Abstract: A device for removing thimbles from the bottom ends of reprocessed anode bars. At least one externally toothed hollow shaft (12, 13) with a clamp ring is rotatably supported in a housing (10). Upon the hollow shaft being raised, a clamping ring engages a thimble. The external teeth of the hollow shaft are engaged by the teeth of a gear rack component of a double acting hydraulic piston whereby the thimble is twisted off the end of the anode bar.

Abstract: A preheating screw for the simultaneous mixing and heating of fine-grained or paste-like substances, in which intensive heat transfer takes place during transport of the substance by use of a rotating hollow screw that is filled with a heat-transfer medium, preferably a fluid, heat being transfered from the heat-transfer medium to the product by way of the heated hollow screw. An electrical heating device is installed in a hollow screw shaft, and is supplied with electrical energy via sliding contacts positioned on the outside of the screw shaft.

Abstract: A high pressure roller press for interparticle crushing and particularly a bearing support for one of the rolls having force means for the bearing housings urging the roll to obtain high pressure capable of interparticle crushing in the nip and a support bearing for one end of the roll having radial arms extending above and below the nip and guided in a slide permitting movement toward or away from the nip with a stepped bearing at one end of the roll with one bearing being a thrust bearing preventing axial movement and the other end of the roll being supported in a bearing permitting axial movement of the roll end. A rubber pad is located between each bearing and a force applying piston to allow tilting of the bearing and a frusto-conical link permits the pad to be larger than the piston.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for smoothing local unevenness from the surface of bar material, such as anode bars, consisting of clamping the bar rigidly against a supporting frame and moving a smoothing device along the bar, said smoothing device maintained in continued contact with the bar by means of rollers pushing against opposed parallel faces of the bar. The rollers allow the smoothing device to move according to the general contour of the bar, so that only local unevenness is removed, and excessive smoothing due to curvature in the overall bar length is eliminated.