Abstract: A corner insert for edge strips used with modified electrodes for electrolytic processes. An electrode that is at least partially submerged in an electrolyte is protected by edge strips to prevent depositions and metallic bridges. The edge strips are typically mitered to abut one another at the corners of the electrode and it is difficult to seal this junction. One solution is to remove the corners of the electrode, provide non-mitered edge strips, and close the gap at the corner with an insert adapted to seal to the additional edges of the electrode created by removing the comers. Another solution is to provide a corner insert having one or more anchors for anchoring the corner insert to the electrode and to respective adjacent edge strips, the corner insert sealing against the edge strips and against opposite sides of the electrode whether or not the corner portion has been removed.

Abstract: An arrangement for spacing electrodes used in the electrowinning of copper includes two identical spacers which are designed to be mounted in an opening of an anode. Each spacer is elongated and has two ends which respectively face upward and downward during use. The upward facing end includes a confining surface which confronts a major surface of the anode on which the spacer is mounted and a sliding surface which faces away from the confining surface and has a slope. The confining surface and the sliding surface meet at a knife-edge which again faces upward during use. When the anode on which the spacer is mounted is immersed in an electrolytic bath and a cathode is lowered into a position adjacent to the anode, the knife-edge prevents the cathode from becoming caught on the spacer should the cathode be lowered onto the spacer. In addition, the sliding surface allows the cathode to slide towards its position.

Abstract: An electrode assembly for the electrowinning of copper includes an electrode in the form of a plate. An edge strip is mounted on one edge of the electrode and serves to mask the edge from an electrolyte in which the assembly is immersed. A gap exists between the edge strip and the electrode on either side of the electrode. A sealing strip is located in each gap, and the sealing strips are discrete from the electrode and the edge strip. The sealing strips are resilient and can be stretched to remove the sealing strips from the gaps so that the sealing strips can be replaced.

Abstract: A nonconductive insert is provided to fill the void resulting from the removal of mother-plate corners wrapped within the abutting ends of side and bottom edge strips. The insert includes at least one anchor, adapted to frictionally engage the end of a strip mounted along the edge of the mother plate. The insert and its anchors are designed to completely fill the void left by the missing mother-plate corner, thereby preventing penetration of electrolyte and accumulation of deposits. According to other embodiments of the invention, the insert may be incorporated into the edge-strip end as an integral component of the strip.

Abstract: An electrode edge protector includes two distinct components that cooperate to provide a tight and durable fit over the edge of an electrode. The first component is an elongated core member with a longitudinal slot for receiving the edge of the electrode. This core member is made of relatively flexible material and includes multiple transverse perforations for housing retaining pins passed through corresponding holes in the electrode plate in substantially the same manner as in conventional edge strips. The second component is an elongated sleeve with a cross-section conforming to the geometry of the core member so as to provide a snug support structure that wraps around the core and contains the pins in place. The sleeve is made of relatively rigid material that is inert to the electrolytic solution.

Abstract: A spacer for electrodes has pair of walls which define a channel for an edge of an electrode. An arm extends from an edge of each wall, and the arms include respective sections which flare to opposite sides of the channel. Each arm can include an additional section which extends from the associated flaring section and is inclined towards the opposite wall.

Abstract: An electrode assembly for use in electrowinning includes a cathode in the form of a plate. The cathode has a pair of parallel vertical edges, and a horizontal bottom edge which runs between the vertical edges and defines respective corners therewith. An edge strip is mounted on each of the vertical edges as well as on the bottom edge. The bottom edge strip has an end at either corner, and each end of the bottom edge strip is in abutment with the lower end of the adjoining vertical edge strip. A corner protector is located at each corner and has a vertical channel which receives the lower end of the respective vertical edge strip, a horizontal channel which receives the respective end of the bottom edge strip, and a cutout which receives the cathode.

Abstract: An electrode edge protector that includes an elongate strip having a substantially H-shaped cross-section in combination with an expansion member. The elongate strip comprises two lever-arm portions made of rigid material that define a longitudinal edge slot for receiving and wrapping around the edge of an electrode and an opposing expansion slot for receiving the expansion member. The rigid lever-arm portions are interconnected between the slots by a coextruded hinge member made of resilient material which enhances the ability of the edge strip to adhere to the electrode in the edge slot as a result of the force exerted by the expansion member in the expansion slot.