Abstract: An anode positioning hoist supported on an overhead crane used in a smelting apparatus including a cathode with an upwardly facing surface and an anode with a downwardly facing surface. The anode positioning hoist includes a pair of channel members defining opposed vertical channels and a cylinder/piston assembly including a cylinder located between the channel members and a piston rod extending downwardly from the cylinder. A carrier is fixed to the piston rod for movement therewith and includes rollers guided in the channels. A connector assembly is mounted on the carrier to releasably secure the anode to the carrier. A control system including a counterbalance valve mounted on the cylinder and a pressure switch operates to cause extension of the piston rod until the downwardly facing surface of the anode engages the upwardly facing surface of the cathode. The control system thereafter causes retraction of the piston rod a predetermined distance to provide a desired anode-cathode gap.

Abstract: An anode positioning hoist supported on an overhead crane used in a smelting apparatus including a cathode with an upwardly facing surface and an anode with a downwardly facing surface. The anode positioning hoist includes a pair of channel members defining opposed vertical channels and a cylinder/piston assembly including a cylinder located between the channel members and a piston rod extending downwardly from the cylinder. A carrier is fixed to the piston rod for movement therewith and includes rollers guided in the channels. A connector assembly is mounted on the carrier to releasably secure the anode to the carrier. A control system including a counterbalance valve mounted on the cylinder and a pressure switch operates to cause extension of the piston rod until the downwardly facing surface of the anode engages the upwardly facing surface of the cathode. The control system thereafter causes retraction of the piston rod a predetermined distance to provide a desired anode-cathode gap.