Cathode connection for aluminium smelter pot and method
AssigneeJMT Engineering Pty. Ltd.
InventorsJohn Leslie Mitchell, John Gregory Tink
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A connection assembly for the cathode of an aluminum smelter pot (10) including at least one insert (30) received within a hole in the collector bar (16) of a collector bar/strap (16/15) connection for the cathode and in electrical contact with the collector bar (16) and in electrical contact with the strap (15) via tab (15a).
Claims25
A connection for connecting an electrical supply to the cathode of an aluminum smelter pot, including a collector bar embedded in the cathode, the bar having a body with a hole in the body extending to a surface of the bar, a flexible strap in electrical connection with the electrical supply and having a conductive tab, and an insert tightly fitted within the hole in the body of the bar for electrical contact with the collector bar of the cathode, the insert having a contact surface extending external to the collector bar forming an interface for electrical contact between the insert and the conductive tab of the strap.
A collector bar for an aluminum smelter pot, including a bar body, and an insert mounted within, mounted on, or mounted to the bar body, the insert having at least one contact surface external to the bar body for providing an interface for a bar/strap connection.
An insert for forming a connection between a collector bar and a bus-bar strap, the insert comprising a body of material receivable within a hole in the collector bar for electrical contact between the insert and the collector bar, the insert having a contact surface at one end thereof, the contact surface forming an interface for electrical connection between the insert and the bus-bar strap.
A method for forming an electrical connection between a collector bar of an aluminium smelter pot and a bus-bar strap comprising placing an insert into a hole in the collector bar such that the insert is in electrical contact with the collector bar, said insert having higher electrical conductivity than the collector bar, bringing the strap into contact with a surface of the insert and applying pressure to the strap such that the strap is forced into contact with the surface of the insert to bring the strap into electrical contact with the insert.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.