Patents by Inventor Thomas Matschullat

Thomas Matschullat 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).

  • Publication number: 20140301423
    Abstract: A material is melted in an arc furnace by a plasma arc produced by at least one electrode. The plasma arc is regulated by one or more additional substances which influence the plasma composition introduced into the plasma, increasing the efficiency and output of the arc furnace.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2012
    Publication date: October 9, 2014
    Inventors: Arno Döbbeler, Klaus Krüger, Thomas Matschullat
  • Publication number: 20140290898
    Abstract: Molten metal poured into a mold region, delimited by a first casting roll that rotates about a first rotational axis, produces a metal strand upon solidification which is conveyed out of the mold region. A liquid coolant is applied to the surface of the first casting roll by a first cooling device via first coolant lines and first coolant applying devices. The coolant is inert with respect to the molten metal and has a standard boiling point below 20° C., e.g., ?20° C., at normal air pressure, and an operating temperature at or below an operating boiling point at an operating pressure at which the coolant is supplied. A control device automatically controls the first cooling device by ascertaining a control state of the first cooling device using a target property for an actual property of the first casting roll or the metal strand detected by at least one sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2012
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Applicant: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Johannes Dagner, Thomas Matschullat, Günther Winder
  • Patent number: 8821657
    Abstract: In a device and a method for recovering energy from at least one metal hot strip bundle (B) which has a temperature of more than 200° C. and is produced in a hot rolling mill (H), the at least one hot strip bundle (B) passes through an energy recovery device (3). In order to recover energy, a gaseous medium (G) flows around the at least one hot strip bundle (B) within the energy recovery device (3) such that said hot strip bundle absorbs energy, particularly heat, dissipated by the at least one hot strip bundle (B), thereby providing a technically simple method and a corresponding device for recovering energy, both of which can be used for any kind of hot strip, independently of the further processing thereof. Furthermore, CO2 and energy can be saved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Thomas Matschullat
  • Patent number: 8707702
    Abstract: In a method and a device for utilizing heat transported by a discontinuous flow of exhaust gases (1), the discontinuous flow of exhaust gases (1) is emitted in phases (P1, P2, P3, P4, P5) with, in each case, constant output values for volume flowing (Va) and temperature (Ta) from an industrial installation, particularly an industrial furnace, wherein the discontinuous flow of exhaust gases (1) is converted into a continuous working flow (2) with adjustable, constant target values for the volume flowing (Vz) and the temperature (Tz). The continuous working flow (2), with the heat contained therein, is used for the conversion of thermal energy into useful energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Hanno Garbe, Jörg Lengert, Thomas Matschullat
  • Publication number: 20140112365
    Abstract: During operation of an alternating-current electric arc furnace, which has at least one electrode for producing a melt, vibrations are measured at a wall of a furnace vessel, whereby a slag height of the melt is determined. A rapid reaction to the change in the slag height is made possible by adjusting the arc length of the at least one electrode in the case of deviations of a measured actual value of the slag height from a target value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2012
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Thomas Matschullat, Detlef Rieger
  • Publication number: 20140023577
    Abstract: A method for treating a carbon dioxide-containing waste gas from an eletrofusion process, in which a hydrocarbon-containing gas is fed to a waste gas and the carbon dioxide in the waste gas is converted at least partially into carbon monoxide and hydrogen in a reaction and the carbon monoxide-hydrogen mixture is stored for an additional combustion process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 2, 2012
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Inventors: Manfred Baldauf, Thomas Matschullat
  • Publication number: 20140013665
    Abstract: A hydrocarbon-containing gas is guided to waste gas containing carbon dioxide and the carbon dioxide is at least partially converted into carbon monoxide and hydrogen when reacted with the hydrocarbon. The waste gas is used with the carbon monoxide hydrogen mixture for an additional combustion process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 2, 2012
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Applicant: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Manfred Baldauf, Thomas Matschullat
  • Patent number: 8524145
    Abstract: A device for introducing dust into a molten bath of a pyrometallurgical installation is provided. An electrodeless plasma torch includes an essentially tubular housing, wherein the housing allows a passage of a carrier gas containing dust particles, and wherein the housing is coaxially surrounded by an inductive load coil which forms a heating zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Werner Hartmann, Günter Lins, Thomas Matschullat
  • Patent number: 8491836
    Abstract: A melting furnace for smelting scrap includes a heating device extending through a wall of the furnace in order to supply melting energy, wherein the heating device including a tubular body, which encloses a flow channel. Further, the furnace includes a heating zone formed by a longitudinal section of the tubular body configured as an electrodeless plasma torch including an inductive heating coil which encloses the flow channel coaxially. An injection pipe is disposed in a central manner in the flow channel extending up or into to the heating zone, wherein the injection pipe is enclosed by a gas guiding pipe coaxially and at a radial distance. An annular channel is arranged between the injection pipe and the wall of the flow channel for supplying a cooling gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Thomas Matschullat
  • Patent number: 8412474
    Abstract: In a method, a variable characterising an operational state of an electrode of an arc furnace can be determined. An electrode flow guided to the electrode is detected in the method and the structure-borne noise oscillations are detected. From the detected electrode flow, a flow evaluation signal associated with the frequency range of the detected electrode flow is determined. From the detected structure-borne noise oscillations, an oscillation evaluation signal that is associated with a frequency range of the detected structure-borne noise oscillations is detected and a quotient from the oscillation evaluation signal and the flow evaluation signal is formed as a radiation measurement for at least one frequency common to the detected electrode flow and the detected structure-borne noise oscillation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Arno Döbbeler, Klaus Krüger, Thomas Matschullat, Detlef Rieger
  • Patent number: 8410800
    Abstract: In a method for determining the size and shape value (M) for a solid material (S), in particular scrap metal, in an arc furnace (1), an electrode flow fed to an electrode (3a, 3b, 3c) for forming an arc furnace (L) between the electrode (3a, 3b, 3c) and the solid (S) is measured (30) and from the measured electrode flow (I (t)), an effective measurement value of the electrode flow is determined (31) and from the measured electrode flow (I (t)) (32), a flow part associated with a frequency range of the measured electrode flow is determined (32), and a quotient of the flow part and an effective measurement value is formed as a measurement of the shape and size value of the flow (M). Thus, a method is provided that enables a property of a fusible element introduced into one of the arc furnaces to be determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Arno Döbbeler, Klaus Krüger, Thomas Matschullat, Detlef Rieger
  • Publication number: 20130051423
    Abstract: An electric arc furnace, signal processing device, storage medium, machine-readable program code, and method for determining a time for charging (e.g., recharging) an electric arc furnace with material to be melted (e.g., scrap) are provided. The electric arc furnace may include electrode(s) for heating material inside the electric arc furnace by an electric arc. By detecting a signal for determining a phase state of an electric arc root on the side of the material to be melted based on a captured electrode current, by checking whether the signal exceeds a predetermined threshold value for a predetermined minimum duration, and by ensuring that the charging time is reached at the earliest when the signal exceeds the predetermined minimum duration threshold value, a state-oriented charging time for an electric arc furnace can be determined to reduce energy use, resource use, and production time for a production cycle to reach a tap weight.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2011
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Inventors: Björn Dittmer, Arno Döbbeler, Klaus Kruger, Sascha Leadbetter, Thomas Matschullat, Detlef Rieger
  • Publication number: 20130000445
    Abstract: In a method and an apparatus for setting a slag consistency in an electric arc furnace, structure-borne sound measurements are carried out on the electric arc furnace during the melting
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2011
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Inventor: Thomas Matschullat
  • Publication number: 20120320942
    Abstract: An arc furnace, a control and/or regulating device for an arc furnace, and a method for operating an arc furnace are provided, wherein an arc for melting metal is generated by at least one electrode, wherein an arc associated with the electrode(s) has a first radiation power based on preselected operating parameters, wherein the arc furnace is operated according to a predefined operating program based on an expected process sequence, wherein monitoring is performed to detect whether an undesirable deviation exists between the actual process sequence and the expected process sequence. Because a modified second radiation power is specified if a deviation is present, and a modified second set of operating parameters, e.g., impedance value(s), is determined based on the modified second radiation power, a method is provided that permits a minimal melting time while minimizing consumption of operating resources, e.g., with respect to arc furnace cooling.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2011
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Inventors: Björn Dittmer, Arno Döbbeler, Klaus Krüger, Sascha Leadbetter, Thomas Matschullat, Detlef Rieger
  • Patent number: 8254427
    Abstract: A device for controlling an arc furnace installation has an automatic controller (3) wherein a functional unit (6) for furnace control, a functional unit (7) for electrode control and a functional unit (8) for melting control are integrated in the controller (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Martin Biermann, Arno Döbbeler, Thomas Matschullat, Johannes Scharf, Gerd Schelbert, Uwe Stürmer
  • Publication number: 20120183010
    Abstract: A method for controlling a melt process in an arc furnace and signal processing component, program code, and data medium for performing said method are provided. According to the method, sound signals or vibrations from the interior of the furnace container are captured by solid-borne sound sensors, from which characteristic values can be derived for the distribution of melting material, melt, and slag in the furnace fill. A characteristic value SM for thermal radiation impinging on the furnace wall of the container, a characteristic value M for the lumpiness of the melting material in the volume of furnace fill, and a characteristic value MM for the change to the portion of solid melting material contacting the furnace wall are generated in priority sequence. The energy distribution at the electrodes is changed by a control system analyzing the characteristic values in priority sequence, such that thermal load peaks are dampened or even completely prevented.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2010
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Inventors: Björn Dittmer, Arno Döbbeler, Klaus Krüger, Sascha Leadbetter, Thomas Matschullat, Detlef Rieger
  • Publication number: 20120140786
    Abstract: A melting furnace for smelting scrap includes a heating device extending through a wall of the furnace in order to supply melting energy, wherein the heating device including a tubular body, which encloses a flow channel. Further, the furnace includes a heating zone formed by a longitudinal section of the tubular body configured as an electrodeless plasma torch including an inductive heating coil which encloses the flow channel coaxially. An injection pipe is disposed in a central manner in the flow channel extending up or into to the heating zone, wherein the injection pipe is enclosed by a gas guiding pipe coaxially and at a radial distance. An annular channel is arranged between the injection pipe and the wall of the flow channel for supplying a cooling gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2012
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Inventor: Thomas Matschullat
  • Patent number: 8137432
    Abstract: A method for smelting steel scrap in a furnace, including: blowing a working gas into the furnace via a flow channel to supply melting energy; guiding the working gas through at least one electrodeless plasma torch; producing a plasma by at least one inductive heating coil, which encloses the flow channel coaxially and forms a heating zone; and guiding a cooling gas through a radially outside region of the flow channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Thomas Matschullat
  • Publication number: 20120055649
    Abstract: In a device and a method for recovering energy from at least one metal hot strip bundle (B) which has a temperature of more than 200° C. and is produced in a hot rolling mill (H), the at least one hot strip bundle (B) passes through an energy recovery device (3). In order to recover energy, a gaseous medium (G) flows around the at least one hot strip bundle (B) within the energy recovery device (3) such that said hot strip bundle absorbs energy, particularly heat, dissipated by the at least one hot strip bundle (B), thereby providing a technically simple method and a corresponding device for recovering energy, both of which can be used for any kind of hot strip, independently of the further processing thereof. Furthermore, CO2 and energy can be saved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2010
    Publication date: March 8, 2012
    Inventor: Thomas Matschullat
  • Patent number: 8092572
    Abstract: In a method of regulating the output of CO in steel production, oxygen is introduced into a melt to remove carbon present, the actual value of the carbon stream evolved from the melt is determined, the intended value of the evolved carbon stream derived from the amount of oxygen introduced and the carbon content of the melt is calculated, intended and actual values are compared with one another and if the actual value is below the intended value, measures for preventing boiling are undertaken.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Thomas Matschullat