US 12,729,415 B2Granted

Remelting plant for metals, and method for remelting metals

AssigneeALD Vacuum Technologies GmbH

InventorsIvaylo Popov, Lothar Lippert, Stefan Lemke, Thomas Kilzer

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Abstract

The present invention relates to remelting plants, such as for example vacuum arc remelting furnaces (VLBO/VAR) and electro slag remelting plants (ESU/ESR), which possess one or several melting sites and have a portal structure. The plants possess a symmetric force distribution and a constantly low height of construction.

Claims12

Dependent claims

A remelting plant for metals comprising

one or more melting sites, which for the most part are arranged underground in a foundation of the remelting plant, with one crucible each;
a furnace portal comprising a first and a second vertical column, which are connected on their upper ends with two opposing sides of a horizontal connecting frame and along their heights with at least one further frame formed by two brackets, wherein the furnace portal with the first vertical column is connected with the foundation such that the furnace portal can be rotated, and with the second vertical column, a lower end of which is provided with a drive and at least one wheel, can be moved on a curved rail, so that the furnace portal can make a swiveling movement over the one or several melting sites;
a one-piece furnace chamber, which is open on its lower side and which can be vertically moved within the frame being formed by the two brackets;
openings, which are arranged on sides of the connecting frame, which are not connected with the vertical columns;
a plurality of locking elements, which are provided on the brackets and which are able to fix the furnace chamber in a vertical direction;
a balance, which with its lower side is connected with an upper side of the furnace chamber;
an electrode rod supporting structure comprising two columns with variable lengths, a lower plate being attached on their lower end and an upper plate being attached on their upper end, wherein the lower plate is connected with the balance and the upper plate is engaged with the openings of the connecting frame and can be moved vertically within them;
and
an electrode rod, which runs through the lower plate and the upper plate, with a coaxial electrode rod drive, which is fastened on the upper plate, wherein the electrode rod comprises an outer tube, an inner tube being movable therein and a spindle being arranged in the inner tube, and the electrode rod drive drives the spindle inside of the electrode rod.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

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Abstract

A remelting plant for metals comprising

one or more melting sites, which for the most part are arranged underground in a foundation of the remelting plant, with one crucible each;
a furnace portal comprising a first and a second vertical column, which are connected on their upper ends with two opposing sides of a horizontal connecting frame and along their heights with at least one further frame formed by two brackets, wherein the furnace portal with the first vertical column is connected with the foundation such that the furnace portal can be rotated, and with the second vertical column, a lower end of which is provided with a drive and at least one wheel, can be moved on a curved rail, so that the furnace portal can make a swiveling movement over the one or several melting sites;
a one-piece furnace chamber, which is open on its lower side and which can be vertically moved within the frame being formed by the two brackets;
openings, which are arranged on sides of the connecting frame, which are not connected with the vertical columns;
a plurality of locking elements, which are provided on the brackets and which are able to fix the furnace chamber in a vertical direction;
a balance, which with its lower side is connected with an upper side of the furnace chamber;
an electrode rod supporting structure comprising two columns with variable lengths, a lower plate being attached on their lower end and an upper plate being attached on their upper end, wherein the lower plate is connected with the balance and the upper plate is engaged with the openings of the connecting frame and can be moved vertically within them;
and
an electrode rod, which runs through the lower plate and the upper plate, with a coaxial electrode rod drive, which is fastened on the upper plate, wherein the electrode rod comprises an outer tube, an inner tube being movable therein and a spindle being arranged in the inner tube, and the electrode rod drive drives the spindle inside of the electrode rod.

6 more elements