Transfer pump launder system

• US 10,052,688 B2
• Filed: 03/15/2013
• Issued: 08/21/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 03/15/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Molten Metal Equipment Innovations Incorporated (Molten)
• Original Assignee: Molten Metal Equipment Innovations Incorporated (Molten)
• Inventors: Cooper, Paul V.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lettman, Bryan
• Application Number:
  US13/841,938
• Publication Number:
  US 20140261800A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,985 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B22D 45/00 Equipment for casting, not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: F04D 29/607 means for positioning from outside
• CPC Class Codes: F04D 7/065 for liquid metal
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/85978 With pump

Abstract

A pump having a motor, a pump base with a pump chamber, a tangential discharge and an outlet in the pump base. A riser tube extends upward from the outlet and terminates at or above a launder in order to move molten metal out of a vessel with relatively little turbulence.

Claims

1. A pump configured to be positioned in a vessel that contains molten metal, the pump comprising:

(a) a pump base having a pump chamber, a top surface, and a tangential discharge leading to an output port;

(b) a cylindrical riser tube having a passage therethrough, a proximal end having an opening in communication with the passage, the proximal end physically attached to the output port, a distal end opposite the proximal end, wherein the distal end has an opening in communication with the passage, the distal end being open;

(c) a superstructure above the pump output port, the riser tube being supported by the superstructure;

(d) a launder configured to extend from the vessel to a second vessel, the launder having an open top, and a bottom surface having a circular opening, wherein the distal end of the riser tube is physically connected to the bottom surface of the launder, and the opening in the distal end terminates at or above the bottom surface of the launder and below the open top of the launder, and wherein molten metal is pumped upward through the riser tube and into the launder, where the molten metal moves through the launder into the second vessel; and

(e) wherein the distal end of the riser tube is received in the circular opening of the launder, and the distal end of the riser tube has a front portion that terminates at or above the bottom surface of the launder, and has a raised back portion opposite the front portion, wherein the back portion extends above the front portion, and, to the open top of the launder or higher wherein molten metal reaching the distal end of the riser tube exits the front portion and enters the launder.

2. The pump of claim 1, wherein there is an opening in the bottom surface of the launder and the distal end of the riser tube is received in the opening.

3. The pump of claim 2, wherein the distal end of the riser tube has a raised back portion and a front portion being lower than the back portion, and wherein molten metal passing the distal end of the riser tube exits the front portion and enters the launder.

4. The pump of claim 3, wherein the front portion is at a height between:

being even with the top surface of the launder to 3″

above the top surface of the launder.

6. The transfer pump of claim 1, wherein the launder has a horizontal angle of 0 degrees.

7. The pump of claim 1, wherein the launder tilts backward towards the distal end of the riser tube.

8. The pump of claim 7, wherein the launder tilts backwards at a horizontal angle of between 1-5 degrees, or 1-3 degrees.

9. The pump of claim 7, wherein the launder tilts backwards at a slope of ⅛

″

for every 10′

of launder length.

10. The pump of claim 1 that includes a motor positioned on the superstructure, and support posts that are attached to the pump base and to the superstructure.

11. The pump of claim 10 that includes a drive shaft having a first end connected to the motor, and a second end connected to a rotor, wherein the rotor is positioned in the pump chamber.

12. The pump of claim 11, wherein the drive shaft comprises a rotor shaft having an end that is received in a coupling, and a motor shaft having an end that is also received in the coupling.

13. The pump of claim 11, wherein the second end of the rotor shaft is threadingly received in the rotor.

14. The pump of claim 1, wherein the distal end of the riser tube terminates at the top surface of the launder or within 3″

above the top surface of the launder.

15. The pump of claim 1, wherein the pump base has a side surface and the pump outlet is in the side surface.

16. The pump of claim 15, wherein the proximal end of the riser tube is an extension piece formed as an elbow to direct the flow from the output port upwards.

5. The pump of claim wherein the front portion is at a height between:

being even with the top surface of the launder to 3″

above the top surface of the launder.

17. A pump configured to be positioned in a vessel that contains molten metal, the pump comprising:

(a) a pump base having a pump chamber, a top surface, and a tangential discharge leading to an output port;

(b) a riser tube having a passage therethrough, a proximal end having an opening in communication with the passage, the proximal end physically attached to the output port, a distal end opposite the proximal end, wherein the distal end has an opening in communication with the passage, the distal end being open;

(c) a superstructure above the pump output port, the riser tube being supported by the superstructure;

(d) a launder configured to extend from the vessel to a second vessel, the launder having an open top, and a bottom surface with an opening, wherein the distal end of the riser tube is physically connected to the bottom surface of the launder, and the opening in the distal end terminates at or above the bottom surface of the launder and below the open top of the launder, and wherein molten metal is pumped upward through the riser tube and into the launder, where the molten metal moves through the launder into the second vessel; and

(e) wherein the distal end of the riser tube is received in the opening in the bottom surface of the launder, and the distal end of the riser tube has a raised back portion and a front portion being lower than the back portion, and wherein molten metal passing the distal end of the riser tube exits the front portion and enters the launder.

18. The pump of claim 17, wherein the opening in the bottom surface of the launder is circular and the riser tube is cylindrical, and the distal end of the riser tube is received in the circular opening in the bottom surface of the launder.

19. The pump of claim 17, wherein the front portion is at a height between:

being even with the top surface of the launder to 3″

above the top surface of the launder.

20. The pump of claim 18, wherein the front portion is at a height between:

being even with the top surface of the launder to 3″

above the top surface of the launder.

21. The pump of claim 17, wherein the launder has a horizontal angle of 0 degrees.

22. The pump of claim 17, wherein the launder tilts backward towards the distal end of the riser tube.

23. The pump of claim 22, wherein the launder tilts backwards at a horizontal angle of between 1-5 degrees, or 1-3 degrees.

24. The pump of claim 22, wherein the launder tilts backwards at a slope of ⅛

″

for every 10′

of launder length.

25. The pump of claim 17 that includes a motor positioned on the superstructure, and support posts that are attached to the pump base and to the superstructure.

26. The pump of claim 25 that includes a drive shaft having a first end connected to the motor, and a second end connected to a rotor, wherein the rotor is positioned in the pump chamber.

27. The pump of claim 26, wherein the drive shaft comprises a rotor shaft having an end that is received in a coupling, and a motor shaft having an end that is also received in the coupling.

28. The pump of claim 26, wherein the second end of the rotor shaft is threadingly received in the rotor.

29. The pump of claim 17, wherein the distal end of the riser tube terminates within 3″

above the top surface of the launder.

30. The pump of claim 17, wherein the pump base has a side surface and the pump outlet is in the side surface.

31. The pump of claim 30, wherein the proximal end of the riser tube is an extension piece formed as an elbow to direct the flow from the output port upwards.