Abstract: The solid metal to be melted is placed on a support, within an induction coil which is adapted to provide a greater electromagnetic force towards the lower portion of the quantity of metal. When energy is provided to the coil, the metal melts from the top downward, but the concentration of electromagnetic force towards the bottom of the metal causes the liquid metal to retain a cylindrical shape. When most of the metal is melted, the liquid metal passes through an opening in the support. In a preferred embodiment, the coil is movable relative to the quantity of metal, and at the beginning of the melting process only the top portion of the quantity of metal is disposed within the coil. As the quantity of metal melts, the coil is moved downward. The method may also be used for removing impurities from the quantity of metal.

Abstract: The solid metal to be melted is placed within an induction coil which is adapted to provide a greater electomagnetic force towards the lower portion of the quantity of metal. The solid metal rests on a support, having an opening therethrough, which is kept at a low temperature relative to the metal as it melts. When energy is provided to the coil, the metal melts from the top downward, but the concentration of electromagnetic force towards the bottom of the metal causes the liquid metal to retain a cylindrical shape. When most of the metal is melted, the liquid metal passes through the opening in the support into a casting mold.

Abstract: In accordance with a new method of casting electrode grids for electric lead storage batteries in a mold, premature solidifying of the melt is prevented before the end of the mold filling period by an additional heating pulse applied to the melt during the mold filling process, as well as by the use of a good heat conducting mold material. The cooling down to the unmolding temperature is also accelerated. Because of the short dwell time of the lead within the mold, there simultaneously results a short machine cycling period. The separate pulse heating of the melt is preferably carried out by an induction heating apparatus, the alternating field of the inductor located within the mold walls producing heat through eddy current production within the molten molded body.

Abstract: In an injection method of a die casting machine of the invention, an inner portion of a billet, excluding peripheral and bottom portions thereof, is melted in advance. The billet with the molten inner portion is supplied into an injection sleeve. The injection sleeve is then externally heated to melt the entire portion of the billet. The molten metal is injected into a die cavity.

Abstract: Intercell fusing apparatus for use in a battery having flat tombstone type connections, each tombstone having a pair of vertically and horizontally outwardly extending portions of fusible material closely surrounding a vertical partition of electrically insulating material having a hole extending horizontally therethrough. It comprises a mold closely surrounding each pair of vertical portions of the tombstones and surrounding a partition portion above the hole, and a pair of interconnected coils preferably having double windings on each side of the partition to effect fusion of the tombstones within the mold when energized by a source of high frequency alternating current.

Abstract: A metallic material is passed through a heating mold having a melting zone to produce a metallic member having a unidirectionally solidified structure.

Abstract: A casting system includes an enclosure for covering a bowl-shaped entry port to an investment cavity for use in the lost-wax casting process. A delivery system is provided for delivering an inert gas to the enclosure to displace the original atmosphere which is driven out an exit port. The gas delivery system also provides a high-pressure environment in the enclosure for forcing molten metal, contained in the entry port, to pass by sprues into the mold cavity. Induction heating is provided for melting a solid metal ingot, controlled by a timer and pyrometer to occur prior to the injection, as well as during and optionally subsequent to the injection of compressed inert gas. The casting system is particularly useful for light-weight metals which can be cast only with difficulty in a centrifuge and is also modified for application to glass ingots and metals which do not heat well by induction.

Abstract: Concepts for producing thermal conditions, in strip material, conducive to directional recrystallization are disclosed. An inductively heated susceptor contains a slot and the susceptor shape develops a thermal condition where the edges of the strip are cooler than the center of the slot. The furnace includes a fluid cooled cold zone as well as the hot zone and can produce a steep longitudinal thermal gradient in the strip.

Abstract: An arrangement for controlling the pouring of a melt out of a crucible with a hole in the bottom which hole is blocked while the material is being melted with a closure plate that melts through locally as the result of heat transferred from the melt. To precisely establish the time at which the closure plate melts through, the plate is cooled from below while the starting material is being melted. Cooling is at least decreased and preferably terminated when it is time to pour out the melt. The plate can be cooled by a flow of a gas coolant directed against it or by contact with a cooling element that is raised into position against it from below.

Abstract: A method of producing a composite material from porous reinforcing material and molten matrix metal. First the porous reinforcing material is heated up to a temperature substantially above melting point of the matrix metal. Then the molten matrix metal is infiltrated into the porous structure of the reinforcing material under a substantial pressure. Then the combination of the reinforcing material and the matrix metal infiltrated thereinto is cooled down to a temperature below the melting point of the matrix metal, while maintaining the abovementioned substantial pressure. Optionally, the reinforcing material may be charged into a case; and, again optionally, the case may have one opening only, and a vacant space may be left between another part of the case and the reinforcing material charged in the case, with the reinforcing material interrupting communication between the opening and the vacant space. The case can be made of stainless steel, or of a refractory material such as porous brick.

Abstract: A mold structure for casting large metallic parts such as ingots so as to avoid the formation of the "shrinkage pipe" which normally develops on the exposed top surface of such castings during their solidification comprises a cap for placement on a mold which includes a diaphragm having a front surface located to intercept radiation emitted from the top surface of the cooling metal mass and to re-emit radiation back thereto, and a reflector for returning radiation emitted from the back surface of the diaphragm such as an infrared reflector or a stack of baffles. The cap may include a cooler for cooling the reflective surface and suitable ports which allow the interior of the mold and cap to be evacuated. Portions of the mold adjacent its open top may be provided with insulation to prevent heat loss from the metal by conduction. A heater for providing make-up heat to the top surface of the metal mass may also be included in the structure.

Abstract: A process for electromagnetically containing and forming molten material into a desired thin strip shape. At least two inductors are employed which are powered at respectively different frequencies. The frequency of the current applied to the upstream inductor is substantially lower than the frequency applied to the downstream inductor thereby providing improved efficiency and reduced power consumption.