Wireless monitoring of two or more electrolytic cells using one monitoring device

• US 7,470,356 B2
• Filed: 06/08/2006
• Issued: 12/30/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 03/17/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kennecott Utah Copper, LLC (Rio Tinto Limited)
• Original Assignee: Kennecott Utah Copper Corporation (Rio Tinto Limited)
• Inventors: You, Eugene Yanjun, Kim, Daniel Kang
• Primary Examiner(s): Bell; Bruce F
• Application Number:
  US11/422,944
• Publication Number:
  US 20060213766A1
• Time in Patent Office: 936 Days
• Field of Search: 204/278.5, 204/242, 204/267, 204/269, 204/270, 205/574
• US Class Current: 205/574
• CPC Class Codes: C23F 13/04 Controlling or regulating desired parameters
• CPC Class Codes: C25B 15/02 Process control or regulation
• CPC Class Codes: C25C 7/06 Operating or servicing
• CPC Class Codes: C25D 21/12 Process control or regulation controlling or regulating in general G05

Abstract

A system, device, and method include a cell-powered first electronic device for monitoring two or more electrolytic cells is powered using electrical potential imposed across the electrolytic cells. The potential is voltage-boosted to accomplish this task. If the electrical potential imposed across the cells is insufficient, the device can also be battery-powered. In any event, this device is in communication with one or more sensors in the electrolytic cells, as well as a second electronic device, and the first and second electronic devices wirelessly communicate. More specifically, the first electronic device wireless transmits data signals to the second electronic device, which receives the same. The first and second electronic devices are physically remote from one another, and they communicate over a private or public network, preferably using spread spectrum technology. In addition, the second electronic device also preferably transmits data signals to a computer for further processing of the data signals, and these arrangements can be used, for example, when producing copper.

Claims

1. An electrolytic cell monitoring system comprising:

a cell-powered first electronic device electrically attached to current rails of the cell, the first electronic device in communication with one or more sensors in at least two electrolytic cells, and

a second electronic device in wireless communication with said first electronic device for receiving data signals from said first electronic device, said first electronic device and said second electronic device being physically remote from one another.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein, said first electronic device transmits wild data signals to said second electronic device.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the wireless communication is an IEEE network.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the wireless communication is a ZigBee network.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein the wireless communication is a spread spectrum communication network.

6. The system of claim 1 further comprising:

a computer in communication with said second electronic device wherein said second electronic device transmits said data signals to said computer for further processing of said data signals.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein said first electronic device is powered using electrical potential imposed across said cell.

8. The system of claim 7 wherein said first electronic device includes a battery to power said first electronic device when said electrical potential imposed across said cells is insufficient to power said first electronic device.

9. The system of claim 7, wherein said first electronic device boosts said electrical potential imposed across said cells to power said first electronic device.

10. An electrolytic cell monitoring device, comprising:

an electronic component in communication with one or more sensors in two or more electrolytic cells, wherein said component is electrically attached to current rails of the cell and is powered using electrical potential imposed across said cell.

11. The device of claim 10 wherein said device includes a battery to power said device when said electrical potential imposed across said cells is insufficient to power said device.

12. The device of claim 10 wherein said device boosts said electrical potential imposed across said cells to power said device.

20. The electrolytic cell monitoring device of claim 10 comprising:

a first communication coordinating device having a primary wireless link with the electronic component for receiving data signals from the electronic component; and

a second communication coordinating device having back-up wireless link with the electronic component for receiving data signals from the electronic component when the primary wireless link fails.

13. A method for monitoring two or more electrolytic cells simultaneously, the method comprising:

providing a first electronic device electrically attached to current rails of one of the cells, the first electronic device in communication with one or more sensors in two or more electrolytic cells; and

wirelessly transmitting data signals from said first electronic device to a second electronic device, said first electronic device and said second electronic device being physically remote from one another.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein the wirelessly transmitting occurs over an IEEE network.

15. The method of claim 13 wherein the wireless transmitting occurs over a ZigBee network.

16. The method of claim 13 wherein the wirelessly transmitting occurs over a spread spectrum communication network.

17. The method of claim 13 further comprising:

powering said first electronic device using electrical potential imposed across said cell.

18. The method of claim 17 further comprising:

powering said first electronic device using a battery when said electrical potential imposed across said cells is insufficient to power said first electronic device.

19. The method of claim 17 further comprising:

boosting said electrical potential imposed across said cells to power said first electronic device.