MOLTEN METAL PUMP ROTOR
A molten metal pumping device is disclosed that comprises a pump base including at least one input port, a pump chamber, a chamber wall, and a discharge leading to an output port. A rotor is retained within the chamber and is connected to a rotor shaft. The rotor is a dual-flow (or mixed-flow) rotor, directing molten metal both into the chamber and out of the chamber, where it ultimately exits through the discharge. The dual-flow rotor has a recess to permit high amounts of molten metal to enter the pump chamber.
1 . A pump for pumping molten metal, the device comprising:
(a) a superstructure;
(b) a motor positioned on the superstructure;
(c) a drive shaft having a first end and a second end, the first end being connected to the motor;
(d) a pump base having an input port, a pump chamber, a chamber wall and a discharge leading to an output port; and
(e) a rotor connected to the second end of the drive shaft, the rotor positioned in said pump chamber and having a vane including:
(i) a first surface for moving molten metal into the pump chamber, the first surface having a downwardly-curved, leading portion; and
(ii) a second surface for moving molten metal towards the chamber wall, the second surface being positioned farther from the inlet than the first surface and having a downwardly sloping portion.
2 . The pump of claim 1 wherein the pump base includes a top surface and the output port is in the top surface, the device further including a metal-transfer conduit extending from said output port to the superstructure, and a clamp on the superstructure for securing the metal-transfer conduit.
3 . The pump of claim 1 wherein the pump base includes a side surface and the output port is in the side surface, the device further including a gas-release device for releasing gas into a stream of molten metal generated by the device.
4 . The pump of claim 3 wherein the gas-release device is connected to the discharge for the release of gas therein.
5 . The pump of claim 3 which further includes a metal-transfer conduit extending from the discharge, the gas-release device being connected to the metal-transfer conduit for the release of gas therein.
6 . The pump of claim 1 which includes a gas-release device for releasing gas directly into the pump chamber.
7 . The pump of claim 1 wherein the rotor further includes a top surface and a recess juxtaposed the top surface for allowing molten metal to enter the pump chamber.
8 . The pump of claim 7 wherein the recess comprises an angled surface formed next to the top surface and a vertical surface formed next to the angled surface.
9 . The pump of claim 7 wherein the vane has a circumferential length and the recess comprises at least 50% of the length.
10 . The pump of claim 9 wherein the recess comprises at least ⅔ or more of the length.
11 . The pump of claim 9 wherein the rotor has a base and the vertical surface extends to the base.
12 . The pump of claim 1 wherein the rotor includes a horizontally-extending projection, the projection including a leading edge, a top surface and a bottom surface, the first surface being formed on the bottom surface of the projection.
13 . The pump of claim 12 wherein the projection has a width and a height and the second surface has a height, the height of the projection being no more than ½ the height of the second surface.
14 . The pump of claim 12 wherein the second surface is the leading face of a vertical portion of the vane, the vertical portion having a width and including a trailing face, a recess being formed on the vane, the recess extending from the top surface of the projection to the trailing face of the vertical portion.
15 . The pump of claim 14 wherein the width of the vertical portion is no greater than ½ the width of the projection.
16 . The pump of claim 14 wherein the recess begins on the upper surface at a position forward of the second surface.
17 . The pump of claim 8 wherein the angled surface is formed at a 30 degree -60 degree angle.
18 . The pump of claim 7 wherein the top surface is flush with the inlet.
19 . The pump of claim 1 wherein the second surface of the rotor is vertical.
20 . The pump of claim 1 wherein the rotor vane is comprised of graphite.
21 . The pump of claim 1 wherein the rotor is imperforate.
22 . The pump of claim 1 wherein the rotor is imperforate wherein the rotor includes three vanes.
23 . The pump of claim 1 that is a circulation pump.
24 . A dual-flow rotor for directing molten metal into and out of a pump chamber, the rotor including a rotor vane comprising:
(a) a first means for moving molten metal into the pump chamber; and
(b) a second means for moving molten metal towards the chamber wall.
25 . The rotor of claim 24 wherein:
(a) the first means for moving molten metal into the pump chamber is a downwardly-curved surface on the leading portion of the vane; and
(b) the second means for moving molten metal towards the chamber wall is a second surface beneath said curved surface.
26 . The rotor of claim 25 wherein said second surface has a downwardly sloping portion.
27 . The rotor of claim 24 wherein the vane further comprises a top surface and a recess means adjacent the top surface to allow molten metal to enter a pump chamber.
28 . The rotor of claim 27 wherein the rotor further comprises multiple vanes and a recess between each of the vanes.