QUICK SUBMERGENCE MOLTEN METAL PUMP

• US 20110142606A1
• Filed: 08/09/2010
• Published: 06/16/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 08/07/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Molten Metal Equipment Innovations Incorporated (Molten)
• Original Assignee: Molten Metal Equipment Innovations Incorporated (Molten)
• Inventors: Cooper, Paul V.
• Granted Patent: US 10,428,821 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 415/200
• CPC Class Codes: F04D 13/08 for submerged use
• CPC Class Codes: F04D 7/065 for liquid metal

Abstract

A pump for transferring molten metal includes an intake tube, a motor, a rotor positioned at least partially within the bottom end of the intake tube, a rotor shaft positioned at least partially in the intake tube, the rotor shaft having a first end attached to the motor and a second end attached to the rotor. An overflow conduit is attached to the intake tube. The pump does not include a pump housing and preferably does not include a superstructure, so it is relatively small, light and portable. In use, the motor drives the rotor shaft and rotor to generate a flow of molten metal upward into the intake tube and into the overflow conduit where it is discharged.

Claims

1. A pump for transferring molten metal from a vessel, the system comprising:

(a) an intake tube for directing molten metal upward, the intake tube including a first end for being at least partially submerged in the molten metal in the vessel, and a second end;

(b) a motor juxtaposed the second end,

(c) a drive shaft positioned at least partially within the intake tube, the drive shaft having a first end connected to the motor and a second end,

(d) a rotor positioned at least partially in the first end of the intake tube, the rotor being connected to the second end of the rotor shaft; and

(e) an overflow conduit coupled to the intake tube above the rotor, the overflow conduit for directing molten metal out of the intake tube.

2. The pump of claim 1 wherein the intake tube comprises:

(a) a first section for being at least partially submerged in the molten metal in the vessel; and

(b) a second section coupled to the first section, the second section including the overflow conduit.

3. The pump of claim 2 wherein the overflow conduit is removably coupled to the second section of the intake tube.

4. The pump of claim 1 that does not include a pump base.

5. The pump of claim 1 that does not include a superstructure.

6. The pump of claim 1 further comprising a support structure for positioning and supporting the intake tube within the vessel.

7. The pump of claim 6 wherein the support structure comprises a chain.

8. The pump of claim 7 wherein the chain is coupled to a hook on the pump.

9. The pump of claim 1 wherein the intake tube comprises a substantially uniform inner diameter.

10. The pump of claim 1 wherein the overflow conduit comprises a substantially uniform inner diameter.

11. The pump of claim 1 wherein the inner diameter of the intake tube and the inner diameter of the overflow conduit are different.

12. The pump of claim 1 wherein the rotor is centered in the intake tube.

13. The pump of claim 1 wherein the rotor shaft is centered in the intake tube.

14. The pump of claim 1 wherein the rotor has an outer diameter and the intake tube has an inner diameter, and the outer diameter of the rotor is about 0.03 inches or less than the inner diameter of the intake tube.

15. The pump of claim 1 wherein the motor is selected from the group consisting of:

an electric motor;

a pneumatic motor, and a hydraulic motor.

16. The pump of claim 1 wherein the intake tube comprises one or more gates at the second end to prevent the intake tube from adhering to a surface of the vessel.

17. The pump of claim 1 further comprising one or more bearings on one or more of the rotor and the second end of the intake tube.

18. The pump of claim 17 wherein the one or more bearings are comprised of ceramic.

19. The pump of claim 1 wherein the second end of the intake tube comprises an inner diameter of between about 3 inches and about 9 inches.

20. The pump of claim 1 wherein the intake tube comprises graphite.

21. The pump of claim 1 wherein the intake tube comprises ceramic.

22. The pump of claim 1 wherein the intake overflow conduit comprises one or more of the group consisting of graphite, ceramic and steel.

23. The pump of claim 1 wherein the intake tube has an inner surface and includes insulation on its inner surface.

24. The pump of claim 1 wherein the overflow conduit has an inner surface and includes insulation on its inner surface.

25. The pump of claim 1 wherein the rotor is a dual-flow rotor positioned to push molten metal into the intake tube.

26. The pump of claim 1 wherein the intake tube has a circular cross section.

27. The pump of claim 1 wherein the intake tube has a rectangular cross section.

28. The pump of claim 27 wherein each side of the intake tube has an inner surface, and each inner surface has a length of between 3″

and 9″

.