Patents Assigned to Retech Systems LLC
  • Patent number: 10259038
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: Retech Systems LLC
    Inventors: Robert E. Haun, Paul G. Meese
  • Publication number: 20180290206
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2018
    Publication date: October 11, 2018
    Applicant: RETECH SYSTEMS LLC
    Inventors: ROBERT E. HAUN, PAUL G. MEESE
  • Patent number: 10022787
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: Retech Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Robert E. Haun, Paul G. Meese
  • Patent number: 9968995
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: Retech Systems LLC
    Inventors: Matthew A. Charles, Paul G. Meese
  • Patent number: 9598747
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: RETECH SYSTEMS LLC
    Inventors: Robin A. Lampson, Robert E. Haun, Paul G. Meese, Matthew A. Charles, Edward C. Strout, Todd R. Telfer
  • Publication number: 20170072461
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2016
    Publication date: March 16, 2017
    Applicant: RETECH SYSTEMS LLC
    Inventors: JASON TING, JOHN MCMENOMEY, ORION K. LELAND
  • Publication number: 20170056968
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2015
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Applicant: RETECH SYSTEMS LLC
    Inventors: ROBERT E. HAUN, PAUL G. MEESE
  • Publication number: 20160325346
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2016
    Publication date: November 10, 2016
    Applicant: RETECH SYSTEMS LLC
    Inventors: MATTHEW A. CHARLES, PAUL G. MEESE
  • Patent number: 9434000
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: RETECH SYSTEMS, LLC
    Inventors: Tony Tesoriere, Robin Lampson
  • Publication number: 20160121394
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2015
    Publication date: May 5, 2016
    Applicant: RETECH SYSTEMS LLC
    Inventors: ROBERT COOK, THOMAS WOOLEY, JOHN MCKELLAR, MIKE MULALLEY
  • Publication number: 20140182416
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2013
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: Retech Systems LLC
    Inventors: Robin A. Lampson, Robert E. Haun, Paul G. Meese, Matthew A. Charles, Edward C. Strout, Todd R. Telfer
  • Patent number: 6637499
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Assignee: Retech Systems LLC
    Inventor: Leonard Charles Hainz, III
  • Publication number: 20030145974
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2002
    Publication date: August 7, 2003
    Applicant: Retech Systems LLC
    Inventor: Leonard Charles Hainz
  • Patent number: 6452129
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2002
    Assignee: Retech Systems LLC
    Inventors: Wenxian Zhu, Richard C. Eschenbach, Robin A. Lampson, John R. Sparkes
  • Patent number: D764554
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: RETECH SYSTEMS LLC
    Inventors: Matthew A Charles, Paul G. Meese