US 6,345,964 B1 · Molten metal pump with metal-transfer conduit molten metal pump

Abstract

A molten metal pumping device is disclosed that comprises a pump base including at least one input port, a pump chamber, and a discharge leading to an output port. A rotor is retained within the chamber and is connected to a rotor shaft. The device further includes a superstructure attached to and positioned above the pump housing, a motor on the superstructure, a drive shaft connected to the motor and a coupling connecting the drive shaft to the rotor shaft. The rotor extends beyond the input port to deflect solid particles thereby reducing jams and preferably is a dual-flow rotor, directing molten metal both into the chamber and out through the discharge. The coupling is flexible and has two coupling members with a flexible disc disposed therebetween. Another aspect of the invention is a housing for a transfer pump that includes a discharge leading to an output port and a button adaptor extending from the discharge. The button is dimensioned so that it can connect to a metal transfer conduit without the use of cement thereby reducing maintenance costs and downtime. Further, the vertical members such as the support posts, metal transfer conduit and rotor shaft, may be sectional so that anti-corrosive materials may be used for the sections positioned in the most corrosive areas of the molten metal furnace. Additionally, a stationary component of the device may be configured to retain a thermocouple.

Claims29

Dependent claims

A device for pumping molten metal comprising:

(a) a superstructure;
(b) a motor on the superstructure, the motor connected to a drive shaft;
(c) a pump base having an input port, a pump chamber formed therein, the pump chamber having a chamber wall and a discharge leading to an output port;
(d) a support post connected to the base and to the superstructure, the support post formed of a plurality of interconnected, vertically-aligned sections;
(e) a rotor positioned within the chamber, the rotor having a vane including a section for directing molten metal into the pump chamber and including a section that directs molten metal towards the chamber wall, and a portion of the rotor extending beyond the input port in the pump base to deflect solid particles before the particles enter the pump chamber;
(f) a rotor shaft connected to the rotor, the rotor shaft formed of a plurality of interconnected, vertically-aligned sections;
(g) a coupling for connecting the rotor shaft to the drive shaft;
(h) a metal-transfer conduit forming a connection with the output port without the use of cement or other sealant, the metal-transfer conduit formed of a plurality of interconnected, vertically-aligned sections;
and
(i) a thermocouple contained within the support post.

7 more elements

A method for removing a metal-transfer conduit from a molten metal pumping device, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a molten metal bath;
(b) providing a molten metal pumping device positioned in the molten metal bath, the device including;
i. a superstructure;
ii. a motor positioned on the superstructure;
iii. a pump base having a pump chamber, an input port and a discharge leading from the pump chamber to an output port;
iv. a support post connected to the pump base and connected to the superstructure;
v. a drive shaft having a first end and a second end, the first end connected to the motor;
vi. a rotor connected to the second end of the drive shaft, the rotor positioned within the pump chamber;
vii. an adaptor attached to the superstructure;
and
viii. a metal-transfer conduit having a first end that forms a connection with the output port without the use of cement or other sealant in order to transfer molten metal from the output port to the metal transfer conduit, and a second end retained by the adaptor and thereby being connected to the superstructure;
(c) removing the device from the molten metal bath;
(d) disconnecting the second end of the metal-transfer conduit from the superstructure without removing any cement or other sealant;
and
(e) disconnecting the first end of the metal-transfer conduit from the output port without removing any cement or other sealant.

12 more elements

A molten metal pumping device including a rotor drive shaft comprised of a plurality of interconnected sections, the device comprising:

(a) a superstructure;
(b) a motor positioned on the superstructure;
(c) a drive shaft comprised of a motor shaft and a rotor drive shaft, the motor shaft having a first end and a second end, the first end drivingly connected to the motor, the second end connected to the rotor drive shaft;
(d) a pump base, the base including an input port, a chamber and a discharge leading from the chamber to an output port;
(e) a rotor connected to the rotor drive shaft opposite the motor drive shaft, the rotor being positioned in the chamber;
wherein the rotor drive shaft extends from the rotor to the motor shaft, the rotor drive shaft being comprised of a plurality of interconnected, vertically-aligned sections, each of the sections having a connecting end, the sections being connected without the use of a separate coupling component by bringing the connecting end of one section into physical contact with the connecting end of another section, each of the sections being comprised of refractory material;
(f) a support post connecting the base to the superstructure;
and
(g) a metal-transfer conduit extending from the output port to the superstructure, the metal-transfer conduit being connected to the output port without the use of cement or other sealant, the metal-transfer conduit defining a passage therein for the transfer of molten metal and being comprised of a plurality of interconnected, vertically-aligned sections, each of the sections having a connecting end, the sections being connected without the use of a coupling by bringing the connecting end of one section into physical contact with the connecting end of another section, each of the sections being comprised of refractory material.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Molten metal pump with metal-transfer conduit molten metal pump

Life of this patent

Molten metal pump with metal-transfer conduit molten metal pump

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims29