US4220508A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Process for electrolytic etching
Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Industries Ltd
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Filing: 1978-10-27
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Granted: 1980-09-02
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Expires: 1998-10-27
Abstract
Abstract A process and apparatus for electrolytic etching of aluminum or its alloy is disclosed wherein an electric current is passed between an anode and a cathode which are spaced opposed in an electrolytic bath with a workpiece removably supported on an insulating frame so that the side of the workpiece to be etched faces the cathode, the insulating frame being disposed between the anode and the cathode and having at least one opening formed therein.
Inventors
- 👤 Yasutoyo Kotani
- 👤 Kazuo Sawada
- 👤 Shuzo Nagai
- 👤 Takao Ogino
- 👤 Seiji Watabe
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 16:48
CPC Classifications
C; C25; C25F; C25F3/00; C25F3/02; C25F3/04; C25F7/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
196 words
A process for uniform electrolytic etching of aluminum or an aluminum alloy, which comprises: submersing a workpiece made of aluminum or aluminum alloy in an electrolyte which is contained in a tank, said workpiece being located between an anode and a spaced opposed cathode; supporting said workpiece on an insulating frame so that said workpiece is parallel to said anode and cathode, said insulating frame having at least one opening therein and said insulating frame being larger than said workpiece, said opening in said insulating frame being smaller than said workpiece so that said workpiece is supported on one side by said insulating frame, around the peripheral regions of said workpiece so that the peripheral regions of said workpiece are covered by said insulating frame, the other side of said workpiece being urged towards said insulating frame and supported by holders and projections mounted on said insulating frame, said workpiece being supported with the side of said workpiece to be etched facing said cathode; and passing an electric current between said anode and cathode whereby said current energized said workpiece in a manner such that the side of said workpiece facing said cathode is uniformly etched.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
196 words
A process for uniform electrolytic etching of aluminum or an aluminum alloy, which comprises: submersing a workpiece made of aluminum or aluminum alloy in an electrolyte which is contained in a tank, said workpiece being located between an anode and a spaced opposed cathode; supporting said workpiece on an insulating frame so that said workpiece is parallel to said anode and cathode, said insulating frame having at least one opening therein and said insulating frame being larger than said workpiece, said opening in said insulating frame being smaller than said workpiece so that said workpiece is supported on one side by said insulating frame, around the peripheral regions of said workpiece so that the peripheral regions of said workpiece are covered by said insulating frame, the other side of said workpiece being urged towards said insulating frame and supported by holders and projections mounted on said insulating frame, said workpiece being supported with the side of said workpiece to be etched facing said cathode; and passing an electric current between said anode and cathode whereby said current energized said workpiece in a manner such that the side of said workpiece facing said cathode is uniformly etched.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
128 words
A process as claimed in claim 1, wherein of the step supporting said workpieces further includes supporting each of a plurality of workpieces on one of a plurality of insulating frames, and continuously passing each of said workpieces supported on said insulating frames, between said anode and cathode, one after the other and, positioning said anode and cathode in spaced opposed relationship, one above the other in a vertical direction in said electrolyte, said anode being in the upper position and wherein said insulating frame has a recess for holding said workpiece therein, said insulating frame being supported in parallel to and between said anode and cathode by supporting members immersed in said electrolyte, and containing said electrolyte in a circular tank thereby forming a circular electrolytic bath.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
88 words
A process as claimed in claim 1, further comprising positioning said anode and cathode in spaced opposed relationship, one above the other in a vertical direction in said electrolyte wherein said anode is in the upper position, and wherein said insulating frame has a recess for holding said workpiece therein, said insulating frame and workpiece being supported in parallel to and between said anode and cathode by supporting members immersed in said electrolyte, and further containing said electrolyte in a circular tank thereby forming a circular electrolytic bath.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
111 words
A process as claimed in claim 1, wherein the step of supporting said workpieces further includes removably supporting a plurality of workpieces on a plurality of insulating frames, and continuously passing said workpieces supported on said insulating frames between said anode and cathode, one after the other, and positioning said anode and cathode in spaced opposed relationship, one above the other in a vertical direction said electrolyte, said anode being positioned in the upper portion and wherein said insulating frame has a recess for holding said workpiece therein, said insulating frame being supported parallel to and between said anode and cathode by supporting members which are located immersed in said electrolyte.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
50 words
A process as claimed in claim 1, wherein the step of supporting said workpiece further includes supporting a plurality of workpieces, each removably supported on a plurality of insulating frames, and continuously passing each of said workpieces supported on said frames between said anode and cathode, one after the other.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
38 words
A process as claimed in claim 1, further comprising positioning said anode and cathode in spaced opposed relationship, one above the other, in a vertical direction and immersed in said electrolyte, said anode being in the upper position.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
36 words
A process as claimed in claim 2 further comprising positioning said anode and cathode in spaced opposed relationship, one above the other, in a vertical direction in said electrolyte, said anode being in the upper position.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
52 words
A process as claimed in claim 2, further comprising positioning said anode and cathode in spaced opposed relationship, one above the other in a vertical direction in said electrolyte, wherein said anode is located in the upper position and containing said electrolyte in a circular tank thereby forming a circular electrolytic bath.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
47 words
A process as claimed in claim 3 wherein said insulating frame has a recessed portion for holding said workpiece therein, said insulating frame being supported in parallel relation to and between said vertically spaced opposed anode and cathode by supporting members which are immersed in said electrolyte.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
A process as claimed in claim 3, further comprising containing said electrolyte in a circular tank thereby forming a circular electrolytic bath.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1983-09-02 | 1984-03-03 | 1984-09-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-09-02 | 1988-03-03 | 1988-09-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-09-02 | 1992-03-03 | 1992-09-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |