Molten metal transfer system and rotor

• US 9,566,645 B2
• Filed: 07/24/2015
• Issued: 02/14/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 06/21/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Molten Metal Equipment Innovations Incorporated (Molten)
• Original Assignee: Molten Metal Equipment Innovations Incorporated (Molten)
• Inventors: Cooper, Paul V., Fontana, Vincent D.
• Primary Examiner(s): KASTLER, SCOTT R
• Application Number:
  US14/808,935
• Publication Number:
  US 20150328682A1
• Time in Patent Office: 571 Days
• Field of Search: 266/235
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B22D 37/00 Controlling or regulating the pouring of molten metal from a casting melt-holding vessel B22D11/18, B22D39/00, B22D41/00 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B22D 39/00 Equipment for supplying molten metal in rations
• CPC Class Codes: B22D 41/00 Casting melt-holding vessels, e.g. ladles, tundishes, cups or the like B22D39/00, B22D43/00 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B22D 41/02 Linings
• CPC Class Codes: B22D 7/00 Casting ingots, e.g. from ferrous metalsequipment for conveying molten metal B22D35/00
• CPC Class Codes: C22B 21/0084 melting and handling molten aluminium C22B21/02, C22B21/04 and C22B21/06 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: C22B 21/064 using inert or reactive gases C22B21/066 and C22B21/068 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F27D 27/005 Pumps
• CPC Class Codes: F27D 3/14 Charging or discharging liquid or molten material
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49 Method of mechanical manufacture

Abstract

The invention relates to systems for transferring molten metal from one structure to another. Aspects of the invention include a transfer chamber constructed inside of or next to a vessel used to retain molten metal. The transfer chamber is in fluid communication with the vessel so molten metal from the vessel can enter the transfer chamber. A powered device, which may be inside of the transfer chamber, moves molten metal upward and out of the transfer chamber and preferably into a structure outside of the vessel, such as another vessel or a launder.

Claims

1. A rotor with blades for directing molten metal towards the rotor interior and away from the rotor interior, wherein each rotor blade comprises:

(a) a first portion having first upper surface angled to direct molten metal upwards;

(b) a second portion separate from, directly juxtaposed to, and at least partially above the first portion, and having a second upper surface angled to direct molten metal upwards; and

(c) a third portion separate from, juxtaposed to, and at least partially above the second portion, and having at least one outwardly-projecting surface.

2. The rotor of claim 1 that further includes a connective portion for connecting to a rotor shaft.

3. The rotor of claim 2 wherein the connective portion includes a threaded bore.

4. The rotor of claim 1 wherein the first upper surface has an angle of between 15°

and 45°

.

5. The rotor of claim 1 wherein the second upper surface has an angle of between 45°

and 70°

.

6. The rotor of claim 1 wherein the first upper surface has an angle of between 10°

and 45°

.

7. The rotor of claim 1 wherein the second upper surface has an angle of between 10°

and 60°

.

8. The rotor of claim 1 wherein the angle of the first upper surface is +/−

10°

of the angle of the second upper surface.

9. The rotor of claim 1 that has three, equally-radially-spaced blades.

10. The rotor of claim 1 that is comprised of graphite.

11. The rotor of claim 1 wherein each blade further includes a top surface and a recess opposite the outwardly-projecting surface, the recess extending downward from the top surface at an angle greater than 90°

and less than 180°

from a vertical axis.

12. The rotor of claim 1 that further comprises a second outwardly-projecting surface to project molten metal outward away from the blade.

13. The rotor of claim 1 that further comprises a recess on each rotor blade opposite the outwardly-projecting surface.

14. The rotor of claim 12 that further comprises a recess on each rotor blade opposite the outwardly-projecting surface.

15. The rotor of claim 12 wherein the recess is formed at an angle greater than 90°

and less than 180°

as measured from a vertical axis.

16. The rotor of claim 13 wherein the recess is formed at an angle greater than 90°

and less than 180°

as measured from the vertical axis.

17. The rotor of claim 15 wherein the blade has a top surface and a ledge extending between the upper surface and the recess.

18. The rotor of claim 16 wherein the blade has a top surface and a ledge extending between the upper surface and the recess.

19. The rotor of claim 12 that has a second outward-projecting surface to project molten metal outward away from the blade.

20. The rotor of claim 19 wherein the first outward-projecting surface is on one portion of the blade and the second outward projecting portion is on a second portion of the blade.

22. The rotor of claim 6 wherein the angle of the second upper surface is greater than the angle of the first upper surface.

23. The rotor of claim 7 wherein the angle of the second upper surface is greater than the angle of the first upper surface.

21. A rotor with blades for directing molten metal towards the rotor interior and away from the rotor interior, the rotor comprising one or more rotor blades, wherein each rotor blade comprises:

(a) a first portion having a first surface angled to direct molten metal towards the rotor interior;

(b) a second portion separate from, juxtaposed to, and at least partially closer to the rotor interior than the first portion, and having a second surface angled to direct molten metal towards the rotor interior; and

(c) a third portion separate from, and juxtaposed to the second portion, and having at least one outwardly-projecting surface.