Patent ID: 8960679
Filing Date: 2015-02-24
Classification: F27D,H05B

Abstract:
1. A sealing device fitted, via an aperture extending through a lid of an electric arc furnace, around a rod electrode structure that extends to the inside of the furnace and is movable along its axial direction therein to prevent the access of gases from inside the furnace via the aperture to the atmosphere and the access of air from the atmosphere to the furnace, said sealing device including: an annular frame attached to the lid; a sealing ring formed of graphite elements and provided with a sealing surface, said sealing ring movably supported against the frame so that the sealing surface is capable of being pressed against the rod electrode structure; means for pressing the sealing ring against the rod electrode structure; a graphite rope sealing arranged proximate the sealing ring and the rod electrode structure and supported against the frame; and a hose arranged around the graphite rope sealing between the frame and the graphite rope sealing and capable of being pressurized by a pressurizing medium in order to expand the hose for sealing the graphite rope sealing against the rod electrode structure, wherein the pressurizing medium is an inert gas; and the means for pressing the sealing ring against the rod electrode structure include: an annular gas distribution chamber surrounding the sealing ring; a first channel arranged to provide a flow path for the inert gas in between the hose and the gas distribution chamber; an annular groove in the sealing surface of the sealing ring, and a second channel placed in the sealing ring and arranged to provide a flow path for the inert gas from the gas distribution chamber to the groove for extruding the inert gas in between the sealing surface and the rod electrode structure.