Patent US3887094A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3887094A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Conveyance of electrodes for electrolytic cells in electrorefining
Assignee: Onahama Smelting and Refining Co Ltd
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Filing: 1974-03-18
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Granted: 1975-06-03
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Expires: 1994-03-18
Abstract
Abstract In electrolytic refining of copper and other nonferrous metals in which anodes and cathodes are both supplied in the form of sheets each having a pair of lugs or requivalent means projecting laterally from its top so as to be conveyed in a suspended manner, a pair of overhead rails are mounted on a bridge having a vertical aperture therethrough and spanning an array of open-top electrtolytic cells, and which is itself movable in both directions along a pair of elevated rails. A traveling hoist movable in both directions along the overhead rails is equipped with means for picking up, through the aperture in the bridge, a complete set of alternating anode and cathode sheets from a truck on floor-level rails extending along-side the array of electrolytic cells. The set of anode and cathode sheets can then be deposited into any desired one of the electrolytic cells by virtue of the combined motion of the hoist along the overhead rails and of the bridge along the elevated rails.
Inventors
- 👤 Hiroshi Ikeda
- 👤 Yukio Matsubara
- 👤 Ginichi Yamaguchi
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 03:00
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65G; B65G49/00; B65G49/02; B65G49/04; B65G49/0409; B65G49/0436; B65G49/044; B65G49/045; B65G49/0454; B65G49/0459
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
307 words
A method of conveying anode and cathode sheets into and out of an array of open-top electrolytic cells mounted on a floor and including a series of parallel rows of cells, wherein said anode and cathode sheets are each provided with a pair of lugs or the like so as to be supported vertically in a suspended manner throughout the entire process of conveyance, said method comprising the steps of: providing a traveling bridge spanning said array of cells in a direction parallel to said series of rows and movable transversely of said rows; conveying fresh anode and cathode sheets as vertically suspended and alternately arranged successive sets of anode and cathode sheets along a conveying path transverse to said series of rows to the adjacency of said array of electrolytic cells at a position in alignment with a selected row of cells; moving said bridge to a position in alignment with said selected row of cells; moving a traveling hoist on said bridge along the length thereof to a starting position directly above said fresh set of sheets which have been conveyed to said starting position; moving said hoist reciprocally between said starting position and each of the positions of all the cells of said selected row to carry fresh sets of sheets successively into all the cells of said selected row and to carry used sets of sheets in the cells to said starting position successively on the way back of said hoist to the starting position for exchange of the sets in the cells; maintaining said bridge in said position in alignment with said selected row until the exchange of the sets in all the cells in said selected row has been completed; and moving said bridge to another position in alignment with another selected row of cells to repeat the above mentioned operation.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
307 words
A method of conveying anode and cathode sheets into and out of an array of open-top electrolytic cells mounted on a floor and including a series of parallel rows of cells, wherein said anode and cathode sheets are each provided with a pair of lugs or the like so as to be supported vertically in a suspended manner throughout the entire process of conveyance, said method comprising the steps of: providing a traveling bridge spanning said array of cells in a direction parallel to said series of rows and movable transversely of said rows; conveying fresh anode and cathode sheets as vertically suspended and alternately arranged successive sets of anode and cathode sheets along a conveying path transverse to said series of rows to the adjacency of said array of electrolytic cells at a position in alignment with a selected row of cells; moving said bridge to a position in alignment with said selected row of cells; moving a traveling hoist on said bridge along the length thereof to a starting position directly above said fresh set of sheets which have been conveyed to said starting position; moving said hoist reciprocally between said starting position and each of the positions of all the cells of said selected row to carry fresh sets of sheets successively into all the cells of said selected row and to carry used sets of sheets in the cells to said starting position successively on the way back of said hoist to the starting position for exchange of the sets in the cells; maintaining said bridge in said position in alignment with said selected row until the exchange of the sets in all the cells in said selected row has been completed; and moving said bridge to another position in alignment with another selected row of cells to repeat the above mentioned operation.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
307 words
A method of conveying anode and cathode sheets into and out of an array of open-top electrolytic cells mounted on a floor and including a series of parallel rows of cells, wherein said anode and cathode sheets are each provided with a pair of lugs or the like so as to be supported vertically in a suspended manner throughout the entire process of conveyance, said method comprising the steps of: providing a traveling bridge spanning said array of cells in a direction parallel to said series of rows and movable transversely of said rows; conveying fresh anode and cathode sheets as vertically suspended and alternately arranged successive sets of anode and cathode sheets along a conveying path transverse to said series of rows to the adjacency of said array of electrolytic cells at a position in alignment with a selected row of cells; moving said bridge to a position in alignment with said selected row of cells; moving a traveling hoist on said bridge along the length thereof to a starting position directly above said fresh set of sheets which have been conveyed to said starting position; moving said hoist reciprocally between said starting position and each of the positions of all the cells of said selected row to carry fresh sets of sheets successively into all the cells of said selected row and to carry used sets of sheets in the cells to said starting position successively on the way back of said hoist to the starting position for exchange of the sets in the cells; maintaining said bridge in said position in alignment with said selected row until the exchange of the sets in all the cells in said selected row has been completed; and moving said bridge to another position in alignment with another selected row of cells to repeat the above mentioned operation.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
307 words
A method of conveying anode and cathode sheets into and out of an array of open-top electrolytic cells mounted on a floor and including a series of parallel rows of cells, wherein said anode and cathode sheets are each provided with a pair of lugs or the like so as to be supported vertically in a suspended manner throughout the entire process of conveyance, said method comprising the steps of: providing a traveling bridge spanning said array of cells in a direction parallel to said series of rows and movable transversely of said rows; conveying fresh anode and cathode sheets as vertically suspended and alternately arranged successive sets of anode and cathode sheets along a conveying path transverse to said series of rows to the adjacency of said array of electrolytic cells at a position in alignment with a selected row of cells; moving said bridge to a position in alignment with said selected row of cells; moving a traveling hoist on said bridge along the length thereof to a starting position directly above said fresh set of sheets which have been conveyed to said starting position; moving said hoist reciprocally between said starting position and each of the positions of all the cells of said selected row to carry fresh sets of sheets successively into all the cells of said selected row and to carry used sets of sheets in the cells to said starting position successively on the way back of said hoist to the starting position for exchange of the sets in the cells; maintaining said bridge in said position in alignment with said selected row until the exchange of the sets in all the cells in said selected row has been completed; and moving said bridge to another position in alignment with another selected row of cells to repeat the above mentioned operation.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
104 words
The method as recited in claim 1, wherein said anode sheets are successively fed by first conveyor means in a vertically suspended, parallel spaced manner and said cathode sheets are successively fed by second conveyor means in parallel to said first conveyor means in a vertically suspended, parallel space manner, and wherein a second traveling hoist is moved across said first and second conveyor means to pick up said anode and cathode sheets in a manner such that said anode and cathode sheets are in alternate disposition with spacings therebetween, said second traveling hoist transferring said anode and cathode sheets to said conveying path.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
255 words
A conveying system in an electrolytic metal refining plant, for conveyance of anode and cathode sheets into and out of an array of open-top electrolytic cells mounted on a floor and including a series of parallel rows of cells, wherein said anode and cathode sheets are each provided with a pair of lugs or the like so as to be supported vertically in a suspended manner throughout the entire process of conveyance, said system comprising: means for conveying said anode and cathode sheets as a vertically suspended and alternately arranged set of anode and cathode sheets along a conveying path parallel to said series of rows to the adjacency of said array of electrolytic cells; a pair of spaced apart rail means parallel to said conveying path with said array of electrolytic cells and said conveying path interposed therebetween; a traveling bridge riding on said spaced apart rail means so as to be movable in both directions along the same and spanning said array and said conveying path in a direction parallel to said series of rows at a height close to the top of said array; and a traveling hoist movable on said bridge along the length of the same, said hoist including means for picking up a set of alternating anode and cathode sheets from said conveying means and then lowering the set into a desired one of said electrolytic cells in such a manner that said anode and cathode sheets are released in the desired electrolytic ceLl with their relative positions unchanged.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
255 words
A conveying system in an electrolytic metal refining plant, for conveyance of anode and cathode sheets into and out of an array of open-top electrolytic cells mounted on a floor and including a series of parallel rows of cells, wherein said anode and cathode sheets are each provided with a pair of lugs or the like so as to be supported vertically in a suspended manner throughout the entire process of conveyance, said system comprising: means for conveying said anode and cathode sheets as a vertically suspended and alternately arranged set of anode and cathode sheets along a conveying path parallel to said series of rows to the adjacency of said array of electrolytic cells; a pair of spaced apart rail means parallel to said conveying path with said array of electrolytic cells and said conveying path interposed therebetween; a traveling bridge riding on said spaced apart rail means so as to be movable in both directions along the same and spanning said array and said conveying path in a direction parallel to said series of rows at a height close to the top of said array; and a traveling hoist movable on said bridge along the length of the same, said hoist including means for picking up a set of alternating anode and cathode sheets from said conveying means and then lowering the set into a desired one of said electrolytic cells in such a manner that said anode and cathode sheets are released in the desired electrolytic ceLl with their relative positions unchanged.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
255 words
A conveying system in an electrolytic metal refining plant, for conveyance of anode and cathode sheets into and out of an array of open-top electrolytic cells mounted on a floor and including a series of parallel rows of cells, wherein said anode and cathode sheets are each provided with a pair of lugs or the like so as to be supported vertically in a suspended manner throughout the entire process of conveyance, said system comprising: means for conveying said anode and cathode sheets as a vertically suspended and alternately arranged set of anode and cathode sheets along a conveying path parallel to said series of rows to the adjacency of said array of electrolytic cells; a pair of spaced apart rail means parallel to said conveying path with said array of electrolytic cells and said conveying path interposed therebetween; a traveling bridge riding on said spaced apart rail means so as to be movable in both directions along the same and spanning said array and said conveying path in a direction parallel to said series of rows at a height close to the top of said array; and a traveling hoist movable on said bridge along the length of the same, said hoist including means for picking up a set of alternating anode and cathode sheets from said conveying means and then lowering the set into a desired one of said electrolytic cells in such a manner that said anode and cathode sheets are released in the desired electrolytic ceLl with their relative positions unchanged.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
255 words
A conveying system in an electrolytic metal refining plant, for conveyance of anode and cathode sheets into and out of an array of open-top electrolytic cells mounted on a floor and including a series of parallel rows of cells, wherein said anode and cathode sheets are each provided with a pair of lugs or the like so as to be supported vertically in a suspended manner throughout the entire process of conveyance, said system comprising: means for conveying said anode and cathode sheets as a vertically suspended and alternately arranged set of anode and cathode sheets along a conveying path parallel to said series of rows to the adjacency of said array of electrolytic cells; a pair of spaced apart rail means parallel to said conveying path with said array of electrolytic cells and said conveying path interposed therebetween; a traveling bridge riding on said spaced apart rail means so as to be movable in both directions along the same and spanning said array and said conveying path in a direction parallel to said series of rows at a height close to the top of said array; and a traveling hoist movable on said bridge along the length of the same, said hoist including means for picking up a set of alternating anode and cathode sheets from said conveying means and then lowering the set into a desired one of said electrolytic cells in such a manner that said anode and cathode sheets are released in the desired electrolytic ceLl with their relative positions unchanged.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
159 words
The system as recited in claim 3, further including: first conveyor means for successively conveying said anode sheets to the adjacency of said array of electrolytic cells in a vertically suspended, parallel spaced manner; second conveyor means extending parallel to said first conveyor means for successively conveying said cathode sheets to the adjacency of said array of electrolytic cells in a vertically suspended, parallel spaced manner; overhead rail means extending at right angles to said first and second conveyor means; and a second traveling hoist supported on said overhead rail means so as to be movable in both directions along the same, and including means for successively picking up said anode and cathode sheets from said first and second conveyor means in a manner such that said anode and cathode sheets are in alternate disposition with spacings therebetween, said second hoist operating to carry said picked up anode and cathode sheets to transfer the same to said conveying means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
35 words
The system as recited in claim 3, wherein said means for conveying said anode and cathode sheets is an open-top truck and said conveying path is floor-level rail means for supporting and guiding said truck.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system as recited in claim 3, further including rail means mounted on said bridge for supporting and guiding said first traveling hosit.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
74 words
The system as recited in claim 5, further including second floor-level rail means extending parallel to said first mentioned floor-level rail means, turnover, means interconnecting said first and second floor-level rail means at both extremities thereof to form a substantially complete loop, and at least one other open-top truck movable in said one direction along said first and second floor-level rail means, said other truck being identical in construction to the first mentioned truck.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
66 words
The system as recited in claim 7, further including a third traveling hoist supported on said first overhead rail means so as to be movable in both directions along the same, said third hoist including means for picking up a complete set of used anode and cathode sheets from the successive open-top trucks for transportation in a direction away from said first and second conveyor means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
42 words
The system as recited in claim 4, wherein said first and second conveyor means are each in the form of a chain conveyor comprising a pair of parallel spaced endless chains adapted to engage said lugs of said anode and cathode sheets.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
78 words
The system as recited in claim 3, further including a truck movable along the length of said bridge, suction conduit means extensible downwardly from said truck and having a suction inlet at its lower end, and means mounted on said truck for creating a desired degree of vacuum in said suction conduit means, whereby slime at the bottom of each of said electrolytic cells can be removed by suction exerted through said inlet of said suction conduit means.
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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) | 1978-06-02 | 1978-12-02 | 1979-06-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-06-02 | 1982-12-02 | 1983-06-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-06-02 | 1986-12-02 | 1987-06-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |