Universal coupling

• US 6,358,467 B1
• Filed: 04/07/2000
• Issued: 03/19/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 04/09/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Pyrotek Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Metaullics Systems Company LP (Pyrotek Incorporated)
• Inventors: Mordue, George S.
• Primary Examiner(s): KASTLER, SCOTT R
• Application Number:
  US09/544,917
• Time in Patent Office: 711 Days
• Field of Search: 266/235, 266/239, 222/602
• US Class Current: 266/235
• CPC Class Codes: B22D 1/005 Injection assemblies therefor features relating to gas injection, provided on closures of the sliding gate type B22D41/42; provided on pouring nozzles B22D41/58; provided on closures of the stopper-rod type B22D41/186
• CPC Class Codes: C21C 5/462 Means for handling, e.g. adjusting, changing, coupling
• CPC Class Codes: C21C 7/072 Treatment with gases C21C7/06, C21C7/064, C21C7/068 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: C22B 9/05 Refining by treating with gases, e.g. gas flushing also refining by means of a material generating gas in situ
• CPC Class Codes: C22B 9/103 Methods of introduction of solid or liquid refining or fluxing agents
• CPC Class Codes: F27D 27/00 Stirring devices for molten material F27D3/14 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F27D 3/14 Charging or discharging liquid or molten material
• CPC Class Codes: F27D 99/00 Subject matter not provided for in other groups of this subclass

Abstract

A coupling mechanism for a molten metal processing system includes an elongated shaft having an upper axial end and a lower axial end. A passage having a torque facilitating shape extends through at least a portion of the shaft. The upper end of the shaft tapers inwardly and forms a tapered seat. At least one channel is machined into an outer surface of the upper end of the shaft. The channel has a first portion extending longitudinally downward from a top surface of the shaft and a second portion extending from the first portion at an angle greater than 90° relative to the first portion. A coupling member, for coupling the shaft to a drive system, includes a body having an annular wall which defines a cavity. At least one locking member is disposed on an inner surface of the annular wall which is adapted to cooperate with the channel in the shaft. The locking member is aligned with the first portion of the channel and the shaft is slid into the cavity. When the locking member reaches a bottom surface of the first portion of the channel, the shaft is turned less than one third of a rotation so that the locking member travels partially across the second portion of the channel thereby pulling the shaft upward. The cavity of the coupling member tapers outwardly forming a mouth which engages the tapered seat of the shaft in a sealing relationship.

Claims

1. A coupling mechanism for a molten metal processing system comprising:

an elongated shaft having a first axial end and a second axial end, at least one channel disposed on an outer surface of the first axial end; and

a coupling member for connecting the first axial end to a drive system, the coupling member having a cavity for receiving the first axial end of the shaft and at least one locking member disposed on a wall of the cavity adapted to cooperate with the at least one channel in a locking relationship restricting further rotational movement in at least one direction after the elongated shaft is in a locked relationship with the coupling member.

2. The coupling mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the channel includes a first portion extending longitudinally downward from a top surface of the shaft and a second portion extending at an angle from the first portion.

3. The coupling mechanism according to claim 2, wherein the second portion of the channel extends from the first portion of the channel at an included angle greater than 90°

.

4. The coupling mechanism according to claim 2, wherein the second portion of the channel extends from the first portion a distance less than one third of a perimeter of the first axial end of the shaft, the locking member adapted to slide down the first portion of the channel and at least partially across the second portion of the channel.

5. The coupling mechanism according to claim 2, wherein the second portion of the channel extends from the first portion of the channel in a direction opposite a direction of rotation of the shaft.

6. The coupling mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the first axial end of the shaft has first, second and third spaced channels each having a first portion extending vertically downward from a top surface of the elongated shaft and a second portion extending from the first portion at an included angle greater than 90°

, the coupling member having first, second, and third spaced locking members which are adapted to align with and slide down the first portion of the first, second, and third channels respectively and slide at least partially across the second portion of the first, second, and third channels respectively so that the shaft is secured to the coupling member in a cam locking manner.

7. The coupling mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the elongated shaft tapers inwardly as the top axial end is approached forming a tapered seat at a predetermined position along the elongated shaft.

8. The coupling mechanism according to claim 7, wherein at least one annular ridge is disposed on a surface of the tapered seat.

9. The coupling mechanism according to claim 7, wherein an inner surface of the cavity of the coupling member tapers outwardly thereby forming a mouth, the mouth engaging the tapered seat of the shaft effectively sealing the coupling mechanism.

10. The coupling mechanism according to claim 9, wherein the tapered seat is angled inwardly at approximately 30°

relative to an outer vertical surface of the first end of the shaft and the mouth is tapered outward at approximately 30°

relative the wall of the cavity.

11. The coupling mechanism according to claim 1, further comprising a first passage having a torque facilitating shape extending longitudinally through at least a portion of the elongated shaft adapted to receive a wrenching tool.

12. The coupling mechanism according to claim 11, wherein the first passage is hexagonal in shape and extends downward from a top surface of the shaft, the first passage terminating before reaching the second end of the shaft.

13. The coupling mechanism according to claim 11, further comprising a second passage extending longitudinally from the first passage through the entire elongated shaft.

14. A coupling device for a molten metal processing system comprising:

at least one channel machined into a first surface of a shaft; and

at least one locking member mounted to a second surface, the at least one locking member adapted to cooperate with at least one channel in a locking relationship, the locking member restricting further rotational movement of the shaft in at least one direction.

15. The coupling device according to claim 14, wherein the first surface is an outer surface of an upper end of the shaft and the second surface is an inner surface of an annular wall of a coupling member.

16. The coupling device according to claim 14, wherein the channel includes a first vertical portion extending longitudinally downward from a top portion of the first surface and a second portion extending at an angle from the first portion.

17. The coupling device according to claim 16, wherein the second portion of the channel extends from the first portion of the channel at an angle greater than 90°

relative to the first portion.

18. The coupling device according to claim 14, wherein the first surface has a tapered portion which forms a tapered seat at a predetermined position along the first surface.

19. The coupling device according to claim 18, wherein the second surface tapers outwardly forming a mouth for engaging the tapered seat of the first surface thereby effectively sealing the coupling device.

20. A molten metal processing system comprising:

a drive system;

a coupling member extending downward from the drive system;

an elongated shaft having a first end and a second end, the coupling member coupling the first end of the shaft to the drive system; and

a first passage having a torque facilitating shape extending longitudinally through at least a portion of the elongated shaft adapted to receive a wrenching tool.

21. The molten metal processing system according to claim 20, wherein the first passage is hexagonal in shape and terminates before reaching the second end of the shaft.

22. The molten metal processing system according to claim 20, wherein the processing system is a degassing device having a second passage extending longitudinally from the first passage.

23. The molten metal processing system according to claim 22, wherein the elongated shaft tapers inwardly forming a tapered seat at a predetermined position along the elongated shaft.

24. A method for coupling a shaft of a molten metal processing system to a drive system of the molten metal processing system comprising the steps of:

machining at least one channel into an upper end of the shaft, the channel having a first portion extending vertically downward from a top surface of the shaft and a second portion extending from the first portion at an angle greater than 90°

relative to the first portion, the channel adapted to restrict further rotational movement of the shaft in at least one direction;

providing at least one locking member on an inner surface of an annular wall of a coupling member which is adapted to cooperate with the at least one channel;

aligning the locking member with the first portion of the channel;

sliding the shaft into the coupling member until the locking member has reached a bottom surface of the first portion of the channel; and

turning the shaft so that the locking member travels partially through the second portion of the channel until the coupling member and the shaft are securely connected.

25. The method of coupling a shaft to a motor according to claim 24, wherein the turning step includes turning the shaft less than one third of a rotation.

26. A shaft for a molten metal processing system comprising:

an elongated body having a first axial end dimensioned to be coupled to a drive system and a second axial end adapted for connection to an associated rotor or impeller; and

at least one channel adapted to restrict further rotational movement in at least one direction and to restrict longitudinal movement after the elongated body is coupled to the drive system disposed on an outer surface of the first axial end, the channel having a first portion extending longitudinally downward from a top surface of the shaft and a second portion extending at an angle from the first portion.

27. The shaft according to claim 26, wherein the second portion of the channel extends from the first portion of the channel at an included angle greater than 90°

.

28. The shaft according to claim 26, wherein the shaft is fabricated from a graphite or a ceramic material.

29. The shaft according to claim 26 including an impeller or rotor connected to said second axial end.

30. The shaft of claim 26 including an elongated passage extending from said first axial end at least a portion of the length of said shaft.

31. The shaft of claim 30 wherein said passage extends from said first axial end to said second axial end.

32. The shaft of claim 31 wherein said elongated passage has a cross-section shape which accommodates a torque wrenching tool.

33. A coupling mechanism for a molten metal processing system comprising:

an elongated shaft having a first axial end and a second axial end, at least one channel disposed on an outer surface of the first axial end; and

a coupling member for connecting the first axial end to a drive system, the coupling member having a cavity for receiving the first axial end of the shaft and at least one locking member disposed on a wall of the cavity adapted to cooperate with the at least one channel in a locking relationship, wherein the channel includes a first portion extending longitudinally downward from a top surface of the shaft and a second portion extending at an angle from the first portion.