General Electric Company

Gordon B Hunter

Russell Scott Miller

Neil A Johnson

Robert D Lillquist

Richard G Menzies

Charles B Adasczik

A method and apparatus for casting a molten metallic material in ingot form are provided wherein the molten metallic material is transported to the ingot mold and an upper surface temperature and temperature distribution of the molten metal pool in the casting mold are measured by an imaging radiometer which is disposed external to an inert gas filled chamber enclosing the ingot mold, and is disposed to view the ingot pool surface through a sight port. At least one plasma arc torch is employed to direct an arc at the ingot pool surface, the intensity of which is selectively modulated and the impingement of the arc is simultaneously selectively positioned in order to maintain a desired preselected mold pool surface temperature and temperature distribution thereby yielding a preselected metallurgical structure in the solidified ingot. The imaging radiometer may provide a video signal as an output, and may be connected to a video analyzer and video monitor which are used to provide an image of the surface temperature and temperature distribution, enabling an operator to control the plasma arc torch in performing the ingot casting method.

Method and apparatus for casting an arc melted metallic material in

A method and apparatus for casting a molten metallic material in ingot form are provided wherein the molten metallic material is transported to the ingot mold and an upper surface temperature and temperature distribution of the molten metal pool in the casting mold are measured by an imaging radiometer which is disposed external to a vacuum chamber enclosing the ingot mold, and is disposed to view the ingot pool surface through a sight port. At least one electron beam gun is employed to direct a stream of electrons at the ingot pool surface, the intensity of which is selectively modulated and the impingement of the stream of electrons is simultaneously selectively positioned in order to maintain a desired preselected mold pool surface temperature and temperature distribution thereby yielding a preselected metallurgical structure in the solidified ingot. The imaging radiometer may provide a video signal as an output, and may be connected to a video analyzer and video monitor which are used to provide an image of the surface temperature and temperature distribution, enabling an operator to control the electron beam gun in performing the ingot casting method.

Method and apparatus for casting an electron beam melted metallic

A method of reducing contamination caused by high intensity heating of metals is taught. Splatter, vapor droplets and particulate matter is collected to avoid return to the melt. An electric field is established in the heating zone to attract the vapor droplets and particles to charged plates.

Process for reducing contamination of high temperature melts

A method of reducing 'fall back' contamination caused by high intensity heating of metals is taught. Splatter, vapor droplets and particulate matter resulting from the high intensity heating is repelled to avoid return to the melt. An electric field is established above the heating zone to repel the vapor droplets and particles from at least one charged electrode disposed above the surface where high intensity heat is applied to a metal surface.

Process for preventing contamination of high temperature melts

A clear optical path is provided in a furnace in which high intensity top surface heating is carried out. The path extends through a viewport to the interior of the furnace chamber. The path extends to a clear metal mirror surface and from the mirror surfaced to other portions of the furnace chamber which are not viewable directly through the viewport.

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Loveland, OH, United States of America

Gordon B Hunter