Electrode refilling mechanism

• Main Authors: Patel, Srujal, Balisky, Todd
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 25.09.2003

A method and apparatus for automatically refilling reference electrodes used in chemical analysis. The apparatus generally includes a reference electrode including an outer chamber with an electrolyte contained therein, an adapter to secure the plumbing to the reference electrode, and a computer to control the refill unit. The refill unit further includes a pump, a refill bottle, and plumbing to connect the refill bottle to the pump and the pump to the reference electrode. The method generally includes drawing refill electrolyte from a refill bottle and pumping the refill electrolyte to the reference electrode. Embodiments of the invention further include an automatically refillable reference electrode. The automatically refillable reference electrode generally includes an outer chamber, with an electrolyte contained therein, a reference junction to provide communication between the electrolyte and an electroplating solution, an adapter to secure an electrolyte refill source to a refill opening in the outer chamber, and an overflow hole to drain excess electrolyte from the outer chamber.