Electrode positioning mechanism

Details Electrode positioning mechanism Electrode positioning mechanism

1999-02-04

2001-02-06

Gorgos, Kathryn (Department: 1741)

Chemistry: electrical and wave energy

Apparatus

Electrolytic

Reexamination Certificate

active

06183608

ABSTRACT:

TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates generally to a mechanism for positioning an electrode, and more specifically to the positioning of an electrode within a carbon arc liquid gasification apparatus.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In U.S. Pat. No. 5,159,900, one of the inventors herein discloses a rapid oxidation process to produce a gas for use as a fuel from water and carbon. This gas product is created by the decomposition of water or a water-based solution through oxidation. Hydrogen is displaced when a substance is oxidized in water. Rapid oxidation can be forced by using an electrical arc to bum a substance within a biomass feedstock solution, thereby oxidizing the substance by an electro-thermochemical reaction. The result is the rapid formation of a compound of hydrogen and carbon monoxide gas (COH
2
).
As discussed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,159,900, a problem arises in the storage of COH
2
gas, and therefore it is desirable to produce COH
2
gas on an on-demand basis. U.S. Pat. No. 5,159,900 to Wilbur Dammann discloses the use of an electrical arc between two carbon electrodes submersed in water to produce the reaction necessary to rapidly oxidize carbon and produce COH
2
gas.
In U.S. Pat. No. 5,417,817, the inventors disclose a method for producing on-demand generation of gas from water and carbon which continuously replenishes the carbon electrodes from a biomass feedstock, to avoid the need for replacing the electrodes. Among the features disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,417,817 is a servo drive which adjusts the position of one of the electrodes until the electrodes are at optimum spacing for most efficient operation. Because the movable electrode must be able to move toward or away from the stationary electrode, the mechanism which positions the electrode must work in forward and reverse directions. Furthermore, the mechanism must be able to sense the forward and rearward limits of motion of the electrode. Finally, the mechanism must position the carbon electrodes such that excessive contact pressure is avoided when initially striking the arc.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore a general object of the present invention to provide an electrode positioning mechanism which can move an electrode in a forward and rearward direction.
Another object is to provide an electrode positioning mechanism which can sense the limits of mechanical movement of an electrode and activate switches for changing the direction of movement of the electrode.
Another object is to provide an electrode positioning mechanism which can protect the carbon electrode from excessive contact pressure when the arc is initially struck.
These and other objects will be apparent to those skilled in the art.
The electrode positioning mechanism includes a reversible electric motor. The motor has a shaft that rotates a worm gear which drives a spur gear. The spur gear is connected to an internally threaded collar which is adapted to receive an externally threaded sleeve. The sleeve can move axially lengthwise with respect to the collar. The sleeve acts as a housing for the electrode. Means are provided to retain tile sleeve within the collar such that mechanical movement is restricted when the sleeve reaches the limitation of its motion. The restriction in mechanical movement causes the torque applied by the worm gear to increase. The worm gear is allowed to move axially along the length of the motor shaft, but is biased into a longitudinally central position by at least one spring. As torque increases, the worm gear is moved from its central position against the urging of the spring. The worm gear is also connected to a washer with a diameter greater than that of the worm gear. The washer moves with the worm gear and is in communication with a switching means that will reverse the direction of the motor when the washer is so moved. The reversal in the direction of the motor dissipates the amount of torque applied to the worm gear, which returns to its central position.


REFERENCES:
patent: 3980802 (1976-09-01), Paton et al.
patent: 4306193 (1981-12-01), Potter
patent: 5093977 (1992-03-01), Muller et al.
patent: 5159900 (1992-11-01), Dammann
patent: 5417817 (1995-05-01), Dammann et al.
patent: 5417818 (1995-05-01), Dammann et al.
patent: 5628348 (1997-05-01), Scott et al.
patent: 5647407 (1997-07-01), Scott et al.

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