Joseph C Brady

US Patent:

44591837, Jul 10, 1984

Filed:

Mar 7, 1983

Appl. No.:

6/473079

Inventors:

Joseph M. Brady - Huntingdon PA
Franz R. Cordes - State College PA
Klaus H. Gedrat - Berlin, DE
Daniel L. Goffredo - Riverton NJ
Walter Meyer - Berlin, DE
Conrad D. Shakley - Spring Mills PA

Assignee:

Chemcut Corporation - State College PA

International Classification:

C25D 706
C25D 1706
C25D 1728
C25D 2110

US Classification:

204 27

Abstract:

An electroplating apparatus and method is provided, whereby generally flat workpieces, such as metal plates and the like may be electroplated, on a continuous basis, automatically and without manual intervention. The workpieces are delivered horizontally through a bath of electrolyte. They are conveyed through the bath by being engaged by driven contact wheels that also serve as one of the electrodes. The other electrode is in the bath electrolyte solution. As the workpieces are delivered through the bath, they are engaged and disengaged by the contact wheels, but are always in engagement with contact wheels for not only continuous conveyance, but for continuous electrical connection therewith. A particular slide mount is provided for holding an opposite side of the plate as the plate is carried along its flow path, and this mount is adjustably positionable to accommodate different width workpieces. Solution flow through the electrolyte path is provided on a continuous basis, and both agitates and replenishes the electrolyte solution.

US Patent:

44027990, Sep 6, 1983

Filed:

Oct 2, 1981

Appl. No.:

6/307687

Inventors:

James J. Ash - Centre Hall PA
Joseph M. Brady - Huntingdon PA
Daniel L. Goffredo - Riverton NJ
Conrad D. Shakley - Spring Mills PA

Assignee:

Chemcut Corporation - State College PA

International Classification:

C25D 502
C25D 1706
C25D 1728

US Classification:

204 15

Abstract:

Printed circuit boards are carried generally vertically, along a path, with the tabs at the lower end being immersed in an electrolyte. The boards are automatically conveyed through opposed serially arranged pairs of rollers, which drive them along their path. Brushes wipe the boards to prevent contact with electrolyte above the desired contact level, as they are conveyed along the path. The solution is constantly replenished and turbulence provided by delivering electrolyte solution, with insoluble metallic ions in it, by pumping the solution from a sump, through an array of nozzles along each side of the path, thus providing fresh electrolyte along with providing turbulence to the electrolyte. The nozzles are charged at a sufficiently low level to avoid their destruction. Electrical contact is made with the printed circuit boards, by means of serially engaging the boards with spring fingers of a continuous conductor along each side of the boards as they are conveyed along their path, and thereby conducting the applied charge to the immersed tabs, whereby the tabs function as cathodes for electrodeposition of metallic ions thereon.

US Patent:

43859674, May 31, 1983

Filed:

Oct 7, 1981

Appl. No.:

6/309180

Inventors:

Joseph M. Brady - Huntingdon PA
Franz R. Cordes - State College PA
Klaus H. Gedrat - Berlin, DE
Daniel L. Goffredo - Riverton NJ
Walter Meyer - Berlin, DE
Conrad D. Shakley - Spring Mills PA

Assignee:

Chemcut Corporation - State College PA

International Classification:

C25D 706
C25D 1706
C25D 1728
C25D 2110

US Classification:

204 27

Abstract:

An electroplating apparatus and method is provided, whereby generally flat workpieces, such as metal plates and the like may be electroplated, on a continuous basis, automatically and without manual intervention. The workpieces are delivered horizontally through a bath of electrolyte. They are conveyed through the bath by being engaged by driven contact wheels that also serve as one of the electrodes. The other electrode is in the bath electrolyte solution. As the workpieces are delivered through the bath, they are engaged and disengaged by the contact wheels, but are always in engagement with contact wheels for not only continuous conveyance, but for continuous electrical connection therewith. A particular slide mount is provided for holding an opposite side of the plate as the plate is carried along its flow path, and this mount is adjustably positionable to accommodate different width workpieces. Solution flow through the electrolyte bath is provided on a continuous basis, and both agitates and replenishes the electrolyte solution.