EP2015870B1 - Method for grounding a high voltage electrode - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to an arrangement with a high voltage electrode (1) and a process vessel (2) assigned to the high voltage electrode (1), wherein the high voltage electrode (1) and the process vessel (2) can be positioned relative to each other in such a manner that the high voltage electrode (1) with its operational electrode end (5) in an operating position is immersed in the process vessel (2) and in a non-operating position is located outside the process vessel (2). Furthermore, the arrangement includes a grounding device (3), which is designed in such a manner that upon a positioning in the non-operating position it automatically is brought into contact with the operational electrode end (5) for grounding the high voltage electrode (1).

Description

TECHNICAL AREA

The invention relates to a method for grounding a high-voltage electrode of an electrodynamic fragmentation system, an arrangement for carrying out the method, a system with the arrangement and a use of the arrangement or the system according to the preambles of the independent claims.

STATE OF THE ART

In the case of electrodynamic fragmentation, which can be used, for example, for selective comminution of concrete or slag, high-voltage breakdowns are produced by the material to be comminuted in a process vessel between the working end of a high-voltage electrode subjected to high-voltage pulses and a base electrode, which is usually at neutral potential, whereby it is comminuted the material is coming. If the working end of the high-voltage electrode is made temporarily accessible, eg for maintenance purposes or for the purpose of reloading the process vessel, it is necessary for reasons of personal safety to ground the high-voltage electrode in order to reliably prevent the unintentional occurrence of a high-voltage pulse at the working end of the electrode. This is accomplished today by manually applying a grounding bar to the high voltage electrode and / or closing the grounding switch on the high voltage generator. These known measures have the disadvantage that they are essentially dependent on the care of the service personnel, so that it can lead to accidents by carelessness. In addition, when working on the high voltage electrode of the earthing switch of the generator and thus also its operating status often not visible. A sole grounding of the high voltage electrode via the earthing switch of the high voltage generator is also problematic because the integrated in the earthing switch of the high voltage generator discharge resistor can be defective and for the theoretical case that the strand of a charging coil is interrupted and at the same time a pressure drop occurs in the spark gap tube, the earthing switch its protective effect can not develop, which is also not visually recognizable. Examples of these are from the documents RU-A-2013135 and WO-A-20050032722 known.

PRESENTATION OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object to provide a method for grounding a high-voltage electrode of a fragmentation system and devices available that do not have the disadvantages of the prior art or at least partially avoided.

This object is achieved by the method, the arrangement and the system according to the independent claims.

Accordingly, a first aspect of the invention relates to a method for grounding the high-voltage electrode of an electrodynamic fragmentation system in a non-operating state, in which the working end of the high-voltage electrode is accessible and thus a risk to persons when working on or in the vicinity of it in the event that the high-voltage electrode unintentionally or unnoticed with high voltage is applied. Such Fragmentierungsanlage have a process vessel, within which in the fragmentation operation, the working-side electrode end, a base electrode and the material to be fragmented are arranged and to fragment the material high voltage discharges between the working side electrode end and the base electrode are generated. The working end of the electrode is thus surrounded during operation of the system in such a way from the process vessel, that it is inaccessible to persons. For carrying out the method according to the invention, a grounding device is provided, by means of which the high-voltage electrode can be grounded by contacting it at its working-side end of the electrode. This earthing device is thus coupled to the high-voltage electrode and the process vessel, thus operatively connected to the arrangement of process vessel and high-voltage electrode, so that it automatically contacts the working-side electrode end when it is made accessible, thus grounding the high-voltage electrode. Then, the working end of the electrode is made accessible to persons, whereby automatically a grounding of the high voltage electrode with the grounding device by the working side electrode end is contacted with the grounding device in the region of the working side electrode end. In this case, the working-side electrode end or working end of the high-voltage electrode is understood as the electrically conductive region of the high-voltage electrode which protrudes from the insulator thereof on the side of the high-voltage electrode facing the process vessel and carries the electrode tip, from which the high-voltage discharges take place toward the base electrode during operation.

The method according to the invention results in an automatic, reliable and easily visible grounding of the high-voltage electrode when the working end of the electrode is accessible, so that optimum personal protection results.

In a preferred embodiment of the method, the working end of the electrode end is made accessible exclusively or at least partially by opening the process vessel, e.g. by opening a revision flap or removing a cap.

In a further preferred embodiment of the method, the accessibility of the working side takes place End of the electrode exclusively or at least partially in that the high voltage electrode and the process vessel are removed from each other, preferably by the high voltage electrode is extended by lifting the same relative to the process vessel and / or lowering the process vessel relative to the high voltage electrode from the process vessel.

As a result, at least in the embodiments in which only the process vessel is opened and / or lowered, the advantage is that it is also suitable for Fragmentieruhgsanlagen in which the high-voltage electrode is fixedly connected to a rigid high-voltage supply, which is e.g. in systems with oil or gas insulated high voltage feeders is the case.

In yet another preferred embodiment of the method, a grounding device with a lever mechanism is used. With the lever mechanism, a grounded contact surface is applied to the working electrode end, thereby grounding the high voltage electrode.

It is preferred if the movement for applying the contact surface to the working-side end of the electrode is effected exclusively or at least partially by gravity and / or spring force.

For this purpose, the grounding device is preferably designed and coupled with the high-voltage electrode and the process vessel in such a way that a lever of the lever mechanism carrying the contact surface is automatically released when the working end of the electrode is made accessible, then fully or partially gravitationally and / or spring-driven towards the working-side electrode end to be moved, where its movement is stopped by abutting the contact surface at the working end of the electrode.

With these measures, a reliable grounding can be achieved easily, not least also because a certain contact pressure of the contact surface is ensured at the working end of the high voltage electrode.

If the lever carrying the contact surface is thereby released from the upper edge of the process vessel, which is preferred, the result is a conceivably simple and visually perceptible coupling between grounding device and process vessel.

In yet another preferred embodiment of the method employing a grounding device with a lever mechanism, the grounding device is configured and coupled to the high voltage electrode and the process vessel such that the application of the contact surface to the working end of the electrode is mechanically positively coupled Thus, the end of the electrode on the working side inevitably leads mechanically to the application of the contact surface to the working-side end of the electrode and thus to grounding of the high-voltage electrode. As a result, a maximum of security can be achieved.

In yet another preferred embodiment of the method, which uses a grounding device with a lever mechanism, this lever mechanism has exactly one moving lever, this lever being pivoted to apply the contact surface to the working side electrode end about a preferably horizontal or vertical axis of rotation. Such lever mechanisms have a minimum of moving parts and are robust and inexpensive.

If the lever is additionally displaced along the axis of rotation when moving the lever for applying the contact surface to the working-side end of the electrode, which is preferred, two-dimensional pivoting movements can be realized in a simple manner, which can be advantageous in particular in confined spaces.

In yet another preferred embodiment of the method, the contact between the working-side electrode end and the grounding device is made by means of a grounded contact brush, whereby a secure grounding can be ensured even when the high-voltage electrode is soiled.

A second aspect of the invention relates to an arrangement which is suitable for carrying out the method according to the first aspect of the invention. The arrangement comprises a high voltage electrode and a process vessel associated with the high voltage electrode, in which, when the device is operated as intended, e.g. as part of an electrodynamic fragmentation system, pulsed high-voltage discharges take place between the working-side electrode end and a base electrode. In this case, the high-voltage electrode and the process vessel are movable relative to one another such that they can be positioned optionally in an operating position in which the high-voltage electrode is immersed with its working-side electrode end in the process vessel, and in a non-operating position in which the working-side electrode end is arranged outside the process vessel , Furthermore, the arrangement has a grounding device. The grounding device is configured and coupled to the high-voltage electrode and the process vessel so that it is automatically brought into contact with the working-side electrode end when positioned in the non-operating position or when changing from the operating position to the non-operating position, thereby grounding the high-voltage electrode.

The arrangement according to the invention makes it possible to provide electrodynamic fragmentation systems in which the high-voltage electrode is grounded automatically and reliably when its working-side end of the electrode is made accessible, and the Grounding is also visually recognizable. As a result, the protection of persons can be significantly improved.

In a preferred embodiment of the arrangement, the grounding device is also designed and coupled to the high-voltage electrode and the process vessel so that it is automatically brought out of contact with the working-side electrode end when positioning in the operating position or when switching from the non-operating position to the operating position the grounding of the high voltage electrode is canceled and the generation of high voltage discharges between the high voltage electrode and the base electrode becomes possible.

In a further preferred embodiment of the arrangement, the earthing device comprises a lever mechanism by means of which a contact surface can be brought into contact or out of contact with the working end of the electrode for earthing or grounding the high-voltage electrode.

In this case, the lever mechanism is advantageously designed such that it is exclusively or at least partially gravity and / or spring-actuated in one of its two directions of movement, it being preferred if this is the direction of movement, in which the contacting of the contact surface with the working side electrode end is effected ,

Arrangements with such earthing devices have the advantage that they are simple and inexpensive and that the correct function of the earthing device can be visually checked in a simple manner. In the case of the last-mentioned embodiment variant, there is also the advantage that the contact surface bears against the working-side electrode end under a certain contact pressure and thus ensures a secure contact.

In yet another preferred embodiment of the arrangement, the lever mechanism is thus coupled to the high voltage electrode and the process vessel or operatively connected, that the contact surface, when moving the high voltage electrode and the process vessel relative to each other from the non-operating position to the operating position, lifted and removed by mechanical forced coupling from the working side electrode end of the high voltage electrode.

In this case, the mechanical positive coupling is advantageously realized such that a contact surface bearing lever of the lever mechanism through the process vessel, and preferably through its upper edge, pushed away and so the contact surface is lifted from the working side electrode end and removed from it.

In this way, a simple and robust mechanical positive coupling of the grounding device with the high-voltage electrode and the process vessel in this direction of movement can be realized, which is also easy to understand visually.

For this purpose, the lever bearing the contact surface is preferably designed such that it has a curved stop track for the upper edge of the process vessel, along which the upper edge contacts the lever when pushing away. This has the advantage that the horizontal force component acting on the process vessel is limited, which has the advantage, in particular for smaller, unsecured process vessels, that the risk of the vessel tipping over is significantly reduced.

If the lever of the grounding device is also configured in this way and the contact surface is arranged on it in such a way that it is impossible to touch the contact surface with the process vessel when the lever is pushed away, which is preferred, the use of sensitive contact surfaces, such as, for example, contact brushes, possible, which could otherwise be easily damaged.

In yet another preferred embodiment of the arrangement, the lever mechanism is coupled to the high voltage electrode and to the process vessel so that the contact surface moves from the operating position to the non-operating position by mechanical positive coupling to the high voltage electrode as the high voltage electrode and process vessel move relative to each other and at the working end of the electrode is applied. Due to the positive coupling in this direction of movement has the advantage that the accessibility of the working end of the electrode mechanically inevitably causes grounding of the high voltage electrode, whereby a maximum of security can be achieved. It is also envisaged to carry out the mechanical force-coupled movement by gravity and / or spring force.

In yet another preferred embodiment of the arrangement, the lever mechanism comprises exactly one movable lever, which is pivotable about a preferably horizontal or vertical axis of rotation for contacting or disengaging the contact surface with the working-side electrode end. Such lever mechanisms have a minimum of moving parts and are robust and inexpensive.

It is preferred if the lever for contacting or Ausserkontaktbring the contact surface with the working side electrode end is also displaceable along the axis of rotation. In this way, complicated, multi-dimensional pivoting movements can be realized with a low design overhead.

In yet another preferred embodiment of the arrangement, the contact surface is formed by a contact brush, which has the advantage that a secure grounding can be effected even with a dirty working end of the electrode.

In yet another preferred embodiment, the arrangement is configured such that the relative movement between the high-voltage electrode and the process vessel required for positioning in the inoperative position can be effected by lowering the process vessel with respect to the high-voltage electrode, e.g. by means of a lifting table, which carries the process vessel, wherein it is preferred if this can be done with simultaneously fixed high-voltage electrode. This has the advantage that the arrangement according to the invention can also be used for installations in which the high-voltage electrode is connected to a rigid high-voltage supply, which is the case in particular in systems with oil or gas-insulated high-voltage supply lines.

A third aspect of the invention relates to a system with an arrangement according to the second aspect of the invention and with a high voltage pulse generator for applying high voltage pulses to the high voltage electrode. In such a system, the advantages of the invention occur particularly clearly zü days.

A fourth and final aspect of the invention relates to the use of the arrangement according to the second aspect of the invention or the plant according to the third aspect of the invention for the electrodynamic fragmentation of preferably electrically poorly conductive material, preferably of concrete or slag.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

• die Figuren 1a und 1b schematische Darstellungen einer ersten erfindungsgemässen Anordnung in einer Nichtbetriebsposition und in einer Betriebsposition;
• die Figuren 2a und 2b schematische Darstellungen einer zweiten erfindungsgemässen Anordnung in einer Nichtbetriebsposition und in einer Betriebsposition;
• die Figuren 3a und 3b schematische Darstellungen einer dritten erfindungsgemässen Anordnung in einer Nichtbetriebsposition und in einer Betriebsposition;
  und
• Fig. 4 eine perspektivische Ansicht einer Hochspannungselektrode mit Erdungsvorrichtung für eine erfindungsgemässe Anordnung.

Further embodiments, advantages and applications of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims and from the following description with reference to FIGS. Showing:

• the FIGS. 1a and 1b schematic representations of a first inventive arrangement in a non-operating position and in an operating position;
• the FIGS. 2a and 2b schematic representations of a second inventive arrangement in a non-operating position and in an operating position;
• the FIGS. 3a and 3b schematic representations of a third inventive arrangement in a non-operating position and in an operating position;
  and
• Fig. 4 a perspective view of a high voltage electrode with grounding device for an inventive arrangement.

WAYS FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

The FIGS. 1a and 1b each show a schematic representation of a first arrangement according to the invention in the side view, once in a non-operating position ( Fig. 1a ) and once in an operating position ( Fig. 1b ). As can be seen, the arrangement comprises a fixed high voltage electrode 1, a vertically movable by means of a lifting table 4 process vessel 2 and a grounding device 3, which is fixed to the high voltage electrode 1 supporting structure (not shown).

In the in Fig. 1a shown non-operating position is the working side electrode end 5 of the high voltage electrode 1, which forms the electrode tip 6, accessible and grounded by means of the grounding device 3. This comprises a double-sided pivoting lever 7, which is pivotally mounted about a horizontal axis of rotation D to a fixed support arm 8 and at one of its two free ends a grounded via a flexible strand 15 contact brush 9 carries, with which it contacts the electrode tip 6 and thereby grounded , At its other free end of the pivot lever 7 is connected via a tension spring 10 with the support arm 8, such that the contact brush 9 is pressed by the spring force of the tension spring 10 against the electrode tip 6. On the underside of the contact brush 9 carrying the lever side, the pivot lever 7 has a curved contour 11, which, as will be explained below, serves as a curved stop track 11 for the upper edge of the process vessel 2.

Now, starting from the in Fig. 1a illustrated non-operating position, the process vessel 2 raised by means of the lifting table 4, the upper edge thereof comes into contact with the underside of the pivot lever 7 and pushes it upwards, whereby the contact brush 9 is lifted from the electrode tip 6 and removed. In this case, the upper edge of the process vessel 2 moves along the curved stop track 11 until it reaches the outermost end of the pivot lever 7, which carries the contact brush 9 and is designed as a projecting nose 12. In this state, the pivot lever 7 and the contact brush 9 are completely outside the mouth of the process vessel 2 and the further lifting of the process vessel 2, the pivot lever 7 now slides with the nose 12 along the outside of the process vessel 2 until the in Fig. 1b shown operating position is reached. As can be seen, the end-side lug 12 of the pivoting lever 7 is designed such that a contact of the contact brush 9 with the process vessel 2 and thus the possibility of damage to the contact brush 9 is reliably prevented.

If the process vessel 2 is lowered again to the in Fig. 1a shown non-operating position with accessible working-side electrode end 5, the same procedure is analogously reversed, but the automatic return of the pivot lever 7 and the application of the contact brush 9 to the electrode tip 6 is operated substantially by the spring force of the tension spring 10. This is in contrast to the previously described reverse direction of motion, in which the movement is due to mechanical forced coupling with the effected by the lifting table 4 upward movement of the process vessel and against the spring force.

The FIGS. 2a and 2b show representations like the FIGS. 1a and 1b As can be seen, the grounding device 3 in the present case comprises a simple pivoting lever 13, which at its free end a contact brush 9 carries, with which he contacted the electrode tip 6 and thereby grounded. The pivot lever 13 is fixedly secured to a support column 14 rotatable about a vertical axis of rotation D. In this case, the support column 14 is mounted such that it simultaneously displaces vertically along its longitudinal axis at a rotation about the rotation axis D, which in the present case is effected in that the axial mounting of the support column 14 consists of a roller, which is on a curved path supported (not shown). In addition, as a result of the weight of the pivoting lever 13 and the support column 14, a drive torque around the axis of rotation D, which acts in the direction of rotation towards the high-voltage electrode 1, results, so that the contact brush 9 is pressed against the electrode tip 6.

Now, starting from the in Fig. 2a illustrated non-operating position, the process vessel 2 raised by means of the lifting table 4, the upper edge thereof comes into contact with the underside of the pivot lever 13 and pushes it together with the support column 14 upwards, wherein the pivot lever 13 inevitably a rotational movement about the vertical axis of rotation of the support column fourteenth must perform around and the contact brush 9 is lifted from the electrode tip 6 and removed. In this case, the upper edge of the process vessel 2 moves along the lower edge of the pivot lever 13, until the in Fig. 2b shown operating position is reached. As can be seen, lies the pivot lever 13 in this operating position in the region of its free end on the process vessel 2, wherein the contact brush 9 in the region of the mouth of the process vessel 2 remains.

If the process container 2 is lowered again to the in Fig. 2a The same sequence is analogously reversed, but the automatic return of the pivot lever 13 and the application of the contact brush 9 to the electrode tip 6 substantially by the aforementioned, from the weight forces of the pivot lever 13th and the support column 14 derived drive torque about the axis of rotation D is effected around.

The FIGS. 3a and 3b show representations like the FIGS. 2a and 2b a third inventive arrangement, which is similar to the second inventive arrangement described above. Again, the grounding device 3 comprises a simple pivot lever 13 which carries at its free end a contact brush 9, with which it contacts the electrode tip 6 and thereby grounded. The main difference to that in the FIGS. 2a and 2b arrangement shown here is that here a fixed support column 17 is used and the pivot lever 13 via a guide sleeve 18 with a cam track 19, in which a fixed to the support column 17 connected roller (not shown) is connected to the support column 17, such that it is rotatable about the axis of rotation D relative to the support column 17, with simultaneous vertical displacement along this axis D. So this is the same mechanical principle as in the arrangement according to the FIGS. 2a and 2b , but with the difference that here the component 18, which forms the cam track 19, is movable, while the component 17, which carries the roller, is stationary. Accordingly arises here as a result of the weight of the Swing lever 13 and the guide sleeve 18 has a drive torque about the axis of rotation D around, which acts in the direction of rotation to the high voltage electrode 1, so that the contact brush 9 is pressed against the electrode tip 6.

Another difference of this arrangement over in the FIGS. 2a and 2b it is shown that the coupling between the process vessel 2 and pivot lever 13 is not carried out by resting the pivot lever 13 on the vessel top, but in that a arranged on the vessel side wall driver projection 20 cooperates with a suitable driving projection 21 of the guide sleeve 18.

Now, starting from the in Fig. 3a illustrated non-operating position, the process vessel 2 raised by means of the lifting table 4, the upper edge of the Mitnehmervorsprungs 20 of the process vessel 2 comes with the underside of the Mitnehmervorsprungs 21 of the guide sleeve 18 in contact and pushes the guide sleeve 18 upwards, the pivot lever 13 inevitably a rotational movement about the vertical axis of rotation D of the support column 17 must perform around and the contact brush 9 is lifted from the electrode tip 6 and removed. The movement will be in the in Fig. 3b shown operating position, if necessary, by striking the lower end of the cam track 19 on the roller stopped. As can be seen, the pivot lever 13 is located in this operating position with the contact brush 9 laterally next to the high voltage electrode 1 outside the mouth of the process container. 2

If the process container 2 is lowered again to restore the in Fig. 3a The same sequence is analogously reversed, but the automatic return of the pivot lever 13 and the application of the contact brush 9 to the electrode tip 6 substantially by the aforementioned, from the weight forces of the pivot lever 13th and the guide sleeve 18 derived drive torque about the axis of rotation D is effected around.

Even if, in the arrangements according to the invention shown above, only the lifting of the grounding of the high-voltage electrode is mechanically forcibly coupled by lifting the process vessel 2 by means of the lifting table 4, while grounding the same when lowering the process container and making the working-side electrode end 5 accessible substantially spring-loaded Gravity-actuated, it is also intended to provide a mechanically positively coupled grounding movement, for example by at the in the FIGS. 1a and 1b illustrated arrangement of the lifting table 4 via a traction means, such as a steel cable or a tie rod, with the contact brush bearing side of the pivot lever 7 is connected.

Fig. 4 shows a perspective view of a concrete embodiment of the in the FIGS. 1a and 1b schematically illustrated high-voltage electrode with grounding device, which would form a erfindungsgmässe arrangement together with an associated process vessel. For the operation in connection with a process vessel, please refer to the description of the previously mentioned FIGS. 1a and 1b directed. As can be seen, here the working-side electrode end 5 of the high-voltage electrode 1 is formed by a disk-shaped field relief 17 and a replaceable electrode tip 6 screwed into it centrally. In addition, the high-voltage electrode 1 carries a concentric collar 16 for enclosing the opening of an associated process vessel (not shown) in operation, to which the support arm 8 der.Erdungsvorrichtung 3 is attached. The double-sided pivot lever 7 is pivotally mounted around the horizontal axis of rotation D around the support arm 8 and carries on its electrode-side lever side via a flexible strand 15 connected to the grounded mounting bracket 8 contact brush 9, which in the illustrated Situation at the field relief 17 is applied and the high voltage electrode 1 grounded by it. Again, the outermost end of the pivot lever 7 forms a protruding nose 12, which as already in the FIGS. 1a and 1b described serves to prevent contact of the contact brush 9 with the process vessel 2 and possibly associated damage thereof. The high voltage electrode 1 side facing away from the double-sided pivot lever 7 is connected via a tension spring 10 with the support arm 8, such that the contact brush 9 is pressed by the spring force of the tension spring 10 against the field relief 17. On the underside of the contact brush 9 carrying electrode-side lever side of the pivot lever 7 has a curved stop track 11 for the upper edge of a process vessel 2.

While preferred embodiments of the invention are described in the present application, it should be clearly understood that the invention is not limited to these and may be practiced otherwise within the scope of the following claims.

Claims (27)

1. Method for grounding a high voltage electrode (1) of an electrodynamic fragmenting installation in the off-state, wherein the fragmenting installation comprises a process vessel (2) which encloses the operational electrode end (5) during operation in such a manner that said end is inaccessible during operation, comprising the steps:

   providing a grounding device (3) for grounding of the high voltage electrode (1) by contacting said electrode in the area of the operational electrode end (5);

   coupling the grounding device (3) with the high voltage electrode (1) and the process vessel (2) in such a manner that the grounding device (3) automatically contacts the operational electrode end (5) upon a gaining of access to said electrode end for grounding the high voltage electrode (1); and

   gaining access to the operational electrode end (5) with automatic grounding of the high voltage electrode (1) by means of the grounding device (3).
2. Method according to claim 1, wherein the gaining of access to the operational electrode end (5) at least partially take place through opening of a subarea of the boundary walls of the process vessel (2).
3. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the gaining of access to the operational electrode end (5) at least partially takes place through moving away the high voltage electrode (1) and the process vessel (2) from each other, in particular through pulling the high voltage electrode (1) out of the process vessel (2) by means of lifting the high voltage electrode (1) and/or lowering the process vessel (2).
4. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a grounding device (3) is used which comprises a lever mechanism (7, 8; 13, 14; 13, 17, 18) by means of which lever mechanism a contact area (9) is applied to the operational electrode end (5) for grounding the high voltage electrode (1).
5. Method according to claim 4, wherein the applying motion at least partially is driven by gravity and/or spring forces.
6. Method according to claim 5, wherein the grounding device (3) is designed and coupled to the high voltage electrode (1) and to the process vessel (2) in such a manner that a lever (7, 13) of the lever mechanism (7, 8; 13, 14; 13, 17, 18) which lever is carrying the contact area (9) upon a gaining of access to the operational electrode end (5) is released and at least partially driven by gravity and/or spring forces is moved towards the operational electrode end (5) until the contact area (9) abuts against said electrode end.
7. Method according to claim 6, wherein the lever (7, 13) which is carrying the contact area (9) through a moving, in particular through a lowering of the upper edge of the process vessel (2) is released.
8. Method according to one of the claims 4 to 7, wherein the grounding device (3) is designed and coupled to the high voltage electrode (1) and to the process vessel (2) in such a manner that the applying of the contact area (9) to the operational electrode end (5) takes place in a mechanically compulsory coupled manner.
9. Method according to one of the claims 4 to 8, wherein a lever mechanism (7, 8; 13, 14; 13, 17, 18) having only one single movable lever (7, 13) is used, which for applying the contact area (9) to the operational electrode end (5) is pivoted around a in particular horizontal or vertical axis of rotation (D).
10. Method according to claim 9, wherein the lever (7, 13) for applying the contact area (9) additionally is displaced along the axis of rotation (D).
11. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the contact between the operational electrode end (5) and the grounding device (3) is established by means of a contact brush (9).
12. Arrangement for performing the method according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a high voltage electrode (1) and a process vessel (2) assigned to the high voltage electrode (1), wherein the high voltage electrode (1) and the process vessel (2) are moveable relative to each other in such a manner that they can be positioned in at least one operating position, in which the high voltage electrode (1) with its operational electrode end (5) is immersed in the process vessel (2), and in an non-operating position, in which the operational electrode end (5) is disposed outside the process vessel (2), and with a grounding device (3) which is designed in such a manner that, upon a positioning in the non-operating position, it automatically is brought into contact with the operational electrode end (5) in order to ground the high voltage electrode (1).
13. Arrangement according to claim 12, wherein the grounding device is furthermore designed in such a manner that, upon a positioning in the operating position, it automatically is moved out of contact with the operational electrode end (5) for abolishing the grounding in order to render possible high voltage discharges starting from the high voltage electrode (1).
14. Arrangement according to one of the claims 12 to 13, wherein the grounding device (3) comprises a lever mechanism (7, 8; 13, 14; 13, 17, 18), by means of which a contact area (9) can be brought into contact and out of contact, respectively, with the operational electrode end (5), for grounding and abolishing the grounding, respectively, of the high voltage electrode (1).
15. Arrangement according to claim 14, wherein the lever mechanism (7, 8; 13, 14; 13, 17, 18) is designed in such a manner, that its movement in one of its two moving directions fully or partially is gravity and/- or spring force driven, in particular in the moving direction, in which the contact area (9) can be brought into contact with the operational electrode end (5).
16. Arrangement according to one of the claims 14 to 15, wherein the lever mechanism (7, 8; 13, 14; 13, 17, 18) is coupled to the high voltage electrode (1) and to the process vessel (2) in such a manner that the contact area (9), upon a moving of the high voltage electrode (1) and the process vessel (2) relative to each other from the non-operating position to the operating position, is lifted and removed from the operational electrode end (5) of the high voltage electrode (1) in a mechanically compulsory coupled manner.
17. Arrangement according to claim 16, wherein the mechanical compulsory coupling is realized in such a manner that a lever (7, 13) of the lever mechanism (7, 8; 13, 14; 13, 17, 18), which lever is carrying the contact area (9), is pushed away by the process vessel (2), in particular by the upper edge of the process vessel or by a actuator element (20) arranged at the outside of the process vessel, and thereby the contact area (9) is lifted-off and removed from the operational electrode end (5).
18. Arrangement according to claim 17, wherein the lever (7, 13) which is carrying the contact area (9) comprises a curved track (11) for abutment of the upper edge of the process vessel (2).
19. Arrangement according to one of the claims 17 to 18, wherein the lever (7, 13) is designed and the contact area (9) is arranged at it in such a manner that a contacting of the contact area (9) with the process vessel (2) during pushing away of the lever (7, 13) is reliably obviated.
20. Arrangement according to claim 16, wherein the mechanical compulsory coupling is realized in such a manner that a component (18) which carries the lever (7, 13) of the lever mechanism (7, 8; 13, 14; 13, 17, 18) which lever carries the contact area (9) is pushed away by the process vessel (2), in particular by the upper edge of the process vessel or by an actuator element (20) arranged at the outside of the process vessel, and thereby the contact area (9) is lifted-off and removed from the operational electrode end (5).
21. Arrangement according to one of the claims 14 to 20, wherein the lever mechanism (7, 8; 13, 14; 13, 17, 18) is coupled to the high voltage electrode (1) and to the process vessel (2) in such a manner that the contact area (9), upon a moving of the high voltage electrode (1) and the process vessel (2) relative to each other from the operating position to the non-operating position, in a mechanically compulsory coupled manner is moved towards the high voltage electrode (1) and applied to the operational electrode end (5) of the high voltage electrode.
22. Arrangement according to one of the claims 14 to 21, wherein the lever mechanism (7, 8; 13, 14; 13, 17, 18) comprises one single moveable lever (7, 13) only, which, for bringing the contact area (9) into contact and out of contact, respectively, with the operational electrode end (5), is pivotable around a in particular horizontal or vertical axis of rotation (D).
23. Arrangement according to claim 22, wherein the lever (7, 13) for bringing the contact area (9) into contact and out of contact, respectively, with the operational electrode end (5), in addition is displaceable along the axis of rotation (D).
24. Arrangement according to one of the claims 14 to 23, wherein the contact area (9) is formed by a contact brush (9).
25. Arrangement according to one of the claims 12 to 24, wherein the arrangement is designed in such a manner that the relative movement between the high voltage electrode (1) and the process vessel (2) which is necessary for the positioning in the non-operating position and the operating position, respectively, can be effected through a lowering and lifting, respectively, of the process vessel (2), in particular while at the same time the high voltage electrode (1) is stationary.
26. Installation comprising an arrangement according to one of the claims 12 to 25 and comprising a high voltage pulse generator for charging the high voltage electrode (1) with high voltage pulses.
27. Use of the arrangement or of the Installation according to one of the claims 12 to 26 for the electrodynamic fragmentation of in particular electrically poorly conductive material, in particular of concrete or slag.

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