Abstract:
Apparatus and method are provided for electric induction heating and melting of a transition material that is non-electrically conductive in the solid state and electrically conductive in the non-solid state in an electric induction heating and melting process wherein solid or semi-solid charge is periodically added to a heel of molten transition material initially placed in a refractory crucible. Induction power is sequentially supplied to a plurality of coils surrounding the exterior height of the crucible at high power level and high frequency with in-phase voltage until a crucible batch of transition material is in the crucible when the induction power is reduced in power level and frequency with voltage phase shifting to the induction coils along the height of the crucible to induce a unidirectional electromagnetic stir of the crucible batch of material.
Abstract:
Apparatus and method are provided for electric induction heating and melting of a transition material that is non-electrically conductive in the solid state and electrically conductive in the non-solid state in an electric induction heating and melting process wherein solid or semi-solid charge is periodically added to a heel of molten transition material initially placed in a refractory crucible. Induction power is sequentially supplied to a plurality of coils surrounding the exterior height of the crucible at high power level and high frequency with in-phase voltage until a crucible batch of transition material is in the crucible when the induction power is reduced in power level and frequency with voltage phase shifting to the induction coils along the height of the crucible to induce a unidirectional electromagnetic stir of the crucible batch of material.
Abstract:
A renewable energy powered thermal processing system is formed from a renewable energy source operably connected to an inverter via a charge controller. In one embodiment, a solar renewable energy source is operably connected to the inverter via a solar charge controller. The inverter is connected to a renewable energy storage device and further conditions the current for the thermal processing power supply, which then delivers energy to a thermal processing unit. A supplemental renewable energy source, such as wind, may further be operably connected to the inverter via a supplemental charge controller. As such, the thermal processing unit can be powered solely by renewable energy directly or stored renewable energy within the renewable energy storage device to provide a standalone, grid-independent renewable energy powered thermal processing system. Optionally, a grid tie may further selectively connect the system to an external power grid as a backup source of energy.
Abstract:
An apparatus comprising an induction furnace with a thermally and electrically conductive or non-conductive crucible containing an electrically conductive ferrous or non-ferrous material is provided with at least one bottom induction coil, one side induction coil and one top induction coil disposed exteriorly around the bottom, side and over the top surface of the material in the conductive or non-conductive crucible to provide a non-contact temperature boost or a flow rate boost to the material by selectively energizing a combination of the coils. The induction furnace is particularly useful for electrically conductive materials having a relatively low value of thermal conductivity, such as aluminum or an aluminum alloy.
Abstract:
Large steel ingot casting is accomplished with a top suspended induction heating device supplied with variable power and variable frequency from a power source. By the induction heating and stirring provided by the top suspended induction heating device, metal solidification advances progressively upwards from bottom to top, and the upper molten metal in a riser part compensates for shrinkage of the lower solidified metal in the main part. Inclusions are selectively moved out of the molten metal by a variable electromagnetic stirring force and the formation of casting defects is suppressed.
Abstract:
An electric induction system and method is provided for induction heating and melting of basalt charge for the production of molten process basalt that can be used for molten basalt processes that produce basalt articles of manufacture including cast basalt articles and continuous basalt casting processes for producing basalt articles such as fibers and filaments.
Abstract:
An electric induction furnace for heating and melting electrically conductive materials is provided with a lining wear detection system that can detect replaceable furnace lining wear when the furnace is properly operated and maintained.
Abstract:
A molten metal holding and pouring box with a rectangular-shaped upper section and a pyramidal-shaped lower section provides a relatively constant flow of molten metal being poured from the box through each of two bottom nozzles into two separate foundry molds at the same time. The two bottom nozzles are contained in a unitary dual nozzle assembly that facilitates replacement as required by wear, or a change in location of the sprue cups in the two separate foundry molds being filled with molten metal.