Patent · US Expired

Melting crucible

US7261773B2 · kind B2 · utility

0Cited by

4References

8Claims

0Family size

Assignee

Crystal Growing Systems GmbH · DE

Inventors

Andreas Muhe · Hanau, DE
Burkhard Altekruger · Alzenau, DE
Axel Vonhoff · Friesenheim, DE

Key dates

Filing date	Aug 26, 2004
Grant date	Aug 28, 2007
Priority date	—
Expiry date	Mar 24, 2025

Classification

Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
CPC primaryF27B14/14
WIPO fieldThermal processes and apparatus
WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

The invention relates to producing a melt that is as homogeneous as possible, to which fresh material in the form of granulate is continuously supplied. Since the granulate is cooler than the melt, heat sinks form that are especially pronounced when the granulate forms clumps in the melt. Therefore, the invention relates to a means for distributing the granulate. In one aspect, the means are inductors arranged outside the melting crucible that generate an alternating magnetic field in the melt. In this way, electrical currents are induced there that, in turn, cause the material flows. In one aspect, the inductors are arranged and controlled in such a way that a rapid distribution of the granulate is effected and thus its rapid melting. In this way, good homogeneity is achieved, especially in the center of the melt where the removal of the melted material also occurs.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.