Methods employing permanent magnets having reach-out magnetic fields for electromagnetically pumping, braking, and metering molten metals feeding into metal casting machines

Abstract

Method precisely, quickly controls flow of molten metal to metal-casting apparatus by pumping, braking or throttling. The Faraday-Ampére principle of current flow in a unidirectional magnetic field is employed. Permanent magnets comprising neodymium or similar high-energy, rare-earth materials provide “reach-out” magnetism. These neo-magnets, usually shown as cubes, are arranged in various powerful configurations driving intense unidirectional magnetic field B across a non-magnetic gap many times larger than economically feasible otherwise. This gap accommodates a conduit for pressurizing and moving a flow of molten metal. In making multiple identical castings, a controlled, intermittent, predetermined flow of molten metal is fed to a series of identical individual molds. The invention obviates needs for operating metallurgical valves or expensive tilting mechanisms for metallurgical furnaces. Existing furnaces too low to permit inflow by gravity may be rendered usable by embodiments of this invention.