Abstract: A handling device includes at least a guiding member having a notch associated with two side trunnions and designed to receive a trunnion, the handling device also including a gripping member the guiding member and the gripping member cooperating in such a manner that, when the gripping member is in an open position, each trunnion can be inserted into or extracted from the notch, and when the gripping member is in a closed position, each trunnion can only move a limited distance in the notch, between a “low” position and a “high” position, an actuating system associated with the gripping member, able to move it between the open and closed positions, and a locking system that is able to block said gripping member when a locked position, and able to move from the locked position to an unlocked position when the are in the high position.

Abstract: Fastening device designed to fasten a collecting container including: at least one pivot-member assembled so as to swivel around an axis on a mobile arm and including at least one first transverse arm provided with a first fixing structure and at least one second transverse arm provided with axial bores, at least two fasteners fixed onto the collecting container, the first fastener being provided with a second fixing structure working in conjunction with the first fixing structure, the second fastener, provided with axial bores, and a pin, designed to be inserted and to slide inside the axial bores when they are aligned. There exists at least one bore of a group, called the “central bore”, which is conical and which is surrounded by two bores of the other group, called “peripheral bores” which are cylindrical. The pin has a conical shoulder complementary to the central bore.

Abstract: Pot tending machine for a series of electrolysis cells designed for the production of aluminum by igneous electrolysis including: a) an overhead traveling crane which can be relocated above said electrolysis cells, b) a tool carriage onto which is fixed a service module comprising tools; c) a tapping winch, interdependent of said overhead traveling crane, designed to grasp and position near cell a tapping assembly including a ladle, a tapping tube and a vacuum device; d) a freestanding device able to generate compressed air; characterized in that said compressed air generating device of includes a first compressor, able to provide a flow of compressed air at least equal to the minimum air flow necessary for operations other than tapping, and at least one second compressor mounted in such a way that, when operating simultaneously with said first compressor, the unit provides a flow of compressed air at least equal to the minimum output of air necessary during tapping.

Abstract: A handling device of a connector designed to connect an anode stem onto the anode frame of an aluminium production plant using igneous electrolysis, said connector being equipped with two side trunnions able to cooperate with support hooks interdependent with said anode frame and placed on either side of the anode stem, so as to pin said anode stem against said anode frame, said handling device comprising at least a guiding member having a notch associated with each of said trunnions and designed to receive said trunnion, said handling device being characterize in that it also includes: at least a gripping member, having an open position and a closed position, said guiding member and said gripping member cooperating in such a manner that, when said gripping member is in open position, each trunnion can be inserted into or extracted from said notch, and when said gripping member is in closed position, each trunnion can only move a limited distance in said notch, between a so-called “low” position, correspon

Abstract: Extraction device designed to extract a short-circuiting wedge inserted between two conductors to take an electrolysis cell offline. The extraction device includes a means of gripping said wedge and, in conjunction with the upper horizontal face of each conductor, at least one jack directed vertically and including a body and a stem, stem (or said body) being interdependent with at least one horizontal support face directed downwards and laid out so that, when said extraction device is placed above said wedge to extract it, the upper horizontal face of each conductor is in line with one horizontal support face, b) said body (or said stem) being connected to said means of gripping said wedge, so that, when said jack is actuated to extract the wedge, said jack exerts opposing forces on said conductors and said wedge, tending to separate them.

Abstract: A handling device for hoods of an aluminum production cell by fused bath electrolysis, including a positioning device and a hood-gripping device. The positioning device includes a vertical guide device, a mobile support mounted on the guide device so that it can be moved in at least a vertical direction during use, an articulated arm, a first framework mounted on the articulated arm so that it can pivot about a first rotation axis A substantially horizontal during use, a motor to make the first framework pivot about the first rotation axis A, a second framework mounted on the first framework so that it can be moved along the first translation axis B that is substantially horizontal during use, and means of displacing the second framework along the first translation axis B. The hood-gripping system is fixed to the second framework and includes a set of gripping devices designed to grip a set of hoods at a number of fixing points.

Abstract: Bucket shovel type collection unit, used in an aluminum production cell, comprising: a) a means of fixing onto a mobile support; b) a connection actuated by a first actuator moving in relation to said mobile support in the vertical direction; c) a frame interdependent of said connection; d) at least one articulated bucket, swiveling around an axis assembled on said frame, having a blade and swiveling around said substantially horizontal axis. Said first actuator is connected to a programmable control system able to determine the altitude of said axis and the difference in altitude between said blade and said axis, define the vertical movement to be imposed on said collection unit, and define and transmit to said first actuator the appropriate control flow to impose said vertical movement. The control flow may be control current transmitted by a variable speed transmission to an electrical motor or an oil flow feeding the chamber of a hydraulic actuating cylinder, controlled by a servo-distributor.

Abstract: Collection unit, in particular a crust shovel designed to clean the anode holes, including a mobile vertical mast actuated by a first actuator, a frame fixed onto said mobile vertical mast and at least one articulated bucket, characterized in that said first actuator is at least one hydraulic jack fed by an hydraulic system arranged so that, at least when a second actuator actuates said bucket, the oil pressure in the chamber on the rod side is maintained at a substantially constant value making it possible to support a load corresponding to the weight of said collection unit, less a load of predetermined value, preferably lower than 1000 daN, and typically ranging between 200 and 600 daN. Advantageously, the portion of circuit feeding said chamber on the rod side is provided with a pressure regulator. With such a device, the debris may be collected by scraping the bottom of the cell without damaging it.

Abstract: A process for removing in a single step the thimbles attached to the stubs of an anode leg, including the following steps: a) said anode stem leg is placed between a stop device and an attacking device, said stop device surrounding, at least partially, each stub of said anode stem leg and having a stop surface that stops the corresponding thimble from moving forward; b) movement of the attacking device in the direction of the stop device until said anode leg enters into contact with said stop device; c) continuation of the movement of said attack device so that each thimble, blocked by the associated stop surface, is detached from the corresponding stub; f) stop and withdraw of the attacking device; In this process, a stop device is used comprising at least two stop surfaces, separated from one another by an axial distance such that the thimbles blocked by a first stop surface are detached from the stubs before the other thimbles are blocked by the other stop surface.

Abstract: A tending module for a series of electrolysis cells designed for the manufacture of aluminum by igneous electrolysis, each cell including a series of anodes provided with a metal rod designed to fix and electrically connect the anodes to a metal anode frame. The tending module includes a frame to be fixed to a mobile component, and at least one anode handling unit connected to the frame. The module also includes, integral with the anode handling unit, an activator that can exert at least one force or impulse on the anode rod, with a force such that, although the stem is firmly maintained in contact against the anode frame, the contact surfaces are moved in relation to each other by an amount sufficient for electrical contact to be improved. Advantageously, the activator is a jack or an impulse generator integral with the anode clamp.

Abstract: Fastening device designed to fasten a collecting container comprising: a. at least one pivot-member assembled so as to swivel around an axis on a mobile arm and including at least one first transverse arm provided with a first fixing means and at least one second transverse arm provided with axial bores; b. at least two fasteners fixed onto said collecting container: the first fastener being provided with a second fixing means working in conjunction with said first fixing means; the second fastener, provided with axial bores; c. a pin, designed to be inserted and to slide inside said axial bores when they are aligned. There exists at least one bore of a group, called the “central bore”, which is conical and which is surrounded by two bores of the other group, called “peripheral bores” which are cylindrical. Said pin has a conical shoulder complementary to the central bore.

Abstract: The invention relates to a service machine (3) for a series of electrolysis cells (2) for the production of aluminium by igneous electrolysis, which includes: a) a bridge crane (4) capable of translation above said electrolysis cells; a tool-bearing carriage (6) on which is attached a service module including tools (10); c) a casting winch (13) connected to said bridge crane and for gripping and positioning near the cell (2) a casting assembly including a ladle (40), a casting tube (41) and a pressure reduction device; and an independent device (50, 50?) capable of generating pressurised air.

Abstract: Method for manufacturing anodes used for the production of aluminium by fused bath electrolysis, said anodes comprising an anode stem made of a conducting metal and at least one block made of carbonaceous material called an anode block, said method including at least the following steps: a) obtain an anode stem; b) obtain a new anode block; c) fix one end of the anode stem onto the anode block, so as to give good mechanical attachment and good electrical connection between said stem and said anode block; said method being characterised in that before, during or after step c), but before placement of said anode in the electrolytic cell, a protective layer with a controlled thickness, typically between 5 and 25 cm composed of a material resistant to temperature and corrosion by the medium above the electrolytic bath is at least partially deposited on the upper surface of said anode block.

Abstract: Pot tending module (7) for a series of electrolytic cells for production by igneous electrolysis, including a chassis (8) that can be fixed to a trolley (6) moving along a travelling crane (4) and provided with a set of tools, particularly including at least one anode handling device (11), which is also provided with at least two display means (41 and 42) capable of taking views and transmitting them in the form of electromagnetic signals, typically two video cameras, the display means disposed at a distance from each other and from the working area, to be able to aim at the working area (23) of the anode handling device(s) along two non-parallel directions (D1) and (D2), forming an angle preferably close to 90°. This pot tending module may also include a third camera (43) that presents an overview of the tools and working areas for these tools, and a fourth camera (44) fixed onto the base of the anode grab actuators.

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.

Abstract: A system permanently monitoring the insulation of a frame from its neighbors, comprising: a) an IMD (100); b)) a first portion of measuring circuit (103) connecting said frame (70) to a first terminal of said IMD; c) a second portion (104, 201, 108, 109) of measuring circuit used to connect the second terminal (102) of said IMD to each of said adjacent frames (80, 90), said second portion of measuring circuit including at least one relay (201) that makes it possible to connect said IMD alternately to a portion (104, 201, 108; 104, 201, 109 respectively) of measuring circuit connected to said adjacent frame (80, 90 respectively); Said IMD injects alternately, on each switching, a current into the measuring circuit in order to measure the resistance of said circuit. Said system is used to regularly monitor the insulation of the various parts of a servicing unit designed for work on an electrolytic cell, the measuring circuits being designed preferably so that only a single IMD is used.

Abstract: This invention relates to pot tending module intended for aluminium production plants by fused bath electrolysis. According to the invention, the turret (9) of the pot tending module (7) is equipped with a determined set of tools, in which the tool (101, 102, 103) is mounted on a telescopic arm (111, 112, 113) fixed to the turret (9) through an articulated support (121, 122, 123) that enables pendular movements of the telescopic arm with respect to a determined articulation point while preventing rotation movements of the telescopic arm about its principal axis. The telescopic arms are connected to each other through a mechanical connecting device (200) capable of maintaining the relative angular difference between the pendular movements of the telescopic arms within a determined tolerance range. The invention enables the tools to be arranged closer to each other without any risk that they will collide during use.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a handling clamp, designed to grasp a stem fixed to a load and equipped with at least one attachment means. The stem is capable of moving between a lower position in the handling clamp and an upper position in the handling clamp when the handling clamp is closed on the stem. When the stem is in the lower position, the handling clamp is capable of being locked closed. When the stem is in the upper position, the handling clamp is capable of being unlocked. The handling clamp of the present invention is particularly adapted for use in the aluminium industry.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the single-step removal of thimbles attached to the rods of a base of an anode stem, that comprises the following steps: a) placing said anode stem between an abutment device and an etching device, the abutment device at least partially surrounding each of the rods of said anode stem and having an abutment surface blocking the advance of the corresponding thimble; moving the etching device in the direction of the abutment device until said anode base is in contact with said abutment device; c) carrying on the movement of the etching device so that each thimble blocked by the associated abutment surface is detached from the corresponding rod; d) interrupting and removing the etching device.

Abstract: A device fixed to a first mast cooperates with a contact area located on the outside face of a second mast sliding substantially coaxially in the first mast. The device includes guide units including a roller mounted free to rotate about an axis orthogonal to the axis of the masts, a pad with a bearing face, and a device for displacing the axis of the roller perpendicular to the contact area of the mast, as a function of forces applied by the mast on the roller. The bearing area of the unit on the mast is thus formed by the roller only, or the roller and the pad.