Abstract: The invention concerns a so-called capstan winch (1) comprising drums (2, 3) driving a cable (C) and provided with a peripheral wall (22, 32) around which are strung independent peripheral rings (40-45, 50-55). Said rings are provided with a peripheral groove designed to receive the cable (C) and are made of an elastic material so as to allow both the cable (C) to be driven and a relative sliding movement between the peripheral rings (40-45, 50-55) and the peripheral wall (22, 32), the relative sliding movement being of amplitude substantially equal to longitudinal deformation of the cable (C), when it is subjected to tension stresses. The two drums (2, 3) can be axially offset relative to each other (?/2) and their axes of rotation (?1, ?2), may form a non-null angle of inclination. The invention is particular applicable to deep sea oil exploration.

Abstract: With end-to-end electrolytic cells, in particular cells for producing aluminum, high investment and operating costs are incurred by the arrangement of the busbars outside the cell. The magnetic fields produced by the busbars give rise to streaming of the metal in the cell. By providing direct connections between the individual anodes and the electrically connected busbars running along the side of the cell, in a plane just above the anodes, the costs are lowered and the harmful effects of the magnetic fields diminished. A further effect countering the magnetic forces created by the busbars can be achieved by an asymmetric arrangement in which the busbars are at different distances from the cathode bar ends or by connecting an unequal number of cathode bar ends to busbars on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis of the cell.

Abstract: The direct electric current from a transversely disposed electrolytic cell, in particular a cell for producing aluminum, is partly conducted under the cell before being led to the anode beam of the next cell. The aluminum busbars connected to the cathode bar ends which are upstream with respect to the general direction of current flow I are led alternately, individually under the cell and collectively around the cell. On the long side of the cell, downstream with respect to direction I, the busbars which have been led individually under the cell are usefully brought together to collector bars; these are led to the anode beam of the next cell preferably together with busbars which are led around the cell and/or the busbars connected to the downstream cathode bar ends, all of which also join up with the collector bars.

Abstract: Longitudinally arranged electrolytic cells for the production of aluminum in particular, incur high investment and operating costs due to the arrangement of the busbars outside the cells. These busbars induce magnetic fields which in turn cause stirring effects in the metal in the cell.If at least the last cathode bar ends (in terms of the direction of flow I of current) on both sides of the cell are connected via busbars to the end of the anode beam at the current ingoing end of the next cell or the other end of the anode beam, this gives rise to an asymmetry which eliminates the harmful effects of the magnetic fields and helps to lower the investment and operational costs.