Method and apparatus for melting a metal

An apparatus for melting metal of a predetermined liquidus temperature, comprising

• a melting chamber for receiving said metal in a solid state, said melting chamber having lateral walls and a bottom wall;
• heating means for heating at least one of said walls for providing a melt of said metal within said melting chamber up to a certain level;
• pump means having at least one inlet opening and at least one outlet opening for pumping said melt, said inlet opening and said outlet opening being both in said melting chamber and below said level;
• and
• means forming a defined deposit area for said solid metal.

An apparatus for melting metal of a predetermined liquidus temperature, comprising

• a melting chamber for receiving said metal in a solid state, said melting chamber having lateral walls and a bottom wall;
• heating means for heating at least one of said walls for providing a melt of said metal within said melting chamber up to a certain level;
• pump means having at least one inlet opening and at least one outlet opening for pumping said melt, said inlet opening and said outlet opening being both in said melting chamber and below said level;
• and
• sensor means for sensing at least one of the parameters of the temperature of said melt and the level of said melt, said sensor means providing an output signal.

An apparatus for melting metal of a predetermined liquidus temperature, comprising

• a melting chamber for receiving said metal in a solid state, said melting chamber having lateral walls and a bottom wall;
• heating means for heating at least one of said walls for providing a melt of said metal within said melting chamber up to a certain level;
• pump means having at least one inlet opening and at least one outlet opening for pumping said melt, said inlet opening and said outlet opening being both in said melting chamber and below said level;
• and
• sensor means for sensing at least one of the parameters of the temperature of said melt and the level of said melt, said sensor means providing an output signal;
• and
• automatic control means receiving said output signal and providing at least one control signal at their output for controlling at least one of the parameters including flow energy, flow rate, flow temperature and said level.

An apparatus for melting metal of a predetermined liquidus temperature, comprising

• a melting chamber for receiving said metal in a solid state, said melting chamber having lateral walls and a bottom wall;
• heating means for heating at least one of said walls for providing a melt of said metal within said melting chamber up to a certain level;
• pump means having at least one inlet opening and at least one outlet opening for pumping said melt, said inlet opening and said outlet opening being both in said melting chamber and below said level to generate a flow of melt;
• and
• guiding means for guiding said flow of melt in a predetermined direction.