Serving machine for electrolysis cells for producing aluminium

Abstract

The invention relates to a rotating mechanical and electrical connecting device ( 100 ) between a transport module ( 6 ) and handling and working devices in a fused bath electrolysis aluminium production plant, characterised in that it comprises a “fixed” frame ( 101 ) fitted with a hub ( 102 ), a sleeve ( 121 ) surrounding the hub ( 102 ) and capable of rotating about the hub, first ( 110 ) and second ( 120 ) “rotating” frames capable of rotating about the sleeve ( 121 ), sliding rotating electrical contacts ( 113, 114 ) between the frames and the drive systems ( 140, 141, 142, 150, 151, 152 ) to make the frames rotate with respect to each other about a common axis ( 103 ). The connecting device according to the invention enables a rotation with no angular limit between the three frames, while making a permanent electrical link between them.

1 . Rotating mechanical and electrical connecting device ( 100 ) between a transport module, typically a trolley, ( 6 ) and handling and working devices ( 7 ,  8 ,  9 ,  10 ,  11 ) in a fused bath electrolysis aluminium production plant, characterised in that it comprises: 
 a “fixed” frame ( 101 ) designed to be fitted to the said transport module ( 6 ) and comprising a hub ( 102 ) defining a rotation axis ( 103 );    a sleeve ( 121 ) surrounding the said hub ( 102 ) and capable of rotating about the hub ( 102 ) and about the said rotation axis ( 103 ),    a first “rotating” frame ( 110 ) capable of rotating about the said rotation axis ( 103 ) and driving the said sleeve ( 121 ) in rotation, and designed to carry at least one handling and working device ( 7 ,  8 ,  9 ,  10 ,  11 );    a second “rotating” frame ( 120 ) capable of rotating about the said sleeve ( 121 ) and the said rotation axis ( 103 ), and designed to carry at least one handling and working device ( 7 ,  8 ,  9 ,  10 ,  11 );    a first plurality of sliding and rotating electrical contacts ( 113 ) each comprising at least one first member ( 1131 ) fixed to the fixed frame ( 101 ) and connected to at least one external conductor ( 117 ), and at least one second member ( 1132 ) fixed to the sleeve ( 121 ) and connected to at least one distribution conductor ( 118 ,  1181 ,  1182 );    a second plurality of sliding and rotating electrical contacts ( 114 ) each comprising at least one first member ( 1141 ) fixed to the second rotating frame ( 120 ) and connected to at least one distribution conductor ( 119 ), and at least one second member ( 1142 ) fixed to the sleeve ( 121 ) and connected to at least one distribution conductor ( 1181 ,  1182 );    a first drive system ( 140 ,  141 ,  142 ) capable of rotating the first rotating frame ( 110 ) about the said axis ( 103 );    a second drive system ( 150 ,  151 ,  152 ) capable of rotating the second rotating frame ( 120 ) about the said axis ( 103 ).    
   
   
       2 . Connecting device ( 100 ) according to  claim 1 , characterised in that it also comprises: 
 a first annular bearing ( 111 ) between the fixed frame ( 101 ) and the first rotating frame ( 110 ) enabling rotation between these two frames about the rotation axis ( 103 );    a second annular bearing ( 112 ) between the first rotating frame ( 110 ) and the second rotating frame ( 120 ) enabling rotation between these two frames about the rotation axis ( 103 ).    
   
   
       3 . Connecting device ( 100 ) according to  claim 1 , characterised in that the drive systems ( 140 ,  141 ,  142 ,  150 ,  151 ,  152 ) comprise a motor ( 140 ,  150 ), a gear ( 141 ,  151 ) and a toothed ring ( 142 ) or a toothed wheel ( 152 ).  
   
   
       4 . Connecting device ( 100 ) according to  claim 1 , characterised in that the drive systems ( 140 ,  141 ,  142 ,  150 ,  151 ,  152 ) comprise one or more drive wheels based on surface grip and at least one track.  
   
   
       5 . Connecting device ( 100 ) according to  claim 1 , characterised in that it comprises complementary annular bearings ( 160 ,  161 ,  162 ,  163 ,  164 ) between the sleeve ( 121 ) and the fixed frame ( 101 ), possibly through the hub ( 102 ) and/or complementary annular bearings ( 170 ,  171 ) between the sleeve ( 121 ) and the second rotating frame ( 120 ).  
   
   
       6 . Connecting device ( 100 ) according to  claim 1 , characterised in that it also comprises rotating pneumatic and/or hydraulic connecting means ( 130 ,  131 ,  132 ,  133 ,  134 ) between the fixed frame ( 101 ) and at least one of the rotating frames ( 110 ,  120 ).  
   
   
       7 . Connecting device ( 100 ) according to  claim 6 , characterised in that the rotating pneumatic connecting means ( 130 ,  131 ,  132 ,  133 ) comprise an axial cavity ( 130 ) in the central shaft ( 102 ), sealed rotating joints ( 131 ,  132 ) and complementary conduits ( 133 ,  134 ).  
   
   
       8 . Connecting device ( 100 ) according to  claim 1 , characterised in that the first rotating frame ( 110 ) is located between the fixed frame ( 101 ) and the second rotating frame ( 120 ).  
   
   
       9 . Connecting device ( 100 ) according to  claim 8 , characterised in that the drive system of the second rotating frame ( 120 ) comprises a toothed wheel ( 152 ) fixed to the hub ( 102 ) and a motor ( 150 ) fixed to the second rotating frame ( 120 ) and fitted with a gear ( 151 ).  
   
   
       10 . Pot tending module ( 5 ) for use in a fused bath electrolysis aluminium production plant and comprising a trolley ( 6 ) and handling and working devices ( 7 ,  8 ,  9 ,  10 ,  11 ), characterised in that it also comprises: 
 a connecting device ( 100 ) according to any one of  claims 1  to  9 , linked to the said trolley ( 6 ) through the said fixed frame ( 101 );    a first turret ( 110 ′) formed by the said first rotating frame ( 110 ) or linked to the said first rotating frame ( 110 ) and comprising at least one first handling and working device ( 7 ,  8 ,  9 ,  10 ,  11 );    a second turret ( 120 ′) formed by the said second rotating frame ( 120 ) or linked to the said second rotating frame ( 120 ) and comprising at least one second handling and working device ( 7 ,  8 ,  9 ,  10 ,  11 ).    
   
   
       11 . Pot tending module ( 5 ) according to  claim 10 , characterised in that the connecting device ( 100 ) is placed so that the rotating frames ( 110 ,  120 ) are located below the fixed frame ( 101 ) when the trolley ( 6 ) is in working position on the travelling crane ( 4 ).  
   
   
       12 . Pot-tending unit ( 3 ) for a fused bath electrolysis aluminium production plant comprising a travelling crane ( 4 ) and at least one pot tending module ( 5 ) according to  claim 10 .  
   
   
       13 - 14 . (canceled)