US4017569A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Anode vibrator and press
Assignee: National Steel Corp
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Filing: 1975-05-12
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Granted: 1977-04-12
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Expires: 1995-05-12
Abstract
Abstract This disclosure relates to method for forming a carbon anode block using apparatus comprising a movable mold, a feedbox extendable to a position where it is directly above the movable mold, a stationary bolster encompassed by the movable mold, a vibration means attached to the stationary bolster, and a movable press ram mounted for motion in the vertical plane above the stationary bolster and having protrusions extending from the face thereof. Aggregate used in forming carbon anodes is discharged into the feedbox and the feedbox and mold then move upwardly leaving the aggregate contained within the mold. The feedbox is then removed and the vibration means activated to compact the aggregate by expelling the air therefrom. During the compaction of the aggregate, the press ram is brought downward in proximity to the upper surface of the aggregate with the protrusions in the face thereof extending into the aggregate, and control means then continue to move the press ram downward in response to means which sense the compaction rate of the aggregate whereby the aggregate will form about the protrusions during compaction with substantially little or no pressure being applied by the press ram.
Inventors
- 👤 Wynn M. Hass
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 05:51
CPC Classifications
B; B30; B30B; B30B11/00; B30B11/02; B30B11/022; C; C25; C25C; C25C3/00; C25C3/06; C25C3/08; C25C3/12; C25C3/125
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
260 words
In a method of forming a carbon anode block, having indentations in the upper surface thereof, comprising the steps of: a. discharging carbon aggregate into a vertically movable mold; b. vibrating the aggregate in the mold to expel substantially all air therefrom and cause compaction thereof, the upper surface of the aggregate thereby moving downwardly; and c. compressing the aggregate by lowering a press ram thereagainst to further compact its particles and to form indentations in the aggregate conforming to protrusions on the lower face of the press ram; the improvement comprising; d. synchronizing the lowering of the press ram during vibration of the aggregate with the lowering of the upper surface of the aggregate which occurs as a result of the vibration so that the aggregate will form around the protrusions on the lower face of the press ram, and maintaining only enough pressure by the press ram to contain the aggregate within the movable mold until substantially all air has been expelled from the aggregate, wherein said synchronizing step is accomplished by sensing changes in the relative positions of the upper surfaces of the aggregate and the press ram, which changes occur as a result of the vibration, generating a control signal in response to the sensing, and positively controlling the lowering of the press ram in response to said signal so that it moves at a rate corresponding substantially to the compaction rate of the aggregate applying little or no pressure thereagainst, and wherein said sensing step is performed by passing an electrical current through the aggregate.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
260 words
In a method of forming a carbon anode block, having indentations in the upper surface thereof, comprising the steps of: a. discharging carbon aggregate into a vertically movable mold; b. vibrating the aggregate in the mold to expel substantially all air therefrom and cause compaction thereof, the upper surface of the aggregate thereby moving downwardly; and c. compressing the aggregate by lowering a press ram thereagainst to further compact its particles and to form indentations in the aggregate conforming to protrusions on the lower face of the press ram; the improvement comprising; d. synchronizing the lowering of the press ram during vibration of the aggregate with the lowering of the upper surface of the aggregate which occurs as a result of the vibration so that the aggregate will form around the protrusions on the lower face of the press ram, and maintaining only enough pressure by the press ram to contain the aggregate within the movable mold until substantially all air has been expelled from the aggregate, wherein said synchronizing step is accomplished by sensing changes in the relative positions of the upper surfaces of the aggregate and the press ram, which changes occur as a result of the vibration, generating a control signal in response to the sensing, and positively controlling the lowering of the press ram in response to said signal so that it moves at a rate corresponding substantially to the compaction rate of the aggregate applying little or no pressure thereagainst, and wherein said sensing step is performed by passing an electrical current through the aggregate.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
67 words
The method according to claim 1, further including the steps of stopping the vibration after substantially all air has been expelled from the aggregate, and then continuing the lowering of the press ram to finish form the top surface of the aggregate to conform to the protrusions on the lower face of the press ram and to further compact the aggregate by applying an additional compacting force.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the carbon aggregate is vibrated by a pneumatic actuator.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the carbon aggregate is vibrated by an electrically actuated vibrator.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
287 words
In a method of forming a carbon anode block, having indentations in the upper surface thereof, comprising the steps of: a. discharging carbon aggregate into a vertically movable mold; b. vibrating the aggregate in the mold to expel substantially all air therefrom and cause compaction thereof, the upper surface of the aggregate thereby moving downwardly; and c. compressing the aggregate by lowering a press ram thereagainst to further compact its particles and to form indentations in the aggregate conforming to protrusions on the lower face of the press ram; the improvement comprising: d. synchronizing the lowering of the press ram during vibration of the aggregate with the lowering of the upper surface of the aggregate which occurs as a result of the vibration so that the aggregate will form around the protrusions on the lower face of the press ram, and maintaining only enough pressure by the press ram to contain the aggregate within the movable mold until substantially all air has been expelled from the aggregate, wherein said synchronizing step is accomplished by sensing changes in the relative positions of the upper surfaces of the aggregate and the press ram, which changes occur as a result of the vibration, generating a control signal in response to the sensing, and positively controlling the lowering of the press ram in response to said signal so that it moves at a rate corresponding substantially to the compaction rate of the aggregate applying little or no pressure thereagainst, and wherein said sensing step is performed by providing a reference threshold pressure, monitoring the pressure applied by the press ram against the aggregate, and generating said control signal only upon the appearance of an applied pressure which exceeds the threshold pressure.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
287 words
In a method of forming a carbon anode block, having indentations in the upper surface thereof, comprising the steps of: a. discharging carbon aggregate into a vertically movable mold; b. vibrating the aggregate in the mold to expel substantially all air therefrom and cause compaction thereof, the upper surface of the aggregate thereby moving downwardly; and c. compressing the aggregate by lowering a press ram thereagainst to further compact its particles and to form indentations in the aggregate conforming to protrusions on the lower face of the press ram; the improvement comprising: d. synchronizing the lowering of the press ram during vibration of the aggregate with the lowering of the upper surface of the aggregate which occurs as a result of the vibration so that the aggregate will form around the protrusions on the lower face of the press ram, and maintaining only enough pressure by the press ram to contain the aggregate within the movable mold until substantially all air has been expelled from the aggregate, wherein said synchronizing step is accomplished by sensing changes in the relative positions of the upper surfaces of the aggregate and the press ram, which changes occur as a result of the vibration, generating a control signal in response to the sensing, and positively controlling the lowering of the press ram in response to said signal so that it moves at a rate corresponding substantially to the compaction rate of the aggregate applying little or no pressure thereagainst, and wherein said sensing step is performed by providing a reference threshold pressure, monitoring the pressure applied by the press ram against the aggregate, and generating said control signal only upon the appearance of an applied pressure which exceeds the threshold pressure.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
67 words
The method according to claim 5, further including the steps of stopping the vibration after substantially all air has been expelled from the aggregate, and then continuing the lowering of the press ram to finish form the top surface of the aggregate to conform to the protrusions on the lower face of the press ram and to further compact the aggregate by applying an additional compacting force.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 5, wherein the carbon aggregate is vibrated by a pneumatic actuator.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 5, wherein the carbon aggregate is vibrated by an electrically actuated vibrator.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-04-11 | 1980-10-11 | 1981-04-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-04-11 | 1984-10-11 | 1985-04-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-04-11 | 1988-10-11 | 1989-04-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |