Electrode stem and coupling

Abstract

Metallurgical electrode stem assemblies may include a stem having a first connector at a first end of the stem and a second connector at a second end of the stem. The stem may have a conductivity of at least 5.9×106 siemens/m. The assemblies may include an anode coupling having a third connector at a first end of the anode coupling and a fourth connector at a second end of the anode coupling. The third connector may be reversibly coupled to the second connector. A coefficient of thermal expansion of the anode coupling may be less than or equal to a coefficient of thermal expansion of the stem.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A metallurgical electrode stem assembly, comprising:
 a stem comprising a first connector at a first end of the stem and a second connector at a second end of the stem, wherein the stem comprises a conductivity of at least 5.0×10 6  siemens/m; and   an anode coupling comprising a third connector at a first end of the anode coupling and a fourth connector at a second end of the anode coupling, wherein:
 the third connector is reversibly coupled to the second connector; and 
 a coefficient of thermal expansion of the anode coupling is less than or equal to a coefficient of thermal expansion of the stem. 
   
     
     
         2 . The metallurgical electrode stem assembly of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the coefficient of thermal expansion of the anode coupling is less than about 5.0×10 −6 .   
     
     
         3 . The metallurgical electrode stem assembly of  claim 1 , wherein:
 each of the second connector and the third connector comprises a threaded connector.   
     
     
         4 . The metallurgical electrode stem assembly of  claim 3 , wherein:
 the second connector comprises a male threaded connector and the third connector comprises a female threaded connector that is engageable with the male threaded connector.   
     
     
         5 . The metallurgical electrode stem assembly of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the fourth connector comprises a male threaded connector.   
     
     
         6 . The metallurgical electrode stem assembly of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the stem comprises aluminum and the anode coupling comprises a nickel cast iron alloy.   
     
     
         7 . The metallurgical electrode stem assembly of  claim 1 , wherein:
 at least a portion of a peripheral surface of the stem comprises a non-circular cross-section; and   at least a portion of a peripheral surface of the anode coupling comprises a non-circular cross-section.   
     
     
         8 . The metallurgical electrode stem assembly of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the first connector comprises a threaded connector.   
     
     
         9 . The metallurgical electrode stem assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 one or both of a hook and an eyelet that is coupled to the first connector.   
     
     
         10 . The metallurgical electrode stem assembly of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the one or both of a hook and an eyelet comprises an electrically insulating material.   
     
     
         11 . The metallurgical electrode stem assembly of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the first connector comprises one or both of a hook and an eyelet.   
     
     
         12 . The metallurgical electrode stem assembly of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the stem comprises a core formed from a first material and a sheath formed from a second material.   
     
     
         13 . The metallurgical electrode stem assembly of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the stem comprises an alloy of multiple conductive metals.   
     
     
         14 . A metallurgical assembly, comprising:
 a metallurgical vessel;   a support structure disposed above the metallurgical vessel;   a stem assembly removably coupled with the support structure, the stem assembly comprising:
 a stem comprising a first connector at a first end of the stem and a second connector at a second end of the stem, wherein the stem comprises a conductivity of at least 5.0×10 6  siemens/m; and 
 an anode coupling comprising a third connector at a first end of the anode coupling and a fourth connector at a second end of the anode coupling, wherein:
 the third connector is reversibly coupled to the second connector; and 
 a coefficient of thermal expansion of the anode coupling is lower than a coefficient of thermal expansion of the stem; and 
 
   an anode coupled to the fourth connector, the anode being positioned partially within the metallurgical vessel.   
     
     
         15 . The metallurgical assembly of  claim 14 , wherein:
 the fourth connector comprises a male threaded connector; and   the anode comprises a female threaded connector.   
     
     
         16 . The metallurgical assembly of  claim 14 , wherein:
 a ratio of the coefficient of thermal expansion of the anode coupling and a coefficient of thermal expansion of the anode is less than about 5:1.   
     
     
         17 . The metallurgical assembly of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 a crane comprising a grasping mechanism that is engageable with the first connector to manipulate the stem assembly and the anode.   
     
     
         18 . The metallurgical assembly of  claim 17 , wherein:
 the grasping mechanism comprises a hook.   
     
     
         19 . The metallurgical assembly of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 a support structure positioned laterally outward from a peripheral surface of the anode; and   a clamp seated atop the support structure, the clamp being engageable with the anode.