US3929610A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electroformation of metallic strands
Assignee: Kennecott Utah Copper LLC
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Filing: 1974-05-31
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Granted: 1975-12-30
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Expires: 1994-05-31
Abstract
Abstract A fine metallic strand of infinte length is produced by continuous electrodeposition of metal on a conductive strip having a narrow, closed-loop plating surface defined by an insulating material bonded to sides of the conductive strip so that the bonding surface is generally transverse to the plating surface. When a desired quantity of the metal is deposited on the plating surface, the strand is cut and one end is peeled off to a spooler. In one embodiment, the conductive strip and the associated plating surface have the shape of a double spiral.
Inventors
- 👤 Chih-Chung Wang
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 06:29
CPC Classifications
C; C25; C25D; C25D1/00; C25D1/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
113 words
A METHOD FOR CONTINOUSLY PRODUCING A METALLIC STRAND OF INDETERMINATE LENGTH, COMPRISING THE STEPS OF A. PROVIDING A CATHODE HAVING A CONDUCTIVE PORTION WITH AT LEAST ONE EXPOSED, NARROW, CLOSED-LOOP PLATING SURFACE FORMED THEREON, SAID PLATING SURFACE BEING SUBSTANTIALLY STRIPPABLE WITH RESPECT TO SAID METAL, AND AN INSULATING PORTION IN CONTINOUS CONTACT WITH THE EDGES OF SAID PLATING SURFACE AND BONDED TO SAID CONDUCTIVE PORTIONS ALONG A SURFACE SUBSTANTIALLY PERPENDICULAR TO SAID PLATING SURFACE, B. ELECTRODEPOSITING THE METAL ON SAID PLATING SURFACE WITH SAID PLATING SURFACE TOTALLY IMMERSED IN A PLATING SOLUTION, AND C. REMOVING THE STRAND METAL THUS FORMED FROM SAID PLATING SURFACE WITHOUT INTERRUPTING SAID ELECTRODEPOSITING AND WITHOUT ROTATING SAID CATHODE.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
113 words
A METHOD FOR CONTINOUSLY PRODUCING A METALLIC STRAND OF INDETERMINATE LENGTH, COMPRISING THE STEPS OF A. PROVIDING A CATHODE HAVING A CONDUCTIVE PORTION WITH AT LEAST ONE EXPOSED, NARROW, CLOSED-LOOP PLATING SURFACE FORMED THEREON, SAID PLATING SURFACE BEING SUBSTANTIALLY STRIPPABLE WITH RESPECT TO SAID METAL, AND AN INSULATING PORTION IN CONTINOUS CONTACT WITH THE EDGES OF SAID PLATING SURFACE AND BONDED TO SAID CONDUCTIVE PORTIONS ALONG A SURFACE SUBSTANTIALLY PERPENDICULAR TO SAID PLATING SURFACE, B. ELECTRODEPOSITING THE METAL ON SAID PLATING SURFACE WITH SAID PLATING SURFACE TOTALLY IMMERSED IN A PLATING SOLUTION, AND C. REMOVING THE STRAND METAL THUS FORMED FROM SAID PLATING SURFACE WITHOUT INTERRUPTING SAID ELECTRODEPOSITING AND WITHOUT ROTATING SAID CATHODE.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein said plating surface is substantially flat and has a constant width.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein said cathode is stationary.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein said conductive portion is a band having a generally rectangular cross section and said plating surface is an edge of said band.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method according to claim 4 wherein said insulation portion is bonded to the sides of the band that are transverse to said plating surface.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method according to claim 1 further characterized by an oxide insulating and bonding layer disposed between said conductive portion and said insulating portion.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein said removing is further characterized by opening the closed-loop metallic strand formed on the plating surface when the strand attains a predetermined thickness, and drawing one on the ends formed by said opening away from said plating surface.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
112 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein said removing is further characterized by A. a first mode of operation comprising opening the closed-loop metallic strand formed on the plating surface when the strand attains a predetermined thickness, and drawing one of the ends formed by said opening away from said plating surface, and B. a second mode of operation comprising continuing to draw the strand formed on the plating surface from the plating surface in a direction substantially normal to the plating surface, the point of the removal traveling continuously around said closed loop and drawings away the thickest portion of the layer deposited on the plating surface at a given time.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method according to claim 1 further characterized by said electrodepositing and said removing having coordinated rates whereby said strand has a constant, predetermined cross-sectional area.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method according to claim 7 further characterized by spooling said drawn end.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method according to claim 7 further characterized by shaping said strand as said strand is drawn from said plating surFace.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein said closed loop path is circular.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein said closed loop path is a double spiral.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
81 words
A cathode for the continuous electroformation of metallic strands of indeterminate length, comprising, in combination, a conductive base having a narrow, closed-loop plating surface formed on a first surface of the base, said plating surface being substantially strippable with respect to said metal, said plating surface having the general shape of a double spiral, and an insulating portion in continuous contact with the edges of said plating surface and bonded to said base along surfaces substantially perpendicular to said plating surface.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
81 words
A cathode for the continuous electroformation of metallic strands of indeterminate length, comprising, in combination, a conductive base having a narrow, closed-loop plating surface formed on a first surface of the base, said plating surface being substantially strippable with respect to said metal, said plating surface having the general shape of a double spiral, and an insulating portion in continuous contact with the edges of said plating surface and bonded to said base along surfaces substantially perpendicular to said plating surface.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
43 words
A cathode according to claim 14 wherein said conductive base comprises wound strips of a material substantially strippable with respect to said metal and alternating spacer strips, an edge of said spacer strips being spaced from said plating surface to form a groove.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
29 words
A cathode according to claim 15 wherein said insulating portion is formed of insulating material filling said groove and said alternating spacer strips are formed from a conductive material.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
15 words
A cathode according to claim 14 wherein said insulating portion is a filled epoxy resin.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
134 words
A method for continuously producing fine copper strands of indeterminate length, comprising the steps of A. providing a cathode having a conductive portion with at least one exposed, narrow, closed-loop plating surface formed thereon, said plating surface being substantially strippable with respect to said copper, and an insulating portion in continuous contact with the edges of said plating surface and bonded to said conductive portions in surfaces substantially perpendicular to said plating surface, B. electrodepositing the copper on said plating surface with said plating surface totally immersed in a plating solution, C. opening the closed-loop strand of copper thus formed on the plating surface when the strand attains a predetermined thickness, and D. drawing one end formed by said opening away from said plating surface without interrupting said electrodepositing and without rotating said cathode.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
134 words
A method for continuously producing fine copper strands of indeterminate length, comprising the steps of A. providing a cathode having a conductive portion with at least one exposed, narrow, closed-loop plating surface formed thereon, said plating surface being substantially strippable with respect to said copper, and an insulating portion in continuous contact with the edges of said plating surface and bonded to said conductive portions in surfaces substantially perpendicular to said plating surface, B. electrodepositing the copper on said plating surface with said plating surface totally immersed in a plating solution, C. opening the closed-loop strand of copper thus formed on the plating surface when the strand attains a predetermined thickness, and D. drawing one end formed by said opening away from said plating surface without interrupting said electrodepositing and without rotating said cathode.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method according to claim 18 wherein said plating surface is stainless steel.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method according to claim 18 wherein said plating surface is chromium.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method according to claim 18 wherein said insulating material is plastic.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method according to claim 18 wherein said insulating material is an epoxy resin.
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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) | 1978-12-29 | 1979-06-30 | 1979-12-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-12-29 | 1983-06-30 | 1983-12-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-12-29 | 1987-06-30 | 1987-12-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |