Patent ID: 6516868
Filing Date: 2003-02-11
Classification: B22D,F27D

Abstract:
A holder furnace, comprising:a storage vessel having sidewalls and a bottom wall defining a molten metal receiving chamber for containing a supply of molten metal; at least one furnace insulating layer lining the molten metal receiving chamber of the storage vessel; a thermally conductive heat exchanger block located at the bottom of the molten metal receiving chamber for heating the supply of molten metal, with the heat exchanger block having a top face, a bottom face, and side faces, and with the heat exchanger block having a plurality of electrical heaters each including a continuous electrically resistive heating element extending therein and projecting outward from at least one of the faces of the heat exchanger block and further extending through the furnace insulating layer and at least one of the sidewalls of the storage vessel for connection to a source of electrical power; and a sealing layer covering the bottom face and side faces of the heat exchanger block and completely lining the molten metal receiving chamber such that the heat exchanger block is substantially separated from contact with the furnace insulating layer, and such that the molten metal from the supply of molten metal is prevented from contacting the electrical heaters, wherein the heating element of each of the electrical heaters, in operation, generates heat energy that is transferred to the heat exchanger block for heating the molten metal in the molten metal receiving chamber.