Patent ID: 8406268

Claim:
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.