Abstract: A sealed tilt pour electric induction furnace and furnace system is provided for supplying a reactive molten material from the furnace to a reactive molten material processing apparatus without exposing the reactive molten material to the ambient environment. The rotating component of a rotary union is connected to the furnace's enclosed furnace pour spout and rotates simultaneously with the tilt pour furnace about a common horizontally oriented rotational axis to supply the reactive molten material to the reactive molten material processing apparatus connected to the stationary component of the rotary union.

Abstract: Described is an oven (1) for melting precious and non-precious metals, non-metallic materials such as ashes, organic industrial waste, inorganic material such as ceramics, which are heat-resistant and not, in particular in the jewellery sector, comprising an outer unit (2) forming an inner space (6) and having an inductive thermal unit (3) positioned around the inner space (6); an inner unit (4) positioned in the inner space (6) and having a melting chamber (5) for a metal to be melted and operating in conjunction with the inductive thermal unit (3) in such a way that a heating of the inner unit (4) by the inductive thermal unit (3) causes the melting of the metal in the melting pot (5). In particular, the melting chamber (5) has an opening (11) for loading and unloading the metal. The inner unit (4) is rotatably mounted in a motor-driven fashion on the outer unit (2) about an axis of rotation (Z) suitable for mixing the metal contained in the melting chamber (5).

Abstract: To transfer the molten metal that is melted in the melting furnace into the pouring ladle, which is a vessel for transporting the molten metal to the place for pouring, and to further lift the pouring ladle by another crane to pour the molten metal, requires time, such that the molten metal that had a high temperature when melted by the melting furnace is likely to cool down and to cause a defective cast product. To solve the problem the pouring equipment of the present invention pours the molten metal into the mold, comprising the melting furnace that produces molten metal by melting metal material and a driving apparatus that can move the melting furnace backward and forward or in a traverse direction, wherein the pouring equipment moves the melting furnace to the predetermined position by the driving apparatus, and then pours the molten metal into a mold by tilting the melting furnace relative to the mold.

Abstract: The invention relates to a coupling device (2) for electrically connecting a melting furnace, in particular the crucible (1) of a melting furnace, to an energy source, comprising at least one contact body (6), which is connected to the energy source by means of high current cables (10), and at least one molded part (5) as part of an electrical receptacle (3) on the melting furnace, in particular the crucible (1), characterized in that a form-fitted and electrically conductive connection of the contact body (6) and the molded part (5) can be established by inserting the contact body (6) into the molded component (5). The invention further relates to a melting furnace, in particular an induction furnace and a vacuum induction melting furnace (VIM), comprising at least one such coupling device.

Abstract: An integrated process control installation is provided for electric induction metal melting furnaces with variable furnace states. The integrated process control installation can include supporting charge delivery and slag removal installations, and furnace process operations for process control of melting metal in the furnaces. The variable furnace states, supporting installations, and furnace process operations are controlled by a supporting processing installation, while a robotic apparatus performs the furnace process operations.

Abstract: A melting furnace including a sealed container containing an inert gas atmosphere, a crucible that is located inside the sealed container and melts a raw material by induction heating, and a crucible cooling mechanism. The crucible cooling mechanism includes a pipe portion that includes an intake that communicates with the sealed container and enables the inert gas to be discharged from the sealed container, and an outlet that enables the inert gas to be introduced into the sealed container, a heat exchange portion that is located partway along the pipe portion, and a gas transporting portion that is located partway along the pipe portion.

Abstract: A dry-break electrical disconnect is provided between an induction melting furnace and a component of the electric induction melting assembly in which the furnace is removably installed for melting in a vacuum or otherwise controlled environmental chamber. Electric power connections are made to the induction melting furnace in a sealed interior volume of the assembly component that can be pressurized and of a different environment than that in the controlled environmental chamber. The assembly component may be a tilting cradle installed in the controlled environment chamber.

Abstract: In a metallurgical vessel (1) having a tapping apparatus (5) for the slag-free withdrawal of liquid metal (3) from a molten metal bath (3) which is disposed in the vessel (1), a first leg (11) of a discharge duct (10) passes through the refractory vessel wall (15) and an overflow edge (14) in the connecting region of the two legs (11, 12) of the discharge duct (10) is higher than the upper edge (18) of the inlet opening (17) of the discharge duct. The molten metal (3) in the discharge duct is preferably inductively heatable.

Abstract: A liner for an induction furnace is capable of being removed intact or rotated. Removal allows the liner to be refurbished or replaced with a different liner. Rotation allows asymmetrical wear on the liner to be evened out by periodic rotation. The liner is preferably made of a composite material of inductively transparent fibers and inductively transparent inorganic cements.

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.

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.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for the semi-continuous melting of ceramic material by means of inductive melting in high-frequency and medium-frequency induction melting furnaces whose melting coil surrounds a sintering crust crucible and contains a run-out channel. In the method, melt is periodically run out and material to be melted is supplied to the crucible so as to replace the material removed preferably so as to maintain a constant level. An intensively cooled channel is used as a run-out device. For the melt broaching, the melt nose is grasped from below by way of an automatically controllable broaching lance of a broaching device and raised. The broaching lance is then advanced between the bottom of the channel and the solidified melt until the sintering crust is pierced. The method permits a reliable and economic management of the process and the maintenance of the quality of the melted products.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for the semi-continuous melting of ceramic material by means of inductive melting in high-frequency and medium-frequency induction melting furnaces whose melting coil surrounds a sintering crust crucible and contains a run-out channel. In tile method, melt is periodically run out and material to be melted is supplied to the crucible so as to replace the material removed preferably so as to maintain a constant level. An intensively cooled channel is used as a run-out device. For the melt broaching, the melt nose is grasped from below by way of an automatically controllable broaching lance of a broaching device and raised. The broaching lance is then advanced between the bottom of the channel and the solidified melt until the sintering crust is pierced. The method permits a reliable and economic management of the process and the maintenance of the quality of the melted products.

Abstract: An induction furnace with a crucible having a crucible axis, an induction coil and a furnace body containing a gas-tight jacket, and also with a cover which can be placed on the furnace body and has at least one gas connection, a charging valve and a pouring apparatus, the furnace body and cover being joined together releasably but hermetically by a flange connection, and being journaled in the joined state in a furnace frame by a tilting mechanism which engages the cover, and after the flange connection is separated the cover body can be removed from the furnace body which remains in the furnace frame.

Abstract: An induction furnace is disclosed comprising a crucible for holding a material to be heated by the furnace, an induction coil assembly, and a module-support assembly surrounding and radially supporting the induction coil assembly so as to facilitate the replacement and reconnection of the induction coil assembly. The induction coil assembly comprises an induction coil, an upper yoke, a lower yoke, and a plurality of intermediate yokes that are spaced apart from each other. The induction coil is wound around the crucible and defines the periphery of the induction furnace. The intermediate yokes are arranged to extend around substantially all of the periphery defined by the wound induction coil. The upper and lower yokes are electromagnetically coupled together by the plurality of intermediate yokes.

Abstract: A crucible (9) surrounded by an induction coil (10) is housed for tilting about a first tilt axis within a gas-tight furnace chamber (2) which has a closable opening (40a) for transferring the melt (31) into a receiving vessel (36, 63). The furnace chamber (2) is in turn tiltable about a second tilt axis (A2) between a melting position and a position in which the start of the pouring of the melt is immediately imminent by an angle which corresponds to the range of the tilting angle of the crucible (9). The opening (40a) for transferring the melt is surrounded by a first sealing flange (41) which, after the tilting path of the furnace chamber (2) has been traveled, comes sealingly into contact with a second sealing flange (38, 64) of an additional gas-tight chamber (35, 61) in which the receiving vessel (36, 63) for the melt is situated.

Abstract: A furnace chamber contains a chassis to which a closure plate for said chamber is removably fixed. A tilting frame is borne by said chassis in a pair of coaxial tilting bearings, one of which incorporates a rotary lead through for power lines and cooling lines to an induction coil surrounding a crucible on the tilting frame. The chassis includes a pair of rails which are movable horizontally on wheels mounted to the floor of the furnace chamber.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for the semi-continuous melting of ceramic material by means of inductive melting in high-frequency and medium-frequency induction melting furnaces whose melting coil surrounds a sintering crust crucible and contains a run-out channel. In the method, melt is periodically run out and material to be melted is supplied to the crucible so as to replace the material removed preferably so as to maintain a constant level. An intensively cooled channel is used as a run-out device. For the melt broaching, the melt nose is grasped from below by way of an automatically controllable broaching lance of a broaching device and raised. The broaching lance is then advanced between the bottom of the channel and the solidified melt until the sintering crust is pierced. The method permits a reliable and economic management of the process and the maintenance of the quality of the melted products.

Abstract: An induction crucible furnace with a tiltable furnace body includes a crucible that is usually covered by an accessible furnace platform. The furnace platform is sonically uncoupled from the furnace body in an untilted normal position, in order to reduce sound intensity radiated by the furnace platform. Coupling elements, which effect a change of state between a very loose coupling or a complete uncoupling in the normal position and a close or rigid coupling in a tilted position of the furnace body, are provided between the furnace body and the furnace platform. The coupling elements can be spring elements, lug and bolt connections, lug and bolt and lug connections or lug and locking bolt connections.

Abstract: An induction furnace (1) for melting and casting purposes has a closed crucible pot (2) with a pot bottom (3) and a cover (4), a crucible (6) housed in the crucible pot and surrounded by an induction coil (7), and an ascending tube (9) reaching into the crucible, through which the crucible can be emptied into a casting apparatus by means of gas pressure. To permit continuous operation and measurements and analyses during operation, the ascending tube (9) is fastened exclusively to the pot bottom (3) and connected with a horizontal delivery tube (11) which is brought through a side wall of the pot bottom (3). Furthermore, above a separation seam (24) between pot bottom (3) and cover (4) a turret (39) with a vertical axis of rotation is disposed, which has a charging air lock (26) for charging the crucible (6) with melt material (27) and a measuring chamber (36). The charging air lock and measuring chamber can be connected alternately with an air lock valve (25) which is disposed on the top of the cover (4).

Abstract: A power activated assembly is disclosed that provides rapid and simultaneous disconnection and reconnection of water cooled power connectors to and from an induction furnace of a melting assembly which is tiltable about the axis of its trunnion. The power activated assembly carries extensions that have respective female connectors on the end and which have flexible conductors connected for supplying electrical power and cooling water to the induction furnace. The housing is positioned concentric with the trunnion so as to allow its female connectors to mate with corresponding male connectors of the assembly when the housing is axially moved toward and along the trunnion axis in response to motion control means such as a power activated device. The male connectors are distributed on the assembly about and inside the circumference of the trunnion.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for growing an extended length single crystal of a Group III-V or II-VI material such as GaAs by moving a crucible containing a seed crystal and precompounded crystal material encapsulated in a molten encapsulant preferably vertically in a multi-zone furnace between two furnace zones maintained at temperatures above the melting point of the encapsulant but below the melting point of the crystal material through an intervening short "spike" zone maintained at a temperature at least equal to the melting temperature of the crystal material to crystallize the precompounded crystal material with the seed crystal, and tipping the crucible in the furnace, e.g. by tipping the furnace with the crucible in it, to decant the encapsulant prior to recovering the crystal.

Abstract: Apparatus for pouring molten metal comprises a cold crucible 15 which has a recess adjacent its top and a pouring spout 16 positioned in the recess just below the level of the surface of the melt. The recess defines a lip above the spout which helps to ensure that there is a constant pressure head above the spout. Pivotally mounted on the lip, and biased to assume a horizontal position irrespective of the angle of tilt of the crucible is an induction coil 21. The coil induces currents in the surface of the melt and thereby moves the dross away from the pouring spout. The crucible 15 pours into a constant head hopper 22 and the opening and closing of the crucible pouring spout 16 and the angle of tilt of the crucible are controlled to ensure constant pressure head in the hopper.

Abstract: Apparatus for pouring molten metal comprises a water cooled copper crucible 15 which has a recess adjacent its top and a pouring spout 16 positioned in the recess just below the level of the surface of the melt. The recess defines a lip above the spout which helps to ensure that there is a constant pressure head above the spout. Pivotally mounted on the lip, and biased to assume a horizontal position irrespective of the angle of tilt of the crucible is an induction coil 21. The coil induces currents in the surface of the melt and thereby moves the dross away from the pouring spout. The crucible 15 pours into a constant head hopper 22 and the opening and closing of the crucible pouring spout 16 and the angle of tilt of the crucible are controlled to ensure constant pressure head in the hopper.

Abstract: Disclosed is an induction furnace with a furnace bottom comprising a crucible, an induction winding and a gas-tight casing, also having a lid, for the furnace bottom, which lid has at least one gas connection, a charging valve and a pouring arrangement. The furnace bottom and lid are connected by a flange joint and tiltably mounted by means of a picot bearing and a drive about a tipping axis in a furnace stand. The pivot bearing is secured to the lid, the tipping mechanism engages the lid, and the furnace bottom is separable from the lid by unfastening the flange joint, the lid remaining in the furnace stand.