Abstract: A current pass-through arrangement for a rodlike electrode passing substantially perpendicularly through a hot wall of a container features an inner seal and an outer seal, with the outer seal located at a substantially cooler position than the hot wall. Preferably, a portion of the electrode is tightly fitted into a cylindrical bushing of electrically insulating material. The electrode projects out of this bushing, at least at the container-adjacent end. In turn, the bushing is tightly fitted into a wall element (4) having a smaller-diameter end and a larger-diameter end which is sealed into the container wall. The wall element (4) and the electrode centered within it define an annular space which is at least partly filled with sealing material (5). According to a further embodiment, the electrode also projects from the container-remote end of the bushing (3).

Abstract: A pump for cryogenic liquids is provided with an enclosing vessel of the construction of a Dewar flask. A submerged multistage rotary pump is suspended from the mouth of the flask by means of a system providing thermal insulation opposing the flow of heat down the neck of the flask. The drive motor is coupled to the drive shaft of the immersion pump through a magnet coupling of which the elements are separated by a pressure seal. The latter and the extensive thermal insulation make the pump suitable for pumping liquid air or liquid nitrogen in a pressurized closed circuit and the presence of a supply of the cryogenic liquid around the pump itself makes it possible to start the pump at once after a quiescent period. A level-control sonde operates to assure that the presence of the necessary minimum of liquid in the vessel.