US2906799A

US2906799A - Electrode-engaging apparatus

Info

Publication number: US2906799A
Application number: US735520A
Authority: US
Inventors: Max P Schlienger
Original assignee: Universal Cyclops Steel Corp
Current assignee: Universal Cyclops Steel Corp
Priority date: 1958-05-15
Filing date: 1958-05-15
Publication date: 1959-09-29
Anticipated expiration: 1976-09-29

Description

INVENTOR.

GER.

M. P. SCHLIENGER ELECTRODE-ENGAGING APPARATUS Flled May 15, 1958 Sept. 29, 1959 United States Patent ELECTRODE-ENGAGING APPARATUS Max P. Schlienger, Bridgeville, Pa., assignor to Universal- Cyclops Steel Corporation, Bridgeville, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application May 15, 1958, Serial No. 735,520

'5 Claims. (Cl. 13-17) This invention relates to apparatus for engaging electrodes used with electric furnaces, and more particularly to apparatus for guiding downwardly moving consumable metal electrodes.

One way of melting metal is to form an electrode from it and then strike an electric arc with the electrode in an electric furnace. As it is melted, the electrode is fed into the furnace. There are always the problems of making a good electrical connection with the electrode and of guiding it as it is being fed into the furnace. These problems are accentuated by the fact that electrodes come in various shapes and sizes and frequently are not uniform in cross sectional area from end to end. Difiiculties are experienced in maintaining such an electrode centered in a furnace. At present, it is done by a guide, usually consisting of a number of elements individually adjustable to accommodate a given size and shape of electrode. Such a guide is very diflicult to adjust, especially when the cross section of the electrode is not symmetrical or of constant area. Also, the guide is not self-centering and will not hold an electrode rigid at all times during melting.

.It is among the objects of this invention to provide electrode-engaging apparatus which is quickly and easily adjusted for varying shapes and sizes of electrodes, which is self-centering, which is not afiected by variations on the electrode surface, and which can be used for either guiding an electrode or for making electrical contact with it.

In accordance with this invention, a ring is placed in coaxial spaced relation with an annular supporting mem her. A plurality of electrode-engaging members are spaced circumferentially around the ring and each is supported by a pair of toggle links. The outer ends of each pair of links are pivotally connecting with the supporting means and ring. Means are provided for resisting movement of the ring away from the supporting means, so that the electrode-engaging members can be maintained in contact with an electrode surrounded by them. Preferably, the supporting means and ring are connected by sliding studs, on which springs are mounted, and the ring can tilt and move laterally without binding.

The preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. l is a plan view of my apparatus;

Fig. 2 is a vertical section taken on the line IIII of Fig. 1 and showing the apparatus supported by part of a furnace housing; and

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary section through the annular supporting member taken on the line IIIIII of Fig. 1.

Referring to the drawings, an opening into the top of an electric furnace is encircled by an electrode housing 1 that extends a short distance down into the furnace. My electrode-engaging apparatus is secured to the lower end of that housing. The apparatus includes annular supporting means, preferably a fiat ring 2, provided at circumferentially spaced points near its circumference Patented Sept. 29, 1959 with vertical openings 3 that receive screws 4, which attach it to the bottom of the housing. To electrically insulate the ring from the housing an insulating ring 5 is placed between them, and insulating sleeves 6 are mounted on the screws.

Spaced from the bottom of the ring, but coaxial with it, is an adjusting ring 8 supported from the ring above it by means of studs 9 spaced circumferentially around the rings. The studs are rigidly mounted in one ring and slidingly mounted in the other ring. Preferably, the upper ends of the studs are screwed into holes in the upper ring, and the lower ring is provided with openings 10 through which the studs extend loosely. Nuts 11 are screwed on the lower ends of the studs and support coil springs 12, on which the adjusting ring rests.

The supporting ring 2 projects radially inward from the wall of housing 1 and has equally spaced blocks 15 welded to its upper surface at its inner edge. There are at least three of these blocks. Each one is provided near its upper end with a radial opening 16 through it, in which the outer end of a toggle holder is pivotally mounted. The holder is in the form of a clevis 17 having a cylindrical stem 18 that extends through the block. A cotter pin 19 through the outer end of the stem holds it in place. Passing through the inner end of the clevis is a pivot pin 21, on which the upper end of a toggle link 22 is mounted. The link is inclined downward and inward and has its lower end connected to a pivot pin 23 that supports the upper end of a lower toggle link 24. The lower link is inclined downward and outward and has its lower end connected by a pivot pin 26 to the inner end of another clevis 27 provided with a cylindrical stem 28 pivotally mounted in a radial opening 29 through adjusting ring 8. The central pivot pin 23 of each toggle supports a member 30 adapted to slidably or rotatably engage the adjoining side of a consumable electrode E (Fig. 1) surrounded by those members. Where the apparatus is being used as a guide for the electrode, the electrode-engaging members preferably are rollers.

The springs 12 on the studs resist movement of the adjusting ring downward away from the supporting ring, so that rollers 30 will always remain in contact with the electrode. By adjusting the nuts on the lower ends of the studs, the adjusting ring can be raised or lowered to move the rollers in or out in order to engage electrodes of different sizes and with any desired pressure. Also, openings 10 through the adjusting ring are made somewhat oversize so that the adjusting ring does not have to remain in a horizontal plane but can be tilted, either purposely or when an irregularity in an electrode pushes one of the rollers outward. By having the clevises pivotally mounted in their supports, the adjusting ring also is free to turn on its axis slightly or to move sideways without causing the toggle links to bind. In other words, due to the way the clevises are mounted and the adjusting ring is supported, the adjusting ring can float sufficiently to avoid jamming of the guide when the size or shape of an electrode varies as it is lowered between the guide rollers 30. The toggles are prevented by stop bolts 31 from being straightened so far that they will remain straight said means and spaced axially therefrom, a plurality of electrode-engaging members spaced circumferentially around the axis of the ring, a pair of toggle links for each of said members, means pivotally connecting the inner ends of each pair of links to one of said members, means pivotally connecting the outer ends of the links with said supporting means and ring, and yielding means resisting movement of the ring axially away from said supporting means, whereby said members can be maintained in contact with an electrode surrounded by them.

2. Electrode-engaging apparatus comprising annular supporting means, a ring coaxial with said means and spaced therefrom, a plurality of electrode-engaging members spaced circumfereutially around the axis of the ring, a pair of toggle links for each of said members, means pivotally connecting the inner ends of each pair of links to one of said members, means pivotally connecting the outer ends of the links with said supporting means and ring, studs circumferentially spaced in the ring for slidingly connecting it with the supporting means, and springs on said studs resisting movement of the ring away from said supporting means, whereby said members can be maintained in contact with an electrode surrounded by them.

3. Electrode-engaging apparatus comprising annular supporting means, an axially movable ring coaxial with said means and spaced axially therefrom, a plurality of electrode-engaging members spaced circumferentially around the axis of the ring, a pair of toggle links for each of said members, a pivot pin connecting the inner ends of each pair of links to one of said members, pivot pins in the outer ends of the links parallel to the inner pin, toggle holders having one end mounted on the outer pins and extending radially outward in parallel relation, one holder being pivotally mounted in said supporting means and the other holder being pivotally mounted in said ring radially thereof, and yielding means resisting movement of the ring axially away from said supporting means, whereby said member can be maintained in contact with an electrode surrounded by them.

4. Electrode-engaging apparatus comprising an annular member adapted to be secured to a support, a plurality of circumferentially spaced blocks mounted on said 4 member and extending away from one side of it, a radial clevis pivotally mounted in each block and projecting inwardly therefrom, a separate toggle pivotally connected at one end to the inner end of each clevis and extending through the annular member, a second radial clevis pivotally connected to the opposite end of each toggle, a ring coaxial with the annular member and spaced from its side opposite said blocks, said second clevis being pivotally mounted in the ring, an electrode-engaging member pivotally connected to the center of each toggle, studs adjustably connecting said annular member and ring, and springs on the studs resisting movement of the ring away from said supporting means, whereby said members can be maintained in contact with an electrode surrounded by them.

5. Electrode-engaging apparatus comprising an annular member adapted to be secured to a support, a plurality of circumferentially spaced blocks mounted on said member and extending away from one side of it, a radial clevis pivotally mounted in each block and projecting inwardly therefrom, a separate toggle pivotally connected at one end to the inner end of each clevis and extending through the annular member, a second radial clevis pivotally connected to the opposite end of each toggle, a ring coaxial with the annular member and spaced from its side op,- posite said blocks, said second clevis being pivotally mounted in the ring, an electrode-engaging member pivotally connected to the center of each toggle, studs projecting from said supporting means at circumferentially spaced intervals, the ring being provided with holes loosely receiving the studs to permit the ring to tilt thereon, and springs on the studs resisting movement of the ring away from said supporting means, whereby said members can be maintained in contact with an electrode surrounded by them.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,702,359 Molmark Feb. 19, 1929 1,732,431 Bruggman Oct. 22, 1929 1,871,463 Olson Aug. 16, 19 32