Electrolytic process apparatus

Abstract

Electrolytic process apparatus comprises a voltage source for electrically coupling to first and second electrodes, a detection circuit electrically coupled to the voltage source and a guard for providing a barrier between the first and second electrodes. The guard is arranged to permit current to travel within an electrolyte between the electrodes. The guard includes a guard conductor arranged to be electrically isolated from the electrodes. The guard conductor is arranged to be electrically coupled to the detection circuit such that the detection circuit can detect the presence of a current path between the guard conductor on the one hand and either electrode on the other hand.

Description

BACKGROUND[0001]1. Field[0002]The present invention relates to electrolytic process apparatus. The present invention also relates to a guard for providing a barrier between first and second electrodes in an electrolytic process apparatus and to a guarded electrode for electrolytic process apparatus.[0003]2. Background of the Invention[0004]Electro deposition is a known electrolytic process for depositing a layer of material, such as a metal, to a target surface. According to one known technique, as shown in FIG. 1, an electro deposition apparatus 1000 includes a tank 1002 containing an electrolyte solution 1004. A target object 1008 is connected to a negative terminal 1012 of a power supply (not shown) thus forming a cathode. A source object 1006 is connected to a positive terminal 1010 of the power supply, thus forming an anode. Both the anode 1006 and cathode 1008 are immersed in the electrolyte solution 1004. The power supply supplies a direct current (dc) to the anode 1006, ther...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0011]Thus, the current path between the guard conductor and an electrode can be used as a trigger to cause the monitoring circuit to cause the voltage supply to shut off. This can prevent damage to an electrode caused by arcing occurring between the electrodes.

[0019]Thus, by spacing the guard from the anode, in some embodiments a greater quantity of the electrolyte solution will be in contact with electrode, which may improve the electrolytic process compared with if the guard were directly in contact with a part of the electrode.

Problems solved by technology

A known problem with electro deposition is that it can be difficult to obtain a uniform thickness of deposited material on the cathode.

For example, if the cathode contains bores or relief profiles, it is possible that a fixed position anode may not cause the inside of the bore, for example, to be plated to a desirable thickness, uniformity or quality.

However, if the cathode is, for example, a one-off or rarely produced object, the cost of producing a conforming anode may not be justified.

Also, the cost and time involved with either using multiple anodes or moving a single anode to different positions with respect to the cathode increases the cost associated with plating the cathode.

A problem with using an auxiliary anode is that, should the anode touch the cathode, a spark or sparks may jump between the anode and cathode, which can burn the cathode.

In some cases, the burn caused by arcing occurring between the anode and cathode can structurally compromise the cathode.

For example, should the cathode be an aeroplane landing gear, which is purposefully made from thin and lightweight materials to keep the weight of the landing gear to a minimum, such a burn due to arcing could render the landing gear unusable.

Therefore, a single instance of contact between the anode and cathode has the potential to destroy an expensive object, such as a landing gear, that forms the cathode.

Whilst the insulating guard stops the anode from contacting the cathode, after time, the guard may wear and therefore permit the anode to touch the cathode, thereby permitting arcing to occur which can damage the cathode.

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