Pump with rotating inlet

• US 8,110,141 B2
• Filed: 06/26/2008
• Issued: 02/07/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 07/12/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Molten Metal Equipment Innovations Incorporated (Molten)
• Original Assignee: Paul V. Cooper
• Inventors: Cooper, Paul V.
• Primary Examiner(s): KASTLER, SCOTT R
• Application Number:
  US12/146,770
• Publication Number:
  US 20080279704A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,321 Days
• Field of Search: 266/239
• US Class Current: 266/239
• CPC Class Codes: F04D 29/026 especially adapted for liquid pumps
• CPC Class Codes: F04D 29/0473 for radial pumps
• CPC Class Codes: F04D 29/2216 Shape, geometry F04D29/2211 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F04D 29/2227 for special materials
• CPC Class Codes: F04D 7/00 Pumps adapted for handling specific fluids, e.g. by selection of specific materials for pumps or pump parts F04D11/005, F04D29/22 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F04D 7/065 for liquid metal
• CPC Class Codes: F05D 2300/20 Oxide or non-oxide ceramics
• CPC Class Codes: F05D 2300/224 Carbon, e.g. graphite
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/12 All metal or with adjacent metals

Abstract

A device for use in a molten metal pump helps alleviate jams between a rotating rotor and stationary inlet. The device includes an inlet structure including one or more openings and a displacement structure that preferably includes one or more rotor blades. The inlet structure and displacement structure are connected to one another (preferably, but not necessarily, as a unitary piece), thus enabling them both to rotate. A pump including the device is also enclosed. The invention further includes a bearing surface for an impeller or for a device according to the invention, wherein the bearing surface includes grooves that help reduce molten metal build up between the bearing surface of the impeller or device and the bearing surface of a pump chamber.

Claims

1. A pump base for use in a molten metal pump, the pump base having

(a) an inlet,

(b) a pump chamber in communication with the inlet,

(c) a discharge through which molten metal exits the pump chamber, and

(d) a device comprising:

a plurality of openings through which molten metal can pass, wherein each of the plurality of openings is partially defined by an inlet perimeter;

a plurality of imperforate rotor blades for displacing molten metal, wherein each of the plurality of rotor blades has a leading face that includes a first portion that directs molten metal downward and a second portion beneath the first portion that directs molten metal outward, and a trailing face that includes a recess that increases the size of one of the openings to help permit molten metal to pass therethrough and into the pump chamber;

wherein as the device is rotated, the openings, each inlet perimeter, and the rotor blades rotate.

2. The pump base of claim 1 wherein the one or more rotor blades are comprised of graphite.

3. The pump base of claim 1 wherein each inlet perimeter is comprised of graphite.

4. The pump base of claim 1 wherein each inlet perimeter is comprised of ceramic.

5. The pump base of claim 1 wherein the device has three openings.

6. The pump base of claim 1 wherein the device has three rotor blades.

7. The pump base of claim 1 wherein the device further includes a threaded connective portion for connecting to a rotor shaft.

8. The pump base of claim 1 wherein the pump chamber has a top and a bottom, and the device includes a flow-blocking plate to block the bottom of the pump chamber.

9. The pump base of claim 1 wherein the pump base has a top wall with an opening formed therein, the opening defining the inlet and leading to the pump chamber, and the inlet perimeters are positioned within the opening in the top wall.

10. The pump base of claim 9 that further includes a bearing ring in the opening in the top wall.

11. The pump base of claim 10 wherein the bearing ring is ceramic.

12. The pump base of claim 1 wherein the first portion of each rotor blade has a horizontally-extending projection with a top surface and a bottom surface, wherein the bottom surface is angled to move molten metal into the pump chamber.

13. The pump base of claim 12 wherein the pump base has an upper surface and the top surface of the projection is flush with the upper surface.

14. The pump base of claim 1 wherein the second portion of each rotor blade is vertical.

15. The pump base of claim 12 wherein the bottom surface of each horizontally-extending projection is formed at a 10°

-60°

downward angle relative a horizontal axis.

16. The pump base of claim 1 wherein each recess begins at a position forward of the second portion of the rotor blade.

17. A molten metal pump including the pump base of claim 1.

18. The molten metal pump of claim 17 that is a circulation pump.

19. The molten metal pump of claim 17 that is a gas-injection pump.

20. The molten metal pump of claim 17 that includes support posts extending upward from the pump base for supporting a super structure, a motor, and a drive shaft connecting the motor to the device.

21. A molten metal pump including the pump base of claim 12.