US3895937A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Dynamic vacuum treatment to produce aluminum alloys
Assignee: Ardal og Sunndal Verk AS
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Filing: 1974-08-12
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Granted: 1975-07-22
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Expires: 1994-08-12
Abstract
Abstract Method and apparatus for producing light metal alloys, in particular aluminum alloys, in which the desired alloying elements are first introduced into a vacuum furnace which is then evacuated, whereafter light metal melt is introduced into the furnace chamber by suction in the form of a free-falling metal jet which is thereby subjected to a vacuum treatment for reducing the contents of impurities, such as hydrogen, sodium, oxides and other non-metallic particles, therein. The free-falling metal jet is given such a configuration with respect to composition and flow pattern, such an average length as well as such velocity and direction that the alloying elements are readily dissolved and mixed into the melt in the vacuum furnace, whereby an alloy of desired quality is ready for casting immediately after termination of the vacuum treatment and alloying process.
Inventors
- 👤 Ole Georg Gjosteen
- 👤 Trygve Olavson Terum
- 👤 Aksel Ola Aarflot
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 01:52
CPC Classifications
C; C22; C22C; C22C1/00; C22C1/02; C22C1/026; C22B; C22B21/00; C22B21/06; C22B21/068; C22B9/00; C22B9/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
126 words
A METHOD FOR PRODUCING ALUMINUM ALLOYS BY MEANS OF A MELTING AND MIXING PROCESS, SAID METHOD COMPRISING: INTRODUCING DESIRED ALLOYING ELEMENTS INTO A VACUUM FURNACE, SUBSTANTIALLY REDUCING THE PRESSURE IN SAID VACUUM FURNACE, THUS CREATING A VACUUM THEREIN, THEREAFTER INTRODUCING BY SUCTION INTO SAID VACUUM FURNACE ALUMINUM MELT, HAVING UNDESIRABLE IMPURITIES THEREIN, IN THE FORM OF A FREE-FALLING METAL JET AND PASSING SAID FREEFALLING METAL JET WITHOUT OBSTRUCTION THROUGH THE INTERIOR OF SAID VACUUM FURNACE TO FORM IN SAID VACUUM FURNACE A MELT BATH FORMED BY SAID ALUMINUM MELT AND SAID ALLOYING ELEMENTS, REDUCING THE CONTENT OF SAID IMPURITIES IN SAID FREE-FALLING METAL JET, AND THEREAFTER DIRECTING SAID FREE-FALLING METAL JET AGAINST SAID MELT BATH, THEREBY DISSOLVING AND MIXING SAID ALLOYING ELEMENTS INTO SAID ALUMINUM MELT.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
126 words
A METHOD FOR PRODUCING ALUMINUM ALLOYS BY MEANS OF A MELTING AND MIXING PROCESS, SAID METHOD COMPRISING: INTRODUCING DESIRED ALLOYING ELEMENTS INTO A VACUUM FURNACE, SUBSTANTIALLY REDUCING THE PRESSURE IN SAID VACUUM FURNACE, THUS CREATING A VACUUM THEREIN, THEREAFTER INTRODUCING BY SUCTION INTO SAID VACUUM FURNACE ALUMINUM MELT, HAVING UNDESIRABLE IMPURITIES THEREIN, IN THE FORM OF A FREE-FALLING METAL JET AND PASSING SAID FREEFALLING METAL JET WITHOUT OBSTRUCTION THROUGH THE INTERIOR OF SAID VACUUM FURNACE TO FORM IN SAID VACUUM FURNACE A MELT BATH FORMED BY SAID ALUMINUM MELT AND SAID ALLOYING ELEMENTS, REDUCING THE CONTENT OF SAID IMPURITIES IN SAID FREE-FALLING METAL JET, AND THEREAFTER DIRECTING SAID FREE-FALLING METAL JET AGAINST SAID MELT BATH, THEREBY DISSOLVING AND MIXING SAID ALLOYING ELEMENTS INTO SAID ALUMINUM MELT.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
88 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said aluminum melt is introduced into said vacuum furnace by suction through at least one nozzle having a nozzle opening with an upper edge, and said aluminum melt is fed to said at least one nozzle by means of a transfer channel, the level of molten metal in said transfer channel in front of said at least one nozzle being maintained substantially constant at a level from 10 to 30 centimeters higher than said upper edge of said nozzle openings.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method as claimed in claim 2, further comprising adding grain refiner additives in said transfer channel in front of said at least one nozzle during the vacuum treatment.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method as claimed in claim 2, further comprising adding a nonreactive gas to said melt during the vacuum treatment.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as claimed in claim 4, wherein said gas is added to said melt through said at least one nozzle.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method as claimed in claim 4, wherein said gas is added into the melt bath in said vacuum furnace.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as claimed in claim 4, wherein said gas is added into said vacuum furnace above the melt bath therein.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising adding grain refiner additives into the empty vacuum furnace before the vacuum treatment starts.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-07-21 | 1979-01-20 | 1979-07-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-07-21 | 1983-01-20 | 1983-07-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-07-21 | 1987-01-20 | 1987-07-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |