US3935003A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Process for melting metal
Assignee: Kaiser Aluminum and Chemical Corp
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Filing: 1974-02-25
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Granted: 1976-01-27
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Expires: 1994-02-25
Abstract
Abstract This invention relates to an improved method of melting metal, particularly reactive metals, such as aluminum, wherein heated molten metal is withdrawn from a first chamber and a portion of the withdrawn molten metal is transferred to a second chamber containing solid metal so as to melt same and a portion of the withdrawn metal is recirculated to the first chamber so as to maintain melt homogenuity therein.
Inventors
- 👤 Theodore D. Steinke
- 👤 Melvin A. Carter
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 22:25
CPC Classifications
C; C22; C22B; C22B21/00; C22B21/0084; C22B9/00; F; F27; F27B; F27B19/00; F27B19/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
86 words
A method of melting metal comprising a. maintaining a body of molten metal in a heating chamber; b. withdrawing molten metal from said heating chamber; c. pumping a portion of said withdrawn molten metal to a melting chamber containing solid metal so as to melt said solid metal; d. pumping a portion of said withdrawn molten metal to said heating chamber so as to maintain a substantially homogeneous melt in said heating chamber; and e. returning molten metal from said melting chamber to said heating chamber.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
86 words
A method of melting metal comprising a. maintaining a body of molten metal in a heating chamber; b. withdrawing molten metal from said heating chamber; c. pumping a portion of said withdrawn molten metal to a melting chamber containing solid metal so as to melt said solid metal; d. pumping a portion of said withdrawn molten metal to said heating chamber so as to maintain a substantially homogeneous melt in said heating chamber; and e. returning molten metal from said melting chamber to said heating chamber.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
10 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said metal is aluminum.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the temperature differential between the molten metal withdrawn from said heating chamber and the molten metal returned from said melting chamber to said heating chamber is at least 10°F.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 3 wherein the temperature differential is between about 50° and about 100°F.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the amount of molten metal pumped to said melting chamber per minute is at least 2% of the total metal, both solid and liquid, in the heating and melting chambers.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the amount of molten metal transferred to said melting chamber per minute is at least 10% of the total metal, both solid and liquid, in the heating and melting chambers.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the amount of molten metal recirculated to said heating chamber is about 5-50% of the total molten metal withdrawn from said heating chamber.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the amount of molten metal recirculated to said heating chamber is about 5-30% of the total molten metal withdrawn from said heating chamber.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the oxide on the surface of the molten metal in said heating chamber is controlled to a thickness of less than 1/2 inch.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the oxide on the surface of the molten metal in said heating chamber is controlled to less than 1/10 th inch.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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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) | 1979-01-26 | 1979-07-28 | 1980-01-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-01-26 | 1983-07-28 | 1984-01-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-01-26 | 1987-07-28 | 1988-01-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |