Apparatus and method for continuous electroplating. [Patent application]

Patent · Thu Nov 19 00:00:00 EST 1981

OSTI ID:5053380

Conlon, Jr, T P; Holmes, S D

An apparatus and method are disclosed for performing a continuous electroplating process upon an elongate conductive stock article. A closed housing assembly retaining an electroplating solution and having a conductive housing body and flexible, nonconductive end walls is connected to the positive pole of a source of electromotive force. The end walls have an aperture for receiving the conducting stock article in sliding and sealing contact. The stock article is connected to the negative pole of the source of electromotive force. The conductive housing body and the section of the conductive stock article within the housing body are coextensive, coaxial and spaced a uniform distance apart. The housing body has an inlet at the bottom and an outlet at the top allowing the housing assembly to fill completely with plating solution. The inlet has a reduced nozzle to create turbulence and spiral circulating motion of the plating solution moved by a pump connected by nonconductive conduits. The solution is circulated through an open reservoir. A coolant may be conveyed through the interior in a hollow stock article to cool the surface being electroplated. Different sizes of coaxial metal insert sleeves may be telescopically received in the housing body.

• DOE Contract Number: AC04-76DP00789
• Assignee: Dept. of Energy
• Application Number: ON: DE82020870
• OSTI ID: 5053380
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
ELECTROPLATING
EQUIPMENT
TUBES
ANODES
CATHODES
COOLING SYSTEMS
CYLINDERS
DESIGN
POWER SUPPLIES
PUMPS
SOLAR ABSORBERS
DEPOSITION
ELECTRODEPOSITION
ELECTRODES
ELECTROLYSIS
ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT
ENERGY SYSTEMS
LYSIS
PLATING
SOLAR EQUIPMENT
SURFACE COATING
141000* - Solar Collectors & Concentrators
360101 - Metals & Alloys- Preparation & Fabrication