Simultaneous multi-mode gas activation degassing device for casting ultraclean high-purity metals and alloys
AssigneeAlmex USA, Inc.
InventorsRicardo Sammy, Ravindra V. Tilak
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An “in-line” device to continuously remove dissolved gasses from liquid metal is described. The device described herein may contain an apparatus to create a partial vacuum, one or more ultrasonic vibrators below the surface of the liquid metal to evolve gas bubbles within the metal, and a high-frequency vibrating metal plate which the fluid must pass over at a low depth. The device may be used to create high quality metals, including aluminum and aluminum alloy for a number of demanding applications such as pharmaceutical, semiconductor, foil, and aerospace applications including Aluminum-Lithium alloys.
Claims18
A Multi-Mode Gas Activation degassing apparatus for removing dissolved gasses from liquid metal, the apparatus comprising:
- an inlet chamber configured to contain a volume of liquid metal, the inlet chamber that receives liquid metal from a source of liquid metal;
- an outlet chamber in fluid communication with the inlet chamber, wherein the outlet chamber outputs degassed liquid metal;
- a flow control system that controls a flow of the liquid metal into and out of the inlet and outlet chambers;
- a vacuum source that creates at least a partial vacuum in one or more of the inlet and outlet chambers;
- one or more ultrasonic probes placed inside the inlet chamber in a location which may be below a fluid level of the inlet chamber when the apparatus is in use;
- and
- a high-frequency vibrator configured to make a surface vibrate at a high frequency, the surface placed such that fluid must flow over the surface to transit between the inlet chamber and the outlet chamber of the apparatus.
A system for degassing a liquid metal, the system comprising:
- a housing defining an inlet chamber and an outlet chamber that are separated by a baffle of a first height, wherein liquid metal is introduced into the inlet chamber and wherein the baffle defines a first surface over which at least some of the liquid metal will flow between the inlet chamber and the outlet chamber;
- a vacuum system that induces the liquid metal in the inlet chamber to be drawn up to the first height so as to flow over the first surface;
- a vibration system that vibrates the first surface when the liquid metal is flowing over the first surface at a frequency that induces dissolved gases in the liquid metal to flow out of the liquid metal flowing over the first surface.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.