US3708128A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Apparatus for salvaging carbon from anodes
Assignee: Rio Tinto Switzerland AG
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Filing: 1971-04-14
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Granted: 1973-01-02
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Expires: 1991-04-14
Abstract
Abstract Carbon anode blocks are separated from metallic suspending devices of used or defective anode units for the production of aluminum by clamping the suspending device between one or more pairs of piston rods, by stripping the anode block off the thus clamped suspending device, and by thereupon comminuting the separated anode block in a crushing chamber which is surrounded by toothed walls at least one of which is movable into the chamber to thus comminute the anode block. An overhead conveyor is employed to transport used or defective anode units into the range of the clamping faces on the piston rods. The crushing chamber is located below the separating station so that a separated anode block can enter the crushing chamber by gravity.
Inventors
- 👤 G Limpinsel
- 👤 K Fricker
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 11:12
CPC Classifications
C; C25; C25C; C25C3/00; C25C3/06; C25C3/08; C25C3/12; C25C3/125; B; B02; B02C; B02C1/00; B02C1/02; B02C1/10; B02C1/12; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/51; Y10T29/5136; Y10T29/5137
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 35
Claim 1
Independent Claim
22 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1, further comprising comminuting means for converting the separated anode block into a mass of particulate material.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
35 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said holding means comprises clamping means for the suspending devices of anode units and said moving means comprises stripping means for separating anode blocks from clamped suspending devices.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
49 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 3, wherein said clamping means comprises two clamping members at least one of which is movable toward and away from the other clamping member to thereby respectively clamp and release the suspending device of an anode unit which is placed between said clamping members.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
60 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 4, wherein said stripping means comprises at least one pair of stripping elements movable substantially at right angles to the direction of movement of said one clamping member to thereby separate the anode block from a suspending device which is engaged by said clamping members while said stripping elements move away from said clamping members.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
54 words
ApparatuS as defined in claim 5, further comprising comminuting means having wall means defining a chamber having an inlet arranged to admit anode blocks which are separated from the corresponding suspending devices, said wall means including at least one portion which is movable into said chamber to thereby crush anode blocks in such chamber.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
51 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 6, wherein the inlet of said chamber is located at a level below said stripping elements and wherein said stripping elements are arranged to move downwardly during separation of anode blocks from corresponding suspending devices so that the separated anode blocks enter said chamber by gravity.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said moving means is mounted on said holding means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1, further comprising guide means and carriage means movably mounted on said guide means and supporting said holding means and said moving means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
67 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 9, wherein said holding means comprises two pairs of clamping members for suspending devices and said moving means comprises two pairs of stripping elements movable with reference to said clamping members, said carriage means comprising two carriages each movable with reference to the other carriage and each movably supporting one pair of said clamping members and one pair of said stripping elements.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
66 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said holding means comprises at least one pair of clamping members at least one of which is movable toward and away from the other clamping member to thereby respectively clamp and release the suspending device of an anode unit which is located between said clamping members, and further comprising double-acting fluid-operated cylinder means for moving said one clamping member.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
88 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said one portion is the second portion of an anode unit, wherein said holding means comprises clamping means for suspending devices, and wherein said moving means comprises at least one pair of stripping elements movable up and down at a level below said clamping means to separate the anode block of an anode unit whose suspending device is held by said clamping means while said stripping elements move downwardly, and further comprising double-acting fluid-operated cylinder means for moving said stripping elements.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
33 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 12, wherein said cylinder means comprises vertical cylinders having downwardly extending piston rods and wherein said stripping elements are carried by the lower ends of said piston rods.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1, further comprising means for cleaning the suspending device during separation of the anode block.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
76 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 14, wherein said holding means comprises a clamping device arranged to hold the suspending device of an anode unit and wherein said moving means comprises at least one pair of vertically movable stripping elements arranged to separate the anode block of an anode unit whose suspending device is held by said clamping means while said stripping elements move downwardly, said means for cleaning comprising scraper means provided on said stripping elements.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
94 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1, further comprising comminuting means for separated anode blocks, said comminuting means comprising a housing defining a chamber having an inlet for admission of anode blocks, said housing comprising wall means surrounding said chamber and including first and second walls located substantially opposite each other, at least one of said walls being movable toward and away from the other wall and at least one of said walls having projections extending toward the other wall to promote comminution of an anode block in said chamber while said one wall moves.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
26 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 16, wherein said projections are teeth provided on each of said walls and wherein said teeth include teeth of different lengths.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
41 words
Apparatus as dEfined in claim 16, wherein said projections include teeth provided on each of said walls and wherein at least some teeth on one of said walls are staggered with reference to at least some teeth on the other wall.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 16, wherein said projections are teeth and wherein at least some of said teeth are provided with elongated cutting edges.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
29 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 19, wherein said teeth include several groups of teeth and wherein the teeth of each of said groups are provided with parallel cutting edges.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
41 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 20, wherein said groups include a first and a second group of teeth and wherein the cutting edges of teeth in said first group are normal to the cutting edges of teeth in said second group.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
58 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 16, wherein said projections are teeth which are provided on each of said walls and wherein at least some teeth on each of said walls have elongated cutting edges, the cutting edges of teeth on one of said walls being inclined with reference to the cutting edges of teeth on the other wall.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
40 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 22, wherein the cutting edges of teeth on one of said walls are adjacent to the cutting edges of teeth on the other wall when said movable wall is moved close to the other wall.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
50 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 16, wherein said projections are teeth provided on each of said walls and wherein the teeth on each of said walls include longer and shorter teeth, the longer teeth on one of said walls being staggered with reference to longer teeth on the other wall.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
31 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 16, wherein at least one of said walls is provided with a levelling portion which is movable into said chamber to level the particulate material therein.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
16 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 25, wherein the wall which includes said levelling portion is stationary.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
37 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 16, wherein said housing further comprises a bottom wall forming a gate which is movable between open and closed positions to dump the contents of said chamber in the open position thereof.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
31 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1, further comprising conveyor means for delivering said one portion of each of a series of successive anode units into the range of said holding means.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
14 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 28, wherein said conveyor means comprises an overhead conveyor.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
27 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 29, wherein said overhead conveyor comprises overhead rail means and trolley means having means for supporting the suspending devices of anode units.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
29 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 30, wherein each of said trolley means comprises a hook for engaging a pin forming part of the suspending device in an anode unit.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
38 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 28, further comprising blocking means installed between said conveyor means and said holding means to locate said one portion of the anode unit in a predetermined position with reference to said holding means.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
59 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 32 for salvaging carbon from anode units of the type wherein the suspending device comprises an elongated rod, wherein said blocking means comprises means for engaging with and for locating the rod of the suspending device in that anode unit which is moved by said conveyor means into the range of said holding means.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
70 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 33, wherein said blocking means further comprises a pair of parallel guide rails flanking the rod of a suspending device when the corresponding anode unit is properly located with reference to said holding means, said engaging means comprising a pair of jaws each movably mounted on one of said rails and each arranged to yield in response to introduction of a rod between said rails.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
35 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 34, wherein said jaws are pivotable about vertical axes and further comprising biasing means for urging portions of said jaws into the path of movement of rods between said rails.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
65 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 35, wherein said jaws comprise cam faces which are inclined with reference to each other and extend into the space between said rails when said jaws are free to follow the bias of said biasing means to assume their idle positions, said jaws further having edge faces which extend transversely of said rails in the idle positions of said jaws.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-01-02 | 1976-07-03 | 1977-01-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-01-02 | 1980-07-03 | 1981-01-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-01-02 | 1984-07-03 | 1985-01-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |