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: 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: 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: 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: 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.

Abstract: A tending module (7) for a series of electrolytic cells (2) to be used for the production of aluminum by fused bath electrolysis including a frame (8) that can be fixed to a trolley (6) and a turret (9) fitted on the frame (8) so as to pivot about a vertical axis A, and equipped with a set of tools including a crust breaker (11), a bucket shovel (12), at least one first anode clamp (13) and a hopper (15) fitted with a retractable duct (16), and a balcony or a cab (18) having controls that will be used to maneuver the module and the tools, and a control station (19) from which an operator can actuate the controls.

Abstract: An on-the-fly method for measuring the length, along an axis (z?z) of an anode (20) used in the production of aluminium by molten salt electrolysis in which: i) said anode is suspended from a gripping member (13a) which is fitted with a displacement sensor measuring the vertical position of the point of attachment (O); ii) said gripping member is moved vertically so that the lower surface (21a) of the anode passes through a plane (P) formed by n beams (f1, . . . , fi, . . . , fn) and, each time one of said beams i (i=1 to n) is disturbed by the lower surface of the anode passing through it, the vertical position hi of said point of attachment (O) is measured; iii) the angle of inclination zz? of the anode stem is measured and the distance between the point of attachment and the lower surface (21a) of the anode block (21) is deduced based on values measured hi (i=1 to n), and the inclination value of the anode stem.

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: 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: 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: The purpose of the invention is a process for changing an anode of a cell for the production of aluminium by fused bath electrolysis (2) on which at least one anode handling tool (13) is used, comprising a positioning device (13b) and a gripping device (13a), and characterised in that during replacement operations of a determined spent anode (20?) by a replacement anode (20?), the position of the replacement anode (20?) is determined from a determined set of measurements of a fixed point position Po located on at least one anode handling tool (13) with respect to a determined set of reference points P located on determined objects separate from the anode handling tool. Another purpose of the invention is a pot tending machine used to implement the process. The invention significantly limits the handling operations required to determine the position of the replacement anode.

Abstract: A process for changing an anode of a cell for the production of aluminum by fused bath electrolysis including a plurality of anodes. According to the invention, an anode handling tool is used including a positioning device, a gripping device and a sensor detecting the vertical position of the gripping device, and the position sensor is used to measure the vertical distances traveled by the gripping device with respect to a reference level N. At least one sound or electromagnetic waves beam is then produced in a determined reference line or plane and the passage of the anode in the beam is used to measure the distances. The vertical position of the replacement anode in the cell is determined starting from the values obtained for the traveled distances and the replacement anode is put into this position in the place initially occupied by the spent anode.

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.

Abstract: The invention relates to a service module for factories producing aluminium by fusion electrolysis. The turret (9) of the inventive service module (7) is provided with a determined tool set, wherein each tool (101, 102, 103) is mounted on a telescopic arm (111, 112, 113) which is fixed to the turret (9) by a hinge support (121, 122, 123) which enables said telescopic arm to be perpendicularly movable with respect to a determined hinge point without rotating around the main axis thereof. Said telescopic arms are interconnected by a mechanical connection device (200) which maintains the relative angular deviation between the perpendicular movements thereof within a given tolerance range. Said invention makes it possible to bring the tools closer without striking each other during the use thereof.

Abstract: The invention relates to jacks used for the displacement of anode frames of electrolytic cells designed for the production of aluminium. According to the invention, the jack (100, 100?) comprises a sleeve (120) provided with an opening (121), an actuation rod (140) comprising an axial cavity (141) and a thread (142) and capable of moving in the said opening, a drive screw (130) inserted in the said axial cavity and capable of cooperating with the said thread so as to displace the said rod (140) in the sleeve (120) and in the said opening (121), a toothed drive wheel (150) coupled to the drive screw (130), and a worm screw that can be connected to the shaft of a drive motor (200) and that can cooperate with the drive wheel (150) so as to rotate it, and is characterised in that the centre-to-centre distance E between the axis R of the drive wheel and the axis V of the worm screw is between 100 and 350 mm, and in that the reduction ratio RR between the worm screw and the drive wheel is between 300:1 and 80:1.

Abstract: A process for changing an anode of a cell for the production of aluminum by fused bath electrolysis including a plurality of anodes. According to the invention, an anode handling tool is used including a positioning device, a gripping device and a sensor detecting the vertical position of the gripping device, and the position sensor is used to measure the vertical distances traveled by the gripping device with respect to a reference level N. At least one sound or electromagnetic waves beam is then produced in a determined reference line or plane and the passage of the anode in the beam is used to measure the distances. The vertical position of the replacement anode in the cell is determined starting from the values obtained for the traveled distances and the replacement anode is put into this position in the place initially occupied by the spent anode.