Power Supply System Patents (Class 373/147)
  • Patent number: 11005338
    Abstract: The present invention is a compact generator. It utilizes a combination of electrical motors to provide current producing oscillations of a direct current or induction generator. The combination is designed to work as real time backup to each other or as a parallel electric production for optimal output level of electricity. The disclosed electrical generation system may contain fallback mechanisms for power generations using electrical motors connected to other battery packs or to a solar panel. An internal combustion engine having a completely closed cooling and fuel supply is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Inventor: Bradford Ivey
  • Patent number: 10800698
    Abstract: A method for forming a laminated glass article may include flowing a molten first glass composition having a first R2O concentration and a first fining agent with a first fining agent concentration. The method may also include flowing a molten second glass composition having a second R2O concentration less than the first R2O concentration of the first glass composition and a second fining agent with a second fining agent concentration that is greater than or equal to the first fining agent concentration of the first glass composition. The molten first glass composition may be contacted with the molten second glass composition to form an interface between the molten first glass composition and the molten second glass composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: Megan Aurora DeLamielleure, Irene Mona Peterson
  • Patent number: 9025636
    Abstract: An electromagnetic induction melting furnace to control an average nominal diameter of the TiB2 cluster of the Al—Ti—B alloy includes a main body containing the melted alloy; and a multi-layer coil disposed on the main body, wherein a frequency of the alternative current of each coil of the multi-layer coil is different, and the alloy is heated by inducing a magnetic field generated by the alternative currents. The selection of the frequency and the changeable magnetic field may reduce the cohesion force between the TiB2 grains of the Al—Ti—B alloy to control the average nominal diameter of the TiB2 cluster.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Shenzhen Sunxing Light Alloys Materials Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Xuemin Chen, Qingdong Ye, Jianguo Li, Chaowen Liu, Yueming Yu
  • Patent number: 9025637
    Abstract: An electromagnetic induction melting furnace to control an average nominal diameter of the TiC cluster of the Al—Ti—C alloy includes a main body containing the melted alloy; and a multi-layer coil disposed on the main body, wherein a frequency of the alternative current of each coil of the multi-layer coil is different, and the alloy is heated by inducing a magnetic field generated by the alternative currents. The selection of the frequency and the changeable magnetic field may reduce the cohesion force between the TiC grains of the Al—Ti—C alloy to control the average nominal diameter of the TiC cluster.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Shenzhen Sunxing Light Alloys Materials Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Xuemin Chen, Qingdong Ye, Jianguo Li, Chaowen Liu, Yueming Yu
  • Publication number: 20140321496
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Inventors: Jens Klahr, Juergen Watterodt, Peter Foerster, Cihangir Demirci
  • Publication number: 20140112366
    Abstract: An apparatus, method and process directed to enabling a VIM induction furnace to be removed from a vacuum chamber while the induction furnace is still in a heated state without damaging the induction furnace. The induction furnace can include a power port that can be easily switched to an auxiliary cooling source to enable the induction furnace to be removed from the vacuum chamber while the induction furnace is still in a heated state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2012
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: Ajax Tocco Magnethermic Corporation
    Inventors: Jack Shilling, Jeff Deeter
  • Patent number: 8466395
    Abstract: An apparatus and process are provided for induction heating of a workpiece. The workpiece is moved through an inductor to inductively heat treat the workpiece with electric power of varying frequency and duty cycle or amplitude control to control the magnitude of electric power as the frequency changes. Alternatively the workpiece may be stationary and the inductor can be moved along the workpiece, or combined and coordinated movement of both the workpiece and inductor can be used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Inductotherm Corp.
    Inventors: Kuno Weiss, Oleg S. Fishman
  • Publication number: 20110075697
    Abstract: Apparatus and method are provided for damping the induced fluid flow, particularly in the region of the base plate, in an electrically conductive material that is heated and melted in a cold crucible induction furnace. Damping is accomplished by establishing a dc magnetic field such that flow of the electrically conductive liquid metal in that dc magnetic field would induce eddy currents in the liquid metal which would generate forces that tend to oppose the flow. The dc magnetic field may be established by dc current flow in the ac induction coil that induces current in the material, dc current flow in a separate dc coil, or coils, constructed to prevent excessive induced losses, by discrete magnets, or a combination of any of the three prior methods. The dc magnetic field may also be established by dc current flow in one or more dc coils disposed around a magnetic pole piece located below the base of the furnace.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2010
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Applicant: CONSARC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Raymond J. ROBERTS, Graham A. KEOUGH
  • Patent number: 7848383
    Abstract: Apparatus and method are provided for damping the induced fluid flow, particularly in the region of the base plate, in an electrically conductive material that is heated and melted in a cold crucible induction furnace. Damping is accomplished by establishing a dc magnetic field such that flow of the electrically conductive liquid metal in that dc magnetic field would induce eddy currents in the liquid metal which would generate forces that tend to oppose the flow. The dc magnetic field may be established by dc current flow in the ac induction coil that induces current in the material, dc current flow in a separate dc coil, or coils, constructed to prevent excessive induced losses, by discrete magnets, or a combination of any of the three prior methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: Consarc Corporation
    Inventors: Raymond J. Roberts, Graham A. Keough
  • Patent number: 7799270
    Abstract: Electromagnetic device for fusion and interfacial agitation of diphase systems, particularly for the acceleration of metallurgic or pyrochemical processes, which includes for example a crucible to contain a diphase system, an inductor surrounding this crucible, and a circuit for the supply of the inductor by a current with two components, namely a high frequency component which melts the phases of the system and a low frequency component which agitates the interface of the phases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Commissariat a l'Energie Atomique
    Inventors: Roger Boen, Xavier Deschanels, Florent Lemort, René Piccinato, Yves Fautrelle, Jacqueline Etay, Damien Perrier, Roland Ernst
  • Patent number: 7796674
    Abstract: A cold crucible induction furnace has a slotted-wall with a slotted inner annular protrusion that is disposed around the base of the crucible's melting chamber. The protrusions may be separated from the base by a gap that can be filled with an electrical insulating material. Slots may also be provided in the protrusions and/or the outer perimeter of the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Consarc Corporation
    Inventor: Graham A. Keough
  • Patent number: 7457344
    Abstract: An apparatus and process are provided for controlling the heating or melting of an electrically conductive material. Power is selectively directed between coil sections surrounding different zones of the material by changing the output frequency of the power supply to the coil sections. Coil sections include at least one active coil section, which is connected to the output of the power supply, and at least one passive coil section, which is not connected to the power supply, but is connected in parallel with a tuning capacitor so that the at least one passive coil section operates at a resonant frequency and the output frequency of the power supply is changed so that the induced power in the at least one passive coil section changes as the frequency is changed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2008
    Assignee: Inductotherm Corp.
    Inventors: Oleg S. Fishman, Mike Maochang Cao
  • Patent number: 7167501
    Abstract: Apparatus and method are provided for damping the induced fluid flow, particularly in the region of the base plate, in an electrically conductive material that is heated and melted in a cold crucible induction furnace. Damping is accomplished by establishing a dc magnetic field such that flow of the electrically conductive liquid metal in that dc magnetic field would induce eddy currents in the liquid metal which would generate forces that tend to oppose the flow. The dc magnetic field may be established by dc current flow in the ac induction coil that induces current in the material, dc current flow in a separate dc coil, or coils, constructed to prevent excessive induced losses, by discrete magnets, or a combination of any of the three prior methods. The dc magnetic field may also be established by dc current flow in one or more dc coils disposed around a magnetic pole piece located below the base of the furnace.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2007
    Assignee: Consarc Corporation
    Inventors: Raymond J. Roberts, Graham A. Keough
  • Patent number: 6696770
    Abstract: A rectifier/inverter power supply for use with induction heating or melting apparatus includes a tuning capacitor connected across the output of the rectifier and input of the inverter. The tuning capacitor forms a resonant circuit with an inductive load coil at the operating frequency of the inverter. Additionally, the load coil may be formed from an active load coil connected to the output of the inverter and a passive load coil, in parallel with a resonant tuning capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Assignee: Inductotherm Corp.
    Inventors: Vladimir V. Nadot, Oleg S. Fishman
  • Patent number: 6542535
    Abstract: An induction furnace system has an active induction coil surrounding a crucible. A passive induction coil also surrounds the crucible. The passive induction coil is connected in parallel with a capacitor to form an L-C tank circuit. A source of ac current is provided to the active induction coil to produce a magnetic field that inductively heats and melts an electrically conductive material in the crucible. The magnetic field also magnetically couples with the passive induction coil to induce a current in the passive induction coil. This induced current generates a magnetic field that inductively heats and melts the material. The resistance of the L-C tank circuit is reflected back into the circuit of the active induction coil to improve the overall efficiency of the induction furnace system. The crucible may be open-ended to allow the passage of the electrically conductive material through the crucible during the heating process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2003
    Assignee: Inductotherm Corp.
    Inventors: Oleg S. Fishman, Vladimir V. Nadot, Vitaly A. Peysakhovich, John H. Mortimer
  • Publication number: 20020122456
    Abstract: An induction furnace system has an active induction coil surrounding a crucible. A passive induction coil also surrounds the crucible. The passive induction coil is connected in parallel with a capacitor to form an L-C tank circuit. A source of ac current is provided to the active induction coil to produce a magnetic field that inductively heats and melts an electrically conductive material in the crucible. The magnetic field also magnetically couples with the passive induction coil to induce a current in the passive induction coil. This induced current generates a magnetic field that inductively heats and melts the material. The resistance of the L-C tank circuit is reflected back into the circuit of the active induction coil to improve the overall efficiency of the induction furnace system. The crucible may be open-ended to allow the passage of the electrically conductive material through the crucible during the heating process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2002
    Publication date: September 5, 2002
    Inventors: Oleg S. Fishman, Vladimir V. Nadot, Vitaly A. Peysakhovich, John H. Mortimer
  • Patent number: 6414982
    Abstract: A high-frequency device for melting and refining inorganic compounds having a high-frequency oscillation system and a crucible. The high-frequency system includes an induction coil looping around the crucible and at least two oscillator circuits connectable in parallel to the induction coil and providing redundant high frequency energy. Each self-exciting oscillator includes one of the capacitors and the induction coil. The device may further include a power supply, a control cabinet having operating units, and a process control system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2002
    Assignee: Schott Glas
    Inventors: Guido Räke, Michael Kohl, Hildegard Römer, Wolfgang Schmidtbauer, Werner Kiefer
  • Patent number: 6163019
    Abstract: An induction furnace having a voltage source series inverter, a load circuit having a combination of an induction coil and a resonating capacitor bank, and control circuitry to phase lock the inverter frequency to the natural resonant frequency of the load. The capacitor bank can be divided into two groups, one across the output of the inverter and the other in series with the load. This arrangement allows for the division of the inverter voltage across the furnace coil according to the ratio of the two capacitances. The inverter uses pulse width modulation and is buffered from the load circuit by means of a small series connected inductor. Additionally, the system can have a common power supply system that supplies power in any desired proportion to a plurality of induction furnaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2000
    Assignee: ABB Metallurgy
    Inventors: Daniel Green, Robert Ibach, Jan Fablanowski
  • Patent number: 6148019
    Abstract: A system for melting metal and holding molten metal, comprises a rectifier unit receiving AC electric power and outputting DC electric power, a plurality of inverter units, each receiving the DC electric power output by the rectifier unit and outputting AC electric power; and a plurality of induction furnaces each receiving the electric power output by a respective inverter unit. Each inverter unit comprises a plurality of inverter modules connected in parallel, each module independently being connectable to and disconnectable from the rectifier unit and the furnace. The rectifier unit comprises a plurality of rectifier modules connected in parallel, each module independently being connectable to and disconnectable from the AC supply and the inverter units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2000
    Assignee: Inductotherm Corp.
    Inventors: Oleg S. Fishman, John H. Mortimer
  • Patent number: 6144690
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a melting method by which the melting raw materials having a variety of configurations are collectively melted to enable the composition to be adjusted in the melt, and a melting apparatus and tapping method by which tapping is readily controlled, wherein the raw materials are melted by flowing an electric current satisfying the frequency range defined by the equation below using a crucible with an inner diameter of 400 mm or more in melting using a cold crucible induction melting apparatus, the melt being tapped through a tapping nozzle provided at the bottom of the crucible and equipped with a tapping coil wound around the circumference of the nozzle:7.8.times.2.times.log(D).ltoreq.log(F).ltoreq.8.7-2.times.log(D)(wherein F denotes the frequency of a power supply and D denotes the inner diameter (mm) of the crucible).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2000
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaishi Kobe Seiko Sho
    Inventors: Tatsuhiko Kusamichi, Koichi Sakamoto, Hitoshi Ishida, Shingo Ninagawa, Motohiro Nagao, Katsuyuki Yoshikawa
  • Patent number: 5666377
    Abstract: A multi-furnace control system selectively delivers preselected percentages of available power to furnaces of the system, preferably designated as either a melt furnace or a hold furnace. The power supply delivers power to both furnaces. A capacitor station in parallel connection to the power supply and the furnaces is tuned to form a tank circuit therewith. Switches control the selected power delivered to the furnaces respectively and control the delivery of a first portion of the power for holding molten product in the hold furnace as the master control. A remaining portion of the power is then delivered for melting product in the melt furnace. The capacitor station acts as a reactive tank for both furnaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 9, 1997
    Assignee: Ajax Magnethermic Corporation
    Inventors: George Havas, Arthur L. Vaughn
  • Patent number: 5487873
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for treating waste with radio frequency include a wall defining a radio frequency treatment chamber through which waste may be passed. A source of radio frequency energy energizes the radio frequency treatment chamber to heat the waste and drive off vapors therefrom leaving solid residue to be disposed of. A guard heater and/or insulation maintains the wall at substantially the same temperature as the waste being heated by the radio frequency to prevent vapors from condensing on the waste.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 30, 1996
    Assignee: IIT Research Institute
    Inventors: Jack E. Bridges, Guggliam C. Sresty, Allen Taflove
  • Patent number: 5272719
    Abstract: A system for simultaneously melting metal and holding molten metal for treatment and the like comprises a plurality of separate induction furnaces, each having an induction coil. The induction coil of each furnace is arranged to inductively heat metal in its associated furnace. A plural-output power supply is operatively connected to the induction coils for supplying ac power to the coils. The power supply comprises at least one rectifier section having an output and a plurality of high-frequency inverter sections equal to the number of separate induction furnaces Each inverter section has an input operatively associated with the rectifier section output for receiving power from said at least one rectifier section and an output operatively connected to a respective one of the induction coils for supplying ac power to the induction coil. Switches are provided for selectably interrupting power from selected ones of said plurality of inverter sections to their associated induction coils.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1993
    Assignee: Inductotherm Corp.
    Inventors: Jesse Cartlidge, John H. Mortimer, Oleg S. Fishman, Brian E. Potter, Simeon Z. Rotman
  • Patent number: 5012487
    Abstract: An induction melting apparatus including a vessel for holding a melt of molten metal, an induction coil operatively associated with the vessel, and a power supply for providing power input to the induction coil. The power input has a melting component at a first preselected frequency for operatively holding the melt at a preselected temperature by induction heating and an agitation component at a second preselected and different frequency for agitation of the melt by inducing turbulence therein. The power supply comprises an agitation power supply circuit operatively supplying current to the coil at the second frequency, and a melting power supply circuit including a series resonant circuit through which the melting component is operatively applied to the coil at the first frequency at the same time as the agitation component is applied to the coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 30, 1991
    Assignee: Inductotherm Europe Limited
    Inventor: John H. Simcock
  • Patent number: 4993043
    Abstract: Two coils between which a sample is contactlessly held in a suspended state, form a common part of two different oscillating circuits. A heating oscillating-circuit consists of the two coils and two first capacitors. A positioning oscillating-circuit consists of the two coils and two second capacitors. The current of the heating oscillating-circuit flows through both coils in the same direction, and the current of the positioning oscillating-circuit flows through both coils in opposite directions. Since the two oscillating circuits are not coupled to each other, heating efficiency and positioning efficiency can be set independently from each other. Two coils are sufficient for heating and positioning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 12, 1991
    Assignee: Deutsche Forschungsanstalt fur Luft-und Raumfahrt e.V.
    Inventor: Georg Lohoefer
  • Patent number: 4704252
    Abstract: A crushed powder metal workpiece preform is enclosed in a shell or envelope of a ceramic liquid die material and is inductively heated through the ceramic material and then transferred to a pressure vessel wherein the liquid die material is pressurized to provide a rapid omnidirectional compaction of the powder metal preform and thus a fused powder metal workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1986
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1987
    Assignee: Tocco, Inc.
    Inventor: George D. Pfaffmann
  • Patent number: 4361716
    Abstract: Current lead-in of the coaxial type, including at least two conducting tubes passing through a container wall, a gas-tight seal disposed between the tubes and the walls, an induction heating coil supplied with high frequency current from the tubes for producing a melting zone in a semiconductor rod, and a pressure-deformable electrically-insulating tension element disposed between the tubes. The tubes are in the form of an inner end and an outer tube. A pressure plate and a ring are disposed near one end of the inner tube, a ceramic tube surrounds the inner tube between the ring and the tension elements, and a ceramic ring stop is disposed at the other end of the inner tube. The ceramic tube and tension element have smaller outside diameters than the ring and stop and they are surrounded by the outer tube. Pressure is applied to the tension element by screws in the pressure plate or by a nut screwed onto the inner tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1980
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1982
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Wolfgang Keller