Abstract: Method and apparatus for producing light metal alloys, in particular aluminum alloys, in which the desired alloying elements are first introduced into a vacuum furnace which is then evacuated, whereafter light metal melt is introduced into the furnace chamber by suction in the form of a free-falling metal jet which is thereby subjected to a vacuum treatment for reducing the contents of impurities, such as hydrogen, sodium, oxides and other non-metallic particles, therein. The free-falling metal jet is given such a configuration with respect to composition and flow pattern, such an average length as well as such velocity and direction that the alloying elements are readily dissolved and mixed into the melt in the vacuum furnace, whereby an alloy of desired quality is ready for casting immediately after termination of the vacuum treatment and alloying process.

Abstract: An electric hotplate with a thermostat includes a heating plate which is joined to the surrounding cold zones by means of a bridge of relatively thin sheet metal. The actuating device for a thermostatic switch is operated by the vertical movement of the heating plate. This movement arises as a consequence of the horizontal expansions and contractions of the heating plate due to changes in temperature, such movements being converted, by means of the bridge, which acts as a hinge, to vertical movements.

Abstract: A crust breaking machine includes a self-propelled carriage having front wheels and rear wheels, a crust-breaking tool of the continuously breaking type mounted on the carriage, and an arm provided on the carriage and adapted to support the tool. This arm is mounted for swinging movement in the vertical plane and in the horizontal plane, with a mounting located between the front and rear wheels and in front of the driver's seat seen in the normal driving direction of the machine during crust-breaking. Thus the tool can be brought into a working position on each side of the carriage and into a rest position in front of the carriage.

Abstract: A carriage with a crucible for tapping molten metal from aluminum electrolyzers and the like includes a movable tapping tube adapted to be inserted downwardly into the metal melt from which tapping shall take place, ejector means for sucking molten metal through the tapping tube, and a discharge tube for delivering collected metal from the crucible. There may also be provided compressed air means for discharging collected metal through the discharge tube. The tapping tube is mounted pivotably substantially in an inclined plane parallel to the longitudinal axis of the carriage and extending downwardly and outwardly to the side of the carriage from a tapping opening in a tapping head located on the crucible, to which tapping head the upper end of the tapping tube is coupled in the tapping position.

Abstract: A device for moulding "green" blocks or electrodes for the manufacture of anode and cathode carbons for the smelting industries, with particular reference to the electrolytic smelting of aluminium, utilizing a vibratory or shaking motion, in which the paste which is to form the blocks or electrodes is filled into a mould. The mould comprises a plane, horizontal base or table, vertical walls or sides of which at least one is removable to facilitate the ejection or discharging of the finished block, and a pressure weight slidable in vertical guides, the downward-facing surface of which weight covering essentially the whole of the cross section of the mould. On the weight, and only on the weight, there is disposed at least one vibration generator. The base of the mould is stationary, and the walls or sides of the mould are so arranged as to be firmly fixed to the base during the moulding process.