Molten metal pump with vaned impeller

• US 5,470,201 A
• Filed: 09/26/1994
• Issued: 11/28/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 06/12/1992
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Pyrotek Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Metaullics Systems Company LP (Pyrotek Incorporated)
• Inventors: Vild, Chris T., Gilbert, Ronald E., Mordue, George S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Look, Edward K.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Lee, Michael S.
• Application Number:
  US08/312,327
• Time in Patent Office: 428 Days
• Field of Search: 415/200, 416/185, 416/223 B, 416/241 B
• US Class Current: 415/200
• CPC Class Codes: F04D 29/22 specially for centrifugal pumps
• CPC Class Codes: F04D 29/2216 Shape, geometry F04D29/2211 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F04D 7/065 for liquid metal

Abstract

A molten metal pump including a vaned impeller having a larger outlet area than inlet area which demonstrates prolonged high effectiveness and reduces the likelihood of catastrophic failure.

Claims

1. A molten metal pump comprising:

(a) a shaft having first and second ends;

(b) a means for rotating said shaft in communication with said first end of said shaft;

(c) an impeller in communication with said second end of said shaft;

(d) a volute housing said impeller, wherein said volute has a first opening through which molten metal can be drawn and a second opening through which molten metal can be discharged; and

(e) said impeller comprising an imperforate substantially circular base having a surface facing toward a first end of the shaft, and at least two imperforate vanes connected to and extending substantially perpendicular from said surface and extending radially from said shaft or a hub securing said shaft toward a peripheral portion of said base, said vanes being spaced circumferentially apart;

each vane defining a first edge, a second edge and a third edge;

said first edge being disposed on said base;

said second edge defining an inlet end;

said third edge being a radially outer edge;

said second edge of adjacent vanes defining an inlet area over their entire radial dimension and being generally planar;

said third edges of adjacent vanes defining an outlet area; and

said outlet area being greater than said inlet area.

2. The pump of claim 1 wherein said vanes of said impeller are straight.

3. The pump of claim 1 wherein said vanes of said impeller are forward curved.

4. The pump of claim 1 wherein said impeller is further comprised of three vanes.

5. The pump of claim 1 wherein said impeller is further comprised of four vanes.

6. The pump of claim 1 wherein said vanes of said impeller are thicker adjacent said face.

7. The pump of claim 1 wherein said vanes of said impeller are thicker adjacent said shaft.

8. The pump of claim 1 wherein said vanes of said impeller are slanted backward from its interface with said face.

9. The pump of claim 1 wherein said volute inlet is in the bottom of said housing.

10. The pump of claim 1 wherein said impeller is comprised of graphite.

11. The pump of claim 1 wherein said impeller is further comprised of a bearing ring surrounding said circular base.

12. The pump of claim 1 wherein said impeller vanes are arcuate.

13. The pump of claim 1 wherein said molten metal is aluminum.

14. The pump of claim 1 wherein said molten metal is zinc.