Claims
- 1. Apparatus for supplying thermal energy to a metal melt after having been discharged from a melting furnace, comprising: a receiving vessel for receiving the melt from the furnace; at least two water-cooled plasma torches each having a longitudinal axis and a central electrode from which a heating arc is generated during operation of the torches; means connected for supplying alternating current to said torches for operating said torches; a cover disposed above said vessel; means defining a passage through said cover for said electrodes; means associated with said passage for establishing a gas-tight seal between said electrodes and said cover; mount means supporting all of said torches; and lifting means supporting said mount means and operable for adjusting the height of said torches relative to said vessel, wherein said mount means comprise: a central pipe extending through, and movable relative to, said passage; an insert support at the lower end of said pipe and carrying said torches; and means for supplying cooling water to the interior of said central pipe and said insert.
- 2. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 further comprising a refracting coating on the exterior of said central pipe and on said insert.
- 3. Apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein said central pipe has a telescoping structure.
- 4. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein: the receiving vessel has a central axis; each said torch has an output end at which the heating arc is generated; and each said torch is oriented so that its longitudinal axis is not parallel to the central axis of the vessel and its output end is directed toward the central axis of the vessel.
- 5. Apparatus as defined in claim 4 wherein each said torch has its longitudinal axis inclined to the central axis of the vessel.
- 6. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 further comprising a tank open at its top and housing said vessel, and wherein said cover closes the top of said tank.
- 7. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 further comprising an exhaust gas pipe extending through said cover, and means for connecting said exhaust gas pipe to the external atmosphere selectively via a pressure relief valve or a vacuum pump.
- 8. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 further comprising level measuring means mounted on said cover for monitoring the height of the surface of a melt present in said vessel.
- 9. Apparatus for supplying thermal energy to a metal melt after having been discharged from a melting furnace, comprising: a receiving vessel for receiving the melt from the furnace; at least two water-cooled plasma torches each having a longitudinal axis and a central electrode from which a heating arc is generated during operation of the torches; means connected for supplying alternating current to said torches for operating said torches; a cover disposed above said vessel and having a central opening; means defining a passage through said cover for said electrodes, said means defining a passage being disposed in said opening and being supported by said cover; and means associated with said passage for establishing a gas-tight seal between said electrodes and said cover.
Priority Claims (2)
Number |
Date |
Country |
Kind |
3437333 |
Oct 1984 |
DEX |
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3443740 |
Nov 1984 |
DEX |
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Parent Case Info
This is a division of application Ser. No. 785,592, filed Oct. 8, 1985, now U.S. Pat. No. 4,632,700.
US Referenced Citations (2)
Number |
Name |
Date |
Kind |
1338881 |
Stock |
May 1920 |
|
4521890 |
Burnham et al. |
Jun 1985 |
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Divisions (1)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
Parent |
785592 |
Oct 1985 |
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