or other vitreous material, shaped with an enlarged central portion and reduced outlet and inlet portions 2 and 3 for insertion in a liquid tight manner in a fluid flow conduit. Within the envelope 1 there is provided a "fluid contact member 4, preferably composed of carbon or graphite, as such material is non-active with respect to the nascent hydrogen and oxygenreleased by the electrolysis of water and is therefore not subject to disintegration by electrolytic action. Electrical contact is made with the member 4 by means of preferably a tungsten terminal 5. which is sealed into the envelope 1 preferably by means of a glass bead 6. The terminal 5 also serves as a support for the member 4. The other extremity of the tungsten terminal 5 is electrically connected with the member 4 and eemented therein by means of a water-proof cement 7. As illustrated in the figure, the terminal 5 is fully protected from contact with the cooling fluid and thus not subject to electrolytic action.

Fig. 2 illustrates diagrammatically the disposition of my novel electrodes in'the conduit of a thermionic tube cooling system. The

anode of the tube 8 is enclosed in a liquid tight manner in the water jacket 9 provided with an inlet nipple at the bottom thereof to which is attached by a short length of rubher hose 12 one of my improved electrodes 1. A length of hose 13 connects through an adelectrodes 1, the other extremity of which is connected by'a length of hose to an additiona a1 electrode lwhich is similarly connected by a section of hose 15 with a source for disposal of the jacket water, not shown. The electrodes nearest the water jacket 9 are connected thereto electrically by means of conductors 17 and 18. They thus provide a low resistance path for the current traversing the cooling water. The electrodes and the con- 4 ductors 17 and 18 constitute in effect a by-pass for leakage currents which might otherwise electrolytically disintegrate the nipples of the water jacket 9. Similarly, the source of supply and outlet to which the sections of hose 15 and 16 are connected are protected by similar electrodes 1 connected to earth 14 by means of conductors 19 and 20, respectively. These electrodes in a similar manner protect the source of inlet and discharge from destructive' electrolytic action by providing a path of lower resistance in shunt thereto. The column of water in the cooling system has a very high resistance in ohms per unit of length and the interposition of my electrodes interconnected by copper conductors provides a much lower resistance path to effectively shuntcurrents which would otherwise produce severe electrolytic disintegration in the water jacket or other metal portions of the system which it is desired to protect.

It will be realized from the foregoing that with my improved electrodes properly disposed in the fluid conduit of a thermionic tubecooling system and interconnected electrically, I provide means for effectively preventing destructive electrolytic action of the tube water jacket to accomplish reductions 2. Means for preventing destructive electrolytic action of the water jacket of a thermionic tube cooling system comprising, a plurality of electrically interconnected conductors composed of a material resistant to electrolytic action each enclosed within a vitreous liquid tight container disposed in the fluid flow conduit of said cooling system.

in operating and upkeep costs and permit 3. An elect-rode comprising, a non-metallic envelope, a member composed of graphite

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