# US 9,752,663 B2 · Combined linear bearing and lifting actuator for smelting assembly

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- Number: US 9,752,663 B2
- Document ID: US9752663B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 14/573,449
- Filed: 2014-12-17
- Published: 2016-06-23
- Granted: 2017-09-05
- Earliest claimed: 2014-12-17
- Assignees: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
- Applicants: Schaeffler Technologies GmbH & Co. KG
- Inventors: Craig Hooker; Carl White
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9752663B2

## CPC

- F16H 25/2252: {Planetary rollers between nut and screw}
- C21B 13/00: Making spongy iron or liquid steel, by direct processes
- F27B 1/08: heated otherwise than by solid fuel mixed with charge
- F27B 1/10: Details, accessories or equipment specially adapted for furnaces of these types
- F27D 11/10: Disposition of electrodes
- C21B 13/12: in electric furnaces
- F16H 2025/204: {Axial sliding means, i.e. for rotary support and axial guiding of nut or screw shaft}
- F16H 2025/2075: {Coaxial drive motors}
- F16H: GEARING
- C21B: MANUFACTURE OF IRON OR STEEL (preliminary treatment of ferrous ores or scrap C22B1/00)
- F27B: FURNACES, KILNS, OVENS OR RETORTS IN GENERAL; OPEN SINTERING OR LIKE APPARATUS
- 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

## Abstract

An assembly for a smelting process including a lifting actuator for adjusting a height of an anode with respect to a smelting pot is provided. The lifting actuator includes a body supported adjacent to the smelting pot. A motor is connected to a drive screw located in the body and the motor rotates the drive screw. A floating nut is connected to the drive screw, and a carriage plate rests on the floating nut. At least one linear bearing rail is supported on the body and guides the carriage plate. The anode is mounted on the carriage plate such that the motor drives the floating nut axially within the body to adjust a height of the anode with respect to the smelting pot.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An assembly for smelting, the assembly comprising:
a hopper adapted to contain raw smelting material;
a pot including an opening in connection with the hopper, the pot containing a solvent and having a coated inner surface;
at least one anode including a first end supported outside the pot and a second end partially submerged in the solvent in the pot;
an electrical conductor contacting the first end of the at least one anode;
a lifting actuator assembly including a body supported adjacent to the pot, a motor connected to a drive screw located in the body, the motor rotates the drive screw, a floating nut connected to the drive screw, a carriage plate rests on the floating nut and is connected to two linear bearing rails supported on the body that guides the carriage plate, the at least one anode is mounted on the carriage plate such that the motor drives the floating nut axially within the body to adjust a height of the at least one anode with respect to the pot; and
four carriage pads each connected to the carriage plate, and a first pair of the four carriage pads is supported on a first one of the two linear bearing rails and a second pair of the four carriage pads is supported on a second one of the two linear bearing rails.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The assembly of claim 1, wherein the carriage plate includes a protrusion on a longitudinal end having an abutment surface that engages an axial end of the floating nut.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The assembly of claim 1, wherein the carriage plate includes a groove on a surface arranged facing the floating nut, and the floating nut includes a projection that slides within the groove of the carriage plate.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The assembly of claim 1, wherein a plurality of anodes are mounted to the carriage plate.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The assembly of claim 1, wherein the drive screw comprises a differential roller screw.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The assembly of claim 1, wherein the body includes a support bearing for the drive screw.