Device for mounting and securing a membrane on an amperometric cell

• US 4,372,021 A
• Filed: 11/09/1981
• Issued: 02/08/1983
• Est. Priority Date: 11/09/1981
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Orbisphere Corporation Wilmington
• Original Assignee: Orbisphere Corporation Wilmington
• Inventors: Weber, Eugen, Hale, John M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Jones, Jr., James L.
• Application Number:
  US06/319,708
• Time in Patent Office: 456 Days
• Field of Search: 29/235, 29/244, 425/394, 425/521, 204/195 P
• US Class Current: 29/235
• CPC Class Codes: B23P 19/02 for connecting objects by press fit or for detaching same B23P19/10 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/53657 to apply or remove a resilient article [e.g., tube, sleeve, etc.]

Abstract

A device for mounting and securing a membrane made of a substantially flat piece of flexible polymer film on an amperometric cell that has a substantially cylindrical cell end frontally provided with an electrolyte-bearing sensor face by means of a removable annular holding member; according to the invention the holding member is a substantially non-resilient and creep-resistant die ring, preferably made of stainless steel, having a cylindrical inner surface that fits slidingly onto the cylindrical cell end and at least one tapered inner surface portion that extends outwardly from the cylindrical inner surface toward a leading end of the die ring; the leading end of the die ring is moved over the cylindrical cell end whereby the polymer film is deep-drawn between the die ring and the cylindrical cell end and is permanently shaped to form a cup-shaped membrane portion extending over the electrolyte-bearing sensor face and the adjacent portion of the cylindrical cell end; the resulting cup-shaped membrane portion is sealingly held by the die ring on the cylindrical cell end during operation of the amperometric cell. A membrane-enclosed amperometric cell having a cylindrical cell end frontally provided with an electrolyte-bearing sensor face, a semi-permeable membrane formed of a flexible polymer film and extending over the sensor face; a circumferential portion of the membrane is in contact with the cylindrical cell end; a removable annular holding member is arranged around the circumferential portion of the membrane and presses the circumferential portion of the membrane sealingly onto the cell end; according to the invention, the annular holding member is a non-resilient and creep-resistant die ring, preferably made of stainless steel, having a cylindrical inner surface slidingly fitting onto the cylindrical cell end and at least one tapered inner surface portion outwardly extending from the cylindrical inner surface toward a leading end portion of the die ring; the membrane has a permanently formed cup-shaped portion extending over the electrolyte-bearing sensor face and an adjacent portion of the cylindrical cell end; the cup-shaped membrane portion is sealingly held by the die ring on the cylindrical cell end during operation of the cell; the die ring can be removed; e.g. for cell maintenance and re-used for applying and shaping a fresh membrane.

Claims

1. A device for mounting and securing a membrane on an amperometric cell, said device comprising a plunger connected with a cam in aligned operative arrangement with a cylinder, a collar for receiving and supporting an amperometric cell near a sensing end thereof;

said cylinder and said collar each having end portions for mutual interconnection;

said plunger having a resilient member for temporarily pressing a polymer film onto a frontal portion of said sensing end, and a cylindrical surface for temporarily holding an annular member suitable as a die ring for shaping and holding said polymer film on said sensing end;

said plunger and said collar being aligned when in said mutual interconnection so that upon movement of said plunger towards said sensing end of said amperometric cell supported by said collar means said annular member is forced from said plunger onto said sensing end while said polymer film is pressed onto said frontal portion of said sensing end.