IMMERSION HEATER FOR MOLTEN METAL

• US 20110148012A1
• Filed: 09/10/2010
• Published: 06/23/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 09/09/2009
• 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 9,108,244 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 266/200
• CPC Class Codes: B22D 41/015 with external heating, i.e. the heat source not being a part of the ladle
• CPC Class Codes: F27B 3/08 heated electrically, with or without any other source of heat
• CPC Class Codes: F27B 3/10 Details, accessories, or equipment peculiar to hearth-type furnaces
• CPC Class Codes: F27B 3/20 Arrangements of heating devices
• CPC Class Codes: F27D 11/02 Ohmic resistance heating
• CPC Class Codes: F27D 17/002 Details of the installations, e.g. fume conduits or seals
• CPC Class Codes: F27D 19/00 Arrangements of controlling devices
• CPC Class Codes: F27D 2003/0054 Means to move molten metal, e.g. electromagnetic pump
• CPC Class Codes: F27D 2019/0037 Quantity of electric current
• CPC Class Codes: F27D 2099/0013 immersed in the charge
• CPC Class Codes: F27D 27/005 Pumps
• CPC Class Codes: F27D 99/0006 Electric heating elements or system
• CPC Class Codes: F27D 99/007 Partitions
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 3/0014 Devices wherein the heating current flows through particular resistances
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 3/62 Heating elements specially adapted for furnaces H05B3/60 takes precedence; arrangements of elements for electric heating in or on furnaces using ohmic resistance heating F27D11/02
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 3/82 Fixedly-mounted immersion heaters

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for heating molten metal by the use of a heater that can be immersed into the molten metal. This immersion heater includes an outer cover formed of one or more materials resistant to the molten metal in which the immersion heater is to be used, and a heating element inside of the outer cover, where the heating element is protected from contacting the molten metal.

Claims

1. A device comprising:

a vessel for containing molten metal; and

an immersion heater positioned in the vessel, the immersion heater comprising an outer cover of material resistant to molten metal and a heating element inside of the outer cover, the heating element connectable to an energy source, the outer cover comprised of a material formulated to be resistant to the molten metal, wherein the outer cover protects the heating element from contacting the molten metal when the immersion heater is positioned in the molten metal.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the energy source of the heating element is a source of electricity.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the heating element is one or more wire coils.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the immersion heater is rectangular.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the outer cover is comprised of one or more of graphite and ceramic.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the outer cover has a cavity and the heating element is positioned in the cavity.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the vessel has a top surface and further comprises one or more insulated covers to cover a portion of the top surface of the vessel.

9. The device of claim 8, wherein at least one of the one or more of the insulated covers is mechanically moved from a first position where it covers a portion of the top surface of the vessel and a second position where it does not cover a portion of the top surface of the vessel.

10. The device of claim 1 that further includes a degasser positioned in the vessel.

11. The device of claim 8, wherein the device further comprises a plurality of insulated covers.

12. The device of claim 10, that further includes a plurality of degassers, wherein each of the degassers is positioned in the vessel.

13. The device of claim 12, wherein the immersion heater divides the vessel into a first chamber and a second chamber and there is at least one degasser in the first chamber and at least one degasser in the second chamber.

14. The device of claim 13, wherein molten metal flows from the first chamber to the second chamber.

15. The device of claim 1, wherein the device further comprises an inlet in fluid communication with the vessel.

16. The device of claim 1, wherein the device further comprises an outlet in fluid communication with the vessel.

17. The device of claim 13, wherein the bottom surface of the immersion heater is positioned above a bottom surface of the vessel.

18. The device of claim 1, wherein the immersion heater is rectangular.

19. The device of claim 1, wherein the outer cover is comprised of a refractory material.

20. The device of claim 1 that further includes a superstructure at the top of the vessel and the immersion heater is suspended from the superstructure.

21. The device of claim 20, wherein the superstructure includes a metal bar and bolts extend from the metal bar into the outer cover.

6. The device of 1, wherein the outer cover is molded over the heating element.

22. An immersion heater for use in a vessel that contains molten metal, the immersion heater comprising an outer cover and a heating element within the outer cover, the heating element connectable to an energy source, the outer cover comprised of a material formulated to be resistant to molten aluminum, wherein the outer cover protects heating element from contacting the molten metal when the immersion heater is positioned into molten metal.

23. The immersion heater of claim 22, wherein the outer cover is comprised of one or more of the group consisting of graphite and ceramic.

24. The immersion heater of claim 22, wherein the outer cover can reach temperatures of between 500°

F. and 1200°

F. because of the heat generated by the heating element.

25. The immersion heater of claim 22, wherein the outer cover can reach temperatures of between 500°

F. and 900°

F. because of the heat generated by the heating element.