Patent ID: 7426230

Claim:
A device for preventing exhaust gas leakage during the movement of an electrode in an electric furnace having a waste charging section, an electrode holder attached to the electrode, and an actuator for moving the electrode between a first and second position within an aperture formed in an upper portion of the electric furnace, the device comprising: a fixed section attached to the waste charging station of the electric furnace, wherein the fixed section is positioned over at least a portion of the aperture; a first moving section moveably coupled with the fixed section, wherein the first moving section is positioned over at least a portion of the aperture, and wherein the first moving section includes a first stopper that restricts the displacement of the first moving section with respect to the fixed section when the electrode is moved from the first position to the second position; and a second moving section moveably coupled with the first moving section and fixedly attached to the electrode holder on a first side, wherein the second moving section is positioned over at least a portion of the aperture, and wherein the second moving section includes a second stopper that restricts the displacement of the second moving section with respect to the first moving section when the electrode is moved from the first position to the second position.