US3717568A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for removing minerals from ore
Assignee: Bro-Lee Inc
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Filing: 1970-04-21
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Granted: 1973-02-20
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Expires: 1990-04-21
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for electrolytically precipitating copper dissolved from ores and the like wherein the precipitation is accomplished with a pulsating direct current. The direct current supplied to the anode and cathode is periodically reversed in polarity with respect to the anode and cathode whereby the previous anode becomes the cathode and the previous cathode becomes the anode. Upon reversal of the polarity, the copper precipitated on the previous cathode falls off of the then functioning anode. There is also provided an improved electrolyte for use in the process containing sulfuric acid with a minor amount of lead dissolved therein.
Inventors
- 👤 D Brown
- 👤 G Leech
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 08:03
CPC Classifications
C; C25; C25C; C25C1/00; C25C1/12; C25C7/00; C25C7/06; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S204/00; Y10S204/08; Y10S204/09
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
259 words
An apparatus for electrolytic precipitation of minerals from a copper containing ore comprising: a tank, a first and second series of electrodes disposed therein in spaced relationship, a third and fourth series of electrodes disposed therein in spaced relationship, the lower edges of the electrodes being disposed above the bottom of the tank, a first means electrically connecting the first series of electrodes, a second means electrically connecting the second series of electrodes, a third means electrically connecting the third series of electrodes, and a fourth means electrically connecting the fourth series of electrodes, means for supplying a pulsating direct current to each of the said first and second means and to each of the said third and fourth means wherein the said first and second means are of opposite polarity and the third and fourth means are of opposite polarity including a voltage step-down transformer having a primary winding adapted for connection to a source of alternating current and a first and second secondary winding, first current rectifying means connecting said electrodes of said first series to one side of said first winding with said electrodes of said second series being connected to the other side of said first winding and second current rectifying means connecting said electrodes of said third series to one side of said second winding with the said electrodes of said fourth series being connected to the other side of said second winding, and means for periodically reversing the polarity of the said first and second means and of said third and fourth means.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
259 words
An apparatus for electrolytic precipitation of minerals from a copper containing ore comprising: a tank, a first and second series of electrodes disposed therein in spaced relationship, a third and fourth series of electrodes disposed therein in spaced relationship, the lower edges of the electrodes being disposed above the bottom of the tank, a first means electrically connecting the first series of electrodes, a second means electrically connecting the second series of electrodes, a third means electrically connecting the third series of electrodes, and a fourth means electrically connecting the fourth series of electrodes, means for supplying a pulsating direct current to each of the said first and second means and to each of the said third and fourth means wherein the said first and second means are of opposite polarity and the third and fourth means are of opposite polarity including a voltage step-down transformer having a primary winding adapted for connection to a source of alternating current and a first and second secondary winding, first current rectifying means connecting said electrodes of said first series to one side of said first winding with said electrodes of said second series being connected to the other side of said first winding and second current rectifying means connecting said electrodes of said third series to one side of said second winding with the said electrodes of said fourth series being connected to the other side of said second winding, and means for periodically reversing the polarity of the said first and second means and of said third and fourth means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the said first and second means are bus bars.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
52 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the means for supplying the pulsating direct current comprises a means for providing an alternating current signal and at least one diode connected to one side of the source of alternating current for rectifying said alternating current signal so that said pulsating direct current is produced.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the electrodes are made of a stainless steel type material.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the stainless steel type material is 316 stainless steel.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the means for supplying the pulsating direct current pulsates the current between 600 and 3 million times per minute.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the said supplying means pulsates the current between 300 and 4,200 times per minute.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
211 words
An apparatus for electrolytic precipitation of copper comprising: a tank, at least a fiRst and second electrode disposed therein in spaced relationship at least a third and fourth electrode disposed in said tank in spaced relationship the lower edges of the electrodes being disposed above the bottom of the tank, means for causing a pulsating current having a direct current component to flow between said first and second electrodes and between said third and fourth electrodes so that said first and second electrodes are of opposite polarity and said third and fourth electrodes are of opposite polarity including a voltage step-down transformer having a primary winding adapted for connection to a source of alternating current and a first and second secondary winding, first current rectifying means connecting said first electrode to one side of said first winding with said second electrode being connected to the other side of said first winding and second current rectifying means connecting said third electrode to one side of said second winding with the said fourth electrode being connected to the other side of said second winding, and means for periodically reversing the polarity of said first and second electrodes and of said third and fourth electrodes so that current then flows in the opposite direction.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
211 words
An apparatus for electrolytic precipitation of copper comprising: a tank, at least a fiRst and second electrode disposed therein in spaced relationship at least a third and fourth electrode disposed in said tank in spaced relationship the lower edges of the electrodes being disposed above the bottom of the tank, means for causing a pulsating current having a direct current component to flow between said first and second electrodes and between said third and fourth electrodes so that said first and second electrodes are of opposite polarity and said third and fourth electrodes are of opposite polarity including a voltage step-down transformer having a primary winding adapted for connection to a source of alternating current and a first and second secondary winding, first current rectifying means connecting said first electrode to one side of said first winding with said second electrode being connected to the other side of said first winding and second current rectifying means connecting said third electrode to one side of said second winding with the said fourth electrode being connected to the other side of said second winding, and means for periodically reversing the polarity of said first and second electrodes and of said third and fourth electrodes so that current then flows in the opposite direction.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
43 words
The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said first rectifying means is a diode connected to conduct current during positive excursions of said alternating current and said second rectifying means is a diode connected to conduct current during negative excursions of said alternating current.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
62 words
The apparatus of claim 8 further including a plurality of said first electrodes and a plurality of said second electrodes and wherein said causing means includes a plurality of rectifying means each connecting one of said first electrodes to one side of a source of alternating current with each of said second electrodes being connected to the other side of said source.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-02-20 | 1976-08-21 | 1977-02-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-02-20 | 1980-08-21 | 1981-02-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-02-20 | 1984-08-21 | 1985-02-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |