Post mounting system and method for molten metal pump

• US 6,562,286 B1
• Filed: 03/13/2001
• Issued: 05/13/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 03/13/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Dale T. Lehman
• Original Assignee: Dale T. Lehman
• Inventors: Lehman, Dale T.
• Primary Examiner(s): KASTLER, SCOTT R
• Application Number:
  US09/804,845
• Time in Patent Office: 791 Days
• Field of Search: 222/590, 222/591, 222/595, 266/239, 266/45, 417/423.3
• US Class Current: 266/45
• 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 molten metal pump includes a base member submerged in the molten metal, a support member supported above the level of the molten metal by a post extending from the base member through a clearance bore in the support member and a coupling securing the post to the support member. The coupling is mounted to the support surface and includes gripping members operable to a locked position engaging the upper end of the post and to an unlocked position releasing the post. The coupling is aligned with the clearance bore in the support member to permit the post to be assembled or disassembled by axial movement through the clearance bore when the coupling is in the unlocked position.

Claims

1. A molten metal pump including a base member to be submerged in molten metal, a support member supported above the level of the molten metal by at least one post extending from said base member to said support member, said post having a longitudinal length extending from said base to an upper end adjacent said support member, and a monolithic coupling securing said post to said support member, said coupling comprising a one-piece flange and collar for receiving an upper end of said post, said flange being removably mounted to said support member to therefore fix the position of the said flange with respect to said support member, said collar being sized to receive said upper end of said post and having an axial length adapted to extend longitudinally along said upper end of said post, said collar including gripping members operable to a locked position engaging said post and an unlocked position releasing said post, said collar being slit along at least a portion of its axial length to form said gripping members, said coupling also including locking means operable to move said gripping members toward each other to engage said upper end of said post in said locked position and away from each other to disengage said upper end of said post in said unlocked position, said flange remains in said fixed position relative to said support member.

2. A molten metal pump as set forth in claim 1, wherein said support member has a clearance bore sized to permit said post to pass through said bore and said support member when said gripping members are operated to said unlocked position.

3. A molten metal pump as set forth in claim 2, wherein said flange member is mounted above said support member.

4. A molten metal pump as set forth in claim 2, wherein said flange is mounted below said support member.

5. A molten metal pump as set forth in claim 1, wherein said support member has a clearance bore sized to receive said upper end of said post with clearance, said upper end of said post having an axial length sufficient to permit upward axial movement of said post and pivotal movement of said post clear of said base member to remove said post upon operation of said gripping members to said unlocked position.

6. A molten metal pump as set forth in claim 1, wherein said gripping members include bores and said locking means comprise a threaded fastener extending through said bores in said gripping members.

17. A molten metal pump as set forth in claim 2, wherein said collar extends through said clearance bore in said support member.

19. A molten metal pump as set forth in claim 2, wherein said coupling is formed as a weldment of said flange and collar.

7. A molten metal pump including a base member to be submerged in molten metal, a support member supported above the level of the molten metal, at least one riser extending from said base member to said support member, and a monolithic coupling securing said riser to said support member, said coupling comprising a one-piece flange and collar for receiving an upper end of said riser, said flange being removably mounted to said support member to therefore fix the position of the said flange with respect to said support member, said collar being sized to receive said upper end of said riser and having an axial length adapted to extend longitudinally along said upper end of said riser, said coupling including gripping members operable to a locked position engaging said riser and an unlocked position releasing said riser, said collar being slit along at least a portion of its axial length to form said gripping members, said coupling also including locking means operable to move said gripping members toward each other to engage said upper end of said riser in said locked position and away from each other to disengage said upper end of said post in said unlocked position, said flange remains in said fixed position relative to said support member.

8. A molten metal pump as set forth in claim 7, wherein said support member has a clearance bore sized to permit said riser to pass through said bore and said support member when said gripping members are operated to said unlocked position.

9. A molten metal pump as set forth in claim 8, wherein said flange member is mounted above said, support member.

10. A molten metal pump as set forth in claim 8, wherein said flange member is mounted below said support member.

11. A molten metal pump as set forth in claim 8, wherein said locking means comprise ears fixed to each of said collars.

12. A molten metal pump as set forth in claim 11, wherein said locking means also include threaded fasteners extending through aligned ears on each of said collars for securing said collars together.

18. A molten metal pump as set forth in claim 8, wherein said collar extends through said clearance bore in said support member.

20. A molten metal pump as set forth in claim 8, wherein said coupling is formed as a weldment of said flange and collar.

13. A method of assembling a molten metal pump including a base member to be submerged in molten metal, a support member supported above the level of said molten metal, at least one post or riser element having a longitudinal length extending from said base member to an upper end portion adjacent said support member, comprising the steps of providing a clearance bore in said support member through which said element passes and a monolithic coupling comprising a one-piece flange and collar having movable gripping members for securing said upper end of element to said support member, fixing said coupling to said support member to therefore fix the position of the said flange with respect to said support member, moving said element axially through said clearance bore in said support member and into engagement with said base member, and securing said coupling to said element by moving said gripping members into locking engagement with said upper end portion of said element while said flange remains in said fixed position relative to said support member.

14. A method as set forth in claim 13, wherein the step of moving said gripping members into locking engagement includes fixing said gripping members to said upper end portion of said element using a threaded fastener.

15. A method of disassembling a post or riser element having a length extending between a lower end portion mounted to a base member and an upper end portion mounted to a support member of a molten metal pump, comprising the steps of providing a clearance opening in said support member for receiving said upper end portion of said element and a monolithic coupling having gripping members for detachably connecting said upper end portion of said element to said support member, said coupling encircling said element and being axially movable along its length upon detachment from said element and support member, detaching said coupling from said element and said support member, moving said coupling along the length of said element and away from said support member, moving said element upward and into said clearance opening to disengage said lower end portion of said element from said base member, pivoting said disengaged lower end portion of said element to a position clear of said base member, and moving said element away from said support member.

16. A method as set forth in claim 15, wherein said coupling comprises a one-piece flange and collar, said collar providing said gripping members.