Heated trough for molten metal
AssigneeNovelis Inc.
InventorsJohn S. Tingey, David A. Salee, Wade Lee Bowles
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A trough is described for carrying molten metal, comprising an outer shell defined by a bottom wall and two side walls, an insulating layer filling the outer shell and a conductive U-shaped refractory trough body for carrying molten metal, the trough body being embedded in the insulating layer. At least one heating element is positioned in the insulating layer, adjacent to but spaced apart from the trough body, to provide an air gap between the heating element and the trough body.
Claims22
A trough for carrying molten metal, comprising:
- (a) an outer shell defined by a bottom wall and two side walls:
- (b) an insulating layer filling the outer shell;
- (c) a conductive refractory trough body for carrying molten metal, embedded in the insulating layer;
- and
- (d) a heating element positioned in the insulating layer, adjacent to but spaced apart from the trough body, to provide an air gap between the heating element and the trough body.
A method for heating molten metal being conveyed in a trough, said trough comprising an outer shell defined by a bottom wall and a pair of side walls, an insulating layer filling the outer shell, a conductive refractory trough body for carrying molten metal embedded in the insulting layer and a heating element positioned in the insulating layer, adjacent to but spaced apart from the trough body, to provide an air gap between the heating element and the trough,
- the method comprising directing heat from the heater to the trough body by radiative heat transfer across the air gap and thereby providing uniform heating of the trough body and molten metal being conveyed therein.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.