Method for use of inert gas bubble-actuated molten metal pump in a well of a metal-melting furnace and the furnace
First Claim
1. A method comprising the following steps:
- providing an inert gas bubble-actuated molten metal pump in a metal-melting furnace containing molten metal, providing a heat-resistant and flame-resistant cover above the exit port of said pump and over at least a substantial portion of the molten metal to reduce splashing and spattering at the surface of the molten metal and/or minimize rupture of a thin oxidized layer or skin of metal which exists at the surface of said molten metal, and capturing inert gas used as actuating agent in the molten metal pump beneath said cover to provide a non-oxidizing atmosphere at the surface of said molten metal and beneath said cover.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An inert gas bubble-actuated molten metal pump is located in a metal-melting furnace to effect circulation of molten metal throughout the furnace. The inert gas employed to actuate the molten metal pump is captured beneath a heat-resistant and flame-resistant cover located above the exit port of the pump and over a substantial portion of the molten metal, thereby to prevent splashing, spattering, and disruption of a thin protective layer or skin of oxidized metal at the surface of the molten metal as well as to provide a non-oxidizing atmosphere at the surface of the molten metal beneath said cover. In this manner and by this combination, the inert gas is employed most efficiently and economically.
112 Citations
24 Claims
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1. A method comprising the following steps:
- providing an inert gas bubble-actuated molten metal pump in a metal-melting furnace containing molten metal, providing a heat-resistant and flame-resistant cover above the exit port of said pump and over at least a substantial portion of the molten metal to reduce splashing and spattering at the surface of the molten metal and/or minimize rupture of a thin oxidized layer or skin of metal which exists at the surface of said molten metal, and capturing inert gas used as actuating agent in the molten metal pump beneath said cover to provide a non-oxidizing atmosphere at the surface of said molten metal and beneath said cover.
- View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 18, 21, 22)
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9. A combination comprising:
a metal-melting furnace for containing molten metal, an inert gas bubble-actuated molten metal pump in said furnace, and a heat-resistant and flame-resistant cover above the exit port of said pump and over at least a substantial portion of said molten metal when contained therein to reduce splashing and spattering at the surface of said molten metal when contained therein and to capture inert gas used as actuating agent in the molten metal pump beneath said cover to provide a non-oxidizing atmosphere beneath said cover and at the surface of said molten metal when contained in said furnace. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 19, 23, 24)
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20. In a metal-melting furnace, the following combination:
a first section for containing molten metal, a second section for containing molten metal, an inert gas bubble-actuated molten metal pump, having an inlet end in said first section and an outlet end in said second section, located between the said two sections of said metal-melting furnace, and a heat-resistant and flame-resistant cover above the outlet of said inert gas bubble-actuated molten metal pump and over at least a substantial portion of the molten metal when contained in said second section.
Specification