IMMERSION PUMP FOR PUMPING CORROSIVE LIQUID METALS

• US 3,787,143 A
• Filed: 03/16/1972
• Issued: 01/22/1974
• Est. Priority Date: 03/16/1971
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Henri Carbonnel, Robert Borie
• Original Assignee: Henri Carbonnel, Robert Borie
• Inventors: Carbonnel, Henri, Borie, Robert
• Primary Examiner(s): Freeh, William L.
• Application Number:
  US05/235,271
• Time in Patent Office: 677 Days
• Field of Search: 266/38 310/11,13,86,87 417/50
• US Class Current: 417/50
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 44/04 Conduction pumps

Abstract

Immersion pump having slight bulk, for liquid metals, operating by conduction, consisting of one or two magnetic circuits, a conduction loop made of liquid metal and of two electrodes limiting the liquid metal duct in the active zone. A refractory material is cast round the components of the pump, and protects them against the corrosive action of the liquid metal. The part which is not immersed comprising the induction windings of the magnetic circuits is protected by a cast aluminum steel housing.

Claims

1. In an immersion pump having slight bulk and adapted for use with very corrosive liquid metals, said pump operating by conduction and comprising:

a vertical liquid metal duct between two electrodes;

a horizontal conduction loop electrically connected to the two electrodes;

a main magnetic circuit containing a main winding and connected to the two electrodes;

a secondary magnetic circuit with its winding disposed so as to induce a current in said horizontal conduction loop; and

a pump body covered by a housing containing the two windings, the improvement wherein said horizontal conduction loop is made of a liquid metal.

2. An immersion pump as claimed in claim 1, wherein the liquid metal forming said horizontal conduction loop is the same very corrosive liquid metal flowing in the pump body.

3. An immersion pump as claimed in claim 2 wherein said horizontal conduction loop is adapted to connect to the very corrosive liquid metal flowing in the pump body throught at least one duct leading into the immersed part of the pump body.

4. An immersion pump as claimed in claim 2 wherein the pump body comprises a block of refractory material having a substantially polyhedrical external shape cast round the elements forming the pump, to support them in a predetermined position and to isolate them from any accidental contact with the corrosive liquid metal.

5. An immersion pump as claimed in claim 4 wherein the pump body is protected in its part which is not immersed, by a lower housing resting on the shoulder formed by refractory material of the pump body and ending, at its upper part, in a faced flange on which an upper housing rests through a flange, also faced, and wherein the two housings are joined together by flanges coupled together.

6. An immersion pump as claimed in claim 1 wherein the loop is connected to the atmosphere through a duct leading to the surface of the pump body beyond the immersed part of the pump body.

7. An immersion pump as claimed in claim 6 wherein the upper housing comprises an axial passage for the heat-proof metal outlet duct, and has, at its periphery, a fresh air inlet channel and a hot gas evacuation channel.

8. In a magnetohydrodynamic conduction pump adapted for use while immersed in a very corrosive liquid metal and containing a horizontal conduction loop electrically connected to two electrodes between which a vertical liquid metal duct is passed, the improvement wherein said horizontal conduction loop is made of a liquid metal.