METHOD OF TRANSFERRING MOLTEN METAL FROM A VESSEL

• US 20160091251A1
• Filed: 12/04/2015
• Published: 03/31/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 06/21/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Molten Metal Equipment Innovations Incorporated (Molten)
• Original Assignee: Molten Metal Equipment Innovations Incorporated (Molten)
• Inventors: Cooper, Paul V., Fontana, Vincent D.
• Granted Patent: US 9,925,587 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B22D 37/00 Controlling or regulating the pouring of molten metal from a casting melt-holding vessel B22D11/18, B22D39/00, B22D41/00 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B22D 39/00 Equipment for supplying molten metal in rations
• CPC Class Codes: B22D 41/00 Casting melt-holding vessels, e.g. ladles, tundishes, cups or the like B22D39/00, B22D43/00 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B22D 41/52 Manufacturing or repairing thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B22D 7/00 Casting ingots, e.g. from ferrous metalsequipment for conveying molten metal B22D35/00
• CPC Class Codes: C22B 21/0084 melting and handling molten aluminium C22B21/02, C22B21/04 and C22B21/06 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: C22B 21/064 using inert or reactive gases C22B21/066 and C22B21/068 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F27D 27/005 Pumps
• CPC Class Codes: F27D 3/14 Charging or discharging liquid or molten material
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining

Abstract

The invention relates to systems for transferring molten metal from one structure to another. Aspects of the invention include a transfer chamber constructed inside of or next to a vessel used to retain molten metal. The transfer chamber is in fluid communication with the vessel so molten metal from the vessel can enter the transfer chamber. A powered device, which may be inside of the transfer chamber, moves molten metal upward and out of the transfer chamber and preferably into a structure outside of the vessel, such as another vessel or a launder.

Claims

1. A method of transferring molten metal from a first structure to a second structure, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) generating a flow of molten metal into a first structure having a bottom surface, and a transfer chamber therein, the transfer chamber having an opening, an uptake section above the opening, and an outlet in communication with the uptake section and above the opening and leading out of the first structure;

wherein the bottom surface of the transfer chamber is below the uptake section and the outlet; and

(b) generating a flow of molten metal into the opening, and up the uptake section, where it exits the outlet and exits the first structure.

2. The method of claim 1 that further includes the step of:

(a) positioning a molten metal pump in the first structure; and

(b) activating the pump to move molten metal into the opening, up the uptake section, and out of the outlet.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the pump is located in the transfer chamber.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein the pump includes a rotor.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein the transfer chamber has an inner wall and there is a 1/32″

to ¼

″

clearance between the rotor and the inner wall.

6. The method of claim 2 wherein the pump is a variable speed pump.

7. The method of claim 2 wherein the first structure has a top surface above the outlet and the top surface has one or more brackets to position the pump in the transfer chamber.

8. The method of claim 2 wherein the pump includes one or more brackets to position the pump in the transfer chamber.

9. The method of claim 7 wherein the pump includes one or more brackets to position the pump in the transfer chamber.

10. The method of claim 2 wherein the pump does not include a pump base or support posts.

11. The method of claim 2 wherein the rotor is dual flow, and has a first surface that pushes molten metal upward, and a second surface above the first surface, the second surface for pushing molten metal outward.

12. The method of claim 1 wherein the molten metal is degassed before exiting the first structure.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein the molten metal is degassed before it enters the opening.

14. The method of claim 12 wherein one or more rotary degassers are positioned in the vessel.

15. The method of claim 13 wherein one or more rotary degassers are positioned in the vessel.

16. The method of claim 1 wherein there is a tap-out plug below the opening.

17. The method of claim 9 wherein the one or more brackets on the pump align with the one or more brackets on the top surface of the first vessel.

18. The method of claim 2 that further comprises the step of attaching brackets to the pump, the brackets for use in positioning the pump in the transfer chamber.

19. The method of claim 1 wherein the transfer chamber has a first portion at or above the opening for receiving a rotor of a molten metal pump.