Electrode system for resistance furnace
AssigneeLeco Corporation
InventorsCharles W. Berk, Charles B. Vallance
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An electrode system for resistance furnace includes a pair of electrodes, one of which is movable to selectively clamp a resistive crucible between the electrodes. A specimen placed in the crucible is combusted by the application of electrical power to the electrodes in electrical contact with the crucible. One of the electrodes includes a demountable housing extending therefrom for surrounding a crucible held between the electrodes and sealing the crucible between the electrodes. The demountable housing permits easy cleaning of the system by removal of the housing. In one embodiment one of the electrodes includes a surface configurated to engage the crucible and provide self-centering of the crucible as the electrodes are moved to clamp the crucible therebetween.
Claims15
An electrode system for use in a resistance furnace employing a resistive crucible for combusting a specimen positioned in the crucible, said system comprising:
- a pair of opposed electrodes of electrically conductive material, one of said electrodes being movable for selectively holding a crucible between said pair of electrodes;
- and
- an intermediate electrode section including a central cavity for receiving a crucible, said intermediate electrode section demountably coupled to one electrode of said pair of electrodes to facilitate cleaning of said electrode system when said intermediate electrode section is removed.
For use in a furnace for heating an electrically resistive crucible held between electrodes, improved electrode construction comprising:
- a pair of electrodes made of an electrically conductive material for the passage of electrical current therethrough, at least one of said electrodes movable toward and away from the remaining electrode for alternately clamping and releasing a free standing cylindrical shaped open ended electrically resistive specimen holding crucible between said electrodes wherein the electrode engaging the open end of the crucible includes a concavely curved surface facing the crucible for centering the crucible and assuring electrical contact between the crucible and said electrodes, and the remaining electrode includes a pedestal for supporting the free standing crucible.
For use in a furnace for heating an electrically resistive crucible held between electrodes, improved electrode construction comprising:
- a pair of electrodes made of an electrically conductive material, at least one of said electrodes movable toward and away from the remaining electrode for alternately clamping and releasing a cylindrical shaped open ended electrically resistive specimen holding crucible between said electrodes wherein the electrode engaging the open end of the crucible includes a concavely curved surface facing the crucible for centering the crucible and assuring electrical contact between the crucible and said electrodes, and
- an intermediate electrode section positioned between said pair of electrodes to surround a crucible positioned between said pair of electrodes and wherein said intermediate electrode section is demountably secured to one electrode of said pair of electrodes.
For use in a furnace for combusting a specimen positioned in a resistance heated crucible, an improved electrode system comprising:
- a conductive first electrode comprising a generally cylindrical body including a central bore extending longitudinally therethrough, said bore terminating at one end at a crucible engaging seat surrounding said one end of said bore,
- a generally cylindrical housing having an inner diameter sufficient to permit a crucible to be positioned within said housing,
- means for releasably securing said housing in sealed relationship to said first electrode;
- and
- a conductive second electrode including a crucible engaging seat and seal means for sealing the junction of said second electrode and said housing when said second electrode is moved toward said first electrode to hold a crucible between said electrodes.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.