Flow-directing device for molten metal pump
First Claim
1. A device for releasing gas into a molten metal stream, said device comprising:
- (a) a pump for generating a molten metal stream, said pump having a pump base;
said pump base having a top surface, a pump chamber and a discharge in communication with said chamber, said stream passing through said discharge, said discharge having a top wall;
(b) a gas-release device for introducing gas into said stream, said gas-release device having a first end connectable to a gas source and a second end that extends through the top wall of said pump chamber and into said discharge where it extends into the molten metal stream passing through the discharge; and
(c) a flow-directing device positioned within said discharge along said top wall downstream of said second end of said gas-release device, said flow-directing device having a height H of at least half the distance D that said second end extends into said discharge;
whereby molten metal is pumped through said discharge past said second end of said gas-release device creating a low-pressure zone behind the gas-release device and gas is introduced into said first end of said gas-release device, the gas being released through said second end and being dispersed in said molten metal stream where it is diverted around said flow-directing device the flow-directing device at least partially filling the low-pressure zone.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system and device for introducing gas into molten metal comprises: 1) a pump having a pump chamber and a discharge, 2) a gas-release device for releasing gas into the discharge, and 3) a flow-directing device to substantially reduce or eliminate the low-pressure zone behind the gas-release device. The pump creates a stream of molten metal through the discharge. The gas-release device, which is preferably a graphite tube, has an end extending into the discharge. Gas is introduced through the gas-release device into the discharge where it escapes into the molten metal stream passing therethrough. The flow-directing device is positioned behind the end of the gas-release device to eliminate the low pressure zone that normally forms there. During operation, the molten metal is diverted around the sides and bottom of the flow-directing device and the gas is dispersed within the molten metal, rather than being trapped in a low-pressure zone. The system may also comprise a metal-transfer device, such as a conduit extending from the pump outlet, for containing the molten metal stream. In that case, if the gas-release device releases gas into the metal-transfer device, the flow-blocking device is positioned within the metal-transfer device downstream of the gas-release device.
232 Citations
33 Claims
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1. A device for releasing gas into a molten metal stream, said device comprising:
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(a) a pump for generating a molten metal stream, said pump having a pump base;
said pump base having a top surface, a pump chamber and a discharge in communication with said chamber, said stream passing through said discharge, said discharge having a top wall;(b) a gas-release device for introducing gas into said stream, said gas-release device having a first end connectable to a gas source and a second end that extends through the top wall of said pump chamber and into said discharge where it extends into the molten metal stream passing through the discharge; and (c) a flow-directing device positioned within said discharge along said top wall downstream of said second end of said gas-release device, said flow-directing device having a height H of at least half the distance D that said second end extends into said discharge; whereby molten metal is pumped through said discharge past said second end of said gas-release device creating a low-pressure zone behind the gas-release device and gas is introduced into said first end of said gas-release device, the gas being released through said second end and being dispersed in said molten metal stream where it is diverted around said flow-directing device the flow-directing device at least partially filling the low-pressure zone. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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- 14. A pump base for use in a pump for pumping molten metal, said base including an inlet, a discharge and an outlet, said discharge including a mounting means for mounting a gas-release device and a mounting means for mounting a flow-directing device.
- 18. A metal-transfer conduit for use in conveying a molten metal stream, said metal-transfer conduit including a top surface including a mounting means for mounting a gas-release device and a mounting means for mounting a flow-directing device.
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22. A system for releasing gas into a molten metal stream, said system comprising:
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(a) means for generating a flowing molten metal stream; (b) a metal-transfer device having an interior perimeter defining a channel through which the stream passes, said interior perimeter having a top surface; (c) a gas-release device having a first end connectable to a gas source and a second end extending into said channel a distance of D through said top surface; and (d) a flow-directing device positioned within said metal-transfer device downstream of said gas-release device, the flow-directing device extending into said channel. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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31. A method for releasing gas into a molten metal stream, said method comprising the steps of:
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(a) providing means for generating a flowing molten metal stream; (b) operating said means for generating a flowing molten metal stream to generate a stream of molten metal; (c) providing a gas-release device having a first end connectable to a gas source and a second end extending into said stream of molten metal; (d) providing a flow-directing device positioned downstream of said second end of said gas-release device, said flow-directing device positioned at least partially within said molten metal stream; and (e) supplying gas to said first end of said gas-release device, said gas being released into said molten metal stream through said second end. - View Dependent Claims (32)
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33. An apparatus for releasing gas into a stream of flowing molten metal, said apparatus comprising:
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(a) a gas-release device having a first end connectable to a gas source and a second end extending into a molten metal stream; and (b) a flow-directing device disposed at least partially in the molten metal stream downstream of the second end of the gas-release device, said flow-directing device for directing the flow of molten metal and for at least partially filling a low pressure zone downstream of the second end of the gas-release device.
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Specification