Melting apparatus and method
US7666347B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 30, 2005 |
| Grant date | Feb 23, 2010 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 22, 2025 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S266/90
- WIPO fieldThermal processes and apparatus
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A melting apparatus facilitates the melting of pieces of solid metal in a bath of molten metal (10). The melting apparatus comprises a device (18) having a lower portion (22), an upper portion (20), and a body portion (24) extending therebetween. Solid metal is introduced into the device (18) through the upper portion (20). A flow inducer, such as an impeller (28) induces flow of molten metal through the device (18). Flow straighteners, such as baffles (38) encourage axial flow of molten metal through the device (18). The body portion (24) is formed with a plurality of apertures (36) therein and the device (18) is arranged, in use, with the lower portion (22) and the plurality of apertures (36) positioned within the bath (10) and the upper portion (20) positioned above the upper surface (12) and the molten metal bath (10).
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.