PUMP FOR MOLTEN METAL AND OTHER HIGH-TEMPERATURE CORROSIVE LIQUIDS

• US 3,612,715 A
• Filed: 11/19/1969
• Issued: 10/12/1971
• Est. Priority Date: 11/19/1969
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Edison International
• Original Assignee: Shmariahu Yedidiah
• Inventors: Yedidiah, Shmariahu
• Primary Examiner(s): Raduazo, Henry F.
• Application Number:
  US04/877,950
• Time in Patent Office: 692 Days
• Field of Search: 417/423,424,321 415/200,201,214,196,199,131,170
• US Class Current: 415/131
• CPC Class Codes: F04D 7/065 for liquid metal

Abstract

A pump for pumping molten metal and other high-temperature corrosive liquids is disclosed, which pump includes a casing constructed of refractory material and having an inlet opening at one end thereof. Pumping means are located within the casing for drawing a liquid into the casing through its inlet opening with the pumping means including: a rotatable refractory impeller; a refractory sleeve joined at one end thereof to the impeller and rotatable therewith, with the sleeve and casing defining an annular passageway through which the liquid passes; and a drive shaft located for at least a portion of its length within the sleeve, one end of the drive shaft being connected in driving relationship with the impeller. By virtue of being located within the sleeve, the drive shaft can impart rotation to the impeller and yet not be exposed to the high-temperature corrosive liquid being pumped. As an added feature, a cylindrical tube portion of the pump frame is disposed between the drive shaft and the refractory sleeve and carries a bearing for rotatably supporting the drive shaft. Since the bearing is located within the refractory sleeve, it can be positioned extremely close to the impeller, but yet never be immersed in the fluid being pumped.

Claims

1. A pump for pumping molten metal and other high-temperature corrosive liquids;

said pump comprising;

a casing constructed of end material, said casing having an inlet opening at one ed thereof;

pumping means located within said casing for drawing a liquid into said casing through said inlet opening;

said pumping means including;

a rotatable refractory impeller;

a refractory sleeve joined at one end thereof to said impeller and rotatable therewith, said sleeve and said casing defining an annular passageway through which said liquid passes;

a drive shaft located for at least a portion of its length within said sleeve, one end of said drive shaft being connected to said impeller;

whereby rotation of said drive shaft will impart rotation to said impeller and sleeve, and whereby said drive shaft will not be exposed to said liquid;

wherein the opposite end of said casing is provided with a cover;

said cover being provided with first opening which communicates with said annular passageway and establishes a discharge path therefore;

a second opening through which said sleeve and shaft pass into said casing; and

wherein said sleeve is provided with integral, outstanding collar means adjacent its opposite end thereof for centrifugally forcing said liquid away from said second opening in said cover.

2. The pump of claim 1 wherein said impeller and said sleeve are integrally joined and constitute a unitary member.

3. The pump of claim 1 wherein said drive shaft is of a metallic material.

4. The pump of claim 3 wherein said impeller includes a plurality of holes in a rear surface thereof and said one end of said drive shaft terminating in a plurality of driving pins which are received by said holes.

5. The pump of claim 4 wherein the holes in said rear surface of said impeller are greater diameter than said driving pins.

6. The pump of claim 1 wherein said casing terminates in an enlarged laterally offset arcuate portion adjacent said cover, and said first opening in said cover is laterally offset with respect to the center thereof and located generally above said offset arcuate portion of said casing.

7. The pump of claim 1 and further including:

a frame, said frame including a cylindrical tube portion disposed intermediate said shaft and said sleeve and terminating at one end thereof adjacent said one end of said drive shaft; and

first bearing means located adjacent said one end of said cylindrical tube portion and disposed between said tube portion and said drive shaft for rotatably supporting said drive shaft within said tube portion.

8. The pump of claim 7 wherein said frame further includes a bearing support portion disposed about said sleeve adjacent its said opposite end thereof;

and second bearing means disposed between said bearing support portion and said sleeve for rotatably supporting said sleeve at its said opposite end thereof.

9. The pump of claim 1 wherein said impeller is vertically adjustable within said casing.

10. The pump of claim 8 wherein said sleeve includes means for vertically adjusting said sleeve with respect to said second bearing means.

11. The pump of claim 9 wherein said sleeve terminates at its said opposite end thereof in a sleeve extension portion;

said second bearing means being disposed between said bearing support portion and said sleeve extension portion.

12. The pump of claim 11 wherein said sleeve extension portion is vertically adjustable with respect to said second bearing means.

13. The pump of claim 11 wherein said sleeve extension portion is of a metallic material and includes integrally outstanding heat-radiating fins.

14. The pump of claim 7 wherein said cover is removably carried on said casing and wherein said frame includes retaining means disposed thereabout for retaining said cover on said casing.

15. The pump of claim 14 and further including support means secured to said frame for supporting said casing.

16. The pump of claim 15 wherein said support means depends from said frame and includes casing supporting brackets, and wherein said casing includes integrally outstanding projections which are retained by said supporting brackets.

17. The pump of claim 16 and further including hanging means secured to said support means for suspending said pump.

18. The pump of claim 3 wherein said one end of said drive shaft carries a keying member nonrotatingly housed in a cavity provided in said impeller;

said cavity being of similar shape and larger dimensions than said keying member.