Patent ID: 7582843

Claim:
A method for generating a variable flow of melted material, the method comprising: (a) providing first and second members, the members having a potential energy difference between them, and the first and second members including first and second consumable ends, respectively; (b) extending the first member at a first average extension rate for a first period, and extending the second member during at least a portion of the first period while producing an electrical arc between the first and second members to consume the first and second consumable ends followed by producing a sufficient gap between the first and second consumable ends to allow for dissipation of the electrical arc; (c) extending one or more of the first and second members at a second average extension rate for a second period while producing the electrical arc followed by dissipation of the electrical arc; and (d) flowing a transport medium in contact with the first and second members during the extending step (b), subsequent to extending step (b) and during extending step (c).