The Carborundum Company

Metaullics Systems Co., L.p.

Other

Kennecott Corporation

Ronald E Gilbert

George S Mordue

Chris T Vild

David M Masarin

Richard S Henderson

Lutfi H Amra

Paul V Cooper

Mark A Bright

Harvey Martin

Eliott B Gordon

In a charge well for adding scrap metal pieces or particles to a molten metal bath, a stationary diverter is provided within a charge well for diverting the circular flow of molten metal, caused by the orientation of the inlet port, in a downward direction, thereby creating a downward flow of molten metal which results in quick and efficient submergence of incoming lightweight scrap metal pieces or particles. Preferably, the diverter includes a leading edge which extends in a generally radial direction within the charge well and a flat top surface which tapers from the leading edge to a point or narrowed trailing edge. A downward curved surface extends from the leading edge to facilitate the downward flow of molten metal. The diverter may be mounted on a support member extending above the charge well.

Molten metal charge well

An elongated shaft suited to a molten metal environment which forms a connection between a rotor and an impeller. The shaft being formed with at least one end, in cross-section, having a plurality of rounded side portions with a relatively large radius and rounded corners having a relatively small radius connecting the side portions.

Molten metal pump with vaned impeller

A molten metal pump having an elongated shaft with an impeller disposed adjacent the end of the shaft and a means for rotating the shaft. The impeller is formed with an imperforate substantially circular base surrounded by a bearing and has a surface facing toward the shaft. At least two imperforate vanes are connected to and extend substantially perpendicular from the surface and radially from the shaft or a hub securing the shaft toward a peripheral portion of the base. The vanes are spaced apart at terminal inlet ends along their entire radial dimension to create an inlet area comprised of the axial opening between adjacent vanes at the terminal ends and an outlet area comprised of a radial opening between adjacent vanes along the axial direction of the vanes. Each vane has a leading edge with a distal portion adjacent the periphery of the base portion which forms an angle of less than about 100.degree. relative to a tangent to said circular base drawn at the center of the vane.

A post for a molten metal pump having an end joined to a hole in a pump base. The post end includes a longitudinal bore opening at the end of the post and a port opening to the side of the post intersecting the bore. A plug is inserted into the bore above the level of the port yet leaving a portion of the upper bore open. Cement can be injected into the bore and out the ports. Thereafter, a second plug can be inserted into the bore to drive cement out. To remove the post, it is cut across its longitudinal axis to expose the open upper portion of the bore. The opening is a pilot hole to drill a longitudinal hole in the post. A device having two members connected by a rod are attached to the upper and lower surfaces of the remaining post, respectively and tightened to break the cement joint.

Molten metal pump support post and apparatus for removing it from a base

A molten metal pump including a vaned impeller having a larger outlet area than inlet area which demonstrates prolonged high effectiveness and reduces the likelihood of catastrophic failure.

Metal particles are melted by mixing them with molten metal contained in a bath. A shaft-supported, rotatable impeller is immersed into the molten metal and rotated so as to establish a vortex-like flow of molten metal. Metal particles are deposited onto the surface of the molten metal in the vicinity of the rotating impeller. The particles are submerged substantially immediately after being deposited onto the surface of the molten metal. The impeller includes a thin rectangular prism having sharp-edged corners and vanes that extend upwardly from the prism. The impeller also can be used to disperse gas into the molten metal by pumping the gas through a bore extending the length of the shaft and out of the impeller along the lower surface of the impeller. The gas is sheared into finely divided bubbles as it rises along the sides of the impeller.

Melting metal particles and dispersing gas and additives with vaned

Melting metal particles and dispersing gas with vaned impeller

A molten metal pump includes a filter that prevents ingestion of foreign material such as dross from molten metal within which the pump is immersed. The filter is a large structure that is secured to the base of the pump surrounding the pump's inlet. The filter forms a cavity adjacent the pump's inlet. The ratio of the surface area of the filter to the inlet area of the pump is very large due in part to a corrugated end wall included as part of the filter. The filter has a low porosity while maintaining a high flow rate for the pump.

Molten metal pump with filter

A molten metal pump includes an impeller disposed at the end of an elongate drive shaft. The drive shaft is disposed within an elongate, hollow post. The impeller and the end of the post are adapted to be immersed in molten metal. An inert gas is conveyed through the gap between the outer surface of the drive shaft and the inner surface of the post, which gas is discharged into the molten metal in the vicinity of the impeller. Because the drive shaft is insulated from the molten metal, it can be made of a durable material such as steel; because the post is stationary relative to the molten metal, the metal is stirred only by the impeller, and not by the drive shaft. The invention includes other features such as a quick disconnect capability and a radial adjustment capability.

Molten metal pump

An impeller for a molten metal pump having a cup-shaped body comprised of a sidewall and a closed end portion that define a cavity. A plurality of shear vanes extend radially from the outer surface of the impeller, particularly from the end portion of the impeller. The impeller also has a plurality of openings extending laterally through its sidewall, wherein the openings have center lines disposed parallel to lines extending radially from the center of the cavity. The openings may be equidistantly spaced about the periphery of the sidewall. The impeller may also be comprised of a bearing member forming a portion of the sidewall.

A drive system for impeller shafts includes a coupling that has a universal joint that is lubricated under all operating conditions. A housing is connected to the universal joint, which housing includes a hollow end portion adapted to receive the non-threaded end of an impeller shaft. A threaded stud projects from the end of the shaft and into the housing where the stud is secured by means of a nut. The nut is readily accessible to the user so that the axial position of the shaft can be adjusted without difficulty. The nut is releasably held within the housing so that the shaft and stud, with nut attached, can be quickly disconnected from the coupling. The invention also includes a modified 'square drive' configuration for the ends of the shaft that is extremely strong and enables the shaft to be connected to the impeller and the coupling very easily.

Drive system for impeller shafts

A molten metal pump includes a filter that prevents ingestion of foreign material such as dross from molten metal within which the pump is immersed. The filter is a large structure that is secured to the base of the pump surrounding the pump's inlet. The filter forms a cavity adjacent the pump's inlet. The filter has a low porosity while maintaining a high flow rate for the pump. The filter is a semi-toroidal structure that is attachable to a pump base having an upper inlet. The filter surrounds the pump's inlet. The filter includes a central opening through which access can be had to the pump's impeller for purposes of inspection, repair, or replacement without disturbing the attachment between the filter and base.

Apparatus for injecting gas into molten metal includes a porous ceramic body having a first surface through which gas can be introduced into the body, and a second surface through which gas can flow from the body. A refractory member is attached to the body and surrounds at least the first surface, while leaving the second surface exposed. The refractory member is impervious to gas, while having a coefficient of thermal expansion approximating that of the body. Preferably, a refractory sealant securely attaches the refractory member to the body. By use of the present invention, the refractory member and the body remain tightly connected to each other at all times. Accordingly, gas leaks are prevented and all gas flowing into the body is discharged through the second surface, as desired.

Growing community of inventors

Chardon, OH, United States of America

Ronald E Gilbert