Electroplating method and apparatus
AssigneeAqua Dynamics Group Corp.
InventorsAlexander J. Garrison, Otto N. Fanini
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present invention relates to a method of electroplating in which the electroplating bath is treated by the direct injection of electromagnetic radiation. Most preferably, the electromagnetic radiation is within the radio frequency range and is injected through a metal conductor directly in contact with the bath. Such treatment increases the speed of electroplating as well as the quality of the plated product. The invention is applicable to the plating of zinc, chrome, nickel, precious metals and the like.
Claims21
A method of electroplating comprising the steps of:
- providing an aqueous electroplating bath containing metal ions;
- providing an anode for the introduction of current for electroplating;
- providing a cathode for the introduction of current for electroplating;
- providing articles to be electroplated and arranged to contact the cathode at least periodically;
- passing a current between the anode and cathode, the improvement comprising the additional step of treating the bath by injecting into said bath electromagnetic radiation generated by an electromagnetic radiation generator, said injection being through at least one electrical conductor other than said anode and said cathode in direct contact with the bath.
A method of electroplating comprising the steps of:
- providing an aqueous electroplating bath containing metal ions;
- providing an anode for the introduction of current for electroplating;
- providing a cathode for the introduction of current for electroplating;
- providing articles to be electroplated and arranged to contact the cathode at least periodically;
- passing a current between the anode and cathode, the improvement comprising the additional step of treating the bath by injecting into said bath electromagnetic radiation generated by an electromagnetic radiation generator, said injection being through at least one electrical conductor other than said anode and said cathode in direct contact with the bath;
- and
- wherein the articles are enclosed in a rotating barrel made from an electrically insulating material.
An electroplating system comprising:
- a tank suitable for containing a quantity of an aqueous electroplating bath;
- an anode supported in the bath;
- a cathode;
- a DC power supply coupled to said anode and cathode for supplying electroplating current;
- a generator of electromagnetic radiation;
- a conductor other than said anode and said cathode disposed within said tank, suitable for making electrical contact with the electroplating bath;
- and
- cable means for coupling the generator and conductor.
A method for reducing the time required to electrodeposit a coating of a metal from an aqueous bath onto articles contained in an electroplating system which comprises the step of directly injecting into the bath through an electrical conductor other than an electroplating electrode electromagnetic radiation
A method for improving the adherence of a coating of a metal electrodeposited onto an article from an aqueous plating bath in an electroplating system which comprises the step of directly injecting into the bath through an electrical conductor other than an electroplating electrode electromagnetic radiation in the radio frequency range.
A method of electroplating comprising the steps of:
- providing an aqueous electroplating bath containing metal ions;
- providing an anode for the introduction of current for electroplating;
- providing a cathode for the introduction of current for electroplating;
- providing articles to be electroplated and arranged to contact the cathode at least periodically;
- passing a current between the anode and cathode, the improvement comprising the additional step of treating the bath by injecting into said bath electromagnetic radiation generated by an electromagnetic radiation generator, said injection being through at least one electrical conductor other than said anode and said cathode in direct contact with the bath, and wherein a coaxial cable is employed to couple the generator and the conductor, the length of the cable being selected based on the frequency of the electromagnetic radiation.
An electroplating system comprising:
- a tank suitable for containing a quantity of an aqueous electroplating bath;
- an anode supported in the bath;
- a cathode;
- a DC power supply coupled to said anode and cathode for supplying electroplating current;
- a generator of electromagnetic radiation;
- a conductor other said anode and said cathode disposed in said tank, suitable for making electrical contact with the electroplating bath;
- cable means for coupling the generator and conductor,
- and wherein the length of the cable means is selected based on the frequency of the electromagnetic radiation.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.