Title:
METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MELTING TITANIUM USING A COMBINATION OF PLASMA TORCHES AND DIRECT ARC ELECTRODES
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO2004058431
Kind Code:
A8
Abstract:
A method and apparatus for optimizing melting of titanium for processing into ingots or end products. The apparatus provides a main hearth (56), a plurality of optional refining hearths, and a plurality of casting molds (58a, 58b) or direct molds whereby direct arc electrodes (84) melt the titanium in the main hearth (56) while plasma torches (84) melt the titanium in the refining chambers and/or adjacent the molds (58a, 58b). Each of the direct arc electrodes (84) and plasma torches (84) is extendable and retractable into the melting environment and moveable in a circular pivoting or side to side linear motion.
Inventors:
JACKSON EDWARD S
WARREN DAVID O
WARREN DAVID O
Application Number:
PCT/US2003/029658
Publication Date:
September 15, 2005
Filing Date:
September 19, 2003
Export Citation:
Assignee:
LECTROTHERM INC (US)
International Classes:
B22D11/11; C22B9/22; C22B34/12; F27B3/04; F27B3/06; F27B3/08; F27B3/18; F27B3/19; F27B3/20; F27B14/04; F27B14/06; F27B14/08; F27D3/00; F27D3/06; F27D3/10; (IPC1-7): B22D11/10
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