Method and apparatus for melting titanium using a combination of plasma torches and direct arc electrodes
OwnerEdward S. Jackson, David O. Warreninventors
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for optimizing melting of titanium for processing into ingots or end products. The apparatus provides a main hearth, a plurality of optional refining hearths, and a plurality of casting molds or direct molds whereby direct arc electrodes melt the titanium in the main hearth while plasma torches melt the titanium in the refining chambers and/or adjacent the molds. Each of the direct arc electrodes and plasma torches is extendable and retractable into the melting environment and moveable in a circular pivoting or side to side linear motion.
Claims28
An apparatus for optimally melting metal and metal alloys, the apparatus comprising:
- a main hearth defining a melting cavity therein with at least one overflow;
- at least one mold aligned respectively with the overflow to be in fluid communication therewith;
- at least one direct arc electrode for selective heating;
- and
- at least one plasma torch for selectively heating.
An apparatus for optimally melting metal and metal alloys, the apparatus comprising:
- a main hearth defining a melting cavity therein with a first and second overflow;
- a first refining hearth having a first refining overflow and a second refining hearth having a second refining overflow, the first refining hearth aligned respectively with the first main overflow to be in fluid communication therewith and the second refining hearth aligned respectively with the second main overflow to be in fluid communication therewith
- a first mold and a second mold, the first mold aligned respectively with the first refining overflow to be in fluid communication therewith and the second mold aligned respectively with the second refining overflow to be in fluid communication therewith;
- and
- at least one heating source adjacent of each of the main hearth, refining hearths, and molds for selective heating of the contents of the main hearth, refining hearths and molds respectively.
A method for optimally melting metal and metal alloys comprising:
- igniting at least one direct arc electrode to melt the contents within a main hearth with a first and a second opposed overflows to define a molten material;
- pouring of molten material from the main hearth into a first mold adjacent a first end of the main hearth to define a first molded body;
- and
- pouring of molten material from the main hearth into a second mold adjacent a second end of the main hearth to define a second molded body.
A method for optimally melting metal and metal alloys comprising:
- igniting at least one direct arc electrode to melt the contents within a main hearth with a first and a second opposed overflows to define a molten material;
- pouring of molten material from the main hearth into a first refining hearth adjacent a first end of the main hearth;
- igniting at least one plasma torch to melt the contents within the first refining hearth;
- and
- pouring of the molten material from the first refining hearth into a first mold adjacent an end of the refining hearth to define a first molded body;
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.