Patents by Inventor Harald Scholz

Harald Scholz has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 10563286
    Abstract: A melting vessel for performing an electro-slag melting method and such a method are presented. Measuring devices measuring a temperature at different heights allow conclusions about position and height of a slag zone in the melting vessel during the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: ALD VACUUM TECHNOLOGIES GMBH
    Inventors: Henrik Franz, Ulrich Biebricher, Harald Scholz
  • Publication number: 20190144969
    Abstract: A melting vessel for performing an electro-slag melting method and such a method are presented. Measuring devices measuring a temperature at different heights allow conclusions about position and height of a slag zone in the melting vessel during the method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2017
    Publication date: May 16, 2019
    Applicant: ALD VACUUM TECHNOLOGIES GMBH
    Inventors: Henrik FRANZ, Ulrich BIEBRICHER, Harald SCHOLZ
  • Publication number: 20180207719
    Abstract: An electro-slag remelting installation includes a mold and a consumable electrode that extends into the mold. The consumable electrode has an axis that is oriented obliquely to a vertical axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2016
    Publication date: July 26, 2018
    Applicant: ALD Vacuum Technologies GmbH
    Inventors: Henrik FRANZ, Harald SCHOLZ, Ulrich BIEBRICHER, Thomas KILZER
  • Patent number: 9538587
    Abstract: A method and a device for closed-loop control of an electrode gap in a vacuum arc furnace subjects an electrode gap of a melting electrode from the surface of a melt material to closed-loop control as a function of a droplet short-circuit rate. For this purpose, a histogram of detected droplet short-circuits is created on the basis of at least one droplet short-circuit criterion. The histogram is subdivided into sub-areas, a characteristic sub-area of the histogram is selected for closed-loop control purposes. The electrode gap is subjected to closed-loop control on the basis of the droplet short-circuits which can be associated with the selected sub-area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: ALD VACUUM TECHNOLOGIES GMBH
    Inventors: Ralf Oehler, Harald Scholz, Frank-Werner Hoffmann
  • Publication number: 20160312322
    Abstract: A device and a method for treating metallic material. In particular, the invention is suitable for treating and/or producing steel and metallic alloys, in particular non-standard grade steels and alloys of particularly high quality. The invention has proved to be particularly successful in the treatment of iron-based metallic materials.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2014
    Publication date: October 27, 2016
    Inventors: Hans Johann KEMMER, Christian LEHNERT, Andreas EICH, Harald SCHOLZ, Peter ZOTZ
  • Publication number: 20130279535
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method as well as a device for closed-loop control of the electrode gap in a vacuum arc furnace (10), wherein an electrode gap of a melting electrode from the surface of a melt material is subjected to closed-loop control as a function of a droplet short-circuit rate. For this purpose, a histogram (70) of detected droplet short-circuits (80) is created on the basis of at least one droplet short-circuit criterion (76), the histogram (70) is subdivided into sub-areas (72), a characteristic sub-area (74) of the histogram (70) is selected for closed-loop control purposes, and an electrode gap is subjected to closed-loop control on the basis of the droplet short-circuits (80) which can be associated with the selected sub-area (74).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2011
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Inventors: Ralf Oehler, Harald Scholz, Frank-Werner Hoffmann
  • Publication number: 20130282158
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and device (40) for filtering supply network failures (84) out of an electrode signal (82) in a metallurgical electric remelting process, in particular for the electrode gap closed-loop control of a system for closed-loop control of an electrode gap (48) of a melting furnace (10). For this purpose, said device also comprises at least one electrode sensor device (44) for measuring an electrode signal (82), in particular electrode current and/or electrode voltage of the electrode (30), a network sensor device (46) for measuring a network signal, in particular network current and/or network voltage, and a filter device (50) for filtering network failures (84) of the network signal out of the electrode signal (82), such that an electrode signal (80) with no network failures can be emitted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2011
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Inventors: Ralf Oehler, Harald Scholz, Frank-Werner Hoffmann
  • Patent number: 6540012
    Abstract: In an electroslag remelting point with a mold (4) for forming an ingot from the remelted material of at least one consumable electrode (33), with a body (6) having at least one vertically driven electrode rod (15) for advancing a respective consumable electrode (33), and with a hood (19) which is disposed above the mold (4) and has at least one opening (18) which is concentric with the respective electrode axis (A), a pot-shaped boiler (20) is provided which accommodates the mould (4) and can be joined to the hood (19) to form a chamber (34) which is closed all round, completely encompasses the mould (4, 28) and can be connected via pipelines (22, 23) to a vacuum pump and/or a gas source, so that the chamber (34) can be evacuated or filled with an inert gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2003
    Assignee: ALD Vacuum Technologies AG
    Inventors: Harald Scholz, Arno Niebling, Ulrich Biebricher
  • Patent number: 6533990
    Abstract: In the apparatus for distilling molten baths, substantially comprising a two-part vacuum tank (2), a melting crucible (5) disposed in the bottom housing part (3) of the vacuum tank and surrounded by a heating coil (4), a hat-shaped metal vapor condenser (8) held in the top housing part (6) of the vacuum tank (2), and a draining channel (10) disposed between the melting crucible (5) and the metal vapor condenser (8), a filter element (16) penetrated by a metal vapor thermometer (19) plus probe (20) is provided above the metal vapor condenser (8) in an opening (15) of the top housing part (6), wherein both the filter pot (17) surrounding the filter element (16), as well as the space (22) behind the coil, as well as the top housing part (6) are connected by separate individual vacuum lines (18, 23, 25) to a vacuum source (7).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: Ald Vacuum Technologies AG
    Inventors: Ivaylo Popov, Hans-Jürgen Kemmer, Harald Scholz
  • Publication number: 20030025253
    Abstract: In the apparatus for distilling molten baths, substantially comprising a two-part vacuum tank (2), a melting crucible (5) disposed in the bottom housing part (3) of the vacuum tank and surrounded by a heating coil (4), a hat-shaped metal vapor condenser (8) held in the top housing part (6) of the vacuum tank (2), and a draining channel (10) disposed between the melting crucible (5) and the metal vapor condenser (8), a filter element (16) penetrated by a metal vapor thermometer (19) plus probe (20) is provided above the metal vapor condenser (8) in an opening (15) of the top housing part (6), wherein both the filter pot (17) surrounding the filter element (16), as well as the space (22) behind the coil, as well as the top housing part (6) are connected by separate individual vacuum lines (18, 23, 25) to a vacuum source (7).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2002
    Publication date: February 6, 2003
    Inventors: Ivaylo Popov, Hans-Jurgen Kemmer, Harald Scholz
  • Patent number: 6443212
    Abstract: Molds (1) with annular mold parts (2, 3) divided by at least one plane of division (E—E) and forming a plurality of cavities (8) disposed at least substantially radially to a centrifugation axis (A—A), serve for the production of precision castings by centrifugal casting, especially of parts made of materials containing titanium for internal combustion engines, the molds (1) and a casting system being contained in a closed chamber. To automate production, at least one mold part (2, 3) is made to rotate in its own rotational guide, and two mold parts (2, 3) together with the corresponding rotational guides are brought to a closed position for the casting and solidification and to an open position for the removal of the precision castings. When cast, the precision castings are preferably joined together at their radially inward pointing ends by a circumferential ring of the solidified metal and thus a circle of castings can be removed from the opened mold by a manipulating system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Assignee: Ald Vacuum Technologies AG
    Inventors: Alok Choudhury, Matthias Blum, Harald Scholz, Georg Jarczyk, Franz Hugo, Hans Günther Fellmann, Peter Busse, Thomas Ruppel, Alfred Henn
  • Patent number: 6408929
    Abstract: In the production of precision castings by centrifugal casting with controlled solidification, a melt is cast under vacuum or shield gas into a pre-heated mold (15) with a central gate (19) and several mold cavities proceeding from the gate toward the outer circumference (Da) of the mold (15). To prevent the formation of shrinkholes and porous areas in the castings, to save energy, and to increase the production rate, the mold (15) is operated at temperatures which decrease from the inside toward the outside. The mold consists of a material or material combination with a coefficient of thermal conductivity lower than that of copper. Before the melt is poured, the mold (15) is heated, starting from the gate (19), by a heating device (20), which projects into the gate, so that the gate (19) reaches a temperature which is a function of the material being cast. Heating is carried out at a rate sufficient to produce a temperature Gradient of at least 100° C., preferably of 200-600° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2002
    Assignees: Ald Vacuum Technologies AG, W. C. Heraeus GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Alok Choudhury, Harald Scholz, Matthias Blum, Georg Jarczyk, Marek Gorywoda, David Francis Lupton
  • Publication number: 20010045267
    Abstract: In the production of precision castings by centrifugal casting with controlled solidification, a melt is cast under vacuum or shield gas into a preheated mold (15) with a central gate (19) and several mold cavities proceeding from the gate toward the outer circumference (Da) of the mold (15). To prevent the formation of shrinkholes and porous areas in the castings, to save energy, and to increase the production rate, the mold (15) is operated at temperatures which decrease from the inside toward the outside. The mold consists of a material or material combination with a coefficient of thermal conductivity lower than that of copper. Before the melt is poured, the mold (15) is heated, starting from the gate (19), by a heating device (20), which projects into the gate, so that the gate (19) reaches a temperature which is a function of the material being cast. Heating is carried out at a rate sufficient to produce a temperature gradient of at least 100° C., preferably of 200-600° C.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2001
    Publication date: November 29, 2001
    Applicant: ALD Vacuum Technologies AG
    Inventors: Alok Choudhury, Harald Scholz, Matthias Blum, Georg Jarczyk, Marek Gorywoda, David Francis Lupton
  • Patent number: 6250366
    Abstract: In the production of precision castings by centrifugal casting with controlled solidification, a melt is cast under vacuum or shield gas into a pre-heated mold (15) with a central gate (19) and several mold cavities proceeding from the gate toward the outer circumference (Da) of the mold (15). To prevent the formation of shrinkholes and porous areas in the castings, to save energy, and to increase the production rate, the mold (15) is operated at temperatures which decrease from the inside toward the outside. The mold consists of a material or material combination with a coefficient of thermal conductivity lower than that of copper. Before the melt is poured, the mold (15) is heated, starting from the gate (19), by a heating device (20), which projects into the gate, so that the gate (19) reaches a temperature which is a function of the material being cast. Heating is carried out at a rate sufficient to produce a temperature gradient of at least 100° C., preferably of 200-600° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2001
    Assignee: ALD Vacuum Technologies GmbH
    Inventors: Alok Choudhury, Harald Scholz, Matthias Blum, Georg Jarczyk, Marek Gorywoda, David Francis Lupton
  • Patent number: 6027563
    Abstract: For the oriented solidification of molten silicon to form an ingot in a bottomless crystallization chamber (9, 41) with a cooling body (11), which can be lowered relative to the chamber, the flat bottom surface of a seed body (25) of solid silicon is laid on the surface of the cooling body. The top surface of the seed body (25) is melted, and the ingot is grown on top of it as the cooling body is lowered by relative motion with respect to the crystallization chamber (9, 41) at a rate which is dependent on the supply of additional silicon and the solidification rate. For the purpose of producing large ingots with a coarsely crystalline to monocrystalline structure, a seed body (25) with a crystalline structure selected from the group ranging from coarsely crystalline to monocrystalline is used. Either lump silicon is placed on top of the seed body (25) and melted by induction, or molten silicon is produced in a forehearth (37) and poured onto the seed body (25). The seed body (25) has a thickness of 0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2000
    Assignee: Ald Vacuum Technologies GmbH
    Inventors: Alok Choudhury, Matthias Blum, Harald Scholz, Georg Jarczyk
  • Patent number: 5991328
    Abstract: A crucible (10) for the inductive melting or superheating of metals, alloys, or other electrically conductive materials is provided with palisades of approximately equal length, arranged vertically, parallel to, and a certain distance away from, each other around a circle so as to surround the melt. A plate-shaped or ring-shaped part (4) at the bottom ends of the palisades (3, 3', . . . ) holds the palisades (3, 3', . . . ). At least part of the palisades (3, 3', . . . ) are provided with cavities (5, 5', . . . ) or channels, through which a coolant flows. An induction coil (6), through which an alternating current flows surrounds the palisades (3, 3', . . . ) spaced from their outside surfaces. The palisades (3, 3', . . . ) have slots (7a, 7b, 7c;, 7a', 7b', 7c', . . . ), which extend vertically from the palisade-holding part (4) up to a point near the top edge. The inside wall (9, 9', 9", . . .
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: Ald Vacuum Technologies GmbH
    Inventors: Alok Choudhury, Matthias Blum, Harald Scholz, Wilfried Goy
  • Patent number: 5950706
    Abstract: In the production of castings from a melt of a reactive metal selected from the group consisting of titanium, titanium alloys, and titanium-based alloys, a reusable casting mold (20) is used; the mold, at least in the area of the surface which comes in contact with the melt, consists of at least one metal selected from the group consisting of tantalum, niobium, zirconium, and/or their alloys. The casting mold (20) preferably consists, at least in the area of the surface which comes in contact with the melt, of a tantalum based alloy containing at least 50 wt. % of tantalum. The casting molds can be made of a homogeneous metal, but it is also possible to insert shells of the metals in question into a base body to form the boundaries of the mold cavities, whereas the base body itself consists of some other metal or alloy or of a nonmetal such as graphite or silicon nitride.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1999
    Assignee: Ald Vacuum Technologies GmbH
    Inventors: Alok Choudhury, Matthias Blum, Harald Scholz, Georg Jarczyk
  • Patent number: 5690891
    Abstract: In a process for the production of alloys from at least two alloy components (A, B, C, D, . . . ) with different melting points by melting in an inductively heated cold-walled crucible (1) with a cooled crucible base (3), in order to obtain an exact and homogeneous alloy composition at least a part of the alloy components (A, B, C, D, . . . ) are introduced into the cold-walled crucible (1) consecutively and in stacked fashion where eithera) the alloy component (a) in each case with the lower melting point is introduced first orb) the alloy component in each case with the lower density is introduced firstand following the introduction at least one of further alloy component the heating energy is switched on. The process serves preferably for the production of the intermetallic phase TiAl, where firstly the aluminium and then the titanium are stacked in the cold-walled crucible (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 25, 1997
    Assignee: Ald Vacuum Technologies GmbH
    Inventors: Alok Choudhury, Matthias Blum, Harald Scholz, Georg Jarczyk
  • Patent number: 5626179
    Abstract: In the production of castings from a melt of a reactive metal selected from the group consisting of titanium, titanium alloys, and titanium-based alloys, a reusable casting mold (20) is used; the mold, at least in the area of the surface which comes in contact with the melt, consists of at least one metal selected from the group consisting of tantalum, niobium, zirconium, and/or their alloys. The casting mold (20) preferably consists, at least in the area of the surface which comes in contact with the melt, of a tantalum based alloy containing at least 50 wt. % of tantalum. The casting molds can be made of a homogeneous metal, but it is also possible to insert shells of the metals in question into a base body to form the boundaries of the mold cavities, whereas the base body itself consists of some other metal or alloy or of a nonmetal such as graphite or silicon nitride.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 6, 1997
    Assignee: Ald Vacuum Technologies GmbH
    Inventors: Alok Choudhury, Matthias Blum, Harald Scholz, Georg Jarczyk
  • Patent number: 5480127
    Abstract: In a method for melting and treating metals and metal alloys, especially steels, solid charge material is melted in a ladle. Then while passing a gas through the melt at least part of the time, at least one of the treatments of decarburization, dephosphorization, deoxidation, desulfurization, alloying and removing nonmetallic inclusions is performed in the same ladle. An apparatus for the practice of the method has two tracks (W1, W2) for the ladle (5), which are aligned in an approximate T-shape to one another, a preheating station (9) and a slag removal station (14) being arranged in the top part of the T and, at the intersection between the top part and the stem between the preheating station (9) and the slag removal station (14), the first treatment station (10) with a heating system is disposed, and at the free end of the stem of the T a second treatment station (16) for the vacuum treatment is disposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 2, 1996
    Assignee: Leybold Durferrit GmbH
    Inventors: Alok Choudhury, Jochen Schumann, Harald Scholz, Jan-Erwin Schindler