US3744943A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for converting miscellaneous pieces of reactive metal to a usable form
Assignee: RMI Co
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Filing: 1971-08-20
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Granted: 1973-07-10
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Expires: 1991-08-20
Abstract
Abstract Pieces of a reactive metal, such as titanium or zirconium, are melted on a hearth within a chamber which is evacuated or filled with inert gas. Stream of molten metal overflows the hearth and is acted on by a mechanism which disperses it into small particles. The particles solidify as pellets and/or flakes which are readily blended with sponge metal and used in making up a melting charge. Dense inclusions in the starting material sink to the bottom of the hearth and thus are eliminated from the product.
Inventors
- 👤 H Bomberger
- 👤 H Kessler
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 15:49
CPC Classifications
C; C21; C21C; C21C7/00; C21C7/10; B; B22; B22F; B22F9/00; B22F9/02; B22F9/06; B22F9/08; B22F9/10; B22F2009/0804; B22F2009/0808; B22F9/082; B22F2009/0848; B22F2009/0856; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S266/00; Y10S266/905
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
161 words
An apparatus for converting pieces of reactive metal of miscellaneous size and shape to a form usable in making up a melting charge, said apparatus comprising: a chamber from which are excluded gases which react with the metal; a metal hearth supported in the upper portion of said chamber; means for feeding pieces of reactive metal to said hearth; means in said chamber for melting the pieces on said hearth; a cooling coil surrounding the outside of said hearth; means connected to said coil for circulating water therethrough, said coil being effective for solidifying a skull of melted metal throughout the inside surface of said hearth, which skull is adapted to contain a pool of molten metal; said hearth having an overflow for discharging a stream of molten metal from said pool; a dispersing mechanism mounted in said chamber beneath said overflow for dispersing said stream into particles which solidify; and means connected to said chamber for collecting the solidified particles.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
161 words
An apparatus for converting pieces of reactive metal of miscellaneous size and shape to a form usable in making up a melting charge, said apparatus comprising: a chamber from which are excluded gases which react with the metal; a metal hearth supported in the upper portion of said chamber; means for feeding pieces of reactive metal to said hearth; means in said chamber for melting the pieces on said hearth; a cooling coil surrounding the outside of said hearth; means connected to said coil for circulating water therethrough, said coil being effective for solidifying a skull of melted metal throughout the inside surface of said hearth, which skull is adapted to contain a pool of molten metal; said hearth having an overflow for discharging a stream of molten metal from said pool; a dispersing mechanism mounted in said chamber beneath said overflow for dispersing said stream into particles which solidify; and means connected to said chamber for collecting the solidified particles.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 1 in which said feeding means includes an airtight chute extending through a wall of said chamber and air locks and a vibrating feeder carried by said chute.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 1 in which said melting means includes a non-consumable electrode extending through the top wall of said chamber.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
50 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 1 in which said dispersing mechanism includes a motor, a shaft upstanding from said motor, and a wheel fixed to said shaft for rotation on a vertical axis, said wheel being formed of angularly spaced spokes and being open at its circumference between spokes.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 1 in which said collecting means includes a discharge chute extending from the bottom of said chamber, and air locks in said discharge chute.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 1 further comprising means for tilting said hearth to pErmit the molten metal to overflow.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 1 in which said dispersing means solidifies the molten metal into particles in the form of small pellets and flakes.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
134 words
An apparatus for converting pieces of reactive metal of miscellaneous size and shape to a form usable in making up a melting charge, said apparatus comprising a chamber, a hearth within said chamber, means for feeding pieces of reactive metal to said hearth, means for melting the pieces on said hearth, a cooling coil surrounding the outside of said hearth, means connected to said coil for circulating water therethrough, said coil being effective for solidifying a skull of the melted metal throughout the inside surface of said hearth, which skull is adapted to contain a pool of molten metal, means in said chamber below said hearth for solidifying in dispersed form molten metal which overflows said hearth from said pool, and means for excluding from said chamber gases which would react with the metal.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
134 words
An apparatus for converting pieces of reactive metal of miscellaneous size and shape to a form usable in making up a melting charge, said apparatus comprising a chamber, a hearth within said chamber, means for feeding pieces of reactive metal to said hearth, means for melting the pieces on said hearth, a cooling coil surrounding the outside of said hearth, means connected to said coil for circulating water therethrough, said coil being effective for solidifying a skull of the melted metal throughout the inside surface of said hearth, which skull is adapted to contain a pool of molten metal, means in said chamber below said hearth for solidifying in dispersed form molten metal which overflows said hearth from said pool, and means for excluding from said chamber gases which would react with the metal.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 8 in which the means for melting the pieces includes a non-consumable electrode extending into said chamber.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 8 which includes in addition drive means operatively connected with the means for solidifying the molten metal.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
31 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 10 in which the means for solidifying the molten metal is water-cooled and turns about an axis as it is driven by said drive means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-07-09 | 1977-01-08 | 1977-07-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-07-09 | 1981-01-08 | 1981-07-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-07-09 | 1985-01-08 | 1985-07-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |