Method and apparatus for stirring molten metal

Abstract

In the process of melting metal, a portion of molten metal is alternately withdrawn from beneath the surface of the body of molten metal and is expelled into the lower part of a metal holding means through a pipe of a gas-dynamic pump, which pipe, fitted in a cover of the metal holding means, is mounted for axial reciprocation and angular swinging in a ball-and-socket joint to thereby enable fan-like projection of a submerged metal jet within the limits of an angle corresponding to the dimensions of the metal holding means, thus providing for effective stirring of the melt body throughout the bottom area; stepwise reciprocation of the pump pipe is effected by means of a pneumatic positioning device, and the frequency of the metal-withdrawing and metal-expelling cycles is alternated during operating process with the aid of a preset time relay.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.