US582923A

US582923A - Electrolytic apparatus

Info

Publication number: US582923A
Authority: US
Publication date: 1897-05-18
Anticipated expiration: 1914-05-18

Description

(No Model) A. E. HUNT.

ELECTROLYTIC APPARATUS.

No. 582,923. Patented May 18, 1897.

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UNITED STATES PATENT EEICE.

ALFRED E. HUNT, OF PITTSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA.

ELECTROLYTIC APPARATU S.

SI'ECIFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent No. 582,923, dated May 18, 1897.

Application filed December 4,1895. Serial No. 571,064. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ALFRED E. HUNT, of Pittsburg, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Electrolytic Apparatus, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

My invention has been especially devised with reference to the electrolytic production of aluminium from fused baths, and I shall so describe it, particularly premising, however, that it is not limited in scope to such application, but may be applied to other apparatus used for electrolysis or for electrical heating.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 shows in side elevation a series of electrolytic pots constructed in accordance with my invention. Fig. 2 is an end elevation showing one of the pots, and Fig. 3 is a detail sectional View.

In the manufacture of aluminium in large establishments using a current of high tension (two hundred and fifty volts or more) applied to the metal-pots,wherein the aluminium is reduced by electrolysis from a solution of alumina in a molten bath and is deposited on the lining of the pots which are directly included in the electric circuit and serve as the cathodes, the workmen who attend the pots and manipulate the anodes are liable to be injured when standing upon wet earth, or when,

for any other reason, a good ground connection or direct circuit is established through the workman between the pot at which he is working and the other end of the electric circuit, where the current enters the series of pots. It is for the purpose of avoiding such danger that I have devised my present invention. It consists in placing around each pot and in direct electrical connection therewith a metal platform, preferably constituted by extending the bottom plates of the pot outward laterally beyond the sides of the pot. The workman must stand upon this platform in order to get access to the pot, and as the platform is necessarily at the same electrical potential as the pot' itself the current cannot pass through him. He is therefore in a position of safety no matter what be the Voltage of the current. Each pot should have its own platform electrically distinct from the platforms of the other pots.

The details of construction of the apparatus may be modified within wide limits. The metal platform may be constituted by plates integral with the bottom plates of the several pots or by separate plates riveted or otherwise secured to the bottom plates, and other modifications may be made by the skilled mechanic.

In the accompanying drawings, 2 2 are the pots.

8 3 are the carbon anodes, which enter the electrolytic bath and are connected to the conductors 4 by clamps 5, and 4c are standards which support the'conductors 4. Each pot has a conductor 6 electrically attached to the metal shell of the pot, so that the carbon lining of the latter shall serve as the cathode. The pots are connected in series by conductors '7 and the arrangement is such that the difference of potential at the end of the series is high, the fall of potential at each pot being comparatively small.

8 8 are the platforms for the workmen, these platforms being formed by extending the bottom plates of the pot, as shown in ings.

I claim- 1. Electrical apparatus of the character described, having a number of pots or vessels electrically connected in series, and the several pots or vessels having metal platforms in electrical connection therewith, so that they shall be maintained at the same electrical potential as the pot; substantially as described.

2. Electrolytic apparatus of the character described, having a number of pots or vessels electrically connected in series, and the several pots or vessels having metal platforms in electrical connection therewith, so that they shall be maintained at the same electrical potential as the pot, said platforms being constituted by extensions of the bottom plates of the pots; substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

ALFRED E. HUNT.

Witnesses:

THOMAS W. BAKEWELL, H. M. CoEwIN.

the draw- I