Device for the detachment of metal plates deposited on the surfaces of permanent cathodes

Abstract

A breaking or stripping table for V-shaped sheets or books of built up metal obtained in electro-winning or electro-refining processes featuring a metal bridge that bonds the deposits generated on each face of the plates of the permanent cathodes, which allows automating and optimizing the process of breaking or stripping the V-shaped sheet, thus reducing the time required in the process and providing a clean cut of the metal bridge.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A breaking or stripping table of V-shaped sheets or books of built up metal obtained in electro-winning or electro-refining processes when permanent cathodes are used that do not include wax or edge covers on the lower edge of their plates, creating a metal bridge that bonds deposits generated on each face of the plates of the permanent cathodes, which allows automating and optimizing the process of stripping or division of the V-shaped sheet, thus reducing a time required in the process and ensuring a clean cut of the metal bridge, comprising:
 a support frame comprising of a base from which two vertical supports project in parallel and are spaced apart;   a first support plate and a second support plate for receiving a V-shaped sheet, being arranged in the space between the vertical supports and pivotally connected, at one of their ends, to an upper part of the vertical supports in a centered arrangement, opposite each other, allowing to change their position from a receiving position to a separating position by varying an angle of the support plates, wherein the pivoting ends of the support plates are separated from each other and arranged at the same height with respect to the base of the support frame so that they are part of the same horizontal plane;   at least one actuator connected to each support plate to produce a pivoting movement and vary its angle; and   clamping means, on the support plates, to fix the position of the V-shaped sheet on the support plates and prevent slippage due to an inclination of a latter or detachment of two separate metal sheets of the V-shaped sheet once the break or cut occurs.   
     
     
         2 . The breaking or stripping table, according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one actuator connected to each support plate comprises a hydraulic cylinder connected, respectively, near the lower end of the respective support plate and in a central part of the base of the support frame, by means of a pivoting connection. 
     
     
         3 . The breaking or stripping table, according to  claim 2 , wherein the pivoting connection of the support plates comprises a circular plate attached to each corner of the respective pivoting end, which are coupled to a respective shaft supported on a bearing assembly located at a top of the respective vertical support of the support frame. 
     
     
         4 . The breaking or stripping table, according to  claim 1 , further comprising a blade system comprising a blade base extending between the vertical supports in the space defined between the pivoting ends of the support plates; a blade projecting vertically from the blade base protruding with respect to the position of the pivoting ends, the blade being configured to contact the metal bridge of the V-shaped sheets, so that the metal bridge presses the blade when the support plates move from the receiving position towards the stripping position thus generating the cutting or breaking of the metal bridge to obtain two separate metal sheets. 
     
     
         5 . The breaking or stripping table, according to  claim 4 , wherein the blade system is movably connected to the vertical supports of the support frame, wherein the blade base is mounted on the vertical supports by means of a sliding joint, at each of its ends, thus allowing its movement in vertical direction to operate as a guillotine, ensuring the contact between the blade and the metal bridge, promoting and facilitating the breaking or cutting of the V-shaped sheet. 
     
     
         6 . The breaking or stripping table, according to  claim 5 , wherein the sliding joint between the blade base and the vertical supports are rails arranged on the vertical supports on which a respective sliding support or wheels arranged at each end of the blade base is located. 
     
     
         7 . The breaking or stripping table, according to  claim 1 , wherein the clamping means correspond to a plurality of clamping elements arranged on each lateral edge of the support plates for retaining the V-shaped sheet or the separated sheets, after cutting or breaking of the metal bridge, wherein the clamp elements are actuated for opening and closing, modifying their position to release or retain the V-shaped sheet or stripped sheets, respectively. 
     
     
         8 . The breaking or stripping table, according to  claim 1 , wherein the supporting frame comprises an arrangement of profiles defining its structure, wherein the base has a rectangular shape comprising two major profiles, defining the major sides of the rectangular shape, and two minor profiles, defining the minor sides of the rectangular shape, the base comprising a plurality of support plates under a profile joint areas to prevent slipping during operation. 
     
     
         9 . The breaking or stripping table, according to  claim 8 , wherein the vertical supports are formed by two vertical profiles projecting from the vertices of a major side of the base, which are connected, at their upper end, to a respective diagonal profile, which, in turn, are connected at one end to the ends of a horizontal profile, wherein the vertical supports comprise a support plate on their upper side supporting one or more bearing assemblies. 
     
     
         10 . The breaking or stripping table, according to  claim 9 , further comprising at least one sensor arranged under the space between the pivoting ends of the support plates for detecting the breaking or stripping of the V-shaped sheet which generates a signal indicative of the breaking.