Ultrasonic Probes with Gas Outlets for Degassing of Molten Metals

• US 20170067134A1
• Filed: 11/17/2016
• Published: 03/09/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 11/18/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Southwire Company
• Original Assignee: Southwire Company
• Inventors: Rundquist, Victor F.
• Granted Patent: US 10,316,387 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 19/10 employing sonic or ultrasonic vibrations
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/0877 Liquid
• CPC Class Codes: B06B 3/00 Methods or apparatus specially adapted for transmitting mechanical vibrations of infrasonic, sonic, or ultrasonic frequency
• CPC Class Codes: B22D 1/002 Treatment with gases C21C7/072, C22B9/05 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B22D 1/005 Injection assemblies therefor features relating to gas injection, provided on closures of the sliding gate type B22D41/42; provided on pouring nozzles B22D41/58; provided on closures of the stopper-rod type B22D41/186
• CPC Class Codes: C21C 7/00 Treating molten ferrous alloys, e.g. steel, not covered by groups C21C1/00 - C21C5/00 treating molten metals during moulding B22D1/00, B22D27/00; remelting ferrous metals C22B
• CPC Class Codes: C22B 15/006 working up of molten copper, e.g. refining
• CPC Class Codes: C22B 19/32 Refining zinc
• CPC Class Codes: C22B 21/06 refining electrolytic refining C25C; C22B21/0046, C22B21/0061 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: C22B 21/064 using inert or reactive gases C22B21/066 and C22B21/068 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: C22B 26/22 Obtaining magnesium
• CPC Class Codes: C22B 9/02 Refining by liquating, filtering, centrifuging, distilling, or supersonic wave action including acoustic waves; C22B9/003, C22B9/006, C22B9/05, C22B9/22 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: C22B 9/026 by acoustic waves, e.g. supersonic waves
• CPC Class Codes: C22B 9/05 Refining by treating with gases, e.g. gas flushing also refining by means of a material generating gas in situ
• CPC Class Codes: F27D 27/00 Stirring devices for molten material F27D3/14 takes precedence

Abstract

Ultrasonic probes containing a plurality of gas delivery channels are disclosed, as well as ultrasonic probes containing recessed areas near the tip of the probe. Ultrasonic devices containing these probes, and methods for molten metal degassing using these ultrasonic devices, also are disclosed.

Claims

1-25. -25. (canceled)

26. An ultrasonic device comprising:

an ultrasonic transducer;

an ultrasonic probe attached to the transducer, the probe comprising a tip and two or more gas delivery channels extending through the probe; and

a gas delivery system, the gas delivery system comprising;

a gas inlet,

gas flow paths through the gas delivery channels, and

gas outlets at or within about 5 cm of the tip of the probe.

27. The ultrasonic device of claim 26, wherein the gas outlets are at or within about 2 cm of the tip of the probe.

28. The ultrasonic device of claim 26, wherein the gas outlets are at or within about 1 cm of the tip of the probe.

29. The ultrasonic device of claim 26, wherein a length to diameter ratio of the probe is in a range from about 5:

1 to about 25;

1.

30. The ultrasonic device of claim 26, wherein the probe comprises a ceramic.

31. The ultrasonic device of claim 30, wherein the probe comprises a Sialon, a Silicon carbide, a Boron carbide, a Boron nitride, a Silicon nitride, an Aluminum nitride, an Aluminum oxide, a Zirconia, or a combination thereof.

32. The ultrasonic device of claim 26, wherein the probe comprises from two to eight gas delivery channels.

33. The ultrasonic device of claim 26, wherein a ratio of the cross-sectional area of the tip of the probe to the cross-sectional area of the gas delivery channels is in a range from about 30:

1 to about 1000;

1.

34. The ultrasonic device of claim 26, wherein the gas outlets are at the tip of the probe.

35. A method for reducing an amount of a dissolved gas and/or an impurity in a molten metal bath, the method comprising operating the ultrasonic device of claim 26 in the molten metal bath.

36. An ultrasonic device comprising:

an ultrasonic transducer;

an ultrasonic probe attached to the transducer, the probe comprising a tip and two or more gas delivery channels extending through the probe;

a booster between the transducer and the probe; and

a gas delivery system, the gas delivery system comprising;

a gas inlet,

gas flow paths through the gas delivery channels, and

gas outlets at or within about 5 cm of the tip of the probe.

37. The ultrasonic device of claim 36, wherein the gas inlet is in the booster.

38. The ultrasonic device of claim 37, wherein the gas outlets are at or within about 2 cm of the tip of the probe.

39. The ultrasonic device of claim 38, wherein the probe comprises from two to eight gas delivery channels.

40. The ultrasonic device of claim 38, wherein the probe comprises a Sialon.

41. The ultrasonic device of claim 38, wherein a length to diameter ratio of the probe is in a range from about 5:

1 to about 25;

1.

42. The ultrasonic device of claim 38, wherein a ratio of the cross-sectional area of the tip of the probe to the cross-sectional area of the gas delivery channels is in a range from about 30:

1 to about 1000;

1.

43. The ultrasonic device of claim 36, wherein the gas outlets are at the tip of the probe.

44. The ultrasonic device of claim 43, wherein:

the gas inlet is in the booster;

the probe comprises from two to eight gas delivery channels; and

the probe comprises a Sialon.

45. A method for reducing an amount of a dissolved gas and/or an impurity in a molten metal bath, the method comprising operating the ultrasonic device of claim 36 in the molten metal bath.