The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jun. 16, 2015
Filed:
Jul. 24, 2014
Bruno Thut, Chagrin Falls, OH (US);
Bruno Thut, Chagrin Falls, OH (US);
Other;
Abstract
A pump for pumping molten metal includes a refractory base that can be submerged in a bath of molten metal. A refractory shaft sleeve has upper and lower end portions. The base includes an impeller chamber and includes at least one inlet opening and outlet opening. The pump includes a motor. A refractory shaft extends in the shaft sleeve and is connected to a motor. A refractory impeller is connected to the shaft and is rotatable in the impeller chamber. A gas source flows inert gas into the shaft sleeve under pressure. In one aspect the shaft sleeve can be spaced from the base so as to leave a gap between the shaft sleeve and the base. A regulator regulates at least one of flow rate and pressure of the gas so as to avoid cavitation of the pump while the gas is released from the shaft sleeve. Also featured is a method of operating the pump so as to reduce dross formation in the molten metal.