CA1147034A - Electrical connection between copper conductor and titanium conductor - Google Patents

Electrical connection between copper conductor and titanium conductor

Info

Publication number
CA1147034A
CA1147034A CA000365793A CA365793A CA1147034A CA 1147034 A CA1147034 A CA 1147034A CA 000365793 A CA000365793 A CA 000365793A CA 365793 A CA365793 A CA 365793A CA 1147034 A CA1147034 A CA 1147034A
Authority
CA
Canada
Prior art keywords
titanium
copper
conductor
set forth
screw threads
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired
Application number
CA000365793A
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Daniel P. Young
Douglas J. Mac Vicar
Emil Smyte
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Vale Canada Ltd
Original Assignee
Vale Canada Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Vale Canada Ltd filed Critical Vale Canada Ltd
Priority to CA000365793A priority Critical patent/CA1147034A/en
Priority to BE0/206543A priority patent/BE891117A/en
Priority to FR8122154A priority patent/FR2495385A1/en
Priority to NO814067A priority patent/NO160107C/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of CA1147034A publication Critical patent/CA1147034A/en
Expired legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • HELECTRICITY
    • H01ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01RELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R4/00Electrically-conductive connections between two or more conductive members in direct contact, i.e. touching one another; Means for effecting or maintaining such contact; Electrically-conductive connections having two or more spaced connecting locations for conductors and using contact members penetrating insulation
    • H01R4/58Electrically-conductive connections between two or more conductive members in direct contact, i.e. touching one another; Means for effecting or maintaining such contact; Electrically-conductive connections having two or more spaced connecting locations for conductors and using contact members penetrating insulation characterised by the form or material of the contacting members
    • H01R4/62Connections between conductors of different materials; Connections between or with aluminium or steel-core aluminium conductors
    • CCHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C25ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES; APPARATUS THEREFOR
    • C25BELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES FOR THE PRODUCTION OF COMPOUNDS OR NON-METALS; APPARATUS THEREFOR
    • C25B9/00Cells or assemblies of cells; Constructional parts of cells; Assemblies of constructional parts, e.g. electrode-diaphragm assemblies; Process-related cell features
    • C25B9/60Constructional parts of cells
    • C25B9/65Means for supplying current; Electrode connections; Electric inter-cell connections
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H01ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01RELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R4/00Electrically-conductive connections between two or more conductive members in direct contact, i.e. touching one another; Means for effecting or maintaining such contact; Electrically-conductive connections having two or more spaced connecting locations for conductors and using contact members penetrating insulation
    • H01R4/28Clamped connections, spring connections
    • H01R4/30Clamped connections, spring connections utilising a screw or nut clamping member

Landscapes

  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • Electrochemistry (AREA)
  • Materials Engineering (AREA)
  • Metallurgy (AREA)
  • Organic Chemistry (AREA)
  • Electrolytic Production Of Metals (AREA)
  • Coupling Device And Connection With Printed Circuit (AREA)

Abstract

ABSTRACT OF THE INVENTION
A means for providing electrical connection between a copper conductor and a titanium conductor which in the best mode comprises a threaded copper insert mating into a threaded cavity in the titanium conductor, said copper insert having an exposed stud portion.

Description

PC~ 7~ 39~

The present invention relates to apparatus for conducting electric current and more particularly to trans-mission of electric power through a corrosive environment.
It is well known that copper has good conductivity for electric current but is badly corroded by certain media, e.g., moist chlorine and acidic, oxidizing chlorides, which are sometimes present in environments where electric power is needed, e.g., near electrolytic cell operations. It is also known that titanium has good resistance to corrosion by chlorine and other media but has an electrical resistivity much greater, and thus conductivity much lesser, than that of copper.
Heretofore, it has been desired to obtain benefits of both the electrical conductivity of copper and the corro sion resistance of titanium by providing combinations of these two metals. Yet, while good electrical conductivity and low metal-to~metal contact resistance are needed, there are problems in combining these metals. Inasmuch as conven-tional soldering or brazing has not been satisfactory for joining titanium to copper (or other highly conductive metals such as aluminum or silver) the art has looked to mechanical fastening, e.g., bolting, riveting, crimping, etc., or to more complex methods such as explosive cladding or co-extrusion. However, adoption of previously known junctions leads to disadvantages. Mechanically fastened junctions, even though initially clean and tight, are vulnerable to infiltration by corrosive media and develop unsatisfactorily high electrical resistance, especially where relatively large surface areas of sheet, plate, bar or other metal products must be joined and are subject to warping or other deformation.

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Clad or extruded junctions are detractively, and sometimes prohibitively, costly to provide. Moreover, such junctions are of a fixed nature that negates replacement, relocation or disassembly and reassembly of apparatus. Even though attempts have been made to effect improvements, there have still remained unfulfilled needs for commercially usable electrically conductive junctions connecting copper and titanium components of apparatus for use in practical commercial production conditions associated with corrosive media. For instance, in particular, there are special needs for conducting high currents, e.g., 300 amperes and higher from electric power conductors, e.g., copper busbars to titanium components, e.g., support bars or electrodes, associated with electrolysis cells operating with aqueous chloride electrolytes.
There has now been discovered a special structural fabrication for providing an electrically efficient connec-tion between copper and titanium components and avoiding hazards of corrosive attack.
An object of the present invention is to provide an electrically condùctive junction sheltered from ambient corrosive media.
It is also an object to provide efficient and enduring electrical conduction between copper and titanium components of apparatus for operating electrolysis cells.
Further objects and benefits will be understood from the following description and the accompanying drawing wherein, in conjunction with the description:
Figure 1 depicts a plan view of electrolytic cell 3n operating apparatus embodying the invention: and ~4L7~34 Figure 2 is an enlarged side view on a vertical section, taken through line 2-2 in Figure 1 of a portion of the apparatus depicted by Figure 1.
The present invention may be generally defined as an electric circuit apparatus comprising a source of electric power, a copper conduit connected to the power source, a copper conductor having a rearward portion in contact with the conduit and having a forward portion with screw threads thereon, metallic copper being exposed on said threads, a titanium body including a portion with screw threads thereon, metallic titanium being exposed on said threads. The screw threads on the copper conductor and the screw threads on the titanium body are in mating contact, and an electrically conductive return path to the power source.
It is noteworthy that one of the benefits of the invention is that the threaded forms of the conductor and cavity provide a greater area of surface contact per unit length than would be obtained with cy~Lindrical forms of con-ductors and cavities (of same diameter as thread O.D.). Thus, the invention enables achieving desirably low current densities at electric contact junctions.
In the present invention, thread forms of National Coarse and finer are advantageous for desirably high surface contact area and continuous metal-to-metal contact.
Straight threads ~uniform dia.) rather than tapered threads, are often desirable for adjustability of the conduc-tor and for maintaining continuous contact.
Metal bodies wherein the invention can be incor-porated are, inter alia, metal bodies such as metal products, ~. i ~4'76~3~

e.g., bars, rods, plates and castings, and metal articles of manufacture, e.g., crossbars, supports and hangers.
The titanium metal of the body can be pure or commercially pure titanium, e.g., 99% or more titanium with up to 1% tolerable impurities, or possibly a high titanium alloy containing about 90% or more titanium.
The copper of the conductor is, generally, of high conductivity grade.
Turning now to the drawing, Figure 1, depicts a plan view of titanium crossbar 10 extending above copper busbar 11 and corrosion resistant vessel 12, which contains nickel chloride electrolyte 13 in electrolytic cell 14. One end of the crossbar is supported from busbar 11 and the other end is held by insulated support 15. Anode 16, a DS
(dimensionally stable) coated titanium anode, is attached to crossbar 10 and hangs down into the electrolyte. Chlorine gas (not shown) is evolved at the anode when the cell is in electrolysis operation. Also extending across cell 14 is shielded crossbar 17 which holds type 316 stainless steel cathode 18. Insulated support 19 and cathode side busbar ~0 support cathode crossbar 17. Busbars 11 and 20 are connected by copper leads lla and 20a to the positive and negative poles of direct-current source 21.
Continuing with the drawing, for Figure 2, a section of crossbar 10 is cut away to expose to view a portion containing a threaded cavity and conductor embodiment of the invention. Figure 2 is an enlarged side view of a vertical section through a portion of the crossbar depicted in Figure 1, the vertical section being taken along line 2-
2. Figure 2 illustrates threaded conductor 22 in place in ~4~C~3~

threaded cavity 23 in crossbar 10. The forward (thread direction) portion of conductor 22 has thread face 22a in contact with cavity thread face 23a. Electrically conductive grease is recommended for optimizing conductance between the two metals. Conductor stub 24 extends from the cavity and has V-notch 25 at the rearward extending end, with notch faces 25a and 25b forming the notch angle. Bus contactor 26 projects from busbar 11 and has contactor faces 26a and 26b angled to mate against notch faces 25a and 25b, although exact matching is not necessary.
For a particular advantageous embodiment of the copper-titanium junction of the invention referred to by Figure 2, the thread on conductor 22 is a 1.9 cm diameter (MAJOR) National Coarse and is in contact with the thread of cavity 23 along a 2.54 cm length of the conductor. And, in stub 24 the angle in V-notch 25 is about 60 degrees.
It is not necessary for the forward (upper) end of the conductor to be in contact with the cavity wall.
The following table shows good results of desirably low electrical resistance (indicated by voltage drops) and low temperatures at busbar contact where conductors (2.54 cm length) of the invention were utilized to carry current from a copper busbar to a titanium crossbar, in comparison with unsatisfactory high resistances and temperatures occurring when, differently from the invention, the titanium crossbar rested directly on the busbar contactor (the upward V-shaped protrusion, sometimes referred to as a "knife edge" although of considerable width, e.g., 0.16 cm or 0.08 cm).

~L~9L'7~3~a TABLE
Contact Contact Resistance Temperature, Drop (mv) Degrees C
1.27 cm thread 45-90 60 l.9 cm thread 7-20 50 Direct 750 140 Current being conducted while obtaining results was about 300 to 350 amperes.
It is to be noted, that while the present invention has been described and illustrated with respect to the best mode of carrying out the invention, to wit using a male copper, threaded insert or plug in a cavity formed in a titanium conductor, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the threaded connection of the invention can be made by means of a male threaded stud or l:hreaded end portion on a titanium conductor and a female threaded cap of copper.
The present invention is particularly applicable conducting electric current in circuits for electrolytic cells, such as electrowinning cells, and electroplating cells with titanium baskets.
Although the present invention has been described in conjunction with preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that modifications and variations may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the inven-tion, as those skilled in the art will readily understand.
Such modifications and variations are considered to be within the purview and scope of the invention and appended claims.

Claims (8)

PC-21? ??N

The embodiments of the invention in which an ex-clusive property or privelege is claimed are defined as follows:
1. Electric circuit apparatus comprising a source of electric power, a copper conduit connected to the power source, a copper conductor having a rearward portion in contact with the conduit and having a forward portion with screw threads thereon, metallic copper being exposed on said threads, a titanium body including a portion with screw threads thereon, metallic titanium being exposed on said threads, said screw threads on said copper conductor and said screw threads on said titanium body being in mating contact, and an electrically conductive return path to the power source.
2. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein the threaded portion of the titanium body is a cavity.
3. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein the return path includes an electrolytic cell.
4. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein the power source is a direct current generator.
5. Apparatus as set forth in claim 3 wherein the cell has a chloride-containing electrolyte.
6. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein the rear-ward portion of the copper conductor has a stub with an out-ward facing V-notch.
7. Apparatus as set forth in claim 3 wherein the electrolytic cell is an electrowinning cell.
8. Apparatus as set forth in claim 3 wherein the electrolytic cell is an electroplating cell.
CA000365793A 1980-11-28 1980-11-28 Electrical connection between copper conductor and titanium conductor Expired CA1147034A (en)

Priority Applications (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA000365793A CA1147034A (en) 1980-11-28 1980-11-28 Electrical connection between copper conductor and titanium conductor
BE0/206543A BE891117A (en) 1980-11-28 1981-11-13 ELECTRICAL CONNECTION BETWEEN COPPER CONDUCTORS AND TITANIUM CONDUCTORS
FR8122154A FR2495385A1 (en) 1980-11-28 1981-11-26 Copper busbar to titanium conductor connector in electrolytic cells - has copper bolt threaded into titanium conductor with notched head resting on knife edge
NO814067A NO160107C (en) 1980-11-28 1981-11-27 ELECTROLYTIC DEVICE INCLUDING AN ELECTRICAL CONNECTION FOR PASSING AN ELECTRIC CURRENT BETWEEN COPPER AND TITAN CONDUCTORS.

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA000365793A CA1147034A (en) 1980-11-28 1980-11-28 Electrical connection between copper conductor and titanium conductor

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
CA1147034A true CA1147034A (en) 1983-05-24

Family

ID=4118589

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
CA000365793A Expired CA1147034A (en) 1980-11-28 1980-11-28 Electrical connection between copper conductor and titanium conductor

Country Status (4)

Country Link
BE (1) BE891117A (en)
CA (1) CA1147034A (en)
FR (1) FR2495385A1 (en)
NO (1) NO160107C (en)

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2762143B1 (en) * 1997-04-15 1999-05-21 Michel Pillet DEVICE FOR IMPROVING ELECTRICAL CONTACT FOR MATERIALS WITH LOW CONDUCTION OF HIGH INTENSITY CIRCUITS
CN103834981B (en) * 2012-11-21 2016-03-16 青岛运城制版有限公司 Copper divides titanizing hurdle

Family Cites Families (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
IT978581B (en) * 1973-01-29 1974-09-20 Oronzio De Nora Impianti METALLIC ANODES WITH REDUCED ANODIC SURFACE FOR ELECTROLYSIS PROCESSES USING LOW DENSITY OF CATHODIC CURRENT
GB2041002B (en) * 1979-01-23 1982-12-01 Imi Kynoch Ltd Electrode suspension bars

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
NO814067L (en) 1982-06-01
FR2495385A1 (en) 1982-06-04
NO160107C (en) 1989-03-08
BE891117A (en) 1982-03-01
NO160107B (en) 1988-11-28

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