Cushioned Lifting Apparatus and Method of Lifting Carbon Based Electrodes

1 . A lifting apparatus for transporting a carbon based electrode having a threaded male end, the apparatus comprising:

a casing including a top end and a bottom end, the casing defining an electrode aperture in the bottom end shaped to accept the threaded male end of the carbon based electrode;

a top plate operatively attached to the top end;

at least one biasing element positioned between the top plate and the top end; and

an attachment element operatively engaging the biasing element and the top end.

2 . The lifting apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the casing is internally tapered from the bottom end to the top end.

3 . The lifting apparatus of claim 2 , the casing further including a length and a threaded internal surface substantially spanning the length, the threaded internal surface composed of carbon.

4 . The lifting apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the threaded internal surface mates with the threaded male end of the electrode.

5 . The lifting apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the attachment element includes:

a base plate positioned between the biasing element and the top end; and

a gripping element extending from the base plate opposite the bottom end.

6 . The lifting apparatus of claim 5 , wherein the biasing element is at least one spring engaging the base plate and the top plate.

7 . The lifting apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the biasing element retards the movement of the attachment element relative to the casing.

8 . The lifting apparatus of claim 1 , the casing further including a top aperture defined in the top end and shaped to accept the carbon based electrode.

9 . The lifting apparatus of claim 8 , further including a cover extending from the top end and enclosing the top aperture opposite the bottom end.

10 . The lifting apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the cover is positioned to restrict the movement of the carbon based electrode within the casing.

11 . The lifting apparatus of claim 1 , further including a plurality of fasteners attaching the attachment element, the top end, the top plate, and the at least one biasing element.

12 . The lifting apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the biasing element reduces the transfer of kinetic energy from the attachment element relative to the casing.

13 . A lifting apparatus for transporting a graphite electrode having a threaded male end, the apparatus comprising:

an electrode socket including an lifting end and an electrode end, the electrode socket defining an electrode opening in the electrode end, wherein the electrode opening includes a plurality of graphite electrode threads shaped to securely engage the threaded male end of the graphite electrode in the electrode opening;

a handle operatively engaging the lifting end; and

at least one energy dampening element positioned between the handle and the lifting end, wherein the at least one energy dampening element dampens the transfer of kinetic energy between the handle and the electrode socket.

14 . The lifting apparatus of claim 13 , further including a top plate operatively positioned between the lifting end and the handle.

15 . The lifting apparatus of claim 14 , wherein the top plate is fixed relative to the lifting end and is positioned between the lifting end and the handle.

16 . The lifting apparatus of claim 15 , wherein the at least one energy dampening element dampens the movement of the handle relative to the top plate.

17 . The lifting apparatus of claim 13 , wherein the at least one energy dampening element dampens the movement of the handle relative to the lifting end.

18 . A method of lifting a carbon based electrode having a threaded male end, the method comprising:

a) providing a lifting apparatus having internal threads;

b) attaching the internal threads of the lifting device to the threads of the threaded male end;

c) lifting the carbon based electrode by the lifting apparatus;

d) passing energy through the carbon based electrode without removing the lifting apparatus.

19 . The method of claim 18 , further including using an energy absorption element attached to the lifting apparatus to protect the carbon based electrode during the lifting step c).

20 . The method of claim 18 , further including substantially matching the coefficient of thermal expansion of the internal threads to the coefficient of thermal expansion of the carbon based electrode.

21 . A method of lifting a carbon based electrode having a threaded male end, the method comprising:

a) providing a lifting apparatus having internal threads;

b) attaching the internal threads of the lifting device to the threads of the threaded male end;

c) moving the carbon based electrode by the lifting apparatus; and

d) using the lifting apparatus to absorb kinetic energy produced in step c).

22 . The method of claim 21 , wherein step d) further includes using an energy absorption element attached to the lifting apparatus to absorb kinetic energy.

23 . The method of claim 21 , further including step e) passing energy through the carbon based electrode without removing the lifting apparatus.

24 . The method of claim 21 , further including substantially matching the coefficient of thermal expansion of the internal threads to the coefficient of thermal expansion of the carbon based electrode.

25 . A lifting apparatus for transporting a graphite electrode having a threaded male end and a coefficient of thermal expansion, the apparatus comprising:

an electrode socket including an lifting end and an electrode end, the electrode socket defining an electrode opening in the electrode end, wherein the electrode opening includes a plurality of electrode threads shaped to securely engage the threaded male end of the graphite electrode in the electrode opening; and

a handle operatively engaging the lifting end.

26 . The lifting apparatus of claim 25 , wherein the electrode socket is comprised of material having a coefficient of thermal expansion substantially matching the coefficient of thermal expansion of the graphite electrode.

27 . The lifting apparatus of claim 26 , wherein the electrode socket is comprised of graphite.

28 . The lifting apparatus of claim 26 , further including:

a top plate operatively positioned between the lifting end and the handle

at least one energy dampening element positioned between the handle and the lifting end, wherein the at least one energy dampening element dampens the transfer of kinetic energy between the handle and the electrode socket.

29 . The lifting apparatus of claim 28 , wherein the at least one energy dampening element dampens the movement of the handle relative to the top plate and the lifting end.