Abstract: A sliding contact arrangement for transmitting heavy currents to and from a bus bar has a cage with conductive contact faces and an arrangement to cause a conductive sliding contact to bear on the bus bar and only one of the contact faces.

Abstract: A graphite nipple projecting from one end of a graphite electrode portion of the type used in an electric furnace has a supporting face for receiving a non-graphite portion of a clamping device in shape-locking engagement for holding the electrode for use. It also has a conventional screw-thread surface for joining the nipple to another electrode portion for extending the electrode. The supporting face does not alter the conventional screw-thread surface arrangement for joining electrode portions so that specially-shaped and thus costly electrode-supporting nipples are not required in addition to the conventionally-shaped nipples for joining electrode portions, and a graphite screw-thread does not have to be unscrewed for the same, which unscrewing frequently broke the nipple or electrode portion.

Abstract: A clamp for joining a pair of flanges has a clamp chain with grooved clamp shoes thereon which, in the closed position of the clamp, straddle the edges of the flanges to press them together. At least some of the clamp shoes are fastened to the clamp chain through an intermediate member which pivots at both the clamp chain and the clamp shoe.

Abstract: An electro-slag remelting furnace having consumable electrodes and a mold for receiving a melt formed from the electrode material; at least one drive motor and at least one spindle and an associated stationary spindle nut for vertical movement of the electrode; at least one guide column, which is provided for vertically guiding the consumable electrodes and which extends parallel with the spindle and relative to which the spindle is rotatable mounted at its two ends; and at least one clamping device for the consumable electrodes.

Abstract: An electrode clamping device in an electroslag remelting plant has an adjustment device which defines two pivot axes for the electrode holding member which are aligned at right angles to one another and which can be independently controlled for effecting pivotal movement of the electrode holding member about the two axes.

Abstract: A pendulum gate valve with a pressure tight housing and inlet and outlet openings arranged on opposite sides of the housing. The drive rod for the pendulum frame is guided throughout its total path by a joint connected to the pendulum frame which can swivel about the shaft of the pendulum frame but can in addition also move independently of the swiveling motion of the pendulum frame. A guide mechanism is provided for the further movement of the joint outside the swiveling range, which forces the joint onto a path that runs substantially parallel to the drive rod. The guide mechanism consists of a thrust rod forming part of the pressing device which urges the gate valve plate against the sealing bearing surface and which is connected to the drive rod. The thrust rod is mounted in a longitudinally movable manner in the pendulum frame and runs parallel to the drive rod in the closed position of the gate valve plate.

Abstract: An electroslag remelting arrangement for remelting consumable electrodes into ingots, in which the ingot mold power connection is mounted beneath the mold upper edge on the ingot mold or on the mold floor, and is led away downwardly. The electrode current connection has at least two stationary bus bars which extend continuously from the connection point of the ingot mold to the maximum stroke height of the electrode feed device. The bus bars, moreover, run coaxially or quasi-coaxially with respect to the ingot mold, and are electrically connected to the consumable electrode by sliding contacts and connecting leads.

Abstract: A closure fixture has a slide member or valve for radioactive and toxic media, a fixture housing, a housing cover connected to the housing via a first sealing surface and a closure device with a drive mechanism arranged on the housing cover. The housing fixture comprises an additional sealing surface and an assembly cap has an interior configured to receive the housing cover, an enclosure device and is sealingly mountable to the additional sealing surface. The assembly cap comprises at least one manipulating device for transferring the housing cover together with the closure device into the interior of the assembly cap.

Abstract: Electrical melting apparatus having a vertical column equipped with guides for at least two electrode feeders each of which have C-shaped carriages partly encompassing the column such that the individual electrode feeders can move past each other without interference.

Abstract: Apparatus for producing monocrystals by potless zone melting, in which the monocrystal, setting out from a seed crystal, passes through a neck and a transitional zone into the main part of the monocrystal. A chamber is provided for the formation of a vacuum or a protective gas atmosphere plus a heating device for the production of the melting heat, driving means for the mechanical movements necessary for the crystal formation, a mounting for the seed crystal, and a supporting device which is applicable to the monocrystal beyond the neck, and a plurality of gripping bodies distributed about the circumference and applicable to the monocrystal radially on its substantially cylindrical surface the gripping bodies are disposed such that they first perform a radial approach to the monocrystal until a virtually force-free contact is made therewith, adapting themselves to the surface geometry and position of the monocrystal, whereupon the gripping force is increased and the gripping bodies are locked.

Abstract: In an oscillating valve in which a slide plate is subjected to a swinging movement between an opening position in which it is clear of a flow passage and a closing position in which it is inserted in the flow path, and, in its closing position, is applied against a sealing surface by a sealing force to block the flow path, a single drive device is provided to produce both the swinging movement and the sealing force and the sealing force is produced by moving the slide plate perpendicular to the sealing surface only after the slide plate has reached the closing position associated with its swinging movement.

Abstract: Apparatus for producing monocrystals by potless zone melting, in which the monocrystal, setting out from a seed crystal, passes through a neck and a transitional zone into the main part of the monocrystal. A chamber is provided for the formation of a vacuum or a protective gas atmosphere plus a heating device for the production of the melting heat, driving means for the mechanical movements necessary for the crystal formation, a mounting for the seed crystal, and a supporting device which is applicable to the monocrystal beyond the neck, and a plurality of gripping bodies distributed about the circumference and applicable to the monocrystal radially on its substantially cylindrical surface the gripping bodies are disposed such that they first perform a radial approach to the monocrystal until a virtually force-free contact is made therewith, adapting themselves to the surface geometry and position of the monocrystal, whereupon the gripping force is increased and the gripping bodies are locked.