NO343337B1 - Device for gripping an anode for lifting operations and method for operating same - Google Patents

Device for gripping an anode for lifting operations and method for operating same Download PDF

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Publication number
NO343337B1
NO343337B1 NO20170883A NO20170883A NO343337B1 NO 343337 B1 NO343337 B1 NO 343337B1 NO 20170883 A NO20170883 A NO 20170883A NO 20170883 A NO20170883 A NO 20170883A NO 343337 B1 NO343337 B1 NO 343337B1
Authority
NO
Norway
Prior art keywords
gripping device
anode rod
locking elements
gap
bolt
Prior art date
Application number
NO20170883A
Other languages
Norwegian (no)
Other versions
NO20170883A1 (en
Inventor
Per Johnny Teigen
Original Assignee
Norsk Hydro As
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Norsk Hydro As filed Critical Norsk Hydro As
Priority to NO20170883A priority Critical patent/NO343337B1/en
Priority to PCT/EP2018/059241 priority patent/WO2018219538A1/en
Publication of NO20170883A1 publication Critical patent/NO20170883A1/en
Publication of NO343337B1 publication Critical patent/NO343337B1/en

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Classifications

    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C25—ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES; APPARATUS THEREFOR
    • C25C—PROCESSES FOR THE ELECTROLYTIC PRODUCTION, RECOVERY OR REFINING OF METALS; APPARATUS THEREFOR
    • C25C3/00—Electrolytic production, recovery or refining of metals by electrolysis of melts
    • C25C3/06—Electrolytic production, recovery or refining of metals by electrolysis of melts of aluminium
    • C25C3/08—Cell construction, e.g. bottoms, walls, cathodes
    • C25C3/10—External supporting frames or structures
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C25—ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES; APPARATUS THEREFOR
    • C25C—PROCESSES FOR THE ELECTROLYTIC PRODUCTION, RECOVERY OR REFINING OF METALS; APPARATUS THEREFOR
    • C25C3/00—Electrolytic production, recovery or refining of metals by electrolysis of melts
    • C25C3/06—Electrolytic production, recovery or refining of metals by electrolysis of melts of aluminium
    • C25C3/08—Cell construction, e.g. bottoms, walls, cathodes
    • C25C3/12—Anodes
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B66—HOISTING; LIFTING; HAULING
    • B66C—CRANES; LOAD-ENGAGING ELEMENTS OR DEVICES FOR CRANES, CAPSTANS, WINCHES, OR TACKLES
    • B66C1/00—Load-engaging elements or devices attached to lifting or lowering gear of cranes or adapted for connection therewith for transmitting lifting forces to articles or groups of articles
    • B66C1/10—Load-engaging elements or devices attached to lifting or lowering gear of cranes or adapted for connection therewith for transmitting lifting forces to articles or groups of articles by mechanical means
    • B66C1/62—Load-engaging elements or devices attached to lifting or lowering gear of cranes or adapted for connection therewith for transmitting lifting forces to articles or groups of articles by mechanical means comprising article-engaging members of a shape complementary to that of the articles to be handled
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C25—ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES; APPARATUS THEREFOR
    • C25C—PROCESSES FOR THE ELECTROLYTIC PRODUCTION, RECOVERY OR REFINING OF METALS; APPARATUS THEREFOR
    • C25C3/00—Electrolytic production, recovery or refining of metals by electrolysis of melts
    • C25C3/06—Electrolytic production, recovery or refining of metals by electrolysis of melts of aluminium
    • C25C3/08—Cell construction, e.g. bottoms, walls, cathodes
    • C25C3/12—Anodes
    • C25C3/125—Anodes based on carbon
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C25—ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES; APPARATUS THEREFOR
    • C25C—PROCESSES FOR THE ELECTROLYTIC PRODUCTION, RECOVERY OR REFINING OF METALS; APPARATUS THEREFOR
    • C25C7/00—Constructional parts, or assemblies thereof, of cells; Servicing or operating of cells
    • C25C7/02—Electrodes; Connections thereof
    • C25C7/025—Electrodes; Connections thereof used in cells for the electrolysis of melts
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B25—HAND TOOLS; PORTABLE POWER-DRIVEN TOOLS; MANIPULATORS
    • B25J—MANIPULATORS; CHAMBERS PROVIDED WITH MANIPULATION DEVICES
    • B25J15/00—Gripping heads and other end effectors
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B25—HAND TOOLS; PORTABLE POWER-DRIVEN TOOLS; MANIPULATORS
    • B25J—MANIPULATORS; CHAMBERS PROVIDED WITH MANIPULATION DEVICES
    • B25J15/00—Gripping heads and other end effectors
    • B25J15/08—Gripping heads and other end effectors having finger members
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B66—HOISTING; LIFTING; HAULING
    • B66C—CRANES; LOAD-ENGAGING ELEMENTS OR DEVICES FOR CRANES, CAPSTANS, WINCHES, OR TACKLES
    • B66C1/00—Load-engaging elements or devices attached to lifting or lowering gear of cranes or adapted for connection therewith for transmitting lifting forces to articles or groups of articles
    • B66C1/10—Load-engaging elements or devices attached to lifting or lowering gear of cranes or adapted for connection therewith for transmitting lifting forces to articles or groups of articles by mechanical means
    • B66C1/42—Gripping members engaging only the external or internal surfaces of the articles
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B66—HOISTING; LIFTING; HAULING
    • B66C—CRANES; LOAD-ENGAGING ELEMENTS OR DEVICES FOR CRANES, CAPSTANS, WINCHES, OR TACKLES
    • B66C1/00—Load-engaging elements or devices attached to lifting or lowering gear of cranes or adapted for connection therewith for transmitting lifting forces to articles or groups of articles
    • B66C1/10—Load-engaging elements or devices attached to lifting or lowering gear of cranes or adapted for connection therewith for transmitting lifting forces to articles or groups of articles by mechanical means
    • B66C1/62—Load-engaging elements or devices attached to lifting or lowering gear of cranes or adapted for connection therewith for transmitting lifting forces to articles or groups of articles by mechanical means comprising article-engaging members of a shape complementary to that of the articles to be handled
    • B66C1/66—Load-engaging elements or devices attached to lifting or lowering gear of cranes or adapted for connection therewith for transmitting lifting forces to articles or groups of articles by mechanical means comprising article-engaging members of a shape complementary to that of the articles to be handled for engaging holes, recesses, or abutments on articles specially provided for facilitating handling thereof

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  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • Electrochemistry (AREA)
  • Materials Engineering (AREA)
  • Metallurgy (AREA)
  • Organic Chemistry (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Load-Engaging Elements For Cranes (AREA)

Abstract

The invention relates to a gripping device (21) for mating an anode rod (1) having a recess (9) between two legs (2, 3) at its top end, and further having a bolt (6) securely fixed in the legs. The invention also relates to a method for operating the gripping device. The gripping device (21) has an overall frame structure (15, 15') provided with two locking elements (7, 8) pivotably arranged in supports (9, 10). The locking elements (7, 8) are allowed to rotate from a fixed position to provide a gap between them as the lifting device (21) and the top end of the anode rod (1) are mated. The locking elements (7, 8) are rotated back to the fixed position after the bolt (6) has passed the gap thereby locking the lifting device (21) to the anode rod. The anode rod (1) can be released from the gripping device (21) by moving at least one support (9, 10) apart from the other, and thereby forming a gap between the locking elements (7, 8) allowing the bolt (6) to pass in a reverse direction through said gap.

Description

Device for gripping an anode for lifting operations and method for operating same
The present invention relates to a device for gripping a prebaked anode for an electrolysis cell for production of aluminium of the Hall-Héroult type and a method for operating the gripping device. Such gripping devices are used for lifting and transporting prebaked anodes and butts (worn out anodes) in various operations in a smelter plant.
In particular, the invention relates to a so-called lifting bell" and a method for connecting/releasing same at the top end of an anode rod, and one intended use can be handling anode butts (used anodes) in a rodding shop where the butts can be transported between various stations hanging in a conveyor.
Conventionally prebaked anodes comprise an anode rod that consist of a rod or a stem of aluminium attached at its upper end to the anode beam in the superstructure of the cell by a clamping device, its other end is connected to an anode yoke, often via a bimetallic part where the yoke is made out of steel. The yoke comprises one or more studs or stubs that are integrated with bores in the top part of an anode carbon block. The connection is secured by means of cast iron poured into an annular space between the stud and the bore. The anode rods are commonly of a rectangular / square cross-section and provided with a transversal through going bore close to its top end that forms a “lifting eye".
Gripping devices for handling anodes as mentioned above are commonly attached to a lifting arrangement such as one manipulator arm arranged in a crane or Pot Tending Machine (PTM). Gripping devices complementary to this type of anode rod interface can be provided with two bolts that are entered from opposite sides of the bore. The bolts can be moved along their axis into the bore, each by an actuator. One example of this kind of device can be found in US 4,032,020 A.
US 7,850,218 B2 discloses one device for the same type of interface, where the gripping device consist of two hinged jaws each having one pin, where the jaws are moved towards each other to enter the pins in the bore formed in the top end of the anode rod.
In the prior art there are several publications that relate to gripping, lifting, and holding of anodes and other objects, as well as the design of anode rod ends. Some examples are given in JP S4862307 U, SU 981457 A1, SU 470185 A1 , AU 2011273335 A1 , US 201 0/172544 A1 , WO 2012/032234 A1 and WO 2016/130014 A1 .
According to the present invention, it is achieved to a new lifting device that is easy to enter onto the top end of the anode rod, as it has guiding elements, it is self-locking after being lowered onto the end of the anode rod, and it is steady in use. It locks automatically, and bringing two levers apart from each other is needed to release the lifting device from the anode rod.
The gripping action can easily be carried out by an operator in a PTM due to its self-locking system. The releasing action can either be done manually, by an integrated actuator or by some external system being able to move certain parts that will release the lock.
These and further improvements and advantages can be achieved with the present invention as defined in the accompanying claims.
The invention shall be further described by examples and figures where;
Fig. 1 discloses in perspective a top part of an anode rod, with a bolt,
Fig. 2 illustrates a gripping device with locking elements, seen in perspective,
Fig. 3 illustrates a gripping device in perspective where a top of an anode rod has been introduced and push on two locking elements with a bolt,
Fig. 4 illustrates a gripping device in perspective where the bolt has passed a gap between the two locking elements,
Fig. 5 illustrates a gripping device in perspective where a top of an anode rod has been introduced and where the bolt is fixed by locking elements.
The new gripping device 21 (Fig. 2) is intended to work on a design of the top end of the anode rod 1 as shown in Fig. 1. Here the top end of the anode rod is provided with a centrally arranged top-down recess 9. At each side of the recess 9 there are two legs 2, 3 having each a transversally oriented bore 4, 5, where the bores are made in-line allowing a bolt 6 to be securely fixed in the legs 2, 3. The part of the bolt accessible in the area of the recess will represent the lifting point for this anode rod. This design necessitates an amended gripping device as former mentioned gripping devices will not be compatible without modifications.
In Fig. 2 some main components of a gripping device are shown, with locking elements 7, 8, guiding skirts 16, 16', releasing handlebars, and a lifting eye 100.
Fig. 5 shows a gripping device 21 attached to an anode rod 1 that is provided with a recess 9 at its the top end. To enable the illustration of the function of the gripping device, some parts are cut out of in the Figure. Here only one leg 2 is shown as the other leg is removed for illustrative purposes. The Figure further shows a bolt 6 attached to the leg 2.
The gripping device 21 as shown has conical guiding skirts 16, 16’ that facilitates the entering of the gripping device at the top of the anode rod.
Main parts for enabling the gripping and locking action of the device are two locking elements 7, 8 pivotably arranged by respective axles (not shown) arranged in corresponding supports 9, 10. The locking elements 7, 8 are allowed to rotate upwards as the lifting device is entered onto the top end of the anode 1 , see Fig. 3 and 4. Consequently, the bolt 6 is allowed to pass through a gap formed between the locking elements 7, 8 as they are being pushed into a rotational movement upwards by the bolt 6. In Fig. 3 there is shown a gap between the locking elements 7, 8 as the anode rod with the bolt 6 enters the gripping device. In Fig. 4 the bolt has been moved so far into the gripping device that the locking elements are allowed to rotate downwards and close the gap between them.
As shown in Fig. 4, the locking elements 7, 8 can be secured or fixed in a horizontal position by abutting against supporting parts 7’, 8’ of the supports 9, 10, and thereby locking the lifting device to the anode rod.
As shown in Fig. 5, the supports 9, 10 including the two locking elements 7, 8 are supported in the overall frame structure 15, 15’ of the gripping device 21 in a manner that allow these supports to be moved outwardly. This sliding support can be of a linear bearing type known to the skilled man (not shown).
Handles 13, 14 are connected with the respective supports 9, 10 and can be operated to release the locking function of the locking elements in case the gripping device shall be separated from the anode rod.
The function of this is that by moving the supports 9, 10 outwardly, the locking elements 7, 8 are separated by an outwardly movement forming a gap between them, thus allowing the bolt 6 to pass through the gap in a reverse action. This is not shown in the Figures but will be understood by the skilled person.
The gripping device 21 is a semi-automatic construction, which will clip on to the anode rod when lowered on to the rod or when the rod is raised in to the gripping device. Once locked in the gripping device, the rod will not be released until the mechanism is released either by manual force or by an actuator (not shown) or other means.
This gripping device can be applied either in existing rodding shops or in the electrolysis production areas where there is a need for mowing an anode assembly with the lifting crane.
The release mechanism can be modified slightly to make an operator able to release the hanger from floor level in the production area.
The gripping device has one HSE aspect as it can eliminate the need for using Polyester round sling or other lifting equipment that will require the operator to climb to the top of the anode rod to release it.

Claims (8)

Amended Claims
1. A gripping device (21) mating an anode rod (1) that is provided with a recess (9) between two legs (2, 3) at its top end, and further provided with a bore in each leg, where a bolt (6) is securely fixed in the legs and thus representing a lifting point for the anode rod,
cha racterised i n that
the gripping device (21) has an overall frame structure (15, 15') provided with two locking elements (7, 8) pivotably arranged in supports (9, 10) wherein the locking elements (7, 8) are allowed to rotate from a first fixed position to provide a gap between them as the gripping device (21) and the top end of the anode rod (1) are mated, wherein the locking elements (7, 8), after the bolt (6) has passed the gap, are rotated back to the fixed positon by abutting on supporting parts (7' 8') of the support (9, 10), thereby locking the lifting device (21) to the anode rod (1).
2. A gripping device (21 ) in accordance with claim 1 ,
cha racterised i n that
the locking elements (7, 8) are pivotably arranged in the support (9, 10) by means of axles.
3. A gripping device (21 ) in accordance with claim 1 ,
cha racterised i n that
the supports (9, 10) are arranged for outwardly linear movement in the overall structure (15, 15’) of the gripping device, for release.
4. A gripping device (21 ) in accordance with claim 1 ,
cha racterised i n that
it comprises guiding skirts (16, 16’) to facilitate the entering of the gripping device (21 ) at the top of the anode rod (1 ).
5. A method for operating a gripping device (21) for an anode rod (1) provided with a recess (9) between two legs (2, 3) at the top end, and provided with a bore in each flank, where a bolt (6) is securely fixed in the legs and represents the lifting point for the anode rod,
cha racterised i n that
the gripping device (21 ) and the top of the anode rod (1 ) are positioned relatively to each other, and where said parts are mutually approaching each other, where the bolt (6) pass through a temporary gap formed by rotation of two locking elements (7, 8) pivotably arranged in a support (9, 10) wherein, after the bolt has passed the gap, the locking elements are rotated back to a position fixed by abutments (7’, 8’) of the support (9, 10) and thereby closing the gap and locking the lifting device to the anode rod.
6. A method in accordance with claim 5,
cha racteri sed i n that
the anode rod (1) can be released from the gripping device (21) by moving at least one support (9, 10) apart from the other, and thereby forming a gap between the locking elements (7, 8) allowing the bolt (6) to pass in a reverse direction through said gap.
7. A method in accordance with claim 5,
chara cterised i n that
the supports (9, 10) are arranged for linear movement in an overall frame structure (15, 15'), and can be moved manually by means of handles (13, 14).
8. A method in accordance with claim 7,
characterised i n that
the supports (9, 10) are arranged for linear movement in an overall frame structure (15, 15'), and can be moved by an actuator via means of handles (13, 14) or two actuators, one for each support.
NO20170883A 2017-05-29 2017-05-29 Device for gripping an anode for lifting operations and method for operating same NO343337B1 (en)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
NO20170883A NO343337B1 (en) 2017-05-29 2017-05-29 Device for gripping an anode for lifting operations and method for operating same
PCT/EP2018/059241 WO2018219538A1 (en) 2017-05-29 2018-04-11 Device for gripping an anode for lifting operations and method for operating same

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
NO20170883A NO343337B1 (en) 2017-05-29 2017-05-29 Device for gripping an anode for lifting operations and method for operating same

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NO20170883A1 NO20170883A1 (en) 2018-11-30
NO343337B1 true NO343337B1 (en) 2019-02-04

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WO (1) WO2018219538A1 (en)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2021184132A1 (en) * 2020-03-17 2021-09-23 New Tech Copper Spa Pivoting anode trap

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR3093736B1 (en) * 2019-03-14 2021-02-19 Rio Tinto Alcan Int Ltd Intervention tool for the operation of an electrolysis cell
CN115890728B (en) * 2023-02-24 2023-06-02 长沙亨特科技有限公司 Rod piece grabbing mechanical arm

Citations (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS4862307U (en) * 1971-11-19 1973-08-08
US4032020A (en) * 1974-04-05 1977-06-28 Sumitomo Chemical Company, Limited Article exchanging apparatus
SU470185A1 (en) * 1970-12-18 1979-01-30 Всесоюзный научно-исследовательский и проектный институт алюминиевой, магниевой и электродной промышленности Device for transposing anode pins of aluminium electrolyzer
SU981457A1 (en) * 1981-05-08 1982-12-15 Всесоюзный Научно-Исследовательский И Проектный Институт Алюминиевой,Магниевой И Электродной Промышленности "Вами" Device for gripping anode holder
US20100172544A1 (en) * 2006-06-09 2010-07-08 E.C.L. Method of measuring, on the fly, the height of an electrolysis anode
US7850218B2 (en) * 2003-02-28 2010-12-14 E.C.L. Handling clamp for a machine designed for tending an electrolytic cell used for the production of aluminium
WO2012032234A1 (en) * 2010-09-08 2012-03-15 E.C.L. Handling tool, for secure handling of connectors of electrolysis cells intended for aluminium production
AU2011273335A1 (en) * 2010-06-28 2013-01-31 Rio Tinto Alcan International Limited Device for extracting short-circuiting wedges when switching in an electrolysis cell for the production of aluminium
WO2016130014A1 (en) * 2015-02-13 2016-08-18 Norsk Hydro Asa An anode for use in an electrolysis process for production of aluminium in cells of hall-heroult type, and a method for making same

Family Cites Families (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
ATE307916T1 (en) * 2000-12-19 2005-11-15 Reel LIFTING DEVICE FOR THE ANODE CARRIER IN ELECTROLYSIS FURNACES FOR ALUMINUM PRODUCTION

Patent Citations (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
SU470185A1 (en) * 1970-12-18 1979-01-30 Всесоюзный научно-исследовательский и проектный институт алюминиевой, магниевой и электродной промышленности Device for transposing anode pins of aluminium electrolyzer
JPS4862307U (en) * 1971-11-19 1973-08-08
US4032020A (en) * 1974-04-05 1977-06-28 Sumitomo Chemical Company, Limited Article exchanging apparatus
SU981457A1 (en) * 1981-05-08 1982-12-15 Всесоюзный Научно-Исследовательский И Проектный Институт Алюминиевой,Магниевой И Электродной Промышленности "Вами" Device for gripping anode holder
US7850218B2 (en) * 2003-02-28 2010-12-14 E.C.L. Handling clamp for a machine designed for tending an electrolytic cell used for the production of aluminium
US20100172544A1 (en) * 2006-06-09 2010-07-08 E.C.L. Method of measuring, on the fly, the height of an electrolysis anode
AU2011273335A1 (en) * 2010-06-28 2013-01-31 Rio Tinto Alcan International Limited Device for extracting short-circuiting wedges when switching in an electrolysis cell for the production of aluminium
WO2012032234A1 (en) * 2010-09-08 2012-03-15 E.C.L. Handling tool, for secure handling of connectors of electrolysis cells intended for aluminium production
WO2016130014A1 (en) * 2015-02-13 2016-08-18 Norsk Hydro Asa An anode for use in an electrolysis process for production of aluminium in cells of hall-heroult type, and a method for making same

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2021184132A1 (en) * 2020-03-17 2021-09-23 New Tech Copper Spa Pivoting anode trap

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO2018219538A1 (en) 2018-12-06
NO20170883A1 (en) 2018-11-30

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