Abstract: An anode, particularly an anode basket, having on its exterior surface a layer of open, non-woven fibrous mat to protect the anode from accidental contact with a cathode or with an electrically conducting member in contact with the cathode.

Abstract: The apparatus for electrochemical machining of workpieces comprises an electrode tool adapted to be fed during a machining operation toward the workpiece mounted on a work table and to be retracted from the workpiece for an inter-operation interval, a pump arranged in a common line upstream of the point of branching off of the working line for supplying the working fluid from a tank to the workpiece and of a bypass line for circulation of the fluid through an intermediate vessel into the tank for the fluid, and also a line switching control means connected with the control elements of individual valves mounted in the working and bypass lines, the means having two rods rigidly connected with the electrode tool and extending in the direction of the feed of the latter, their length being adjustable, the individual valves being fixed on the work table, each under the respective one of said rods, for interaction of the rod with the control element of the respective valve, as the electrode tool is being fed toward

Abstract: A device and process of electrolytic precision drilling of a plurality of in-line boreholes formed in a row, the boreholes having skewed axes and serving as cooling air holes in a workpiece includes a plurality of tubular electrodes for passing a stream of electrolyte therethrough, the stream being directed at the workpiece, an electrolyte manifold head, the tubular electrodes being attached thereto, guidance means which have an upper edge and are provided with coaxial guidance bores for each of the bores to be formed in the workpiece for receiving the tubular electrodes respectively, and where the guidance means are rigid with the workpiece, and feed means for the tubular electrodes. The electrodes are dimensioned for a guidance-free length to remain between the attachment point of the tubular electrodes of the electrolyte manifold when the electrodes reach a final bore depth in the workpiece; that length is at least equal to fifty times the diameter of one of the tubular electrodes.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for obtaining signals from the anode buses of a mercury cell to provide automatic protection against short circuits, visual readouts, and computer information. A multiplexer is associated with each cell which scans the signals from the various bus bars. The scanned signals from each bus bar are sequential with one another and are converted to proportional voltage and anode bus current signals, which are transmitted to a console for decoding and processing to provide a visual readout and to a computer for processing and anode adjustment. In addition, each cell has an overcurrent and short circuit protection circuit based upon anode bus current. The instantaneous anode bus current for a given bus of a cell is compared with an average anode bus current for that cell and the anodes raised when the current exceeds the average bus current by a certain percentage.

Abstract: A dielectric processing chamber unit for use in electroprocessing large surface areas including electropolishing and electroplating. The processing chamber unit has an open face, an open top, a sealing strip, an electrolyte inlet and an electrode. The processing chamber unit is placed with its open face against a surface to be electroprocessed and an electrolyte is introduced into the chamber through the inlet. The inlet is located so that the entering electrolyte dislodges gas bubbles formed during electroprocessing and then both the electrolyte and gas leave the chamber through its open top.A method of electroprocessing a surface using such a processing chamber unit whereby a relatively small amount of electrolyte is used and recirculated during processing.

Abstract: A cell liner for an electrolytic cell which covers the base plate of the cell is adapted to provide an effective seal between the base plate and the cover of the cell. Around the perimeter of the liner extends a sealing device having two parallel ribs defining a channel for receiving an elongated elastomeric extrusion of circular cross-section. The extrusion is adapted to sealably contact the sealing rim of the top cover.

Abstract: A substantially sealed electrolyte container is provided for electroplating articles, and an evacuating means is provided for evacuating the space above the electrolyte surface in the electrolyte container. The article to be electroplated forms the anode or cathode electrode. The electrolyte container is subdivided by porous partitions, which do not disturb the electrical field of force, into cathode and anode chambers, and separate gas extraction means are provided for said chambers. Beneath the electrolyte level in the cathode and anode chambers electrolyte extraction and supply means are provided by means of which the electrolyte is extracted, degassed and returned to the cathode and anode chambers.

Abstract: An electrolytic cell expandable anode assembly particularly useful as anodes in commercial chlor-alkali productions cells, said assembly having two parallel, foraminous working faces and a simple spreading means. This spreading means plays no role in the conduction of electricity from any external power source to the working faces. Rather, said electrical conduction role is performed by an intermediate, stationary conducting means connecting the working faces at one of these ends which also physically holds the anodes in place within the cell by rigidly connecting them to one end of each of the working faces and rigidly connected then to the anode base of said anode assembly.

Abstract: An improvement for use in conjunction with the preventing of short circuits in one of a plurality of electrolytic cells and one of a plurality of horizontal mercury cells electrically connected in series with each cell having means for raising a plurality of anodes relative to the cathode and a plurality of anode buses. Switch means are associated with at least two of each plurality of anode buses for closing an electric circuit upon sensing a short circuit condition. The closing of the electric circuit results in the lighting of the lamp indicating which one of the plurality of anode buses the switch that has closed is associated with, a lamp for indicating which one of the plurality of cells the switch that has closed is associated with, and causes the raising of the plurality of anodes with which the switch that has closed is associated.

Abstract: A cathode for an electrolytic cell, providing a low overvoltage on contact with the electrolyte, having at least one surface of a compound comprising (a) a metal of the group comprising nickel, copper, iron and cobalt, and (b) another element of the group comprising any of the preceding metals, titanium, lanthanides, magnesium, boron, molybdenum, manganese, vanadium, niobium and tantalum and their hydrogenation products. The cathode is particularly useful in the electrolysis of alkali chlorides.

Abstract: A layer of chromium is removed from the metalization system on a silicon integrated circuit wafer that also includes copper and aluminum. By electrolytic etching in a sulfuric acid solution containing about 10% by volume water saturated with chromium sulfate, chromium can be removed without excessive removal of copper or aluminum.

Abstract: Electrical current used in electrolytic recovery of metals, such as silver, is controlled digitally by causing pulses from an oscillator operating at a first frequency to be counted during introduction of silver bearing salts into solution and causing the electroplating current to correspond to the cumulative count. Thereafter, following salt introduction, the oscillator is operated at a second frequency, corresponding to the previously accumulated count, and the counter is counted down at this second frequency while the electroplating current is correspondingly reduced.

Abstract: A novel circuit of electrolytic cells, comprising novel monopolar cells with novel means of electrical cell to cell connections and electrical cell to jumper switch connections, resulting in a reduction of the necessary amount of highly conductive materials for these connections, and in a reduction of floor space required for the circuit, as well as in improved conditions for cell operation.

Abstract: This invention relates to a hydrogen generator for producing hydrogen gas by electrolyzing an electrolytic solution, mainly consisting of water in an electrolytic cell; wherein palladium or palladium alloy membranes are used as the cathode and hydrogen gas to be generated by electrolysis permeates the said cathode and is collected in a hydrogen chamber. This apparatus, including a pipe for discharging the oxygen to be released at the anode, the said pipe being provided with an oxygen gas valve, and a hydrogen gas supply pipe which is connected to a hydrogen chamber and is provided with a hydrogen gas valve, is characterized by that oxidation of the said cathode is prevented by sealing the said electrolytic cell and the said hydrogen chamber while this is not in operation.

Abstract: The invention relates to electrochemical cells whereof one electrode is of a particulate type which may comprise a fluidized bed electrode, a packed bed electrode or a circulating bed electrode, an electrolyte being passed through the particulate electrode possibly for fluidizing and/or circulating the particles of the electrode. Whereas in previous cells of this kind a diaphragm has been arranged between the particulate electrode and the counterelectrode of the cell, it has been discovered that such a cell can be operated with the counterelectrode actually in contact with particles of the particulate electrode provided the material of the surface of the counterelectrode is suitably chosen. Among the materials mentioned are graphite, ruthenium oxide, lead oxide and iron oxide.

Abstract: A chromic-sulfuric etching solution for copper is regenerated in an etching container with a permeable diaphragm dividing the container into an etching chamber and a sulfuric acid containing chamber. Electric current passes between an anode electrode located in the etchant chamber and a cathode electrode located in the sulfuric acid chamber to regenerate the etchant in the anode containing chamber and to deposit copper on the cathode.

Abstract: A method for etching fine grooves in surfaces by the combination of pulsed currents in a modified E.C.M. (Electro Chemical Machining) method in combination with a flow guiding template.The method is very suitable for the etching of grooves in a surface used in a bearing.

Abstract: A cooling device for self-baking anodes in electrolytic cells for the production of aluminum includes plural cooling rods extending through openings in a supporting bar and supported thereby in a row covering a band-shaped zone along the center line of the cell anode. Each cooling rod is partly submerged in the anode mix of the cell and has a collar which determines the extent of such submergence. Each cooling rod is an aluminum extrusion having longitudinal ribs radiating from a center section.

Abstract: An annular rigid disc and elastomeric annular ring sealing assembly for electrolytic cells with adjustable anode posts. The seal assembly has extended life, less costly construction and easier replacement due to the reduced cross-sectional area of flexible sealing material exposed to the hostile environment of the electrolytic cell.

Abstract: A method for electrolytically graining the surface of aluminum sheets useful in the production of lithographic printing plates which comprises subjecting said aluminum sheets to the action of alternating electric current in an aqueous electrolytic solution containing, in combination, small but effective amounts of both hydrochloric and nitric acids.