US PATENT SUBCLASS 75 / 10.1
.~ Electrothermic processes (e.g., microwave, induction, resistance, electric arc, plasma, etc.)

Current as of: June, 1999
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75 /   HD   SPECIALIZED METALLURGICAL PROCESSES, COMPOSITIONS FOR USE THEREIN, CONSOLIDATED METAL POWDER COMPOSITIONS, AND LOOSE METAL PARTICULATE MIXTURES

330  DF  PROCESSES {9}
10.1.~ Electrothermic processes (e.g., microwave, induction, resistance, electric arc, plasma, etc.) {17}
10.11  DF  .~.~> With zone melting or fractional crystallization
10.12  DF  .~.~> Controlling process through sensed condition
10.13  DF  .~.~> Electromagnetic wave energy (e.g., microwave, laser, etc.)
10.14  DF  .~.~> Electrical induction {2}
10.19  DF  .~.~> Plasma {3}
10.23  DF  .~.~> Consumable metal-containing electrode {2}
10.27  DF  .~.~> Carbothermic reduction of Aluminum(Al) compound
10.28  DF  .~.~> With volatilization of metal halide
10.29  DF  .~.~> Distillation or volatilization of refined metal or compound thereof {2}
10.34  DF  .~.~> Rotating chamber
10.35  DF  .~.~> Reducing or smelting slag or dross as starting material
10.36  DF  .~.~> Exhaust or top gas reused or treated {2}
10.39  DF  .~.~> Adding gaseous treating agent {4}
10.46  DF  .~.~> Adding solid treating agent, slag or flux {6}
10.62  DF  .~.~> Reducing or smelting {1}
10.64  DF  .~.~> Vacuum purifying or degassing
10.65  DF  .~.~> Melting or holding melt {1}

DEFINITION

Classification: 75/10.1

Electrothermic processes (e.g., microwave, induction, resistance, electric arc, plasma, etc.):

(under subclass 330) Process for producing or treating free metal or alloys that involve production of thermal energy from electricity, electromagnetic, or wave energy at any stage in the process.

(1) Note. The use of electrothermal energy may occur at any stage in the process. Thus, melting of slag, ore or metal in an electric furnace and subsequent transfer to another converter and treating therein is to be considered an electrothermic process.

SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:

10.67, for the use of electromagnetic energy for stirring or transporting without production of thermal energy therefrom.

SEE OR SEARCH CLASS

204, Chemistry: Electrical and Wave Energy, for chemical processes using electrical and wave energy to produce or treat free metal by means other than production of heat.

(1) Note. Problems arise between Class 75 and Class 204 when an energy form is given without indication of the mechanism of its utilization. If the mechanism involves only conversion of the energy form to heat or if the utilization of the energy is preparatory to a Class 75 operation, the original goes to Class 75. When the mechanism is not clear from the specification and not preparatory to a Class 75 operation the following line is followed for purposes of classification. Placement goes to Class 75 if reactants (e.g., reducing agents, etc.) other than the starting material (e.g., ore, etc.) are present which would normally react in the presence of heat to produce the desired product (e.g., Iron, etc.). Otherwise, placement goes as original to Class 204. See References to Other Classes, of the Class 204 definition for an expansion of the class line between Class 75 and Class 204, including a superiority listing of classes providing for various metals, alloys, and metal stocks and methods of manufacturing them.