Abstract: An apparatus for a self-baking electrode includes an electrode having at least three zones, a first zone containing uncarbonized carbon-containing composition, a second zone which adjoins the first zone and in which the carbon-containing composition is present in a paste-like or liquid form, a third zone which adjoins the second zone and in which the carbon-containing composition is present in carbonized form, and a cylindrical housing which encloses at least the first and second zones. A tube can be lifted and lowered in a vertical direction at least partly within the zones and an extendable holding element for taking up tensile forces runs partly within the tube and partly outside the tube where a first end of the holding element (101) can be detachably connected to a fastening element, a second end of the holding element enters the third zone and is anchored there.

Abstract: An electrode clamping device is suitable for use in an electrical arc furnace. The clamping device is used releasably to clamp an electrode of an electric arc furnace, and includes at least one elongate tension element configured in use to extend at least partially about a periphery of the electrode of the arc furnace in order for the tension element to define a tensionable loop about the electrode that is adapted to exert a clamping force on the electrode when tensioned. The clamping device also includes a tensioning mechanism including tensioning means adapted to exert a tensile force on end zones of the clamping element so as to tension the tension element, characterized in that the force exerted by the tensioning means is directed in a radial direction relative to the electrode.

Abstract: A sealing device is arranged around a rod electrode extending vertically through an aperture made in the ceiling of an arc furnace and being vertically movable inside the furnace to prevent the access of gases from the furnace through the aperture to the atmosphere, and on the other hand to prevent air from flowing from the atmosphere into the furnace. The sealing device comprises a gas distribution chamber provided with an inlet channel for feeding essentially passive gas, such as nitrogen or air, into the gas distribution chamber. The sealing device also includes a slit nozzle encasing the electrode, through which nozzle a gas jet is arranged to be discharged from the gas distribution chamber towards the electrode in a direction that is at an angle with respect to the horizontal plane and has a slightly upwards inclined orientation, and that is, with respect to the furnace interior, pointed outwardly, so that the sealing is carried out owing to the effect of the created stagnation pressure.

Abstract: A support arm for a water-cooled, current-conducting electrode includes wall elements, wherein each wall element is a flat conductive metal with a hollowed out recess on its outer surface extending over its length. The support arm further includes a cover extending over each recess to define a closed cooling channel within each wall element when the cover is welded to the wall element. The cover includes with an inlet port and an outlet port for cooling water.

Abstract: The particular aim of the invention is cost-effective production of the wall elements for water-cooled, current-conducting electrode bearing arms, wherein wall elements have been developed which comprise a flat profile, which consists of an electrically conductive metal and into which at least one recess is incorporated on the side forming the outside of the electrode bearing arm, which recess extends over the length of the profile and is provided on the outside and the end side with a cover, which is combined with the flat profile by means of welding and provides a closed cooling channel, with in each case at least one inlet and at least one outlet for the cooling water flowing through the channel.

Abstract: In an electric arc furnace having a fluid-cooled electrode support arm which is provided with an electrode holding means, the outside of the electrode support arm is plated with cooper and the electrode holding means is electrically insulated with respect to the support arm, by way of which the electrode current is carried to a contact jaw that bears against the electrode. In an electric arc furnace with for example three parallel electrode support arms the electrode current is taken partly by way of a heavy-current tube and partly by way of the electrode support arm in order to balance the different reactance in relation to the two other electrode support arms. In order to eliminate reactance asymmetry, a reactance loop is provided in at least one heavy-current conductor between the transformer of the electric arc furnace and the associated electrode support arm.

Abstract: In an arc furnace both of the open-air and submerged arc type an electrode column able to perform angular movements in one or in both directions alternatively about its axis during furnace operations and, at the same time, it can be moved vertically so as to allow the tip level to be changed as usual, as it is necessary in the furnace operation to achieve the best electric arc.

Abstract: An electrode holder assembly for a cylindrical electric arc melting furnace permits reduction of the electrode pitch circle diameter spacing the electrodes farther from the refractory lining reducing refractory wear and lengthening cycles between relining. The assembly also permits more power to be introduced while reducing overall reactance, both resulting in a more efficient furnace. The arrangement also provides reduced melting time in turn resulting in more furnace capacity, thus reducing electrode consumption per ton of molten metal. The arrangement is achieved by an improved simplified and compact differential clamp mounted inboard of a relatively thin U-shape clamp enabling the distal ends of the two outer arms of the three mast arms employed to be angled toward each other and the center mast arm to reduce the diameter of the electrode pitch circle.

Abstract: Electric furnace arrangement including a furnace vessel with liftable and lowerable lid penetrated by at least one electrode. The electrode is fastened to a liftable and lowerable supporting construction by first clamping devices. For lifting the lid, a further clamping device for the electrode is provided on the lid, at least one coupling element is provided on the supporting construction and at least one counter-coupling element is arranged on the lid, which can be brought into and out of engagement with the coupling element. A connecting element can be provided between coupling element and supporting construction.

Abstract: An arc furnace having a space for accommodating charging material, said space being disposed on one side of the furnace vessel and communicating with the interior of the furnace vessel and being disposed at least partly in the region of radiation of the arc of at least one arc electrode. The arc electrode is movable towards and away from the charging material accommodating space, and thereby permits better utilization of the radiant heat generated by the arc.

Abstract: An apparatus for adjustably supporting a vertical electrode for an arc-type furnace. The apparatus includes an upper stationary electrode clamping structure and a lower adjustable electrode clamping structure suspended from the upper structure by adjustment screws. The two clamping structures are mounted on a carriage movable linearly into and out of registry with the furnace to accommodate maintenance and repair. Each clamping structure comprises an arcuate electrical contact and wedge-type slips engaging the periphery of the electrode in opposition to the electrical contact, the slips being spring-biased into electrode engagement and cam actuated from electrode engagement. The cams are actuated by a common shaft extending between the two clamping structures, so that the electrode is released from one clamping structure when engaged by the other clamping structure.

Abstract: An electrode support mechanism and method for use in electric arc melting or smelting furnaces wherein a pair of horizontal, superimposed arms are each provided with clamping devices at their outer end for supporting and supplying electric power to a vertically disposed electrode depending into an arc furnace. The arms are each supported on a vertical support post; the upper arm is fixed to the post and the lower arm which normally carries the electrode is movable relative to the post to adjust the electrode to maintain a constant arc at the furnace. The movable arm is moved vertically by a jack screw carried by the upper arm and depending into contact with the lower arm. The clamping devices at the ends of the arms are spring-biased toward contact with the electrode, and a linking mechanism is provided to alternately release the arm clamping mechanisms from the electrode under the control of an actuating system utilizing fluid pressure actuated cylinders.

Abstract: An electrode support mechanism for use in electric arc melting or smelting furnaces wherein a pair of horizontal, superimposed arms are each provided with clamping devices at their outer end for supporting a vertically disposed electrode depending into an arc furnace. The arms are each supported on a vertical support post; the upper arm is fixed to the post and the lower arm which normally carries the electrode is movable relative to the post to adjust the electrode to maintain a constant arc at the furnace. The movable arm is moved vertically by a jack screw carried by the upper arm and depending into contact with the lower arm. The clamping devices at the ends of the arms are spring-biased toward contact with the electrode, and a linking mechanism is provided to alternately release the arm clamping mechanisms from the electrode under the control of a cam-operated actuating system.

Abstract: An electrode holder is disclosed particularly for smelting furnaces which comprises an electrode arm, a fixed contact to the arm and a movable contact movably mounted to the arm. A biasing spring is connected in the mounting of the movable contact on the electrode arm to bias the movable contact toward the fixed contact to hold an electrode between the two contacts. A fluid pressure cylinder is provided in the electrode arm which acts on the movable contact to counteract the force of the spring to release the electrode from between the contacts. The fluid pressure cylinder is supplied by a fluid motor, fluid pump and fluid reservoir combination which is mounted as a constructional unit within the electrode arm. The fluid may be hydraulic or pneumatic. Electrical power is supplied to the motor by an electric line and air is supplied to a compartment containing the motor pump and reservoir combination. Flexible pressure fluid lines are therefore not required.