Heated Melting Pot Patents (Class 266/242)
  • Patent number: 6585797
    Abstract: The melter furnace includes a heating chamber (16), a pump chamber (18), a degassing chamber (20), and a filter chamber (22). The pump chamber (18) is located adjacent the heating chamber (16) and houses a molten metal pump (30). The degassing chamber (20) is located adjacent and in fluid communication with the pump chamber (18), and houses a degassing mechanism (36). The filter chamber (22) is located adjacent and in fluid communication with the degassing chamber (20). The filter chamber (22) includes a molten metal filter (38). The melter furnace (12) is used to supply molten metal to an externally located holder furnace (14), which then recirculates molten metal back to the melter furnace (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: Alcoa Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Kinosz, Thomas N. Meyer
  • Publication number: 20030110895
    Abstract: A container for molten metal which uses heat of solidification for heating the molten metal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2002
    Publication date: June 19, 2003
    Inventor: C. Edward Eckert
  • Publication number: 20030110893
    Abstract: A container for molten metal which uses heat of solidification for heating the molten metal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2001
    Publication date: June 19, 2003
    Inventor: C. Edward Eckert
  • Patent number: 6544469
    Abstract: An apparatus for producing a metal formed product comprises a molten metal-holding furnace; a semisolidified metal-producing mechanism; a cooling member-restoring mechanism arranged adjacent to the semisolidified metal-producing mechanism, for applying a restoring treatment so that chillers have a desired function; a forming machine for forming semisolidified metal to have a predetermined shape; and an articulated robot capable of transporting a crucible to the molten metal-holding furnace, the semisolidified metal-producing mechanism, and the forming machine. The semisolidified metal-producing mechanism includes first to third agitators. The cooling member-restoring mechanism includes first to third treating sections. These components are arranged in a direction of back and forth movement of the articulated robot. Accordingly, it is possible to efficiently obtain the metal formed product having a high quality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Atsushi Suzuki, Kazuya Sakamoto, Kenji Ohwada, Tomonori Taoka, Koichi Kuroki, Takahiro Suenaga, Takashi Idegomori, Kenichi Katahira, Hideomi Ito, Akira Noda, Kazuaki Kobayashi, Masayoshi Kai, Shinji Kazama
  • Patent number: 6516868
    Abstract: A bottom heated holder furnace (12) for containing a supply of molten metal includes a storage vessel (30) having sidewalls (32) and a bottom wall (34) defining a molten metal receiving chamber (36). A furnace insulating layer (42) lines the molten metal receiving chamber (36). A thermally conductive heat exchanger block (54) is located at the bottom of the molten metal receiving chamber (36) for heating the supply of molten metal. The heat exchanger block (54) includes a bottom face (65), side faces (66), and a top face (67). The heat exchanger block (54) includes a plurality of electrical heaters (70) extending therein and projecting outward from at least one of the faces of the heat exchanger block (54), and further extending through the furnace insulating layer (42) and one of the sidewalls (32) of the storage vessel (30) for connection to a source of electrical power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignee: Alcoa Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Kinosz, Thomas N. Meyer
  • Patent number: 6517771
    Abstract: A system useful for superadiabatic combustion generation of a reducing atmosphere for metal heat treatment includes a superadiabatic reactor which supplies a reducing atmosphere to a metal heat treatment apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide - Societe Anonyme a Directoire et Conseil de Surveillance pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventor: Yao-En Li
  • Patent number: 6485675
    Abstract: A base of a metallurgical vessel having a direct-current arc device whose cathode projects into the vessel and in whose fire-resistant lining on the base at least one anode is arranged, one end of which, passing through the vessel wall, touches metallic melt located in the vessel, and the other end of which can be connected to cooling fluid supply sources and is attached in an electrically insulated manner to the vessel wall via holding elements. A sleeve is provided which does not conduct electric current, sheaths that part of the anode which projects into the metallurgical vessel and, in the process of forming an outlet channel, is arranged at a distance sufficiently far away from the anode that low-melting-point metals, mainly lead, can flow out of the vessel without being impeded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Assignee: SMS Demag AG
    Inventors: Lutz Becker, Konrad Friebe
  • Publication number: 20020130450
    Abstract: A bottom heated holder furnace (10) for containing a supply of molten metal includes a storage vessel (20) having sidewalls (22) and a bottom wall (24) defining a molten metal receiving chamber (26). A furnace insulating layer (32) lines the molten metal receiving chamber (26). A thermally conductive heat exchanger block (50) is located at the bottom of the molten metal receiving chamber (26) for heating the supply of molten metal. The heat exchanger block (50) includes a bottom face (55), side faces (56), and a top face (57). The heat exchanger block (50) includes a plurality of electrical heaters (70) extending therein and projecting outward from at least one of the faces of the heat exchanger block (50), and further extending through the furnace insulating layer (32) and one of the sidewalls (22) of the storage vessel (20) for connection to a source of electrical power.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2001
    Publication date: September 19, 2002
    Inventors: Michael J. Kinosz, Thomas N. Meyer, F. Donald Kuhns, Moustapha Mbaye, Jamal Righi
  • Patent number: 6451248
    Abstract: A bottom heated holder furnace (10) for containing a supply of molten metal includes a storage vessel (20) having sidewalls (22) and a bottom wall (24) defining a molten metal receiving chamber (26). A furnace insulating layer (32) lines the molten metal receiving chamber (26). A thermally conductive heat exchanger block (50) is located at the bottom of the molten metal receiving chamber (26) for heating the supply of molten metal. The heat exchanger block (50) includes a bottom face (55), side faces (56), and a top face (57). The heat exchanger block (50) includes a plurality of electrical heaters (70) extending therein and projecting outward from at least one of the faces of the heat exchanger block (50), and further extending through the furnace insulating layer (32) and one of the sidewalls (22) of the storage vessel (20) for connection to a source of electrical power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2002
    Assignee: Alcoa, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Kinosz, Thomas N. Meyer, F. Donald Kuhns, Jr., Moustapha Mbaye, Jamal Righi
  • Publication number: 20020125620
    Abstract: The melter furnace includes a heating chamber (16), a pump chamber (18), a degassing chamber (20), and a filter chamber (22). The pump chamber (18) is located adjacent the heating chamber (16) and houses a molten metal pump (30). The degassing chamber (20) is located adjacent and in fluid communication with the pump chamber (18), and houses a degassing mechanism (36). The filter chamber (22) is located adjacent and in fluid communication with the degassing chamber (20). The filter chamber (22) includes a molten metal filter (38). The melter furnace (12) is used to supply molten metal to an externally located holder furnace (14), which then recirculates molten metal back to the melter furnace (12).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2002
    Publication date: September 12, 2002
    Inventors: Michael J. Kinosz, Thomas N. Meyer
  • Patent number: 6436337
    Abstract: An oxygen fueled combustion system includes a furnace having at least one burner, an oxygen supply for supplying oxygen having a predetermined purity, and a carbon based fuel supply for supplying a carbon based fuel. The oxygen and the carbon based fuel are fed into the furnace in a stoichiometric proportion to one another to limit an excess of either the oxygen or the carbon based fuel to less than 5 percent over the stoichiometric proportion. The combustion of the carbon based fuel provides a flame temperature in excess of 4500° F. The exhaust gas stream from the furnace has substantially zero nitrogen-containing combustion produced gaseous compounds from the oxidizing agent and reduced green-house gases. Substantially less carbon based fuel is required than conventional combustion systems without a loss of energy output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Assignee: Jupiter Oxygen Corporation
    Inventor: Dietrich M. Gross
  • Patent number: 6426037
    Abstract: A dosing chamber is insertable within and removable from the metal holding chamber of a molten metal furnace and is not formed as an integral part of the refractory lining of the molten metal furnace. The dosing chamber includes a chamber shell having a gas inlet port and a molten metal discharge port. The gas inlet port is functionally adapted to sealingly receive a gas stopper tube within the port. With a pressurized inert gas introduced through the gas stopper tube, molten metal contained within the dosing chamber is force out of the discharge port and up and into a metal receiver. The dosing chamber method and apparatus of the present invention is functionally adapted to be insertable within a variety of commercially available furnaces. The dosing chamber method and apparatus of the present invention may also be functionally adapted to be readily removable from the molten metal chamber such that the dosing chamber can be removed and cleaned as such is desired or required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2002
    Inventor: John B. Fieber
  • Patent number: 6399017
    Abstract: A container system including a vessel for holding a thixotropic semi-solid aluminum alloy slurry during its processing as a billet and an ejection system for cleanly discharging the processed thixotropic semi-solid aluminum billet. The crucible is preferably formed from a chemically and thermally stable material. The crucible defines a mixing volume. The crucible ejection mechanism may include a movable bottom portion mounted on a piston or may include a solenoid coil for inducing an electromotive force in the electrically conducting billet for urging it from the crucible. During processing, a molten aluminum alloy precursor is transferred into the crucible and vigorously stirred and controlledly cooled to form a thixotropic semi-solid billet. Once the billet is formed, the ejection mechanism is activated to discharge the billet, from the crucible. The billet is discharged onto a shot sleeve and immediately placed in a mold and molded into a desired form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Assignee: AEMP Corporation
    Inventors: Samuel M. D. Norville, Patrick J. Lombard, Shaupoh Wang
  • Publication number: 20020030308
    Abstract: A furnace system for recovering a non-ferrous metal from a charge of material containing the metal. The furnace system having a furnace chamber having walls defining a refractory chamber, the refractory chamber receiving the charge of material and the metal contained in the charge of material being heated into a flowable mode in the refractory chamber. The furnace system having at least one paddle radially projecting from an interior surface of the furnace chamber toward a longitudinal axis of the furnace chamber. Other features of the invention include a door having a closed position adjacent an inlet passage to the furnace chamber, the door having rollers and a suspension. Other features of the invention include a motor and a control unit which monitors torque to rotate the furnace chamber as an indication of viscosity of the charge of material. Methods of operating a furnace system for recovering non-ferrous metal from a charge of material containing the metal are also discussed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2001
    Publication date: March 14, 2002
    Inventor: Moshe Yerushalmi
  • Publication number: 20020008338
    Abstract: A melting apparatus having a compact structure, of economical equipment cost, enabling to vacuum melting and refining at high productivity. A metal melting apparatus has a structure in which a refractory furnace wall 12 is furnished on an outer circumference thereof with a seal jacket 16 of air tight and non-electrical conductivity, and disposed with vertical water cooling copper pipes 47 along the inner circumference of the seal jacket 16 at predetermined space, and the furnace casing 10 is arranged at the outer part to encircle the furnace casing with an induction heating coil 38, and the furnace casing 10 is secured to a frame 42 by means of the seal jacket 16 for reinforcing the structure. The seal jacket 16 of the furnace casing 10 is fixed to the frame via an upper flange 44 and a lower flange 28.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2001
    Publication date: January 24, 2002
    Inventors: Noboru Demukai, Junichi Tsubokura
  • Publication number: 20010052662
    Abstract: A holding furnace, particularly for a die-casting apparatus, comprising a bucket which can be heated, is adapted to contain molten material and is provided with a lid which can be opened and is shaped substantially like an inverted cup; the lid is provided with at least one opening for introducing protective gas having a higher relative density than air and adapted to generate an atmosphere for protection from contact with air for the molten material at regions that are free from the containment means walls of the bucket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2001
    Publication date: December 20, 2001
    Applicant: IDRA PRESSE S.p.A.
    Inventor: Graziano Mortari
  • Publication number: 20010048187
    Abstract: The invention is a new automatic door for molten metal holding furnaces, comprising a fixed plate with charging and inspection hole, provided with two supports positioned at the sides of the charging hole and with two vertical wings positioned on the upper part of the plate; two guides with rectangular hole are hinged to the two vertical wings positioned on the upper part of the plate and directed downwards, beyond the lower edge of the charging hole; the closing panel with gasket is equipped with lateral pins that in turn are housed in the rectangular holes of the guides, said pins and guides being suitable for making the closing panel slide along the guides. One or more pressuremechanisms, acting on the lower end of the guides, rotate the guides in such a way as to bring the closing panel in contact with the plate hole and press the panel against the hole or to move it away from the plate. A hydraulic cylinder controls the translation of the closing panel along the guides with rectangular hole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2001
    Publication date: December 6, 2001
    Inventor: Andrea Bortoloni
  • Publication number: 20010028136
    Abstract: A two-chamber furnace for smelting scrap aluminum which is contaminated, has a distillation chamber above the first furnace chamber functioning as a charging stack and separated from the first chamber by a slider or flap arrangement. Flue gas from the first chamber is forced through the distillation chamber to destructively distill off the contaminants. The hood of the distillation chamber is equipped with a pressing body to compact the charge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2001
    Publication date: October 11, 2001
    Applicant: HERTWICH ENGINEERING GMBH
    Inventor: Gunter Hertwich
  • Patent number: 6290899
    Abstract: A converter plant with a sealing ring provided between the hood of a tiltable converter and the mouth of a smoke gas flue, drives are provided, for moving the sealing ring can be moved so far away from the converter hood that the converter can be tilted without obstruction. At the same time, the sealing ring is designed as a sleeve which surrounds the smoke gas flue from outside. The mouth of the sleeve is capable, in the closing position, of leaning against the converter hood the and the sleeve has vertical severing cuts which divide the sleeve into at least two segments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: SMS Demag AG
    Inventor: Peter Then
  • Publication number: 20010003931
    Abstract: An apparatus for producing a metal formed product comprises a molten metal-holding furnace; a semisolidified metal-producing mechanism; a cooling member-restoring mechanism arranged adjacent to the semisolidified metal-producing mechanism, for applying a restoring treatment so that chillers have a desired function; a forming machine for forming semisolidified metal to have a predetermined shape; and an articulated robot capable of transporting a crucible to the molten metal-holding furnace, the semisolidified metal-producing mechanism, and the forming machine. The semisolidified metal-producing mechanism includes first to third agitators. The cooling member-restoring mechanism includes first to third treating sections. These components are arranged in a direction of back and forth movement of the articulated robot. Accordingly, it is possible to efficiently obtain the metal formed product having a high quality.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2000
    Publication date: June 21, 2001
    Inventors: Atsushi Suzuki, Kazuya Sakamoto, Kenji Ohwada, Tomonori Taoka, Koichi Kuroki, Takahiro Suenaga, Takashi Idegomori, Kenichi Katahira, Hideomi Ito, Akira Noda, Kazuaki Kobayashi, Masayoshi Kai, Shinji Kazama
  • Patent number: 6214286
    Abstract: A solid charge of metal or alloy is placing in a crucible melting chamber defined by a monolithic refractory tubular sleeve disposed on a water cooled metallic base, an energizing induction coil disposed about the sleeve to inductively heat the solid charge to a molten state in the melting chamber including forming a skull of solidified metal or alloy on inner surfaces of the sleeve and base to confine the molten charge, and removing the molten charge from the melting chamber, leaving the skull in place on the inner surfaces of the sleeve and base. The crucible can be reused in melting another solid charge of metal or alloy after the molten charge is removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Assignee: Howmet Research Corporation
    Inventors: Donald E. Larsen, Jr., Christine M. Stabile, Richard A. Biondi, Donald L. Bierstine, Robert L. Larsen
  • Patent number: 6165411
    Abstract: An improved apparatus for producing a semisolid shaping metal that has fine primary crystals dispersed in the liquid phase and which also has a uniform temperature distribution comprises a melt pouring section comprising a melting furnace which melts and holds a metal and a pouring device which lifts out the molten metal from said melting furnace, adjusts it to a specified temperature and pours it into a holding vessel, a nucleating section which generates crystal nuclei in the melt as it is supplied from said pouring device into said holding vessel, a crystal generating section which performs temperature adjustment such that the metal obtained from said nucleating section falls within a desired molding temperature range as it is cooled to a molding temperature at which it is partially solid, partially liquid, a holding vessel heating section which adjusts the temperature of the holding vessel when it is empty, a holding vessel conditioning section which inverts the holding vessel so that a partially molten m
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2000
    Assignee: UBE Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Mitsuru Adachi, Satoru Sato, Yasunori Harada, Takashi Kawasaki
  • Patent number: 6066289
    Abstract: A method of heating a body of molten metal passing through a treatment bay. The method comprises providing a body of molten metal in a treatment bay and providing a baffle heater in the treatment bay to contact the molten metal. The baffle heater is comprised of a member fabricated from a material substantially inert to the molten metal, the member containing at least one heating element receptacle. An electric heating element is positioned in the receptacle for heating the member, the element protected from the molten metal by the material constituting the member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2000
    Inventor: C. Edward Eckert
  • Patent number: 6060014
    Abstract: The maximum useful rate of aluminum refining is substantially increased by the incorporation of baffle means across the refining chamber under the rotor of a spinning nozzle assembly positioned in the refining chamber during aluminum refining operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2000
    Assignee: Foseco International Limited
    Inventor: John Franklin Pelton
  • Patent number: 6049067
    Abstract: An improved crucible for containing a body of molten aluminum and maintaining the molten aluminum at a predetermined temperature for transportation, the crucible comprised of a bottom and sides joined together to contain the molten aluminum and a liner comprised of a refractory substantially inert to the molten aluminum. A series of heating element receptacles are provided in the liner, the receptacles are lined with a ceramic tube fabricated from a material selected from the group consisting of mullite, boron nitride, silicon nitride, silicon carbide, and silicon aluminum oxynitride, zirconia, stabilized zirconia and mixtures thereof. An electric heating element is provided in the ceramic tube for transferring heat to the body of aluminum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2000
    Inventor: C. Edward Eckert
  • Patent number: 5997291
    Abstract: A heating element assembly for use in a rapid prototype modeling machine is described. The heating element of the hot melt assembly and an associated product container deliver hot melt product to the jets of the rapid prototype modeling machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Assignee: 3D Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Jon Jody Fong, John Stockwell
  • Patent number: 5981900
    Abstract: A method and crucible for annealing SiC at high temperatures. The crucible is a vessel having a peripheral wall, at least two compartments separated by an inner wall within the peripheral wall and a lid which separates the compartments from the crucible surroundings while providing a passageway between the compartments. The peripheral wall, inner wall and lid are composed of materials capable of withstanding annealing temperatures. The process disposes an SiC wafer in one of the compartments and SiC powder disposed in another of the compartments. The SiC powder is present to hinder SiC wafer decomposition during annealing of the SiC wafer. The crucible is then heated to a temperature sufficient anneal the SiC wafer, preferably after evacuating air and flowing an inert gas in and around the crucible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Joseph R. Flemish, Honghua Du
  • Patent number: 5981917
    Abstract: A ladle preheating system and method in which heat input rate to the ladle is calculated and monitored throughout the preheating period, calculating the moving average slope representing change over time of the rate of change of heat input, correcting the moving average slope for unavoidable variations in the measurements of the heat input rate, calculating the change of the moving average slope over time (the approximate second derivative), and signaling to an operator the readiness of the ladle based upon this second derivative's falling below a preset criteria indicating a fully preheated ladle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Assignee: USX Corporation
    Inventors: Richard J. Groth, Roberto Bandelli
  • Patent number: 5882582
    Abstract: A ladle (1) comprising a main portion (5), an outlet (3) and an inductor assembly (2) fitted onto the main portion. The main portion comprises a cavity (13) defined by a refractory lining, provided with at least one opening (21) and shaped so that no pockets of molten metal remain after pouring. Consequently, the metal flows more readily, and hot deslagging and metal temperature measurement are made easier. The ladle is useful for maintaining the temperature of high melting point metals such as steel or superalloys for processes requiring metal sampling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1999
    Assignees: Seva Chalon-Sur-Saone, Otter Junker GmbH
    Inventors: Jean-Louis Comarteau, Alain Remy, Dieter Schluckebier
  • Patent number: 5882581
    Abstract: Apparatus for the continuous heating and melting of a solid mixed waste bearing radioactive and hazardous materials to form separate metallic, slag and gaseous phases for producing compact forms of the waste material to facilitate disposal includes a copper split water-cooled (cold) crucible as a reaction vessel for receiving the waste material. The waste material is heated by means of the combination oaf plasma torch directed into the open upper portion of the cold crucible and an electromagnetic flux produced by induction coils disposed about the crucible which is transparent to electromagnetic fields. A metallic phase of the waste material is formed in a lower portion of the crucible and is removed in the form of a compact ingot suitable for recycling and further processing. A glass-like, non-metallic slag phase containing radioactive elements is also formed in the crucible and flows out of the open upper portion of the crucible into a slag ingot mold for disposal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1999
    Assignee: Institute of Chemical Technology (PlasTech)
    Inventors: Vitaly T. Gotovchikov, Alexander V. Ivanov, Eugene A. Filippov
  • Patent number: 5876661
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of heating tanks, such as galvanizing tanks, containing a bath of molten metal. Use is made of at least one element made of a refractory material which is thermally conducting and substantially gas-tight, particularly in relation to oxygen. The element is put into direct and permanent contact with the upper surface of the bath.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1999
    Assignee: Le Four Industriel Belge
    Inventor: Damien Bachy
  • Patent number: 5812587
    Abstract: The present invention is concerned with an apparatus for supply of molten metal including a holding furnace pivotable about an axis having a metal chamber for holding molten metal, an outlet for supplying molten metal from said chamber and an inlet well communicating with said metal chamber, said inlet well being positioned on or adjacent the pivot axis of the holding furnace and displaced along the pivot axis from said outlet, a charging means for intermittently supplying a controlled flow of molten metal to the inlet well of the holding furnace, and a control means for varying the degree of pivot of the holding furnace to maintain a predetermined supply of molten metal. Also claimed as a holding furnace for the supply of molten metal, and a method for supplying molten metal using such apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1998
    Assignee: Comalco Aluminium Limited
    Inventor: Jeremy Robin Locatelli
  • Patent number: 5810907
    Abstract: A continuous melting apparatus for a low melting point metal is disclosed. The apparatus includes a melting furnace main body (5) forming a combustion chamber (6) surrounded by a refractory lining, a crucible (1) formed with a tapping orifice (2) at an appropriate position of a body and housed at the center portion of said combustion chamber, a burner (8) provided on a side wall portion of said melting furnace main body (5) for heating said crucible (1) in said combustion chamber (6) and a receptacle (6, 13) for receiving a melt flowing out through said tapping orifice (2) of said crucible (1). In the continuous melting apparatus, with employing a melting method of burner heating type which is inexpensive, easy to handle and maintenance, with successfully minimizing oxidation loss which was the shortcoming of the burner type. Also, generation of corundum on the furnace wall surface due to reaction of the aluminum melt and the furnace wall can be successfully avoided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1998
    Assignee: Nippon Crucible Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tamio Okada, Hideo Yoshikawa, Tomohiro Hatanaka, Michio Matsuura, Toshiaki Sano, Masato Yoshida, Hiroshi Goda
  • Patent number: 5738823
    Abstract: To improve operation, particularly to allow more universal use, in which both liquid and solid crude metal, especially iron can be refined in only one reactor vessel, a reactor vessel (1) is of converter-like design with a relatively large space above a melt (7) and with slag (8) lying above said melt. For the removal of slag (8) via a closable slag channel (18'), the meltdown apparatus can be rotated about a center of rotation (20) through .+-.8.degree.. For the complete removal of the melt (7) via a closable melt channel (17') in the bottom region of the meltdown apparatus, the latter can be rotated about a center of rotation (19) through .+-.30.sup.. A magnetic coil (16) fed with direct current and arranged around the meltdown apparatus (1) serves for the magnetic damping of movements of melt (7) and/or slag (8) inside the meltdown apparatus. In the converter mode, a graphite electrode (5) used in the arc mode is replaced by a gas supply conduit, through which oxygen is then supplied under pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1998
    Assignee: Asea Brown Boveri AG
    Inventors: Goran Grimfjard, Erik Alfred Lassander, Gerhard Lempa, Sven-Einar Stenkvist
  • Patent number: 5699379
    Abstract: A Deglor furnace includes a ceiling and at least one heating module integrated into the ceiling for heating. The heating module has an electric heater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 16, 1997
    Assignee: ABB K.K.
    Inventor: Helge Jansen
  • Patent number: 5559827
    Abstract: A furnace in the invention includes an induction melting furnace housed in an air-tight container which can be pressurized to the desired level of maximum allowable pressure and can be vacuum evacuated to a desired level of pressure; a vacuum melting furnace cover having a vacuum evacuating pipe; and a pressure pouring furnace cover, which has a pressure piping to impress the pouring pressure controlled by a pouring pressure control device onto the inside of the furnace and has a pouring siphon, which has its lower end opened to the bottom part within the induction melting furnace and has its upper end connected to a pouring chamber having a pouring nozzle, penetrated therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 24, 1996
    Assignees: Nippon Mining & Metals Co., Ltd., Fuji Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Shimada, Kenji Kitanaka, Akio Kaneshiro, Michio Kawasaki
  • Patent number: 5501431
    Abstract: A melting furnace for melting residues from refuse incineration plants, in particular filter dust melting furnaces, contains a furnace substructure and a furnace superstructure lined with different refractive material compositions. The lining in the substructure, the melting region, is a refractory material which, in addition to other metal oxides, contains 10-70% wt. % Cr.sub.2 O.sub.3. The lining in the superstructure, the gas atmosphere region, is a refractory material which contains 80 wt. % or more of MgO and is low in Cr.sub.2 O.sub.3 or is virtually Cr.sub.2 O.sub.3 -free. A furnace constructed in this manner exhibits long endurance and does not form toxic chromium compounds in the chromium-free gas region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 26, 1996
    Assignee: ABB K.K.
    Inventors: Markus Pfister, Christian Wieckert
  • Patent number: 5494265
    Abstract: A ladle including one or more compartments for the continuous processing of molten metal, such as aluminum or its alloys, with the aid of a device for introducing gas and heating by means of a submerged immersion heater. The ladle includes a plurality of immersion heaters of small diameter having high power output per unit distributed within the ladle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 27, 1996
    Assignee: Pechiney Rhenalu
    Inventor: Isabelle Ventre
  • Patent number: 5494499
    Abstract: A crucible particularly intended for use when vaporizing aluminum and comprised of an ultralow cement compound. Subsequent to moulding and drying the crucible, the crucible is baked at a high temperature, which corresponds to the temperature of the crucible when used in a vaporizing process, 1,200.degree. C. for instance. The crucible comprises an outer wall and a bottom in which upstanding projections or corrugations are provided. These upstanding projections or corrugations fulfill the function of enabling gas enclosures generated when mixing the cement compound to rise up and collect in the corrugation peaks without impairing the homogeneity of the material in the actual crucible bottom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 27, 1996
    Assignee: Applied Vacuum Technologies 1 AB
    Inventor: Johan Nordlander
  • Patent number: 5492309
    Abstract: A steelworks apparatus includes a closed tiltable arc furnace for melting scrap and having a lower vessel part for containing the melt and an upper vessel part connected to an exhaust gas assembly and closed by a furnace roof. A sealable charging assembly is formed of at least two stack-like storage containers which are connected at their top ends to the exhaust assembly and which include gas-permeable, scrap-retaining flaps that are movable between open and closed positions at the bottom end of each respective storage container. A compensation component is located connectingly between the storage containers and the lower furnace vessel part for accommodating relative movements of and between the furnace and storage containers while gas-tightly preventing leakage or escape of gases from between the relatively moved or shifted structures during or as a result of operative tilting of the furnace.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 20, 1996
    Assignee: Mannesmann Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Peter Meierling, Hans-Ludwig Schaller
  • Patent number: 5476249
    Abstract: Ladle for the filtration of a liquid metal such as aluminum, magnesium, and their alloys over a filter medium of the gravel bed type. The ladle comprises a chamber in which the filter medium rests on a supporting grid, an inlet for supplying liquid metal to the chamber and an outlet for removing liquid metal from the chamber. The ladle includes first and second heaters for heating the liquid metal, the first heater being located outside the filter medium and the second heater being an electrical immersion heater which is located in the inlet or outlet and adjacent the filter medium. The second heater is arranged for immersion in liquid metal flowing through the inlet or the outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 19, 1995
    Assignees: Aluminum Pechiney, Pechiney Rhenalu
    Inventor: Guillaume Clement
  • Patent number: 5437434
    Abstract: There is disclosed a method by which a channel-type induction heating apparatus is provided on a tundish, which comprises a steel receiving chamber and a steel discharging chamber separated by a refractory wall, each of which chambers is connected to the ground via molten steel flowing from a ladle, molten steel flowing into a mold, or a refractory, in such a manner that ground circulating current is prevented from being generated. An electromagnetic connection of an induction heating coil and an iron core of a two-leg type or a three-leg type to a loop current circuit in the molten steel is arranged symmetrically, thereby suppressing the generation of the ground circulating current. By thus suppressing the generation of the ground circulating current, it becomes unnecessary to insulate a ground circuit as required in conventional constructions, the maintenance of facilities becomes easier, besides any malfunction of the equipment due to the ground circulating current is totally eliminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 1, 1995
    Assignee: Nippon Steel Corporation
    Inventors: Yoji Ao, Isao Tokuda, Minoru Honda
  • Patent number: 5425048
    Abstract: An induction heating furnace is disclosed comprising an induction coil assembly and a ladle having a metallic shell that supports a crucible holding metal to be heated by the furnace. The ladle is readily separated from the induction coil assembly so that the heated metal may be conveniently and reliably moved among operational stations. The induction coil assembly has a preselected length which is less than the length of the shell. The induction coil assembly surrounds, but does not touch the shell and generates an electromagnetic induction field. The induction coil assembly comprises a coil, upper and lower yokes and an intermediate yoke coextensive with the coil. The upper and lower yokes are separated from each other and electromagnetically coupled together by the intermediate yoke. The upper, lower and intermediate yokes each comprise stacked laminates formed of sheets of ferrous material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 13, 1995
    Assignee: Inductotherm Corp.
    Inventors: Hans G. Heine, Nicolas P. Cignetti
  • Patent number: 5362033
    Abstract: A hot plate is used with a molten metal storage container in which a molten metal or bath is temporarily stored prior to any subsequent casting process, and keeps the molten metal temporarily stored in the storage container at a specific constant temperature by heating the molten metal as required. The temperature of the stored molten metal is controlled so that it cannot fall below the particular temperature.The hot plate includes a heating unit formed in a flat shape from any suitable heat resistant, electrically insulating material and having an electric heating wire or coil therein: and A box unit made of any suitable ceramic material has the flat heating unit freely inserted and removably mounted therein.As a variation of the hot plate, the box unit may include a ceramic coating layer formed on the outer peripheral surface thereof, the ceramic coating layer being reinforced with any suitable fibrous ceramic textile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 8, 1994
    Assignees: Nichias Corporation, Ariake Ceramic Constructions Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Seiji Sakurai, Junichi Kuchiki, Hideo Tanaka, Syoichi Naruse, Shigeru Fukumaru
  • Patent number: 5292109
    Abstract: A device for coupling a flexible current feed (50) to a bottom electrode of a metallurgical vessel (10) having a first electrical coupling (20), including a second electrical coupling (30) for operatively engaging the first coupling (20), being connected to the current feed (50), a carrier element (60) and a compensating element (40) between the carrier element (60) and the second electrical coupling (30), the compensating element (40) balancing a force of the flexible current feed (50) on the first electrical coupling. The compensating element (40) may include a damper (42) in parallel to a spring (41), so that a movement of the second electrical coupling (30) with respect to the carrier element (60) is damped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 8, 1994
    Assignee: Mannesmann Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Hans J. Bebber, Bernhard Espendiller, Klaus Giertz, Ulrich Katschinski
  • Patent number: 5290412
    Abstract: A process for separating an electrodeposited metal from a cathode plate in electrolytic refining is disclosed. The cathode plate on which the metal is electrodeposited is first held. Then, heated air is blown toward the cathode plate and the electrodeposited metal thereon. As a result, the electrodeposited metal is separated from the cathode plate. An apparatus for carrying out the same process is also disclosed. The apparatus includes a separating furnace, a holding assembly, and a device for introducing heated air into the separating furnace. The holding assembly is attached to the separating furnace for holding the cathode plate in the furnace. The heated air-introducing device introduces heated air, blowing it against the cathode plate, whereby the electrodeposited metal is separated from the cathode plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 1, 1994
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Materials Corporation
    Inventors: Hideomi Saito, Saburo Tanaka, Hiroyuki Morozumi, Akiyoshi Tatsui, Akira Yoshioka
  • Patent number: 5242155
    Abstract: A reverberatory aluminum melting/holding furnace is formed of an enclosure for containing a molten metal bath in which a workload to be processed is immersed, a plurality of gas-fired burners for heating the metal bath, and a control system for measuring heat absorbed by the furnace refractory so as to rapidly bring the furnace to a pre-set metal bath temperature without any significant overshoot. The enclosure has a wall layer of insulating refractory material disposed on its interior. The control system includes a first thermocouple element disposed adjacent the "hot face" of the wall layer, and a second thermocouple disposed adjacent the "cold face" of the wall layer. The plurality of gas-fired burners are switched from a "high fire" to a "low fire"/off condition in response to the temperatures sensed by the first and second thermocouple elements prior to reaching of the pre-set metal bath temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1993
    Assignee: Seco/Warwick Corporation
    Inventors: Gordon Thomlinson, Rich Roberts, John Bargar
  • Patent number: 5241560
    Abstract: A crucible induction furnace is disclosed which is provided with a preventive measure against low melting point metals and having a crucible refractory within an induction coil in a barrel container, in which the crucible induction furnace comprises a coil protection member located between the crucible refractory and the induction coil and which includes at least one air-permeating portion. An air supply pipe is in communication with the air-permeating portion for supplying pressurized air to the crucible refractory. The air permeating portion is disposed to distribute pressurized air having a higher pressure adjacent to the bottom portion of the crucible refractory than to the upper portion of the crucible refractory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1993
    Assignee: Fuji Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsuguharu Omori, Michio Kawasaki, Shizuo Hayashi
  • Patent number: 5192488
    Abstract: An apparatus for heating molten metal including a ladle provided with a refractory heat insulating material and first core members arranged in pairs and attached to the outer circumference of the ladle. A tray capable of mounting said ladle carries second cores with magnetic pole portions at both ends of said cores as to face the ladle mounted first cores. A coil is provided for exciting the second cores. The first cores and magnetic pole portions of second cores are located at the outer circumferential portion of the ladle to face each other radially in a manner to facilitate placement and removal of the ladle to and from the tray. Position sensors are provided to ensure positional accuracy of the first ladle carried cores and the poles of the second cores. The coils are physically and thermally protected from ladle heat by appropriate shock absorbing and thermal insulating provisions. Thermal protection of the cores can be further enhanced by cooling embodiments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1993
    Assignee: Fuji Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Michio Kawasaki
  • Patent number: 5188795
    Abstract: In a metallic vapor condenser for use in recovering, in the form of liquid metal, metallic vapor of a metal having a medium boiling point, the liquid metal of the molten metal is sent from a splash chamber to be circulated through a skimming sump, a cooling sump, and a casting bath to the splash chamber. The liquid metal is always refreshed by circulation in the casting bath to avoid solidification of the metal. A subsidiary chamber may be coupled to the splash chamber to reverve the liquid metal to decrease dust and dross floating on the liquid metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1993
    Assignee: Sumitomo Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Toshio Matsuoka