Apparatus for processing molten metal in a vacuum

Claim 2

Apparatus for producing a solid metal product, including in combination, a vacuum enclosure, means for evacuating said vacuum enclosure, a heating crucible positioned within said enclosure and adapted to contain molten metal, a first transfer stage including a movable ladle adapted to be filled by said crucible, means for pouring molten metal from said crucible into said ladle, a second transfer stage adapted to receive molten metal from said ladle, means for cooling said second transfer stage to form a solid skull between the molten metal and said second transfer stage, at least one electron beam gun for heating the molten metal in said second transfer stage, and means at the opposite end of said second transfer stage from said ladle for solidifying the molten metal to form a solid metal product.

Claim 3

Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said vacuum enclosure is divided into first, second and third regions, wherein said crucible is disposed in said first region, wherein said solidifying means are disposed in said third region, wherein said movable ladle is adapted to move between said first and second regions, and wherein said second stage extends between said second and third regions, means for sealing said first region from said second region, said evacuating means being adapted to maintain each of said regions in an evacuated condition.

Claim 4

Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said second stage comprises a hearth.

Claim 5

Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said vacuum enclosure is divided into first, second and third regions, wherein said crucible is disposed in said first region, wherein said solidifying means are disposed in said third region, wherein said movable ladle is disposed in said second region, wherein said first stage further includes a first launder which extends between said first and second regions, and wherein said second stage of said transfer structure comprises a second launder adapted to receive molten metal from said ladle and extending between said second and third regions, said first launder and said second launder each being movable to a non-operating position, means for sealing said first region from said second region with said first launder in the non-operating position, and means for sealing said second region from said third region with said second launder in the non-operating position, said evacuating means being adapted to individually maintain each of said regions in an evacuated condition when sealed.

Claim 6

Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said second stage further comprises a cooled hearth adapted to receive molten metal from said second launder.

Claim 7

Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said transfer structure includes a tilted hearth, and comprIsing means for varying the angle of tilt of said hearth for regulating the flow of molten metal thereon.

Claim 8

Apparatus according to claim 6 wherein said varying means include at least one hydraulically adjustable support.

Claim 9

Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said vacuum enclosure is divided into first, second and third regions, wherein said crucible is disposed in said first region, wherein said solidifying means are disposed in said third region, wherein said movable ladle is disposed in said second region, wherein said first transfer stage includes a launder which extends between said first and second regions, said launder being movable to a non-operating position, means for sealing said first region from said second region with said launder in the non-operating position, said second transfer stage comprising a cooled hearth adapted to receive molten metal from said ladle.