Modular filter for molten metal

• US 6,231,639 B1
• Filed: 03/07/1997
• Issued: 05/15/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 03/07/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Pyrotek Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Metaullics Systems Company LP (Pyrotek Incorporated)
• Inventors: Lutes, Lennard D., Eichenmiller, David J., Martin, Harvey, Henderson, Richard S.
• Primary Examiner(s): POPOVICS, ROBERT J
• Application Number:
  US08/813,256
• Time in Patent Office: 1,530 Days
• Field of Search: 210/450, 210/496, 210/455, 210/497.01, 210/510.1, 210/767, 210/232, 210/323.2, 754/12, 754/07, 266/227, 266/236, 164/358
• US Class Current: 75/407
• CPC Class Codes: C22B 21/066 Treatment of circulating aluminium, e.g. by filtration C22B21/068 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: C22B 9/023 By filtering filtration of aluminium C22B21/066
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 10/20 Recycling

Abstract

A filter cartridge for a molten metal filtering system is provided with a modular construction in which the filter elements are adapted to be removably mounted to an end plate. The filter elements may be removed separately from the filter and replaced with new filter elements without removing the entire cartridge assembly. According to another aspect of the invention, the filter elements are provided with an elliptical cross-section.

Claims

1. A modular filter for filtering molten metal comprising:

an end plate adapted to be mounted in a filter well and including a plurality of apertures for accommodating a flow of filtered molten metal therethrough;

a corresponding plurality of filter elements for removing impurities from molten metal, the filter elements being formed from a particulate refractory material and including an inner cavity, an open end and an opposite open or closed end, each of the filter elements adapted to be removably mounted to the end plate and individually installed or removed from the filter well without disturbing the filter elements not being removed or installed;

said end plate further including a plurality of recesses or protrusions which register said open end of said filter elements;

whereby each of the plurality of filter elements can be individually installed or removed from the filter well while the end plate remains mounted in the filter well.

2. The filter kit according to claim 1, wherein the filter element is of an elliptical cross-section.

3. The filter kit according to claim 1, further comprising a wedge block for engaging a wall of the filter well the opposite end of the filter element to force the filter element toward the end plate.

4. The filter kit according to claim 1, further comprising a gasket for sealing between the filter element and the end plate.

5. The filter kit according to claim 1, wherein the open end of the filter element is tapered.

6. A filter box for filtering molten metal comprising:

a well formed within the filter box;

an inlet for conveying molten metal to the filter well;

an outlet for conveying molten metal from the filter well;

an end plate mounted in the well and including at least one aperture for communicating a flow of filtered molten metal to the outlet;

a set of elongated filter elements for removing impurities from molten metal, each of the filter elements including an inner cavity, an open end and an opposite end, the filter elements adapted to be removably mounted to the end plate such that their inner cavity communicates with the aperture;

a wedge block engaging the opposite end of each of the filter elements and urging their open end against the end plate, the wedge block being selectively removable to allow installation or removal of individual filter elements without disturbing the other filter elements not being installed or removed;

whereby each of the filter elements can be removed from engagement with the end plate while the end plate remains in the filter well.

7. The filter box according to claim 6, wherein the filter element is a generally tubular body comprised of a particulate material.

8. The filter box according to claim 7, wherein the filter element is of an elliptical cross-section.

9. The filter box according to claim 6, wherein the end plate is provided with a recess for accommodating the open end of the filter.

10. A method of using a modular filter kit for filtering molten metal, the kit comprising an end plate adapted to be mounted in a filter well and including an aperture for accommodating a flow of filtered molten metal therethrough;

at least first and second filter elements for removing impurities from molten metal, the filter elements being formed from a particulate refractory material and including an inner cavity, an open end and an opposite end, each of the filter elements adapted to be removably mounted to the end plate and individually installed or removed from the filter well, the method comprising the steps of;

(a) inserting the end plate into a filter well;

(b) inserting the first filter element into the filter well in engagement with the end plate and positioning a wedge block into communication with the opposite end of the first filter element thereby urging the open end of the first filter element against the end plate;

(c) operating the filter well;

(d) removing the first filter element from the filter well while maintaining said end plate in the filter well and without disturbing any of the filter elements still remaining within the filter well; and

(e) replacing the first removed filter element with the second filter element.