Abstract: An electrode lifting apparatus provides a mechanism for lifting a free electrode in a vertical orientation and moving the free electrode suspended below the lifting apparatus to a location for a joining procedure with another electrode or portion of an electrode. The electrode lifting apparatus also supports the free electrode during a joining procedure that includes driven rotation of the free electrode by an electrode torque station. The electrode lifting apparatus includes a bail and a body, the body having a yoke and a housing. First and second arms on the body connect the housing to the yoke. The body may angularly rotate relative to the relatively fixed bail about a reference vertical axis during driven rotation of the free electrode by the torque station. A threaded stem attached to the bail provides a threaded engagement with the yoke allowing such relative angular rotation in some embodiments.

Abstract: An electrode joining apparatus for joining a first electrode and a second electrode includes an electrode holder configured to receive the first electrode and a torque device positioned above the electrode holder. The torque device is configured to engage and rotate the second electrode relative to the first electrode. A lift is disposed on the apparatus to move the torque device relative to the electrode holder. In some embodiments, the lift includes a mechanism such as a powered actuator operable to raise the torque device above the electrode holder. In additional embodiments, the lift includes a carriage that is vertically moveable relative to the electrode holder, and the torque device is attached to the carriage.

Abstract: An electrode joining apparatus for joining a free electrode to a fixed electrode. The electrode joining apparatus includes an electrode holder configured to selectively hold the fixed electrode and a torque device positioned above the electrode holder, the torque device configured to grip and spin the free electrode to join the electrodes. The electrode joining apparatus can include an axial passage defined through the electrode holder and the torque device. A retractable spacer can be movably connected to the electrode joining apparatus, the retractable spacer configured to selectively move into the axial passage. The retractable spacer can be used to form a gap between the free electrode and the fixed electrode before the joining process is initiated. Electrode joining apparatus can also include a spacer drive mechanism coupled to the retractable spacer, the spacer drive mechanism configured to selectively move the retractable spacer into the axial passage.

Abstract: An electrode lifting apparatus provides a mechanism for lifting a free electrode in a vertical orientation and moving the free electrode suspended below the lifting apparatus to a location for a joining procedure with another electrode or portion of an electrode. The electrode lifting apparatus also supports the free electrode during a joining procedure that includes driven rotation of the free electrode by an electrode torque station. The electrode lifting apparatus includes a bail and a body, the body having a yoke and a housing. First and second arms on the body connect the housing to the yoke. The body may angularly rotate relative to the relatively fixed bail about a reference vertical axis during driven rotation of the free electrode by the torque station. A threaded stem attached to the bail provides a threaded engagement with the yoke allowing such relative angular rotation in some embodiments.

Abstract: An electrode joining apparatus for joining a fixed electrode and a free electrode including an electrode holder configured to receive the fixed electrode and a torque device positioned above the electrode holder. The torque device is configured to grip and spin the free electrode to join the free electrode to the fixed electrode. A force sensor is coupled to the torque device. The torque device is configured to apply a force on the force sensor when the torque device engages the free electrode. The force sensor can detect a feedback force signal representative of the force applied by the torque device on the free electrode. The feedback force signal can be used to determine the torque applied to the free electrode by the torque device to help ensure that a proper joint is formed between the free electrode and the fixed electrode.

Abstract: An electrode joining apparatus for joining a free electrode to a fixed electrode, the fixed electrode having a top end. The apparatus can include an electrode holder configured to selectively hold the fixed electrode. A torque device can be positioned above the electrode holder, the torque device configured to grip and spin the free electrode to join the free electrode to the fixed electrode. A blowout jet can be oriented to selectively force a stream of gas toward the top end of the fixed electrode when the fixed electrode is held by the electrode holder. As such, the blowout jet can help remove dust, debris, or graphite residue on the top end of the fixed electrode before joining of the free electrode to the fixed electrode. The fixed electrode can include a threaded socket, the blow jet oriented to force the stream of gas toward the threaded socket.

Abstract: An electrode joining apparatus for joining a fixed electrode and a free electrode including an electrode holder configured to receive the fixed electrode and a torque device positioned above the electrode holder. The torque device is configured to grip and spin the free electrode to join the free electrode to the fixed electrode. A force sensor is coupled to the torque device. The torque device is configured to apply a force on the force sensor when the torque device engages the free electrode, the force sensor configured to detect a signal representative of the force applied by the torque device on the free electrode. The feedback force signal can be used to determine the torque applied to the free electrode by the torque device to help ensure that a proper joint is formed between the free electrode and the fixed electrode.