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:
Mar. 26, 2002
Filed:
Feb. 23, 1999
Sterry A. Shaffer, Matthews, NC (US);
ATI Properties, Inc., Albany, OR (US);
Abstract
A vacuum induction melting system includes a melt chamber which forms an airtight enclosure, with an induction furnace located within the melt chamber. A mold tunnel is connected to the melt chamber adjacent its lower end, with the mold tunnel including a pour opening which communicates with the melt chamber and through which molten metal poured from the furnace can enter the mold tunnel. A mold carriage is positioned within the mold tunnel for receiving and carrying one or more molds adapted for receiving molten metal. An isolation valve is located between the melt chamber and the mold tunnel for isolating the mold tunnel from the melt chamber to allow for removing the mold carriage from the mold tunnel for loading or unloading of molds thereon. A mold transport assembly is provided for moving the mold carriage from a pouring position within the mold tunnel to a loading position located outside of the mold tunnel. An evacuation system is connected to the melt chamber, the charging chamber and the mold tunnel for producing a vacuum therein.