Refining and analysis of material using horizontal cold-crucible induction levitation melting
US6210478A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 9, 1999 |
| Grant date | Apr 3, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 9, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
- CPC primaryC30B29/52
- WIPO fieldSurface technology, coating
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A method and apparatus for locally and successively melting a material by induction heating using a horizontal floating-zone crucible to refine and/or analyze the material. An electromagnetic field is generated to create a localized molten zone within the material that is at least partially levitated within the crucible. The crucible has an upper peripheral opening so that an upper portion of the molten zone is generally at a higher temperature than the lower portion of the molten zone adjacent the crucible wall. As a result, insoluble inclusions within the material separate and float to the upper portion of the molten zone. The molten zone may be translated longitudinally through the material to drive the inclusions toward one end of the material. The process can be carried out to refine or characterize the material, or to determine the solidus and liquidus temperatures of the material.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.