GB1371162A - Apparatus for the preparation of electrode sets - Google Patents

Abstract

1371162 Making electrode sets; casting composite articles TUDOR AB 4 Jan 1972 310/72 Headings B3A and B3F [Also in Division B8] Apparatus for forming electrode sets comprises means 1, 2, Fig. 1, for conveying electrode plate-sets 17 along a substantially horizontal path, each set comprising separated positive and negative electrodes and separators (34), Fig. 6 (not shown), and means 20, Fig. 4, movable transversely to the direction of the conveying means for carrying and locating the electrodes and separators in desired positional relationship to one another, each movable means including grooves 21 in which projections 22 on the electrodes are accommodated. An upper chain system 1 supports plate-set holders 18 and lower chain system 2 supports holders 62 for casting moulds 42, Fig. 14, travelling parallel to each other and at the same speed. The systems are driven intermittently via drive chains 13, 14 from a variable speed device 16 connected to motor 15. The plate-sets are fed into the machine at A and pass through an adjusting mechanism, Figs. 5, 6 (not shown), to arrange and adjust the correct positioning of the plates. They are locked firmly at position B and conveyed to position C where lugs 19 on the plates are dipped into flux. The set-holders 18 and mould holders 62 meet in register at position D where the filling of the moulds with lead solder takes place. At position E soldering of the lugs of respective positive and negative plates is completed and the moulds are separated from finished plate-sets which are discharged from the system 2 at position F. Arrangement of the plate-sets is facilitated using a base-plate 20 which moves transversely to the direction of travel of the conveyer. The base-plate is provided with rollers 23 which contact camming members (24), (25) either side of the set-holders, which members are constructed so that transverse displacement of the base-plate is lessened in the direction of travel of the conveyer. The transverse motion causes projections 22 of positive and negative plates to settle in grooves 21 of the base-plate 20. Lugs 19 on the plates aid the arranging by passing through channels (30), (31) of decreasing width so as to align the plates. The separators 34 are arranged using side screens (32), (33) which form a wedge-shaped channel. The filling of the moulds 42 follows passage of the plate-sets through fluxing apparatus (35), (39), Figs. 7-9 (not shown), where the lugs 19 are fluxed. Then at position D the mould 42 is raised towards the lugs, Fig. 14, and lead is fed into the mould from melting pots (not shown) provided with a pipe 54, Fig. 18. A needle valve (not shown) in co-operation with a magnet opens the connection between the pot and pipe to gauge the required amount of lead. An adjustable inclined plate 56 of low heat conductivity, e.g. ceramic material, is provided so that the molten lead flows into the mould without burning the lugs, a resilient holder 58 enabling the plate to act as a scrapper when casting has finished. The set-holders and mouldholders then move along chain systems 1, 2, during which time soldering takes place, and are disconnected at position E. The action of a magnet (not shown) on a release mechanism of the set-holders at position F enables the finished plate-sets to be removed from their holders.