Patent Document ID: 5406581
Application ID: 08030599
Patent Flag: 1

Claim One:
1. In a control system for an electric arc furnace of a type having: at least first and second electrode means, a power supply for said electrode means, respective drive means for changing the position of said electrode means, means for obtaining at least one present furnace state measurement of an electrical parameter which is respectively associated with each of said electrode means, means for establishing at least one furnace state measurement set-point of an electrical parameter which is respectively associated with each of said electrode means for optimizing operation of said furnace, and furnace regulator means including calculating means using a selected control algorithm to dynamically calculate a change in the position of each of said electrode means for causing said respective furnace state measurements associated with said electrode means to more closely approach said respective set-points; the improvement wherein: said regulator means is arranged to continuously calculate a regulator output for each of said electrode means, each of which is partially a function of said furnace state measurement associated with at least one other of said electrode means, and to present said respective regulator outputs for each of said electrode means to said respective drive means to control the respective positions of said electrode means.