Abstract An arc furnace having a rotating electrode wheel that is rotated in a direction opposite from the direction of arc rotation caused by the magnetic field produced by the arc discharge. In this manner, the electrode wheel and arc will rotate in opposite directions to insure that the arc will originate from continually changing regions on the electrode wheel. According to a second embodiment, an electromagnet is disposed around the crucible and may be suitably energized to either produce stationery positioning of the arc with respect to the melt or counterrotation of the arc with respect to the electrode wheel. In a third embodiment, a plurality of electromagnets are disposed around the crucible, the electromagnets being selectively energized to cause, due to magnetic repulsion, the arc to originate, under control, from varying regions of the melt.
Inventors
👤 Max P Schlienger
Bibliographic Details
Application Number—
JurisdictionUS
Data Sourcegoogle_patents
Last Synchronized2026-10-26 11:03
CPC Classifications
H; H05; H05B; H05B7/00; H05B7/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
82 words
In a melting and casting arc furnace of the type having an enclosed housing forming a controlled ambient atmosphere, a crucible mounted in said housing in which conductive meltable material is to be melted, a rotatably mounted non-consumable electrode wheel in which an arc is drawn between the electrode wheel and the conductive meltable material in the crucible and means rotating said electrode wheel, the improvement comprising: a plurality of electromagnets disposed around said crucible and means for selectively energizing said electromagnets.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
82 words
In a melting and casting arc furnace of the type having an enclosed housing forming a controlled ambient atmosphere, a crucible mounted in said housing in which conductive meltable material is to be melted, a rotatably mounted non-consumable electrode wheel in which an arc is drawn between the electrode wheel and the conductive meltable material in the crucible and means rotating said electrode wheel, the improvement comprising: a plurality of electromagnets disposed around said crucible and means for selectively energizing said electromagnets.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said electromagnets are oriented so that the magnetic fields of said electromagnets are directed into and above the meltable material in said crucible.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said means for energizing said electromagnets is adapted to energize any desired one of said electromagnets on demand.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said plurality of electromagnets comprises three electromagnets.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
41 words
Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein each of said electromagnets comprises a substantially C-shaped armature and a coil disposed about said armature, said armature being disposed substantially parallel to the surface of the melt with the ends thereof adjacent said crucible.