Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
85 words
A metallurgical crucible comprising: a metallic base pan; a metallic holding collar; upper and lower mounting rings respectively on said collar and pan; a lining of refractory material between said base pan and said collar; a plurality of upright and tubular tierods extending between said rings and spaced angular about said lining; means for securing said rods to said rings and thereby clamping said lining in place between said base pan and said collar; and means for circulating a cooling fluid through said tubular tierods.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
85 words
A metallurgical crucible comprising: a metallic base pan; a metallic holding collar; upper and lower mounting rings respectively on said collar and pan; a lining of refractory material between said base pan and said collar; a plurality of upright and tubular tierods extending between said rings and spaced angular about said lining; means for securing said rods to said rings and thereby clamping said lining in place between said base pan and said collar; and means for circulating a cooling fluid through said tubular tierods.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
117 words
The crucible defined in claim 1, wherein said crucible is intended for use within an upwardly cupped induction coil having an upper rim, said crucible further comprising an annular upper support body secured to said collar above said upper ring and extending outwardly beyond said upper ring, said body being formed with an annular compartment, whereby said crucible can be supported on said rim by said support body; and connection means between the upper end of each of said tierods and said compartment of said body for communication between the hollow interiors of said tierods and said compartment, said means for circulating being effective to force said coolant fluid upwardly through said tierods and into said compartment.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
52 words
The crucible defined in claim 2, wherein said annular body is formed by a pair of vertically spaced annular plates having inner peripheries secured to said collar and having outer peripheries and by an outer annular body vertically interconnecting said outer peripheries and forming said compartment with said plates and said collar.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
The crucible defined in claim 3, wherein said outer annular body is generally cylindrical and is formed with throughgoing apertures, whereby said compartment is open through said apertures to the ambient atmosphere.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
154 words
A metallurgical induction heating apparatus comprising: an upwardly cupped induction heater having an upper rim; a crucible fittable within said heater and including a metallic base pan, a metallic holding collar, upper and lower mounting rings respectively on said collar and pan, a lining of refractory material between said base pan and said collar, a plurality of upright and tubular tierods extending between said rings and spaced angularly about said lining, means for securing said rods to said rings and thereby clamping said lining in place between said base pan and said collar, an annular upper support body secured to said collar above and extending outwardly beyond said upper ring and formed with an annular compartment open to the ambient atmosphere, and connection means between the upper end of each of said tierods and said compartments of said body; and means for circulating a coolant fluid upwardly through said tierods and into said compartment.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
154 words
A metallurgical induction heating apparatus comprising: an upwardly cupped induction heater having an upper rim; a crucible fittable within said heater and including a metallic base pan, a metallic holding collar, upper and lower mounting rings respectively on said collar and pan, a lining of refractory material between said base pan and said collar, a plurality of upright and tubular tierods extending between said rings and spaced angularly about said lining, means for securing said rods to said rings and thereby clamping said lining in place between said base pan and said collar, an annular upper support body secured to said collar above and extending outwardly beyond said upper ring and formed with an annular compartment open to the ambient atmosphere, and connection means between the upper end of each of said tierods and said compartments of said body; and means for circulating a coolant fluid upwardly through said tierods and into said compartment.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
40 words
The apparatus defined in claim 5, wherein said induction heater has an outer housing forming said rim, a coil in said housing, and a partition subdividing said housing into a pair of unconnected chambers one of which contains said coil.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus defined in claim 6, wherein said housing has at least one throughgoing aperture at said one chamber, whereby said one chamber is open through said one aperture to the ambient atmosphere.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus defined in claim 5; further comprising a tight cover engageable over said crucible and forming a closed space with said lining thereof; and means for at least partially evacuating said space.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
65 words
The apparatus defined in claim 8, wherein said induction heater has an outer housing forming said rim, a coil in said housing, and a partition subdividing said housing into a pair of separate unconnected chambers one of which contains said coil, said apparatus further comprising a conduit between said one chamber and said means for evacuating for at least partial evacuation of said one chamber.