Electrode holder assembly and furnace comprising same

1. An electrode holder assembly comprising:

a current delivery base having an interface designed to distribute an electrical current;

a buss plate designed to provide the electrical current to the current delivery base;

a shoe-ring assembly comprising:

a plurality of electrical shoes, each of the electrical shoes having a proximal end, a distal end, an outer surface and an inner surface,

wherein the electrical current from the interface of the current delivery base is distributed to the plurality of electrical shoes, and

wherein the electrical current from the plurality of electrical shoes is distributed to an electrode;

a plurality of dual stroke cylinders equal in number to the plurality of electrical shoes,

wherein each of the dual stroke cylinders is engaged to and spaced apart from the proximal end of each of the electrical shoes,

wherein each of the dual stroke cylinders individually controls each of the electrical shoes,

wherein each of the dual stroke cylinders designed to apply pressure to each of the electrical shoes to contact the electrode, and

wherein each of the dual stroke cylinders designed to pull back on each of the electrical shoes to allow slipping of the electrode; and

a mounting ring having a plurality of openings equal in number to the plurality of dual stroke cylinders,

wherein the plurality of dual stroke cylinders extend through the plurality of openings; and

a hydraulic assembly comprising:

a grip ring having a central opening designed to engage an outer surface of the electrode,

wherein the grip ring includes components moveable relative to one another;

a pressurizing cylinder designed to constrict and relax the grip ring,

wherein the pressurizing cylinder engages the components of the grip ring; and

at least one dual stroke cylinder designed to control horizontal movement of the grip ring and the electrode.

2. The electrode holder assembly of claim 1 wherein an electrical system delivers the electrical current to the buss plate.

3. The electrode holder assembly of claim 1 wherein the holder assembly is interconnected horizontally with a furnace.

4. The electrode holder assembly of claim 3 wherein when the grip ring is constricted the at least one dual stroke cylinder is capable of moving the grip ring and the electrode toward the furnace a pre-determined distance.

5. The electrode holder assembly of claim 3 wherein when the grip ring is relaxed the at least one dual stroke cylinder is capable of moving the grip ring and the electrode away from the furnace a pre-determined distance.

6. The electrode holder assembly of claim 1 wherein the electrical current from the plurality of electrical shoes is distributed evenly around the electrode.

7. The electrode holder assembly of claim 1 wherein a temperature generated by energy delivered through the electrode is about uniform at any given time.

8. The electrode holder assembly of claim 1 wherein the current delivery base is cooled with a cooling media.

9. The electrode holder assembly of claim 8 wherein the cooling media is selected from one of air, water, oil, glycol, gladden or combinations thereof.

10. The electrode holder assembly of claim 1 wherein the plurality of electrical shoes are electrically isolated from the mounting ring.

11. The electrode holder assembly of claim 1 wherein the hydraulic assembly comprises three dual stroke cylinders.

12. A furnace comprising:

a shell including a plurality of sidewalls and a lower bowl;

a roof;

an electrical system; and

a holder assembly for an electrode horizontally interrupting at least two of the sidewalls, the holder assembly comprising:

a current delivery base designed to distribute an electrical current;

a buss plate designed to provide the electrical current to the current delivery base, the electrical current supplied by the electrical system;

a shoe-ring assembly comprising:

a plurality of electrical shoes, each of the electrical shoes having a proximal end, a distal end, an outer surface and an inner surface,

wherein the electrical current from the current delivery base is distributed to the plurality of electrical shoes, and

wherein the electrical current from the plurality of electrical shoes is distributed to the electrode;

a plurality of dual stroke cylinders equal in number to the plurality of electrical shoes,

wherein each of the dual stroke cylinders is engaged to and spaced apart from the proximal end of each of the electrical shoes,

wherein each of the dual stroke cylinders individually controls each of the electrical shoes,

wherein each of the dual stroke cylinders is designed to apply pressure to each of the electrical shoes to contact the electrode, and

wherein each of the dual stroke cylinders is designed to pull back on each of the electrical shoes to allow slipping of the electrode; and

a mounting ring having a plurality of openings equal in number to the plurality of dual stroke cylinders,

wherein the plurality of dual stroke cylinders extend through the plurality of openings; and

a hydraulic assembly comprising:

a grip ring having a central opening designed to engage an outer surface of the electrode,

wherein the grip ring includes components moveable relative to one another;

a pressurizing cylinder designed to constrict and relax the grip ring,

wherein the pressurizing cylinder engages the components of the grip ring; and

at least one dual stroke cylinder designed to control horizontal movement of the grip ring and the electrode.

13. The furnace of claim 12 wherein the plurality of electrical shoes are wedged hydraulically between the current delivery base and the interface delivering current to the electrode.

14. The furnace of claim 12 wherein when the grip ring is constricted the at least one dual stroke cylinder is capable of moving the grip ring and the electrode toward the furnace a pre-determined distance.

15. The furnace of claim 12 wherein when the grip ring is relaxed the at least one dual stroke cylinder is capable of moving the grip ring and the electrode away from the furnace a pre-determined distance.

16. The furnace of claim 12 wherein the electrical current from the plurality of electrical shoes is distributed evenly around the electrode.

17. The furnace of claim 12 wherein a temperature generated by energy delivered through the electrode is about uniform at any given time.

18. The furnace of claim 12 wherein the current delivery base is cooled.

19. The furnace of claim 12 wherein the plurality of electrical shoes are electrically isolated from the mounting ring.

20. The furnace of claim 12 wherein the hydraulic assembly comprises three dual stroke cylinders.