# US 4,397,687 A · Mixing device and method for mixing molten metals

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- Number: US 4,397,687 A
- Document ID: US4397687A
- Status: Granted
- Kind: A
- Application number: 06/380,795
- Filed: 1982-05-21
- Granted: 1983-08-09
- Earliest claimed: 1982-05-21
- Assignees: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- Inventors: Richard Bye
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US4397687A

## CPC

- F27D 27/00: Stirring devices for molten material (charging or discharging liquid or molten material F27D3/14)
- C22B 9/02: Refining by liquating, filtering, centrifuging, distilling, or supersonic wave action {including acoustic waves; (C22B9/003, C22B9/006, C22B9/05, C22B9/22 take precedence)}
- C22B 21/0084: {melting and handling molten aluminium (C22B21/02, C22B21/04 and C22B21/06 take precedence)}
- Y02P 10/20: Recycling
- F27D: DETAILS OR ACCESSORIES OF FURNACES, KILNS, OVENS OR RETORTS, IN SO FAR AS THEY ARE OF KINDS OCCURRING IN MORE THAN ONE KIND OF FURNACE
- C22B: PRODUCTION AND REFINING OF METALS (electrolytic C25); PRETREATMENT OF RAW MATERIALS
- Y02P: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN THE PRODUCTION OR PROCESSING OF GOODS

## Abstract

A mixing device (e.g., a stirrer) to ensure thorough mixing of metals and metal alloys comprising a generally rectangular solid and a series of off-side, but area-equivalent ports on each side of the axial center, wherein the size and number of ports on one side is different from the size and number of ports on the other side, the upper and lower limits of the ports being defined by oppositely opposed anguarly directed fin portions wherein the fins on one side of the axial center are directed in one direction and the fins on the other side of the axial center are directed in the opposite direction. The invention also embodies a method of mixing molten metals and alloys with the device.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A mixing device to ensure thorough mixing of metals and metal alloys comprising a generally rectangular solid and a series of ports on each side of the axial center of said rectangular solid whose upper and lower limits are defined by oppositely opposed angularly directed fin portions wherein the fins on one side of said axial center are directed in one direction and the fins on the other side of said axial center are directed in the opposite direction and wherein a plurality of the ports on one side of said mixing device are off-center from the axial center and the total face area of the ports on the one side are essentially equal to the total face area of the ports on the other side.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The mixing device of claim 1 wherein said device is constructed of graphite.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The mixing device of claim 1 wherein the ports on one side are from about 3 to about 4 times the length of the ports on the other side.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The mixing device of claim 3 wherein the number of ports on one side is from about 6 to about 8 and about 2 to 3 on the other side.

### Claim 5

A method for mixing molten metals and metal alloys in a melting furnace which comprises employing as a mixing device a generally rectangular solid having of a series of off-center ports on each side of the axial center of said rectangular solid whose upper and lower limits are defined by oppositely opposed angularly directed fin portions wherein the fins on one side of said axial center are directed in one direction and the fins on the other side of said axial center are directed in the opposite direction, whereby agitation is provided in both a horizontal and vertical direction and wherein the total face area of the ports on one side are essentially equal to the total face area of the ports on the other side.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The method of claim 5 wherein the molten metal or metal alloy contains discrete degenerate dendritic primary solid particles.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The method of claim 6 wherein the molten metal or metal alloy is withdrawn from said furnace and subjected to injection molding.

### Claim 8 (depends on 6)

The method of claim 6 wherein the metal is an alloy of aluminum.