Abstract: A handling device includes at least a guiding member having a notch associated with two side trunnions and designed to receive a trunnion, the handling device also including a gripping member the guiding member and the gripping member cooperating in such a manner that, when the gripping member is in an open position, each trunnion can be inserted into or extracted from the notch, and when the gripping member is in a closed position, each trunnion can only move a limited distance in the notch, between a “low” position and a “high” position, an actuating system associated with the gripping member, able to move it between the open and closed positions, and a locking system that is able to block said gripping member when a locked position, and able to move from the locked position to an unlocked position when the are in the high position.

Abstract: A pot tending module for an aluminum production plant comprising a frame and a rotary part including a hopper mounted on said frame so as to pivot about a substantially vertical axis, said rotary part being equipped with at least one tool mounted on a telescopic arm, said pot tending module comprising a first bearing structure to carry all of said rotary part mounted on said frame so as to be pivotable about a substantially vertical axis, a fixed member of said telescopic arm being mounted on a second bearing structure of said rotary art through attachment means fixed to an attachment part of said fixed member placed between the ends of said fixed member. A pot tending machine, a port tending assembly comprising the pot tending module described above, and use of said pot tending assembly.

Abstract: Fastening device designed to fasten a collecting container including: at least one pivot-member assembled so as to swivel around an axis on a mobile arm and including at least one first transverse arm provided with a first fixing structure and at least one second transverse arm provided with axial bores, at least two fasteners fixed onto the collecting container, the first fastener being provided with a second fixing structure working in conjunction with the first fixing structure, the second fastener, provided with axial bores, and a pin, designed to be inserted and to slide inside the axial bores when they are aligned. There exists at least one bore of a group, called the “central bore”, which is conical and which is surrounded by two bores of the other group, called “peripheral bores” which are cylindrical. The pin has a conical shoulder complementary to the central bore.

Abstract: Pot tending machine for a series of electrolysis cells designed for the production of aluminum by igneous electrolysis including: a) an overhead traveling crane which can be relocated above said electrolysis cells, b) a tool carriage onto which is fixed a service module comprising tools; c) a tapping winch, interdependent of said overhead traveling crane, designed to grasp and position near cell a tapping assembly including a ladle, a tapping tube and a vacuum device; d) a freestanding device able to generate compressed air; characterized in that said compressed air generating device of includes a first compressor, able to provide a flow of compressed air at least equal to the minimum air flow necessary for operations other than tapping, and at least one second compressor mounted in such a way that, when operating simultaneously with said first compressor, the unit provides a flow of compressed air at least equal to the minimum output of air necessary during tapping.

Abstract: A handling device of a connector designed to connect an anode stem onto the anode frame of an aluminium production plant using igneous electrolysis, said connector being equipped with two side trunnions able to cooperate with support hooks interdependent with said anode frame and placed on either side of the anode stem, so as to pin said anode stem against said anode frame, said handling device comprising at least a guiding member having a notch associated with each of said trunnions and designed to receive said trunnion, said handling device being characterize in that it also includes: at least a gripping member, having an open position and a closed position, said guiding member and said gripping member cooperating in such a manner that, when said gripping member is in open position, each trunnion can be inserted into or extracted from said notch, and when said gripping member is in closed position, each trunnion can only move a limited distance in said notch, between a so-called “low” position, correspon

Abstract: The present invention relates to a plastic comprising zinc sulphide and to its use.

Abstract: Bucket shovel type collection unit, used in an aluminum production cell, comprising: a) a means of fixing onto a mobile support; b) a connection actuated by a first actuator moving in relation to said mobile support in the vertical direction; c) a frame interdependent of said connection; d) at least one articulated bucket, swiveling around an axis assembled on said frame, having a blade and swiveling around said substantially horizontal axis. Said first actuator is connected to a programmable control system able to determine the altitude of said axis and the difference in altitude between said blade and said axis, define the vertical movement to be imposed on said collection unit, and define and transmit to said first actuator the appropriate control flow to impose said vertical movement. The control flow may be control current transmitted by a variable speed transmission to an electrical motor or an oil flow feeding the chamber of a hydraulic actuating cylinder, controlled by a servo-distributor.

Abstract: Collection unit, in particular a crust shovel designed to clean the anode holes, including a mobile vertical mast actuated by a first actuator, a frame fixed onto said mobile vertical mast and at least one articulated bucket, characterized in that said first actuator is at least one hydraulic jack fed by an hydraulic system arranged so that, at least when a second actuator actuates said bucket, the oil pressure in the chamber on the rod side is maintained at a substantially constant value making it possible to support a load corresponding to the weight of said collection unit, less a load of predetermined value, preferably lower than 1000 daN, and typically ranging between 200 and 600 daN. Advantageously, the portion of circuit feeding said chamber on the rod side is provided with a pressure regulator. With such a device, the debris may be collected by scraping the bottom of the cell without damaging it.

Abstract: Fastening device designed to fasten a collecting container comprising: a. at least one pivot-member assembled so as to swivel around an axis on a mobile arm and including at least one first transverse arm provided with a first fixing means and at least one second transverse arm provided with axial bores; b. at least two fasteners fixed onto said collecting container: the first fastener being provided with a second fixing means working in conjunction with said first fixing means; the second fastener, provided with axial bores; c. a pin, designed to be inserted and to slide inside said axial bores when they are aligned. There exists at least one bore of a group, called the “central bore”, which is conical and which is surrounded by two bores of the other group, called “peripheral bores” which are cylindrical. Said pin has a conical shoulder complementary to the central bore.

Abstract: The invention relates to a service machine (3) for a series of electrolysis cells (2) for the production of aluminium by igneous electrolysis, which includes: a) a bridge crane (4) capable of translation above said electrolysis cells; a tool-bearing carriage (6) on which is attached a service module including tools (10); c) a casting winch (13) connected to said bridge crane and for gripping and positioning near the cell (2) a casting assembly including a ladle (40), a casting tube (41) and a pressure reduction device; and an independent device (50, 50?) capable of generating pressurised air.

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.