Graphite joints of highly uniform electrical resistance

摘要

A graphite pin for electrically coupling an external power supply to an electrically-conducting member having a non-threaded socket adapted to receive the pin under compression, has a main body portion adapted for coupling to the external power supply and an unthreaded engaging portion having means therein for making the engaging portion more pressure-compliant; these means extend paraxiially from the face of the engaging portion toward the main body portion and terminate within the pin; the periphery of the engaging portion being cloven by such means in not more then one region. The engaging portion of the pin may be cylindrical, flared into and integral with the main body portion of the pin, and chamfered at the peripheral edge of its face. The joints described have low and uniform electrical resistance; they may be used in electrolytic cells, where the connection may be between the pin and an anode. An anode may contain a plurality of sockets for use with the corresponding number of pins. In Fig. 2, the increased pressure compliancy results from the cutting of one or more kerfs 3 into the engaging portion of the pin 1 extending paraxially from the bottom face of this portion towards or into the main body portion of the pin. The kerf or kerfs may be annular, or three separated or joined cuts in triangular formation, or in the form of an Archimedean spiral, or a coaxial hole.ALSO: In an electrolytic cell, the anode, which may be of metal or graphite, has one or more non-threaded sockets each adapted to receive under compression a graphite pin for electrically coupling an external power supply to the anode, which pin has a main body portion 1, Fig. 2, adapted for coupling to the external power supply and an unthreaded engaging portion having means therein for making the engaging portion more pressure-compliant; these means extend paraxially from the face of the engaging portion toward the main body portion and terminate within the pin; the periphery of the engaging portion being cloven by such means in not more than one region. The engaging portion of the pin may be cylindrical, flared into and integral with the main body portion of the pin, and chamfered at the peripheral edge of its face. The joints described have low and uniform electrical resistance. The increased pressure compliancy results from the cutting of one or more kerfs 3 into the engaging portion of the pin, extending paraxially from the bottom face of this portion toward or into the main body portion of the pin. The kerf or kerfs may be annular, or three separated or joined cuts in triangular formation, or in the form of an Archimedean spiral, or of a coaxial hole.