Electrolytic cleaning of conductive bodies
AssigneeHoffman Industries International, Ltd.
InventorsJohn E. Hoffman, Jr., Richard A. Hoffman, Sr.
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method and apparatus for cleaning conductive bodies using a basic aqueous disodium phosphate and sodium bicarbonate electrolyte. The outside surfaces of a metallic body is cleaned by placing the body in contact with the electrolyte and flowing DC current from an anode to the body, which forms a cathode. The body may be immersed in the electrolyte or the electrolyte may be sprayed onto the body.
Claims31
A method of cleaning impurities and oxides from the surface of a conductive body, the method comprising the steps of:
- (a) forming a basic electrolyte having a pH in excess of 7.0 and not more than about 9.0 by dissolving disodium phosphate and baking soda in water and placing the electrolyte in a container;
- (b) positioning an anode in the electrolyte;
- (c) immersing a conductive body in the electrolyte;
- (d) connecting the body to a negative terminal of a direct current source and connecting the anode to a positive terminal of a direct current source;
- and
- (e) flowing current from the source through the electrolyte and the body to remove impurities and oxides.
An electrolyzer for cleaning bodies that can conduct electricity comprising:
- a vat;
- a basic electrolyte having a pH greater than 7.0 and no more than about 9.0 and comprising water, disodium phosphate and baking soda, said electrolyte contained within said vat;
- at least one anode located in said electrolyte;
- a cathode contact, said cathode contact located to form a cathode of said electrolyzer when said cathode connection is connected to a body that can conduct electricity immersed in said electrolyte;
- and
- a direct current source having a positive terminal and a negative terminal, said positive terminal connected to said anode and said negative terminal connected to said cathode contact.
A method for cleaning a conductive body, the method comprising the steps of:
- (a) connecting a conductive body to a negative terminal of a direct current source;
- (b) connecting an anode to a positive terminal of the direct current source;
- (c) spraying the body with a continuous stream of electrolyte to wet the body with electrolyte, said electrolyte comprising disodium phosphate, baking soda and water and having a pH greater than about 7.0 and less than about 9.0;
- (d) locating the anode in physical contact with the continuous stream of electrolyte while the body is being sprayed;
- and
- (e) flowing current from the source through the stream of electrolyte and the body to clean the body.
A spray washer to clean a conductive body comprising:
- a reservoir;
- a basic electrolyte comprising water, disodium phosphate and baking soda, said electrolyte having a pH between about 7.0 and about 9.0 and contained within said reservoir;
- a spray nozzle connected to said reservoir for spraying the body with a continuous stream of electrolyte to wet the body with electrolyte;
- an anode for physically contacting a continuous stream of electrolyte when said nozzle is spraying the body;
- a cathode for contacting the body to form an electrical connection extending from the anode through the stream and the body to the cathode;
- and
- a power supply having a positive terminal and a negative terminal, said positive terminal connected to said anode and said negative terminal connected to said cathode.
A method of removing impurities and oxides from the surface of a conductive body, the method comprising the steps of:
- (a) providing an electrolyte comprising water, disodium phosphate and sodium bicarbonate and having a pH greater than about 7.0 and less than about 9.0;
- (b) providing an anode and connecting the anode to a positive terminal of a power supply)
- (c) providing a body to be cleaned and connecting the body to a negative terminal of a power supply;
- (d) maintaining a body of electrolyte extending between the anode and the body;
- and
- (e) flowing current from the positive terminal through the electrolyte to the negative terminal to remove impurities and oxides from the surface of the body.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.