US3888757A

US3888757A - Anode rod clamping assembly

Info

Publication number: US3888757A
Application number: US367884A
Authority: US
Inventors: Johannes Roukema; Frederik Noordegraaf
Original assignee: NL KRAANBOUW MIJ BV
Current assignee: Nederlandse Kraanbouw BV Mij; NL KRAANBOUW MIJ BV
Priority date: 1973-06-07
Filing date: 1973-06-07
Publication date: 1975-06-10
Anticipated expiration: 1992-06-10
Also published as: AU6942974A; JPS5243604B2; JPS5035014A

Abstract

A frame carrying a clamping arrangement rests between a pair of support brackets which straddle an anode rod. The frame includes projections which engage in notches in the brackets so that the frame can be physically separated from the brackets to permit removal and replacement of an anode rod and so that the brackets can hold the frame in fixed position when the clamping arrangement is effective. The clamping arrangement includes a carrier block threaded on a vertical screw member and slidably reacting against a vertical reaction surface of the frame. Link arms project forwardly from the carrier block and carry a clamp bar which is guided in the frame. A remotely controlled tool engages the screw member either to separate the frame from the brackets or to rotate the screw member.

Description

United States Patent Roukema et al.

ANODE ROD CLAMPING ASSEMBLY Inventors: Johannes Roukema, Vleuten;

Frederik Noordegraaf, L'eerdam, both of Netherlands B. V. Nederlandse Kraanbouw Maatschappij, Utrecht, Netherlands Filed: June 7, 1973 Appl. No.: 367,884

[73] Assignee:

US. Cl 204/297 R; 204/225; 204/243 R; 269/91; 269/244 Int. Cl C23b 5/70 Field of Search... 204/225, 243 R, 286, 297 R; 269/91, 93, 244

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 6/1960 Allen 204/297 R X 4/1971 Morris et al. 204/297 R 12/1971 Duclaux 204/297 R June 10, 1975 Primary Examiner-John H. Mack Assistant ExaminerW. 1. Solomon Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Snyder, Brown and Ramik [57] ABSTRACT A frame carrying a clamping arrangement rests between a pair of support brackets which straddle an anode rod. The frame includes projections which engage in notches in the brackets so that the frame can be physically separated from the brackets to permit removal and replacement of an anode rod and so that the brackets can hold the frame in fixed position when the clamping arrangement is effective. The clamping arrangement includes a carrier block threaded on a vertical screw member and slidably reacting against a vertical reaction surface of the frame. Link arms project forwardly from the carrier block and carry a clamp bar which is guided in the frame. A remotely controlled tool engages the screw member either to separate the frame from the brackets or to rotate the screw member.

PATENTEDJUH 10 1975 0 m Mm 2 8 2 4 Z I l I I In 5 5 cu H b Q m L s u Illlll: :1 5 Q i M a r 2 I U 3 2. 2 ,N G 3!, k m. G 3, l 6 m k I A v 1 F I? \\I/ F m 1 G II F ANODE ROD CLAMPING ASSEMBLY BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a device for clamping and holding anode rods in place. In electric furnaces of the type used for the production of aluminum by electrolytic reduction of aluminum oxide to the metal, the furnaces are, as is well known, in the form of open-topped troughs into which the aluminum oxide is placed and anode rods in the form of preformed carbon or graphite rods are disposed vertically to project into furnace and, during operation, as the anode material is consumed it is necessary periodically to lower the anode rod or rods and ultimately to remove and replace them. It has become conventional to provide remote control apparatus to operate the clamping arrangements for the anode rods and physically to lower the anode rods in the furnace or, alternatively, to remove a spent anode rod and replace it with a new one.

Clearly, anode rod clamping assembly utilized for purposes described above should not only be capable of exerting the substantial clamping force necessary to hold the anode rod in place but also should be capable of operation. with a minimum of complexity. A clamping device of the type to which the present invention pertains is disclosed in application Ser. No. 113,944, filed Feb. 9, 1971 now U.S. Pat. No. 3,752,465.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is of primary concern in connection with the present invention to provide an improved form of. anode rod clamping assembly in which a single member is presented for engagement by the remotely controlled operating tool, such single member being effective, when rotated, to control the clamping action and, when lifted upwardly, to serve the function of completely removing operative components of the assembly such that an anode rod may be readily removed and replaced. In conjunction with these objects, the clamping assembly incorporates a pair of horizontally disposed supporting brackets or arms and an entirely separate frame assembly which is adapted when in operative position to seat and interengage with the brackets or arms such that the frame is supported in operative position. The frame carries a clamp assembly which includes a vertically disposed screw thread member which presents the means whereby the clamping action is obtained and whereby the frame and clamp means may be physically separated and removed from the situs of the brackets or arms.

The frame of the device provides a vertical reaction surface against which a carrier member reacts, the carrier having link means associated therewith which retract or project a transverse clamp bar into or out of clamping engagement with an anode bar as the carrier is moved vertically.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES FIG. 1 is a top plan view, portions being broken away, illustrating an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a vertical section taken substantially along the plane of section line 2-2 in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION With reference at this time more particularly to FIG. 1, a bus bar associated with the electric cell used for the manufacture of aluminum is indicated by the reference character 10 and support framework associated with the bus bar is indicated by reference characters 12. The clamping assembly according to the present invention comprises a pair of horizontally projecting support brackets or arms indicated generally by the

reference characters

14 and 16 which are disposed in straddling relationship to that area of the bus bar 10 against which an anode rod 18 is adapted to be clamping and fixed. Removably seated for disposition in fixed relation with respect to and between the support arms or

brackets

14 and 16 is a frame assembly indicated generally by the reference character 20 and clamp means indicated generally by the reference character 22 is held captive within the confines of the frame 20 in the manner more particularly set forth hereinafter.

The frame consists essentially of a pair of T-

shaped elements

24 and 26 having

respective stem portions

28 and 30 which are received in notches 32 (see particularly FIG. 3) in the upper edges of the support arms or

brackets

14 and 16.

A cover plate 34 overlies the

members

24 and 26 as shown and is rigidly affixed thereto as by welding as illustrated. Disposed in rewardly positioned relationship within the frame 20 is a transverse frame member 36 which is preferably welded both to the cover plate 34 and to the

members

24 and 26 as illustrated and which presents, on its inner or forward face a vertically extending reaction surface 38, the purpose of which will be presently apparent. As can be seen better in FIG. 2, a bottom plate member 40 is provided as well as opposite side plates 42 and 43 (see FIG. 3) are also provided extending between the opposite sides of the bottom plate 40 to the undersides of the

members

24 and 26 and all of such component parts are rigidly interconnected as by means of welding as illustrated. The frame, in addition, is provided at the forward bottom ends of the

members

24 and 26 with a bridging guide bar 44 which cooperates with the opposed cover plate 34 to provide a guide and retaining means for a transverse clamp bar 46 which is adapted to be retracted as illustrated in full lines in FIG. 2 or extended maximally to a full clamping position as illustrated by dashed lines in FIG. 2.

A screw thread member 48 extends vertically through the frame intermediate the opposite sides thereof and may include an integral thrust washer portion 50 seating on the top surface of the cover plate 34 and provided thereabove with a flatted head 52. The opposite end of the screw thread member 48 is of re duced cross section as indicated by the reference character 54 and is unthreaded in this region to project I through a retaining washer 56 which, in cooperation with a pin member 58 which projects through the portion 54 serves to allow the entire frame and clamp assembly bodily to be lifted out of its normal seating relation within the

arms

24 and 26 by a remotely controlled tool engaging the head 52 of the screw thread member 48. This same tool as described hereinafter may be utilized to effect the clamping or unclamping action.

-A carrier block 60 is provided with a vertical through bore which is threaded and receives the member 48 whereby the rear surface of the block or carrier 60 may be vertically traversed over the reaction surface 38 previously mentioned, the dimensioning and disposition of the carrier 60 being such that its rear face is in close proximity or engagement with the reaction surface 38 at all times. Extending from opposite sides of the carrier block 60 are a pair of trunnions 62 and 64 and the rearward ends of a pair of

link arms

66 and 68 pivotally receive these respective trunnions as will be appreciated from FIGS. 1 and 2. The forward ends of these

link arms

66 and 68 are arcuately notched to seat upon the rear side of the transverse clamp bar 46 and are rigidly affixed thereto as by welding. As can be seen, when the carrier 60 is in the lowermost position as is illustrated in FIG. 2, the clamp bar 46 will be withdrawn to the retracted position as shown in full lines whereas when the head 52 of the screw thread member 48 is rotated the carrier will be constrained to travel upwardly correspondingly to extend or project the clamp bar 46 utwardly into clamping engagement against the anode rod 18. Thus, the high unit bearing pressures necessary for achieving proper clamping action of the anode rod easily is achieved by the present configuration while, at the same time, the frame and clamp assembly may be physically removed from the

support brackets

14 and 16 to provide a clear path for removal or replacement of an anode rod 18, as may be desired and necessary. The remotely controlled tool which engages the head 52 to rotate the screw thread member 48 to effect clamping andunclamping may also be used to effect the physical separation and removal of the clamp and frame assembly as aforesaid.

What is claimed is:

1. An anode rod clamping assembly for allowing vertical adjustment as well as removal and replacement of an anode rod of an electric furnace device having a bus bar to which the anode rod is clamped when in operation, said assembly comprising the combination of:

a pair of spaced and horizontally projecting support brackets having forward ends adapted to be fixed in straddling relation to the area of a bus bar against which an anode rod is to be clamped and held;

a frame having means selectively engaging said support brackets for supporting the frame fixedly between said brackets while allowing vertical movement and complete separation of the frame from the brackets; and

clamp means captive in said frame for clamping an anode rod against a bus bar and including a vertically extending screw thread member to enable both the complete separation of the frame from the brackets and operation of the clamp means;

said clamp means including a clamp bar and said frame including guide means towards the forward ends of said brackets for horizontally guiding said clamp bar into and out of engagement with an anode rod;

said frame including a vertical reaction surface disposedin rearwardly spaced relation to said guide means, and said clamp means including a carrier engaged by said screw thread member and disposed against said reaction surface, and link means which connects said carrier to said clamp bar, said link means being movable in response to movement of said carrier to increase its angularity with respect to said reaction surface, as said clamp bar moves horizontally in said guide means to clamp an anode rod, toward a disposition in which his perpendicular thereto.

2. An anode rod clamping assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein said support brackets are each provided with a notch in an upper edge thereof and said frame is provided with T-shaped elements each having a stem received in a respective notch.

3. An anode rod clamping assembly for allowing vertical adjustment as well as removal and replacement of an anode rod of an electric furnace device having a bus bar to which the anode rod is clamped-when in operation, said assemblycomprising the combination of:

a pair of spaced and horizontally projecting support brackets having forward ends adapted to be fixed in straddling relation to the area of ;a bus bar against which an anode rod is to be clamped an d held, said support brackets presenting horizontal, support surfaces and vertical bearing surfaces fac ing said forward ends; I a frame assembly seated upon said support surfaces and bearing against said bearing surfaces whereby said frame assembly is capable of being moved along a vertical path parallel to said anode rod into and out of positionally fixed and interlocked, supported position on said support brackets; and

clamp means captive in said frame assembly for clamping said anode rod against said bus bar, said clamp means including a carrier having a threaded bore and a vertical screw threaded member engaged in said bore, said screw threaded member engaging portion thereof, said clamp means also.

including a clamp bar having a cylindrical surface facing and parallel to said anode rod and link means connecting said carrier to said clamp bar for urging said cylindrical surface into and out of essentially linear contact with said anode rod, and said frame assembly including guide means for guiding said clamp bar along a horizontal path normal to said anode bar and horizontally aligned with said bearing surfaces.

Claims

1. An anode rod clamping assembly for allowing vertical adjustment as well as removal and replacement of an anode rod of an electric furnace device having a bus bar to which the anode rod is clamped when in operation, said assembly comprising the combination of: a pair of spaced and horizontally projecting support brackets having forward ends adapted to be fixed in straddling relation to the area of a bus bar against which an anode rod is to be clamped and held; a frame having means selectively engaging said support brackets for supporting the frame fixedly between said brackets while allowing vertical movement and complete separation of the frame from the brackets; and clamp means captive in said frame for clamping an anode rod against a bus bar and including a vertically extending screw thread member to enable both the complete separation of the frame from the brackets and operation of the clamp means; said clamp means including a clamp bar and said frame including guide means towards the forward ends of said brackets for horizontally guiding said clamp bar into and out of engagement with an anode rod; said frame including a vertical reaction surface disposed in rearwardly spaced relation to said guide means, and said clamp means including a carrier engaged by said screw thread member and disposed against said reaction surface, and link means which connects said carrier to said clamp bar, said link means being movable in response to movement of said carrier to increase its angularity with respect to said reaction surface, as said clamp bar moves horizontally in said guide means to clamp an anode rod, toward a disposition in which it is perpendicular thereto.

3. An anode rod clamping assembly for allowing vertical adjustment as well as removal and replacement of an anode rod of an electric furnace device having a bus bar to which the anode rod is clamped when in operation, said assembly comprising the combination of: a pair of spaced and horizontally projecting support brackets having forward ends adapted to be fixed in straddling relation to the area of a bus bar against which an anode rod is to be clamped and held, said support brackets presenting horizontal support surfaces and vertical bearing surfaces facing said forward ends; a frame assembly seated upon said support surfaces and bearing against said bearing surfaces whereby said frame assembly is capable of being moved along a vertical path parallel to said anode rod into and out of positionally fixed and interlocked, supported position on said support brackets; and clamp means captive in said frame assembly for clamping said anode rod against said bus bar, said clamp means including a carrier having a threaded bore and a vertical screw threaded member engaged in said bore, said screw threaded member having an upper end projecting through said frame assembly and terminating in a tool-engageable portion, said screw threaded member having a portion preventing downward displacement thereof relative to said frame assembly and said frame assembly having a vertical reaction surface against which said carrier engages whereby rotation of said screw threaded member causes said carrier to travel along said reaction surface without displacing said screw threaded member and in particular said tool-engaging portion thereof, said clamp means also including a clamp bar having a cylindrical surface facing and parallel to said anode rod and link means connecting said carrier to said clamp bar for urging said cylindrical surface into and out of essentially linear contact with said anode rod, and said frame assembly including guide means for guiding said clamp bar along a horizontal path normal to said anode bar and horizontally aligned with said bearing surfaces.