Electroplating apparatus including means to disturb the boundary layer adjacent a moving electrode

Claim 2

Apparatus for the electrodeposition of a metal from a body of solution comprising: a retainer for retaining a volume of a solution bearing a metal to be recovered; a first electrode member within the retainer and having a first collecting surface to receive and collect said metals; a second electrode member within the retainer and disPosed in spaced apart relationship with said first electrode member, the space between said first collecting surface and second electrode defining a chamber for passage of a body of said solution; means for establishing an electrical potential difference between said first electrode member and said second electrode member; means for moving said first electrode member in a first direction, such movement tending to establish proximate said first collecting surface a laminar boundary layer of fluid having a substantial component of motion in said first direction responsive to movement of said first electrode; and boundary layer tripper means disposed within said chamber and stationary relative to said second electrode member, said boundary layer tripper means extending into said boundary layer of fluid for creating eddy currents of fluid within said boundary layer as said first electrode member is moved.

Claim 3

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first and second electrodes are in the form of a right circular cylindrical body disposed in coaxial relationship, and wherein said boundary layer tripper means includes at least one elongated member having a longitudinal dimension extending substantially parallel with said first collecting surface.

Claim 4

The apparatus of claim 1 in which the boundary layer tripper means includes a plurality of arms positioned within said chamber, each of said arms having a longitudinally extending end, each of said arms positioned with its respective longitudinal dimension extending substantially parallel with said first collecting surface.

Claim 5

The apparatus of claim 3 in which said arms are in the form of a plurality of flaps each comprised of a flexible material compatible with the solution to be retained within the retainer.

Claim 6

Apparatus for electrodeposition of a metal from a solution comprising, in combination: a retainer for retaining a volume of solution bearing a metal to be recovered; a first electrode member within the retainer and having a first collecting surface and a second collecting surface, said first and second collecting surfaces being positioned to be exposed to the solution within the retainer to receive and collect said metal; a second electrode member within the retainer and spaced from the first collecting surface of the first electrode, the first and second electrodes positioned relative to one another to permit said solution to circulate intermediate the first and second electrodes; a third electrode member within the retainer and spaced from the second collecting surface of the first electrode with the first electrode positioned intermediate the second and third electrodes, the first and third electrodes positioned relative to one another to permit said solution to circulate intermediate the first and third electrodes; electrical power means for establishing an electrical potential on the first and second electrodes relative to one another and on the first and third electrodes relative to one another; boundary layer tripper means intermediate the first and second electrode members and intermediate the first and third electrode members for disturbing the solution adjacent the first and second collecting surfaces, the boundary layer tripper means including at least one arm positioned within the retainer intermediate the first and second electrodes and projecting toward said first collecting surface and at least one arm positioned within the retainer intermediate the first and third electrodes and projecting toward said second collecting surface; and drive means for providing relative motion between the boundary layer tripper means and said first and second collecting surfaces.

Claim 7

Apparatus for electrodeposition of a metal from a solution comprising, in combination: a retainer for retaining a volume of solution bearing a metal to be recovered; a first electrode member within the retainer and having a first collecting surface and a second collecting surface, said first and second collecting surfaces being positioned to be exposed to the solution within the retainer to receive and collect said metal; a second electrode member within the retainer and spaced from the first collecting surface of the first electrode, the first and second electrodes positioned relative to one another to permit said solution to circulate intermediate the first and second electrodes; a third electrode member within the retainer and spaced from the second collecting surface of the first electrode with the first electrode positioned intermediate the second and third electrodes, the first and third electrodes positioned relative to one another to permit said solution to circulate intermediate the first and third electrodes; electrical power means for establishing an electrical potential on the first and second electrodes relative to one another and on the first and third electrodes relative to one another; boundary layer tripper means intermediate the first and second electrode members and intermediate the first and third electrode members for disturbing the solution adjacent the first and second collecting surfaces, the boundary layer tripper means including at least one arm positioned within the retainer intermediate the first and second electrodes and projecting toward said first collecting surface and at least one arm positioned within the retainer intermediate the first and third electrodes and projecting toward said second collecting surface; and drive means for providing relative motion between the boundary layer tripper means and said first and second collecting surfaces.

Claim 8

The apparatus of claim 5 in which said arms are comprised of a flexible non-conductive material compatible with the solution, said arms terminating adjacent to the respective first and second collecting surfaces.

Claim 9

The apparatus of claim 6 in which the boundary layer trIpper means includes a plurality of said arms with the second and third electrodes each being engaged to a plurality of arms, the arms engaged to the second electrode being substantially uniformally spaced relative to one another about the first collecting surface of the first electrode, and the arms engaged to the third electrode being substantially uniformally spaced relative to one another about the second collecting surface of the first electrode.