The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
May. 31, 1988
Filed:
Jun. 10, 1987
Eliott B Gordon, Cleveland Heights, OH (US);
David V Neff, Cleveland Heights, OH (US);
Paul V Cooper, Cleveland, OH (US);
Ronald E Gilbert, Chardon, OH (US);
Other;
Abstract
A method of melting metal particles includes the steps of swirling molten metal in a vortex within a crucible, adding metal particles onto the surface of the metal, and submerging the metal particles substantially immediately after the particles have been added onto the surface. Apparatus for carrying out the method includes a mixer having a vertically oriented sleeve secured to the bottom of the crucible, the sleeve supporting a plurality of blades on its outer surface and having a plurality of openings adjacent its bottom. The blades force the metal particles beneath the surface of the metal and create turbulence which ensures rapid melting of the particles. The blades as well as the openings adjacent the bottom of the sleeve break up any agglomerated metal particles. Discharge piping is connected to the bottom of the crucible. A vortex breaker is disposed in the piping to control the vortex in the crucible.