Patent Application
20080084907
Referring generally now to
The lifting apparatus 10 includes a casing 18, which can also be described as an electrode socket 18, having a top end 20 and a bottom end 22. The casing 18 defines an electrode aperture 24, which can also be described as an electrode opening 24, and the bottom end 22, which can also be described as an electrode end 22. The electrode aperture 24 is shaped to accept the threaded male end 14 of the electrode 12. A top plate 34 is operatively attached to the top end 20, which can also be described as a lifting end 20, and at least one biasing element 36 is positioned between the top plate 34 and the top end 20. An attachment element 28, which can also be described as a handle 28, operatively engages the biasing element 36, and the top end 20. Alternately, the lifting apparatus 10 can be assembled without the biasing elements 36, as seen in
Preferably the casing 18 is internally tapered from the bottom end 22 to the top end 20. This internal taper provides at least a partial conical internal shape. The casing 18 further includes a length 30 and a threaded internal surface 32 spanning the length 30. Preferably the threaded internal surface 32 is composed of graphite and mates with the threaded male end 14 of the electrode 12.
The fact that the threaded internal surface 32, which can also be described as electrode threads 32, is composed of graphite allows the lifting apparatus 10 to remain attached to the electrode 12 during the operation of the electrode 12 to process metal. The graphite facilitates the lifting apparatus 10 to withstand the stress and/or temperature associated with the use of the electrode 12 to process metal.
To facilitate the continued attachment of the electrode 12 during the operation of the electrode 12 to process metal, the electrode socket 18 can be comprised of material having a coefficient of thermal expansion substantially matching the coefficient of thermal expansion of the graphite electrode 12. Preferably, the electrode threads 32 can be the portion of the electrode socket 18 that has the desirable coefficient of thermal expansion. For example, the electrode threads 32 can be composed of graphite such that the electrode threads 32 and the graphite electrode 12 have substantially the same coefficient of thermal expansion.
Additionally, in this design, the electrode threads 32 can be removed and replaced as need due to the normal wear and tear on the electrode threads 32. This feature can extend the useful life of the lifting apparatus 10.
The attachment element 28 can further include a base plate 38 positioned between the biasing element 36, which can also be described as an energy absorbing element 36, and the top end 20. A gripping element 40 extends from the base plate 38 opposite the bottom end 22. The gripping element 40 is preferably used to engage a crane or other automated lifting device having sufficient power to lift the electrode 12.
In a more preferred embodiment, the biasing element 36 comprises at least one spring engaging the base plate 38 and the top plate 34. The biasing element 36 can be other items known in the art to alter kinetic energy transfer between two items or absorb kinetic energy between two items.
The casing 18 further includes a top aperture 26, which causally can be described as a top opening 26, defined in the top end 20. The top aperture 26 is shaped to accept the electrode 12. Additionally, a cover 42 can extend from the top end 20 and enclose the top aperture 26 opposite the bottom end 22. The cover 42 can be positioned to restrict movement of the electrode 12 within the casing 18. Additionally, the cover 42 can be used to separate potential carbon based particles that may be produced through the usage of the lifting apparatus 10 and/or the electrode 12 from reducing the effectiveness of the biasing element 36.
Additionally, a plurality of fasteners 44 can be included to attach the various components of the lifting apparatus 10. Fasteners 44 can be attach to the attachment element 28 between the top plate 34 and the top end 20 to provide a location for the engagement of the biasing element 36. Additionally, fasteners 44 can be used to attach the top plate 34 to the top end 20, and more specifically to an intermediate plate 21. Additional fasteners 44 can be used to position the casing 18 between the intermediary plate 21 and a bottom plate 46.
The bottom plate 46 includes the electrode aperture 24 and facilitates engagement between the electrode 12 and the threaded internal surface 32. The intermediary plate 21 includes the top aperture 26 to allow at least a portion of the threaded male end 14 to extend therethrough.
In a preferred embodiment the attachment element 28 is contained between the intermediate plate 21 and the top plate 34. The biasing element 36 is positioned to engage a top plate 34 and the base plate 38 of the attachment element 28. The biasing element 36 preferably presses on the base plate 38 and absorbs the energy of the movement of the base plate 38 as the base plate moves toward the top plate 34. This can also be described as retarding of movement of the attachment element 28 relative to the casing 18.
Also included is a lifting apparatus 10 for transporting a graphite electrode 12 having a threaded male end 14. The apparatus 10 includes an electrode socket 18 including a lifting end 20 and electrode end 22. The electrode socket 18 defines an electrode opening 24 in the electrode end 22 wherein the electrode opening 24 includes a plurality of graphite electrode threads 32 shaped to securely engage the threaded male end 14 of the graphite electrode 12 in the electrode opening 24. A handle 28 operatively engages the lifting end 20 and at least one dampening element 36 is positioned between the handle 28 and the lifting end 20. The dampening element 36 dampens the transfer of kinetic energy between the handle 28 and the electrode socket 18.
Preferably a top plate 34 is operatively positioned between the lifting end 20 and the handle 28. The top plate 34 is preferably fixed to the lifting end 20 and is positioned between a lifting end 20 and the handle 28. The energy dampening element 36 dampens the movement of the handle 28 relative to the top plate 34 in this configuration. Alternately described the dampening element 36 dampens the movement of the handle 28 relative to the lifting end 20.
Thus, although there have been described particular embodiments of the present invention of a new and useful Cushioned Lifting Apparatus and Method of Lifting Carbon Based Electrodes, it is not intended that such references be construed as limitations upon the scope of this invention except as set forth in the following claims.
