CA1244060A - Retaining device - Google Patents
Retaining deviceInfo
- Publication number
- CA1244060A CA1244060A CA000455052A CA455052A CA1244060A CA 1244060 A CA1244060 A CA 1244060A CA 000455052 A CA000455052 A CA 000455052A CA 455052 A CA455052 A CA 455052A CA 1244060 A CA1244060 A CA 1244060A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- holder
- carrier
- bar
- retaining device
- remnants
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
Landscapes
- Electrolytic Production Of Metals (AREA)
Abstract
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
A retaining device is disclosed for holding a bar carrying a carbon block remnant in a machining station of cleaning apparatus. The retaining device has a holder for holding the bar, and a carrier for supporting the holder.
The holder is rotatably mounted on the carrier about an axis which coincides with the longitudinal axis of the bar.
A retaining device is disclosed for holding a bar carrying a carbon block remnant in a machining station of cleaning apparatus. The retaining device has a holder for holding the bar, and a carrier for supporting the holder.
The holder is rotatably mounted on the carrier about an axis which coincides with the longitudinal axis of the bar.
Description
_CKGROUND TO THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a retaining device for holding a bar carrying a carbon block remnant in a machining station of cleaning apparatus.
As is well known, the carbon anodes used in the 5 electrolytic production of aluminium are arranged on bars, which serve for mounting the anode blocks as well as current supply means. When the anodes become used up, it is usual to separate their remnants from the anode bars, to enable the valuable carbon to be used again in the 10 production of new anode blocks. The used-up carbon anodes (anode remnants as they are called) are coated with relatively thick incrustations consisting of a mixture of aluminium oxide and solidified material from the melt.
For reasons of economy, it is necessary to remove these 15 incrustations from the anode remnants, so that they can be recycled for use in the electrolysis process, and so that the anode remnants can be used for producing new carbon anodes.
Apparatus is known for removing incrustations from 20 anode remnants by mechanical means. In this apparatus, the anode bars (together with the anode remnants) are moved one-by-one in a suspended position, by means of a conveyor, to a machining station, where each is secured against transverse movement by a retaining device. Each 25 remnant is then raised by a lifting table into a working position. A breaking device, such as a blade or blades, is then moved in the plane along which the incrustations 3 ' ~
are attached to the surface of the anode remnant to separate;the lncrustatlons. The extent to which each anode remnant lS raised by the llfting table is dependent upon the thlckness of that anode remnant, the extent of lift being such that the incrustations are almost completely removed.
The aim of the invention is to provide a retaining device for such a cleaning apparatus, the retaining device being of simple construction which can be arranged in the path of the anode-bar conveyor of the apparatus, and by means of which anode bars can be reliably held at the machining station of the apparatus.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a retaining device for holding a bar earrying a carbon block remnant in a maehinincJ station of eleaning apparatus, the deviee having a holder for holding the bar, and a carrier for supporting the holder, the holder being rotatably mounted on the carrier about an axis which coincides with the longitudinal axis of the bar, wherein the carrier and the holder are each of multi-part eonstruetion, the holder being eonstituted by two segments which are rotatably mounted on the parts of the carrier, and the carrier being constituted by two slide members which are slidably displaceable from the opposite sides towards the bar, each slide member supporting a segment of the holder. This retaining device can be movecl back from a working position (in which its holder secures an anode bar) into a rest B
bar) into a rest position (in whlch it is located outslde the path along which the anode bar is moved). The anode bar is rellably secured by the holder in the working position, but rotary movement of the held anode bar about its longitudinal axis is possible. This rotary movement can be exploited to facilitate introductlon of the anode bar into the holder and/or to permit adjustment of the anode bar relative to the breaking device of the apparatus when the bar is being cleaned. The rotary movement also enables the anode bar to be brought into various machining positions without being released by the holder. In particular, the anode bar can be rotated about its longitudinal axis, for example, with the aid of the lifting table of the apparatus. In this case, the lifting table is also designed to rotate. By means of the rotary movement, the anode bar can be brought into different positions relative to the breaking device, so that the incrustations can be removed from the entire surface of the anode remnant.
Preferably, the slide members are provided with complementary alignment members. Conveniently, the alignment members of the slide members are projections and complementary recesses which engage one within the other when the slide members are brought together. ~he segments may also be provided with complementary alignment means.
Advantageously, the alignment means of the segments are hydraulic or pneumatic rams whose piston rods engage in complementary apertures.
B
The invention also provldes apparatus for cleaning bar-mounted remnants of carbon blocks, the apparatus comprising a machlning statlon defining a working position, a breaking device for loosening incrustations B
6 ~ 7t~
adhering to the remnants at the working position, and a retaining device ~or holding individual remnants at the working position, wherein the retaining device is as defined above.
Preferably, the carrier is movably mounted on guide plate means fixed to the frame of the apparatus, the guide plate means being formed with a guide slot through which the remnants can be transported to the working position.
BRIEF DESCRI TION OF THE DRAWINGS
Two forms of retaining device for anode bar cleaning apparatus, and constructed in accordance with the invention, will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:-Fig. l is a simplified diagrammatic side elevation of 15 an anode bar cleaning apparatus incorporating the first form of retaining device;
Fig. 2 shows, on a larger scale, the retaining device of Fig. l in its holding position;
Figs. 3 and 4 each show, in plan, the retaining 20 device of Fig. l in the holding position, but for different rotary positions of a held anode bar; and Fig. 5 is a plan view of the second form of retaining device.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring to the drawings, Fig. l shows apparatus for cleaning remnants 7 of carbon anode blocks. The upper face of each of the remnants 7 is coated with incrustations 8 which have built up as a result of the 7 ~2~
carbon blocks having been used in an aluminium electrolytic smeltin~ plant. The incrustations 8 are a mixture of aluminium oxide and solidified material from the melt. Each remnant 7 is arranged on an anode bar 5, 5 the anode bars having the usual rectangular cross-section (see Figs. 3 and 4), and having nipples 6 for retaining the remnants. The original shape of an anode block is shown in dot-dash lines 9 in Fig. l.
The cleaning apparatus has a frame l which supports a 10 pair of horizontal guide plates 2 and 3. A guide slot 4 is formed between the guide plates 2 and 3. The remnants 7 that are to be cleaned are carried to the apparatus, one-by-one, by means of an overhead conveyor (not shown) such as a travelling crane or an overhead rail track.
15 This conveyor is arranged on the upper part of the frame l. As a remnant 7 is moved into position, its anode bar 5 moves through the guide slot 4. A retaining device 10 is arranged on the guide plate 3, the retaining device being used for holding each anode bar S in a working position, ,, 20 as will be described below. A duct ll is arranged beneath the frame 1, the duct containing a conveyor 12 and a funnel 13. The conveyor 12 is a belt conveyor, and serves to carry away the material broken away from the remnants 7.
A stand 14 is arranged at one side of the frame 1.
The stand 14 has a lifting arm 16 provided on a slide 15, the slide being vertically displaceable relative to the stand by means of a ram (not shown). The free end of the ,~
B
~2 ~
lifting arm 16 carries a lifting table 17. The lifting table 17 is dispo;sed above the conveyor 12. The lifting table 17 is rotatably mounted on the lifting arm 16 about a vertical shaft 18. The lifting table 17 is also 5 pivotally mounted on the arm 16 about a horizontal shaft 19 whose axis coincides with the central longitudinal axis of the arm. A ram (not shown) is provided for tilting the lifting table 17 about the shaft 19.
A breaking device 20 is mounted on the frame 1, at 10 the opposite side to the stand 14.The breaking device 20 may take any one of various known forms (such as a sledge hammer or a breaker blade arrangement), and is indicated in Fig. 1 simply by an arrow 20 which shows the direction of operative movement of the breaking device.
In use, anode block remnants 7 that are to be cleaned are fed to the apparatus in succession by means of the overhead conveyor. Each remnant 7 is fed into the guide slot 4,and is then carried to the working position by the con~eyor, where it is held in position by the retaining 20 device 10. The liting table 17 is then raised by its slide 15. As this happens, the lifting table 17 strikes the lower side 7' of the remnant 7 to lift that remnant, together with its anode bar S, into a position (the working position) in which the upper face 7" of the 25 remnant is located in the operating plane of the breaking - device 20. Irrespective of the thickness of the remnant 7, this working position is determined by a limit switch 21 provided on the lower face of the guide plate 2. Thus, as the remnant 7 moves upwards, the upper face of one of the anode nipples 6 of the anode bar S strikes the limit switch 21, so that the drive for lifting the table 17 is switched off. The limit switch 21 is so positioned that, when it is actuated, the upper face 7" of a remnant 7 is 5 located exactly in the working plane of the breaking device 20. The remnant 7 is supported by the lifting table 17 in the working position. The breaking device 20, operating in the direction of the arrow 20, thus separates the incrustations 8 from the surface 7" of the remnant 7.
10 Removal of the incrustations 8 occurs first atone side of the remnant 7. The remnant 7 is then turned through 180 by rotating the lifting table 17 about the shaft 18, so that the incrustations 8 on the opposite side of the remnant can be separated by the breaking device 20. The lS detached material drops into the funnel 13, and is carried away by the conveyor 12. Any material that falls on to the lifting table 17 is deposited in the funnel 13 by tilting the table about the shaft 19.
The retaining device 10 is so designed that it 20 secures the anode bar 5 of a remnant 7 during the breaking operation, whilst permitting the rotary movement of the anode bar without the need for releasing the holding force.
The retaining device 10 of Figs. 1 to 4 is 25 constituted by a holder for the anode bar S, and a carrier for supporting the holder The carrier consists of a fork 22 which has diametrically-opposed pins 23, by means of -r , ~s~
which the fork is pivotally mounted on the guide plate 3 (or on an attachment 24 fixed to the guide plate 3). ;This is achieved with the aid of a ram 25 which acts on the fork 22 through a lever 26. The cylinder of the ram 25 is 5 braced against the frame 1, and its piston rod 27 engages a pivot joint 28 at the free end of the lever 26. The fork 22 can, therefore, be moved from the rest position shown in Fig. 1 (in which it is positioned substantially vertically) into the working position shown in Figs. 2 to 10 4 (in which it overlies the guide slot 4 and engages the anode bar 5 of the remnant 7 to be cleaned). In this working position, the side of the fork 22 remote from the hinge pins 23 can be supported on a bracket 29 fixed to the guide plate 2. As shown in Fig. 3, the gap 30 between 15 the free ends 31 of the arms of the fork 22 widen towards the exterior of the fork, these free ends being bevelled.
A member 32 is rotatably mounted on the fork 22, the member 32 being rotatable about an axis extending at right-angles to the axis of the hinge pins 23 (and, 20 therefore, about a ~ertical axis which coincides with the longitudinal axis of the anode bar 5). The rotatable member 32 is designed as a ring segment, the gap formed between the two end faces 33 of which having a width which is substantially equal to, or slightly greater than, the 25 width of the gap 30. The rotatable member 32 has a cylindrical peripheral face 34, by means of which it is rotatably mounted in a cylindrical opening within the fork 22 by means of~ for example, a slide bearing or a B
spherical guide. The rotatable member 32 has an annular flange 35 which extends beyond the two arms of the fork 22.
The holder is constituted by a pair of tongs 36 5 mounted on the rotatable member 32, the tongs having two jaws 37, each of which is pivotally mounted on the rotatable member by means of a pivot pin 38. The axes of the pivot pins 38 are parallel to the longitudinal axis of the anode bar 5. The pivot pins 38 engage in openings 10 formed in the rotatable member 32, which openings extend at right~angles to the plane of the rotatable member. The jaws 37 are double-armed levers. A hydraulic or pneumatic ram 40 is pivotally mounted between the shorter arms 39 of these levers, the ram 40 being effective to open the two 15 jàws 37, and to close the jaws to grip the anode bar 5.
If the anode bar 5 is in the position shown in Fig.
1, the fork 22 is swung down by means of the ram 25 with the tongs 36 open. As this happens, the anode bar 5 moves into the gap 30 of the fork 22, and into the open tongs 20 36. ~he tongs 36 are then closed by the ram 40 to clamp the anode bar 5 firmly. However, the anode bar 5 can still be freely rotated together with the rotatable member 32. Consequently, the anode bar 5 can be rotated, together with the tongs 36 and the rotatable member 32, 25 through 180 relatively to the fork 22 (that is to say from the Fig. 3 position into the Fig. 4 position) thereby permitting the incrustations 8 to be removed from the other side of ~he anode remnant 7. As mentioned above, this rotary movement is achieved using the rotatable lifting table 17. Alternatively, however, another swivel drive can be provided for imparting this movement.
After the machining operation has b~en completed, the anode bar 5, together with the tongs 36, is swung back 5 into the position shown in Fig. 3. The tongs 36 are then opened, and the fork 22, together with the tongs and the rotatable member 32, is swung up into the position shown in Fi~. 1. The machined anode bar 5 can then be carried away on the overhead conve~or.
The retaining device 1~ can be modified by replacing the pivotable fork 22 by a slidable fork. Such a slidable fork would be guided in straight guides arranged, for example, on the guide plate 2 or the guide plate 3. The slide fork would be moved, by means of a hydraulic or 15 pneumatic ram or other drive, from a rest position towards the anode bar 5, in which position the anode bar would be secured by the tongs 36 as described above. The rotatable member 32 must be aligned relative to the fork 22 and to the anode bar 5 in its rotated position, so as to enable 20 the anode bar to be introduced into the open tongs. For this purpose, it is recommended that stops be provided on the fork 22, the jaws 37 abutting these stops when they open, so that the opening jaws turn the rotatable member 32 into its central position. In this way, self-centering 25 is achieved when the tongs 36 open.
Fig. 5 illustrates a second form of retaining device, wherein the carrier and the holder are o~ multi-part construction. Thus, the carrier is constituted by two slide members 50 and 50', which can be moved, from opposite sides, towards an anode bar 5 disposed in the guide slot 4. Guides 51 and 51' are provided on the two 5guide plates 2 and 3, these guides being provided in pairs at both sides of the guide slot 4. The guides 51 and 51' direct the slide members 50 and S0' towards, and away from, the anode bar 5. The slide members 50 and 50' are driven by rams 52 and 52', which are braced against the guide plates 2 and 3, or against parts of the frame 1.
The holder is constituted by two diagonally-separated half segments 53 and 53' which surround the anode bar 5.
The segment 53 is mounted on the slide member 50, and the segment 53' i5 mounted on the slide member 50'. The two 15 segments 53 and 53' are rotatable about an axis coinciding with the longitudinal axis of the anode bar 5. In order to secure the anode bar 5, the slide members 50 and 50' are moved by their rams 52 and 52' towards the anode bar 5. As this happens, the segments 53 and 53' of the holder close around, and immobilise, the anode bar 5. The rotary mounting of the half segments 53 and 53' enables the anode bar S to rotate about its longitudinal axis, even when held.
The slide members S0 and 50' have, at their mutually facing ends, alignment means constituted by projections ~alignment pins) 54 and complementary recesses 55. When the two slide members 50 and 50' are brought together, the projections 54 move into the complementary recesses 55, thereby aligning the two slide members. The projections 54 and recesses 55 are also effective to lock the two slide members 50 and 50 together at their end faces.
The two half segments 53 and 53' are also provided 5 with alignment means for aligning the segments in a median rotary position. This alignment means is constituted by a pair of small hydraulic or pneumatic rams 56 and 56',' whose piston rods 57 and 57' engage within complementary bores 58 and 58' formed in the associated half-segment 53 10 and 53'0 Alternatively, spring-biassed alignment devices could be used instead of the rams 56 and 56'.
The retaining devices described above can be used for clamping anode bars 5 and holding them in posltion; and their use is, ther,efore, not limited to the particular 15 f,orm of anode bar cleaning apparatus described, It would also be possible to impart rotary movement to the holder of either form of retaining device by means of a separate rotary drive.
B
The invention relates to a retaining device for holding a bar carrying a carbon block remnant in a machining station of cleaning apparatus.
As is well known, the carbon anodes used in the 5 electrolytic production of aluminium are arranged on bars, which serve for mounting the anode blocks as well as current supply means. When the anodes become used up, it is usual to separate their remnants from the anode bars, to enable the valuable carbon to be used again in the 10 production of new anode blocks. The used-up carbon anodes (anode remnants as they are called) are coated with relatively thick incrustations consisting of a mixture of aluminium oxide and solidified material from the melt.
For reasons of economy, it is necessary to remove these 15 incrustations from the anode remnants, so that they can be recycled for use in the electrolysis process, and so that the anode remnants can be used for producing new carbon anodes.
Apparatus is known for removing incrustations from 20 anode remnants by mechanical means. In this apparatus, the anode bars (together with the anode remnants) are moved one-by-one in a suspended position, by means of a conveyor, to a machining station, where each is secured against transverse movement by a retaining device. Each 25 remnant is then raised by a lifting table into a working position. A breaking device, such as a blade or blades, is then moved in the plane along which the incrustations 3 ' ~
are attached to the surface of the anode remnant to separate;the lncrustatlons. The extent to which each anode remnant lS raised by the llfting table is dependent upon the thlckness of that anode remnant, the extent of lift being such that the incrustations are almost completely removed.
The aim of the invention is to provide a retaining device for such a cleaning apparatus, the retaining device being of simple construction which can be arranged in the path of the anode-bar conveyor of the apparatus, and by means of which anode bars can be reliably held at the machining station of the apparatus.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a retaining device for holding a bar earrying a carbon block remnant in a maehinincJ station of eleaning apparatus, the deviee having a holder for holding the bar, and a carrier for supporting the holder, the holder being rotatably mounted on the carrier about an axis which coincides with the longitudinal axis of the bar, wherein the carrier and the holder are each of multi-part eonstruetion, the holder being eonstituted by two segments which are rotatably mounted on the parts of the carrier, and the carrier being constituted by two slide members which are slidably displaceable from the opposite sides towards the bar, each slide member supporting a segment of the holder. This retaining device can be movecl back from a working position (in which its holder secures an anode bar) into a rest B
bar) into a rest position (in whlch it is located outslde the path along which the anode bar is moved). The anode bar is rellably secured by the holder in the working position, but rotary movement of the held anode bar about its longitudinal axis is possible. This rotary movement can be exploited to facilitate introductlon of the anode bar into the holder and/or to permit adjustment of the anode bar relative to the breaking device of the apparatus when the bar is being cleaned. The rotary movement also enables the anode bar to be brought into various machining positions without being released by the holder. In particular, the anode bar can be rotated about its longitudinal axis, for example, with the aid of the lifting table of the apparatus. In this case, the lifting table is also designed to rotate. By means of the rotary movement, the anode bar can be brought into different positions relative to the breaking device, so that the incrustations can be removed from the entire surface of the anode remnant.
Preferably, the slide members are provided with complementary alignment members. Conveniently, the alignment members of the slide members are projections and complementary recesses which engage one within the other when the slide members are brought together. ~he segments may also be provided with complementary alignment means.
Advantageously, the alignment means of the segments are hydraulic or pneumatic rams whose piston rods engage in complementary apertures.
B
The invention also provldes apparatus for cleaning bar-mounted remnants of carbon blocks, the apparatus comprising a machlning statlon defining a working position, a breaking device for loosening incrustations B
6 ~ 7t~
adhering to the remnants at the working position, and a retaining device ~or holding individual remnants at the working position, wherein the retaining device is as defined above.
Preferably, the carrier is movably mounted on guide plate means fixed to the frame of the apparatus, the guide plate means being formed with a guide slot through which the remnants can be transported to the working position.
BRIEF DESCRI TION OF THE DRAWINGS
Two forms of retaining device for anode bar cleaning apparatus, and constructed in accordance with the invention, will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:-Fig. l is a simplified diagrammatic side elevation of 15 an anode bar cleaning apparatus incorporating the first form of retaining device;
Fig. 2 shows, on a larger scale, the retaining device of Fig. l in its holding position;
Figs. 3 and 4 each show, in plan, the retaining 20 device of Fig. l in the holding position, but for different rotary positions of a held anode bar; and Fig. 5 is a plan view of the second form of retaining device.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring to the drawings, Fig. l shows apparatus for cleaning remnants 7 of carbon anode blocks. The upper face of each of the remnants 7 is coated with incrustations 8 which have built up as a result of the 7 ~2~
carbon blocks having been used in an aluminium electrolytic smeltin~ plant. The incrustations 8 are a mixture of aluminium oxide and solidified material from the melt. Each remnant 7 is arranged on an anode bar 5, 5 the anode bars having the usual rectangular cross-section (see Figs. 3 and 4), and having nipples 6 for retaining the remnants. The original shape of an anode block is shown in dot-dash lines 9 in Fig. l.
The cleaning apparatus has a frame l which supports a 10 pair of horizontal guide plates 2 and 3. A guide slot 4 is formed between the guide plates 2 and 3. The remnants 7 that are to be cleaned are carried to the apparatus, one-by-one, by means of an overhead conveyor (not shown) such as a travelling crane or an overhead rail track.
15 This conveyor is arranged on the upper part of the frame l. As a remnant 7 is moved into position, its anode bar 5 moves through the guide slot 4. A retaining device 10 is arranged on the guide plate 3, the retaining device being used for holding each anode bar S in a working position, ,, 20 as will be described below. A duct ll is arranged beneath the frame 1, the duct containing a conveyor 12 and a funnel 13. The conveyor 12 is a belt conveyor, and serves to carry away the material broken away from the remnants 7.
A stand 14 is arranged at one side of the frame 1.
The stand 14 has a lifting arm 16 provided on a slide 15, the slide being vertically displaceable relative to the stand by means of a ram (not shown). The free end of the ,~
B
~2 ~
lifting arm 16 carries a lifting table 17. The lifting table 17 is dispo;sed above the conveyor 12. The lifting table 17 is rotatably mounted on the lifting arm 16 about a vertical shaft 18. The lifting table 17 is also 5 pivotally mounted on the arm 16 about a horizontal shaft 19 whose axis coincides with the central longitudinal axis of the arm. A ram (not shown) is provided for tilting the lifting table 17 about the shaft 19.
A breaking device 20 is mounted on the frame 1, at 10 the opposite side to the stand 14.The breaking device 20 may take any one of various known forms (such as a sledge hammer or a breaker blade arrangement), and is indicated in Fig. 1 simply by an arrow 20 which shows the direction of operative movement of the breaking device.
In use, anode block remnants 7 that are to be cleaned are fed to the apparatus in succession by means of the overhead conveyor. Each remnant 7 is fed into the guide slot 4,and is then carried to the working position by the con~eyor, where it is held in position by the retaining 20 device 10. The liting table 17 is then raised by its slide 15. As this happens, the lifting table 17 strikes the lower side 7' of the remnant 7 to lift that remnant, together with its anode bar S, into a position (the working position) in which the upper face 7" of the 25 remnant is located in the operating plane of the breaking - device 20. Irrespective of the thickness of the remnant 7, this working position is determined by a limit switch 21 provided on the lower face of the guide plate 2. Thus, as the remnant 7 moves upwards, the upper face of one of the anode nipples 6 of the anode bar S strikes the limit switch 21, so that the drive for lifting the table 17 is switched off. The limit switch 21 is so positioned that, when it is actuated, the upper face 7" of a remnant 7 is 5 located exactly in the working plane of the breaking device 20. The remnant 7 is supported by the lifting table 17 in the working position. The breaking device 20, operating in the direction of the arrow 20, thus separates the incrustations 8 from the surface 7" of the remnant 7.
10 Removal of the incrustations 8 occurs first atone side of the remnant 7. The remnant 7 is then turned through 180 by rotating the lifting table 17 about the shaft 18, so that the incrustations 8 on the opposite side of the remnant can be separated by the breaking device 20. The lS detached material drops into the funnel 13, and is carried away by the conveyor 12. Any material that falls on to the lifting table 17 is deposited in the funnel 13 by tilting the table about the shaft 19.
The retaining device 10 is so designed that it 20 secures the anode bar 5 of a remnant 7 during the breaking operation, whilst permitting the rotary movement of the anode bar without the need for releasing the holding force.
The retaining device 10 of Figs. 1 to 4 is 25 constituted by a holder for the anode bar S, and a carrier for supporting the holder The carrier consists of a fork 22 which has diametrically-opposed pins 23, by means of -r , ~s~
which the fork is pivotally mounted on the guide plate 3 (or on an attachment 24 fixed to the guide plate 3). ;This is achieved with the aid of a ram 25 which acts on the fork 22 through a lever 26. The cylinder of the ram 25 is 5 braced against the frame 1, and its piston rod 27 engages a pivot joint 28 at the free end of the lever 26. The fork 22 can, therefore, be moved from the rest position shown in Fig. 1 (in which it is positioned substantially vertically) into the working position shown in Figs. 2 to 10 4 (in which it overlies the guide slot 4 and engages the anode bar 5 of the remnant 7 to be cleaned). In this working position, the side of the fork 22 remote from the hinge pins 23 can be supported on a bracket 29 fixed to the guide plate 2. As shown in Fig. 3, the gap 30 between 15 the free ends 31 of the arms of the fork 22 widen towards the exterior of the fork, these free ends being bevelled.
A member 32 is rotatably mounted on the fork 22, the member 32 being rotatable about an axis extending at right-angles to the axis of the hinge pins 23 (and, 20 therefore, about a ~ertical axis which coincides with the longitudinal axis of the anode bar 5). The rotatable member 32 is designed as a ring segment, the gap formed between the two end faces 33 of which having a width which is substantially equal to, or slightly greater than, the 25 width of the gap 30. The rotatable member 32 has a cylindrical peripheral face 34, by means of which it is rotatably mounted in a cylindrical opening within the fork 22 by means of~ for example, a slide bearing or a B
spherical guide. The rotatable member 32 has an annular flange 35 which extends beyond the two arms of the fork 22.
The holder is constituted by a pair of tongs 36 5 mounted on the rotatable member 32, the tongs having two jaws 37, each of which is pivotally mounted on the rotatable member by means of a pivot pin 38. The axes of the pivot pins 38 are parallel to the longitudinal axis of the anode bar 5. The pivot pins 38 engage in openings 10 formed in the rotatable member 32, which openings extend at right~angles to the plane of the rotatable member. The jaws 37 are double-armed levers. A hydraulic or pneumatic ram 40 is pivotally mounted between the shorter arms 39 of these levers, the ram 40 being effective to open the two 15 jàws 37, and to close the jaws to grip the anode bar 5.
If the anode bar 5 is in the position shown in Fig.
1, the fork 22 is swung down by means of the ram 25 with the tongs 36 open. As this happens, the anode bar 5 moves into the gap 30 of the fork 22, and into the open tongs 20 36. ~he tongs 36 are then closed by the ram 40 to clamp the anode bar 5 firmly. However, the anode bar 5 can still be freely rotated together with the rotatable member 32. Consequently, the anode bar 5 can be rotated, together with the tongs 36 and the rotatable member 32, 25 through 180 relatively to the fork 22 (that is to say from the Fig. 3 position into the Fig. 4 position) thereby permitting the incrustations 8 to be removed from the other side of ~he anode remnant 7. As mentioned above, this rotary movement is achieved using the rotatable lifting table 17. Alternatively, however, another swivel drive can be provided for imparting this movement.
After the machining operation has b~en completed, the anode bar 5, together with the tongs 36, is swung back 5 into the position shown in Fig. 3. The tongs 36 are then opened, and the fork 22, together with the tongs and the rotatable member 32, is swung up into the position shown in Fi~. 1. The machined anode bar 5 can then be carried away on the overhead conve~or.
The retaining device 1~ can be modified by replacing the pivotable fork 22 by a slidable fork. Such a slidable fork would be guided in straight guides arranged, for example, on the guide plate 2 or the guide plate 3. The slide fork would be moved, by means of a hydraulic or 15 pneumatic ram or other drive, from a rest position towards the anode bar 5, in which position the anode bar would be secured by the tongs 36 as described above. The rotatable member 32 must be aligned relative to the fork 22 and to the anode bar 5 in its rotated position, so as to enable 20 the anode bar to be introduced into the open tongs. For this purpose, it is recommended that stops be provided on the fork 22, the jaws 37 abutting these stops when they open, so that the opening jaws turn the rotatable member 32 into its central position. In this way, self-centering 25 is achieved when the tongs 36 open.
Fig. 5 illustrates a second form of retaining device, wherein the carrier and the holder are o~ multi-part construction. Thus, the carrier is constituted by two slide members 50 and 50', which can be moved, from opposite sides, towards an anode bar 5 disposed in the guide slot 4. Guides 51 and 51' are provided on the two 5guide plates 2 and 3, these guides being provided in pairs at both sides of the guide slot 4. The guides 51 and 51' direct the slide members 50 and S0' towards, and away from, the anode bar 5. The slide members 50 and 50' are driven by rams 52 and 52', which are braced against the guide plates 2 and 3, or against parts of the frame 1.
The holder is constituted by two diagonally-separated half segments 53 and 53' which surround the anode bar 5.
The segment 53 is mounted on the slide member 50, and the segment 53' i5 mounted on the slide member 50'. The two 15 segments 53 and 53' are rotatable about an axis coinciding with the longitudinal axis of the anode bar 5. In order to secure the anode bar 5, the slide members 50 and 50' are moved by their rams 52 and 52' towards the anode bar 5. As this happens, the segments 53 and 53' of the holder close around, and immobilise, the anode bar 5. The rotary mounting of the half segments 53 and 53' enables the anode bar S to rotate about its longitudinal axis, even when held.
The slide members S0 and 50' have, at their mutually facing ends, alignment means constituted by projections ~alignment pins) 54 and complementary recesses 55. When the two slide members 50 and 50' are brought together, the projections 54 move into the complementary recesses 55, thereby aligning the two slide members. The projections 54 and recesses 55 are also effective to lock the two slide members 50 and 50 together at their end faces.
The two half segments 53 and 53' are also provided 5 with alignment means for aligning the segments in a median rotary position. This alignment means is constituted by a pair of small hydraulic or pneumatic rams 56 and 56',' whose piston rods 57 and 57' engage within complementary bores 58 and 58' formed in the associated half-segment 53 10 and 53'0 Alternatively, spring-biassed alignment devices could be used instead of the rams 56 and 56'.
The retaining devices described above can be used for clamping anode bars 5 and holding them in posltion; and their use is, ther,efore, not limited to the particular 15 f,orm of anode bar cleaning apparatus described, It would also be possible to impart rotary movement to the holder of either form of retaining device by means of a separate rotary drive.
B
Claims (7)
1. A retaining device for holding a bar carrying a carbon block remnant in a machining station of cleaning apparatus; the device having a holder for holding the bar, and a carrier for supporting the holder, the holder being rotatably mounted on the carrier about an axis which coincides with the longitudinal axis of the bar, wherein the carrier and the holder are each of multi-part construction, the holder being constituted by two segments which are rotatably mounted on the parts of the carrier, and the carrier being constituted by two slide members which are slidably displaceable from the opposite sides towards the bar, each slide member supporting a segment of the holder.
2. A retaining device according to claim 1, wherein the slide members include complementary alignment members.
3. A retaining device according to claim 2, wherein the alignment members of the slide members are projections and complementary recesses which engage one within the other when the slide members are brought together.
4. A retaining device according to claim 1, wherein the segments include complementary alignment means.
5. A retaining device according to claim 4, wherein the alignment means of the segments are hydraulic or pneumatic rams whose piston rods engage in complementary apertures.
6. Apparatus for cleaning bar-mounted remnants of carbon blocks, the apparatus comprising a machining station defining a working position, a breaking device for loosening incrustations adhering to the remnants at the working position, and a retaining device for holding individual remnants at the working position, the retaining device having a holder for holding the bar, and a carrier for supporting the holder, the holder being rotatably mounted on the carrier about an axis which coincides with the longitudinal axis of the bar, wherein the carrier and the holder are each of multi-part construction, the holder being constituted by two segments which are rotatably mounted on the parts of the carrier, and the carrier being constituted by two slide members which are slidably displaceable from the opposite side towards the bar, each slide member supporting a segment of the holder.
7. Cleaning apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the carrier is movably mounted on guide plate means fixed to the frame of the apparatus, the guide plate means being formed with a guide slot through which the remnants can be transported to the working position.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000455052A CA1244060A (en) | 1984-05-24 | 1984-05-24 | Retaining device |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000455052A CA1244060A (en) | 1984-05-24 | 1984-05-24 | Retaining device |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1244060A true CA1244060A (en) | 1988-11-01 |
Family
ID=4127928
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000455052A Expired CA1244060A (en) | 1984-05-24 | 1984-05-24 | Retaining device |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1244060A (en) |
-
1984
- 1984-05-24 CA CA000455052A patent/CA1244060A/en not_active Expired
Similar Documents
| Publication | Publication Date | Title |
|---|---|---|
| US4514873A (en) | Equipment for cleaning remnants of carbon blocks | |
| CA2662139C (en) | Arrangement for the maintenance of a sliding closure mounted on the spout of a container for molten metal | |
| EP0142879B1 (en) | Device to replace rolls and apparatus on rolling stands having rolls supported at one end | |
| EP0718058A1 (en) | Replacing device for immersion nozzles | |
| CA1244060A (en) | Retaining device | |
| US3743007A (en) | Continuous casting apparatus with inter-changeable pouring tubes | |
| CA2132483C (en) | Method for exchanging cutting tools in a platen press and device for setting this method into operation | |
| CA1078903A (en) | Apparatus for the electroslag remelting of metal | |
| RU2508243C2 (en) | Fastener of containers for collection of solid fragments to turn at moving support end, particularly, fastener of hinged crust removal scoop | |
| GB2120966A (en) | A shearing machine for cutting up in radiated nuclear fuel rod clusters having a decentralised compact construction | |
| NO850749L (en) | DEVICE FOR AA REMOVAL ELECTRONIC LOWER BATH. | |
| EP0092636B1 (en) | Process and device for handling measuring or sample-taking probes at metal production, especially steel production | |
| DE3562931D1 (en) | Grabbing device | |
| EP0815290B1 (en) | Butt and thimble press | |
| GB2219761A (en) | Portable rail welder | |
| JP7482877B2 (en) | Robotized system for replacing sliding gate valve plates | |
| US4618126A (en) | Swivelling sliding closure unit | |
| DE4410599A1 (en) | Residue removal from anode bar of aluminium prodn.cell | |
| DE3318640C2 (en) | ||
| JP2556747B2 (en) | Immersion nozzle replacement device and replacement method | |
| CN213650948U (en) | Transfer device is used in processing of square graphite board | |
| CN218508136U (en) | Paper material processing device for file repair | |
| KR100902823B1 (en) | Apparatus for separating the lump steel sticked on the top of a ladle | |
| JP2600633Y2 (en) | Plate guide device for printing press | |
| CA2212746C (en) | Butt and thimble press |
Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKEX | Expiry |