Unevenly spaced induction coil for molten alloy containment

A method of melting a material, comprising:

• inserting material into a vessel that is positioned along a horizontal axis;
• and
• operating an induction coil at a radio frequency to melt the material,
• wherein the induction coil comprises a single coil structure configured to melt the material and contain the molten material in the vessel, the single coil structure comprising:
• a first induction coil having a first number of turns encircling the vessel;
• a second induction coil set apart from the first induction coil, the second induction coil having a second number of turns encircling the vessel, the second number of turns being different than the first number of turns;
• and
• a joining coil between the first and second induction coils and operatively coupling the first induction coil to the second induction coil, the joining coil comprising at least a partial turn around the vessel.

A method of operating an apparatus, the method comprising:

• inserting a material into a vessel positioned along a horizontal axis;
• operating an induction coil at a radio frequency to melt the material in the vessel, the induction coil comprising:
• a first section;
• and
• a second section separated from the first section by a space and operatively connected to the first section by a coil segment, wherein the induction coil produces forces on the molten material to retain the molten material within the space between the first and second sections of the coil;
• and
• ceasing to operate the induction coil at the radio frequency.