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US3980544A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Apparatus and method for securing a fabricated diaphragm to electrodes in an electrolytic cell

Assignee: Olin Corp
•
Filing: 1975-07-14
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Granted: 1976-09-14
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Expires: 1995-07-14
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Abstract

Abstract Apparatus is provided for securing a fabricated diaphragm to each of a section of electrodes. A diaphragm encloses each electrode and has an open end adjacent to the electrode plate. The apparatus comprises two bars, one positioned along a first side and one positioned along a third side of the electrode section. A plurality of elements are attached to each of the bars. The elements are positioned between adjacent electrodes and secure one edge of each of two adjacent diaphragms. The elements may be interconnected to provide additional sealing of the diaphragm. A rod is positioned along the second and fourth sides of the electrode section to seal the outer edge of the diaphragm enclosing the external electrodes of the section. The apparatus is employed in electrolytic diaphragm cells for producing chlorine and caustic soda by the electrolysis of alkali metal chloride solutions. A method is provided for employing the apparatus to effectively seal the diaphragm to the electrode section.

Inventors

  • 👤 John O. Adams
  • 👤 Kenneth E. Woodard, Jr.
  • 👤 Steven J. Specht

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-03 06:23
CPC Classifications
C; C25; C25B; C25B13/00; C25B9/00; C25B9/17; C25B9/19

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim 168 words
Apparatus for securing a fabricated diaphragm to each of a plurality of foraminous electrodes positioned substantially parallel to each other and having a space between each of said electrodes, said electrodes forming an electrode section, said electrode section having four adjoining sides, a first side opposite a third side, and a second side opposite a fourth side, said diaphragm enclosing each of said electrodes and having an open end with two adjoining edges, wherein said apparatus is comprised of: 1. two bars, one of said bars being positioned along said first side and the other being positioned along said third side of said electrode section, 2. a plurality of clamping elements wherein each said clamping element is positioned in said space between two of said electrodes and adjacent to one of said bars, 3. attachment means for attaching each of said clamping elements to one of said bars wherein one said adjoining edge of each of two adjacent diaphragms is sealed between said clamping elements and said bars.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 168 words
Apparatus for securing a fabricated diaphragm to each of a plurality of foraminous electrodes positioned substantially parallel to each other and having a space between each of said electrodes, said electrodes forming an electrode section, said electrode section having four adjoining sides, a first side opposite a third side, and a second side opposite a fourth side, said diaphragm enclosing each of said electrodes and having an open end with two adjoining edges, wherein said apparatus is comprised of: 1. two bars, one of said bars being positioned along said first side and the other being positioned along said third side of said electrode section, 2. a plurality of clamping elements wherein each said clamping element is positioned in said space between two of said electrodes and adjacent to one of said bars, 3. attachment means for attaching each of said clamping elements to one of said bars wherein one said adjoining edge of each of two adjacent diaphragms is sealed between said clamping elements and said bars.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 17 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said clamping elements have means for inter-connecting with adjacent clamping elements.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 21 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said bars are attached to said first and said third sides of said electrode section.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 23 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said clamping elements are U-shaped with the arms of said U positioned substantially perpendicular to said bars.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 23 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein an electrode plate supports said electrode section, said electrodes having means for attachment to said electrode plate.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 22 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein an edge of said bars parallel to and spaced apart from said electrode plate is scalloped.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 58 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein a first rod is positioned along said second side and a second rod is positioned along said fourth side of said electrode, attachment mens to attach said rods to said sides, said rods sealing one said adjoining edge of said diaphragm enclosing the outermost electrodes of said electrode section against said sides.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 27 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said attachment means for said clamping elements is attached to said scalloped edge of said bar and said electrodes are cathodes.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 12 words
The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said electrode plate is positioned vertically.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 12 words
The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said electrode plate is positioned horizontally.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 23 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said bars are electrically conductive and a gasket is interposed between said bars and said electrode section.
Claim 13
Independent Claim 173 words
A method for securing a fabricated diaphragm to each of a plurality of foraminous electrodes positioned substantially parallel to each other and having a space between each of said electrodes, said electrode forming an electrode section, said electrode section having four adjoining sides, a first side opposite a third side, and a second side opposite a fourth side, wherein said method is comprised of: 1. attaching two bars to said electrode section one of said bars being attached along said first side and the other being attached along said third side of said electrode section, 2. enclosing each of said electrodes with a diaphragm having an open end with two adjoining edges, 3. inserting a plurality of clamping elements wherein each said clamping element is positioned in said space between two of said electrodes and adjacent to one of said bars, 4. attaching each of said clamping elements to one of said bars wherein one said adjoining edge of each of two adjacent diaphragms is sealed between said clamping elements and said bar.
Claim 14
Independent Claim 173 words
A method for securing a fabricated diaphragm to each of a plurality of foraminous electrodes positioned substantially parallel to each other and having a space between each of said electrodes, said electrode forming an electrode section, said electrode section having four adjoining sides, a first side opposite a third side, and a second side opposite a fourth side, wherein said method is comprised of: 1. attaching two bars to said electrode section one of said bars being attached along said first side and the other being attached along said third side of said electrode section, 2. enclosing each of said electrodes with a diaphragm having an open end with two adjoining edges, 3. inserting a plurality of clamping elements wherein each said clamping element is positioned in said space between two of said electrodes and adjacent to one of said bars, 4. attaching each of said clamping elements to one of said bars wherein one said adjoining edge of each of two adjacent diaphragms is sealed between said clamping elements and said bar.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US1513728A Cited
US1963363A Cited
US3779889A Cited
US3900384A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1979-09-14 1980-03-15 1980-09-14 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1983-09-14 1984-03-15 1984-09-14 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1987-09-14 1988-03-15 1988-09-14 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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