Abstract: An apparatus comprising an induction furnace with a thermally and electrically conductive or non-conductive crucible containing an electrically conductive ferrous or non-ferrous material is provided with at least one bottom induction coil, one side induction coil and one top induction coil disposed exteriorly around the bottom, side and over the top surface of the material in the conductive or non-conductive crucible to provide a non-contact temperature boost or a flow rate boost to the material by selectively energizing a combination of the coils. The induction furnace is particularly useful for electrically conductive materials having a relatively low value of thermal conductivity, such as aluminum or an aluminum alloy.

Abstract: Large steel ingot casting is accomplished with a top suspended induction heating device supplied with variable power and variable frequency from a power source. By the induction heating and stirring provided by the top suspended induction heating device, metal solidification advances progressively upwards from bottom to top, and the upper molten metal in a riser part compensates for shrinkage of the lower solidified metal in the main part. Inclusions are selectively moved out of the molten metal by a variable electromagnetic stirring force and the formation of casting defects is suppressed.

Abstract: Large steel ingot casting is accomplished with a top suspended induction heating device supplied with variable power and variable frequency from a power source. By the induction heating and stirring provided by the top suspended induction heating device, metal solidification advances progressively upwards from bottom to top, and the upper molten metal in a riser part compensates for shrinkage of the lower solidified metal in the main part. Inclusions are selectively moved out of the molten metal by a variable electromagnetic stirring force and the formation of casting defects is suppressed.