Patents Assigned to Retech Systems LLC
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Patent number: 10259038Abstract: A system and method for sensing the position of an ingot within a segmented mold of a vacuum metallurgical system. An inductive sensory system measures the variations in current between a power source and load of an induction heating coil. The system and method is particularly suitable for determining the position of an ingot within a melting system mold where the mold has a relatively reduced or small cross-sectional area.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2018Date of Patent: April 16, 2019Assignee: Retech Systems LLCInventors: Robert E. Haun, Paul G. Meese
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Publication number: 20180290206Abstract: A system and method for sensing the position of an ingot within a segmented mold of a vacuum metallurgical system. An inductive sensory system measures the variations in current between a power source and load of an induction heating coil. The system and method is particularly suitable for determining the position of an ingot within a melting system mold where the mold has a relatively reduced or small cross-sectional area.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 14, 2018Publication date: October 11, 2018Applicant: RETECH SYSTEMS LLCInventors: ROBERT E. HAUN, PAUL G. MEESE
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Patent number: 10022787Abstract: A system and method for sensing the position of an ingot within a segmented mold of a vacuum metallurgical system. An inductive sensory system measures the variations in current between a power source and load of an induction heating coil. The system and method is particularly suitable for determining the position of an ingot within a melting system mold where the mold has a relatively reduced or small cross-sectional area.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 2015Date of Patent: July 17, 2018Assignee: Retech Systems, LLCInventors: Robert E. Haun, Paul G. Meese
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Patent number: 9968995Abstract: A puller head mold for receiving molten metal or alloy during the casting of an ingot, the puller head mold having a tapered screw thread structure. The tapered threaded puller head is used to pull and withdraw a cast ingot from a casting furnace, and can be particularly useful for the handling of ingots having a relatively narrow diameter. The tapered threaded puller head profile provides for full release of the tapered threaded puller head from a cast ingot in a fraction of a turn. The size and profile of the cast ingot formed with the tapered threaded puller head is resilient to thermal gradients while cooling.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2016Date of Patent: May 15, 2018Assignee: Retech Systems LLCInventors: Matthew A. Charles, Paul G. Meese
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Patent number: 9598747Abstract: A system and method for melting a raw material. The raw material is fed into an electrically conductive vessel. A plasma arc torch melts at least some of the raw material within the vessel to thereby create a molten material. An inductor, physically disposed adjacent the vessel, and electrically disposed in series with the vessel in operation, effects electromagnetic stirring of the molten material by interacting with the current of the plasma arc torch.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2013Date of Patent: March 21, 2017Assignee: RETECH SYSTEMS LLCInventors: Robin A. Lampson, Robert E. Haun, Paul G. Meese, Matthew A. Charles, Edward C. Strout, Todd R. Telfer
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Publication number: 20170072461Abstract: A system and method for sensing the melt level of an ingot and/or molten material within one or more of a melting hearth, a refining hearth, tundish, and/or a casting mold within a furnace system. One or more laser melt height systems is configured and oriented to measure the melt level of one or more furnace system vessels within a closed furnace chamber, and thereby provide control information for regulating an overall melting, refining, casting, and/or atomization process.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 1, 2016Publication date: March 16, 2017Applicant: RETECH SYSTEMS LLCInventors: JASON TING, JOHN MCMENOMEY, ORION K. LELAND
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Publication number: 20170056968Abstract: A system and method for sensing the position of an ingot within a segmented mold of a vacuum metallurgical system. An inductive sensory system measures the variations in current between a power source and load of an induction heating coil. The system and method is particularly suitable for determining the position of an ingot within a melting system mold where the mold has a relatively reduced or small cross-sectional area.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 24, 2015Publication date: March 2, 2017Applicant: RETECH SYSTEMS LLCInventors: ROBERT E. HAUN, PAUL G. MEESE
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Publication number: 20160325346Abstract: A puller head mold for receiving molten metal or alloy during the casting of an ingot, the puller head mold having a tapered screw thread structure. The tapered threaded puller head is used to pull and withdraw a cast ingot from a casting furnace, and can be particularly useful for the handling of ingots having a relatively narrow diameter. The tapered threaded puller head profile provides for full release of the tapered threaded puller head from a cast ingot in a fraction of a turn. The size and profile of the cast ingot formed with the tapered threaded puller head is resilient to thermal gradients while cooling.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 27, 2016Publication date: November 10, 2016Applicant: RETECH SYSTEMS LLCInventors: MATTHEW A. CHARLES, PAUL G. MEESE
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Patent number: 9434000Abstract: A method and a system for forming a solid casting. A material is fed into a mold having a retractable bottom. A first portion of the material at a first, lower position within the mold is allowed to solidify to thereby form a portion of the casting. The retractable bottom is withdrawn downwards at a withdrawal rate. A second portion of the material at a second, upper position within the mold is maintained in a liquid state by application of heat thereto, using a plasma arc generated by a plasma arc torch. A voltage of the plasma arc is measured, and the withdrawal rate of the retractable bottom is controlled based on the voltage of the plasma arc.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 2014Date of Patent: September 6, 2016Assignee: RETECH SYSTEMS, LLCInventors: Tony Tesoriere, Robin Lampson
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Publication number: 20160121394Abstract: A furnace system for melting and casting metals, alloys, and superalloys and a related method. A melt chamber of the furnace system is configured and arranged to include at least two melt boxes, thereby increasing the volume of alloy charge that can be rendered molten during a single furnace heating cycle. Accordingly, a number of ceramic casting molds equal to the number of melt boxes can be used to form castings following a single furnace heating cycle. The ceramic casting molds can be pre-heated in an external oven before being introduced to the mold or loading chamber of the furnace system. The throughput of the furnace system is increased by the ability to pour more than one casting per alloy charge melting cycle.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 26, 2015Publication date: May 5, 2016Applicant: RETECH SYSTEMS LLCInventors: ROBERT COOK, THOMAS WOOLEY, JOHN MCKELLAR, MIKE MULALLEY
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Publication number: 20140182416Abstract: A system and method for melting a raw material. The raw material is fed into an electrically conductive vessel. A plasma arc torch melts at least some of the raw material within the vessel to thereby create a molten material. An inductor, physically disposed adjacent the vessel, and electrically disposed in series with the vessel in operation, effects electromagnetic stirring of the molten material by interacting with the current of the plasma arc torch.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 18, 2013Publication date: July 3, 2014Applicant: Retech Systems LLCInventors: Robin A. Lampson, Robert E. Haun, Paul G. Meese, Matthew A. Charles, Edward C. Strout, Todd R. Telfer
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Patent number: 6637499Abstract: A heat shield for a casting furnace (e.g., a directional solidification or single crystal casting furnace) includes a plurality of heat insulating plates (e.g., 6 plates), each with a leading edge. The plurality of heat insulating plates are arranged, for example, in an overlapping layout, such that at least a portion of their leading edges define a discharge opening (e.g., a hexagonal discharge opening in the case of a heat shield with 6 heat insulating plates) circumscribed by the heat insulating plates. The heat insulating plates are moveable in a manner that adjusts (i.e., increases or decreases) the size of the discharge opening. The heat shield also includes a rotatable disk operatively coupled to the heat insulating plates such that when the rotatable disk is rotated in one direction, the heat insulating plates are moved in a manner which decreases the size of the discharge opening.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2002Date of Patent: October 28, 2003Assignee: Retech Systems LLCInventor: Leonard Charles Hainz, III
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Publication number: 20030145974Abstract: A heat shield for a casting furnace (e.g., a directional solidification or single crystal casting furnace) includes a plurality of heat insulating plates (e.g., 6 plates), each with a leading edge. The plurality of heat insulating plates are arranged, for example, in an overlapping layout, such that at least a portion of their leading edges define a discharge opening (e.g., a hexagonal discharge opening in the case of a heat shield with 6 heat insulating plates) circumscribed by the heat insulating plates. The heat insulating plates are moveable in a manner that adjusts (i.e., increases or decreases) the size of the discharge opening. The heat shield also includes a rotatable disk operatively coupled to the heat insulating plates such that when the rotatable disk is rotated in one direction, the heat insulating plates are moved in a manner which decreases the size of the discharge opening.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 6, 2002Publication date: August 7, 2003Applicant: Retech Systems LLCInventor: Leonard Charles Hainz
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Patent number: 6452129Abstract: A plasma arc torch is disclosed which has an elongated electrode with an open front and a nozzle with a plasma discharge opening that is coaxial with the electrode. A mounting arrangement includes a ceramic ring that engages the front end of the electrode and a gas ring which concentrically surrounds the ceramic ring. A forward portion of the gas ring, the forward end of the electrode, and the nozzle define a swirl chamber of the torch, and opposing, spaced-apart concentric cylindrical surfaces of the ceramic ring and the gas ring, respectively, form an annulus which extends rearwardly from the swirl chamber. The ceramic ring closes the aft end of the annulus, and the gas ring houses a plurality of plasma gas injection ports which are located immediately forward of the aft end of the annulus.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2000Date of Patent: September 17, 2002Assignee: Retech Systems LLCInventors: Wenxian Zhu, Richard C. Eschenbach, Robin A. Lampson, John R. Sparkes
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Patent number: D764554Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2015Date of Patent: August 23, 2016Assignee: RETECH SYSTEMS LLCInventors: Matthew A Charles, Paul G. Meese