Patent ID: 7780823

Claim:
Tending module for a series of electrolytic cells for the production of aluminum by fused bath electrolysis, comprising: a frame that can be fixed to a trolley, and a turret fitted on the frame so as to pivot about a vertical axis A during use, and defining, during use, a substantially horizontal turret plane Pt, the turret comprising: a set of tools including a crust breaker fitted on a first telescopic arm, a bucket shovel fitted on a second telescopic arm, at least one anode clamp fitted on a third telescopic arm and a hopper fitted with a retractable duct; and a balcony or a cab comprising controls that are constructed and arranged to maneuver the module and the tools and a control station from which an operator can actuate the controls, wherein, taking as a reference a first plane P 1 and a second plane P 2 perpendicular to each other and to the turret plane Pt and intersecting on the A axis: the control station has a center C located at a predetermined distance C 1 from plane P 1 and a predetermined distance C 2 from plane P 2 ; the bucket shovel and the first anode clamp have centers which are located on the opposite side of the plane P 1 from the control station; the crust breaker and the retractable duct are located between the control station and a row formed by the bucket shovel and the first anode clamp, and the center of the bucket shovel and the center of each said at least one anode clamp are located on opposite sides of the plane P 2 .