Energy-saving structural steel claw
By using a full-section aluminum-steel composite crossbeam and a steel claw structure with beveled ends, the problems of high resistance and uneven current distribution of existing steel claws are solved, resulting in lower power consumption, higher structural stability, and extended equipment lifespan.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- HUNAN FORHOME COMPOSITE MATERIALS CO LTD
- Filing Date
- 2025-07-03
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-26
AI Technical Summary
The existing steel claw structure has high resistance in the conductive circuit, uneven current distribution, and poor structural reliability, resulting in high power loss and increased equipment maintenance costs.
The design employs a full-section aluminum-steel composite beam and end bevels, connecting aluminum and steel materials through explosive welding. The welding method between the bonding layers is friction welding or submerged arc welding. The legs are connected to the second bonding layer, and bevels are provided on both sides of the beam to ensure uniform current distribution.
The resistivity of the steel claws is reduced, the uniformity of current distribution and structural stability are improved, power consumption and equipment maintenance costs are significantly reduced, and service life is extended.
Smart Images
Figure CN224411928U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model relates to the field of aluminum smelting technology, and in particular to an energy-saving structural steel claw. Background Technology
[0002] As a key conductive connection component between the guide rod and the anode carbon block in the electrolytic aluminum anode system, the steel claw's core function is to stably conduct the large current load of the electrolytic cell. Therefore, it has stringent requirements for conductivity and structural stability.
[0003] In the steel claw structure commonly used in the aluminum electrolysis industry, the main body of the crossbeam is made of cast steel, with only a small aluminum-steel explosion-proof composite plate welded in the middle of the crossbeam to connect the aluminum guide rod, and a welding process of overlay welding around the perimeter is employed. This structure has the following technical defects:
[0004] 1. High resistance in the conductive circuit: Since the main body of the beam is made of steel and only a portion of it is made of aluminum-steel composite plate, the overall conductive cross-sectional area is insufficient, the contact resistance is significantly increased, resulting in excessive voltage drop and serious power loss;
[0005] 2. Uneven current distribution: The high resistivity of the steel itself causes uneven current distribution among the steel claw legs, resulting in differences in thermal stress between the legs, which causes thermal deformation and bending of the steel claw legs on both sides of the crossbeam towards the center.
[0006] 3. Poor structural reliability: Deformation stress is transmitted to the connection part of the anode carbon block, causing the carbon block to fall off and fail. In actual production, the deformation and damage rate of the anode steel claw is as high as 30% or more, which greatly increases the equipment maintenance cost and the labor intensity of workers. Utility Model Content
[0007] This utility model provides an energy-saving structural steel claw, the purpose of which is to reduce the resistivity of the steel claw, improve the uniformity of current distribution within the steel claw, and enhance the structural stability of the steel claw.
[0008] To achieve the above objectives, this utility model provides an energy-saving structural steel claw, comprising:
[0009] A guide rod, wherein the material of the guide rod is configured to be aluminum;
[0010] A crossbeam includes a first bonding layer and a second bonding layer. The first bonding layer is made of aluminum, and the second bonding layer is made of steel. The surface of the first bonding layer near the second bonding layer is explosively welded to the surface of the second bonding layer near the first bonding layer. The guide rod is welded to the first bonding layer. The crossbeam has bevels at both ends along its length direction. The bevels are located on the side of the crossbeam near the guide rod.
[0011] The support leg is welded to the second bonding layer at one end along its own length direction. There are multiple support legs, which are arranged at intervals along the length direction of the crossbeam. The end of the support leg away from the crossbeam is inserted into the anode carbon block. The material of the support leg is steel.
[0012] In one embodiment, the energy-saving structural steel claw further includes a connecting plate, which is connected to the side of the second bonding layer opposite to the first bonding layer, and the connecting plate connects two adjacent legs.
[0013] In one embodiment, the leg is configured to be cylindrical, and the side of the connecting plate closest to the leg is configured to be arc-shaped, with the radius of the arc of the connecting plate being equal to the radius of the leg.
[0014] In one embodiment, the thickness of the first bonding layer ranges from 8 mm to 16 mm, and the thickness of the second bonding layer ranges from 60 mm to 120 mm.
[0015] In one embodiment, the depth of the bevel ranges from 0 mm to 40 mm.
[0016] In one embodiment, the guide rod is connected to the surface of the first bonding layer opposite to the second bonding layer.
[0017] In one embodiment, the leg is connected to the surface of the second bonding layer opposite to the first bonding layer.
[0018] In one embodiment, the welding method between the support leg and the second bonding layer is configured as friction welding or submerged arc welding.
[0019] The above-mentioned solution of this utility model has the following beneficial effects:
[0020] In this embodiment, the core problems of high resistance and uneven current distribution in existing steel claws are solved by using a full-section aluminum-steel composite crossbeam and end bevel current guiding design. The crossbeam is formed by explosive welding of a first bonding layer of aluminum plate and a second bonding layer of steel plate, giving the crossbeam both good conductivity and high strength. This reduces the resistance of the current flowing from the first bonding layer to the second bonding layer. The guide rod is made of the same aluminum material as the first bonding layer, allowing for a tighter connection between the guide rod and the first bonding layer. Similarly, the legs are made of the same steel material as the second bonding layer, ensuring a tighter connection between the legs and the second bonding layer as well. This further reduces the overall resistance of the energy-saving structural steel claw of this application, which is beneficial for reducing energy consumption during the electrolytic aluminum process. The crossbeam has bevels on both sides along its length. These bevels reduce the cross-sectional area at the ends of the crossbeam, lowering the current path impedance and forcing the current to distribute evenly to the side legs. This reduces the risk of overload on the middle legs and makes the current distribution more uniform across the multiple legs connected to the second bonding layer. The difference in thermal stress generated by the legs is smaller, reducing the risk of the side legs bending towards the middle of the crossbeam. Furthermore, the energy-saving structural steel claw structure of this application is relatively simple, easy to manufacture, convenient to install, and highly applicable. It has significant energy-saving and consumption-reducing effects and promotional application value in aluminum electrolysis production.
[0021] Other beneficial effects of this invention will be described in detail in the following detailed description section. Attached Figure Description
[0022] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the energy-saving structural steel claw in one embodiment of the present invention;
[0023] Figure 2 for Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the cross-sectional structure at point AA;
[0024] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the connecting plate in one embodiment of the present invention;
[0025] Figure 4 This is a top view of an energy-saving structural steel claw in one embodiment of the present invention. The guide rod is not shown in the figure.
[0026] [Explanation of Labels in the Attached Image]
[0027] 1. Guide rod; 2. Crossbeam; 21. First bonding layer; 22. Second bonding layer; 23. Bevel; 3. Support leg; 4. Connecting plate. Detailed Implementation
[0028] To make the technical problems, solutions, and advantages of this utility model clearer, a detailed description will be provided below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some, not all, of the embodiments of this utility model. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of this utility model without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this utility model. Furthermore, the technical features involved in the different embodiments of this utility model described below can be combined with each other as long as they do not conflict with each other.
[0029] In the description of this utility model, it should be noted that the terms "center," "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "inner," and "outer," etc., indicating the orientation or positional relationship, are based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings and are only for the convenience of describing this utility model and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of this utility model. Furthermore, the terms "first," "second," and "third" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.
[0030] In the description of this utility model, it should be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "joining" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a locking connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal connection of two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this utility model based on the specific circumstances.
[0031] Please see Figure 1 This application provides an energy-saving structural steel claw, including a guide rod 1, a crossbeam 2, and a support leg 3. The guide rod 1 is responsible for guiding current from the busbar into the crossbeam 2, and one end of the support leg 3 is connected to the anode carbon block, enabling the steel claw to conduct the large current load of the electrolytic cell. Specifically, the guide rod 1 is made of aluminum, giving it good conductivity. The crossbeam 2 includes a first bonding layer 21 and a second bonding layer 22. The first bonding layer 21 is made of aluminum, such as 1060 industrial pure aluminum conforming to GB / T3190. The second bonding layer 22 is made of steel, such as Q235B carbon structural steel conforming to GB / T 700. The first bonding layer 21 and the second bonding layer 22 are explosively welded. Furthermore, the surface of the first bonding layer 21 near the second bonding layer 22 is explosively welded to the surface of the second bonding layer 22 near the first bonding layer 21, giving the crossbeam 2 both good conductivity and high rigidity. For example, please refer to... Figure 1 and Figure 2The projection of the first bonding layer 21 onto the second bonding layer 22 coincides with the second bonding layer 22, allowing the crossbeam 2 to be configured as a square column as a whole. For example, the dimensions of the crossbeam 2 in the length and width directions can be 800mm to 1200mm and 80mm to 200mm, respectively; for example, the dimensions of the crossbeam 2 in the length and width directions can be 1040mm and 100mm, respectively.
[0032] It should be noted that explosive welding can combine most metallic materials to form composite materials with the properties of two or more metals (or alloys), thus greatly expanding the performance and application range of existing metals (or alloys). The advantages of explosive welding are mainly: 1. It can combine metals with extremely different melting points, strengths, and coefficients of thermal expansion. For example, aluminum and steel have extremely different melting points, strengths, and coefficients of thermal expansion, making it almost impossible to join them using other joining techniques, or even if they are joined, the quality of the bond is difficult to guarantee; 2. Because explosive welding is completed in an extremely short time (on the order of microseconds), there is almost no diffusion or only a very small degree of diffusion at the composite interface, thus avoiding the formation of brittle metal compounds and resulting in a tighter bond between the two materials. Explosive welding forms a metallurgical bond, avoiding the contact resistance and stress concentration problems of traditional welding.
[0033] The guide rod 1 is connected to the first bonding layer 21, for example, by welding. The material of the guide rod 1 and the material of the first bonding layer 21 are both aluminum, so that the resistance when the current flows from the guide rod 1 through the first bonding layer 21 is small.
[0034] The crossbeam 2 has bevels 23 at both ends along its length, with the bevels 23 located on the side of the crossbeam 2 closest to the guide rod 1. For example, the right-angled side of the crossbeam 2 is cut into the shape shown below. Figure 1 The bevel shown is to reduce the possibility of current accumulation and heat generation within the beam 2. The bevel 23 can be provided in the first bonding layer 21, or the bevel 23 can be as follows: Figure 1 The support leg 3 is shown to be disposed on the first bonding layer 21 and the second bonding layer 22. One end of the support leg 3 along its own length direction is connected to the second bonding layer 22, for example, by welding. For example, in one embodiment, the support leg 3 can be friction welded, submerged arc welded, or overlay welded to the second bonding layer 22. There are multiple support legs 3, which are spaced apart along the length direction of the crossbeam 2. For example, please refer to... Figure 1 and Figure 4The number of support legs 3 can be four, and the four support legs 3 are arranged at equal intervals along the length of the crossbeam 2. The center distance between two adjacent support legs 3 can range from 200mm to 400mm, for example, 300mm. Each support leg 3 is aligned with the central axis of the crossbeam 2. For example, the support legs 3 can be configured as round steel, such as Q235 carbon structural round steel. Compared with the use of scrap steel to make support legs 3 in related technologies, the support legs 3 of this application have better heat resistance, thereby reducing the replacement frequency of the support legs 3, and consequently reducing the maintenance frequency of the energy-saving structural support legs 3 of this application. For example, Figure 2 The distance S6 represents the length of the support leg 3, which can range from 290mm to 400mm, for example, 290mm. The diameter of the support leg 3 can range from 60mm to 200mm, for example, 140mm. The end of the support leg 3 facing away from the crossbeam 2 is inserted into the anode carbon block to form a complete conductive connection structure. The support leg 3 is made of steel. The material of the support leg 3 is the same as that of the second bonding layer 22, which reduces the resistance when the current flows from the second bonding layer 22 through the support leg 3. It should be noted that if the crossbeam 2 does not have bevels 23 on both sides along its length, the crossbeam 2 itself has a certain resistance. This causes the current in the support leg 3 located in the middle of the crossbeam 2 to be larger, while the current in the support legs 3 located on both sides of the crossbeam 2 to be smaller. The current tends to accumulate on the opposite sides of the crossbeam 2 along its length, causing the crossbeam 2 to heat up, resulting in energy loss, and also easily causing thermal stress differences between the support legs 3. After the bevels 23 are opened on both sides of the crossbeam 2, the bevels 23 can guide the redistribution of the current and guide the current to the legs 3 on both sides of the crossbeam 2, reducing the possibility of the current accumulating on both sides of the crossbeam 2, and making the current more evenly distributed among the multiple legs 3.
[0035] In this embodiment, the core problems of high resistance and uneven current distribution in existing steel claws are solved by using a full-section aluminum-steel composite crossbeam 2 and an end bevel 23 for current guiding design. The crossbeam 2 is formed by explosive welding of a first bonding layer 21 (aluminum plate) and a second bonding layer 22 (steel plate), giving it both good conductivity and high strength. This reduces the resistance of the current flowing from the first bonding layer 21 to the second bonding layer 22. The guide rod 1 is made of aluminum, as is the first bonding layer 21, allowing for a tighter connection. Similarly, the leg 3 is made of steel, as is the second bonding layer 22, further reducing the overall resistance of the energy-saving structural steel claw and thus helping to reduce energy consumption during aluminum electrolysis. The crossbeam 2 has bevels 23 on both sides along its length. These bevels 23 reduce the cross-sectional area at the ends of the crossbeam 2, lowering the current path impedance and forcing the current to distribute evenly to the side legs 3. This reduces the risk of overload on the middle leg 3, resulting in a more uniform current distribution among the multiple legs 3 connected to the second bonding layer 22. The thermal stress generated by the legs 3 is also less different, reducing the risk of the side legs 3 bending towards the center of the crossbeam 2. Furthermore, the energy-saving structural steel claw structure of this application is relatively simple, easy to manufacture, convenient to install, and highly applicable. It has significant energy-saving and consumption-reducing effects and promotional application value in aluminum electrolysis production.
[0036] In one embodiment, please refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 The energy-saving structural steel claw also includes a connecting plate 4, which is disposed between two adjacent legs 3. The connecting plate 4 is connected to the side of the second connecting layer 22 opposite to the first connecting layer 21 to securely fix the legs 3. For example, the connecting plate 4 is made of steel, and the legs 3 are connected to the connecting plate 4 by welding. Figure 2 The distance shown in S5 is the thickness of the connecting plate 4. The range of S5 can be 10mm to 30mm, for example, 30mm. The range of the width of the connecting plate 4 can be 60mm to 200mm, for example, 200mm.
[0037] In one embodiment, please refer to Figure 1 , Figure 3 and Figure 4 The support leg 3 is configured as a cylinder, and the side of the connecting plate 4 near the support leg 3 is configured as an arc. The radius of the arc of the connecting plate 4 is equal to the radius of the support leg 3, so that the side of the connecting plate 4 near the support leg 3 can fit well against the outer circumferential surface of the support leg 3. This helps to increase the welding length between the connecting plate 4 and the support leg 3, thereby improving the connection strength between the connecting plate 4 and the support leg 3.
[0038] In one embodiment, please refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 The thickness of the first bonding layer 21 ranges from 8mm to 16mm, and the thickness of the second bonding layer 22 ranges from 60mm to 120mm. This moderate thickness of the first bonding layer 21 and the second bonding layer 22 allows the crossbeam 2 to possess both good electrical conductivity and high strength. For example, Figure 2 The distance shown in S3 is the thickness of the first bonding layer 21, which can be 12 mm. The distance shown in S4 is the thickness of the second bonding layer 22, which can be 100 mm.
[0039] In one embodiment, please refer to Figure 1 The depth of the bevel 23 ranges from 0mm to 40mm, allowing the crossbeam 2 to effectively guide current distribution. For example, Figure 1 The distance shown by S2 is the depth of the bevel 23, which can be 20mm. The angle shown by S1 is the angle between the inclination direction and the vertical direction of the bevel 23, which can be 45°.
[0040] In one embodiment, please refer to Figure 1 The guide rod 1 is connected to the surface of the first bonding layer 21 opposite to the second bonding layer 22, which helps to reduce the length of the current transmission path in the steel claw. For example, the guide rod 1 is friction welded or overlay welded to the middle position of the surface of the first bonding layer 21 opposite to the second bonding layer 22.
[0041] In one embodiment, please refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 The support leg 3 is connected to the surface of the second bonding layer 22 opposite to the first bonding layer 21, which helps to reduce the length of the current transmission path in the steel claw.
[0042] For example, in the related art, the voltage drop of the conductive circuit and the average temperature of the support leg of the steel claw are 52.9mV and 412.7℃, respectively. In contrast, the voltage drop of the conductive circuit and the average temperature of the support leg 3 of the energy-saving structural steel claw of this application are 18.3mV and 377.4℃, respectively. This results in a reduction of 65.5% in the voltage drop of the conductive circuit and a reduction of 35.3℃ in the average temperature of the support leg 3 of the energy-saving structural steel claw of this application.
[0043] For example, for every 1mV reduction in voltage drop, the power consumption required per ton of electrolytic aluminum is reduced by 6 kWh. Based on an annual production of 150,000 tons of electrolytic aluminum, the energy-saving structural steel claw of this application saves 31.14 million kWh of electricity annually. The reduced temperature of the energy-saving structural steel claw effectively reduces thermal deformation of the support leg 3, and actual measurements show that its service life is extended by more than 30% compared to existing products, significantly reducing the frequency of anode replacement and maintenance costs. Through the above structural design and process improvements, this utility model achieves a significant improvement in conductivity, structural stability, and energy-saving effect, meeting the high-efficiency and stable operation requirements of the aluminum electrolysis industry under high-current load environments.
[0044] The above description is the preferred embodiment of this utility model. It should be noted that for those skilled in the art, several improvements and modifications can be made without departing from the principle of this utility model, and these improvements and modifications should also be considered within the protection scope of this utility model.
Claims
1. An energy-saving structural steel claw, characterized in that, include: A guide rod, wherein the material of the guide rod is configured to be aluminum; A crossbeam includes a first bonding layer and a second bonding layer. The first bonding layer is made of aluminum, and the second bonding layer is made of steel. The surface of the first bonding layer near the second bonding layer is explosively welded to the surface of the second bonding layer near the first bonding layer. The guide rod is welded to the first bonding layer. The crossbeam has bevels at both ends along its length, and the bevels are located on the side of the crossbeam near the guide rod. The support leg is welded to the second bonding layer at one end along its own length direction. There are multiple support legs, which are arranged at intervals along the length direction of the crossbeam. The end of the support leg away from the crossbeam is inserted into the anode carbon block. The material of the support leg is steel.
2. The energy-saving structural steel claw according to claim 1, characterized in that, The energy-saving structural steel claw also includes a connecting plate, which is connected to the side of the second bonding layer away from the first bonding layer, and the connecting plate connects two adjacent legs.
3. The energy-saving structural steel claw according to claim 2, characterized in that, The support leg is configured as a cylinder, and the side of the connecting plate closest to the support leg is configured as an arc, the radius of which is equal to the radius of the support leg.
4. The energy-saving structural steel claw according to claim 1, characterized in that, The thickness of the first bonding layer ranges from 8 mm to 16 mm, and the thickness of the second bonding layer ranges from 60 mm to 120 mm.
5. The energy-saving structural steel claw according to claim 1, characterized in that, The depth of the bevel ranges from 0 mm to 40 mm.
6. The energy-saving structural steel claw according to claim 1, characterized in that, The guide rod is connected to the surface of the first bonding layer that is opposite to the second bonding layer.
7. The energy-saving structural steel claw according to claim 1, characterized in that, The support leg is connected to the surface of the second bonding layer opposite to the first bonding layer.
8. The energy-saving structural steel claw according to claim 7, characterized in that, The welding method between the support leg and the second bonding layer is configured as friction welding or submerged arc welding.