Carbon-free induction furnace
US4550412A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 6, 1984 |
| Grant date | Oct 29, 1985 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 6, 2004 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF27D1/0006
- WIPO fieldThermal processes and apparatus
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An induction furnace for melting and casting highly pure metals and alloys such as uranium and uranium alloys in such a manner as to minimize contamination of the melt by carbon derived from the materials and the environment within the furnace. The subject furnace is constructed of carbon free materials and is housed within a conventional vacuum chamber. The furnace comprises a ceramic oxide crucible for holding the charge of metal or alloy. The heating of the crucible is achieved by a plasma-sprayed tungsten susceptor surrounding the crucible which, in turn, is heated by an RF induction coil separated from the susceptor by a cylinder of inorganic insulation. The furnace of the present invention is capable of being rapidly cycled from ambient temperatures to about 1650.degree. C. for effectively melting uranium and uranium alloys without the attendant carbon contamination problems previously encountered when using carbon-bearing furnace materials.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.