Electrode support mechanism

摘要

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. The electrode is clamped to the lower clamping arm when the lower clamping arm is operating within its normal range of adjustment, but the electrode is released from the lower arm and clamped to the upper clamping arm whenever it is necessary to move the lower arm independently of the electrode to reposition the lower clamping arm within its normal range of adjustment.