Inert pump leg adapted for immersion in molten metal
AssigneeAlphatech, Inc.
InventorJorge A. Morando
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A graphite support leg for positioning an object, such as a pump, in a bath of molten metal. The leg is enclosed in a ceramic sleeve, and an inert material is disposed in a clearance between the leg and the sleeve to protect the leg from the heat of the molten metal.
Claims16
A support structure having a lower end suited for positioning an object such as a pump housing below the surface of a bath of molten metal, and an upper end suited for connection to structure above the bath of molten metal, comprising:
- an elongated support leg of a graphite material, a sleeve housing said support leg, said sleeve being formed of a ceramic that is resistant to the heat of the molten metal, both the leg and the sleeve having a length suited for connection to a support structure above the bath of molten metal and a lower end suited for connection to a structure immersed below the metal level of the bath of molten metal;
- means forming a helical groove between the interface of the graphite leg and the ceramic sleeve extending from the upper end of the leg to a location proximate said immersed structure;
- and
- a source of an inert gas, and means for connecting said source of inert gas to said helical groove to fill the groove.
A support suited for positioning a pump or other similar device disposed in a bath of molten metal, beneath an overhead support structure disposed above the metal level of the bath, comprising:
- a graphite leg having an upper end and a lower end, the leg having a sufficient compressive strength to prevent an object from rising in molten metal, the leg having a tendency to be combustible in the presence of oxygen, and non-combustible in the presence of an inert material;
- first means for connecting the graphite leg to an overhead support structure, and second means for connecting the graphite leg to an object disposed in a bath of molten metal;
- structure enclosing that portion of the graphite leg disposed in the bath of molten metal, including a ceramic sleeve telescopically enclosing the leg, the ceramic sleeve being resistant to the heat of molten metal;
- third means forming a clearance between the graphite leg and the ceramic sleeve;
- and
- an inert non-gaseous material disposed in said clearance to form a non-combustible barrier between the graphite leg and the molten metal.
A support suited for positioning a pump or similar device disposed in a bath of molten metal, beneath an overhead support structure disposed above the metal level of the bath;
- comprising:
- a leg of a material capable of being penetrated by a gas, having an upper end and a lower end, the leg having a sufficient compressive strength to prevent an object from rising in molten metal, the leg having a tendency to be combustible in the presence of oxygen, and non-combustible in the presence of an inert gas;
- first means for connecting the leg to an overhead support structure;
- and second means for connecting the leg to an object disposed in a bath of molten metal;
- structure enclosing that portion of the leg disposed in the molten metal to form a sealed chamber, including a ceramic sleeve telescopically enclosing the leg, the ceramic sleeve being resistant to the heat of molten metal;
- and
- a source of an inert gas, and means for introducing the gas into the sleeve to so penetrate the leg as to prevent it from burning when disposed in molten metal.
A support suited for positioning a pump or other similar device disposed in a bath of molten metal, beneath an overhead support structure disposed above the metal level of the bath, comprising:
- a graphite leg having an upper end and a lower end, the graphite having a sufficient compressive strength to prevent an object from rising in molten metal, the leg having a tendency to be combustible in the presence of oxygen, and non-combustible in the presence of an inert material, at
- first means for connecting the graphite leg to an overhead support structure, and second means for connecting the graphite leg to an object disposed in a bath of molten metal;
- and
- structure enclosing that portion of the graphite leg disposed in a bath of molten metal to form a barrier between the graphite leg and the molten metal including a ceramic sleeve having a lower end telescopically enclosing the leg, the ceramic sleeve being resistant to the heat of molten metal.
A support suited for positioning a pump having a housing disposed in a bath of molten metal, beneath an overhead support structure disposed above the metal level of the bath, comprising:
- a pump housing having an opening;
- a graphite leg having an upper end and a lower end, the graphite leg having a sufficient compressive strength to prevent the pump housing from rising in molten metal, the graphite leg having a tendency to be combustible in the presence of oxygen, and non-combustible in the presence of an inert material at such times as the graphite leg is disposed in a bath of molten metal;
- first means for connecting the graphite leg to an overhead support structure, and second means for connecting the graphite leg in the opening in the pump housing;
- and
- structure forming a barrier between the graphite leg and the molten metal including a ceramic sleeve telescopically enclosing the leg, the ceramic sleeve being resistant to the heat of molten metal.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.