Induction furnace packaging system

• US 4,688,231 A
• Filed: 09/25/1986
• Issued: 08/18/1987
• Est. Priority Date: 08/01/1985
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Inductotherm Corp
• Original Assignee: Inductotherm Corp
• Inventors: Mortimer, John H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Envall, Jr., Roy N.
• Application Number:
  US06/911,599
• Time in Patent Office: 327 Days
• Field of Search: 373/138, 373/142, 373/143, 373/151-158, 373/150, 266/142, 432/62, 432/93, 219/10.75
• US Class Current: 373/138
• CPC Class Codes: F27B 14/02 with tilting or rocking arrangements F27B14/04 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F27B 14/061 Induction furnaces
• CPC Class Codes: F27B 14/08 Details peculiar to crucible or pot furnaces
• CPC Class Codes: F27B 14/0806 Charging or discharging devices
• CPC Class Codes: F27B 2014/104 Crucible linings
• CPC Class Codes: F27D 1/00 Casings; Linings; Walls; Roofs refractory materials C04B; firebridges for combustion chambers F23M3/00
• CPC Class Codes: F27D 2021/0085 against molten metal, e.g. leakage or splashes
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 6/24 Crucible furnaces H05B6/30 takes precedence

Abstract

A packaging system for an induction furnace has an equipment housing within which is located all the operating equipment for the furnace. The equipment is centrally located within the housing and is reached by access panels in the housing cover, which forms a deck. The operating equipment is fully enclosed and protected by the housing, yet can be easily reached by means of the access panels for maintenance, troubleshooting and the like.

Claims

1. A packaging system for an induction furnace comprising:

(a) housing means having a base, side walls and a top wall, the base, top and side walls defining an enclosed space,

(b) an induction furnace contained substantially within the enclosed space, the induction furnace having a removable liner,

(c) means for tilting the furnace about an axis perpendicular to the furnace axis located within the enclosed space,

(d) furnace operating equipment centrally located within the enclosed space and defining a space between the furnace operating equipment and a side wall of the housing means, said furnace operating equipment including means operatively associated with the furnace for at least partially ejecting the removable liner from the furnace,

(e) access means in the top wall adjacent the space between the furnace operating equipment and the side wall for providing access to the space and access to the furnace operating equipment from the side thereof while preventing access to the furnace operating equipment from the top thereof,

(f) induction furnace charging means mounted on the housing means adjacent the induction furnace and pivotable with respect thereto for charging the induction furnace with metal to be melted, and

(g) furnace control housing means mounted on the top wall and adjacent the induction furnace.

2. A packaging system according to claim 1, wherein the access means comprises at least one panel flush with the top wall and hingedly mounted therein.

3. A packaging system for an induction furnace comprising:

(a) a substantially rectangular housing having a base, side walls and a top wall and defining an enclosed space therein,

(b) an induction furnace at one end of the housing and contained substantially within the enclosed space, the induction furnace having means extending above the top wall of the housing for receiving a charge of metal to be melted by the furnace and having a removable liner,

(c) means for tilting the furnace about an axis perpendicular to the furnace axis located within the enclosed space,

(d) furnace operating equipment centrally located within the enclosed space at the end of the housing opposite the induction furnace and defining a channel between the furnace operating equipment and a side wall of the housing, said furnace operating equipment including means operatively associated with the furnace for at least partially ejecting the removable liner from the furnace,

(e) a hinged access panel in the top wall above the channel between the furnace operating equipment and the side wall for providing access to the channel and access to the furnace operating equipment from the sides thereof while preventing access to the furnace operating equipment from the top thereof,

(f) induction furnace charging means mounted on the housing means adjacent the induction furnace and pivotable with respect thereto for charging the furnace with metal to be melted, and

(g) furnace control housing means mounted on the top wall and adjacent the induction furnace, and having a back wall adjacent the furnace and side walls and a top wall extending away from the furnace, the furnace control housing being substantially open along a plane parallel to the back wall and spaced apart therefrom by the length of the side and top walls of the furnace control housing.