Patent ID: 6993061
Filing Date: 2006-01-31
Classification: F23G,F27B,F27D,H05B,Y02P

Abstract:
1. A method of operating a cold-crucible-induction melter, comprising: providing a crucible having a wall disposed about a central longitudinal axis and a bottom extending radially inwardly transversely therefrom; cooling the wall of the crucible; disposing a material within the crucible; providing a first inductor disposed radially outside of the wall of the crucible and corresponding to a first longitudinal region thereof, wherein providing the first inductor comprises providing a first induction coil positioned along a longitudinally upper region of the crucible and a second induction coil positioned along a longitudinally intermediate region of the crucible; providing a second inductor disposed radially outside of the wall of the crucible and corresponding to a second longitudinal region thereof, wherein providing the second inductor comprises providing the second induction coil positioned along a longitudinally intermediate region of the crucible and a third induction coil positioned along a longitudinally lower region of the crucible; and energizing the first inductor and the second inductor independently of one another by way of a single induction power supply to form a molten material.