# US 2015/0176907 A1 · Metallurgical Furnace > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2015/0176907 A1 - Document ID: US20150176907A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 14/575,928 - Filed: 2014-12-18 - Published: 2015-06-25 - Earliest claimed: 2013-12-20 - Assignees: 9282-3087 Quebec (dba TMC Canada) - Applicants: 9282-3087 Quebec (dba TMC Canada) - Inventors: John Chao - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20150176907A1 ## CPC - F27D 1/0026: {the expansion joint being a resilient element, e.g. a metallic plate between two bricks} - F16J 15/002: {comprising at least two sealings in succession (F16J15/162, F16J15/40 take precedence)} - F16J 15/028: {the packing being mechanically expanded against the sealing surface} - F16J 15/067: {Split packings} - F16J 15/43: kept in sealing position by magnetic force - F27B 3/085: {Arc furnaces} - F27B 3/10: Details, accessories or equipment, e.g. dust-collectors, specially adapted for hearth-type furnaces - F27B 3/14: Arrangements of linings - F27B 3/20: Arrangements of heating devices - F27D 1/0006: {Linings or walls formed from bricks or layers with a particular composition or specific characteristics} - F27D 1/0023: {Linings or walls comprising expansion joints or means to restrain expansion due to thermic flows} - F27D 1/0043: {Floors, hearths} - F27D 1/045: {Bricks for lining cylindrical bodies, e.g. skids, tubes} - F27D 1/08: Bricks or blocks with internal reinforcement or metal backing - F27D 1/14: Supports for linings (supports for monolithic linings F27D1/10) - F27D 11/10: Disposition of electrodes - F27D 99/0073: {Seals} - F27D 2099/0021: {Arc heating} - F27D: DETAILS OR ACCESSORIES OF FURNACES, KILNS, OVENS OR RETORTS, IN SO FAR AS THEY ARE OF KINDS OCCURRING IN MORE THAN ONE KIND OF FURNACE - F16J: PISTONS {(specially adapted for dampers F16F9/32)}; CYLINDERS; SEALINGS - F27B: FURNACES, KILNS, OVENS OR RETORTS IN GENERAL; OPEN SINTERING OR LIKE APPARATUS ## Abstract An electrode seal for use in a metallurgical furnace, the furnace comprising a furnace space heated by electrodes extending through an aperture into the furnace space. The electrode seal comprises at least three sets of shoes in consecutive lateral contact, each shoe having a biasing member for biasing a surface of the shoe toward one of the electrodes thereby allowing the one electrode to longitudinally move within the electrode seal while providing electrical insulation between the electrode and the aperture. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An electrode seal for use in a metallurgical furnace, the furnace comprising a furnace space heated by electrodes extending through an aperture into the furnace space, the seal comprising: at least three sets of shoes in consecutive lateral contact, each shoe having a biasing member for biasing a surface of the shoe toward one of the electrodes thereby allowing the one electrode to longitudinally move within the electrode seal while providing electrical insulation between the electrode and the aperture. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The electrode seal of claim 1, wherein the at least three sets of shoes provide a gap around the electrode to allow for a free lateral movement of that electrode. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The electrode seal of claim 1, wherein the at least three sets of shoes allow for a lateral movement of the one electrode therewithin while maintain the electrical insulation. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The electrode seal of claim 1, wherein the at least three sets of shoes comprise a first layer of ceramic inner shoes and a second layer of copper outer shoes, the two layers of shoes forming a circle and an inner diameter of the circle being greater than the electrode thereby providing a gap therebetween. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The electrode seal of claim 1, wherein the at least three sets of shoes are drilled through evenly distributed holes from outside to inside. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The electrode seal of claim 1, wherein the biasing member is a spring. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The electrode seal of claim 1, wherein the biasing member is adjustable to provide greater or less bias with one end pressed upon the cooper shoe and the other end against an adjustable bronze screw. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The electrode seal of claim 1, wherein the biasing member is replaceable. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The electrode seal of claim 1, wherein the biasing member is electrically insulated on both ends with plastic discs against copper shoe on one end and against the copper screw on the other. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The electrode seal of claim 1, further comprising electrical insulating material packed around the electrode above the at least three sets of shoes, the material providing gas seal confined and pressed by a threaded copper cap which is tightened with a threaded copper ring welded on another copper cap beneath it as a chamber surrounding the shoes. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The electrode seal of claim 10, wherein the electrical insulating material is high-temperature resistant ceramic fiber material. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The electrode seal of claim 1, further comprising a chamber surrounding the shoes for containing pressurized electrically inert gas, the electrically inert gas for providing a pressurized seal for preventing gas escape from the furnace space, wherein the pressurized gas penetrates through the holes in the shoes and is distributed around the electrode evenly to push down along the electrode to prevent the furnace gas and dusts from within the furnace space flowing through the gap around the electrode thereby preventing at least some of the gas from leaking and preventing at least some substance attached to the electrode from hindering vertical movement of the electrode. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The electrode seal of claim 1, further comprising an electrically insulated cooling member surrounding an electrode. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The electrode seal of claim 13, wherein the cooling member comprises a cast copper plate. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The electrode seal of claim 14, wherein the cast copper plate is protected from underneath by a durable insulating material. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The electrode seal of claim 14, wherein the insulating material is a castable material. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The electrode seal of claim 15, wherein the castable material is a high alumina castable. ### Claim 18 (depends on 14) The electrode seal of claim 14, wherein the cast copper plate defines a contiguous inner channel for directing cooling fluid flowing therethrough. ### Claim 19 (depends on 13) The electrode seal of claim 13, wherein the cooling member comprises a copper plate. ### Claim 20 (depends on 12) The electrode seal of claim 12, wherein the chamber is at least partly defined by the cooling member.