MOLTEN METAL IMPELLER

• US 20130224038A1
• Filed: 02/21/2013
• Published: 08/29/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 07/02/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Pyrotek Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Pyrotek Incorporated
• Inventors: Tetkoskie, Jason
• Granted Patent: US 9,458,724 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 416/241.R
• CPC Class Codes: F01D 5/147 Construction, i.e. structural features, e.g. of weight-saving hollow blades F01D5/148, F01D5/16 and F01D5/20 take precedence; blade shape F01D5/141; blades with cooling or heating channels or cavities F01D5/18; heating, heat-insulating or cooling means on blades F01D5/18
• CPC Class Codes: F04D 29/22 specially for centrifugal pumps
• CPC Class Codes: F04D 7/065 for liquid metal

Abstract

According to another embodiment, a molten metal impeller comprised of a generally cylindrical body including a plurality of passages extending from a top surface to a side wall and a cap member secured to a top surface of the body. The cap member is shaped cooperatively to overlay the cylindrical body. The cap member includes a first side seated on the top surface and a second opposed side. The top surface includes one of a notch or a protrusion and the first side of the cap member includes one of a notch or a protrusion oriented to mate with the notch or protrusion of the body.

Claims

1. A molten metal impeller comprised of a generally cylindrical body including a plurality of passages extending from a top surface to a side wall and a cap member secured to a top surface of the body, the cap member shaped cooperatively to overlay the body, the cap member including a first side seated on the top surface and a second opposed side, the top surface including one of a recess or protrusion and the first side of the cap member including one of a recess or protrusion oriented to cooperatively mate with the recess or protrusion of the body.

2. The impeller of claim 1 wherein the cap member first side includes a plurality of recesses or protrusions oriented to mate with a plurality of recesses or protrusions in the top surface of the body.

3. The impeller of claim 1 wherein the body is comprised of graphite.

4. The impeller of claim 1 wherein the cap member is comprised of ceramic.

5. The impeller of claim 1 wherein the body comprises a cylindrical base including a centrally disposed hub, and a plurality of vanes disposed on the base and extending from the hub.

6. The impeller of claim 5 wherein the cap member includes a ring forming a central passage shaped to cooperatively overlay the hub and a plurality of fingers extending radially from the ring and shaped to cooperatively overlay the vanes of the body.

7. The impeller of claim 6 wherein the mated recesses and protrusions extend radially from an interior of the impeller toward a periphery of the impeller

8. The impeller of claim 7 wherein the mated recesses and protrusions extend radially on the vanes and fingers from adjacent the hub and ring respectively to adjacent the periphery of the impeller.

9. The impeller of claim 6 wherein the impeller has a direction of intended rotation and wherein the body includes the protrusion and the cap member includes the cooperative recess, each vane having a leading edge in the direction of intended rotation and an opposed trailing edge, and wherein the body protrusion is disposed on the trailing edge of at least one vane.

10. The impeller of claim 1 including a bearing ring.

11. A molten metal pump comprised of a motor, and an associated shaft, the shaft including the impeller of claim 1 disposed at one end.

12. The molten metal pump of claim 11 further comprising a base defining a pumping chamber in which the impeller is disposed and at least one post connecting the base and a motor mount supporting the motor.

13. An impeller having an intended direction of rotation comprised of a body having an at least substantially cylindrical base, a hub disposed on a first side of the base and a plurality of vanes extending from the base and the hub, the vanes including a free end adjacent a periphery of the impeller and a cap receiving side opposed to a side extending from the base, the cap receiving side having a receiving surface including a recessed leading edge in the intended direction of rotation and a raised trailing edge, a cap member having a ring sized to overlay the hub and a plurality of fingers extending from the ring and configured to overlay the vanes, at least one finger including a surface having a projection mating with the recessed leading edge of the associated vane and a recessed trailing edge mating with the raised trailing edge of the associated vane.

14. The impeller of claim 13 wherein the cap member is comprised of a higher density material than the body.

15. An impeller having an intended direction of rotation comprised of a body having a base and a plurality of vanes extending from the base and the hub, the vanes include a cap receiving side opposed to the base, the cap receiving side includes a cap receiving surface having a recessed leading edge and a raised trailing edge in the intended direction of rotation, a cap having a plurality of fingers configured to overlay the vanes is mounted to the body, at least one finger includes a surface having a projection mating with the recessed leading edge of the associated receiving surface, and a recessed trailing edge mating with a projection on the trailing edge of the associated receiving surface.

16. The impeller of claim 15 wherein each finger includes a projection and a recessed trailing edge.

17. The impeller of claim 15 wherein said projection and said recessed trailing edge extend substantially the length of the finger.

18. The impeller of claim 15 wherein said finger projection abuts the raised trailing edge of the vane to from an interface.

19. The impeller of claim 18 wherein said interface is oriented substantially transverse to a plane in which said intended direction of rotation resides.

20. The impeller of claim 19 wherein said interface includes a notch.