Mixing eductor nozzle and flow control device
AssigneeNovelis Inc.
InventorsSamuel R. Wagstaff, Robert B. Wagstaff
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Techniques are disclosed for reducing macrosegregation in cast metals. Techniques include providing an eductor nozzle capable of increasing mixing in the fluid region of an ingot being cast. Techniques also include providing a non-contacting flow control device to mix and/or apply pressure to the molten metal that is being introduced to the mold cavity. The non-contacting flow control device can be permanent magnet or electromagnet based. Techniques additionally can include actively cooling and mixing the molten metal before introducing the molten metal to the mold cavity.
Claims20
A method, comprising:
- delivering molten metal through a primary nozzle of a feed tube couplable to a source of the molten metal, the primary nozzle located at a distal end of the feed tube, wherein the primary nozzle is submersible in a molten sump and includes an exit opening through which the molten metal passes;
- passing the molten metal through a secondary nozzle positioned in alignment with the exit opening of the primary nozzle and submersible within the molten sump, wherein passing the molten metal through the secondary nozzle includes passing the molten metal from the exit opening of the primary nozzle and through a restriction of the secondary nozzle;
- and
- inducing supplemental inflow through the secondary nozzle in response to passing the molten metal from the exit opening of the primary nozzle through the secondary nozzle, wherein the supplemental inflow is sourced from the molten sump, and wherein inducing the supplemental inflow comprises generating a low pressure area within the restriction in response to the molten metal from the exit opening of the primary nozzle passing through the restriction of the secondary nozzle.
An apparatus, comprising:
- a feed tube including a plate nozzle having a first plate and a second plate coupled together in parallel, wherein the feed tube defines a passageway for directing molten metal through the plate nozzle toward at least one exit nozzle;
- and
- a secondary nozzle submersible in a molten sump and positionable in alignment with the at least one exit nozzle of the plate nozzle, wherein the secondary nozzle includes a restriction shaped to generate a low pressure area within the restriction to circulate a portion of the molten sump through an entry of the secondary nozzle and through the restriction in response to molten metal from the at least one exit nozzle of plate nozzle passing through the restriction.
A system comprising:
- a feed tube couplable to a source of molten metal;
- a primary nozzle located at a distal end of the feed tube, wherein the primary nozzle is submersible in a molten sump for delivering the molten metal to the molten sump and wherein the primary nozzle includes an exit opening through which the molten metal passes;
- and
- a secondary nozzle submersible in the molten sump and positionable in alignment with the exit opening of the primary nozzle, wherein the secondary nozzle comprises a flow passage that is shaped as a molten flow restriction that generates a low pressure area therein to circulate the molten sump through an entry of the secondary nozzle and through the restriction in response to the molten metal from the exit opening of the primary nozzle passing through the restriction.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.