US2949496A

US2949496A - Electrode holder construction for electric smelting furnaces

Info

Publication number: US2949496A
Application number: US758137A
Authority: US
Inventors: Ingelsrud Arne Hildor; Haavik Nils Johan
Original assignee: Elektrokemisk AS
Current assignee: Elektrokemisk AS
Priority date: 1957-09-11
Filing date: 1958-08-29
Publication date: 1960-08-16
Anticipated expiration: 1977-08-16
Also published as: FR1202538A

Description

Aug. 16, 1960 A. H. INGELSRUD ETAL ELECTRODE HOLDER CONSTRUCTION FOR ELECTRIC SMEILTING FURNACES Filed Aug. 29, 1958 FIG. 2.

INVENTORS. ARNE HILDOR INGELSRUD 8 NILS JOHAN HAAVIK 6?zz,%m sel 1 v ATTORNEYS United States Patent 9 ELECTRODE HOLDER CONSTRUCTION FOR ELECTRIC SMELTING Arne Hildor Inglsrud and 'Nils .Iohan Haavik, 'Oslo,

Norway, assignors to :Elektrokemisk A/S, Oslo, Norway, a corporation of Norway Filed Aug. 29, 1958, set No. 758,137

Claims priority, application Norway Sept. 11, 1957 '4 Claims. (Cl. 1316) The present invention relates to a holder for electrodes, particularly electrodes of a continuous type which can be made substantially cylindrical in shape and of relatively small increased diameter as compared with the electrode in itself so that the clamp may be lowered through the furnace roof of a closed electric furnace. In the copending application Serial No. 727,947 filed April 11, 1958, conical disc springs are used, but in this case we show a diiferent method of controlling the pressure on such springs and a different manner in which such pressure is transmitted to the electrode clamp itself. Here also we use a pair of springs, but the number is not critical, and they can be of any resilient construction including not only disc but also coil springs.

In accordance with this invention we use a pressure ring made up of a series of interconnected units and with each unit of the pressure ring at least one clamp memher is provided. The pressure is transmitted from the pressure ring to the clamp members by means of springs, which in the case of disc springs as shown in the drawings, are compressed together at their center. A bushing passes through the center of each pressure ring unit and each bushing carries a pressure bolt. Means are provided so that the position of the pressure bolt relative to the bushing may be adjusted. This may be by means of fluid pressure which will permit adjustment from a remote point but an even simpler method is to have the pressure bolt screwed into the bushing. In such case means should be provided to prevent the bushing rotating in the pressure ring section as, for example, by having a flat side on the bushing or by use of a key way or the like.

This invention may be readily understood by reference to the illustrative example shown in the accompanying drawings in which Fig. 1 is a horizontal section through a portion of the pressure ring, and one of the electrode clamps; and

Fig. 2 is a vertical section taken under slightly different conditions.

The electrode is indicated at and it is understood that this is of the now well known continuous type which is ordinarily provided with an outside metal sheath. Fitting against the outside of the electrode 10 is a series of clamping members indicated at 12 which preferably are water cooled. Near its center each clamp member 12 has an insert 14 of insulating material.

The pressure ring is made up of a series of members designated by the numeral 16 which are water cooled and interlocked at their ends with a pin 18 passing through the interlocking hinge portions as shown in Fig. 1. Similar interlocking pressure ring sections and the support mechanisms, water connections and the like are shown for example in US. Patent No. 2,673,227. Each section 16 has a circular recess 20 in Which are positioned a pair of conical disc springs 22 which are held separated at their peripheries by a ring 24. A bushing '26 slides in a round central hole through each of the sections 16. This bushing 26 has a collar 28 which contacts an inner portion of the pair of disc springs 22. Threaded into the bushing 26 is a pressure bolt 30 preferably havinga rounded end adapted to contact with the insulation material 14. 'The outer end of the bolt 30 has a centrally formed'recess, the innerportion of which is threaded internally as indicated at 32 and the outer portion is squared 'as indicated at 34 so that it can receive a squared end wrench. A removable cover plate 36 is used to cover the outer end of the hole in which the bushing 26 moves.

In assembling the device the clamps 12 are placed around the electrode and the pressure ring put around the outside of the clamps. The cover plates 36 are removed and by an appropriate Wrench the pressure bolts 30 are screwed in until their inner ends contact the insulation material 14. This screwing in is then continued, generating back pressure on the disc springs 22, until the desired pressure is obtained to support the electrode. Obviously this pressure may be varied as desired by screwing the pressure bolts in or out in their respective bushings.

In some instances, as for example, when the pressure against the electrode is to be released during displacement of the electrode, this can be accomplished in the manner illustrated in Fig. 2. In this case cover plate 36 is removed and a rod 38 is screwed into the inner threaded portion 3'2 of the aperture in the end of the pressure bolt. Each rod 38 is supplied with a washer 4t) and carries a nut 42. By tightening up the nut 42 the bushing and pressure bolt are simultaneously drawn outwardly, compressing the disc springs 22 and eliminating all pressure against the clamp members 12. It will be noted in this case that when the nuts 14 are loosened the same pressure will be exerted against the electrode as had previously been established and no readjustment of this pressure will be needed. It will be understood that the bushing 26 is held against rotation relative to the ring section 16 in any convenient way as, for example, by a key 44. In ordinary operation the cover plates 36 should be kept in place to prevent accumulation of dust and the like around the outer ends of the bushings and pressure bolts.

It will be noted that with this construction if a disc spring is destroyed, for example by action of heat, the necessary clamp pressure on the electrode can be maintained by means of the bushing and bolt alone. This pressure will not be resilient but immediate interruption of operation is avoided and replacement of the spring can be postponed until a suitable occasion.

It is understood that the example given is intended only by way of illustration and that the same may be modified in many particulars without departing from the spirit of our mvention.

What we claim is:

1. An electrode holder for use with continuous electrodes in an electric smelting furnace, the combination of a pressure ring made up of interconnected sections, at least one electrode clamp member for each such section, a spring interposed between each clamp member and its pressure ring section, a bushing passing through the center portion of each pressure ring section tensioned by said spring toward the clamping member, a pressure bolt carried by the bushing arranged to press against the clamping member means for adjusting the position of said bolt in said bushing so that the pressure against the clamping member may be adjusted and means whereby said bushing and said pressure bolt may be moved outwardly away from the clamping member without relative movement between the pressure bolt and the bushing.

2. A structure as specified in claim 1 in which disc springs are used.

3. A structure as specified in claim 1, in which the pressure bolt is threaded in the bushing and is arranged to 'be screwed in or out through the bushing.

4. A structure as specified in claim 1, in which said pressure bolt'is formed with a threaded recess in its outer end and a rod is included having a threaded end which can be screwed into said threaded recess, said rod carrying a washer that can press against the face of the pressure ring and having a threaded outer end that passes through the washer and the nut on the outer end of such rod whereby when said rod is screwed into the pressure bolt said nut may be tightened up to draw said pressure bolt and the bushing outwardly.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Germany Mar. 14, 1935