Multiple input electrode gap controller
C.L. Hysinger · OSTI OAI (U.S. Department of Energy Office of Scientific and Technical Information) · 2023
A method and apparatus for controlling vacuum arc remelting (VAR) furnaces by estimation of electrode gap based on a plurality of secondary estimates derived from furnace outputs. The estimation is preferably performed by Kalman filter. Adaptive gain techniques may be employed, as well as detection of process anomalies such as glows.