Detection of short circuits between electrodes of electrolytic cell - by detectors which operate by magneto-motor force positioned by an automatically controlled overhead carriage

摘要

Detectors placed between the individual anodes and cathodes of an electrolytic cell each comprises a bladed commutator, which is kept normally open by an external magnetic field, linked to a permanent magnet by a shaft used to adjust the relative positions of the commutator and magnet. When a short circuit is detected the permanent magnet applies a force opposite that of the external magnetic field, closing the bladed commutator and lighting an indication light on the detector. The detectors are mounted on a horizontal bar connected to an overhead carriage travelling on rails which traverses a bank of cells. This carriage is connected to control circuitry which allows it to lift the detectors from the electrodes and move on to the next cell automatically if no short circuit is detected in a given time. The driving of the carriage along the rails and the raising and lowering of the detectors is done by separate motors positioned on the carriage. Sensors on the carriage stop it when it has moved to the correct position over the following cell and cut the motor lowering the short circuit detectors when it has lowered the detectors sufficiently. If a short circuit is detected the control circuitry keeps the carriage and detectors positioned at the short circuit.