US901280A - Electroplating apparatus. - Google Patents

Description

J. T. DANIELS.

ELEOTROPLATING APPARATUS.

APLIGATION FILED MAY 11, 1908.

Patented Oct. 13, 1908.

3 fSHEETS-SHEBT 1.

5. T. DANIELS ELEOTROPLATING APPARATUS.

APILI OATION FILED MAY 11, 1908.

Patented Oct. 13, 1908.

3 SHEETSSHEBT 2.

T. DANIELS.

ELEGTROPLATING APPARATUS,

AlPLIUATION FILED MAY 11, 1908.

plating, and

UNITED sm rns PA FENT OFFICE.

John T. DANIELS,

OF NEWARK, NEW JERSEY, A$SIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO THE HANSON dz VAN WINKLE COMPANY, OF NEWARK, NEW JERSEY, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

ELEOTROPLA'IING APPARATUS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

- Patented Oct. 1a, 1908.

Application filed may 11, 1908. Serial No. 32,071.

Figure I is a central vertical section; Fig.

.lI-a detail on enlargedscale; Fig. III a perspective view from direction of arrow on Fig. 1, part on line ac being shown in section; F1g. 'IV a detail on enlarged scale end view of container some parts shown as broken away; Fig. V scale showing the cathode; Fig. VI and VII details on enlarged scale of oscillating cam.

The objectof my present invention cont prises increased facility, rapidity, control, economy and efficiency in olishing, small articles in mass. I have tound that in this art, it is of advantage that the mass, or units, of the articles treated in containers may be positively forced not only by gravity but also, when required, by centrifugal pressure against the cathode and against each other to intensify electrical contact, also that a relatii ely large volume of electrolytic solution be employed, also'that the range of movements il'nparted to the articles during treatment he ex tended as possible, also that those portions of the solution in proximity to the anodes be kept comparatively stationary, while those )ortions within the container and in proximity to the articles or cathode be agitated and forced to circulate and issue from the container as nnich as possible, also that tacilities be afforded for more conveniently and entirely than heretofore removing the articles from the solution and its proximity, also from their container, and for altering, automatically or at will, and Without interfen ing with their tumbling, the depth of imably suspended therein from above by a single support or hearing, means to rotate a detail on enlarged.

the art of electro the said container in the solution on an axis at an angle to the level of the -surface of the latter, stationary anodes in said solution outside of said container, a cathode within and preferably at the bottom of said container, means to oscillate the said container in aplane at an angle to the surface level of said solution, and also the imparting to said container of a downwardly flared, or truncated cone, shape, thins imparting thereto a relatively expanded bottom, of greater area- Whereby relatively greater centrifugal pressure is applied to parts of the solution within the container in proximity to the cathode and the articles, resulting in a more. positive flow of the solution through the container.

Referring now to the drawings, 1 is the tank of wood, or other non-conducting ma; terial, containing an electrolytic solution, the level, or upper surface of which may be indicated, in the present instance, by the line e-a. 2, 2, are contact rods secured to said tank by means of straps 3, 3. 4, i, are binding posts secured to said contact rods and electrically connected by conductor wire 5. By means of the binding post 6 one of said contact rods 2 is connected, by the con ductor wire-lwith the positive pole of .a source of electrical energy. I

7, 7, are anodes suspendedin the solution from rods 3. r

8 is a container, in this instance and preferably, of approximately truncated cone shape, having through its sides perforations.

9, 9, permeable by the solution. 'At the bottom, or enlarged end, of container 8 is located the metallic conductive cathode l0, concentric with metallic conductive shaft 11, to which it. and'container 8 are secured and thereby suspended. Preferably wooden, non-conducting means as spider 12 are secured to shaft and container to increase their rigidity of connection. The cathode 10 is preferably, as shown, of less area than the expanded end, or bottom, of the container upon which it is disposed, and extends radially a. plurality of directions from the center of said shaft. The bottom and sides of the container are'composed of insulating material as for instance wood or celluloid,

or both. The shaft hbove the cathode: is

than said cathode,

preferably provided with radial, inwardly shaft 17, shaft 11, and thus the container. are

projecting ribs 14:.

Means for rotatably and removably suspending the container from one side in said solution are provided asfollows:ln brackets 16, secured to one side of tank 1, is journaled-driving shaft 17, carrying sprocket wheel 18, or other means for applying power. Collars 19 prevent shaft 17 from moving longitudinally. Secured upon shaft 17 is worm-gear 20. Loosely mounted on shaft 17 is a frame comprising conductive cross bar 23, which connects conductive side arins 22, 22, from which extend downwardly nonconductive or insulated arms 24, in which is loosely journaled shaft 17, such connection permitting said frame to be, to an extent, oscillated upon said shaft. One of said side-arms 22 carries a perforated ear 25, the other a pair of perforated ears 26, in which is journaled a screw-shanks, 27 carrying .a thumb-nut 28. A yoke 29 is by the bolt 30, pivotally connected at one end with perforated car 25. The opposite end of said yoke is provided with a slot into which screw-shank 27 may be turned and the yoke secured in closed position as shown in Figs.

II and III by turning down thumb-nut 28. Cross-bar 23 carries a pair of upwardly extending lugs 31, adapted to receive and hold rotatably between them shaft 11 and its appurtenances. Secured to shaft 11 is wormwheel 32, adapted to intermesh with wormgear 20 and having hub 33, with annular groove 34 containing anti-friction balls 35.

' Loosely mounted on shaft 11 is conducting collar 36 with annular flanges 3'2, 37 To shaft 11 is secured sleeve 38 having annular groove containing anti friction balls 39, said sleeve comprising cam 43 rotatable with said shaft on cam bearing 44.

40, 40, Figs. II and I are adjusting and supporting screws threaded into side-arms The free ends of said screws may bear if required against top of one side of tank 1 and support, and limit the downward movement of, said frame and the shaft 11 suspended therefrom and container 8. One of the side arms 22 ofsaid frame carries a binding-post from which conducting wire 42 connects with the negative pole of the source of electrical energy.

The operation is as follows-The container with its appurtenances being isolated from the remainder of the apparatus is at any convenient place charged with the articles to be electroplated and simultaneously polished by tumbling therein. It is then brought to the tank previously charged with a suitable electrolytic solution, and is suspended in latter by inserting collar 3h between lugs 31 and closing yoke 29. This brings sprocket-wheel 18 and worm gear 20 into operative correlation, and, power being applied. to driving- 15 is a non-conductin rotated in the solution around an axis at an handle swiveling on shaft 11.

angle to the level of the surface of latter, whereby the articles are tumbled, and, the current being turned on, electroplated. Cam 43 at each revolution raises and alternately lowers shaft 11 relatively to cam bearing 44 thereby raising and lowering the contained articles relatively to said solution, thereby oscillating the container and the articles in the solution in directions angular to those in which they are simultaneously rotated. Said oscillation also drives the articles by centrifugal force against the cathode and against each other compacting the mass, thus advantageously increasing perfection of contact it also positively forces solution out of the container through the apertures located in the sphere of the greatest centrifugal action, and causes intake of solution through those apertures where the centrifugal force is less,

thus insuring when desired, and without interrupting operations, change and renewal of the solution within the container.

- Whenever desired the container and its contents may, by opening yoke 29, and lifting out, be removed from the tank and its vicinity, and another like container and charge immediately substituted and the tank and its solution thus utilized continuously. The relative expansion of the bottom of the container, insures desirable greater agitation of the solution and the articles proximately to the cathode; also greater centrifugal presand speed and eflici'ency of polishing, and

sure near the cathode thus assisting removal of stale solution from its vicinity, and also the concentric cathode of-less area than. said bottom, assures desirable constant covering of the cathode by the solution and by the articles. The obliquity of the rotation of the container relatively to the solution contained in the stationary tank also desirably increases the agitation of the solution proximately to the articles and its permeation and circulation in and out of the container. The radial blades on the cathode as disposed desirably increase the agitation of the articles and the outflow of the solution from their vicinity.

The oblique suspension of the container as described, and its removability from the solution, and from proximity to the tank, facilitate and improve electroplating and result in numerous economies. v

I am aware that it has been heretofore suggested that oscillatory tanks, or barrels coutaining electrolytic solutions for electroplating be rotated on an inclined axis to cause tumbling of the articles under treatment. also that such. barrels have contained baskets or the like to contain said. articles, such baskets being secured to and rotating with said barrels, and I do not wish to be understood as claiming any such devices, which are broadly distinguishable from my present improvements in that the said barrels and their contents being supported pivotally upon a sub-disposed base, instead of being suspended like my container, their oscillation results only in undesirably forcing the articles ccntrifugally out of contact with the cathode and with each other, the reverse being the case in my novelly suspended container, and besides in the case of the said barrels, the articles are not rotated in a solution contained in a stationary tank. I am i also aware that articles have been heretofore tumbled in drums rotated in stationary'tanks containing a solution, but in these instances the drums have been rotated on non-oscillatory horizontal shafts'or' axes, precluding my said arrangement. of cathode, and above described effects of my apparatus upon the solution and articles, nor do I claim any such devices.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is the following, viz

1. An electroplating apparatus comprising a stationary tank containing an electrolytic solution, a permeable container susoended from one side in said solution and otatable therein on an axis at an angle to the t rel of the surface of said solution, means to rotate said container on said axis, an an 111 said solution outside of said container, and a cathode within said container.

2. An electroplating apparatus comprising a stationary tank containing an electrolytic solution, a permeable container suspended from one side in saidsolution and rotatable on an axis at an pbliq'ue angle to the level of the surfacebf said solution, means to rotate said container on said axis, an anode in said solution outside-ref said container, and a cathode within said container.'

3. An electroplating apparatus comprising a stationary tank containing an electrolytic-- solution, a permeable container suspended from, one side in said solution and rotatable on an axisat an angle to the level of the surface of said solution, means to rotate said container on said axis, an anode in said solution outside of said container, and within said container a cathode concentric with said axis and extending radially in a plurality of directions therefrom.

4:. An electroplating apparatus comprising a stationary tank containing an electrolytic solution, a permeable container suspended from one side in said. solution and rotatable on an axis at an angle to the level the inner surface of said container a cathode 1 concentric with said axis and extending radially in a plurality of directions therefrom.

5. An electroplating apparatus comprising a. stationary tank containing an electro lyt c solution, a permeable container suspended from one side in said SOlIltlOIl and rotatable on an axis at an angle to the levelof the surface of said solution, means to rotate said container on said axis, an anode in said solution outside of said container, and within and at the bottom of said container, a cathode extending radially from said axis.

(3. An electroplating apparatus comprising a stationary tank containing an electrolytic solution, a permeable container suspended from one side in said solution and rotatable on anaxis at an angle to the level of the surface of said solution, means to rotate said container on said axis, an anode in said solution outside of said container, and within and on the bottom of said container, a cathode concentricwith said axis.

7. Aif electroplating apparatus comprising a stationarytank containing an electrolytic solution, a permeable downwardly ex-- panded container suspended from one side with its base downwards insaid solution, rotatable on its own central axis at an angle tothe level of said solution, means to rotate said container on said axis, an anode in said solution outside of said container, and within and on the base of said container a cathode.

8. An electroplating apparatus comprising a stationary tank containing an electrolytic solution, a permeable downwardly expanded container, suspended from one side with its base downwards in said solution, r0 tatable on its own central axis at an angle to the level of the surface of said solution, means to rotate said container on said axis, an anode in said solution outside of said container, and within and on the base of said container a cathode concentric with, and of less area than said bottom.

9. An electroplating apparatus comprising a stationary tank containing an electrolytic solution, a permeable downwardly expanded container, suspended from one side with its base downwards in said solution ro tat-able on its own central axis at an angle to the level of the surface of said solution, means to rotate said container on said axis, a stationary anode in said solution outside of said container, and within and on the bottom of said container a cathode concen-' said solution outside of said container,

cathode within said container, and means to raise and lower said container relatively to said solution.

11. In an electroplating apparatus comprising a cathode, an anode, and a tank containing an electrolytic solution, a permeable container, means to suspend said container from one side thereof, and means to oscillate. said container in a plane projected at an angle to the horizon.

12. In an electroplating apparatus comprising a. cathode, an anode, and a tank containing an electrolytic solution, a permeable container, means to suspend said container from one side thereof, means to oscillate saidcontainer in a plane projected at an angle to the horizon, and means to rotate said container around an axis projected at an angle to the horizon. v

. l3; Infan electroplating apparatus comprising an anode and a tank containing an 14:. In an electroplating apparatus comprising an anode and a tank containing an electrolytic solution, a permeable container containing at its lower end a cathode, means at its opposite end to suspend said container, means to oscillate said container in a plane projected at an angle to the horizon, and means to rotate said container around an axis projected at an angle to the horizon.

JOHN T. DANIELS. VVit-nesses: I

PHILIP C. PEoK, G. G. MEASURES.

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