US3771585A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Device for melting sponge metal using inert gas plasmas
Assignee: Fried Krupp AG
•
Filing: 1972-03-06
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Granted: 1973-11-13
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Expires: 1992-03-06
Abstract
Abstract A device for melting sponge metal and especially suitable for melting sponge metals of Groups 4b and 5b of the periodic system, including a hermetically sealed, cooled mold, a transferred-arc noble gas plasma burner providing a vertical plasma for acting on sponge metal piled in the mold, and an insulating jacket surrounding the burner and screening the plasma from sponge metal situated laterally to the plasma, so that the plasma may be confined substantially completely to a direction of steepest potential gradient.
Inventors
- 👤 K Ulrich
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 17:53
CPC Classifications
H; H05; H05B; H05B7/00; C; C22; C22B; C22B9/00; C22B9/16; C22B9/22; C22B9/226
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
88 words
A device for melting sponge metal and especially suitable for melting sponge metals of Groups 4b and 5b of the periodic system, comprising a hermetically sealed mold, means for cooling said mold, a transferred-arc noble gas plasma burner means for creating a vertical plasma for acting on sponge metal piled in said mold, and an insulating jacket means surrounding said burner means for screening said plasma from sponge metal situated laterally to said plasma and for confining said plasma substantially completely to a direction of steepest potential gradient.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
88 words
A device for melting sponge metal and especially suitable for melting sponge metals of Groups 4b and 5b of the periodic system, comprising a hermetically sealed mold, means for cooling said mold, a transferred-arc noble gas plasma burner means for creating a vertical plasma for acting on sponge metal piled in said mold, and an insulating jacket means surrounding said burner means for screening said plasma from sponge metal situated laterally to said plasma and for confining said plasma substantially completely to a direction of steepest potential gradient.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
49 words
A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said insulating jacket means and said mold mutually form a chamber extending vertically from said plasma, said mold including means for feeding sponge metal down into said chamber and means for evacuating extinguished plasma gases from upper portions of said chamber.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
A device as claimed in claim 2, further comprising vacuum means for removing gases from sponge metal before entering said means for feeding.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
42 words
A device as claimed in claim 2, further comprising means for rotating said mold about a longitudinal axis of said plAsma burner for obtaining a uniform distribution of sponge metal in said chamber as it is fed from said means for feeding.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
A device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising means for moving said burner means and insulating jacket means upwards as a function of the rate of melting of sponge metal.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
A device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising means for moving a floor of said mold downwards during melting of sponge metal.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
A device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising means for moving a floor of said mold continuously downwards during melting of sponge metal.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2899294A
Cited
GB809561A
Cited
FR1288983A
Cited
US3404078A
Cited
US3380904A
Cited
US3496280A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-11-12 | 1977-05-14 | 1977-11-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-11-12 | 1981-05-14 | 1981-11-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-11-12 | 1985-05-14 | 1985-11-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |