Molten metal transfer pump

• US 5,947,705 A
• Filed: 08/07/1997
• Issued: 09/07/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 08/07/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Pyrotek Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Metaullics Systems Company LP (Pyrotek Incorporated)
• Inventors: Ritchie, Herbert L. Jr., Vild, Chris T., Mordue, George S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Freay, Charles G.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Ratcliffe, Paul L.
• Application Number:
  US08/907,361
• Time in Patent Office: 761 Days
• Field of Search: 417/423.15, 417/572
• US Class Current: 417/423.15
• CPC Class Codes: F04D 7/065 for liquid metal

Abstract

A molten metal pump for transferring molten metal from a first vessel to a second vessel. The pump is constructed of a base member including a pumping chamber, a motor supported by at least one post, a rotatable shaft secured at a first end to said motor and at a second end to an impeller disposed within said pumping chamber. The pumping chamber includes an outlet to a first end of an elongated refractory tube having a longitudinal axis substantially parallel to the shaft. The tube has a second end passing through an opening in the platform. The tube includes a metallic cladding attached to an outer wall adjacent it'"'"'s second end. A releasable fastening member is used to secure to the portion of the tube having the metallic cladding to the platform.

Claims

1. A molten metal pump for transferring molten metal from a first vessel to a second vessel, the pump comprising a base member including a pumping chamber, a motor supported on a platform by at least one post, a rotatable shaft secured at a first end to said motor and at a second end to an impeller disposed within said pumping chamber, the pumping chamber including an outlet to a first end of an elongated refractory tube having a longitudinal axis substantially parallel to said shaft, said tube having a second end passing through an opening in said platform, said tube including a metallic cladding attached to an outer wall adjacent said second end, a releasable fastening member engaging said metallic cladding and securing said tube to said platform, said metallic cladding forming a portion of a connection to a piping assembly, and said tube being selectively vertically adjustable within said fastening member.

2. The pump of claim 1 wherein said tube is comprised of graphite.

3. The pump of claim 1 wherein said metallic cladding includes a flange mating with said piping assembly.

4. The pump of claim 1 wherein said fastening assembly comprises a primary member welded to said platform, a backing element and a U-bolt passing around said member and tube and securing said backing element, said primary member, U-bolt and backing element acting in concert to secure said tube to said platform.

5. The pump of claim 1 wherein said cladding is cemented to said tube.

6. The pump of claim 1 wherein said first end of said tube is attached to said pumping chamber outlet with an adaptor element.

7. The pump of claim 4 wherein said member is generally shaped to provide a cooperative mating surface with said tube.

8. The pump of claim 7 wherein said backing element includes an arcuate mating face with said tube.

9. The pump of claim 1 including a gasket between said tube and said piping assembly.

10. A molten metal pump for transferring molten metal from a first vessel to a second vessel, the pump comprising a base member including a pumping chamber, a motor supported on a platform above said base member by at least one post, a rotatable shaft secured at a first end to said motor and at a second end to an impeller disposed within said pumping chamber, the pumping chamber including an outlet to an elongated tube having a longitudinal axis generally parallel to said shaft, said tube passing through an opening in said platform, a fastening assembly comprised of a stud having a first end secured to said platform, a second end secured to a section of a conduit in fluid communication with said second vessel, and an intermediate segment secured to a section of said tube, said fastening assembly securing a mating surface between said tube and said to conduit.

11. The pump of claim 10 wherein said tube is comprised of graphite or ceramic.

12. The pump of claim 10 wherein said conduit is comprised of a metallic material having a refractory lining.

13. The pump of claim 10 wherein a gasket is positioned at said mating surface between said conduit and said tube.

14. The pump of claim 10 wherein a flange is positioned around said tube, said flange including a hole which accommodates said stud and permits said stud to be secured to said tube.

15. The pump of claim 14 wherein said flange is comprised of a pair of circular elements positioned on the opposed V-shaped outer walls of a split ring.

16. The pump of claim 10 wherein said tube includes at least partial cladding of metallic material.

17. The pump of claim 14 wherein said flange is threaded to an outer wall of said tube.

18. The pump of claim 10 wherein said conduit includes a flange adjacent the mating surface, said flange including a hole sized to accommodate said stud.

19. The pump of claim 18 wherein said stud is threaded and a plurality of nuts secure said flanges to said stud.

20. The pump of claim 10 wherein said tube includes an end connected to said outlet, said connection being formed via an adaptor, said adaptor including a recess which is tapered to mate with a beveled end of said tube, an opposed end of said adaptor being cemented into said base.