Abstract: An air controller can include an air pump, a flow control assembly, and vibration isolators. The vibration isolators can be positioned between the flow control assembly and supporting structures, such as supporting structures of a housing, to dampen vibration of the flow control assembly. The air controller can inflate and deflate an inflatable air chamber of a mattress of an air bed.

Abstract: A light metal injection molding machine includes a melting unit, a material supply device, and an inert gas supplier. The material supply device includes a supply cylinder and a lower shutter. The supply cylinder includes a passage which communicates vertically, a supply opening disposed on an upper side of the passage and to which a molding material is fed, and a discharge opening which is disposed on a lower side of the passage and discharges the molding material to a material supply port of the melting unit. The lower shutter is disposed in the supply cylinder to open and close the passage, and the molding material is placed on the lower shutter when the passage is closed. The lower shutter has at least one vent-hole that allows an inert gas supplied from below the lower shutter to pass when the passage is closed.

Abstract: A gas supply apparatus of the present invention includes a gas discharge line of a first electromagnetic valve having s a switching valve placed therein, and a second electromagnetic valve placed between the switching valve and a gas supply source. The switching valve switches between a gas discharge from the first electromagnetic valve and a gas supply to the first electromagnetic valve. At the time of a normal operation, the second electromagnetic valve opens a gas discharge line side and closes a switching valve side, and when the power source is lost, the second electromagnetic valve opens the switching valve side and closes the gas discharge line side. In this way, even when the power source is lost, an operating valve can not only be operated remotely but also be operated safely by a remote operator.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and to a device for the electromagnetic stirring of electrically conductive fluids in the liquid state and/or in the state of onsetting solidification of the fluid, using a rotating magnetic field that is produced in the horizontal plane of a Lorentz force. The aim is to achieve an intensive three-dimensional flow on the inside of the fluid for mixing in the liquid state up to the direct vicinity of solidifying fronts, and to simultaneously ensure an undisturbed, free surface of the fluid. The solution is to change the direction of rotation of the magnetic field rotating in the horizontal plane at regular time intervals in the form of a period duration, wherein the frequency of the directional change of movement of the magnetic field vector is adjusted such that in the state of mixing the liquid fluid a period duration is adjusted between two directional changes of the magnetic field during a time interval as a function of the adjustment time with the condition (I) 0.5·ti.

Abstract: Disclosed are embodiments of a vessel configured to contain a secondary magnetic induction field therein for melting materials, and methods of use thereof. The vessel can be used in an injection molding apparatus having an induction coil positioned along a horizontal axis and adjacent to the vessel. The vessel can have a tubular body configured to substantially surround and receive a plunger tip. At least one longitudinal slot extends through the thickness of the body to allow and/or direct eddy currents into the vessel during application of an RF induction field from the coil. The body also includes temperature regulating lines configured to flow a liquid within. The temperature regulating lines can be provided to run longitudinally within the wall(s) of the body between its inner bore and outer surface(s). A flange may be provided at one end of the body to secure the body within an injection molding apparatus.

Abstract: Processes, systems, and apparatuses are disclosed for forming products from atomized metals and alloys. A stream of molten alloy and/or a series of droplets of molten alloy is atomized to produce particles of the molten alloy. The molten alloy particles are cooled to a temperature that is less than a solidus temperature of the molten alloy particles so that the molten alloy particles solidify. The solid alloy particles impact a collector and produce a solid alloy preform.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a cast component with a casting device includes providing a casting device. The casting device comprises a filling chamber, a mold cavity comprising a hollow space, runners comprising at least one of a different length and a different cross-section, and a plunger arranged in the filling chamber. The metal melt is provided in a fluid state in the filling chamber. The metal melt is advanced via the runners from the filling chamber to the mold cavity by advancing the plunger in the filling chamber. Electromagnetic fields are provided. A flow velocity of melt currents in the respective runners is increased or decreased via the electromagnetic fields so that a melt front in each of the runners reaches the mold cavity when the filling chamber has been completely filled by the plunger.

Abstract: Provided is a method for preparing high-purity aluminum by directional solidification, comprising the steps of: providing 4N to 5N aluminum as raw material, heating the same to a temperature of 670° C. to 730° C., maintaining the temperature for 7 minutes to 80 minutes, cooling the bottom of chamber (3) to allow the aluminum liquid crystallizing in a direction from the bottom to top of the chamber (3) for 1 hour to 8 hours to obtain a crystalline ingot, during the crystallization process of a finished product of crystalline ingot, stifling and heating the aluminum liquid, maintaining a particular temperature gradient of the aluminum liquid, and removing a portion of the crystalline ingot from one end of the ingot, the remaining portion being the high-purity aluminum. Also provided is a smelting furnace, comprising a shell (1), a heating device (2), a chamber (3), a temperature measurement device, a stirring device and a cooling device (6).

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.

Abstract: Described herein is a method of selectively depositing molten bulk metallic glass (BMG). In one embodiment, a continuous stream or discrete droplets of molten BMG is deposited to selected positions. The deposition can be repeated as needed layer by layer. One or more layers of non-BMG can be used as needed.

Abstract: A casting system, mold, and method are disclosed for electromagnetically stirring sand castings. In an embodiment, the casting mold includes a mold body having a cavity therein, and a passageway fluidly connecting the cavity with an exterior of the mold body. The passageway allows for introduction of a molten metal into the cavity. The mold body further includes at least one induction coil embedded in a cope of the mold body; and at least one induction coil embedded in a drag of the mold body. The induction coils are configured to generate an electromagnetic field for stirring a molten metal casting while it solidifies inside the mold.

Abstract: To produce hollow ingots, at least two consumable electrodes having a diameter of at least 1.0 times the wall thickness of the hollow ingots are melted in a short, water-cooled mold that is flared particularly in a T-shape in the area of the consumable electrodes, wherein the inner wall of the hollow ingot is formed by a mandrel with a conicity of at least 1.5% that is installed in the mold from above, and the level of the liquid heel is maintained below the T-shaped flaring of the mold.

Abstract: An apparatus for fabricating the magnesium-based alloy includes a transferring device, a thixomolding machine, and an electromagnetic stirring device. The transferring device includes a feed inlet. The thixomolding machine includes a heating barrel having a first end and a second end, a nozzle disposed at the first end. The electromagnetic stirring device includes an electromagnetic induction coil disposed on an outer wall of the heating barrel.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of equalizing a solidification process of molten metal produced, in particular, during strand or strip casting, wherein the molten metal (10) is subjected, in particular, to an electromagnetic stirring process, and wherein a magnetic field is applied to metal located upstream of the area of, in particular, the electromagnetic stirring process. According to the invention, it is provided that during the solidification process, at least one magnetic field is applied to an already solidified, at the outside, into a strand, region (11) of the molten metal (10). The invention also relates to a device for carrying out this process.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for electromagnetic stirring of molten metals at an advanced stage of solidification, as may be used in continuous casting of steel billets and blooms, are disclosed. At least first and second stirrers are provided for generating first and second rotating magnetic fields of a differing frequency about an axis of solidifying molten metal. The stirrers are arranged about the molten metal in sufficiently close proximity to each other so that their respective magnetic fields superpose to produce a modulated magnetic field. The magnetic fields of the respective stirrers may either have common or opposing rotational directions. The modulated stirring produced by the magnetic fields results in oscillating primary and secondary flows and hence turbulence within the melt bulk in the region wherein temperature of the melt on its central axis is below the liquidus level and at least 10% of substantially solidified material is formed.

Abstract: One non-limiting embodiment of an apparatus for forming an alloy powder or preform includes a melting assembly, an atomizing assembly, and a collector. The melting assembly produces at least one of a stream of a molten alloy and a series of droplets of a molten alloy, and may be substantially free from ceramic in regions contacted by the molten alloy. The atomizing assembly generates electrons and impinges the electrons on molten alloy from the melting assembly, thereby producing molten alloy particles.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for producing large diameter superalloy ingots are disclosed. A material comprising at least one of a metal and a metallic alloy is introduced into a pressure-regulated chamber in a melting assembly. The material is subjected to a wide-area electron field within the pressure-regulated chamber to heat the material to a temperature above the melting temperature of the material to form a molten alloy. At least one stream of molten alloy from the pressure-regulated chamber is provided from the melting assembly and is fed into an atomizing assembly, where particles of the molten alloy are generated by impinging electrons on the molten alloy to atomize the molten alloy. At least one of an electrostatic field and an electromagnetic field are produced to influence the particles of the molten alloy. The particles of the molten alloy are deposited onto a collector in a spray forming operation to form an alloy ingot.

Abstract: Apparatus for producing a semi-solid metal alloy from a molten charge includes vertically aligned treatment zones which are provided by vertically aligned passages defined by a plurality of spirally wound flow pipes which are interspersed between spirally wound induction coils. A container is mounted on a charging arrangement which displaces a first charge upwardly into the first treatment zone. Successive charges are introduced in a similar fashion thereby urging the previously introduced charge upwardly along the train of zones and until the leading charge is ejected from the top of the apparatus. The charge in each zone is subjected to controlled cooling and an induced electromagnetic field. The strength of the field and the rate of cooling are controlled to impede dendritic crystallisation and to promote globular primary crystal formation.

Abstract: A molten metal feed apparatus which can feed molten metal into a casting apparatus by opening a vessel and which is free from leakage of the molten metal from the opening/closing part of the vessel, provided with a holding vessel having an opening at its bottom and holding a metal material, a lid for closing the opening, a drive means for making the lid move with respect to the holding vessel to open or close the opening, and an induction heating coil for heating the metal material by induction of a current to the metal material in the holding vessel and generating a magnetic field applying to the molten metal a force preventing leakage of the molten metal in the holding vessel from between the opening and the lid.

Abstract: A die-casting method and a device for use in the die-casting method are disclosed. The casting material, which can be liquid metal, semi-solid metal or metal-matrix composite, in the shot chamber of a die-casting machine is driven to flow with high shear rate to mix homogeneously by the electromotive force induced with at least one low-frequency shifting electromagnetic field. The temperature and the microstructure of the casting material near the shot chamber are further controlled and perturbed by at least one high-frequency electromagnetic field to minimize the temperature difference or the growth of dendritic microstructure. To ensure the efficiency of the electromagnetic fields, the shot chamber is made of non-magnetic material and its wall thickness is less than three times the penetration depth of the electromagnetic fields. The shot chamber is surrounded by at least one solenoid coil, a conducting shield and at least one electric motor stator.

Abstract: A given magnetic field and a given wave are applied to a conductive fluid so as to satisfy the relations of:

Abstract: Device and corresponding method for the continuous casting of molten materials, comprising a vertical duct having the shape of a funnel made of refractory material for receiving molten material, and a second duct where the molten material is cooled off, the two ducts being set one on top of the other and being axially aligned. The molten material is injected into the channel, around a stretch of which electromagnetic means are set for generating magnetic forces on the molten material, the said means consisting of a plurality of windings of electrically conductive material and of a ferromagnetic core and may be electrically supplied to produce a magnetic flux along the direction of the channel, thus producing a set of forces acting on the molten material which are directed orthogonally with respect to the direction of the said magnetic flux so as to maintain detachment of the outer surface of the molten material from the walls of the channel.

Abstract: An electromagnetic flow control valve for an electrically conductive liquid having a plurality of coils and yokes surrounding a non-metallic, such as alumina, tube through which an electrically conducting liquid, such as liquid metal, flows. Direct current applied to the coils causes retarding forces to be imposed on the flowing liquid. The electromagnetic flow control valve can be used in conjunction with a continuous caster where the electromagnetic flow control valve is in fluid communication with a tundish. Built-in galvanomagnetic probes measure changes in the applied magnetic field to determine the rate of flow of liquid metal through the device.