Patent ID: 9574826
Date: 2017-02-21
CPC Classifications: B22D,C22B,F27B,F27D,Y02P

Claim:
1. A method for processing a semi-liquid metal and/or a semi-solid metal, the method comprising: introducing a semi-liquid metal and/or a semi-solid metal into a crucible that is at least partially encircled by at least one induction coil; holding the semi-liquid metal and/or semi-solid metal in the crucible while regulating a crucible temperature by controlling the provision of power to the at least one induction coil; cooling the semi-liquid metal and/or semi-solid metal in the crucible while stirring the semi-liquid metal and/or semi-solid metal in the crucible by providing AC power to the at least one induction coil at a first frequency; following the cooling and stirring, holding the semi-liquid metal and/or semi-solid metal in the crucible while providing AC power to the at least one induction coil at a second frequency higher than the first frequency to at least partially melt a portion of a metal charge formed of the semi-liquid metal and/or semi-solid metal in the crucible proximate to at least one sidewall of the crucible; and thereafter, tilting the crucible to remove the metal charge from the crucible.