Patent ID: 6523598
Filing Date: 2003-02-25
Classification: B22D

Abstract:
A vacuum induction melting system comprising:a melt chamber having a top wall, a bottom wall and side walls defining an airtight enclosure; an induction furnace located within said melt chamber and adapted for receiving raw materials for melting; a mold tunnel connected to said melt chamber adjacent its lower end, said mold tunnel including a pour opening communicating with said melt chamber and through which molten metal poured from said furnace can enter the mold tunnel; a mold carriage positioned within said mold tunnel for receiving and carrying at least one mold adapted for receiving molten metal; an isolation valve located between said melt chamber and said mold tunnel and being movable between an open and closed position, the closed position isolating the mold tunnel from the melt chamber to allow for removing said mold carriage from said mold tunnel for loading or unloading of molds thereon, and the open position providing communication between the mold tunnel and the melt chamber to permit filling the molds with molten metal; a mold transport assembly for moving said mold carriage from a pouring position within said mold tunnel beneath said pour opening to a loading position located outside of said mold tunnel; and an evacuation system communicatively connected to said melt chamber and mold tunnel for producing a vacuum therein.