Handling device for hoods of a cell for electrolytic aluminium production

Handling device for hoods of a cell for the production of aluminium by fused bath electrolysis, comprising:

• a positioning device that comprises a vertical guide device, a mobile support mounted on the vertical guide device so that it can be moved in at least a vertical direction during use, an articulated arm mounted on the mobile support, a first framework mounted on the articulated arm so that it can pivot about a first rotation axis A substantially horizontal during use, the said articulated arm being at least capable of moving the first framework away from or towards the mobile support, a motor to make the first framework pivot about the said first rotation axis A, a second framework mounted on the first framework so that it can be moved along the first determined translation axis B, that is substantially horizontal during use, and means of displacing the second framework along the said first translation axis B;
• a hood-gripping system fixed to the second framework and including a determined set of gripping devices designed to grip a determined set of hoods at a determined number of attachment points.