Vibratory System And Method For Molten Steel Transfer
AssigneeAJF, Inc.
InventorsTodd E. Albring, James M. Lash
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A vibratory system and method for use in transferring molten metal. The vibratory system includes a vibrator which generates vibrational energy used to dislodge particulate positioned in a ladle for storing molten metal in an industrial molten metal transfer and manufacturing process. In one example, the vibratory system includes a transfer device for guiding the molten metal from the ladle and the vibrator is connected to the transfer device. In an example of a method for dislodging the particulate from the ladle, particulate is added to the ladle and vibrational energy is applied or transferred to the ladle to dislodge the particulate from the ladle allowing a flow of the molten metal to exit the ladle unobstructed by the particulate.
Claims20
A vibratory system for use in transferring molten metal, comprising:
- a ladle configured to store molten metal, the ladle defining a cavity to store the molten metal and a ladle opening configured to allow the molten metal to exit the ladle, the ladle opening in communication with the cavity;
- a slide gate connected to the ladle in communication with the ladle opening, the slide gate configured to selectively allow the molten metal to flow from the cavity through the ladle opening;
- and
- a vibrator in vibratory communication with the ladle configured to generate vibrational energy operable to dislodge a particulate positioned in the ladle opening allowing the molten metal to exit through the ladle opening unobstructed by the particulate.
A vibratory system for use in transferring molten metal, comprising:
- a ladle configured to store molten metal, the ladle defining a cavity to store the molten metal and a ladle opening configured to allow the molten metal to exit the ladle, the ladle opening in communication with the cavity;
- a slide gate connected to the ladle and configured to selectively allow the molten metal to flow from the cavity through the ladle opening, the slide gate comprising:
- a first position configured to prevent the flow of molten metal through the slide gate;
- and
- a second position configured to allow the flow of molten metal through the slide gate;
- a transfer device having a first position wherein the transfer device is disengaged from the slide gate and a second position wherein the transfer device is engaged with the slide gate, transfer device further comprising:
- an articulatable arm;
- and
- a shroud connected to the articulatable arm and configured to engage the slide gate when the transfer device is in the second position;
- and
- a vibrator in vibratory communication with the ladle, the vibrator is connected to the articulatable arm and is configured to generate and transfer high frequency vibrational energy to the ladle to dislodge a particulate positioned in the cavity of the ladle obstructing the flow of the molten metal through the ladle opening.
A method for dislodging a particulate from a ladle for storing molten metal, the method comprising:
- adding the particulate into a cavity defined by the ladle wherein the particulate obstructs a flow of the molten metal from exiting the ladle;
- and
- applying vibrational energy to the ladle through a vibrator configured to dislodge the particulate from the ladle allowing the flow of the molten metal to exit the ladle unobstructed by the particulate.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.