Shaft and post assemblies for molten metal apparatus

• US 20030075844A1
• Filed: 09/16/2002
• Published: 04/24/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 11/09/1998
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Pyrotek Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Metaullics Systems Company LP (Pyrotek Incorporated)
• Inventors: Bright, Mark A., Chandler, Richard C., Henderson, Richard S., Vild, Chris T., Mordue, George S.
• Granted Patent: US 6,887,425 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 266/239
• CPC Class Codes: B22D 39/00 Equipment for supplying molten metal in rations
• CPC Class Codes: C22B 21/0084 melting and handling molten aluminium C22B21/02, C22B21/04 and C22B21/06 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: C22B 21/06 refining electrolytic refining C25C; C22B21/0046, C22B21/0061 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: C22B 9/05 Refining by treating with gases, e.g. gas flushing also refining by means of a material generating gas in situ
• CPC Class Codes: F04D 7/065 for liquid metal

Abstract

An apparatus for moving a stream of molten metal comprising a pumping member, a housing at least partially enclosing the pumping member, a power device seated on a support, and a shaft connecting the power device and the pumping member. At least one post is disposed between the support and the housing. The post includes an elongated rod comprising a metal alloy surrounded by an outer sheath. An inner member may surround the rod and provide a molten metal resistant barrier. The rod includes a first end connected to the support and a second end secured to the housing. A similar design for a shaft is also provided.

Claims

1. A molten metal pump post comprising:

an elongated rod of heat resistant alloy;

a sheath member, wherein a first end and a second end of the rod extend outwardly from the sheath; and

a coupling unit at least partially surrounding and secured to a first portion of the sheath member proximal the rod first end.

2. The molten metal pump post of claim 1 wherein the sheath member includes an inner sheath member comprising a material that forms a second molten metal barrier and an outer sheath member comprising a graphite, refractory or ceramic material surrounding the rod and inner sheath.

3. The molten metal pump post of claim 1 further comprising a spring member surrounding and proximal the first end of the rod.

4. A molten metal pump post comprising:

a sheath member comprised of a molten metal resistant material forming a molten metal barrier adapted to at least partially surround an associated rod;

a further molten metal resistant material forming a second molten metal barrier interposed between the associated rod and the sheath; and

a coupling unit secured to a first end of the rod.

5. The molten metal pump post of claim 4 wherein the further molten metal resistant material comprises a porous ceramic fiber, a granular fill material or a monolithic shock resistant ceramic.

6. An assembly for attaching an associated molten metal pump post to a component of a molten metal pump, the assembly comprising a member having a first open end that accommodates an elongated refractory element and an opposed end including spring elements, wherein a bore extends the length of said member.

7. An assembly for mating a molten metal pump post comprising an elongated rod surrounded by a protective sheath, to a motor mount, the assembly comprising:

a hollow member comprising an aperture shaped to receive the rod, a first end and a second end;

a cup-shaped member positioned at the second end of the hollow member and axially aligned with the aperture, the cup-shaped member comprising an open end distal the hollow member second end and a substantially closed end proximal the hollow member second end, wherein the open end is shaped to receive the protective sheath and the substantially closed end comprises an opening shaped so that the elongated rod can pass through;

a clamping member at least partially surrounding the cup-shaped member; and

a bracket fastened at a first end to the rod above the hollow member first end and fastened at a second end to the clamping member.

8. A molten metal pump post comprising:

an elongated rod of a heat resistant alloy;

a sheath member surrounding the elongated rod;

an indicating device having a terminal disposed in the molten metal bath; and

an indicating terminal positioned between the rod and the sheath member, the indicating terminal being electrically connected at one end to the indicating device whereby upon penetration of molten metal through the sheath member a circuit closes charging the indicating device.

9. A base assembly for an associated molten metal pump, said pump comprising a pumping member and a molten metal pump post, said post having an elongated rod surrounded by a sheath member, the base comprising:

a housing comprising a lateral side, the housing defining a first channel extending through the housing and a second channel aligned with the first channel, wherein the channels are accessible from the lateral side of the housing.

10. A molten metal pump for moving a stream of molten metal comprising:

a pumping member;

a housing at least partially enclosing the pumping member;

a power device seated on a support;

a shaft connecting the power device and the pumping member; and

at least one post disposed between the support and the housing, the post comprising an elongated rod surrounded by a sheath member comprising a molten metal resistant material forming a molten metal barrier, and a second molten metal barrier interposed between said elongated rod and said sheath.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said second molten metal barrier comprises a porous ceramic fiber body, a granular fill material or a monolithic shock resistant ceramic.

12. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein a spring is a component connecting the rod to the support to provide a load transfer on the post.

13. A method of manufacturing a part for a molten metal pump comprising providing a fixture suited for holding a metallic rod in a generally upright orientation, placing a sheath member around the rod, cementing a metallic cap to the sheath member at a distal end from the fixture, wherein the sheath is held in position while the cement dries.

14. A molten metal pump for moving a stream of molten metal comprising:

a pumping member;

a housing at least partially enclosing the pumping member;

a power device seated on a support;

a shaft connecting the power device and the pumping member; and

at least one post connecting said support and said housing, said post comprising an elongated member having an end secured to said housing, said end including a threaded portion attached to a cap, nut or bolt.

15. A molten metal pump post comprised of a substantially solid elongated graphite, refractory or ceramic member including a threaded end for receiving a threaded graphite, ceramic or refractory cap.

16. A molten metal pump for moving molten metal comprising:

a pumping member;

a power device; and

a shaft connecting the power device and the pumping member, said shaft comprising an elongated alloy rod surrounded by a sheath member, said rod having a first end connected to said power device and a second end secured within a cavity in said pumping member.

17. A shaft for a molten metal pump, degasser, agitator or submerger comprising an elongated rod of heat resistant alloy surrounded by a sheath member wherein the ends of said rod extend outwardly from said sheath and one end includes a means for mating with an impeller.

18. An molten metal pump for moving a stream of molten metal comprising:

a pumping member;

a housing at least partially enclosing the pumping member;

a power device seated on a support;

a shaft connecting the power device and the pumping member; and

at least one post disposed between said support and said housing, said post comprising an elongated rod surrounded by a sheath member, said rod having a first end connected to said support and a second end secured within a cavity in said housing, and said sheath member being compressed between said support and said housing.

19. A molten metal pump post comprising:

an elongated rod;

a sheath member at least partially surrounding said elongated rod; and

a coupling unit at least partially surrounding and secured to a first portion of said sheath member, said coupling unit including a non-circular aperture that receives said elongated rod to limit rotational movement of said rod.

20. The molten metal pump post of claim 19 wherein said elongated rod includes a non-circular portion received in said non-circular aperture.

22. The molten metal pump post of claim 19 further comprising a coupling unit at least partially surrounding and secured to said sheath member.

23. The molten metal pump post of claim 22 wherein said coupling unit includes a catch;

wherein said catch receives said first or said second elongated rod and limits rotational movement of said first or said second elongated rod.

21. A molten metal pump post comprising:

a first metal elongated rod;

a second elongated rod releasably attached to said first elongated rod; and

a sheath member at least partially surrounding at least one of said first and second elongated rods.

24. A molten metal pump post comprising:

an elongated rod;

a sheath member at least partially surrounding said elongated rod; and

a tension element mounted to said rod proximal an end of said sheath member.