Abstract: An induction furnace comprising a upper furnace vessel; an induction coil positioned below the upper furnace vessel; and a melt-containing vessel positioned inside the induction coil and communicably connected to the upper furnace vessel, wherein the positioning of the melt-containing vessel inside the induction coil defines a gap between an outside surface of the melt-containing vessel and an inside surface of the induction coil. A system for direct-chill casting comprising at least one an induction furnace; at least one in-line filter operable to remove impurities in molten metal; at least one gas source coupled to a feed port associated with the gas; and at least one device for solidifying metal by casting. A method of cooling an induction furnace comprising introducing a gas into a gap between an induction coil and a melt-containing vessel positioned inside the induction coil; and circulating the gas through the gap.

Abstract: The invention relates to an induction crucible furnace and to a magnetic return element for an induction crucible furnace. The induction crucible furnace has a corresponding coil and a plurality of magnetic return elements, which are designed in the form of individual units arranged on the outer lateral surface of the coil with peripheral spacing. In order to guide the magnetic flux produced by the coil, the magnetic return elements each have an assembly consisting of a plurality of elongate individual elements of magnetically permeable material that are electrically insulated from each other and extend parallel to the furnace axis. Said individual elements consist at least partially of bars, which are electrically insulated from each other and the longitudinal axes of which extend parallel to the furnace axis. In this way, both eddy currents that hit the assembly from the radial direction and eddy currents that hit the assembly with a transverse component are minimized.

Abstract: A crucible device with temperature control design includes a crucible body, an induction coil unit, a nozzle flange body and a melt delivery tube and a temperature control unit. The induction coil unit surrounds the crucible body, provides a heat source during use, and is configured to enable a metal material to melt and produce a melt having a melting skull. The melt delivery tube is communicated via the nozzle flange body to a bottom of the crucible body and is configured to deliver the melt from the crucible body. The temperature control unit includes a microprocessor, a heater and a temperature sensor which are electrically coupled to each other, and are configured to control a curve of the melting skull to drop to a preset position.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems for shaping glass structures, comprising a shaping mold; a magnetic field generator; and a susceptor plate positioned substantially between the shaping mold and the magnetic field generator. Also disclosed herein are systems for shaping a glass structures, comprising a magnetic field generator comprising at least one induction coil and a one power supply connected to the at least one induction coil; and a susceptor plate having a first surface proximate the at least one induction coil and an opposing second surface proximate the glass structure. Further disclosed herein are methods for heating glass structures, comprising positioning the glass structure on a shaping mold; introducing the shaping mold and glass structure into a furnace; and indirectly heating at least a portion of the glass structure using at least one induction heating source.

Abstract: A hold down mechanism for releasably securing a refractory lining to a furnace. The hold down mechanism can comprise plate segments that form a composite plate. The plate segments can comprise a first plate segment structured to articulate relative to a second plate segment. Furthermore, a gap in the hold down mechanism can be structured to adjust in response to a thermal condition of the composite plate, such as thermal expansion or thermal contraction of at least one plate segment. The composite plate can also comprise an articulation plate pivotally coupled to at least one of the first plate segment and the second plate segment via a pivot and/or a slot and pin engagement. The composite plate can further comprise a third plate segment and a second articulation plate pivotally coupled to at least one of the second plate segment and the third plate segment.

Abstract: A device for obtaining multicrystalline silicon, including: at least one crucible, removably housed in a cup-shaped graphite container; a fluid-tight casing, including a fixed bottom half-shell and a vertically mobile top half-shell; a top induction coil, set facing, with interposition of a graphite plate, the crucible, a lateral induction coil and a bottom induction coil vertically mobile for varying the distance from the bottom wall; and means for a.c. electrical supply of the induction coils separately from one another; at least the lateral induction coil includes a plurality of plane turns set on top of one another, and means for selectively short-circuiting, supplying or not supplying the turns, all together or separately one or more at a time and for varying the frequency of supply thereof all together or separately one or more at a time.

Abstract: A coreless induction furnace includes a crucible for holding a material to be heated. An induction coil is wound about the crucible. A frame supporting the crucible and the induction coil is wound about the crucible. An induction coil loading arrangement includes at least one clamping assembly for providing a leveraged axial force to an upper side of the induction coil.

Abstract: Thus, as shown by an exact electrodynamic computation of EMBF and the estimations described above of the velocity of turbulent flows arising due to their effect, application of amplitude- and frequency-modulated helically traveling (rotating and axially traveling) electromagnetic fields in metallurgical and chemical technologies and foundry can considerably increase the hydraulic efficiency of MHD facilities, intensify the processes of heat and mass transfer in technological plants, significantly increase their productivity, considerably decrease energy consumption for the production of metals, alloys, cast articles, and chemical products, and improve their quality.

Abstract: Heating element assemblies, heating furnaces incorporating heating element assemblies, methods to form heating element assemblies, methods to form heating furnaces and methods to reduce a magnetic field in a bifilar coil are disclosed. The heating element assembly includes two components, each component formed from heating element wire. The two components are spatially positioned and electrically arranged, relative to each other, so that an electrical current applied to the heating element assembly simultaneously travels through the two components in opposite directions.

Abstract: A structural component for a device for the treatment of melts, especially of glass melts, having a base body of metal or of a metal alloy and a cooling system in which a cooling medium is led through the structural component for the leading-off of heat. The base body is provided with a coating of a material the decomposition temperature of which lies below the temperature of the melt, and the cooling system is designed and arranged in such manner that the temperature of the boundary layer of the melt that immediately surrounds the structural component lies below the decomposition temperature of the coating material.

Abstract: An upper ring for an induction furnace. The upper ring is cast as one piece in a holder off of the furnace. The precast upper ring may be used as a replacement for the cast in place upper rings present on previously installed furnaces or may be used in the construction of new furnaces. The electromagnetic induction coil of the furnace may be modified to include cooling turns at its upper end when the holder with the one piece cast upper ring is installed on the furnace.

Abstract: An induction furnace is provided with a bottom induction coil to melt, heat and/or stir an electrically conductive material placed in the furnace. The furnace is particularly useful for electrically conductive materials having a relatively low value of thermal conductivity, such as aluminum or an aluminum alloy.

Abstract: An induction furnace is provided with a bottom induction coil to melt, heat and/or stir an electrically conductive material placed in the furnace. The furnace is particularly useful for electrically conductive materials having a relatively low value of thermal conductivity, such as aluminum or an aluminum alloy.

Abstract: A clamp assembly for securing a plurality of windings of an induction coil in a fixed position includes a T-shaped latch bar formed of high strength insulating material. The T-shaped latch bar has a stem and a cross member. The stem is secured to a second winding of three end windings, which preferably is located between the terminal or endmost winding of the coil, and the third winding, by a pair of stud bolts which are welded on the second winding. The cross member extends in an axial direction between the three windings. A pair of lugs are welded onto the terminal winding and the third winding. The ends of the cross member are formed with a pair of notches into which the lugs are seated for stabilizing the terminal winding and the adjacent two windings.

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: An induction coil for inductively heating electrically conductive materials includes a plurality of individual coil turns, each turn lying in a plane substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the coil and comprising an electrical conductor formed into an annulus. The conductor has first and second terminals for connecting the turn to an electrical circuit. The first and second terminals are adjacent each other at a preselected circumferential position on the annulus and are physically and electrically isolated from each other. The first terminal of one turn is located adjacent and electrically connected to the second terminal of an adjacent turn. The first terminal of a selected one of the plurality of turns forms a first coil terminal and the second terminal of a different selected one of the plurality of turns forms a second coil terminal.

Abstract: The failure rate of the mounting structure for mounting the induction coil modules in an induction furnace is reduced by replacing the normal rigid supporting rods used to secure the induction coil modules to the furnace housing or frame with flexible mounting members. The flexible mounting members include a length of flexible material such as steel cable. Apparatus, such as a threaded rod, for securing the mounting member to the furnace housing is secured, as by swedging, to one end of the flexible material. Apparatus, such as a clevis, for securing the mounting member to the induction coil module is secured, as by swedging, to the other end of the flexible material.

Abstract: A high temperature furnace formed from a stack of ceramic fiber--toroidal discs each fabricated to have an upper and lower groove for accommodating a heating coil so as to permit thermal elongation without buckling. The stacked array form a hollow cylindrical inner chamber which receives heat in the form of radiation through a window formed by removing a portion of the material between the groove and inner chamber.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for securing induction coils within an induction coil module including a plurality of flexible connectors having a first end, a second end, and a length disposed between the first and second ends. A first attachment member is securely attached to the first end of the flexible connector and pivotably connected to a support assembly. A second attachment member is securely attached to the second end of the flexible connector 16. The second attachment member having an induction coil attached thereto. Correspondingly, the pivotal engagement of the flexible connectors in relation to the support assembly of the induction coil module facilitates a means for allowing the flexible connectors and their attached induction coils to move both horizontally and vertically in relation to the support assembly, thus dramatically reducing the potential for structural fatigue and stress fracturing of the various mechanical connections of an induction furnace.

Abstract: A magnetic yoke for an induction crucible furnace includes a bar-shaped core stack for conducting magnetic flux generated by a furnace coil of the furnace. The core stack is formed of a multiplicity of individual, mutually electrically insulated single laminations with edges. The core stack has a first principal surface facing the furnace coil and three second principal surfaces not facing the furnace coil. The first principal surface has a shape being subdivided three-fold, defining a central region of the core stack to be positioned very near the furnace coil and two lateral regions of the core stack adjacent the central region, and defining a distance between the edges of the single laminations of the core stack and the furnace coil being increased towards the edge in the two lateral regions of the core stack, forming acute-angled, lamination-free sectors parallel to the furnace axis in two peripheral regions of the magnetic yoke being directed towards the furnace coil.

Abstract: An improved induction melting coil apparatus encapsulated with homogeneous inserts for controlling the direction of inductor flux density is disclosed. The inserts are relatively thick and rigid members which provide a low reluctance path within which the magnetic field travels while inhibiting inductive coupling of the magnetic field with surrounding auxiliary components. The inserts can be easily formed or machined into any desired shape for effectively encapsulating virtually any type of coreless induction melting coil.

Abstract: An induction heating coil assembly for use in a roller induction heating line has a magnetic shunt for receiving a portion of an electromagnetic field generated along the axis of the induction coil and directing that portion along a path parallel to a workpiece passing along the heating line. This flux path ensures that eddy currents induced in the workpiece flow primarily perpendicular to the axis of the workpiece, and not along the axis of the workpiece where they could cause arcing between the moving workpiece and the conveyor rolls.

Abstract: An induction crucible furnace has a furnace axis and a furnace coil generating magnetic flux. A magnetic yoke for the furnace includes a barlike lamination packet for guiding the magnetic flux. The lamination packet has a middle region and two lateral regions being adjacent the middle region and having borders facing away from the middle region. The lamination packet has a number of individual single laminations having edges and being electrically insulated from one another. The lamination packet has a main surface facing the furnace coil with a shape being sectioned into three parts for positioning the middle region relatively close to the furnace coil and defining a distance between the edges of the individual laminations and the furnace coil being increased in the two lateral regions toward the borders. Two peripheral regions face toward the furnace coil and have acute-angled, lamination-free sectors being parallel to the furnace axis.

Abstract: An improved induction melting coil apparatus encapsulated with homogeneous inserts for controlling the direction of inductor flux density is disclosed. The inserts are relatively thick and rigid members which provide a low reluctance path within which the magnetic field travels while inhibiting inductive coupling of the magnetic field with surrounding auxiliary components. The inserts can be easily formed or machined into any desired shape for effectively encapsulating virtually any type of coreless induction melting coil.

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: An induction melting vessel comprising a refractory crucible having an opened top end and closed bottom end, with a substantially continuous side wall. A substantially continuous metallic shell surrounds and generally conforms to the side wall and extends for at least a majority of the height of the side wall from the bottom end to the top end. The shell has a bottom end corresponding to the bottom end of the crucible and a top end corresponding to the top end of the crucible. A portion the shell adjacent the top end thereof and a portion of the shell adjacent the bottom end thereof have discrete physically integral but electrically isolated regions therein for limiting the flow of electric current in the shell. In one embodiment of the invention, the regions are defined by a plurality of slits through the shell and extending from the top and bottom ends thereof toward the respective opposite ends. The slits have a length not exceeding have the distance to the respective opposite end.

Abstract: A magnetic yoke for an induction crucible furnace includes a rod-shaped core stack being suitable for carrying magnetic flux generated by a furnace coil of the induction crucible furnace. The core stack is enclosed on three principal surfaces thereof not facing the furnace coil by a flexurally and torsionally rigid support body having a C or U-shaped cross section. The support body is preferably formed of a material with good electrical conductivity and has longitudinal channels suitable for carrying a coolant. Preferably, an extruded profiled part formed of an aluminum alloy is used.

Abstract: In a direct-current arc furnace having a bottom electrode (2), electromagnetically and/or chemically induced bath agitations are substantially eliminated by an electromagnet (9) arranged under the vessel bottom (7). In this way the stability of the bottom electrode (2) is considerably increased. The electromagnet (9) is preferably integrated into the electrical supply of the furnace and serves as a smoothing choke.

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: An inductive heating unit for a magnetically permeable ladle containing molten steel has a cylindrical permeable wall for receiving the ladle and on which is wound an induction coil with an outer cylindrical permeable wall surrounding and enclosing the coil. The coil is wound from a conductor formed by a plurality of superposed flat metal strips which are insulated from each other. The outer wall is formed with a vertical channel in which a power lead for the coil is positioned.

Abstract: In a vacuum induction furnace provided with an induction coil, surrounding a furnace crucible, the coil includes a plurality of intermediate layers inserted between the individual windings, and spacer elements also inserted between the individual windings, next to the intermediate layers and at the side of the coil facing the crucible. The spacer elements are formed of insulating material.

Abstract: A device is provided for melting by direct induction substances which are dielectric when cold and whose temperatures of inductibility and melting are close to each other, such as glasses or vitreous enamels. This melting is carried out inside a receptacle whose sidewall comprises a multi-turn inductor made from metal tubing whose inward-looking faces are exposed and which combines the functions of heating the charge by induction and cooling the periphery thereof. Such a receptacle which is at the same time a heating inductor and a cooling surface is applicable more especially to industrial electric furnaces for the production of molten glass or enamel by direct induction.

Abstract: A rotatable mounting for the crucible of an electric induction furnace is disclosed. The mounting apparatus includes an access cylinder rotatably mounted within a tubular flange on one wall of the furnace enclosure. Positive and negative slip ring assemblies are mounted at the front of the access cylinder together with a hose reel assembly. The slip ring assemblies each comprise a rotor which is secured to the access cylinder and a stator which is attached to the wall of the enclosure. Flexible electric power leads are attached to terminal blocks at the bottom of each stator and provide both water and electricity to the furnace. Flexible hoses leading from the terminal blocks to the hose reel assembly provide water to the electric heating elements, which are colis made of metal tubing. Electricity is conducted through the slip ring assemblies to power leads which are mounted in the positive and negative rotors.