US1015091A - Apparatus for melting and mixing metals in vacuums. - Google Patents

Description

W. s. SIMPSON.

APPARATUS FOR MELTING AND MIXING METALS IN VAOUUMS.

v APPLICATION FILED MAY5.'1911.

1 015 091 Patented Jan.16,1912.

- 2 SHEETSSHEET l.

Z; fizes 6 e13, fiveiziibj W. S. SIMPSON. v

APPARATUS FOR MELTING AND MIXING METALS IN VACUUMS.

APPILIOATION FILED MAY 5, 1911. 1,915,091 Patented Jan.16,1912

2 SHEETS-SHEBT 2.

W i a UNITED sTATEs- PATENT OFFICE.

=W1'LLIA srnms SIMPSON, or'Loivnou, ENGLAND.

APPARATUS FOR 'MELTING' AND MIXING METALS IN.VA(JUU.'L\L[S.

To all whom it mag concern.

Be it known that 1, WILLIA SPEIRS SiMrsozv, a subject of the King of Great Britain, residing at London, Englafid, have invented certain. new and useful Improve ments in Connection with Apparatus for Melting and Mixing Metals in Vacuums, of

which the following is a specification.

1 This invention relates to apparatus for. melting and mixing metals in oacuo of the kind in which electrical heat is used for melting the'metals, and the objectis to construct an improved apparatus for such purpose and for removing 'volatilizable impurities from certain metals which are easily oxidi'zable if fused'in contact with atmospheric air such as aluminium, magnesium, calcium and the like with which itis desirable to form useful alloys;'by which means also the hitherto unavoidable oxidation and deterioration of such metals while in a molten state is. prevented and the effective mixing and-alloying thereof under themost favorable conditions is accomplished; the

result afi'ording a purifiedmetal or alloy of" uniformly superior qualityand strength in carrying out my invent1on I construct a receptacleor chamber preferably metallic,-

of suitable size, shape and dimensions wherein a comparatively high vacuum may be created and maintained by means of a vacuum pump in any convenient manner. Inside such chamber is placed a crucible made of refractory or carbonaceous material for containing the metals to be treated,

which metals are heated by means of an electrie'current applied to the top and bottom of the crucible. 1

The most efiective and economical form of ap'paratussuitable 'for my purposes is shown 11). the drawings hereto attached, Figurel being a sectional'elevation and Fig. 2.

an elevation of the apparatus part sectional. The eaterlor of the vacuum chamber or furnace A is made of? metal and mounted on trunnions B to allow of its being tilted ,sufiiciently to peer out the contents. A. re-

movable top or cover Cis provided together w1th suitable means of hermetically sealing the vacuum chamber or furnace A therewith.

- Within this chamber A there is placed a receptacle D in the form of a crucible or cylindrical vessel made of refractory material, preferably carbonaceous, such as Wlll afiord adequate resistance to electric currents. The space between the exterior walls thereof and I Specification of Letters Patent;

Application filed May 5,1911. serial no. 625,286. U E D the metallic vacuum chamber is filled with Patented Jan. 16,3912.

.a heat resisting and nonconducting mate-v rial, such as magnesite. To the open top of this crucible D there is suitably attached .a metallic ring'E which is provided'wit-h by means ofrods F, G, connecting the ring trunnion B of the stand-I. In similar manner another "metallic ring or plate J also internally water cooled is placed under the bottom of such crucible and furnishes the other electric terminal through the rods K, L, connecting such plates J with'the other lead wire M. Electric energy is applied through the terminals E and J above described while a vacuum is being maintained within the inclpsing vacuumchamber; under which conditions a zone of intense heat is produced midway between the metallic terminals E, J and throughout the circumference of the crucible D and the'metallic substances contained therein. The generagreat economy of power and the Whole 0pveration belng ""carried on in cacao the damage toplant or'loss by oxidation of the itself or the internal component parts of the apparatus is to a great extent obviated.

ltleans are provided for the mechanical stirring or mixing of the molten metal or metals in the crucible and also for the intro duction of purifying substances or any n'ietalsrequired for alloying purposes, by a rod or) shaft. N introduced through the cover C of the vacuum chamber and suit-ably fitted to move up and down or in a rotary manner to stir thb molten metals in the crucible without breaking the vacuum. To this rod N a clip I is attached for holding any substance required to be submerged in the molten contents of he crucible during the operation. Q is the pipe connecting the vacuum chamberw-ith the suction pump and R is a pipe for admitting air to break vacuum when required.

contents of the crucible or of the cruciblemeans of internal cooling by a circulation". of water which ring E forms one of the bettery terminals for the"application of elec U tric energy to the crucible and its contents,

E and the lead wire H through one hollow tion of electrical heat is thus ell'ected with I the crucible.

' into heat energy, the crucible having aiiopen the" combination of a vacuum chamber, a

during movement of the rod T. The removable; cover C is preferably provided with suitable pressure-tight observation Windows C and also With a'lifting yoke or handle C whereby the cover may be removed with facility during charging and emptying of the apparatus.

What I do declare as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1.. Apparatus for melting, mixing and treating metals embodying a hollow crucible composed of refractory material possessing the property of'conducting and oilering resistance to the passage of an electric current to thereby convert directed electrical energy chamber to receive and contain the metals to be treated, means for connecting electrical conductors to the top and bottom of such crucible, and a vacuum chamber inclosing In apparatus of the character described,"

crucible inclosed therein having an interior chamber to eontain'a charge of material to be treated and embodying means for heating it, and an adjustable device operable from the exterior of said chamber and extendinginto the chamber said device being provided with means for introducing purifying substances or metals for alloying purposes into said chamber Within the crucible and also operative as a stirrer or mixer.

1n apparatus of the character described, the combination of a vacuum chamber com prising body portion and cover emovably related thereto and adapted to a fluid-tight- CO} action with the body pi .twn, a crucible contained Within the body l and having a chamber to contain a ch ,3 of the material to be treated hav 1g an opening leading tl'iereto, and a carried by and. extending movably through the cover and bearing a clip on its inner end, said device being movable in alinei'nent with and into said opening and cham er the crucible While the cover is applied to the body portion.

l. 1n apparatus of the character described, the combination of a vacuum chamber com.- prising a. body portion having trunnions or mounting it tiltably; and cover reinev applied. to the upper end at ted to t'orin a iluid-tigl'it connection there?" 1. a crucible contained vithin and carried by the body portion and having an in chamber to contain a charge of material to be treated and hat is mouth- 27a;- toward the top oi body pertion, means for conducti 1 eating nedii. the crucible thror' a trunmons or tiltably mounted body portion.

in testimony whereoi" have hereunto set my hand 121 presence oi two subscribing Witnesses.

WELLI l Witnesses i H. Ov'm'rr, Riel-man loan Sumner,

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