Flux injection assembly and method
AssigneePyrotek, Inc.
InventorsLennard Lutes, Richard S. Henderson, Jason Holstein
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A flux injector apparatus and method adapted to distribute a predetermined amount of flux to an associated pool of molten aluminum. The flux injector apparatus includes a pressurized tank adapted to store and feed the flux under pressure. A feed mechanism operative to discharge a predetermined amount of flux to an outlet and a controller for monitoring and operating the apparatus. The feed mechanism includes a housing having an inner wall defining a cavity with an inlet and an outlet. A feed wheel is positioned within the cavity and operative to receive a predetermined amount of flux from the inlet, translate the flux within the cavity and discharge the predetermined amount of flux through the outlet of the pressurized tank.
Claims19
A flux injector apparatus adapted to distribute a predetermined amount of flux to an associated pool of molten aluminum, the apparatus comprising:
- a tank containing flux;
- a feed mechanism operative to discharge a predetermined amount of flux to an outlet;
- a housing having an inner wall defining a cavity with an inlet and an outlet;
- a feed wheel within the cavity and operative to receive a predetermined amount of flux from the inlet, translate the flux within the cavity and discharge the predetermined amount of flux through the outlet;
- and
- a controller.
A method of introducing a predetermined amount of flux into a pool of molten aluminum, the method comprising:
- providing flux to an inlet of a feed mechanism;
- receiving a predetermined amount of flux at a notch of a feed wheel in the feed mechanism;
- translating the flux to an outlet of the feed mechanism;
- mixing an inert gas with the flux;
- and
- introducing a mixture of flux and inert gas into a pool of molten aluminum.
A flux injector apparatus for distributing flux to an associated pool of molten metal, the apparatus comprising a pressurized tank adapted to contain said flux, said apparatus including a window permitting inspection of a flow of the flux within said tank, a monitor to assess the pressure within said tank, the monitor in communication with a controller suited to increase and decrease said pressure, a feed wheel adjacent an outlet of said tank, said feed wheel receiving selected quantities of said flux and discharging said flux throughout said outlet.
A flux injector apparatus adapted to distribute a predetermined amount of flux to an associated pool of molten aluminum, the apparatus comprising:
- a tank containing flux;
- a feed mechanism operative to discharge a predetermined amount of flux to an outlet;
- an optic sensor provided to at least an outlet or an inlet to monitor a flow of flux;
- and
- a controller.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.