Ultrasonic Probes with Gas Outlets for Degassing of Molten Metals
Ultrasonic probes containing a plurality of gas delivery channels are disclosed, as well as ultrasonic probes containing recessed areas near the tip of the probe. Ultrasonic devices containing these probes, and methods for molten metal degassing using these ultrasonic devices, also are disclosed.
1 - 25 . (canceled)
26 . An ultrasonic device comprising:
an ultrasonic transducer;
an ultrasonic probe attached to the transducer, the probe comprising a tip and two or more gas delivery channels extending through the probe; and
a gas delivery system, the gas delivery system comprising:
a gas inlet,
gas flow paths through the gas delivery channels, and
gas outlets at or within about 2 cm of the tip of the probe;
wherein the probe comprises a ceramic.
27 . The ultrasonic device of claim 26 , wherein the gas outlets are at or within about 1 cm of the tip of the probe.
28 . The ultrasonic device of claim 26 , wherein the gas outlets are at the tip of the probe.
29 . The ultrasonic device of claim 26 , wherein the probe comprises a Sialon, a Silicon carbide, a Boron carbide, a Boron nitride, a Silicon nitride, an Aluminum nitride, an Aluminum oxide, a Zirconia, or a combination thereof.
30 . The ultrasonic device of claim 26 , wherein the probe comprises a Sialon.
31 . The ultrasonic device of claim 30 , wherein a length to diameter ratio of the probe is in a range from about 5:1 to about 25:1.
32 . The ultrasonic device of claim 30 , wherein the probe comprises from two to eight gas delivery channels.
33 . The ultrasonic device of claim 30 , wherein a ratio of the cross-sectional area of the tip of the probe to the cross-sectional area of the gas delivery channels is in a range from about 30:1 to about 1000:1.
34 . The ultrasonic device of claim 26 , further comprising a booster between the transducer and the probe.
35 . A method for reducing an amount of a dissolved gas and/or an impurity in a molten metal bath, the method comprising operating the ultrasonic device of claim 26 in the molten metal bath.
36 . An ultrasonic device comprising:
an ultrasonic transducer;
an ultrasonic probe attached to the transducer, the probe comprising a tip and two or more gas delivery channels extending through the probe;
a booster between the transducer and the probe; and
a gas delivery system, the gas delivery system comprising:
a gas inlet,
gas flow paths through the gas delivery channels, and
gas outlets at or within about 2 cm of the tip of the probe;
wherein the gas inlet is in the booster; and
wherein the probe comprises a ceramic.
37 . The ultrasonic device of claim 36 , wherein the gas outlets are at or within about 1 cm of the tip of the probe.
38 . The ultrasonic device of claim 36 , wherein the gas outlets are at the tip of the probe.
39 . The ultrasonic device of claim 36 , wherein the probe comprises from two to eight gas delivery channels.
40 . The ultrasonic device of claim 36 , wherein the probe comprises a Sialon.
41 . The ultrasonic device of claim 36 , wherein:
the probe is a generally cylindrical elongated probe having a length to diameter ratio in a range from about 5:1 to about 25:1;
the probe is a unitary part; and
the probe is secured to the booster using an attachment nut.
42 . The ultrasonic device of claim 36 , wherein a ratio of the cross-sectional area of the tip of the probe to the cross-sectional area of the gas delivery channels is in a range from about 30:1 to about 1000:1.
43 . The ultrasonic device of claim 36 , wherein a single gas inlet supplies all the gas delivery channels.
44 . The ultrasonic device of claim 36 , further comprising a recessed gas chamber at an end of the booster connected to the gas inlet, wherein the recessed gas chamber is configured to direct gas flow to the gas delivery channels.
45 . A method for reducing an amount of a dissolved gas and/or an impurity in a molten metal bath, the method comprising operating the ultrasonic device of claim 36 in the molten metal bath.