Vacuum melting equipment for high-purity alloy material
By introducing a water cooling system and the formation of a metal shell under vacuum conditions into the vacuum arc melting equipment, the problems of heat leakage and crucible contamination were solved, and the equipment cooling and metal purity were improved.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-04-28
- Publication Date
- 2026-03-31
AI Technical Summary
The existing thermal management system of electric arc melting furnaces is inadequate, resulting in a large amount of heat loss and excessively high temperatures on the outer surface of the furnace body. This affects worker safety and the operation of auxiliary equipment, and the crucible material may dissolve and contaminate the molten metal.
A water-cooling system is adopted, in which cooling water is circulated in the jacket and insulation seat of the equipment. Combined with electric arc melting under vacuum, the cooling water reduces the temperature of the equipment and blocks heat conduction. At the same time, a metal shell is formed under vacuum to prevent the crucible material from being contaminated.
It effectively reduces the surface temperature of equipment, improves the operating environment, avoids auxiliary equipment malfunctions, increases the purity of metal materials, reduces the dissolution of crucible materials, and improves smelting purity and product quality.
Smart Images
Figure CN224065896U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model relates to the field of vacuum arc melting, and in particular to a vacuum melting device for high-purity alloy materials. Background Technology
[0002] High-value materials such as rhodium, palladium, copper alloys and titanium alloys have stringent requirements for purity and microstructure uniformity in fields such as semiconductors, aerospace and fine chemicals. They usually need to be prepared with ultra-low impurity content through vacuum arc melting technology.
[0003] Although existing electric arc melting furnaces can meet the basic melting requirements of the above materials, their thermal management system design has significant defects. The insulation layer of the furnace body is not efficient enough in blocking the high-temperature electric arc heat radiation, resulting in a large amount of heat being lost through the furnace wall during the melting process. Taking rhodium (melting point 1966℃) or titanium alloy (melting temperature reaches 1600-1700℃) as an example, the outer surface temperature of the furnace body can rise to more than 100℃ after long-term operation, and the ambient temperature of the working area will exceed 45℃.
[0004] Such high-temperature environments not only exacerbate workers' heat stress and operational error rates, but may also cause performance degradation of auxiliary equipment around the furnace (such as vacuum pumps and sensors) due to local overheating, affecting equipment operation. Utility Model Content
[0005] The purpose of this invention is to provide a vacuum melting equipment for high-purity alloy materials, which reduces the surface temperature of the electric arc melting furnace by water cooling.
[0006] The technical solution adopted by the vacuum melting equipment for high-purity alloy materials disclosed in this utility model is as follows:
[0007] The device includes a housing, a cover plate, a sealing mechanism, and a heat insulation base. The housing has a window frame that extends into the housing and covers an observation window. The housing has an exhaust pipe that extends into the housing. A first interlayer is formed in the side wall of the housing. The cover plate is placed on the housing and has a second interlayer. Both the first and second interlayers have water inlets and drain outlets. The sealing mechanism is fixedly connected to the cover plate and extends through the cover plate. An arc gun is movably connected to the sealing mechanism. The heat insulation base has a cavity and has a first water inlet pipe and a first drain pipe communicating with the cavity. The heat insulation base is placed inside the housing, with the first water inlet pipe and the first drain pipe extending out of the housing. A crucible is placed on the heat insulation base.
[0008] As a preferred embodiment, the arc gun is fitted with a pipe on its outer side, and the pipe is connected to a second water inlet pipe and a second water outlet pipe. The pipe is movably connected to a sealing mechanism.
[0009] As a preferred embodiment, two handles are fixedly connected to the outside of the pipe.
[0010] As a preferred embodiment, the sealing mechanism includes a connecting ring and a mounting ring. The connecting ring passes through the cover plate, and the mounting ring is fixedly connected to the connecting ring. A first sealing ring and a second sealing ring are fixedly connected inside the mounting ring. The pipe passes through the mounting ring and the connecting ring, and a contact element is sleeved on the outside of the pipe. Both the first sealing ring and the second sealing ring abut against the contact element.
[0011] As a preferred embodiment, the outer side of the contact element extends with an arc surface, the arc surface surrounds the outer side of the contact element, the first sealing ring and the second sealing ring both abut against the arc surface, and a third sealing ring is fixedly connected inside the contact element, the third sealing ring abutting against the pipe.
[0012] As a preferred embodiment, an installation tube extends through the cover plate, and a pressure gauge is installed on the installation tube.
[0013] As a preferred embodiment, a light is provided through the cover plate, and the light is directed towards the inside of the enclosure.
[0014] The beneficial effects of the vacuum melting equipment for high-purity alloy materials disclosed in this utility model are:
[0015] After placing the crucible containing the metal material on the heat insulation base, the observation window is closed, and the inside of the chamber is evacuated to a vacuum state using an external evacuation device and evacuation pipe. Then, cold water is injected into the two water inlets and the first water inlet pipe, filling the first jacket, the second jacket, and the cavity with low-temperature cooling water. When the worker operates the arc gun to heat the molten metal material in the crucible, the high temperature generated is conducted to the chamber, the cover plate, and the heat insulation base. The cooling water reduces the temperature of the chamber and the cover plate through heat exchange, while the heat insulation base effectively blocks heat from being conducted to the chamber. After heat exchange, the low-temperature cooling water is converted into high-temperature cooling water and discharged from the two drain outlets and the first drain pipe. At the same time, through the continuous injection of low-temperature cooling water circulation, the equipment is continuously cooled in a dynamic balance between drainage and water replenishment. This improves the working environment for operators and also prevents auxiliary equipment from malfunctioning due to excessive temperature rise.
[0016] By cooling the crucible with cooling water, the possibility of the crucible material dissolving due to high temperatures is reduced, thus decreasing the likelihood of the dissolved material migrating into the molten metal and improving the purity of the metal material during arc melting. Furthermore, when the metal material is melted by arc melting under vacuum conditions inside the box, the molten metal material rapidly solidifies upon contact with the crucible wall, forming a "shell" that prevents direct contact between the molten metal material and the crucible. This avoids the dissolution of crucible material contaminating the molten metal material and also effectively eliminates oxidation sources, degassing, volatilizing impurities, and inhibiting harmful reactions, further enhancing the purity of the metal material during arc melting. Attached Figure Description
[0017] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a vacuum melting equipment for high-purity alloy materials according to this utility model.
[0018] Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional view of a vacuum melting equipment for high-purity alloy materials according to this utility model.
[0019] Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional view of the heat insulation seat of a vacuum melting equipment for high-purity alloy materials according to this utility model.
[0020] Figure 4 This is a cross-sectional view of the pipeline of a vacuum melting equipment for high-purity alloy materials according to this utility model.
[0021] Figure 5 This is a cross-sectional view of the sealing mechanism of a vacuum melting equipment for high-purity alloy materials according to this utility model. Detailed Implementation
[0022] The present invention will be further described and illustrated below with reference to specific embodiments and the accompanying drawings:
[0023] Please refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 .
[0024] This utility model discloses a vacuum melting equipment for high-purity alloy materials, including a box body 1, a cover plate 2, a sealing mechanism 4, and a heat insulation seat 3;
[0025] The box 1 is provided with a window frame 11, which is inserted into the box 1. The window frame 11 is covered with an observation window 111, which is rotatably connected to the window frame 11. A fourth sealing ring is fitted on the observation window 111, which is located between the observation window 111 and the window frame 11.
[0026] When the observation window 111 is placed on the window frame 11, and after the vacuum is drawn inside the box 1, the fourth sealing ring can eliminate the gap between the observation window 111 and the window frame 11, preventing outside air from entering the box 1 through the gap between the observation window 111 and the window frame 11.
[0027] Furthermore, grooves are provided on the outer side of the window frame 11 and the outer side of the observation window 111. A central shaft is rotatably connected in the groove of the window frame 11, and a screw is fixedly connected on the central shaft. The screw is located in the two grooves, and a limit block is threadedly connected to the screw. The limit block touches the observation window 111.
[0028] When it is necessary to open the observation window 111, the limiting block is rotated on the screw to move the limiting block away from the observation window 111, and the screw is rotated to disengage from the groove of the observation window 111, thereby opening the observation window 111; when it is necessary to close the observation window 111, the observation window 111 is placed on the window frame 11, the screw is rotated to place the observation window 111 in the groove, and the limiting block is rotated on the screw to make the limiting block touch the observation window 111, thereby fixing the observation window 111 on the window frame 11.
[0029] The housing 1 is equipped with an exhaust pipe 12 and an inlet pipe 13. Both the exhaust pipe 12 and the inlet pipe 13 are inserted into the housing 1 and are connected to an external exhaust device.
[0030] When the equipment starts to melt metal materials, the external vacuum device draws the inside of the box 1 to a vacuum state through the vacuum pipe 12; after the equipment finishes melting metal materials, the external vacuum device injects air into the inside of the box 1 through the air inlet pipe 13, so that the atmospheric pressure inside the box 1 is the same as the outside, so that the observation window 111 can be opened.
[0031] The side wall of the box 1 has a first interlayer 14, through which the window frame 11, the exhaust pipe 12 and the intake pipe 13 all pass.
[0032] The cover plate 2 is placed on the housing 1. A second interlayer 21 is provided inside the cover plate 2. Both the first interlayer 14 and the second interlayer 21 are provided with water inlet 211 and water outlet 212. Both water inlet 211 and water outlet 212 are connected to the external cooling water circulation system.
[0033] The external cooling water circulation system injects low-temperature cooling water into the first interlayer 14 and the second interlayer 21 through two inlets 211. After heat exchange, the low-temperature cooling water is converted into high-temperature cooling water. The high-temperature cooling water flows back to the external cooling water circulation system through two outlets 212.
[0034] Furthermore, an installation tube 22 is passed through the cover plate 2, the installation tube 22 passes through the second interlayer 21, and a pressure gauge is installed on the installation tube 22. The pressure gauge is used to monitor the air pressure inside the box 1.
[0035] Furthermore, a lighting lamp 23 is inserted through the cover plate 2, passing through the second interlayer 21, and facing into the box 1. The lighting lamp 23 is used to provide a light source for the box 1, so that workers can check the progress of metal smelting.
[0036] Please refer to Figure 3 .
[0037] The heat insulation seat 3 is placed inside the box 1. The top of the heat insulation seat 3 has a recess. A crucible 31 is placed in the recess of the heat insulation seat 3. Metal material is placed inside the crucible 31. The diameter of the crucible 31 is smaller than that of the window frame 11, so that workers can easily put the crucible 31 containing metal material into the box 1.
[0038] Furthermore, a cavity 32 is provided inside the heat insulation seat 3. The heat insulation seat 3 is provided with a first water inlet pipe 321 and a first drain pipe 322 that communicate with the cavity 32. One end of the first water inlet pipe 321 is inserted into the cavity 32 and is close to the top of the cavity 32. One end of the first drain pipe 322 is inserted into the cavity 32 and is close to the bottom of the cavity 32. This design allows the cooling water entering the cavity 32 to flow more evenly inside.
[0039] Furthermore, the other end of the first water inlet pipe 321 and the other end of the first drain pipe 322 both extend out of the housing 1, and the other end of the first water inlet pipe 321 and the other end of the first drain pipe 322 are both connected to the external cooling water circulation system.
[0040] The external cooling water circulation system injects low-temperature cooling water into the cavity 32 through the first inlet pipe 321. After heat exchange, the low-temperature cooling water is converted into high-temperature cooling water. The high-temperature cooling water flows back to the external cooling water circulation system through the first drain pipe 322.
[0041] Please refer to Figure 2 , Figure 4 and Figure 5 .
[0042] The sealing mechanism 4 is fixedly connected to the cover plate 2, the sealing mechanism 4 passes through the cover plate 2, the sealing mechanism 4 passes through the second interlayer 21, and the arc gun 5 is movably connected to the sealing mechanism 4. The heating device of the arc gun 5 is close to the crucible 31.
[0043] Furthermore, the outer side of the arc gun 5 is fitted with a pipe 51, the middle of which is movably connected to the sealing mechanism 4. A second water inlet pipe 511 and a second drain pipe 512 are connected to the pipe 51. One end of the second water inlet pipe 511 is close to one end of the pipe 51, and one end of the second drain pipe 512 is inserted into the pipe 51. In addition, one end of the second drain pipe 512 is close to the other end of the pipe 51. This design allows the cooling water entering the pipe 51 to flow more evenly inside.
[0044] Furthermore, the other end of the second inlet pipe 511 and the other end of the second outlet pipe 512 are both connected to the external cooling water circulation system;
[0045] The external cooling water circulation system injects low-temperature cooling water into pipe 51 through the second inlet pipe 511. After heat exchange, the low-temperature cooling water is converted into high-temperature cooling water. The high-temperature cooling water flows back to the external cooling water circulation system through the second drain pipe 512.
[0046] Two handles 52 are fixedly connected to the outside of the pipe 51, and the handles 52 are close to the other end of the pipe 51;
[0047] When smelting metal materials, the two handles 52 make it easy for workers to hold the electric arc gun 5 with both hands and push it to swing at a certain angle on the sealing mechanism 4, so that the heating device of the electric arc gun 5 contacts the metal material in the crucible 31. In addition, the two handles 52 can isolate the heat of the electric arc gun 5 from being transmitted to the worker's hands.
[0048] The sealing mechanism 4 includes a connecting ring 41 and a mounting ring 42. The connecting ring 41 passes through the cover plate 2 and the second interlayer 21. The mounting ring 42 is fixedly connected to the connecting ring 41.
[0049] Furthermore, a contact element 53 is sleeved on the outside of the pipe 51. The outer side of the contact element 53 extends with an arc surface, which surrounds the outer side of the contact element 53. A third sealing ring is fixedly connected inside the contact element 53, and the third sealing ring touches the pipe 51.
[0050] When smelting metal materials, workers can push the arc gun 5 to make the pipe 51 slide axially up or down on the contact 53, thereby adjusting the heating device of the arc gun 5 to move closer to or further away from the metal material in the crucible 31; when the box 1 is evacuated, the third sealing ring can prevent outside air from entering the box 1 through the gap between the pipe 51 and the contact 53.
[0051] The mounting ring 42 is provided with a first sealing ring 421, and a first limiting ring 422 is fixedly connected inside the mounting ring 42. The first limiting ring 422 touches the first sealing ring 421, thereby constraining the first sealing ring 421 inside the mounting ring 42. The first sealing ring 421 is close to the bottom of the mounting ring 42.
[0052] Furthermore, the contact 53 is placed inside the mounting ring 42, and the pipe 51 passes through the mounting ring 42, the first limiting ring 422, the first sealing ring 421 and the connecting ring 41. The first sealing ring 421 touches the arc surface of the contact 53.
[0053] Furthermore, a second sealing ring 423 is provided inside the mounting ring 42, and a second limiting ring 424 is fixedly connected to the top of the mounting ring 42. The second limiting ring 424 abuts against the second sealing ring 423, thereby constraining the second sealing ring 423 inside the mounting ring 42. The second sealing ring 423 is close to the top of the mounting ring 42. The pipe 51 passes through the second sealing ring 423 and the second limiting ring 424, and the second sealing ring 423 abuts against the arc surface of the contact member 53.
[0054] When smelting metal materials, workers can push the arc gun 5 so that the arc surface of the contact element 53 slides on the first sealing ring 421 and the second sealing ring 423, thereby adjusting the angle of the heating device of the arc gun 5 in contact with the metal material; when the box 1 is evacuated, the first sealing ring 421 and the second sealing ring 423 can prevent outside air from entering the box 1 through the gap between the mounting ring 42 and the contact element 53.
[0055] Please refer to Figures 1-5 .
[0056] When smelting metallic materials:
[0057] By opening the observation window 111, the crucible 31 containing metal material is placed on the heat insulation seat 3 through the window frame 11. After closing the observation window 111, the inside of the box 1 is evacuated to a vacuum state by cooperating with the external evacuation equipment and the evacuation pipe 12.
[0058] Turn on the external cooling water circulation system and inject low-temperature cooling water into the two inlets 211, the first inlet pipe 321 and the second inlet pipe 511, so that the first interlayer 14, the second interlayer 21, the cavity 32 and the pipe 51 are filled with low-temperature cooling water.
[0059] The worker operates the electric arc gun 5 to heat the molten metal material in the crucible 31. The high temperature generated is conducted to the box 1, cover plate 2, heat insulation seat 3 and pipe 51. Cooling water reduces the temperature of the box 1, cover plate 2, heat insulation seat 3 and pipe 51 through heat exchange. At the same time, the heat insulation seat 3 effectively blocks the heat from being conducted to the box 1, and the pipe 51 effectively blocks the heat from being conducted to the handle 52, thereby reducing the surface temperature of the equipment.
[0060] After heat exchange, the low-temperature cooling water is transformed into high-temperature cooling water and discharged from two drain outlets 212, the first drain pipe 322 and the second drain pipe 512, flowing back to the external cooling water circulation system. At the same time, the external cooling water circulation system continuously injects low-temperature cooling water, achieving continuous cooling of the equipment through a dynamic balance between drainage and water replenishment. This improves the working environment for operators and also prevents auxiliary equipment from malfunctioning due to excessive temperature rise.
[0061] This invention provides a vacuum melting device for high-purity alloy materials. After placing a crucible containing the metal material on a heat-insulating base, the observation window is closed, and an external evacuation device, in conjunction with an evacuation pipe, evacuates the interior of the chamber to a vacuum state. Then, cold water is injected into the two inlets and the first inlet pipe, filling the first and second jackets and the cavity with low-temperature cooling water. When the operator heats the molten metal material in the crucible using an arc gun, the high temperature generated is conducted to the chamber, cover, and heat-insulating base. The cooling water reduces the temperature of the chamber and cover through heat exchange, while the heat-insulating base effectively blocks heat conduction to the chamber. After heat exchange, the low-temperature cooling water is converted into high-temperature cooling water and discharged from the two drain outlets and the first drain pipe. Simultaneously, through a continuous circulation of low-temperature cooling water, a dynamic balance between drainage and replenishment is achieved to continuously cool the equipment. This improves the operating environment for operators and prevents auxiliary equipment malfunctions due to excessive temperature rise.
[0062] By cooling the crucible with cooling water, the possibility of the crucible material dissolving due to high temperatures is reduced, thus decreasing the likelihood of the dissolved material migrating into the molten metal and improving the purity of the metal material during arc melting. Furthermore, when the metal material is melted by arc melting under vacuum conditions inside the box, the molten metal material rapidly solidifies upon contact with the crucible wall, forming a "shell" that prevents direct contact between the molten metal material and the crucible. This avoids the dissolution of crucible material contaminating the molten metal material and also effectively eliminates oxidation sources, degassing, volatilizing impurities, and inhibiting harmful reactions, further enhancing the purity of the metal material during arc melting.
[0063] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of this utility model, and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of this utility model. Although this utility model has been described in detail with reference to preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications or equivalent substitutions can be made to the technical solutions of this utility model without departing from the essence and scope of the technical solutions of this utility model.
Claims
1. A vacuum melting apparatus for high purity alloy materials, characterized by comprising: The utility model provides a box, the box is equipped with window frame, the window frame penetrates into the box, the window frame cover is equipped with observation window, the box is equipped with suction pipe, the suction pipe penetrates into the box, the side wall of the box is equipped with first interlayer; The cover plate is covered on the box, the second interlayer is opened in the cover plate, the first interlayer and the second interlayer are equipped with water inlet and drain outlet; The sealing mechanism is fixedly connected with the cover plate, the sealing mechanism penetrates through the cover plate, the electric arc gun is movably connected on the sealing mechanism; The heat insulation seat is opened in the cavity, the first water inlet pipe and the first drain pipe are communicated with the cavity, the heat insulation seat is placed in the box, the first water inlet pipe and the first drain pipe are out of the box, the heat insulation seat is placed with the crucible. The outer side of the electric arc gun is sleeved with the pipeline, the second water inlet pipe and the second drain pipe are communicated on the pipeline, and the pipeline is movably connected with the sealing mechanism.
2. The vacuum melting apparatus for high purity alloy material according to claim 1, wherein The outer side of the pipeline is fixedly connected with two handles.
3. The vacuum melting apparatus for high purity alloy material according to claim 2, wherein The sealing mechanism includes a connecting ring and a mounting ring, the connecting ring penetrates through the cover plate, the mounting ring is fixedly connected with the connecting ring, the first sealing ring and the second sealing ring are fixedly connected in the mounting ring, the pipeline passes through the mounting ring and the connecting ring, the contact piece is sleeved on the outer side of the pipeline, and the first sealing ring and the second sealing ring are in contact with the contact piece.
4. The vacuum melting apparatus for high purity alloy material according to claim 3, wherein The outer side of the contact piece extends a circular surface, the circular surface surrounds the outer side of the contact piece, the first sealing ring and the second sealing ring are in contact with the circular surface, the third sealing ring is fixedly connected in the contact piece, and the third sealing ring is in contact with the pipeline.
5. The vacuum melting apparatus for high purity alloy material as claimed in claim 4, wherein The installation pipe is penetrated through the cover plate, and the pressure gauge is installed on the installation pipe.
6. The vacuum melting apparatus for high purity alloy material as claimed in claim 5, wherein The illuminating lamp is penetrated through the cover plate, and the illuminating lamp faces the box.
7. The high purity alloy material vacuum melting apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein