US2889387A - Electrode holder construction - Google Patents

Description

E. F- BORON ET AL ELECTRODE HOLDER CONSTRUCTION June 2, 1959 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 4, 1957 a N T A W 5 QR mm w m EFMHS VEL E W N H. M R

E W M GLu URI EAW ATTORNEYS June 2, 1959 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Nov. 4, 1957 n T s mm w Sm B 1 E R M U m 0 N LH T w M ow m WM AE E UM Rm EMWC 9 Y B nv FN mm B h v 5 T i 9 m i w 8 FN Q June 2, 1959 E. F. BQRON ET AL ELECTRODE HOLDER CONSTRUCTION Filed Nov. 4, 1957 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTORS EUGENE F. BORON. EARL WILLIAM YOST. wlL M H. ORGA CH ESH. ER '2 ATTORNEYS June 2, 1959 E. F. BORON ETAL. 2,889,337

ELECTRODE HOLDER CONSTRUCTION Filed Nov. 4, 1957 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 88 J H. as 74 L 6g 72 INVENTORS EUGENE F. BORON. Fl 6.7 EARL WILLIAM YOST. W\LLIAM H. GORGAG BY CHARLES H. UBER ATTORNEYS United States Patent() ELECTRODE HOLDER CONSTRUCTION Eugene F. Boron, Niles, Earl William Yost, Youngstown, William H. Gorga, 'Champion, and Charles H. Uber, Canfield, Ohio, assignors to Mallory-Sharon Metals Corporation, a corporation of Delaware Application November 4, 1957, Serial No. 694,395

19 Claims. ((31. 13- -16) This invention relates to electrode holders and more particularly to an electrode holder construction especially adapted for use with consumable electrodes of considernium alloy sheet or strip or bar or rod material which in turn must be rolled or forged from ingots or billets.

It is desirable from many standpoints that such ingots be as large as possible not only in diameter or crosssectional area, but in mass or weight. One procedure by which sound titanium or titanium alloy ingots may be produced involves the melting of a consumable electrode of the desired analysis in an arc furnace to form an ingot of substantially greater cross-sectional area than the cross-sectional area of the electrode consumed; and then to utilize such ingots as an electrode, by securing a number of the same together end to end, and remelting the same in another consumable electrode arc furnace to produce the final desired ingot of increased cross section and size.

In the operation of a consumable electrode arc furnace for melting titanium or titanium alloys, the electrode is clamped and supported in a vertical position by means of an electrode holder. The electrode holder and therefore the electrode are then lowered vertically into the furnace at a steady rate determined by the speed at which the electrode is being arc melted, with the molten metal flowing into and solidifying in a mold positioned in the lower portion of the furnace.

These large size consumable electrodes, which are remelted to produce the final desired ingot, weigh several tons, and certain problems are encountered in the design and construction of an electrode holder for such use.

Boron et al. Patents No. 2,789,151, dated April 16, 1957, and No. 2,805,270, dated September 3, 1957, disclose electrode holder constructions intended to solve some of such problems. However, the electrode holders shown in these patents have not completely solved all of the problems encountered.

For instance, it has been found that electrode holder constructions may be greatly improved by providing a more positive clamping contact between the electrode and the holder, as Well as by increasing the area of contact.

It has also been found that the means for introducing the current to the electrode may be considerably improved over that disclosed in said patents. Also, it is noted that the electrode holders disclosed in said patents do not provide for quick assembly of the holder on the electrode shaft when charging the electrode in the furnace v Which overcomes'the' stated vdifficulties and objections to prior constructions and meets the necessary requirements of strength and detachability.

Another object of the invention is to provide such an electrode holder construction adapted for quick assembly on the electrode.

A further object of the invention is to provide an electrode holder construction of the. character referred to which provides a more postive contact between the electrode and the holder.

A, still further object of the invention is to provide an electrode holder construction of this type which provides for an increased area of contact between the electrode holder and the electrode.

It is also an object of the invention to provide such an electrode holder having a more positive clamping contact over an increased area of the electrode.

Another object of the invention is to provide an electrode holder of the character referred to having positive clamping means which positively contacts the peripheral portion of the electrode over a continuous circumferential area.

1 Furthermore, it is an object of the invention to provide an electrode holder construction of such type which includes a plurality of serrated segments wedged into an annular groove in the electrode.

Moreover, it is an object of the invention to provide a separable wedge collar in an electrode holder for wedging .such serrated segments into contact with the electrode.

Additionally, it is an object of the invention to provide such an electrode holder having multiple-point laminated shunt brushes for introducing current to the elec- .trode.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an electrode holder of the type referred to in which the multiple-point laminated shunt brushes are spring loaded. A further object of the invention is to provide an electrode holder of this character comprising a relatively stationary, substantially semi-cylindrical electrode clamping member, and a movable substantially semi-cylindrical clamping member hingedly attached thereto.

Finally, it is an object of the invention to provide an electrode holder for supporting a relatively large and heavy electrode in vertical position in a consumable electrode arc furnace, which satisfies all of the above objects in a simple and eflieient manner.

- ciples-are set forth in the following description and illustrated in the accompanying drawings and which are particularly and distinctly pointed out and set forth in the appended claims forming a part hereof.

In general terms, the electrode support construction comp-rising the present invention for supporting a rela tively large and heavy electrode in vertical position in an arc furnace, may be stated as including a substan tially semi-cylindrical electrode clamping member, means at the top ofsaid member for detachable connection to a supporting member, and a second substantially semicylindrical electrode clamping member hingedly connected to the first-named member.

Semi-circular wedge collars or rings located in each of said semi-cylindrical clamping members cooperateto urge a plurality of toothed or serrated wedge segments into clamping contact with the electrode.

Located within each of the semi-cylindrical clamping members is a closely arranged multiplicity of spring- 3 loaded laminated shunt brushes for introducing current to the electrode.

By Way of example, a preferred embodiment of the im- 'proved electrode supporting means, showing the best mode in which applicants have contemplated practicing the invention, is illustrated in the accompanying drawings forming part hereof, wherein like reference characters indicate similar parts throughout the-several views, in which:

Fig. l is a side elevation of the'new electrode supporting structure showing an electrode clamped and supported therein;

Fig. 2is a top plan view of the electrode holder shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a front elevation;

Fig. 4 is a bottom plan view;

' Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 5- -5, Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is a transverse section taken on the line 66, Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a detail vertical section of one of the springloaded laminatedshunt brushes and associated parts; and,

Fig. 8 is a detail sectional view of one of the spring housings before flattening.

Referring now more particularly to the construction illustrated in'the drawings, the improved electrodeholder is shown as suspended from a supporting portion indicated generally at 10, such as disclosed in detail in said Boron et al. patents.

This supporting portion may include the vertically disposed cooling and supporting pipes 11 and 12 which extend upwardly and are closed at their upper ends and are supported by a suitable yoke or the like (not shown) which may be controlled by any suitable and-well known means for lowering the electrode support so that a titanium electrode or the like supported therein may be lowered at the proper rate, as into a consumable electrode arc furnace for the manufacture of titanium ingots or the like.

As disclosed in detail in said Boron et al. patents, cooling is provided for the electrode holder by the circulation of a cooling medium through the cooling and support pipes 11 and 12. Also, as disclosed in said patents,

electric current is conducted to the electrode holder holder. Consequently, no further disclosure of the same is deemed necessary in this application.

Since electricity must be conducted to and through the electrode during the entire melting operation, it will be seen that the above-mentioned supporting portion as well as the clamping and current introducing portion of the electrode holder must be formed of a material, such as copper, which will readily conduct electricity.

This clamping and current introducing portion of the electrode holder is indicated generally at 14, and comprises the relatively stationary member indicated generally at 15-and the hinged member 16. The member 15 includes the annulus 17, the center of which is cut away as at 18 in order to reduce the weight of the same.

Upwardly and inwardly extending inverted L-shape arms 19 are formed integrally with the annulus 17, and are provided with the generally horizontal, inwardly disposed upper portions 20. An inverted T-shape slot 21 is thus formed by the L-shape arms 19-20 and the top surface of the annulus portion 17 of the relatively stationary, or main body member 15 of the clamping and current introducing portion of the electrode holder.

This T-shape slot is of slightly greater height and width than the engagement member 13, whereby the engagement member may be laterally received therein. The

clamping member 15 may be attached to the engagement member 13 of the supporting portion by any conventional fastening means, such as the downwardly extending bolts 22 received through the horizontally extending portions 20 of the L-shape arms and through the engagement member 13, and threaded into the insert nuts 23.

The main clamp member 15 of the clamping portion includes the depending, integral, semi-cylindrical portion 24 having the interior annular groove 25 therein. A substantially semi-circular steel reinforcing ring 26 is welded to the lower edge of the semi-cylindrical portion 24 of the member 15.

A similar steel reinforcing ring 26a is spaced below the ring 26 and attached thereto in spaced relation by a plurality of steel stifiener plates 27 welded at their upper and lower ends to the rings 26 and 26a respectively. Opposite ends of each of the reinforcing rings 26 and 26a are enlarged, as at 28, and provided with the apertures 29through which is located a stainless steel pin 30 having cotter pins 31 or the like located through opposite end portions thereof for retaining the pin.

An eye bolt,-indicated generally at 32, is carried upon 'each of'the-pins 30and comprises a hollowcylindrical portion 33 journalled upon the pin 30 and the perpendicularly disposed bolt 34 with washer 35 and not 36 located upon its outer threaded end portion.

A stainless steel, semi-circular wedge collar 37 is located in the annular groove 25 on the interior of the hollow semi-cylindrical portion 24 of the clamp member 15.

Spaced, aligned horizontal hinge knuckles 38 are integrally formed on the side of the clamp member 15 opposite to the semi-cylindrical portion 24 thereof, and integral strengthening ribs 39 extend upwardly therefrom along the outer side of the adjacent L-shape arm 19.

The hinge knuckles are for the purpose of hingedly attaching the hinged clamping-member 16, which is provided at its upper edge with the spaced aligned hinge knuckles 40 adapted to cooperate with the hingeknuckles 38. Tapered reinforcing ribs 41 extend downwardly from the hinge knuckles 40 along the adjacent side of the hinged clamping member 16.

A stainless steel bolt 42 is located through the aligned hinge knuckles 38 and 40 forming ahinge pin therefor. Washers 43 and nuts 44 are located upon the threaded extremities of the bolt 42.

An annular groove 25a is formed in the interior of the hollow semi-cylindrical clamping member 16 and a semicircular steel wedge collar 37a is mounted therein.

A substantially semi-circular steel reinforcing ring'45 is welded to the lower edge of the hinged clamp member 16 and a' similar reinforcing ring 45a is spaced below and attached to the ring 45 by steel stiffener plates 27, the same as those used with the reinforcing rings26 and 26a of the relatively stationary clamping member 15.

For the purpose of swinging the hinged clamping'member 16 upon its hinge pin, a handle is provided, which may be in the form of a steel plate having a hand hole 47 therein and provided with a reduced portion 48 'extending' between and welded to the reinforcing rings position upon an electrode.

'An electrode is indicated at 51 and for the purpose of clamping the same in the improved electrode holder, an annular groove 52 is formed in the upper end portion of the same. A plurality of tool steel wedge segments 53 are mounted within the wedge collars 37 and 37a of theclamping members 15 and 16 and are received within-the annular groove 52 in the electrode.

The inner surfaces of the wedge segments are provided'with annular'serrations54"adapted to bite into the periphery of the electrode within the groove 52. An annular groove 55 is formed in the outer surface of each of the wedge segments 53, whereby these wedge segments may be assembled within the groove 52 in the electrode and held in assembled condition by means of a small wire 56 located in said grooves with the ends thereof twisted together. The wedge segments are thus held assembled upon the electrode until the electrode may be placed in the clamp.

A multiplicity of vertical grooves 57 is provided in the inner surfaces of the semi-cylindrical hinged clamping member 16 and the semi-cylindrical portion 24 of the clamping member 15, these grooves being located quite close together as best shown in Fig. 4.

The grooves 57 are for the purpose of mounting a multiplicity of laminated copper shunt brushes 58 for multiple-point introduction of current to the electrode. .Each of these shunt brushes, as best shown in Fig. 7, comprises a plurality of copper sheets, the upper and :lower end portions of which are connected together in .solid blocks as at 59 and 60 respectively, by interface connection of these portions of the copper sheets by :silver solder. The intermediate portions of these copper sheets are curved inwardly and downwardly as indicated at 61, from the upper straight solid portion 59 '.to the lower straight solid portion 60.

A brass shunt bracket 62, of channel shape, is located :upon the inner surface of the upper solid block portion :59 of each laminated shunt brush, the side flanges 63 @thereof being located over opposite side edges of the upper portion 59 of the brush.

Screws 64 are located through the apertures 65 in each 'shunt bracket and through corresponding apertures 66 :in the upper solid portion 59 of each shunt brush and engaged in the threaded apertures 67 in the semi-cylinrdrical hinged clamping member 16, or the semi-cylintdrical portion 24 of the clamping member 15, as the case :may be, for attaching the upper ends of the shunt lbrushes to the clamping members.

A copper plate 68 is brazed to the inner surface of the lower solid block portion 60 of each of the lamimated shunt brushes, and a stainless steel keeper plate '69 is attached to the outer side thereof, as by bolts 70 located through apertures 71 in the lower portion of the keeper plate and corresponding apertures 72 in the lower portion of the shunt brush.

Each keeper plate has a notch 73 open through its upper end, said notch having a semi-circular lower end 74 and straight sides 75 extending upwardly therefrom. A11 enlarged recess 76, of the same shape as the notch 73, is formed on the inner side of the keeper plate.

A spring-loaded plunger is interposed between the lower end of each laminated copper brush and the inner surface of the semi-cylindrical hinge clamping member 16 or the semi-cylindrical portion 24 of the clamping member 15, as the case maybe.

For this purpose, a tapered, threaded socket 77 is provided in the lower portion of the corresponding clamping member adjacent the lower end portion of each laminated copper brush, for reception of the tapered threaded portion 78 of the spring and plunger housing, indicated generally at 79. These housings are tubular stainless steel. Each housing 79 is provided near its inner end with a plurality of apertures 80 for engagement by a spanner wrench to screWthe housings into the clamping members.

A spaced pair of parallel saw cuts 81 are made in portions 84 of the housing, between the saw cuts 81, are flattened inwardly, as shown in Fig. 7, so. as to engage behind the flange 85 at the outer endvof the plunger and thus prevent the plunger from becoming disconnected from the housing.

The intermediate portion of the plunger is reduced in diameter as at 86, so that it may reciprocate longitudinally within the housing between the flattened portions 84 thereof. A peripheral flange 87 is formed upon the inner end of the plunger and is received within the enlarged recess 76 in the keeper plate 69. The adjacent end portion 88 of the plunger-is received within the notch 73 in the keeper plate.

As the intermediate portion 61 of the laminated copper shunt brush is flexed, it will be evident that the lower end portion of the brush will move vertically relative to the corresponding clamping member 16 or 24, as the case may be. The notch 73 and recess 76 in the keeper plate are of such height that the plunger will not be disengaged from the keeper plate during this vertical movement.

With this construction it will be seen that the springloaded plungers will maintain a constant pressure against the outer sides of the lower portions 60 of the laminated copper shunt brushes, holding the copper plates 68 thereon in tight contact with the peripheral surfaces of the electrode 51 at closely spaced points around substantially the entire circumference of the electrode.

As in the Boron et al patents above referred to, electric current is conducted from the engagement member or adapter 13 of the supporting portion through the L-shape arms 1920 of the clamping member 15 to the semi-cylindrical portion 24 thereof.

As the hinge knuckles 38 and 40 of the clamping members 15 and 16 are constructed so that the opposed ends thereof are in close engagement with each other, and may be drawn tightly together by the nuts 44 upon the hinge bolt 42, electric current will be easily carried from the clamping member 15 to the hinged clamping member 16.

The current will then be carried from the clamping members 15 and 16 through the multiplicity of laminated shunt brushes 58 to a multiplicity of points around the circumference of the electrode. As these laminated shunt brushes are continually urged into contact with the circumference of the electrode by the spring-loaded plungers 83, means is thus provided for adequately introducing current to the electrode. There are enough of these shunt brushes so that if one brush does not contact properly with the electrode, the remaining brushes will be sufficient to carry the load without burning out the poor contact.

It will also be evident that the electrode is more positively clamped within the electrode holder by means of the serrated wedge segments 53 cooperating with the Wedge collars 37 and 37a. The serrated wedge segments being located within the annular groove 52 in the electrode, provide a more positive clamping contact between the electrode holder and the electrode throughout the entire circumference of the electrode in the groove 52. Thus increased clamping contact is provided between the electrode and the holder.

As disclosed in detail in said Boron et al. patents, the entire electrode clamping and current introducing portion 14 may be conveniently detached from the supporting portion 10 by disengaging and removing the bolts 22 from the engagement member 13.

After removal of the bolts 22, the entire clamping and current introducing portion 14 may be moved horizontally relative to the supporting portion 10, so that the engagement member or adapter 13 is disengaged from the T-slot 21 formed by the inverted L-shape arms 1920 of the clamping member 15.

Thereafter, the clamping and current introducing portion 14 may be removed to a desired location and may be laid upon the floor, or other horizontal support, with the axis thereof disposed horizontally, and with the semicylindrical portion 24 of the main clamping member 15 downward.

The nuts 36 are loosened upon the eye-bolts 34, permitting the eye-bolts to be swung out of the notches 59 in the lug plates 49, so as to release the hinged clamping member 16 which may then be swung upward and backward upon the hinge pin 42 by means of the handle 46 thereon. The interior of the clamping and current introducing portion of the electrode holder is thus accessible for insertion of an electrode therein.

An annular groove 52 is formed in the upper end portion of the electrode by machining or the like, and the serrated Wedge segments 53 are then assembled within the groove 52 of the electrode and held in assembled position by means of a wire 56 wrapped around the wedge segments within the peripheral grooves 55 therein and the ends of the wire are twisted together to hold the wedge segments in assembled position upon the elec trode.

With the wedge segments thus assembled upon the electrode and the clamping and current introducing portion of the electrode holder in the position above described, the electrode may be placed in horizontal position upon the floor and the upper end thereof, with the wedge segments assembled thereon, is placed Within the semi-cylindrical portion 24 of the clamping member 15, positioning the wedge segments 53 within the Wedge collar 37. The copper plates 68 of the shunt brushes 58 in the main clamping member 15 will thus contact the adjacent circumferential portion of the electrode.

The hinged clamping member 16 is then swung downward to closed position, the Wedge collar 37a therein surrounding and contacting the adjacent Wedge segments 53. At the same time the copper plates 68 of the shunt brushes 58 in the hinge clamping member 16 will contact the adjacent circumferential portion of the electrode.

The eye-bolts 34 are then swung to closed position, being received in the notches 50 of the lug plates 49, and the nuts 36 thereon are tightened, clamping the electrode within the clamping members 15 and 16. The spring-loaded plungers 83, operatively connected to the lower ends of the shunt brushes 58, will continually urge all of the shunt brushes into contact with the electrode.

The clamping and current introducing portion 14 of the electrode holder, with the electrode thus clamped therein, may then be raised to vertical position and then re-engaged with the supporting portion by re-engaging the engagement member or adapter 13 of the supporting portion within the T-slot 21 of the clamping member and inserting the bolts 22 through the engagement member 13 and into the insert nuts 23.

If desired, the electrode with the Wedge segments assembled in the groove thereof as above described, may be clamped within the clamping and current introducing portion 14 of the electrode holder, while both the electrode and the electrode holder are in vertical position.

For this purpose the clamping and current introducing portion 14 of the electrode holder may be supported in vertical position and the eye-bolts 34 may be released and swung out of the notches in the lug plates 49, permitting the hinged clamping member 16 to be swung outwardly and upwardly upon the hinge pin.

The upper end of the vertically positioned electrode may then be inserted into the semi-cylindrical portion 24 of the clamping member 15 to locate the wedge collar 37 in said clamping member in contact with the adjacent wedge segments 53. The hinged clamping mem ber 16 may then be swung downward and inward to closed position and locked in clamping position upon the upper end portion of the electrode by means of the eye bolts 34 and nuts 36 thereon.

It will also be evident that the improved electrode holder construction of the present invention for supporting a large heavy electrode in vertical position in an arc furnace, overcomes certain stated difficulties and problems of prior constructions and meets the necessary requirements; includes a construction providing more positive contact between the electrode and electrode holder over an increased area of contact; provides multiplepoint spring-loaded laminated shunts for introducing current to the electrode; provides direct shouldered engagement support as well as clamping support for the electrode within the holder; and provides for quick assembly of the holder on the electrode when changing the electrode in the furnace, as well as when attaching the holder to the electrode.

Of further importance in the improved construction and arrangement is the cooperative relationship between the electrode groove 52 and the Wedge segments 53. The electrode groove 52 forms in effect a flange 52a at the upper end of the electrode, and this flange 52a engages and is supported on the upper surfaces of the wedge segments 53. When the electrode is supported in vertical position for feeding vertically into a consumable electrode arc furnace, the weight of the electrode through the flange 52a supported on the Wedge segments 53 forces the segments 53 downwardly of the holder. The wedge engagement of the wedge segments 53 with the wedge collars 37 in turn forces the wedge segments 53 radially inwardly of the groove 52 to tightly engage and clamp the Wedge segments against the inner annular surface of the groove 52, the annular serrations 54 when provided biting into the periphery of the electrode.

Although serrated surfaces 54 for the wedge segments have been illustrated and described, the serrated formation may be omitted. However, it is preferred to include such serrated formation since it provides an enhanced clamping and supporting function for the clamping and supporting engagement of the wedge segments 53 in the electrode groove 52 and beneath the electrode flange 52a.

In the foregoing description certain terms have been used for brevity, clearness and understanding, but no unnecessary limitations have been implied therefrom as such words are used for descriptive purposes and are intended to be broadly construed.

Moreover, the embodiments of the improved construction illustrated and described herein are by way of example and the scope of the present invention is not limited to the exact construction shown.

Having now described the invention, construction, operation and use of a preferred embodiment thereof and the advantageous new and useful results obtained thereby; the new and useful construction, and reasonable mechanical equivalents thereof obvious to those skilled in the art, are set forth in the appended claims.

We claim:

1. Electrode holder construction for supporting an electrode in vertical position, including a pair of hollow semicylindrical clamping members hingedly connected together, a semi-circular wedge collar within each clamping member, a plurality of wedge segments surrounding an end portion of the electrode, means for locking said clamping members together to cause said wedge collars to clamp the electrode between said wedge segments, and means for supporting said clamping members in vertical position.

2. Electrode holder construction for supporting an electrode in vertical position, including a pair of hollow semi-cylindrical clamping members hingedly connected together, a semi-circular wedge collar within each clamping member, a plurality of serrated wedge segments surrounding an end portion of the electrode, means for locking said clamping members together to cause said wedge collars to clamp the electrode between said wedge segments, and means for supporting said clamping members in vertical position.

3. Electrode holder construction for supporting an electrode in vertical position, including a pair of hollow assass'r semi-cylindrical clamping members hingedly connected together, a semi-circular wedge collar within each clamping member, a plurality of wedge segments surrounding an end portion of the electrode, a multiplicity of laminated flexible shunt brushes in said clamping members contacting the circumference of the electrode, means for locking said clamping members together to cause said wedge coll'ars to clamp the electrode between said wedge segments, and means for supporting said clamping members in vertical position.

4. Electrode holder, construction ,for supporting an electrode in vertical position, including a pair of hollow semi-cylindrical clamping members hingedly connected together, a semi-circular wedge collar within each clamping member, a plurality of serrated Wedge segments surrounding an end portion of the electrode, a multiplicity of laminated flexible shunt brushes in said clamping members contacting the circumference of the electrode, means for locking said clamping members together to cause said wedge, collars to clamp the electrode between said wedge segments, and means for supporting said clamping members in vertical position.

5. Electrode holder construction for supporting an electrode in vertical position, including a pair of hollow semi-cylindrical clamping members hingedly connected together, a semi-circular wedge collar within each clamping member, a plurality of wedge segments surrounding an end portion of the electrode, a multiplicity of springloaded laminated flexible shunt brushes in said clamping members contacting the circumference of the electrode, means for locking said clamping members together to cause said wedge collars to clamp the electrode between said wedge segments, and means for supporting said clamping members in vertical position.

6. Electrode holder construction for supporting an electrode having an annular groove in an end portion in vertical position, including a pair of hollow semi-cylindrical clamping members hingedly connected together, a semi-circular wedge collar within each clamping member, a plurality of wedge segments located in said groove of the electrode, means for locking said clamping members together to cause said wedge collars to clamp the electrode between said wedge segments, and means for supporting said clamping members in vertical position.

7. Electrode holder construction for supporting an electrode having an annular groove in an end portion in vertical position, including a pair of hollow semi-cylindrical clamping members hingedly connected together, a semi-circular wedge collar within each clamping member, a plurality of serrated wedge segments located in said groove of the electrode, means for locking said clamping memberstogether to cause said wedge collars to clamp the electrode between said wedge segments, and means for supporting said clamping members in vertical position.

8. Electrode holder construction for supporting an electrode in vertical position, including a clamping portion comprising a main clamping member having a depending integral semi-cylindrical portion and a hanged semicylindrical clamping member, means hingedly connecting said hinged clamping member to said main clamping member, cooperating clamping means in said integral semi-cylindrical portion of the main clamping member and in said hinged semi-cylindrical member for clamping an end portion of an electrode, a multiplicity of laminated flexible shunt brushes in said integral semi-cylindrical portion and said hinged semi-cylindrical clamping member contacting the circumference of the electrode, and means for supporting said clamping portion in vertical position.

9. Electrode holder construction for supporting an electrode in vertical position, including a clamping portion comprising a main clamping member having a depending integral semi-cylindrical portion and a hinged semi-cylindrical clamping member, means hingedly connecting said hinged clamping member to said main clamping member,

cooperating clamping means in said integral semiits:

drical portion of the main clamping member and'in said cylindrical portion and said hinged semi-cylindrical clamping member contacting the circumference of the electrode, and means for supporting said clamping portion in vertical position.

10. Electrode holder construction for supporting an electrode in vertical position, including a clamping portion comprising a main clamping member having a depending integral semi-cylihdrical portion and a hinged semi-cylindrical clamping member, means hingedly connecting said hinged clamping member to said main clamping member, cooperating clamping means in said integral semi-cylindrical portion of the main clamping member and in said hinged semi-cylindrical member for clamping an end portion of an electrode, a multiplicity of laminated flexible shunt brushes in said integral semi-cylindrical portion and said hinged semi-cylindrical clamping member contacting the circumference of the electrode, means for locking said hinged clamping member to said main clamping member, and means for supporting said clamping portion in vertical position.

11. Electrode holder construction for supporting an electrode in vertical position, including a clamping portion comprising a main clamping member having a depending integral semi-cylindrical portion and a hinged semi-cylindrical clamping member, means hingedly connecting said hinged clamping member to said main clamping member, cooperating clamping means in said integral semi-cylindrical portion of the main clampingmember and in said hinged semi-cylindrical member for clamping an end portion of an electrode, said clamping means comprising wedge collars and cooperating wedge segments engaging the electrode, a multiplicity of laminated flexible shunt brushes in said integral semi-cylindrical portion and said hinged semi-cylindrical clamping member contacting the circumference of the electrode, and means for supporting said clamp-ing portion in vertical position.

12. Electrode holder construction for supporting an electrode in vertical position, including a clamping portion comprising a main clamping member having a depend-ing integral semi-cylindrical portion and a hinged semi-cylindrical clamping member, means hingedly con necting said hinged clamping member to said main clamping member, cooperating clamping means in said integral semi-cylindrical portion of the main clamping member and in said hinged semi-cylindrical member for clamping an end portion of an electrode, said clamping means comprising wedge collars and cooperating serrated wedge segments engaging the electrode, a multiplicity of laminated flexible shunt brushes in said integral semi-cylindrical portion and said hinged semi-cylindrical clamping member contacting the circumference of the electrode, and means for supporting said clamping portion in vertical position.

13. Electrode construction for supporting an electrode in vertical position, including a supporting member, a clamping portion comprising a main clamping member having a horizontal annular portion, means extending upwardly therefrom for detachable connection to the supporting member, an integral depending semi-cylindrical portion, a semi-cylindrical clamping member hingedly connected to said clamping portion, semicircular wedge collars in said semi-cylindrical portion of the main clamping member and in said hinged semi-cylindrical clamping member, a plurality of wedge segments surrounding an end portion of the electrode, means for locking said hinged clamping member to said main clamping member to cause said wedge collars to clamp the electrode between said wedge segments, and a multiplicity of lami 11 nated flexible shunt brushes in the clamping members contacting the circumference of the electrode.

14. Electrode construction for supporting an electrode having an annular groove in an end portion in vertical position, including a supporting member, a clamping portion comprising a main clamping member having a horizontal annular portion, means extending upwardly therefrom for detachable connection to the supporting member, an integral depending semi-cylindrical portion, a semi-cylindrical clamping member hingedly connected to said clamping portion, semicircular wedge collars in said semi-cylindrical portion of the main clamping member and in said hinged semi-cylindrical clamping member, a plurality of wedge segments located in said groove of the electrode, means for locking said hinged clamping member to said main clamping member to cause said wedge collars to clamp the electrode between said wedge segments, and a multiplicity of laminated flexible shunt brushes in the clamping members contacting the circumference of the electrode.

15. Electrode construction for supporting an electrode having an annular groove in an end portion in vertical position, including a supporting member, a clamping portion comprising a main clamping member having a horizontal annular portion, means extending upwardly therefrom for detachable connection to the supporting member, an integral depending semi-cylindrical portion, a semi-cylindrical clamping member hingedly connected to said clamping portion, semi-circular wedge collars in said semi-cylindrical portion of the main clamping member and in said hinged semi-cylindrical clamping member, a plurality of serrated wedge segments located in said groove of the electrode, means for locking said hinged clamping member to said main clamping member to cause said wedge collars to clamp the electrode between said wedge segments, and a multiplicity of laminated flexible shunt brushes in the clamping members contacting the circumference of the electrode.

16. Electrode holder construction for supporting an electrode in vertical position, including a pair of hollow semi-cylindrical clamping members hingedly connected together, means Within said clamping members for clamping an end portion of the electrode, a multiplicity of laminated shunt brushes in each clamping member, each shunt brush comprising a rigid upper end portion, a flexible downwardly and inwardly curved intermediate portion and a rigid lower end portion, means connecting the upper end portion of each shunt brush to one of the clamping members, spring means for forcing the lower end portion of each shunt brush into contact with the circumference of the electrode, and means for supporting said clamping members in vertical position.

17. Electrode holder construction for supporting an electrode in vertical position, including a pair of hollow semicy-lindrical clamping members hingedly connected together, means within said clamping members for clamping an end portion of the electrode, a multiplicity of laminated shunt brushes in each clamping member, each flexible downwardly and inwardly curved intermediate.

- portion and a rigid lower end portion, means connecting means for supporting said clamping members in vertical position.

18. Electrode holder construction for supporting an electrode in vertical position, including a pair of hollow semicylindrical clamping members hingedly connected together, means within said clamping members for clamping an end portion of the electrode, a multiplicity of laminated shunt brushes in each clamping member, each shunt brush comprising a rigid upper end portion, a flexible downwardly and inwardly curved intermediate portion and a rigid lower end portion, means connecting the upper end portion of each shunt brush to one of the clamping members, tubular spring casings carried by the clamping members, and spring-loaded plungers in said casings for forcing the lower end portion of each shunt brush into contact with the circumference of the electrode, and means for supporting said clamping members in vertical position.

19. Electrode holder construction for supporting an electrode in vertical position, including a pair of hollow semicylindrical clamping members hingedly connected together, means within said clamping members for clamping an end portion of the electrode, a multiplicity of laminated shunt brushes in each clamping member, each shunt brush comprising a rigid upper end portion, a flexible downwardly and inwardly curved intermediate portion and a rigid lower end portion, means connecting the upper end portion of each shunt brush to one of the clamping members, a keeper plate attached to the lower end portion of each shunt brush, each keeper plate having a notch therein and a recess communicating with said notch, tubular spring casings carried by said clamping members, spring-loaded plungers in said casings, each plunger having a flange at its end received in the recess of the corresponding keeper plate for forcing the lower end portion of each shunt brush into contact with the circumference of the electrode, and means for supporting said clamping members in vertical position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS

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