Coreless Patents (Class 373/151)
  • Patent number: 11634814
    Abstract: An atomic layer deposition apparatus having a vacuum chamber, a deposition chamber within the vacuum chamber, an inlet channel extending from outside of the vacuum chamber to the deposition chamber such that the inlet channel is connected to the deposition chamber for supplying gases to the deposition chamber, a discharge channel extending from the deposition chamber to outside of the vacuum chamber for discharging gases from the deposition chamber, one or more first precursor supply sources connected to the inlet channel, and one or more second precursor supply sources connected to the inlet channel. The vacuum chamber is arranged between the one or more first precursor supply sources and the one or more second precursor supply sources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: BENEQ GROUP OY
    Inventors: Ville Miikkulainen, Hulda Aminoff, Pekka Soininen, Pekka J. Soininen
  • Patent number: 10267564
    Abstract: A heat treatment container for a vacuum heat treatment apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment includes a bottom portion and a sidewall, and a support protruding inward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: LG INNOTEK CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Byung Sook Kim, Min Sung Kim, Kyoung Hoon Chai
  • Patent number: 9581146
    Abstract: A system for heating a shape memory alloy (SMA) actuator may include an SMA actuator, a smart susceptor, a plurality of induction coils, and a control module. The SMA actuator may have at least one layup. The SMA actuator may be selectively heated to a transition temperature. The smart susceptor may be in thermal contact with the at least one layup of the SMA actuator. The induction heating coils may be configured to receive an alternating current and generate a magnetic field based on the alternating current. The magnetic field may create an eddy current in at least one of the SMA actuator and the smart susceptor to heat the SMA actuator to the transition temperature. The control module may be configured to drive the alternating current supplied to the induction heating coils.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Moushumi Shome, Frederick T. Calkins, Stephen R. Amorosi, Flint M. Jamison, Sahrudine Apdalhaliem, Robert James Miller
  • Patent number: 9393581
    Abstract: A method for controlling a temperature of a jetting device, the jetting device being configured to jet droplets of a fluid at a high temperature, the fluid comprising an electrically conductive fluid, wherein at least a part of the fluid is positioned in a magnetic field, includes heating the jetting device to an operating temperature, being defined as the temperature suitable for jetting droplets, using a heat jetting droplets by providing an electrical actuation current in the part of the fluid positioned in the magnetic field, thereby generating a force in the conductive fluid; determining upcoming jetting conditions, the upcoming jetting conditions being defined as the jetting conditions corresponding to droplets to be jetted at a time (t1) which is later than the present time (t0); determining settings for the heat based on the determined upcoming jetting conditions; controlling the heating of the jetting device using the heat in accordance with the determined settings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: OCE-TECHNOLOGIES B.V.
    Inventors: Mircea V. Rasa, Marcel Slot, Henricus C. M. Van Genuchten, Wilhelmus P. J. Classens
  • Patent number: 9001863
    Abstract: A graphite crucible for electromagnetic induction-based silicon melting and an apparatus for silicon melting/refining using the same, which performs a melting operation by a combination of indirect melting and direct melting. The crucible is formed of a graphite material and includes a cylindrical body having an open upper part through which a silicon raw material is charged into the crucible, and an outer wall surround by an induction coil, wherein a plurality of first slits are vertically formed through the outer wall and an inner wall of the crucible, and a plurality of second slits are vertically formed from an edge of the disc-shaped bottom of the crucible toward a center of the bottom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Korea Institute of Energy Research
    Inventors: Bo Yun Jang, Young Soo Ahn, Joon Soo Kim, Sang Hyun Park, Dong Kook Kim, Gwon Jong Yu
  • Patent number: 8968470
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are a graphite crucible for electromagnetic induction-based silicon melting and an apparatus for silicon melting/refining using the same, which performs a melting operation by a combination of indirect melting and direct melting. The crucible is formed of a graphite material and includes a cylindrical body having an open upper part through which a silicon raw material is charged into the crucible, and an outer wall surrounded by an induction coil, wherein a plurality of slits are vertically formed through the outer wall and an inner wall of the crucible such that an electromagnetic force created by an electric current flowing in the induction coil acts toward an inner center of the crucible to prevent a silicon melt from contacting the inner wall of the crucible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Korea Institute of Energy Research
    Inventors: Bo Yun Jang, Young Soo Ahn, Joon Soo Kim, Sang Hyun Park, Dong Kook Kim, Gwon Jong Yu
  • Patent number: 7796674
    Abstract: A cold crucible induction furnace has a slotted-wall with a slotted inner annular protrusion that is disposed around the base of the crucible's melting chamber. The protrusions may be separated from the base by a gap that can be filled with an electrical insulating material. Slots may also be provided in the protrusions and/or the outer perimeter of the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Consarc Corporation
    Inventor: Graham A. Keough
  • Patent number: 7792178
    Abstract: A continuous- or intermittent-melt induction furnace useful for heating and/or melting semi-conductor or other materials includes an induction coil, a susceptor switchable between open and closed electric circuit modes, and a crucible. The susceptor is inductively or resistively heated in the closed circuit mode and transfers heat to material in the melting cavity to make it susceptible to inductive heating. The susceptor is then switched to the open circuit mode and the susceptible material is directly inductively heated to melt remaining solid material. A cone-shaped flow guide in the melting cavity improves molten material flow to improve the ability to draw small-particle material into the melt and increase crucible life due to improved heat uniformity. A trap passage communicating with the melting cavity and an exit opening in the crucible allows the flow of material through the exit opening to be controlled by pressure differentials on either side of the trap passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: Ajax Tocco Magnethermic Corporation
    Inventors: Anthony M. Tenzek, David A. Lazor
  • Patent number: 7675959
    Abstract: Thus, as shown by an exact electrodynamic computation of EMBF and the estimations described above of the velocity of turbulent flows arising due to their effect, application of amplitude- and frequency-modulated helically traveling (rotating and axially traveling) electromagnetic fields in metallurgical and chemical technologies and foundry can considerably increase the hydraulic efficiency of MHD facilities, intensify the processes of heat and mass transfer in technological plants, significantly increase their productivity, considerably decrease energy consumption for the production of metals, alloys, cast articles, and chemical products, and improve their quality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: Energetics Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Irving I. Dardik, Arkady K. Kapusta, Boris M. Mikhailovich, Ephim G. Golbraikh, Shaul L. Lesin, Herman D. Branover
  • Patent number: 7606286
    Abstract: A coreless induction furnace includes a crucible for holding a material to be heated. An induction coil is wound about the crucible. A frame supporting the crucible and the induction coil is wound about the crucible. An induction coil loading arrangement includes at least one clamping assembly for providing a leveraged axial force to an upper side of the induction coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2009
    Assignee: Ajax Tocco Magnethermic Corporation
    Inventor: James Evans Elliott
  • Patent number: 7466740
    Abstract: An induction furnace includes a pair of induction coils with a pair of faraday rings disposed between the induction coils to substantially prevent mutual inductance between the first and second induction coils. The induction coils preferably have a different size circumference and may be coplanar. The prevention of mutual inductance provided by the faraday rings is particularly useful for a pusher furnace in which adjacent furnace sections are heated to different and rather specific temperatures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2008
    Assignee: AJAX Tocco Magnethermic Corporation
    Inventor: David A. Lazor
  • Patent number: 7457344
    Abstract: An apparatus and process are provided for controlling the heating or melting of an electrically conductive material. Power is selectively directed between coil sections surrounding different zones of the material by changing the output frequency of the power supply to the coil sections. Coil sections include at least one active coil section, which is connected to the output of the power supply, and at least one passive coil section, which is not connected to the power supply, but is connected in parallel with a tuning capacitor so that the at least one passive coil section operates at a resonant frequency and the output frequency of the power supply is changed so that the induced power in the at least one passive coil section changes as the frequency is changed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2008
    Assignee: Inductotherm Corp.
    Inventors: Oleg S. Fishman, Mike Maochang Cao
  • Patent number: 7388896
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods of operation are provided for a cold-crucible-induction melter for vitrifying waste wherein a single induction power supply may be used to effect a selected thermal distribution by independently energizing at least two inductors. Also, a bottom drain assembly may be heated by an inductor and may include an electrically resistive heater. The bottom drain assembly may be cooled to solidify molten material passing therethrough to prevent discharge of molten material therefrom. Configurations are provided wherein the induction flux skin depth substantially corresponds with the central longitudinal axis of the crucible. Further, the drain tube may be positioned within the induction flux skin depth in relation to material within the crucible or may be substantially aligned with a direction of flow of molten material within the crucible. An improved head design including four shells forming thermal radiation shields and at least two gas-cooled plenums is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2008
    Assignee: Battelle Energy Alliance, LLC
    Inventors: Jay A. Roach, John G. Richardson, Brian D. Raivo, Nicholas R. Soelberg
  • Publication number: 20070286253
    Abstract: A coreless induction furnace includes a crucible for holding a material to be heated. An induction coil is wound about the crucible. A frame supporting the crucible and the induction coil is wound about the crucible. An induction coil loading arrangement includes at least one clamping assembly for providing a leveraged axial force to an upper side of the induction coil.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2006
    Publication date: December 13, 2007
    Inventor: James Evans Elliott
  • Patent number: 7113535
    Abstract: A continuous- or intermittent-melt induction furnace useful for heating and/or melting semi-conductor or other materials includes an induction coil, a susceptor switchable between open and closed electric circuit modes, and a crucible. The susceptor is inductively or resistively heated in the closed circuit mode and transfers heat to material in the melting cavity to make it susceptible to inductive heating. The susceptor is then switched to the open circuit mode and the susceptible material is directly inductively heated to melt remaining solid material. A cone-shaped flow guide in the melting cavity improves molten material flow to improve the ability to draw small-particle material into the melt and increase crucible life due to improved heat uniformity. A trap passage communicating with the melting cavity and an exit opening in the crucible allows the flow of material through the exit opening to be controlled by pressure differentials on either side of the trap passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2006
    Assignee: AJAX Tocco Magnethermic Corporation
    Inventors: Anthony M. Tenzek, David A. Lazor
  • Patent number: 7085305
    Abstract: Methods of operation of an induction melter include providing material within a cooled crucible proximate an inductor. A desired electromagnetic flux skin depth for heating the material within the crucible may be selected, and a frequency of an alternating current for energizing the inductor and for producing the desired skin depth may be selected. The alternating current frequency may be adjusted after energizing the inductor to maintain the desired electromagnetic flux skin depth. The desired skin depth may be substantially maintained as the temperature of the material varies. An induction heating apparatus includes a sensor configured to detect changes in at least one physical characteristic of a material to be heated in a crucible, and a controller configured for selectively varying a frequency of an alternating current for energizing an inductor at least partially in response to changes in the physical characteristic to be detected by the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2006
    Assignee: Battelle Energy Alliance, LLC
    Inventor: John G. Richardson
  • Patent number: 6757317
    Abstract: A device for the melting or purifying of inorganic substances, in particular of glass, which comprises a number of metal tubes which may be attached to a cooling medium and which are arranged next to each other, in such a way that together they form a container, a high frequency coil for the injection of energy into the container contents and a plastic coating for the metal tubes, the decomposition temperature of which lies below the temperature of the melt. The cooling system is configured and arranged such that the temperature of the boundary layer of the melt, immediately surrounding the component, lies below that of the decomposition temperature of the coating material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2004
    Assignee: Schott Glas
    Inventors: Christian Kunert, Uwe Kolberg, Hildegard Römer
  • Patent number: 6542535
    Abstract: An induction furnace system has an active induction coil surrounding a crucible. A passive induction coil also surrounds the crucible. The passive induction coil is connected in parallel with a capacitor to form an L-C tank circuit. A source of ac current is provided to the active induction coil to produce a magnetic field that inductively heats and melts an electrically conductive material in the crucible. The magnetic field also magnetically couples with the passive induction coil to induce a current in the passive induction coil. This induced current generates a magnetic field that inductively heats and melts the material. The resistance of the L-C tank circuit is reflected back into the circuit of the active induction coil to improve the overall efficiency of the induction furnace system. The crucible may be open-ended to allow the passage of the electrically conductive material through the crucible during the heating process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2003
    Assignee: Inductotherm Corp.
    Inventors: Oleg S. Fishman, Vladimir V. Nadot, Vitaly A. Peysakhovich, John H. Mortimer
  • Patent number: 6507599
    Abstract: An induction heating furnace includes a furnace body having a side wall extending so obliquely as to increase in radius from the bottom to the top edge portion and formed by a plurality of longitudinally split, conductive segments arrayed circumferentially and insulated from each other, a first induction heating coil arranged at an outer periphery of the side wall for subjecting a to-be-heated material accommodated in the furnace body to induction heating and a melt-use power source for supplying AC power to the first induction heating coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: Shinko Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masanori Tsuda, Atsushi Okuno, Yasuhiro Nakai
  • Publication number: 20020122456
    Abstract: An induction furnace system has an active induction coil surrounding a crucible. A passive induction coil also surrounds the crucible. The passive induction coil is connected in parallel with a capacitor to form an L-C tank circuit. A source of ac current is provided to the active induction coil to produce a magnetic field that inductively heats and melts an electrically conductive material in the crucible. The magnetic field also magnetically couples with the passive induction coil to induce a current in the passive induction coil. This induced current generates a magnetic field that inductively heats and melts the material. The resistance of the L-C tank circuit is reflected back into the circuit of the active induction coil to improve the overall efficiency of the induction furnace system. The crucible may be open-ended to allow the passage of the electrically conductive material through the crucible during the heating process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2002
    Publication date: September 5, 2002
    Inventors: Oleg S. Fishman, Vladimir V. Nadot, Vitaly A. Peysakhovich, John H. Mortimer
  • Publication number: 20020085614
    Abstract: An induction heating furnace includes a furnace body having a side wall extending so obliquely as to increase in radius from the bottom to the top edge portion and formed by a plurality of longitudinally split, conductive segments arrayed circumferentially and insulated from each other, a first induction heating coil arranged at an outer periphery of the side wall for subjecting a to-be-heated material accommodated in the furnace body to induction heating and a melt-use power source for supplying AC power to the first induction heating coil.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2002
    Publication date: July 4, 2002
    Applicant: SHINKO ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masanori Tsuda, Atsushi Okuno, Yasuhiro Nakai
  • Patent number: 6163562
    Abstract: An induction heating device which raises the temperature of a metal to be heated for one of melting or hot machining while providing considerably energy saving, increasing yield and observing current safety standards. The device (10) uses a cavity (11) to receive the metal to be heated and at least two magnetic yokes (13) arranged around a periphery of cavity (11), each yoke supporting an independent induction coil (14). The induction coils are mounted and wound in the same direction such that a north pole, of each coil, is located on one side of the cavity and a south pole is located on an opposite side of the cavity. The inductive coils are arranged so as to generate active non null magnetic field zones and inactive zones of null magnetic fields distributed about the periphery of the cavity. An inactive zone of null magnetic fields is located between each adjacent active non null magnetic field zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2000
    Assignee: Internova International Innovation Company B.V.
    Inventor: Fran.cedilla.ois-Marie Franci
  • Patent number: 6014403
    Abstract: In an induction furnace for the synthesis of glasses, in particular fluorozirconate glasses for optical fibres for telecommunications, the support device (6') for the crucible (3) is associated with a pair of sleeves (7, 9) between which an annular element (8) which constitutes the actual support element is inserted. The first sleeve (7) has such longitudinal dimensions that the crucible (3) is supported in the annular element (8) in such a way as to be spaced from the planar element (5'), and the second sleeve has such longitudinal dimensions that its top edge is at a level higher than that of the top edge of the crucible (3), to obtain a homogeneous temperature region extending at least along the entire height of the crucible (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2000
    Assignee: Cselt- Centro Studi e Laboratori Telecomunicazioni S.P.A.
    Inventors: Marco Braglia, Guojun Dai, Sabrina Mosso
  • Patent number: 5901170
    Abstract: An induction furnace apparatus and method for reducing the magnetic field produced by the operation of the furnace. The induction furnace including a refractory vessel, an induction coil, and an outer shell having a layer of metallic and magnetically permeable material. The metallic and magnetically permeable material comprising a plurality of elements having a shape and size that is chosen to maximize the packing density of elements throughout the layer. The outer shell further including a top, base, and sidewall arranged about the refractory vessel such that the metallic and magnetically permeable material is formed between the refractory vessel and the outer shell. The invention provides a method for casting metallic and magnetically permeable material with or without a non-conductive matrix. The castings can be formed into inserts or incorporated into the top, base, and side wall of the outer shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1999
    Assignee: Inductotherm Corp.
    Inventors: Vitaly A. Peysakhovich, Benno J. Box, John H. Mortimer
  • Patent number: 5889812
    Abstract: In a process for the operation of coreless induction melting and/or holding furnaces--in which there results in the melting operation at a relatively high induction frequency (as compared to the mains frequency) a slight stirring motion in the melt, but a high degree of effectiveness for the melting process, and in the melting and holding operation at a correspondingly lower induction frequency there results a greater stirring motion in the melt, but a lower degree of effectiveness for the melting process--it is provided that at least one capacitor switched in parallel to the induction coil(s) is provided, which capacitor(s), together with the induction coil(s), form a resonant circuit; and that in the transition from the melting operation with slight stirring motion in the melt to the melting or holding operation with greater stirring motion, or in the reverse transition, the capacitor capacitance and/or the inductance present in the resonant circuit is increased, or as the case may be, decreased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1999
    Assignee: Otto Junker GmbH
    Inventor: Dieter Schluckebier
  • Patent number: 5887019
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for securing induction coils within an induction coil module including a plurality of flexible connectors having a first end, a second end, and a length disposed between the first and second ends. A first attachment member is securely attached to the first end of the flexible connector and pivotably connected to a support assembly. A second attachment member is securely attached to the second end of the flexible connector 16. The second attachment member having an induction coil attached thereto. Correspondingly, the pivotal engagement of the flexible connectors in relation to the support assembly of the induction coil module facilitates a means for allowing the flexible connectors and their attached induction coils to move both horizontally and vertically in relation to the support assembly, thus dramatically reducing the potential for structural fatigue and stress fracturing of the various mechanical connections of an induction furnace.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1999
    Assignee: Geneva Steel
    Inventor: W. Shane Swanger
  • Patent number: 5872805
    Abstract: A hot dip coating pot for containing a coating material in a liquid state. The coating pot comprises a substantially horizontal bottom and substantially vertical side walls. The bottom and the side walls define a first interior volume for containing the coating material. The bottom wall and a lower portion of each of the side walls defines a bottom portion which is separable from an upper portion of the side walls. The bottom portion has a predetermined interior volume less than the first interior volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1999
    Assignee: Inductotherm Corp.
    Inventors: John H. Mortimer, Hans G. Heine
  • Patent number: 5787110
    Abstract: A galvanizing apparatus comprising a vessel for containing a melt of molten metal. The vessel includes at least one conical projection in its side walls around which an induction heating coil is wound to generate a uniform and continuous stirring pattern of molten metal that penetrates deeply into the pot. In a second embodiment, the galvanizing vessel has no projections from its side walls, but comprises instead one or more flat inductors disposed on the exterior wall of the vessel. The flat inductor is surrounded by magnetic return shunts for directing the magnetic force field created by the inductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1998
    Assignee: Inductotherm Corp.
    Inventors: Oleg S. Fishman, John H. Mortimer, Vitaly A. Peysakhovich
  • Patent number: 5677926
    Abstract: Vertical, parallel palisades (3) are distributed around the perimeter of a circle, spaced apart by gaps, surrounding the melt. An annular plate (4) supports the palisades (3), the palisades being provided with cavities through which a coolant flows. An induction coil (20) surrounds the palisades (3) on the outside, an alternating current flowing through the coil. The plate (4) is provided with support surfaces (4a, 4b), equal in number to the number of palisades (3), their shape conforming to the base surfaces of the palisades (3). Seen in the circumferential direction, every second support surface (4a) is covered by an electrically insulating film (7). All of the palisades (3) together are surrounded by a ring (18) of electrically insulating material, which holds the palisades (3) on the plate (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 14, 1997
    Assignee: ALD Vacuum Technologies GmbH
    Inventors: Matthias Blum, Wilfried Goy, Franz Hugo, Karlheinz Hock
  • Patent number: 5502743
    Abstract: A furnace configuration is disclosed in which the furnace is inductively heated by external insulated coils and a susceptor is placed within the charge of reactants away from the outer surfaces of the charge. Consequently, heat is transferred to the charge and the process approaches completion before the insulation is subjected to high temperatures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 26, 1996
    Assignees: Comalco Aluminium Limited, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation
    Inventors: David S. Conochie, Shane M. Neecowen, Rory A. D. Poulter, Gregory McLeod
  • Patent number: 5495495
    Abstract: This invention relates to a refractory lining for use in a coreless induction furnace having a refractory crucible, wherein the refractory lining lines the inner surface of the refractory crucible and has a porosity of between 0.2% and 1%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 27, 1996
    Assignee: Saint-Gobain/Norton Industrial Ceramics Corporation
    Inventor: Gerard M. Cullan
  • Patent number: 5469461
    Abstract: An electric induction furnace for heating various electrically conductive materials includes a pair of concentric crucibles disposed at a predetermined angle relative to a horizontal axis. The orientation of the crucibles enables the induction furnace to be directly coupled to a horizontal mold while at the same time allows venting of trapped gases and impurities in the conductive material. The configuration of the furnace further enables the casting mold to be partially inserted into the furnace, reducing heat losses of the furnace and, in turn, operating costs and also enabling the temperature of the molten material at the mold entry point to be relatively accurately controlled in order to provide castings having relatively uniform mechanical properties. The double crucible design minimizes risk of damage to the surrounding electric induction coil and further reduces the cost of replacement of a worn crucible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 21, 1995
    Inventor: Martin Andrea
  • Patent number: 5425048
    Abstract: An induction heating furnace is disclosed comprising an induction coil assembly and a ladle having a metallic shell that supports a crucible holding metal to be heated by the furnace. The ladle is readily separated from the induction coil assembly so that the heated metal may be conveniently and reliably moved among operational stations. The induction coil assembly has a preselected length which is less than the length of the shell. The induction coil assembly surrounds, but does not touch the shell and generates an electromagnetic induction field. The induction coil assembly comprises a coil, upper and lower yokes and an intermediate yoke coextensive with the coil. The upper and lower yokes are separated from each other and electromagnetically coupled together by the intermediate yoke. The upper, lower and intermediate yokes each comprise stacked laminates formed of sheets of ferrous material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 13, 1995
    Assignee: Inductotherm Corp.
    Inventors: Hans G. Heine, Nicolas P. Cignetti
  • Patent number: 5416794
    Abstract: An induction furnace is disclosed comprising a crucible for holding a material to be heated by the furnace, an induction coil assembly, and a module-support assembly surrounding and radially supporting the induction coil assembly so as to facilitate the replacement and reconnection of the induction coil assembly. The induction coil assembly comprises an induction coil, an upper yoke, a lower yoke, and a plurality of intermediate yokes that are spaced apart from each other. The induction coil is wound around the crucible and defines the periphery of the induction furnace. The intermediate yokes are arranged to extend around substantially all of the periphery defined by the wound induction coil. The upper and lower yokes are electromagnetically coupled together by the plurality of intermediate yokes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 16, 1995
    Assignee: Inductotherm Corp.
    Inventors: Nicolas P. Cignetti, Hans G. Heine
  • Patent number: 5416796
    Abstract: Apparatus to float and melt particularly small pieces of high-melting point metal continuously while making the amount of meltable liquid metal greater than the capacity of a crucible. A conductive crucible having segments includes an upper cylindrical crucible portion and a lower closed-end crucible portion. An induction coil is arranged outside the upper crucible portion, whereas an induction coil is arranged below the induction coil. The lower crucible portion is in contact with the upper crucible portion and located on the inside of the induction coil at the initial melting stage. The lower crucible portion is lowered as a columnar metal grows and solidifies between molten metal and the lower crucible portion. A continuous feeder continuously feeds cold material. A molten metal surface thermometer and a molten metal surface level gauge are arranged above the crucible. The operation of the continuous feeder is regulated within a desired range of values of the molten metal surface thermometer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 16, 1995
    Assignees: National Research Institute for Metals, Chubu Electric Power Company, Incorporated, Fuji Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akira Fukuzawa, Kazuyuki Sakuraya, Toshiaki Watanabe, Motoo Yamazaki, Tadashi Morita, Tatsuo Take, Michiru Fujita
  • Patent number: 5416795
    Abstract: A crucible assembly for use in induction melting furnaces utilizes an inner crucible formed of partially stabilized zirconia and an outer support member formed of a sintered alumina. The crucibles are in the shape of a cylinder with a closed bottom wall and in the cylindrical wall area, the inner crucible and the outer support member are separated by a layer of porous ceramic fibers of alumina and silica and the entire assembly has been centered as a unit so that the outer support member with a porous layer allows for the thermal expansion and contraction of the inner crucible while limiting any stresses applied to the inner crucible and providing additional strength and support for the inner crucible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 16, 1995
    Inventors: John A. Kaniuk, Crispino DiRuggiero, Donald K. Ratcliffe
  • Patent number: 5354970
    Abstract: A hot dip batch coating pot for containing a coating material in a liquid state. The pot comprises a container portion having a horizontal bottom and vertical side walls, with the bottom and said side walls defining an interior volume for containing said coating material. At least one coreless induction furnace is mounted on a side wall of the container portion. The coreless induction furnace defines an interior volume in communication with the interior volume of the container portion for inductively heating the coating material. The coreless induction furnace is disposed at an angle to the vertical.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 11, 1994
    Assignee: Inductotherm Corp
    Inventor: Peter Knupfer
  • Patent number: 5280496
    Abstract: An induction furnace includes a crucible having a plurality of cooled metallic segments (6A, 6B) electrically insulated from each other and an electromagnetic induction coil (5) arranged around the crucible, wherein the electromagnetic induction coil is energized with low frequency electric current. Each of the metallic segments forming the crucible wall is made of a relatively thin sheet, and a cooling pipe is provided on each segment. The cooling pipes (22) are welded or brazed to an outer surface of each corresponding segment. A refrigerant flows through each pipe in order to evacuate heat from the corresponding segment. The furnace further includes a magnetic core (8) disposed above and near the top surface of the charge placed in the crucible. This magnetic core provides local narrowing of the magnetic field lines, causing centripetal motion of the melted part of charge located at or near the top surface of the charge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 18, 1994
    Inventors: Francois Schlecht, Roland Ernst, Christian Garnier
  • Patent number: 5280495
    Abstract: A furnace refractory extraction system and method includes a selectively removable bottom portion which is attached to a refractory extraction device associated with a container for drawing the refractory lining of a coreless induction furnace into the container. A plug portion in the furnace bottom is selectively removable to provide access to a bottom wall of the refractory lining. An opening is made in the bottom wall of the lining through which an extractor shaft is inserted and then attached to the removable bottom portion of the furnace bottom. The other end of the shaft is attached to a piston and cylinder assembly associated with the container at the open end of the furnace. When the piston and cylinder assembly is powered, the lining is drawn into the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 18, 1994
    Assignee: Ajax Magnethermic Corporation
    Inventors: George Havas, Jose A. Garcia
  • Patent number: 5272720
    Abstract: Induction heating vessels and methods are disclosed. One embodiment of an induction heating vessel is a bottom pouring vessel with a crucible for containing a molten metal to be heated and having an outlet in the bottom. A metallic shell with integral current limiters surrounds the crucible. A stopper is provided for selectably controlling the flow of molten metal through the outlet. A method of preheating an induction heating vessel comprises placing a susceptor inside the vessel prior to charging the vessel with material to be heated and inductively heating the susceptor by an induction coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1993
    Assignee: Inductotherm Corp.
    Inventors: Nicolas P. Cignetti, Richard U. Swaney, John H. Mortimer
  • Patent number: 5257281
    Abstract: An induction melting vessel comprising a refractory crucible having an opened top end and closed bottom end, with a substantially continuous side wall. A substantially continuous metallic shell surrounds and generally conforms to the side wall and extends for at least a majority of the height of the side wall from the bottom end to the top end. The shell has a bottom end corresponding to the bottom end of the crucible and a top end corresponding to the top end of the crucible. A portion the shell adjacent the top end thereof and a portion of the shell adjacent the bottom end thereof have discrete physically integral but electrically isolated regions therein for limiting the flow of electric current in the shell. In one embodiment of the invention, the regions are defined by a plurality of slits through the shell and extending from the top and bottom ends thereof toward the respective opposite ends. The slits have a length not exceeding have the distance to the respective opposite end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1993
    Assignee: Inductotherm Corp.
    Inventors: Nicolas P. Cignetti, Richard U. Swaney, John H. Mortimer
  • Patent number: 5249198
    Abstract: In an induction furnace including a crucible having a crucible center axis and a coil member wound around the crucible, the coil member has a coil center axis oblique to the crucible center axis at an acute angle between 3.degree. and 10.degree.. The coil member is consequently wound around the crucible so that each winding of the coil member is inclined to the crucible center axis at an angle except 90.degree. and has a highest position and a lowest position on a crucible side wall of the crucible. An inlet port and an outlet port of the crucible are located at positions adjacent to the highest and the lowest positions of the windings, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1993
    Assignee: Sumitomo Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Toshio Matsuoka
  • Patent number: 5247539
    Abstract: A magnetic yoke for an induction crucible furnace includes a rod-shaped core stack being suitable for carrying magnetic flux generated by a furnace coil of the induction crucible furnace. The core stack is enclosed on three principal surfaces thereof not facing the furnace coil by a flexurally and torsionally rigid support body having a C or U-shaped cross section. The support body is preferably formed of a material with good electrical conductivity and has longitudinal channels suitable for carrying a coolant. Preferably, an extruded profiled part formed of an aluminum alloy is used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1993
    Assignee: ABB Patent GmbH
    Inventor: Horst Gillhaus
  • Patent number: 5197081
    Abstract: An apparatus for directing electromagnetic flux near an induction coil comprises a loop-shaped member adapted to conduct electromagnetic flux, defining an axis parallel to the central axis of the induction coil and extending substantially the length of the coil. The loop-shaped member acts as a return circuit for minimizing a stray magnetic field external to the coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1993
    Assignee: Inductotherm Corp.
    Inventor: Oleg Fishman
  • Patent number: 5134629
    Abstract: A high frequency core and coil electric metal melting furnace is shown. This furnace has a lined channel in its inductor for carrying the molten metal. The invention provides an improved inductor for a core and coil furnace that is not subject to leakage of the molten metal from the channel into the rammed refractory support bed for the channel which leakage otherwise shortens the lift of the furnace. Also a method of lining the channel in the inductor for carrying the molten metal which forms the core is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1992
    Assignee: Norton Company
    Inventor: Gerard M. Cullan
  • Patent number: 5090022
    Abstract: A coreless induction furnace comprising a crucible for holding a quantity of metal to be heated by the furnace. The crucible has an open top, side walls and a closed bottom. An induction coil is operatively associated with the crucible for generating a time-varying magnetic induction field. Coupling structure extending above the top of the crucible is provided to couple at least a portion of the induction field to the center portion of the top surface of the metal to be heated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 18, 1992
    Assignee: Inductotherm Corp.
    Inventor: John H. Mortimer
  • Patent number: 5022044
    Abstract: In a directly heatable crucible 3 for induction melting furnaces, especially for melting refractory and highly-pure metals, including an inductor coil 11 surrounding a crucible 3 and a housing 5, which at least partially encloses the inductor coil 11 and the crucible 3 and which forms together with the external wall 9, 9' of the crucible a closed chamber having an annular portion 10 and a flat cylindrical base portion 10'. This chamber is passed through by a cooling agent and the crucible 3 is made of the material to be molten.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 4, 1991
    Assignee: Leybold Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Friedrich-Werner Thomas
  • Patent number: 4756814
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the individual marking of precooked anodes used in the production of aluminum by electrolysis in the Hall-Heroult process, and to the anodes produced thereby. These anodes are produced by hot compaction of a carbonaceous paste, and according to the invention, during or immediately after such compaction, a plurality of impressions is formed in the upper part of each anode. The impressions are depressions and/or relief portions, constitute a digital coding for the identification number of each anode, and remain legible until withdrawal of the components of the butt of the worn anode from the electrolysis tank. The marking can be carried out using a binary or ternary code, where the reference plane of the zone of the anode which carries the marking corresponds to a first digit, with other digits corresponding to depressions of a particular depth, depressions of a greater depth, or relief portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1987
    Date of Patent: July 12, 1988
    Assignee: Aluminum Pechiney
    Inventors: Claude Van Voren, Christian Jonville
  • Patent number: 4688231
    Abstract: A packaging system for an induction furnace has an equipment housing within which is located all the operating equipment for the furnace. The equipment is centrally located within the housing and is reached by access panels in the housing cover, which forms a deck. The operating equipment is fully enclosed and protected by the housing, yet can be easily reached by means of the access panels for maintenance, troubleshooting and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1986
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1987
    Assignee: Inductotherm Corp.
    Inventor: John H. Mortimer
  • Patent number: 4658404
    Abstract: Disclosed is an induction furnace with a furnace bottom comprising a crucible, an induction winding and a gas-tight casing, also having a lid, for the furnace bottom, which lid has at least one gas connection, a charging valve and a pouring arrangement. The furnace bottom and lid are connected by a flange joint and tiltably mounted by means of a picot bearing and a drive about a tipping axis in a furnace stand. The pivot bearing is secured to the lid, the tipping mechanism engages the lid, and the furnace bottom is separable from the lid by unfastening the flange joint, the lid remaining in the furnace stand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1986
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1987
    Assignee: Leybold-Heraeus GmbH
    Inventors: Georg Sick, Otto Stenzel, Heinz Kohnert, Hans-Johann Kemmer