GAS TRANSFER FOOT
First Claim
1. A molten metal pump including:
- (a) a motor;
(b) a rotor;
(c) a shaft connecting the motor to the rotor;
(d) a base comprising;
a pump chamber;
a discharge in communication with the pump chamber, the discharge having a bottom surface and a first section having a first cross-sectional area and a second section having a second cross-sectional area, the second section being downstream of the first section and the second cross-sectional area being greater than the first cross-sectional area; and
an opening on the bottom surface in communication with one or more of the group consisting of the first section and the second section; and
(e) a gas-transfer foot, the gas-transfer foot comprising;
a gas-inlet port through which gas enters the foot; and
a gas-outlet port in communication with the opening so that gas can be transferred from the gas-outlet port through the opening and into the discharge.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention includes a molten metal pump and associated components that enable gas to be released into a stream of molten metal. The gas may be released into the molten metal stream (preferably into the bottom of the stream) flowing through a passage. Such a stream may be within the pump discharge and/or within a metal-transfer conduit extending from the pump discharge. The gas is released by using a gas-transfer foot that is positioned next to and is preferably attachable to the pump base or to the metal-transfer conduit. Preferably, the conduit (and/or discharge) in which the gas is released comprises two sections: a first section having a first cross-sectional area and a second section downstream of the first section and having a second cross-sectional area, wherein the second cross sectional area is larger than the first cross-sectional area. Preferably, the gas is released into or near the second section so that the gas is released into an area of relatively lower pressure.
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Citations
31 Claims
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1. A molten metal pump including:
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(a) a motor; (b) a rotor; (c) a shaft connecting the motor to the rotor; (d) a base comprising; a pump chamber; a discharge in communication with the pump chamber, the discharge having a bottom surface and a first section having a first cross-sectional area and a second section having a second cross-sectional area, the second section being downstream of the first section and the second cross-sectional area being greater than the first cross-sectional area; and an opening on the bottom surface in communication with one or more of the group consisting of the first section and the second section; and (e) a gas-transfer foot, the gas-transfer foot comprising; a gas-inlet port through which gas enters the foot; and a gas-outlet port in communication with the opening so that gas can be transferred from the gas-outlet port through the opening and into the discharge. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A molten metal pump including:
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(a) a motor; (b) a rotor; (c) a shaft connecting the motor to the rotor; (d) a base comprising; a pump chamber; and a discharge in communication with the pump chamber; (e) a metal-transfer conduit extending from the discharge, the metal-transfer conduit in communication with the discharge such that at least some of the molten metal moving through the discharge also moves through the metal-transfer conduit; the metal-transfer conduit having an internal channel including a first section having a first cross-sectional area and a second section having a second cross-sectional area, the second section being downstream of the first section and the second cross-sectional area being greater than the first cross-sectional area; and a gas-release opening on the bottom surface of the channel in communication with one or more of the group consisting of the first section and the second section; and (f) a gas-transfer foot comprising; a gas inlet port through which gas passes into the gas-transfer foot; and a gas outlet port in communication with the gas-release opening so that gas can be transferred from the gas outlet port through the gas-release opening into the conduit path. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A gas-transfer assembly for a molten metal pump, the gas-transfer assembly comprising:
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(a) a gas-transfer conduit having a gas-release end and an opposite end connectable to a gas source; and (b) a gas-transfer foot, the gas-transfer foot comprising; a gas-inlet port in communication with the gas-release end of the gas-transfer tube; and a gas-outlet port downstream from the gas inlet port, wherein the gas-transfer foot is attachable to a component of the molten metal pump such that the gas outlet port can transfer gas into the bottom of a flow of molten metal.
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21. A gas-transfer foot for a molten metal pump, the gas-transfer foot comprising:
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(a) a gas inlet port through which gas passes into the foot; (b) a gas outlet port downstream from the gas inlet port, wherein the gas-transfer foot is attachable to a component of the molten metal pump such that the gas outlet port can transfer gas into the bottom of a flow of molten metal.
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22. A base for a molten metal pump, the base comprising:
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(a) a pump chamber; (b) a discharge in fluid communication with the pump chamber for discharging a molten metal stream, the discharge having a bottom surface; (c) a gas-release opening on the bottom surface of the discharge; and (d) a notch constructed in the base such that an inserted gas-transfer foot is in communication with the gas-release opening so that gas may be released into the discharge. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. A metal-transfer conduit for a molten metal pump, the metal-transfer conduit comprising:
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(a) an internal channel extending therethrough, the channel having a bottom surface; (b) a gas-release opening in the bottom surface of the channel; and (c) a notch formed in the metal-transfer conduit, the notch configured to receive a gas-transfer foot having a gas-outlet port such that when the gas-transfer foot is received in the notch, the gas-outlet port is in communication with the gas-release opening so that gas may be released into the channel. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30, 31)
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Specification