A system, method, and apparatus are provided for electrically shielding heated components, and more particularly, to electrically shielding electrically heated components in such a way as to be compatible with GFCI (ground fault circuit interrupter) protected circuits. Examples include an electrically shielded heated component including: a conductor, where the conductor is a heating element connected between a power line and a neutral line of a circuit from a GFCI; and a shield proximate the conductor and connected to the GFCI, where the shield receives a portion of current from the conductor and returns the portion of the current received to the GFCI.

A system, method, and apparatus are provided for electrically shielding heated components, and more particularly, to electrically shielding electrically heated components in such a way as to be compatible with GFCI (ground fault circuit interrupter) protected circuits. Examples include an electrically shielded heated component including: a conductor, where the conductor is a heating element connected between a power line and a neutral line of a circuit from a GFCI; and a shield proximate the conductor and connected to the GFCI, where the shield receives a portion of current from the conductor and returns the portion of the current received to the GFCI.

A vessel used for containing molten metal has a refractory liner with an exterior surface and a metal-contacting interior surface and is made of at least two refractory liner units abutting at a joint. A housing at least partially surrounds the exterior surface of the refractory liner with a gap present between the exterior surface and the housing. Molten metal confinement elements, impenetrable by molten metal, are positioned within the gap to partition the gap into a molten metal confinement region between the elements and at least one other region. For example, the other region may be used to hold equipment such as electrical heaters that may be damaged by contact with molten metal. A drain outlet positioned in the housing allows molten metal entering the gap to drain out of the gap at the drain outlet.

A vessel used for containing molten metal has a refractory liner with an exterior surface and a metal-contacting interior surface and is made of at least two refractory liner units abutting at a joint. A housing at least partially surrounds the exterior surface of the refractory liner with a gap present between the exterior surface and the housing. Molten metal confinement elements, impenetrable by molten metal, are positioned within the gap to partition the gap into a molten metal confinement region between the elements and at least one other region. For example, the other region may be used to hold equipment such as electrical heaters that may be damaged by contact with molten metal. A drain outlet positioned in the housing allows molten metal entering the gap to drain out of the gap at the drain outlet.

The disclosure relates to a device for producing an investment casting component, comprising a melting chamber having an induction coil assembly disposed in the melting chamber, wherein the induction coil assembly is adapted to melt off an electrode at least partially received therein to produce a ceramic-free continuous melt jet having a melt flow rate MFR of at least 2.5 kg/min. The device further comprises a casting chamber downstream of the melting chamber and connected thereto, with an investment casting mold received or receivable therein for being filled by means of the ceramic-free, continuous melt jet.

The disclosure relates to a device for producing an investment casting component, comprising a melting chamber having an induction coil assembly disposed in the melting chamber, wherein the induction coil assembly is adapted to melt off an electrode at least partially received therein to produce a ceramic-free continuous melt jet having a melt flow rate MFR of at least 2.5 kg/min. The device further comprises a casting chamber downstream of the melting chamber and connected thereto, with an investment casting mold received or receivable therein for being filled by means of the ceramic-free, continuous melt jet.

An apparatus and method is disclosed for forming an item in a mould using a casting process, typically a counter gravity casting system. Heating assembly, transfer assembly and mould filling assembly can be used in combination. The transfer assembly includes apparatus and method for removing sedimentation from the liquid metal and/or metal alloy received from the heating assembly and extracting the same prior to the metal and/or metal alloy reaching the mould filling assembly at which the same is supplied to fill a cavity of a mould and which, once filled, can be slid to a location to cool and thereby make available the mould filling assembly for the next mould to be filled. This apparatus and method provide an efficient, high throughput system, along with high quality cast items.

An apparatus and method is disclosed for forming an item in a mould using a casting process, typically a counter gravity casting system. Heating assembly, transfer assembly and mould filling assembly can be used in combination. The transfer assembly includes apparatus and method for removing sedimentation from the liquid metal and/or metal alloy received from the heating assembly and extracting the same prior to the metal and/or metal alloy reaching the mould filling assembly at which the same is supplied to fill a cavity of a mould and which, once filled, can be slid to a location to cool and thereby make available the mould filling assembly for the next mould to be filled. This apparatus and method provide an efficient, high throughput system, along with high quality cast items.

A metal transfer device including a cast trough body that includes a vessel for receiving liquid metal, a heater for heating the trough body, and a reinforcing layer provided on an outer surface of the cast trough body between the trough body and the heater. The reinforcing layer includes a composite ceramic material having a high thermal conductivity.

A metal transfer device including a cast trough body that includes a vessel for receiving liquid metal, a heater for heating the trough body, and a reinforcing layer provided on an outer surface of the cast trough body between the trough body and the heater. The reinforcing layer includes a composite ceramic material having a high thermal conductivity.