EP1876265B1 - Connector for mechanical and electrical connection of an anode to the anodic frame of an aluminium production cell and device for grasping and tightening/loosening such a connector - Google Patents

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to the field of aluminum production according to the well-known technology of igneous electrolysis.

According to this technology, the production of aluminum is carried out in tanks or production cells mounted in series, each comprising a molten bath, including cryolite and alumina, crossed by a high amperage electric current. For this purpose, these tanks comprise a certain number of precooked anodes which, as and when the electrolysis reaction, are consumed so that it is appropriate to proceed to their periodic replacement, this periodicity being typically 22 to 28 days.

These anodes therefore have a removability character with respect to said cells. They are thus connected mechanically and electrically by means of a connector on an anode frame electrically conductive, associated with each of said cells.

This anode frame is driven by a vertical descent movement to compensate for the wear of the anodes related to their consumption, and thus maintain substantially constant the inter-polar distance between the anode and the cell acting cathode. Thus, the anodes are attached to the anode frame by means of connectors ensuring both the mechanical connection of said anodes on the anode frame and secondly the electrical conduction to ensure the electrolysis reaction. More specifically, this mechanical connection occurs at the level of the anode rod, generally consisting of a square section of aluminum rod, sized to be able to support the weight of the anode.

This attachment must be particularly effective to prevent the falling of the anodes within the tank, and secondly to optimize the electrical connection to limit the voltage drop at the contact, because of the very strong amperages running through each of the anodes.

PRIOR STATE OF THE TECHNIQUE

Among the various connectors known to date, we know the mobile connectors, that is to say, which do not stay permanently on the anode frame, when the anode reaches the end of life and should be provided to its replacement by a new anode.

It has thus been described in the document FR 2 039 543 such a connector. It consists of two levers articulated on a common axis, the extensions on either side of said levers are received in hooks secured to the anode frame. The free ends of said levers are likely to move closer or away under the action of a clamping screw with opposite double pitch.

The anode rod is inserted between the anode frame and the edge of the levers located at the common axis. Effective clamping of the anode rod results from relative movement of said edge of the levers relative to the hooks. In fact, the pressing surface of the levers close to the common axis is such that when the opposite ends of said levers are brought closer to each other by means of the clamping screw, a clamping force adapted to the application envisaged, on the other hand, when the said ends are moved away, the pressing surface of the levers is moved back relative to the reference frame finished by the hooks, thus releasing the considered anode rod.

According to this document, this connector is actuated by a handling device intended to allow the different operations to be carried out in connection with the change of the anodes, besides enabling the anodic frame to be raised while keeping the altitude of the anode constant. considered. This device is provided with a gripping means of the connector in question associated with a means for clamping or loosening said connector. Such a tool operates simultaneously with a tool adapted to the gripping of the anode rod proper also capable of exerting a function of lifting and tearing of the anode out of the electrolysis bath, also called " pulling key ".

However, one of the technical problems that we encounter in connection with this operation including anode change, is the significant risk of falling of the connector after loosening. Indeed, the connector gripping means known to date are provided with a member cooperating with a flange formed on said connector.

• si le connecteur chute dans le bain d'électrolyse, risque d'endommagement de la cuve d'électrolyse outre la difficulté de le récupérer,
• et si le connecteur chute en dehors de la cuve, le risque de blessures du personnel en raison de son poids relativement élevé.

However, it has been shown and also experiment that because, first of the weight of the connector, and secondly the means used to ensure its grip, the fall of the connector occurs sometimes, with consequences important to the key, namely:

• if the connector falls into the electrolysis bath, there is a risk of damage to the electrolysis cell in addition to the difficulty of recovering it,
• and if the connector falls out of the tank, the risk of personal injury due to its relatively high weight.

Such a connector is for example described in the document FR A 2,854,906 . In it, the upper lever is provided with a gripping flange intended to cooperate with a fastening means formed in the handling member.

The document EP-A-0 584 024 describes a connector in which the zone intended to cooperate with the anode rod in order to ensure the connection of the latter with the anode frame is constituted by the edges of the crosspieces of the connector.

Whatever the connectors of the prior art, they are all hyperstatic between the geometric axis defined by the housing of the hooks which receive the common axis of articulation of the levers which constitute the connector, and the plane defined by the parallelism of the clamping faces of the anode. Thus, since the connector-anode contact is of cylinder-on-plane type and, moreover, the pressure force is not uniform because of the hyperstatic nature of the device, the anode rods are deformed by the jaws or levers, decreasing the clamping effect and thereby affecting the voltage drop between the anode rod and the anode frame.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention is to overcome these various disadvantages. In the first place, it aims a suppressor connector devoid of hyperstatic character previously defined, and also provided with means such that the risk of falls become non-existent.

Thus this connector for the mechanical and electrical connection of anode to the anode frame of an igneous electrolysis aluminum production cell, said frame being provided with fixing hooks intended to cooperate with the connector, consists of the two stirrups or jaws acting as a lever, articulated on a common axis whose respective extensions are received within said hooks, and are actuated in an antagonistic manner at their free ends by means of a two-zone clamping screw at opposite pitch cooperating with the level of crosspieces joining said free ends of the stirrups.

According to the invention, the pressing surface of the connector, that is to say the zone intended to cooperate with the anode rod to allow the connection of the latter with the anode frame, is constituted by a pressure member distinct from the stirrups or cross members solidarisant one to another, and isostatically fixed on said connector or on the elements that constitute it.

In other words, the invention consists first of all in reporting to a connector of traditional invoice an additional isostatic member with respect thereto. The isostatic character of this pressing member thus makes it possible, on the one hand, to overcome the deformations conventionally encountered on the anode rods, and on the other hand, to increase the surface and, as a corollary, the clamping efficiency of the rod. anode on the anode frame, with corollary, the optimization of the electrical contact in these two elements.

The isostatic nature of this connector makes it insensitive to the quality of the geometry of the hooks and the anode rod.

According to the invention, this pressing member comprises two flat surfaces extending substantially vertically from the central zone of the connector, these flat surfaces being received on ball joints formed at the cross members joining the constituent stirrups of the connector. In addition, these flat surfaces are secured to one another by a portion surrounding the hinge axis of the stirrups. Due to the relative mobility of this pressing member relative to the actual connector, mobility inherent in the cooperation of the flat surfaces with the ball joints, there is then a perfectly isostatic connector.

According to one characteristic of the invention, the pressing member has a shape substantially in Ω (omega), the loop of the omega surrounding around the common axis of articulation of the two levers - jaws constituting the connector.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the posterior zone of the pressure member comprises a fin also extending vertically, said fin being relatively movably received in housings provided for this purpose in the posterior area of the anterior crosspieces joining the stirrups. .

Advantageously the assembly constituted by the flat surfaces, the fin and the portion defining the omega is monobloc and made of pressed steel.

The invention relates secondly to a device for gripping and clamping / loosening such anode connection.

• un organe de préhension du connecteur, muni :
  • d'une double fourches sensiblement parallèles l'une à l'autre, montée oscillante par rapport à un axe d'articulation, et propre à venir prendre appui sur l'axe d'articulation du connecteur et de réception dans les crochets de fixation sur le cadre anodique ;
  • et d'un moyen support dudit connecteur et de maintien de celui-ci dans lesdites fourches lorsqu'il est position desserrée ;
• un organe de serrage/desserrage du connecteur, destiné à se positionner en situation opérationnelle au niveau du moyen de serrage du connecteur, et en l'espèce de la tête ou douille de vis à double zone à pas opposés, lorsque les fourches sont sensiblement au niveau de l'axe commun du connecteur.

This device comprises first of all:

• a gripping member of the connector, provided with:
  • a double forks substantially parallel to each other, mounted oscillating relative to an axis of articulation, and adapted to bear on the axis of articulation of the connector and receiving in the fastening hooks on the anode frame;
  • and a support means for said connector and for holding it in said forks when it is loosened;
• a clamping / loosening member of the connector, intended to be positioned in operational situation at the clamping means of the connector, and in this case of the head or socket of double-zone screws with opposite pitches, when the forks are substantially at level of the common axis of the connector.

According to the invention, the support means of the connector is constituted by a claw, mounted oscillating along the same axis of articulation as that of the double forks, and intended to cooperate with the pressing member of said connector, and more particularly with lower end of the vertical fin of said pressing member.

In doing so, precisely because of this particular cooperation, there is no longer any risk of the connector escaping from the gripping member of the gripping device, since the cooperation between the support means and the connector itself is carried out in a vertical direction, the connector resting already by gravity at the claw, and secondly, being maintained in the forks with this claw and the particular orientation of the latter.

Of course, the respective dimensions of the forks and the claw are chosen so as to correspond to the difference in altimetry between the common axis of articulation of the constituent levers of the connector and the actual positioning position of the lower end of the connector. lower wing of the pressing member which it is provided.

Advantageously, the gripping and clamping device of the connector is provided with a means of guiding against the anode rod, favoring its descent in contact with the connector, this guiding means consisting of a cylinder provided with lateral flanges of diameter. more important than that of the cylinder, and whose distance separating them corresponds substantially to the clearance close to the dimension of one side of the square section of the anode rods.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the forks are articulated on the prevention and clamping device but have, however, a limited movement.

Finally, the device also comprises elastic stop means intended to cooperate with the upper rear cross member of the connector, said means being dimensioned and positioned so as to induce the release of the pressure member out of the claw, when the connector is in a tight position, superabundantly optimizing the overall safety.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

• La figure 1 est une représentation schématique illustrant une cellule de production d'aluminium par électrolyse ignée, sur laquelle ont été représentées les différentes anodes fixées sur le cadre anodique.
• Les figures 2 et 3 représentent schématiquement en perspective le connecteur d'anode conforme à l'invention, respectivement en position serrée et desserrée.
• Les figures 4 et 5 représentent le connecteur d'anode en section verticale, respectivement également en position serrée et desserrée.
• Les figures 6, 7 et 8 représentent schématiquement en perspective le dispositif de manutention et de serrage du connecteur d'anode selon différentes orientations.
• Les figures 9 et 10 sont des représentations schématiques illustrant deux positions du dispositif en question, respectivement en position de préhension, et de libération du connecteur.

Et enfin, les figures 11A à 11F illustrent schématiquement les différentes étapes du desserrage d'un connecteur et de sa préhension par le dispositif en question.The manner in which the invention can be realized and the advantages which result therefrom will emerge more clearly from the exemplary embodiment which follows, given by way of indication and not limitation, in support of the appended figures.

• The figure 1 is a schematic representation illustrating an igneous electrolysis aluminum production cell, on which the various anodes fixed on the anode frame have been represented.
• The figures 2 and 3 schematically represent in perspective the anode connector according to the invention, respectively in a tight and loose position.
• The Figures 4 and 5 represent the anode connector in vertical section, respectively also in a tight and loose position.
• The figures 6 , 7 and 8 schematically represent in perspective the handling and clamping device of the anode connector in different orientations.
• The figures 9 and 10 are schematic representations illustrating two positions of the device in question, respectively in the gripping position, and releasing the connector.

And finally, Figures 11A to 11F schematically illustrate the various steps of loosening a connector and its grip by the device in question.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

So we have shown in relation to the figure 1 , an electrolytic cell (1), intended to allow the production of aluminum by so-called igneous electrolysis technology. Within this vessel or cell, a series of precooked anodes (2), typically made of carbon, is immersed and each fixed to an anode frame (3) via a substantially vertical conducting rod (4).

As already indicated, the anode frame (3) is metallic, electrically conductive, and is movable with respect to a fixed gantry (5) disposed above the electrolytic cell (1). Thus, this anode frame (3) is capable of translating vertically with respect to the gantry (5).

We also represented within this figure 1 , the rods (4) of the anodes (2), allowing their attachment to the anode frame (3) by means of connector (10), described hereinafter in more detail, each provided with a hinge pin received within hooks (6) fixed to said anode frame (3).

So we have described in relation to figures 2 and 3 the anode connector (10) according to the invention, respectively in the loosening and clamping position.

In known manner, this connector (10) comprises firstly two levers or jaws, respectively (11) and (12), each consisting of two lateral flanges, respectively (13, 13 ') and (14, 14'), these different flanges being identical to each other.

The lateral flanges (13, 13 ') respectively (14, 14') of each of these two levers are interconnected by means of two crosspieces, respectively an anterior cross member (15, 16) and posterior (17, 18).

These two levers (11) and (12) are hinged to each other with respect to an axis (19), typically consisting of a cylindrical metal rod projecting from either side of said levers. It is these projections which are intended to be received in the hooks (6) fixed on the anode frame (3), and which will thus allow on the one hand, the reception of the connectors, and on the other hand, to ensure the clamping function of the rods (4) of the anodes against the anode frame.

In posterior area, the posterior crosspieces (17) and (18) are provided with a bore (20) and (21) intended to receive a clamping screw (22) comprising two collinear parts (23) and (24) which have the characteristic of having a opposite screw pitch.

Of course, the bores (20) and (21) are provided with a complementary thread and corresponding to inverted screw pitch.

This screw (22) is provided with a screw head (25) in this case of substantially square section, and intended to cooperate with a clamping member described in detail later.

It should be further specified that the crosspieces (17) and (18) are not fixed, but are rotatably mounted on the side flanges (13, 13 '), respectively (14, 14'), to allow linear retention the shank of the clamping screw (22) during tightening or loosening of the connector.

According to a feature of the invention, the connector (10) comprises a pressing member (26) which is not constituted by the front end of the levers or by the free end of the front cross members (15) and (16). Indeed, this pressing member (26) consists of two flat surfaces, respectively upper (27) and lower (28), interconnected by a connecting zone (29) surround around the axis (19). , as we can see for example on Figures 4 and 5 .

In other words, this pressing member has a general shape in Ω.

Each of the upper (27) and lower (28) surfaces are mounted on a ball (30) formed at the free edge (31) of the respective anterior (15) and posterior (16) crosspieces. This ball joint (30) cooperates with a substantially cylindrical profile (32) formed on the inner face (33) of said surfaces (27, 28).

Due to the relative thinness of the anterior crosspieces (15) and (16), this ball (30) has a spherical cap, adapted to allow said flat surfaces (27) and (28) a slight deflection in the horizontal plane and in the vertical plane, notwithstanding the connecting portion (29).

In addition, at the rear zone of the connecting portion (29), the pressing member (26) has a vertical fin (34) received in housings (35), (36) formed in the posterior edge, respectively (37, 38) of the front cross members (15) and (16).

The role of this vertical fin (34) will be more apparent later.

It should be emphasized, however, that it has a particular nonlinear profile (see Figures 4 and 5 ), able to allow it to rest on the posterior edge (35, 36) of the cross members (15, 16) and to maintain this support during clamping and unclamping of the connector.

It is therefore conceivable that because of this method of fixing the pressing member (26), it is not fixedly secured to the connector (10), but has a certain degree of deflection, although limited by the particular configuration described above.

It is this particular configuration which confers on the connector according to the invention the isostatic character, capable of favoring, on the one hand, the clamping efficiency of the anode rods (4) against the anode frame (3), and consequently , the electrical connection between said frame and the anode rod.

In addition, if in the example described, the effective area of the flat surfaces (27) and (28) are approximately in width, one third of the width of the connector, it can be envisaged other types of pressing members in terms of dimension, according to the needs.

We have shown in relation with the Figures 6 to 8 , the device for handling and clamping the connector according to the invention.

Basically, it is fixed on a specialized machine associated with a bridge that can move over the various electrolysis cells.

It operates, during the anode changing steps in combination with a device dedicated to the gripping of the anode rod, conventionally called "wrench", fixed on a machine tool holder.

According to the invention, this device (40) firstly comprises a gripping member of the connector (10). This gripping member comprises firstly a lateral fork (41, 42) articulated along an axis (43), but whose travel is limited by the cooperation of a lug (44) within a hole of length limited (45), secured to the structure of said gripping member. At the opposite end to the axis (43), said forks define a housing (46) for receiving the hinge axis (19) of a connector (10).

The gripping member also comprises a guide means (47) intended to promote its progression during the approach phase at a connector in place on the hooks (6) of the anode frame (3). This guide means (47) consists in this case of a cylinder articulated along the axis (43), and provided with lateral guides (48), the inter-axis of said guides (48) being slightly greater than the width standard of anode rod (4).

In addition, according to a feature of the invention, the gripping member comprises a claw (49), extending substantially in the same direction as the main dimension of the forks (41, 42), but set back from those -this. This claw (49) is provided with a lug (50) intended, as will be described later, to cooperate with the pressing member (26) of the connector (10), and more particularly with the vertical fin (34). ).

The gripping member finally comprises elastic stops (51) and (52), associated with coil springs, intended to bear on the posterior crosspieces (17) and (18) of a connector (10), so as to to allow the disengagement of the lug (50) of the claw (49) from the pressure member of said connector, when the latter is in the clamping position, and again, it will be described later.

The device according to the invention also comprises a clamping wrench (53) actuated conventionally by a hydraulic motor, but also sometimes by a pneumatic or even electric motor, and intended to cooperate with the head (25) of the clamping screw ( 22) of the connector (10).

The respective dimensions of the claw (49), the forks (41, 42), and the location of the clamping wrench (53) are obviously determined according to the dimensions of the connector and its potential travel.

We have shown in relation with the figures 9 and 10 the respective positions of the pre-emption and clamping device according to the invention in cooperation with a connector of the invention respectively in the lifting and clamping position.

When the device in question descends to take over such a connector, it bears against the anode rod (4) considered, guided thereby by the cylindrical guide means (47, 48).

When descent of the housings (46) of the forks (41, 42) in the direction of the axis (19) of the connector (10), the claw (49) is shaped so that it bears against the vertical rear wing (34) of the pressure member (26) of the connector, to pass under the lower end (55) of the wing in question to support this lower end by the lug (50) . The clamping wrench (51) is actuated, inducing the loosening of the connector which can not be released due to the cooperation of the lug (50) with the lower end of the fin (34) on the one hand, and that of the housings (46) of the forks (41, 42) with the hinge axis (19).

The connector in question is then perfectly supported by this double cooperation, annihilating in fact any risk of falling of said connector.

When on the other hand we just redeposit the connector (10) in the fastening hooks (6) of the anode frame (3), once the axis (19) of the connector in the hooks (6), it is necessary to fight against the structural propensity of the claw (49) to orient itself so as to systematically handle the lower end (55) of the fin (34), leading to the safety of the device.

For this purpose, the spring stops (51, 52) are supported on either side of the head or clamping sleeve (25) of the clamping screw (22) on the rear crossmember (17). Thus, as long as a sufficient number of tightening turns, three in this case, is not achieved, the spring stops (51, 52) do not rest on said rear cross member or exert a counter-reaction sufficient to induce tilting of the claw (49) with respect to its axis of articulation, (43), and therefore corollary its disengagement from the lower end (55) of the vertical vane (34) of the organ presser (26) of the connector in question, and thus its release.

However, once the clamping of the connector is sufficient, and therefore, that the posterior cross member (17) is sufficiently raised, it exerts a force on said stops, and corollary the tilting of the claw (49).

It is conceivable that because of the particular structure of this gripping and clamping device, the connector can not be dropped accidentally or inadvertently until it has been tightened at the hooks (6) against the rod. anode (4) considered, thereby ensuring increased security during anode change operations.

Figure 11A:

La clef d'arrachage (56), dont est munie l'installation de production d'aluminium est en place au niveau de l'extrémité supérieure libre de la tige d'anode (4) et soutient l'anode en question par des moyens de clipsage ou de maintien appropriés, en prévision du desserrage du connecteur. Celui-ci est en position de serrage.

Figure 11B :

Le dispositif de préhension et de serrage du connecteur est descendu le long de la tige d'anode, guidé en cela comme déjà indiqué précédemment par le moyen de guidage cylindrique (47, 48). Corollairement, la griffe (49, 50) glisse en appui contre l'ailette postérieure (34) de l'organe de serrage (26) dont est muni ledit connecteur.

Figure 11C :

La descente du dispositif en question stoppe lorsque les fourches latérales (41, 42) viennent en contact avec l'axe (19) du connecteur reçu dans les crochets (6). Corollairement, la clef de serrage (53) est en position opérationnelle au niveau de la tête (25) de la vis de serrage (22). Lors des premiers tours de desserrage, la griffe bascule sous l'extrémité inférieure (55) de l'ailette (34) et permet la coopération avec l'ergot (50) (figure 11D) lors de la remontée du dispositif.

Figure 11E :

Concomitamment avec le desserrage du connecteur, l'axe (19) contraint dans les crochets (6) se libère, et comme au demeurant le dispositif exerce une pression en direction de la tige d'anodes, il permet le dégagement de l'axe (19) hors du logement des crochets (6) et permet ainsi l'action de levage pour la mise en position « parking » du connecteur. La griffe (49, 50) se met en position d'accroche sur l'ailette verticale (34) de l'organe presseur (26) dudit connecteur.

We have shown in relation with the Figures 11A to 11F , the different steps to proceed to such a change of anodes.

Figure 11A:

The wrench (56), which is provided with the aluminum production plant is in place at the free upper end of the anode rod (4) and supports the anode in question by means clipping or holding, in anticipation of loosening the connector. This is in the tightening position.

Figure 11B:

The gripping and clamping device of the connector is lowered along the anode rod, guided thereby as already indicated previously by the cylindrical guide means (47, 48). As a corollary, the claw (49, 50) slides bearing against the rear fin (34) of the clamping member (26) which is provided with said connector.

Figure 11C:

The descent of the device in question stops when the lateral forks (41, 42) come into contact with the axis (19) of the connector received in the hooks (6). As a corollary, the clamping wrench (53) is in operative position at the head (25) of the clamping screw (22). During the first loosening rounds, the claw tilts under the lower end (55) of the fin (34) and allows cooperation with the lug (50) ( figure 11D ) during the ascent of the device.

Figure 11E:

Concomitant with the loosening of the connector, the axis (19) constrained in the hooks (6) is released, and as the device exerts a pressure towards the anode rod, it allows the release of the axis ( 19) out of the housing of the hooks (6) and thus allows the lifting action for the setting "parking" position of the connector. The claw (49, 50) is in the catching position on the vertical fin (34) of the pressing member (26) of said connector.

It is conceivable all the interest of the connector and the handling and clamping device of the invention.

In the first place, it is necessary to insist once more on the optimization of the clamping capacity of such a connector on an anode rod against the anode frame.

Indeed, because of the isostatic nature of the pressing member (26), no longer affects the actual anode rods, deformations or scratches, and secondly, it ensures a mechanical tightening more important. In addition, electrical conduction is improved.

Indeed, the studies carried out have demonstrated a gain for a conventional anode rod in terms of voltage drop of 10 to 20% for an identical tightening torque on a non-isostatic conductor.

In addition, the safety of this device should be emphasized.

Claims (10)

1. A connector for the mechanical and electrical connection of an anode (2, 4) to the anodic frame (3) of a cell (1) of aluminum production by fused-salt electrolysis, said anodic frame (3) being provided with fastening hooks (6) intended to cooperate with the connector (10), which is formed of two clamps or jaws (11, 12) used as levers, hinged on a common pin (19) having its respective extensions received within said hooks (6), and actuated in an antagonistic manner at their free ends by means of a clamping screw (22) with two zones (23, 24) of opposite threading cooperating at the level of cross-pieces (17, 18) joining said free ends of the clamps (11, 12), characterized in that:

   - the pressing surface of the connector (10), that is, the area intended to cooperate with the anode rod (4) to enable to connect the latter to the anodic frame, is formed of a pressing body (26) separate from the clamps (11, 12) or from the cross-pieces (15, 16) joining them together,

   - and said pressing body (26) is isostatically fixed to said connector via two planar surfaces (27, 28) of said pressing body assembled on swivel joints (30) of the connector, so that the planar surfaces have a degree of angular clearance on a horizontal plane and on a vertical plane during operations of tightening/loosening of said clamping screw, said planar surfaces extending substantially vertically from the median area of the connector, and said swivel joints (30) being formed at the level of the front cross-pieces (15, 16) joining the clamps (11, 12) forming the connector.
2. The connector of claim 1, characterized in that the planar surfaces (27, 28) forming the pressing body (26) are attached to one another by a portion (29) surrounding the hinge pin (19) of the clamps (11, 12).
3. The connector of claim 2, characterized in that the pressing body (26) is substantially Ω (omega) shaped, the loop of the omega surrounding the hinge pin (19) of the two levers (11, 12) forming the connector.
4. The connector of any of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the rear area of the pressing body (26) comprises a fin (34) extending vertically.
5. The connector of claim 4, characterized in that the vertical fin (34) is received so as to be relatively mobile in housings (35, 36) formed for this purpose in the rear area of the front cross-pieces (15, 16) connecting the clamps (11, 12).
6. The connector of any of claims 4 and 5, characterized in that the assembly formed by the planar surfaces (27, 28), the vertical fin (34), and the portion (29) defining the omega is one piece.
7. A device for gripping and tightening/loosening an anode connector (10) of the type defined in any of claims 1 to 7, comprising:

   - a member for gripping said connector, provided with:

   • substantially parallel double claws (41, 42), assembled to oscillate with respect to a hinge pin (43), and capable of bearing on the pin (19) having the connector hinged thereon and received in the fastening hooks (6) on the anodic frame (3);

   • and means for supporting said connector and holding it in said claws when it is in loosened position;

   - a member for tightening/loosening (53) the connector, intended to place itself in operational situation at the level of the connector tightening means (22, 25), and, in the case in point, of the head or socket of the screw with two areas of opposite threadings, when the claws are substantially at the level of the common pin of the connector;

   characterized in that the means for supporting the connector are formed by a prong (49) assembled to oscillate on the same hinge pin (43) as that of the double claws (41, 42), and intended to cooperate with the pressing body (26) of said connector, and more specifically with the lower end (55) of the vertical fin (34) of said pressing body (26).
8. The device for gripping and tightening/loosening an anode connector (10) of claim 7, characterized in that the prong (49) is provided with a spigot (44) dedicated to taking in charge the lower end (55) of the vertical fin (34) of the pressing body (26).
9. The device for gripping and tightening/loosening an anode connector (10) of any of any of claims 7 and 8, characterized in that it is provided with means (47, 48) for guiding it along the anode rod (4), thus making its downward motion in contact with the connector easier.
10. The device for gripping and tightening/loosening an anode connector (10) of any of claims 7 to 9, characterized in also comprises resilient stop means (51, 52) intended to cooperate with the rear upper cross-piece (17) of the connector, and being sized and positioned to induce the releasing of the pressing body from the prong (49, 50), when the connector is in tightened position.

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