Apparatus for drying and calcinating coated welding electrodes with the use of induction heating

An apparatus for drying and calcinating coated welding electrodes having a bare terminal end, using induction heating and comprising:

• a slot induction heater having a substantially vertical arrangement of a slot and subdivided into several sections along the length thereof,
• each of said sections of said slot induction heater incorporating top and bottom side electroconductive bus-bars and middle electroconductive bus-bars, all of said bus-bars being disposed along sides of said slot, for carrying an electric current of a substantially identical magnitude, and having different vertical widths,
• said middle electroconductive bus-bars having a vertical width exceeding a vertical width of said top and bottom side electroconductive bus-bars,
• said slot induction heater having the number of said bottom side electroconductive bus-bars exceeding the number of said top side electroconductive bus-bars,
• a chain conveyer provided with inlet and outlet areas and with carrying and return runs, and intended for conveying said coated welding electrodes inside said slot of said slot induction heater along the entire length thereof,
• a plurality of magnetic holders secured to said chain conveyer and intended for holding magnetically said coated welding electrodes,
• said magnetic holders being secured to said chain conveyer so that during the time of said conveying of said coated welding electrodes being held by said magnetic holders inside said slot of said slot induction heater, said magnetic holders are arranged above said slot,
• each of said magnetic holders representing a magnetic system incorporating a magnetic circuit and a permanent magnet having a pole piece and embraced by said magnetic circuit,
• an arrangement for loading said coated welding electrodes into said chain conveyer disposed adjacent to said inlet area of said chain conveyer,
• said arrangement for loading incorporating a receiving mechanism provided with inlet and outlet areas,
• said receiving mechanism providing means for arranging within said inlet area thereof, said coated welding electrodes substantially in parallel with a constant spacing exceeding an outer diameter of said coated welding electrodes and delivering within said outlet area thereof, said bare terminal ends of said coated welding electrodes to said magnetic holders,
• a first orientating transporter provided with carrying and return runs and disposed adjacent to said outlet area of said receiving mechanism,
• said carrying run of said first orientating transporter being arranged in a helical line and designed as a descending structure for transferring said coated welding electrodes being held by said bare terminal ends by said magnetic holders to a vertical position, providing freely suspended conveyance of said coated welding electrodes inside said vertically arranged slot of said slot induction heater,
• an arrangement for unloading said coated welding electrodes from said chain conveyer, disposed adjacent to said outlet area of said chain conveyer,
• said arrangement for unloading incorporating a second orientating transporter provided with carrying and return runs and inlet and outlet areas, and disposed adjacent to said outlet area of said chain conveyer,
• said carrying run of said second orientating transporter being arranged in a helical line and designed as an ascending structure for withdrawing said coated welding electrodes being held by said bare terminal ends by said magnetic holders from a vertical position, and
• a mechanism for removing said coated welding electrodes from said magnetic holders, disposed adjacent to said outlet area of said second orientating transporter.