MOLTEN METAL ROTOR WITH HARDENED BLADE TIPS

• US 20160265535A1
• Filed: 02/02/2016
• Published: 09/15/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 02/02/2015
• 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 10,947,980 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: F04D 29/026 especially adapted for liquid pumps
• CPC Class Codes: F04D 29/0465 Ceramic bearing designs
• CPC Class Codes: F04D 29/2294 for protection, e.g. against abrasion
• CPC Class Codes: F04D 29/24 Vanes
• CPC Class Codes: F04D 7/065 for liquid metal
• CPC Class Codes: F05D 2230/41 Hardening; Annealing
• CPC Class Codes: F05D 2240/303 related to the leading edge of a rotor blade
• CPC Class Codes: F05D 2240/307 related to the tip of a rotor blade
• CPC Class Codes: F05D 2300/224 Carbon, e.g. graphite
• CPC Class Codes: F05D 2300/506 Hardness

Abstract

Embodiments of the invention are directed to a rotor for use in molten metal and devices including the rotor. The rotor has a rotor body and blades, wherein each blade includes a tip that is at least twice as hard as the rotor body.

Claims

1. A rotor for use in molten metal, the rotor having a body portion, a plurality of rotor blades, and a hardened tip on a leading edge of each rotor blade, the hardened tip comprising material at least twice as hard as the graphite body portion.

2. The rotor of claim 1 wherein each tip is comprised of material between 2-3 times, 2-4 times, or 2-5 times as hard as the body portion.

3. The rotor of claim 1 wherein each tip is cemented to the body portion.

4. The rotor of claim 1 wherein each hardened tip is comprised of silicon carbide and the body portion is comprised of graphite.

5. The rotor of claim 1 that comprises a plurality of blades, wherein each blade has a first portion and a second portion, and the first portion pushes molten metal towards the second portion, and the second portion pushes molten metal outward, wherein the first portion has a leading edge that comprises the hardened tip.

6. The rotor of claim 5 wherein each hardened tip forms at least part of the first portion.

7. The rotor of claim 6 wherein each hardened tip forms at least part of the second portion.

8. The rotor of claim 5 wherein each rotor blade includes a recess on the side opposite the first portion, each recess for enlarging the opening between each rotor blade to allow more molten metal to pass through the opening.

9. The rotor of claim 1 wherein the body portion has grooves formed in each blade wherein the grooves are configured to receive a corresponding extension of each tip.

10. The rotor of claim 1 wherein there are three blades.

11. The rotor of claim 1 that further includes a connective portion for connecting to a rotor shaft.

12. The rotor of claim 1 that further includes a flow-blocking plate at the bottom.

13. The rotor of claim 1 that further includes a bearing surface comprised of ceramic.

14. The rotor of claim 12 wherein the flow blocking plate includes an annular bearing on its outer surface.

15. The rotor of claim 5 wherein the first portion of each rotor blade has a horizontally-extending projection with a top surface and a bottom surface, wherein the bottom surface is angled to move molten metal into the pump chamber.

16. The rotor of claim 15 wherein the second portion of each rotor blade is vertical.

17. The rotor of claim 15 wherein the bottom surface of each horizontally-extending projection is formed at a 10°

-60°

downward angle relative a horizontal axis.

18. The rotor of claim 1 that has a horizontal top surface.

19. The rotor of claim 15 wherein the horizontally-extending projection has a leading edge at least ⅛

″

thick.

20. The rotor of claim 1 that has a top surface as the hardened tip on each blade extends along at least part of the top surface.

21. The rotor of claim 1 that has a leading edge on each blade and hardened tip extends along at least part of each leading edge.

22. The rotor of claim 1 wherein each blade has a height and a leading surface the hardened tip extends along the leading surface by at least 10%, or at least 20%, or at least 30% of the height.

23. The rotor of claim 1 wherein each blade has an outermost edge and the hardened tip extends along the outermost edge by at least 10%, or at least 20%, or at least 30% of the height.

24. A molten metal pump including the rotor of claim 1.

25. The pump of claim 21 that includes a superstructure on which a motor is supported, a pump base including a pump chamber in which the rotor is received, and a plurality of support posts connecting the superstructure to the pump base.

26. The pump of claim 24 that includes a superstructure on which a motor is supported, a pump base including a pump chamber in which the rotor is received, and a plurality of support rests connecting the superstructure to the pump base.