Method and apparatus for casting conductive and semiconductive materials
AssigneeThe United States of America as represented by the Secretary of Energy
InventorTheodore F. Ciszek
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method and apparatus is disclosed for casting conductive and semiconduce materials. The apparatus includes a plurality of conductive members arranged to define a container-like area having a desired cross-sectional shape. A portion or all of the conductive or semiconductive material which is to be cast is introduced into the container-like area. A means is provided for inducing the flow of an electrical current in each of the conductive members, which currents act collectively to induce a current flow in the material. The induced current flow through the conductive members is in a direction substantially opposite to the induced current flow in the material so that the material is repelled from the conductive members during the casting process.
Claims20
An apparatus for use in a process for casting a conductive or semiconductive material, comprising:
- a plurality of conductive members arranged to be spaced from one another so as to define a container-like area for receiving and containing said material;
- and
- means for inducing first electrical currents in each of said conductive members, which first electrical currents act collectively to induce a second electrical current in said material, which said second electrical current flows in a direction substantially opposite to the common direction of flow of said first electrical currents, so that said material is repelled away from and substantially prevented from contacting said conductive members during the casting of said material.
An apparatus for casting a conductive or semiconductive material in a substantially continuous manner, comprising:
- a plurality of conductive members arranged substantially vertically in a side-by-side manner to define a container-like area for receiving and containing said material, said container-like area having an open top and bottom, and having a desired cross-sectional shape;
- means for inducing first electrical currents in each of said conductive members, which first electrical currents act collectively to induce a second electrical current in said material, which said second electrical current causes said material to be in a molten state for at least part of the time during said casting process, and which said second electrical current flows in a direction substantially opposite to the common direction of flow of said first electrical currents, so that said material is repelled away from and substantially prevented from contacting said conductive members during the casting of said material;
- and
- a vertically retractable support means initially disposed inward said bottom of said container-like area for supporting said material, said retractable support means capable of being vertically lowered out of and away from said bottom of said container-like area in such a manner that molten material that is supported by said retractable support means will solidify into a cast ingot as said molten material is lowered away from said conductive members, said ingot having a cross-sectional shape which is substantially the same as said desired cross-sectional shape, so that as said retractable support means is vertically lowered additional material may be received within said top of said container-like area to yield a substantially continuous casting process.
A method for use in a process for casting a conductive or semiconductive material, comprising:
- arranging a plurality of conductive members to be spaced from one another so as to define a container-like area;
- introducing said material into said container-like area;
- inducing first electrical currents in each of said conductive members;
- using said first electrical currents to induce a second electrical current in said material, which said second electrical current flows in a direction substantially opposite to the common direction of flow of said first electrical currents;
- and
- employing said first electrical currents and said second electrical current so that said material is repelled away from and is substantially prevented from contacting said conductive members during the casting of said material.
A method for casting a conductive or semiconductive material in substantially a continuous manner, comprising:
- arranging a plurality of conductive members substantially vertically in a side-by-side manner to define a container-like area having an open top and bottom, and having a desired cross-sectional shape;
- introducing said material into said container-like area;
- inducing first electrical currents in each of said conductive members;
- using said first electrical currents to induce a second electrical current in said material, which said second electrical current causes said material to be in a molten state for at least part of the time during said casting process and which said second electrical current flows in a direction substantially opposite to the common direction of flow of said first electrical currents;
- employing said first electrical currents and said second electrical current so that said material is repelled away from and is substantially prevented from contacting said conductive members during the casting of said material;
- providing a vertically retractable support means inward of said bottom of said container-like area to support said material;
- retracting said retractable support means vertically downward and away from said container-like area in such a manner that molten material that is supported by said retractable support means will solidify into an ingot as said molten material is lowered away from said conductive members, said ingot having a cross-sectional shape which is substantially the same as said desired cross-sectional shape;
- supplying additional amounts of said material into said top of said container-like area;
- and
- repeating said using, employing, retracting and supplying steps to yield a substantially continuous casting process.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.