US4581114A — Method of making a unitary central cell structura…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 136 words

A method for making an integrally formed, one-piece central cell element which is useful as a major part of one of the repeating cell structural units disposed between the two terminal cells of a filter press series of electrochemical cells, said method comprising: forming a central cell element from an electrically conductive metal in a mold by melting said metal, pouring said melted metal into said mold, and allowing said metal to cool and harden in said mold, with said mold having its interior shaped so that the central cell element has: (A) a central barrier, (B) a peripheral flange around the periphery of the central cell element which forms the peripheral boundaries of electrode compartments located on both sides of the central barrier, and (c) bosses projecting outwardly from both sides of the central barrier.

Claim 2

Independent Claim 136 words

A method for making an integrally formed, one-piece central cell element which is useful as a major part of one of the repeating cell structural units disposed between the two terminal cells of a filter press series of electrochemical cells, said method comprising: forming a central cell element from an electrically conductive metal in a mold by melting said metal, pouring said melted metal into said mold, and allowing said metal to cool and harden in said mold, with said mold having its interior shaped so that the central cell element has: (A) a central barrier, (B) a peripheral flange around the periphery of the central cell element which forms the peripheral boundaries of electrode compartments located on both sides of the central barrier, and (c) bosses projecting outwardly from both sides of the central barrier.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 141 words

The method of claim 1 wherein the integrally formed, central cell element is protected from an electrolyte to which it might be exposed by the steps comprised of: forming a pan for at least one side of the two sides of the central cell element from at least one sheet of metal which is impervious to and chemically non-reactive with the electrolyte to which it is to be exposed, said pan being formed so as to cover said cell element side and to conform substantially to the shape of said central cell element side, including having caps pressed into the pan in a manner such that the pan can be electrically and mechanically attached to the bosses on that side of the central cell element by welding, and welding at least half of said caps of each pan to said bosses.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 82 words

The method of claim 2 wherein the metal used to make the central cell element is a ferrous metal, and where the metal of which the pan is made is titanium, and where the welding of the titanium caps to the central cell bosses is done through a metal intermediate placed between the bosses and the pan's caps where the welds are made with said metal intermediate being a metal which is weldably compatible with both the ferrous metal and titanium metal.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 30 words

The method of claim 2 wherein the metal used to make the central cell element is a ferrous metal, and wherein the metal used to make the pan is nickel.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 30 words

The method of claim 2 wherein the central cell element is made of a ferrous metal and wherein a pan is formed of both sides of said central cell element.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 12 words

The method of claim 5 wherein both pans are made of titanium.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 12 words

The method of claim 5 wherein both pans are made of nickel.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 20 words

The method of claim 5 wherein one pan is made of titanium and the other pan is made of nickel.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 18 words

The method of claim 1 wherein the metal used to make the central cell element is ferrous metal.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 50 words

The method of claim 1 wherein the metal is formed into the central cell element by melting the metal, flowing it into a mold, allowing it to cool until it is capable of sufficiently retaining its shape upon its removal from the mold, and then removing it from the mold.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 40 words

The method of claim 1, 2, 9, 10, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 or 8 which further comprises the step of assembling at least one of the cell units made by said method into a filter press type cell series.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 33 words

The method of claim 11 which further comprises attaching electrical leads to the cell units of the cell series in a manner so as to make the cell series a monopolar cell series.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 33 words

The method of claim 11 which further comprises attaching electrical leads to the cell units of the cell series in a manner so as to make the cell series a bipolar cell series.

Claim 15

Independent Claim 156 words

A method of making and assembling a cell unit capable of being disposed between the two terminal cells of a filter press electrolysis cell series, said method comprising: (A) forming an integral solid casting of a central cell element for said cell unit from an electrically conductive metal in a mold by melting said metal, pouring said melted metal into said mold, and allowing said metal to cool and harden in said mold, said mold having its interior shaped so that the central cell element has: (1) a central barrier, (2) a peripheral flange around the periphery of the casting to form the outside boundaries of the electrode compartments which are located on both sides of the central barrier, and (3) solid bosses projecting outwardly from both sides of the central barrier; (B) removing said central cell element from said mold; and (C) welding a substantially planarly disposed electrode element to the ends of the bosses.

Claim 16

Independent Claim 156 words

A method of making and assembling a cell unit capable of being disposed between the two terminal cells of a filter press electrolysis cell series, said method comprising: (A) forming an integral solid casting of a central cell element for said cell unit from an electrically conductive metal in a mold by melting said metal, pouring said melted metal into said mold, and allowing said metal to cool and harden in said mold, said mold having its interior shaped so that the central cell element has: (1) a central barrier, (2) a peripheral flange around the periphery of the casting to form the outside boundaries of the electrode compartments which are located on both sides of the central barrier, and (3) solid bosses projecting outwardly from both sides of the central barrier; (B) removing said central cell element from said mold; and (C) welding a substantially planarly disposed electrode element to the ends of the bosses.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 19 words

The method of claim 14 wherein the metal used to form the central cell element is a ferrous metal.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 50 words

The method of claim 14 wherein the metal is formed into the central cell element by melting the metal, flowing it into a mold, allowing it to cool until it is capable of sufficiently retaining its shape upon its removal from the mold, and then removing it from the mold.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 170 words

The method of claim 14 wherein a pan is attached to at least one side of said central cell element between the central cell element and the attached electrode thereby leaving the electrode attached to the pan instead of the central cell element, said pan having previously been formed from at least one sheet of metal which is impervious to and chemically non-reactive with the electrolyte to which it is to be exposed, said pan being formed so as to cover said sides of said central cell element to which it is attached, said pan being shaped so as to conform substantially to the shape of said side of the central cell element including having hollow caps pressed into the pan in a manner such that these hollow caps fit over and around the bosses, said attachment of said pans to said central cell element's sides being accomplished by welding at least half of each pan's hollow caps to the bosses located on each side of said central cell element.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 30 words

The method of claim 14 wherein the central cell element is made of a ferrous metal and wherein a pan is formed for both sides of said central cell element.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 12 words

The method of claim 14 wherein both pans are made of titanium.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 12 words

The method of claim 14 wherein both pans are made of nickel.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 20 words

The method of claim 14 wherein one pan is made of titanium and the other pan is made of nickel.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 38 words

The method of claim 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20 or 21 which further comprises the step of assembling at least one of the cell units made by said method into a filter press type cell series.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 33 words

The method of claim 22 which further comprises attaching electrical leads to the cell units of the cell series in a manner so as to make the cell series a monopolar cell series.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 33 words

The method of claim 22 which further comprises attaching electrical leads to the cell units of the cell series in a manner so as to make the cell series a bipolar cell series.

Claim 27

Independent Claim 297 words

A method of making and assembling a cell unit capable of being disposed between the two terminal cells of a filter press electrolysis cell series, said method comprising: (A) forming a central cell element for said cell unit from an electrically conductive metal in a mold by melting said metal, pouring said melted metal into said mold, and allowing said metal to cool and harden in said mold, said mold having its interior shaped so that the central cell element has: (1) a central barrier, (2) a peripheral flange around the peripheral of the casting to form the outside boundaries of the electrode compartments which are located on both sides of the central barrier, and (3) bosses projecting outwardly from both sides of the central barrier; (B) removing said central cell element from said mold; (C) attaching a pan to each side of said central cell element, said pan having previously been formed from at least one sheet of metal which is impervious to and chemically non-reactive with the electrolyte to which it is to be exposed, said pan being formed so as to cover said side of said central cell element to which it is attached, said pan being shaped so as to conform substantially to the shape of said side of the central cell element including having hollow caps pressed into the pan in a manner such that these hollow caps fit over and around the bosses, said attachment of said pans to said central cell element's sides being accomplished by welding at least half of each pan's hollow caps to the bosses located on each side of said central cell element; and (D) welding at least one substantially planarly disposed electrode element to the ends of the caps of each of the two pans.

Claim 28

Independent Claim 297 words

A method of making and assembling a cell unit capable of being disposed between the two terminal cells of a filter press electrolysis cell series, said method comprising: (A) forming a central cell element for said cell unit from an electrically conductive metal in a mold by melting said metal, pouring said melted metal into said mold, and allowing said metal to cool and harden in said mold, said mold having its interior shaped so that the central cell element has: (1) a central barrier, (2) a peripheral flange around the peripheral of the casting to form the outside boundaries of the electrode compartments which are located on both sides of the central barrier, and (3) bosses projecting outwardly from both sides of the central barrier; (B) removing said central cell element from said mold; (C) attaching a pan to each side of said central cell element, said pan having previously been formed from at least one sheet of metal which is impervious to and chemically non-reactive with the electrolyte to which it is to be exposed, said pan being formed so as to cover said side of said central cell element to which it is attached, said pan being shaped so as to conform substantially to the shape of said side of the central cell element including having hollow caps pressed into the pan in a manner such that these hollow caps fit over and around the bosses, said attachment of said pans to said central cell element's sides being accomplished by welding at least half of each pan's hollow caps to the bosses located on each side of said central cell element; and (D) welding at least one substantially planarly disposed electrode element to the ends of the caps of each of the two pans.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 29 words

The method of claim 25 wherein the central cell element is made of a ferrous metal and at least one of the two impervious pans is made of titanium.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 28 words

The method of claim 25 wherein the central cell element is made of ferrous metal and at least one of the two impervious pans is made of nickel.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 33 words

The method of claim 25, 26 or 27 which further comprises the step of assembling at least one of the cell units made by said method into a filter press type cell series.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 33 words

The method of claim 28 which further comprises attaching electrical leads to the cell units of the cell series in a manner so as to make the cell series a monopolar cell series.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 33 words

The method of claim 28 which further comprises attaching electrical leads to the cell units of the cell series in a manner so as to make the cell series a bipolar cell series.

Claim 34

Independent Claim 303 words

A method of making and assembling a cell unit capable of being disposed between the two terminal cells of a filter press electrolysis cell series, said method comprising: (A) forming an integral solid casting of a central cell element for said cell unit by pouring a molten, electrically conductive, metal into a mold and cooling it therein until it becomes sufficiently rigid to retain the shape imparted to it by the mold upon its removal from the mold, said mold having its interior shaped so that the central cell element has: (1) a central barrier, (2) a peripheral flange around the periphery of the casting to form the outside boundaries of the electrode compartments which are located on both sides of the central barrier, and (3) solid bosses projecting outwardly from both sides of the central barrier; (B) removing said central cell element from said mold; (C) attaching a pan to each side of said central cell element, said pan having previously been formed from at least one sheet of metal which is impervious to and chemically non-reactive with the electrolyte to which it is to be exposed, said pans being formed so as to cover said sides of said central cell element, said pan being shaped so as to conform substantially to the shape of the side of the central cell element including having frustums of hollow cones pressed into the pan in a manner such that these hollow cones fit over and around the bosses, said attachment of said pans to said central cell element's sides being accomplished by welding at least half of each pan's hollow conical frustums to the bosses located on each side of said central cell element; and (D) welding a substantially planaraly disposed electrode element to the ends of the conical frustums of the two pans.

Claim 35

Independent Claim 303 words

A method of making and assembling a cell unit capable of being disposed between the two terminal cells of a filter press electrolysis cell series, said method comprising: (A) forming an integral solid casting of a central cell element for said cell unit by pouring a molten, electrically conductive, metal into a mold and cooling it therein until it becomes sufficiently rigid to retain the shape imparted to it by the mold upon its removal from the mold, said mold having its interior shaped so that the central cell element has: (1) a central barrier, (2) a peripheral flange around the periphery of the casting to form the outside boundaries of the electrode compartments which are located on both sides of the central barrier, and (3) solid bosses projecting outwardly from both sides of the central barrier; (B) removing said central cell element from said mold; (C) attaching a pan to each side of said central cell element, said pan having previously been formed from at least one sheet of metal which is impervious to and chemically non-reactive with the electrolyte to which it is to be exposed, said pans being formed so as to cover said sides of said central cell element, said pan being shaped so as to conform substantially to the shape of the side of the central cell element including having frustums of hollow cones pressed into the pan in a manner such that these hollow cones fit over and around the bosses, said attachment of said pans to said central cell element's sides being accomplished by welding at least half of each pan's hollow conical frustums to the bosses located on each side of said central cell element; and (D) welding a substantially planaraly disposed electrode element to the ends of the conical frustums of the two pans.

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 24 words

The method of claim 31 wherein the central cell element is made of a ferrous metal and the impervious pans are made of titanium.

Claim 37

Dependent Claim 25 words

The method of claim 31 wherein the central cell element is made of a ferrous metal and the two impervious pans are made of nickel.

Claim 38

Dependent Claim 35 words

The method of claim 31 wherein the central cell element is made of a ferrous metal and wherein one of the two impervious pans is made of titanium and the other is made of nickel.

Claim 39

Dependent Claim 34 words

The method of claim 31, 32, 33 or 34 which further comprises the step of assembling at least one of the cell units made by said method into a filter press type cell series.

Claim 40

Dependent Claim 59 words

The method of claim 31, 32 or 33 which further comprises the step of assembling at least one of the cell units made by said method into a filter press type cell series and attaching electrical leads to the cell units of the cell series in a manner so as to make the cell series a monopolar cell series.

Claim 41

Dependent Claim 58 words

The method of claim 31 or 34 which further comprises the steps and assembling at least one of the cell units made by said method into a filter press type cell series and attaching electrical leads to the cell units of the cell series in a manner so as to make the cell series a bipolar cell series.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1989-04-07	1989-10-07	1990-04-08	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1993-04-07	1993-10-07	1994-04-08	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	1997-04-07	1997-10-07	1998-04-08	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Method of making a unitary central cell structural element for both monopolar and bipolar filter press type electrolysis cell structural units

Abstract

Inventors

Bibliographic Details

Claims Analysis

References Cited (Backward Citations)

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Assigned Categories & Tags

Assign Category Tag