Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
200 words
A DC arc furnace comprising a hearth through which electric power can be transmitted to a melt when formed on the hearth, an enclosure for the hearth, at least one arcing electrode extending through said enclosure for initially melting a charge of solid metal on said hearth and thereafter heating the resulting melt, said enclosure having at least one opening, and a starting electrode through which electric power is transmitted to a charge of solid metal on said hearth until the charge is melted down to a melt on the hearth, said starting electrode comprising a metal bar long enough to be positioned through said opening with an outer end portion available for connection with an electric power source and an inner end for forming a connection with a charge of solid metal on said hearth, and having a tip for contacting said charge and made of carbonaceous material connected to said inner end, a closure for space around said rod when the rod is positioned through said opening, being connected to said rod, and rod being insertable and removable from said enclosure through said opening, and said closure closing said space when the rod is inserted through said opening.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
200 words
A DC arc furnace comprising a hearth through which electric power can be transmitted to a melt when formed on the hearth, an enclosure for the hearth, at least one arcing electrode extending through said enclosure for initially melting a charge of solid metal on said hearth and thereafter heating the resulting melt, said enclosure having at least one opening, and a starting electrode through which electric power is transmitted to a charge of solid metal on said hearth until the charge is melted down to a melt on the hearth, said starting electrode comprising a metal bar long enough to be positioned through said opening with an outer end portion available for connection with an electric power source and an inner end for forming a connection with a charge of solid metal on said hearth, and having a tip for contacting said charge and made of carbonaceous material connected to said inner end, a closure for space around said rod when the rod is positioned through said opening, being connected to said rod, and rod being insertable and removable from said enclosure through said opening, and said closure closing said space when the rod is inserted through said opening.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The furnace of claim 1 in which said rod is tubular and internally has water-cooling passages extending to said tip.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
40 words
The furnace of claim 1 in which said rod is solid and has a cross section and thermal conductivity carrying heat from said tip via the rod to the rod's said outer portion at a rate effectively cooling said tip.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
The furnace of claim 2 in which the inner end of said rod has an externally screw threaded metal extension extending therefrom, and said tip has an internally screw threaded recess and is screwed on said tip.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
The furnace of claim 1 having on the outside of said enclosure means for movably mounting said rod for endwise movement into and out from said enclosure.