Metal delivery system
AssigneeWirtz Manufacturing Company, Inc.
InventorsJack E. McLane, Robert R. Rader
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Apparatus for delivering molten metal such as lead to a receiver comprising a variable speed pump and a delivery pipe leading from the pump. The delivery pipe has an upwardly extending portion which leads to a discharge orifice from which molten metal may be discharged. A variable speed motor drives the pump. A controller causes the motor to drive the pump selectively at a first speed sufficient to raise molten metal and maintain it at a predetermined level in the upwardly extending portion of the delivery pump and at a second speed sufficient to force molten metal in the delivery pipe from the discharge orifice.
Claims31
Apparatus for delivering molten metal to a reservoir comprising:
- a variable speed pump for molten metal
- a delivery pipe leading from said pump,
- said delivery pipe having an upwardly extending portion above said pump which leads to a discharge orifice from which molten metal may be intermittently discharged into said receiver,
- a variable speed motor for driving said pump, and
- a controller for said motor causing said motor to drive said pump essentially continuously and selectively at a first speed sufficient to raise molten metal to and maintain it at a level in said upwardly extending portion of said delivery pipe below said discharge orifice and at a second increased speed sufficient to force molten metal in said delivery pipe from said discharge orifice into the receiver, whereby molten metal is intermittently discharged from said discharge orifice when the pump is driven at the second increased speed.
A method of delivering molten metal to a receiver through a delivery pipe having an upwardly extending section leading to a discharge orifice, comprising providing a variable speed pump for forcing molten metal through said delivery pipe, operating the pump essentially continuously, operating said pump at a first speed sufficient to raise molten metal to a level in said upwardly extending section of said delivery pipe below said discharge orifice and to maintain the molten metal at said level before discharge of molten metal from said discharge orifice, and thereafter operating said pump at a second speed, greater than the first speed and sufficient to force molten metal above said level and discharge it from said orifice.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.