Device and method for maintaining and connecting an anode rod on an anode frame of an aluminum electrolytic cell
AssigneeE. C. L.
InventorXavier Delcorde
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An anode rod is placed between two hooks fixed to an anode beam and onto which a connector bears, including two levers, two coaxial lateral rods and a screw that can pivot levers between a clamping position of the anode rod in contact with the anode beam and a release position. The geometry of at least one hook, a lever and/or a lateral rod and the material from which they are formed are such that the elastic deformation of the holding device with respect to the anode beam when the screw is tightened is sufficient. Thus, this device can compensate for a change in the position of the anode rod by elastic return towards its unstressed position, and thus continues to keep the anode rod firmly in contact with the anode beam.
Claims25
Connector for holding and connecting an anode rod in contact with an anode beam of an aluminum electrolytic cell, comprising:
- a body comprising at least one mobile part comprising a bearing face, the mobile part being arranged for movement such that the bearing face applies pressure on the anode rod along a direction substantially perpendicular to the contact surface of the anode beam;
- a pair of substantially axial lateral protuberances each projecting beyond the sides of the body, oriented substantially perpendicular to the direction, each protuberance being designed to rest on a hook fixed to the anode beam, on each side of the anode rod;
- and
- an actuator that is constructed and arranged to displace the mobile part to bring the mobile part between a clamping position in which the bearing face is in contact with the anode rod and forces the mobile part towards the anode beam when the lateral protuberances rest on the hooks, and a release position in which the bearing face does not apply any pressure on the anode rod;
- wherein said connector at least partially has a geometry and/or is at least partially composed of a material such that, when the actuator brings the mobile part into the clamping position, the connector is elastically deformed sufficiently so that, if there is a change in the position of the anode rod with respect to the anode beam, the connector remains in contact with the anode rod due to at least partial elastic return towards an unstressed position, and thus continues to hold the anode rod firmly in contact with the anode beam.
Hook designed to be fixed to an anode beam of an aluminum electrolytic cell to hold and connect an anode rod placed on a side of the hook in contact with the anode beam, and on which a connector is arranged to rest that can be actuated between a clamping position in which the connector is in contact with the anode rod and pulls the anode rod towards the anode beam substantially perpendicular to the anode beam, and a release position in which the connector does not apply any pressure on the anode rod,
- wherein the geometry of the hook and the material from which the hook is made are such that, when the connector is moved towards the clamping position, there is an elastic deformation of the hook with respect to the anode beam sufficient that the hook compensates for a possible change in the position of the anode rod with respect to the anode beam, and thus continues to hold the anode rod firmly in contact with the anode beam.
Device for holding and connection of an anode rod in contact with an anode beam of an aluminum electrolytic cell, comprising:
- two hooks fixed to the anode beam and between which the anode rod is constructed and arranged to be placed;
- a connector comprising:
- a) a body comprising at least one mobile part comprising a bearing face, the mobile part being displaced such that the bearing face applies a pressure on the anode rod along a direction substantially perpendicular to the contact surface of the anode beam,
- b) a pair of protuberances, each projecting laterally from the body, globally oriented perpendicular to the direction, each designed to rest on a said hook, and
- c) an actuator constructed and arranged for causing displacement of the mobile part to bring the mobile part between a clamping position in which the bearing face is in contact with the anode rod and forces the bearing face towards the anode beam with the protuberances resting on the hooks, and a release position in which the bearing face does not apply any pressure on the anode rod,
- wherein the hooks and/or the connector at least partially have a geometry and/or are at least partially formed from a material such that when the protuberances are supported on the hooks and the actuator brings the mobile part into the clamping position, the holding and connection device is elastically deformed sufficiently such that, if there is a change in the position of the anode rod relative to the anode beam, the connector remains in contact with the anode rod due to at least a partial elastic return towards an unstressed position, and thus continues to hold the anode rod firmly in contact with the anode beam.
Method for holding and connection of an anode rod in contact with an anode beam of an aluminum electrolytic cell, comprising the steps of:
- placing the anode rod between two hooks fixed to the anode beam;
- providing a connector comprising:
- a) a body comprising at least one mobile part comprising a bearing face, the mobile part being displaced such that the bearing face applies a pressure on the anode rod along a direction substantially perpendicular to the contact surface of the anode beam,
- b) a pair of protuberances each projecting laterally from the body, globally oriented perpendicular to the direction, each designed to rest on a hook fixed to the anode beam on each side of the anode rod;
- and
- c) an actuator capable of causing displacement of the mobile part to bring the mobile part between a clamping position in which the bearing face is in contact with the anode rod and forces the bearing face towards the anode beam when the lateral protuberances rest on the hooks, and a release position in which the bearing face does not apply any pressure on the anode rod;
- placing the connector on the hooks, by making each of the lateral protuberances rest on a hook, the connector being in a release position;
- and
- actuating the actuator to bring the mobile part into a clamping position;
- wherein the actuator is actuated to cause a sufficient elastic deformation of at least one hook and/or at least one part or the connector so that, due to the at least partial elastic return of the hook and/or the part of the connector towards an unstressed position, the connector remains in contact with the anode rod and thus continues to hold the anode rod firmly in contact with the anode beam.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.