Die cast furnace

Abstract

A die cast furnace system is provided, wherein the system includes a microwave energy source and coupler element operably associated therewith. The microwave energy source (e.g., a microwave generator and the like) is selectively operable to heat the coupler element so as to at least partially melt an amount of metal (e.g., aluminum and the like) contained therein. When the metal approximately attains half of its melting point, the microwave energy source is selectively operable to directly heat the metal so as to substantially fully melt the metal. The coupler element can comprise a crucible, such as those constructed of a ceramic material (e.g. silicon carbide and the like).

1 . A die cast furnace system having a microwave energy source operably associated therewith, wherein the die cast furnace is selectively operable to at least partially melt an amount of metal contained therein.  
   
   
       2 . The invention of  claim 1 , further comprising a coupler element operably associated with the die cast furnace system.  
   
   
       3 . The invention according to  claim 2 , wherein the coupler element is a crucible.  
   
   
       4 . The invention according to  claim 3 , wherein the crucible is comprised of a ceramic material.  
   
   
       5 . The invention according to  claim 4 , wherein the ceramic material is comprised of silicon carbide.  
   
   
       6 . The invention according to  claim 2 , wherein the microwave energy source is selectively operable to heat the coupler element so as to at least partially melt an amount of metal contained therein.  
   
   
       7 . The invention according to  claim 6 , wherein when the metal approximately attains half of its melting point, the microwave energy source is selectively operable to directly heat the metal so as to substantially fully melt the metal.  
   
   
       8 . The invention according to  claim 1 , further comprising a temperature detection member operably associated with the die cast furnace system, wherein the temperature detection member is operable to determine the temperature of the amount of metal.  
   
   
       9 . A die cast furnace system having a microwave energy source and coupler element operably associated therewith, wherein the die cast furnace is selectively operable to at least partially melt an amount of metal contained therein.  
   
   
       10 . The invention according to  claim 9 , wherein the coupler element is a crucible.  
   
   
       11 . The invention according to  claim 10 , wherein the crucible is comprised of a ceramic material.  
   
   
       12 . The invention according to  claim 11 , wherein the ceramic material is comprised of silicon carbide.  
   
   
       13 . The invention according to  claim 9 , wherein the microwave energy source is selectively operable to heat the coupler element so as to at least partially melt an amount of metal contained therein.  
   
   
       14 . The invention according to  claim 13 , wherein when the metal approximately attains half of its melting point, the microwave energy source is selectively operable to directly heat the metal so as to substantially fully melt the metal.  
   
   
       15 . The invention according to  claim 9 , further comprising a temperature detection member operably associated with the die cast furnace system, wherein the temperature detection member is operable to determine the temperature of the amount of metal.  
   
   
       16 . A die cast furnace system having a microwave energy source and coupler element operably associated therewith, wherein the microwave energy source is selectively operable to heat the coupler element so as to at least partially melt an amount of metal contained therein, wherein when the metal approximately attains half of its melting point, the microwave energy source is selectively operable to directly heat the metal so as to substantially fully melt the metal.  
   
   
       17 . The invention according to  claim 16 , wherein the coupler element is a crucible.  
   
   
       18 . The invention according to  claim 17 , wherein the crucible is comprised of a ceramic material.  
   
   
       19 . The invention according to  claim 18 , wherein the ceramic material is comprised of silicon carbide.  
   
   
       20 . The invention according to  claim 16 , further comprising a temperature detection member operably associated with the die cast furnace system, wherein the temperature detection member is operable to determine the temperature of the amount of metal.