US 4,188,201 A · Apparatus for forming an ingot in a rotating housing

Abstract

The apparatus for manufacturing an ingot includes a rotatable housing with an inner surface defining an opening therethrough along the rotational axis of the housing. The housing is rotated about the rotational axis. The housing includes a layer of insulating material located between the inner and outer surfaces of the housing. Particulate material is deposited along the inner surface while the housing is rotating and the particulate material is heated above its melting temperature while the housing is rotating, the rotational movement holding the molten particulate material in place by centrifugal force on the inner surface for forming an ingot. The method of manufacturing an ingot includes the steps of rotating a housing having an inner surface which defines an opening therethrough, the housing containing a layer of insulating material between the housing outer surface and the inner surface, depositing particulate material across the inner surface, and heating the particulate material above its melting point, the rotational movement of the housing holding the molten particulate material by centrifugal force on the inner surface for forming an ingot.

Claims22

Dependent claims

An apparatus for manufacturing an ingot from a particulate ingot-forming material comprising:

(a) a housing mounted for rotation in a generally horizontal plane about a central axis, said housing defining an interior surface for receiving the particulate material and supporting the ingot formed from same;
(b) means for rotating the housing about its central axis at a speed sufficient to hold the particulate material against the interior surface by centrifugal force;
(c) means for depositing the particulate material by gravity onto the interior surface of said housing, said depositing means including an elongated hollow feeder tube having a slot or opening along its length for receiving and releasing the particulate material;
(d) means for introducing particulate material into the tube through the slot;
(e) means for selectively moving the tube into the housing interior with the slot in the uppermost position;
(f) means for rotating the tube until the slot reaches the lowermost position for discharge of the particulate material along the length of the housing interior;
and
(g) heating means coextensive with the fully inserted feeder tube, said heating means arranged to melt the particulate material clinging to the interior surface of said housing as that clinging material is rotated to the uppermost position.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Apparatus for forming an ingot in a rotating housing

Life of this patent

Apparatus for forming an ingot in a rotating housing

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims22