US2007204A - Device for cleaning and electroplating balls - Google Patents

Description

July 9, 1935- H. LE LAuRlN ET AL 2,007,204

DEVICE FOR CLEANING AND ELECTROPLATING' BALLS I Filed NOV. 16, 1931 3 Sheets-Sheet l mi :mul I I IlII II IIIIIIIIIIIIHIIIIH IIIIIIIIIHII I lil I IIII Im III llI Il III l III IIIIIIII IIIIlI:qIIIIIIIHIlIIIII ,1 nlllilumllll I July 9, 1935- H. LE LAURIN r Al. 2,607,204

DEVICE FOR CLEANING AND ELECTROPLATING BALLS 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Nov. 16, 1931 L n [A July 9, 1935. H. LE LAURIN E1' AL DEVICE FOR CLEANING AND ELECTROPLATING BALLS Filed Nov.`16,', 1931 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 1 purpose.

Patented July 9, 1935 t starei rer- PAT

DEvro Fon 'cLEAmN'G AND VELECTRO-y L PLATING BALLS Y HarryvLe Ilaurin and Alberty .1 Washington,

. Applieationnovember 16,1931, serial 510,575,430

' 13 claims; (Ci. 2ov4111,),5v1"1 (Granted under th act ofMach' isssfas Y amended April 30, 1928;.7370 A0. `7 57) 1 `Our invention relates to a devicefor cleaning vmetal balls by anodic action and subsequently electroplating them in oneioperation. Y Y

The object of our invention is to provide a machine that will keep the balls being plated in rotation at all times to present a continuously varying point of contact with the current supply and continuously to changev thesurface presented to the anode, whereby' auniform deposition over the entire surfaceis secured.

A further object is to subject theballsto a reversed action of the current during a portion of the process to clean them by, anodic1 action.

With the above Vand other objects in View, the invention consists in the construction, combination and arrangement Vof parts as `will be describedmore fully hereinafter.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings forming apartof this specification, in which like reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views, and inwhich: y n

Figure V1 is a'section taken along the shaft that vsupports the rotating electrodes;

Figure 2 Vis a transverse section line 2 2, Figure l; l y Figure 3 is partial transverse the line 3-3, Figure 1;

' Figure l is a sectional detail showing the connection of the cathode track to the shaft;

Figure 5 is a top: plan View of the machine;

Figure' 6'is a partial section on the line 6 6 Figure 5;

taken on the section, taken on Figure 'l' is a transverse section on the line '!-'i, Figurev 5;

Figure 8 is a' detail y 'rampsV on the cathode. track for changing the point of contact of the balls with the track.

plating vwith chro-nn'umpit isV to be understood that any of the metals used for .electroplating' may be applied.v thereby. n Y

A Thetank toI contain the electroplating vsolution may be of any construction' suited to the Shaft it is mountedfin bearings ll i that are supported by members |2 l resting on the sides of tank 9. 'Y The intermediate portion of shaft l!) isV made polygonal'as indicated atr |3 to facilitate the securing of certain members thereto, as explained hereafter. v

The cathode track i4, along which roll the balls Y 23 that are being plated, is made up of the two v,The rst portion. 2t of the trackv ill traversed by a ball is connected to anode bars @Q and'alpiece of Y. from hopper 3|.it rolls to the position 23- l, Figvievv showing one of the shaft'|05twiceainjeachlturn by electrically conducting straps l 1, or more frequently if found deisirable.fr "Y `Between theturnsojf trackmll is a helix I3 of sheet lead, :Whichacts as the anode. Helix i8 is,

by meanslofg metal bracketsysupprted from and electrically connected to'anovd'e Vbars I9 that j are connectedA tornetalsleeves Zilwhich are in- ;sulated .from shaft 2l by insulating-elements 22.

Anocle bars I9 are supported intermediate their 0 preferably either of leadorare coated with lead to prevent contamination ofthe solution by Vmetal that would be acted uponby that solution.

sheet leadhzconnected to shaft lll is disposedV adjacentgthereto, so that the balls are for a .short time subjected Yto anodic action, whereby theyr are lcleaned. and made readily receptive of l the plating metal.A The portion' 28 of the track 4is isolated from the remainder of the track by insulating members 3D.

When a bau V23 is delivered-'to trackportion 2a ure 5, Where vitremains` until carried downinto 30 the electrolyte by rotation of shaft iii, Where it remains While the shaft rotates sufciently to move it across-insulating members Sil tothe cathiode-track, when .theball is carried down into solution again land there remains at the lowest 5 portion of the track until it has moved the length of the track toi/:the reversed portion 32, which picks it up and :discharges it to chute 33. While theball is in.;tlf1e. solution current is passing throughit to the track from anode helix H3,A and metal is deposited on it. At intervalsramp elethroughout, which would result in Yuneven plat- 45 ingyby presentingv changing surfaceV elements to contact with-the track a uniform coat of metal on the ball-ishsecured. v l Y w Y .Balls23 `are keptxseparat'ed on the track I4 by 50 delivering to the track one ball each rotationof the track.A This is done by gate 34 carried on resilientgniounting 355 at one endV of the gate that Vnormallyhangs low enough to` prevent passage of ballsfrornlhopperl. {'Ihe` free end of 55 VVVgate 34 has adown-turned end 3E that rides upon,

ring 3l fixed on anode bars I9 to rotate therewith. A cam boss 38 on the ring contacts end 36, lifts gate 34, and permits a ball to pass out of the hopper, the length of boss 38 being just sufiicient to allow the delivery of one'ball to the track, after which the gate moves down until it is again raised by passage of the boss under end 36.

Current is supplied to anode bars I9 through,

positive cable 39 and bus bar 40. Split bearing sleeves (to which the anode bars I9 are connected) by springs 42, and conducting. straps 43 connect bus bar to contact members 4|. The current is conducted away from shaft III through split bearing contacts 44 thatbear on the shaft, and straps 45 connect the contacts 44. to negative bus bar 46 and cable 41. Springs 48 insure a proper degree of pressure of contactsr 44 upon shaft I0.

The mechanism for rotating shaft III consists 'of a gear wheel 49 mounted on shaft I0 and engaged with a worm 50 driven by belt 5I that runs over pulley 52 on the shaft 53 of worm 50 and pulley 54 on shaft 55 of motor 56, which for purpose of illustration is here shown asan air motor, though any suitable prime mover may obviously be substituted.

Pipes 51 and 58 are respectively the inlet and exhaust for 'steam circulated in coil.59 to heat thel solution. Pipes and 6I convey water t0 p and from coil 62 to cool the solution when necessary. The two coils 59 and 62 serve jto control the temperature of the solution in tank 9 within the limits necessary for successful electroplating.

The operation of this device is as follows:

Hopper 3| is loaded with balls 23, and motor 56 is started and the shaft ls set in rotation. Boss 38 lifts gate 34 and permits a ball to roll down upon the portion 28 of the track, where it is subjected to anodic cleaning while in the solution. The next revolution of the shaft causes the ball to roll over to the cathode track I4, and the ball is carried down intoV the solution in tank 9, where it remains at the lowest part of the track as it is moved along the helical track. When the ball reaches the reflexed` portion 32 it can roll no farther, and so is picked up and carried around until the reflexed portion starts down on the other side of shaft I0, at which time the ball is discharged into chute 33. Throughout the time ball 23 is immersed in the solution, while on track I4, the metal in Athe solution is being deposited upon the ball, and as the part thereof in contact with the track is continually changing, a coating of uniform thickness over the whole surface of the ball results. is continuous, it has a high output.

The length of time the balls are kept inthe solution may be controlled by the speed of rotation of the shaft YIII and also by the length of the track I4.

If the electrolyte used has high throwing capacity the spiral anode I8 may be omitted and anodes suspended at the sides of the tank be substituted therefor.

When, the electrolyte is such that it is not practical to clean the balls therein, a separate cleaning device may be used and the balls fed automatically from the cleaning into the plating device. Y

The transfer of the ball from the anodic track to the cathodic track may be effected in the solution where the amperage isnot so high as is used Y Vin chromium plating, but in the instance shown it is preferable to make the change out of the As the operation of the device solution, as shown in Figure 5, to prevent danger of pitting the ball by arcing of the current as the ball breaks contact in the solution.

It will be understood that the above description comprehends only the general and preferred ernbodirnent of our invention, and that various changes therein may be made within the scope of the appended claims without sacrificing any of the advantages of our invention. contact Vmembers 4I are held In vcontact with l The herein described invention may be manufactured and used by or for the Government of the United States for governmental purposes without the payment of any royalty thereon.

We claim:

1. An apparatus for electroplating balls, comprising a tank for electrolyte, a shaft rotatably mounted above the level of electrolyte therein having a portion of its length of polygonal cross section, insulating members on said shaft at the ends of said portion, conducting sleeves secured on said insulating members, anode bars connected to said sleeves, split-bearing contact members on said sleeves, springs disposed to retain said contact members against said sleeves, current supply means connected to said contact members, other split-bearing members on said shaft, springs to retain said other contact members in position, conducting elements connected to said other contact members, a cathodic track formed of helically wound equidistantly spaced conducting bars connected to the polygonal portion of said shaft, a spiral anode of sheet lead connected to said anode bars, and disposed between the turns of said track the said shaft lying along the axis of said track and said spiral anode, an anodic track at the intake end of said cathodic track mechanically connected to said cathodic track by insulating members, a portion of said anodic track being reflexed to lift a ball out of the electrolyte while it is being transferred from one track to the other, a reiiexed portion at the discharge end of said cathodic track to lift a ball out of the electrolyte and discharge same from the track, a cathode element disposed adjacentl turned, and a ring on said cathode bars on which said down-turned end rides, said ring having a cam on its periphery disposed tov Contact said down-turned end to lift said gate to feed a ball into said anodic track.

2. An apparatus for electroplating balls, comprising a tank for electrolyte, a shaft rotatably mounted above the level of electrolyte therein, spaced insulating members on said shaft, conducting sleeves secured on said members, anode bars connected to said sleeves, split contact members around said sleeves, contractile means to hold said contact members in position, current supply means connected to said contact members, other split contact members on said shaft, currentconducting means connected to said other contact members, a helical cathode track whereof the lower side is below the electrolyte level adapted to convey balls connected to said shaft at a plurality of points, a helical anode disposed between the turns of said cathodic track and connected to said anode bars, an anodic track at the intake end of said cathodic track mechanically connected to said cathodic track by insulating of balls from said container, and means actuatable by the rotation of Vsaid shaft to move said control means'to permit one ball at a time to pass from said container to said anodic track.

3. An apparatus for electroplating. balls, comprising a tank, a helical cathodic track mounted to have its lower side immersed in electrolyte in said tank, said track comprising two electrically conducting helically wound bars equidistantlyv spaced fromrearch other,a helical sheet lead anode disposed between the 4turns of said track, a like anodic track mechanically connected to the intake end ofA said cathodic track by insulating members, a cathodic element adjacent to said anodic track, rotatable mounting'means for lsaid tracks, said anode and saidcathodic element, a container for balls disposed to Vfeed balls to said anodic track, means actuatable by the rotation of said mounting means to control movement of balls from said'container, means to supply current to said anodebars, and other means to conduct current away from the cathodicV track and cathodic element. Y

4. An apparatus for electroplating balls, 'comprising4 a rotatably mounted shaft, a helical cathodic track adapted to conveyV balls mounted on and electrically connectedto said shaft, a helical anode mounted on but insulated from said shaft and disposed between the turns of said cathodic track, means to feed balls on to said track, means to supply current to said anode, and' other means to conduct current away from said track.

5. An apparatus forelectroplating balls, com-V prising a rotatably mounted shaft, a helical cathodic. track adapted to convey balls mounted on and electrically connected to said shaft, a

helical anode mounted on but insulated from` said shaft and disposed between the turns of said cathodic track, meansV on'said track to impart rotation in addition to that due to the movement of said balls along said track, means to feed balls on to said track, means to supply current to said anode, and other means to conduct current away from said track.

6..In an apparatus forV electroplating balls, aV helical cathodic track, a helical anode disposedY 7. In an apparatus for electroplating balls, a mechanically continuous track to convey balls in electrolyte, said track comprising a continuously anodic portion and `a continuously cathodic portion insulated therefrom, an anode adjacent said cathodic portion, Vand a cathode adjacent said anodic portion, bothvthe anodic portion and the cathodic portion operating at all times in the same body of electrolyte.

8. In an apparatus for electroplating balls, a helical cathodic track adapted to convey balls through electrolyte, said track having each turn thereof directly connected to the source of electrical supply, a rotatable mounting therefor, and

lanode means disposed to dip into said electrolyte to pass current to balls carried by said track.

9. In an apparatus for electroplating balls, a helical cathodic track adapted to convey balls through electrolyte, a rotatable mounting there-v f0ra container foryballs disposed to pass balls 1 to said track, a member disposed to retain balls in Vsaid container, means rotatable with said mounting to move said member to release balls fromsaid container one at each revolution of the mounting, and anode means disposed to dip into said electrolyte to pass current to balls carried by said track.

10. In an apparatus for electroplating balls, a cathodic track comprising two equidistantly spaced helically wound electrically conducting barsto contact and form the sole support for the balls having a reexed portion at one end to discharge balls therefrom into a receiving member placed laterally thereof, va rotatable mounting therefor, and anode means ydisposed to pass current to vballs carried bysaid track.

l1. In an vapparatus for electroplating balls, a cathodic track comprising two equidistantly spaced helically wound electrically conducting bars to cdntact and form the sole support for the balls having a reilexed portion at one end to discharge balls therefrom into a receiving member placed laterally thereof, means fixed to said track to impart to balls carried thereby rotational movement in addition tothat vdue to movement along said track, a rotatable mounting for said track, and' anode means disposed to pass current to balls carried by said track.

12. In an apparatus for chromium plating balls, a mechanically continuous track to convey a number of balls in electrolyte, each` ball separately and out of contact with any other ball but always in contact with the track, said track comprising a continuously anodic portion and a continuously cathodic portion insulated therefrom, an anode adjacent said cathodic. portion, and a cathode adjacent said anodic portion.

` 13. In an apparatus for electroplating balls, a

helical cathodic track adapted to convey balls through electrolyte, a rotatable mounting therefor, a container for balls disposed to pass balls to said track, a member disposed to retain balls in said container, means rotatable with said mounting to move said member to release balls from HARRY LE miURIN. ALBERT L. FRY.

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