MOLTEN METAL TRANSFER VESSEL AND METHOD OF CONSTRUCTION

• US 20160320131A1
• Filed: 07/13/2016
• Published: 11/03/2016
• 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 9,982,945 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 41/50 Pouring-nozzles
• 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 forming a transfer well inside of a vessel designed to contain molten metal, the vessel having a first side wall and a second side wall, wherein the first side wall and second side wall are spaced apart from each other, a first end wall at a first end of the vessel, the first end wall extending between the first side wall and the second side wall, a second end wall positioned at a second end of the vessel, the second end wall extending between the first side wall and the second side wall, wherein each of the first side wall, second side wall, first end wall, and second end wall, has an inner surface, the vessel further including a bottom surface and a cavity defined by the first side wall, second side wall, first end wall, second end wall, and the bottom surface;

the method comprising the steps of;

(a) placing a form adjacent at least one inner surface, the form having a first structure, a second structure, and a space between the first structure and second structure, the form defining a transfer well having an outer wall, a top surface, a bottom surface, an open top, and an internal cavity;

the internal cavity shaped to have a restricted area, and an uptake section above the restricted area, the uptake section in communication with the open top; and

an outlet in communication with the uptake section;

(b) placing refractory material in the space to create the transfer well, wherein the side of the vessel adjacent the transfer well forms a side of the of the transfer well; and

(c) providing a molten metal pumping device for the transfer well, wherein the molten metal pumping device has a rotor, a motor, and a drive shaft connecting the rotor to the motor, and;

(i) the rotor has a width that is 1″

or less than the width of the restricted area, and (ii) the length of the drive shaft is sufficient for the rotor to be received in the restricted area while the motor is above the open top.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the form further defines an opening at the bottom of the transfer well, wherein the opening leads to the restricted area.

3. The method of claim 1 that further includes the step of forming an opening at the bottom of the transfer well, wherein the opening leads to the restricted area.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the pumping device does not include a pump housing.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the pumping device does not include support posts.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the pumping device does not include a superstructure.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the pumping device includes a superstructure.

8. The method of claim 1 that further includes the step of providing the dimensions of the pumping device prior to constructing the transfer well, and then forming the transfer well so it is configured to receive the pumping device.

9. The method of claim 1 that further includes the step of providing the dimensions of the pumping device prior to forming the transfer well.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein the dimensions of the transfer well are based upon the dimensions of the pumping device.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein the rotor has a width that is ⅛

″

to 1/32″

less than the width of the restricted area.

12. The method of claim 1 that further includes the step of positioning the molten metal pumping device in the transfer well.

13. The method of claim 1 wherein the molten metal pumping device has one or more brackets to position the pump in the transfer well.

14. The method of claim 12 wherein the transfer well has an uppermost surface and the molten metal pumping device is at least partially supported by the uppermost surface.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein the transfer well has a carriage that supports the molten metal pumping device.

16. The method of claim 12 that further includes the step of activating the molten metal pumping device, which causes the drive shaft and rotor to rotate.

17. The method of claim 16 that further includes the step of moving molten metal into the uptake section.

18. The method of claim 17 that further includes the step of moving molten metal out of the outlet.

19. The method of claim 17 that further includes the step of moving molten metal out of the outlet and into a second vessel.

20. The method of claim 19 wherein the second vessel is a ladle.

21. The method of claim 1 wherein the bottom of the vessel slants downward from the first end wall to the second end wall.

22. The method of claim 1 wherein the outlet is juxtaposed the second end wall.

23. The method of claim 12 wherein the molten metal pumping device is positioned in the transfer well through the open top.

24. The method of claim 1 wherein the form is juxtaposed a plurality of the inner surfaces.

25. The method of claim 2 wherein the bottom surface is two feet or less beneath the opening at the bottom of the transfer well.

26. The method of claim 1 wherein the transfer well has three walls and shares a fourth, common wall with the vessel.

27. The method of claim 1 wherein the outlet is at least two feet above the bottom surface.

28. The method of claim 1 that further includes a launder connected to the outlet.