Shaft and post tensioning device

• US 9,080,577 B2
• Filed: 03/08/2013
• Issued: 07/14/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 08/07/2009
• 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:
  US13/791,889
• Publication Number:
  US 20130196780A1
• Time in Patent Office: 858 Days
• Field of Search: 266/235, 415/216.1
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: C04B 2237/363 Carbon
• CPC Class Codes: C04B 2237/406 Iron, e.g. steel
• CPC Class Codes: C04B 2237/62 Forming laminates or joined articles comprising holes, channels or other types of openings
• CPC Class Codes: C04B 2237/84 Joining of a first substrate with a second substrate at least partially inside the first substrate, where the bonding area is at the inside of the first substrate, e.g. one tube inside another tube
• CPC Class Codes: C04B 2237/86 Joining of two substrates at their largest surfaces, one surface being complete joined and covered, the other surface not, e.g. a small plate joined at it's largest surface on top of a larger plate
• CPC Class Codes: C04B 37/025 consisting of glass or ceramic material
• CPC Class Codes: F04D 29/02 Selection of particular materials for handling specific liquids F04D7/00 F04D23/001
• CPC Class Codes: F04D 29/043 Shafts
• CPC Class Codes: F04D 29/628 especially adapted for liquid pumps
• CPC Class Codes: F04D 7/065 for liquid metal
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/292 In coating or impregnation
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/2935 Discontinuous or tubular or cellular core
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/2938 Coating on discrete and individual rods, strands or filaments
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/2958 Metal or metal compound in coating

Abstract

A system for applying tension to a component for use in molten metal processing. Preferably, the component includes an outer core and at least one tension rod positioned partially within the outer core. The component is preferably elongated, such as a support post or an impeller shaft. The tension rod applies compression to the outer cover, which makes the outer cover more resistant to breakage if it strikes, or is stricken by, an object.

Claims

1. A component for use in a molten metal pump, the component comprising:

an outer core constructed of graphite or ceramic;

a tension rod positioned at least partially inside the outer core and secured to the outer core by cement placed inside of the outer core, wherein the tension rod applies an axial compressive force to the outer core in order to make the outer core less susceptible to breakage; and

wherein at least one end of the tension rod terminates inside of the outer core.

2. The component of claim 1 wherein the tension rod has at least one end, the outer core has a first end and a second end and at least one end of the tension rod extends beyond either the first end or second end of the outer core.

3. The component of claim 2 wherein the component is used in a molten metal pump having a superstructure and the at least one end of the tension rod that extends beyond the first end or second end of the outer core is tightened against the superstructure.

4. The component of claim 2 wherein either the first end or the second end of the outer core has a cap and the end of the tension rod extending beyond the end of the outer core is tightened against the cap.

5. The component of claim 1 wherein the tension rod comprises at least one elongate, metal rod.

6. The component of claim 5 wherein the tension rod comprises at least one elongate, metal cable.

7. The component of claim 1 wherein the tension rod comprises a plurality of metal cables.

8. The component of claim 1 wherein the tension rod is steel.

9. The component of claim 7 wherein each cable is steel.

10. The component of claim 1 that is a molten metal pump support post.

11. The component of claim 1 that is a molten metal pump rotor shaft.

12. The component of claim 1 that is a molten metal degassing shaft.

13. The component of claim 1 wherein the outer core has an internal wall and the tension rod is further secured in the component by a threaded connection between the tension rod and the interior wall.

14. The component of claim 1 wherein at least one tension rod is positioned in the center of the outer core.

15. The component of claim 1 wherein there is a gas transfer channel inside of the tension rod.

16. The component of claim 1 wherein the outer core comprises channels and at least one tension rod is positioned inside one of the channels in the outer core.

17. The component of claim 1 wherein the outer core comprises graphite.

18. The component of claim 1 wherein the outer core comprises ceramic.