Abstract: The invention relates to a safety device (1) for detecting electrode breakage in an electric arc furnace, wherein an electrode (6) is secured on an electrode support arm (4), and wherein a conduit is filled with a medium under a constant pressure and a pressure drop is produced at an electrode breakage, which is detected as an alarm signal. Here, the conduit (7a-d,3) is integrated in a protective component that is arranged beneath the electrode support arm (4) thereon, wherein in case of an electrode breakage, the conduit (7a-d,3) is damaged by a produce electric arc and the pressure drop takes place.

Abstract: The invention relates to an arrangement for feeding an anode into a metallurgical smelting reactor (2), such as a flash converter, said arrangement including a feeding funnel (7) made of at least one part for feeding at least one anode (4) at a time into the smelting reactor, said arrangement also including a bending element (5) for bending the anode, so that the essentially completely bent anode (4) is arranged to meet the surface of the melt (8) contained in the smelting reactor in an essentially horizontal position. The invention also relates to a method for feeding an anode into a metallurgical smelting reactor (2).

Abstract: In an apparatus (1) for adjusting an electrode (5) of a metallurgical furnace, in particular a furnace for resistance operation having a furnace lid (15), comprising a clamping ring (3) and a holder ring (4, 14), the holder ring (4, 14) is designed to be arranged in the furnace lid (15).

Abstract: A system is disclosed for lowering (“slipping”) and/or raising (“back slipping”) electrodes relative to an electrode column. The system includes an electrode column having at least one slipping sleeve and a power clamp, each of which apply a radial clamping force to the electrode. The magnitudes of the clamping forces are selected such that application of a downwardly directed axial force on the one or more slipping sleeves, in combination with the weight of the electrode, are sufficient to overcome the resistive force of the power clamp, resulting in downward movement of the electrode without release of the clamping forces. Electrode columns having two movable slipping sleeves are also capable of raising the electrode relative to the furnace without release of the clamping forces.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing titanium electrodes in a vacuum arc remelting furnace as well as a reusable header for use in the remelting process is disclosed. An electrode may be attached to the reusable header and remelted in the furnace a number of times until a final ingot of the desired metallurgical quality is produced. The header and electrode are provided with a complimentarily shaped interlocking recess and projection to secure them together. The electrode may alternatively be integrally formed with a starter stub that includes a recess or projection that interlocks with a complimentarily shaped projection or recess on the header. At least a section of the header is made of the same metal as the electrode to be melted to reduce contamination of the ingot being formed in the furnace. Alternatively the starter stub is made from the same metal as the electrode.

Abstract: A consumable electrode is suspended by a stub. The stub includes upper and lower hangers between which is vertically mounted a loadcell for weighing the electrode attached to the lower hanger. An electrical conductor is joined between the upper and lower hangers for carrying electrical current therebetween to power the electrode without damaging the loadcell.

Abstract: An electrode assembly comprising concentric tubular electrodes is provided for high temperature processing of materials. The electrode assembly is connected with a power supply that includes switching means for alternatively operating the electrode assembly in a transferred mode of operation, in a non-transferred mode of operation, or according to a controlled sequence of non-transferred and transferred modes of operation. The power supply system includes variable inductors, such as leakage-coupled reactors, for controlling the electrical power supplied to the electrodes for producing a DC arc. The electrode assembly can be incorporated into an arc furnace for processing waste material in the furnace. The electrode assembly is also suitable for use in the practice of in-situ vitrification and remediation of contaminated soil.

Abstract: An arc furnace comprising a furnace vessel having a transverse axis and a central axis, electrodes disposed on a graduated circle, the electrodes projecting into the furnace vessel parallel to the central vertical axis, the electrodes are mounted on an electrode holding device of three supporting columns and three supporting arms, the center is located on the transverse axis at a predetermined distance from the center, the transverse axis being collinear with the middle one of the supporting arms, an electrode is disposed closest to the supporting columns at the intersection of the transverse axis and the graduated circle, and the other electrodes are disposed on the graduated circle an angle .alpha.=<110.degree. with the electrode at the center of the circle.

Abstract: A remelting furnace has a crucible and a raisable pot placed thereon. An electrode rod leads into the pot through a passage sealed by means of a seal carried by a lower platform. The lower platform is connected to the pot by a hitch having free play, and can be raised together with the electrode rod by a lift means supported on a weighing platform. In this manner weighing of the electrode rod uninfluenced by the friction forces of the seal is possible. Also, it is possible to lift the pot without increasing the structural height of the structure accommodating the remelting furnace.

Abstract: A remelting furnace has a crucible (2) and a raisable pot (3) placed thereon. An electrode rod (6) leads into the pot (3) through a stuffing box (8) borne by a lower platform (9). The lower platform (9) is carried by rods (12, 13) which are fastened each at its upper end to a weighing platform (14). The connection of the lower platform (9) to the particular rod (12, 13) is performed in each case through a releasable clutch (10,11 ). Consequently, a lifter (17) can lift the pot (3) such that it shifts upwardly with the bottom platform (9) relative to the rods (12, 13).

Abstract: The metallurgical vessel, such as a direct-current arc furnace, comprises a metal housing (1) lined on its inside with refractory material (2), at least one electrode (3) passing through the bottom of the vessel and connected to a terminal of an electrical power supply, the electrode being fastened to the metal housing by a mechanical fastening arrangement and insulated electrically from the housing. A leaktight wall (20) surrounding the fastening zone of the electrode prevents a liquid flowing over the inner surface of the housing from coming into contact with the electrode fastening arrangement, and orifices (26) are provided for discharging the liquid collected out of the housing. The invention is particularly applicable to direct-current arc furnaces and prevents the molten lead originating from the scrap metal of the charge and infiltrating through the refractory from damaging the electrical insulation of the fastening of the electrode.

Abstract: A process for casting an ingot of pre-alloyed metal from a consumable electrode. It includes the steps of: providing a consumable electrode corresponding to the desired metallurgical composition of the to-be-cast ingot; providing a second electrode; striking an arc between the consumable electrode and the second electrode to melt the consumable electrode and thereby form a molten pool; maintaining the arc between the consumable electrode and the molten pool; rotating or oscillating the consumable electrode about its axis during melting; providing a controlled atmosphere for the melting of the consumable electrode; delivering molten metal into a fluid cooled mold; and withdrawing the ingot from the mold.

Abstract: A closed remelting furnace 1 includes a vertical furnace axis A-A, an electrode supporting rod 15 for a consumable electrode 23, a furnace body 29 which has a driving mechanism for the electrode supporting rod and several furnace lower portions 6, 7 each of which has an ingot mold 9 including an ingot mold axis K-K. A furnace upper portion 11 and the furnace lower portions can individually, if desired, be aligned by means of a lateral relative movement. Through a sealed passage the electrode supporting rod is passed through a top limiting wall 16 of the furnace upper portion 11. In order to reduce the total height and labor and cost involved in design and construction the furnace upper portion 11 is subdivided in two partial segments 13, 19 along a horizontal separating groove.

Abstract: In apparatus of the type having a shaft which moves axially or is rotated, a rotary seal on the shaft for eliminating the breakaway friction between the shaft and its mount. The seal includes an inner sleeve surrounding the shaft and rotatable thereon, the sleeve having one or more seals on the inner surface thereof and in engagement with the shaft. The inner sleeve is supported at its ends on a pair of bearings which mount the shaft for movement. An outer sleeve fixed relative to a reference surrounds the inner sleeve and is received within a tubular member forming part of a fixed support. A power device coupled through a driver spur gear and a driven spur gear rotates the inner sleeve relative to the shaft and the outer sleeve as the shaft moves in a particular direction, such as axially or rotationally. The inner sleeve thereby eliminates the axial component of breakaway friction between the inner sleeve and the shaft. The inner sleeve can rotate in one direction or back and forth in opposite directions.

Abstract: A feed through structure for passing electrodes through a furnace cover into the interior of an electro furnace such as an electric arc or reduction furnace includes thin walled, water cooled hollow cylinders made of electrically conductive material and being provided in apertures in the cover; electrodes are passed through cylinders and electrically conductive hollow copper bridges interconnect all of said hollow cylinders to the extent they pertain to different phases; these bridges are provided in pairs for separately connecting the inside and outside ends of the hollowed cylinders.

Abstract: An improved consumable electrode remelting furnace and a method of monitoring decreases in the weight of a consumable electrode during remelting are provided. An electrode support structure is movably supported above a mold for moving the electrode into and out of substantially coaxial relationship with the mold. The base of a load cell is supported above the mold by the electrode support structure so that the load cell is electrically remote from the electric melting current conducting paths in the furnace. Apparatus are provided for: (1) suspending the weight of the electrode and substantially only that weight from the top of the load cell; and (2) vertically displacing the mold and the electrode relative to each other toward and away from a position of the electrode in the mold where the electrode can be remelted.

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: The invention concerns a vacuum arc melting and casting furnace comprising a vacuum chamber, a tilting crucible and a current connection leading to the bottom of the tilting crucible. This current connection consists of a fixed contact and of a co-operating contact arranged on the bottom of the crucible and movable with the tilting crucible. Also provided is an electrode rod for holding an electrode concentrically in relation to the tilting crucible.The fixed contact is secured on at least two current conductors which are substantially coaxial with the electrode rod or electrode. These conductors pass through the vacuum chamber from the top and extend past the tilting crucible, and their distance apart is such that the crucible can be tilted between them into the casting position.