Patent ID: 6466605
Filing Date: 2002-10-15
Classification: C03B,F23G,F27B,F27D,H05B

Abstract:
An arc furnace, comprising:,a DC power supply having first and second terminals for providing supplying electrical power; a furnace enclosure having a conductive hearth therein connected with one of said terminals of said power supply, said furnace enclosure being adapted to receive materials to be heated in the furnace on the hearth; an electrode assembly positioned adjacent the material on the hearth in the furnace enclosure, said electrode assembly comprising first and second electrodes, one of said first and second electrodes being connected to said second terminal of said power supply, and configured to support an electric arc therebetween; first switching means for selectively connecting said second electrode with said first terminal of said power supply for providing a non-transferred arc between said first and second electrodes; second switching means for selectively connecting said second electrode with said second terminal of said power supply for providing a transferred arc between said electrode assembly and said hearth; and the power supply comprising a variable inductor for regulating the non-transferred arc and the transferred arc.