Apparatus and method for recovering metals from solutions
US5102513A · kind A · utility
Assignees
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 9, 1990 |
| Grant date | Apr 7, 1992 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 9, 2010 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
- CPC primaryC25C7/06
- WIPO fieldControl
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
The improved power supply is controlled by a microprocessor which operates with instructions stored in software in a programmable read only memory within the unit. As the microprocessor operates, it constantly reads the conditions of the actual voltage, actual current, preset voltage and preset current at the electrodes of the plating system. The microprocessor makes adjustments to maintain the voltage at a preset level by outputting a digital signal to a digital-to-analog converter which changes the digital command into a voltage which is used to adjust an output transistor which controls the voltage to the electrodes. The microprocessor monitors the current draw and displays the current and voltage readings on a digital display. Signals received by the microprocessor are used in a virtually continuous comparison to preset current and voltage settings which are adjustable by variable resistors, and which determine a point at which insufficient metal is contained within the solution to continue the plating operation at which time a lockout condition is triggered. During lockout, no voltage is applied to the electrodes except when sampling is to occur. Frequency of sampling during l…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.