APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CRUSHING ANODES
Hiller, Sr.
United States Patent，Patent No.: US 7,861,956 B2，Date of Patent: Jan. 4, 2011
Abstract：There is provided an apparatus for crushing anodes, including a chamber for receiving the anodes. At least one movable wall is received in the chamber. The wall has a plurality of cutting devices associated therewith. The wall is able to move in a first direction for crushing the anodes and in a second direction away from the anodes. An apparatus is provided for applying pressure to the wall for moving the wall in the first direction. At least one pressure sensor associated with the apparatus for applying the pressure is provided. When a predetermined pressure level is reached, the wall ceases moving in the first direction and beings moving in the second direction.
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT
APPLICATIONS
This is a U.S. non-provisional application relating to and claiming the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser.No. 60/964,166, filed Aug. 8,2007. The entire disclosure set forth in that provisional patent application is hereby incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND
The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for recovering carbon from anodes or remnants of anodes of the type used in the production of aluminum. When used herein, the term “anodes” means complete anodes, remnants of anodes and portions of anodes .Aluminum producers use large anodes in connection with the reduction of aluminum, these carbon anodes become less efficient and must be replaced. However, there is a substantial market for the carbon in these spent anodes In order to provide a useful product, these carbon anodes must be crushed into smaller pieces. An example of an apparatus for salvaging carbon from spent anodes is disclosed in U.S.Pat.No. 3,708,128 issued to Limpinsel et al.
One of the problems associated with many prior art anode crushers is that the
第 1 页 共33页
crusher can become damaged and worn because of impact with the metal components embedded in the carbon or impact with so-called hard anodes which were over-baked during their production. In addition, some prior art anode crushers consume a great deal of energy during operation. It is desirable for an anode crusher to operate at minimal velocity to minimize wear and tear and to prevent substantial dusting and to provide minimal generation of fines. It is also desirable to be able to control the pressure to prevent the anode crusher from attempting to crush items such as metal or hard anodes which can further damage the crusher.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with one form of this invention, there is provided an apparatus for crushing anodes, including a chamber for receiving anodes. At least one movable wall is received in the chamber. The wall has a plurality of cutting devices associated therewith. The wall is able to move in a first direction for crushing the anodes received in the chamber and in a second direction away from the anodes. An apparatus is provided for applying pressure to the wall for moving the wall in the first direction. At least one pressure sensor associated with the apparatus for applying pressure is provided. When a predetermined pressure level is exceeded, the wall ceases moving in the first direction and begins moving in the second direction.
In accordance with another form of this invention, there is provided a method for crushing anodes, The method includes placing anodes in a chamber having at least one movable wall and a bottom grate, applying pressure to the wall thereby moving the wall toward the anodes, crushing the anodes with cutting devices which are attached to the wall, sensing a pressure above a predetermined level, and moving the wall away from the anodes in response to the pressure being above the predetermined level.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE
DRAWINGS
第 2 页 共33页
FIG.1
第 3 页 共33页
FIG.2
FIG.3
第 4 页 共33页
相关推荐：
loading