VACUUM INDUCTION FURNACE Russian patent published in 1995 - IPC

FIELD: metallurgy. SUBSTANCE: vacuum induction furnace has melting chamber where crucible with inductor is mounted and ingot mould chamber which is separated from melting chamber by means of technological gate; furnace is also provided with truck which carries ingots with tops and mechanism for horizontal motion of truck from one chamber to other and from furnace. Furnace is additionally provided with unipolar pulse source fitted with control unit; one pole of this source is connected with contact devices through switches according to number of ingots and vacuum inputs; contact devices are located inside ingot mould chamber and melting chamber at different levels and are mounted on truck through electrical insulation at the same levels; each mating contact device is electrically connected with electrode introduced into top; second pole of pulse source is connected with metal housings of all ingot moulds, control unit. Contact devices inside melting chamber and ingot mould chamber are made in form of spring-loaded contacts and mating contact devices mounted on the truck are made in form of contact busbars. Besides that, mating contact devices mounted on the truck may be made in form of spring-loaded contacts. Second pole of pulse source may be connected with metal housings of all ingot moulds through additional vacuum inputs located at additional level in melting chamber and in ingot mould chamber; contact devices are mounted at the same level on the truck and in both chambers. EFFECT: enhanced reliability. 5 cl, 2 dwg