Molten Metal Transfer System and Method
A system according to aspects of the invention includes a pump and a refractory casing that houses the pump or is in fluid communication with the pump. As the pump operates it moves molten metal upward through an uptake section of the casing until it reaches a rectangular outlet wherein it exits the vessel. The rectangular outlet is configured to be connected to, or may be attached to, a launder. Another system uses a wall to divide a cavity of the chamber into two portions. The wall has an opening and a pump pumps molten metal from a first portion into a second portion until the level in the second portion reaches an outlet and exits the vessel.
1 . A vessel used for transferring molten metal, the vessel comprising:
(a) a refractory housing having a first side;
(b) a cylindrical uptake section in the refractory housing, wherein the cylindrical uptake section is open and configured so molten metal can be moved up the uptake section; and
(c) a rectangular opening in the first side of the refractory housing; the rectangular opening in fluid communication with the cylindrical uptake section.
2 . The vessel of claim 1 that further includes a launder connected to the rectangular opening.
3 . A device for transferring molten metal, the device comprising a transfer conduit in communication with a vessel cavity; the transfer conduit having a bottom that includes an opening in communication with the vessel cavity, a first section having a first cross-sectional area and a second section above the first section, the second section having a second cross-sectional area that is greater than the first cross-sectional area, and a rectangular outlet in fluid communication with the second section and leading out of the transfer conduit; wherein the first section is configured to receive a molten metal pump rotor, and the rectangular outlet is configured to mate with a launder.
4 . The device of claim 3 that is comprised of refractory material.
5 . The device of claim 3 , wherein the cavity is cylindrical.
6 . The device of claim 3 that a launder extending from the second section.
7 . The device of claim 3 , wherein the launder is between 6″ and 6′ in length.
8 . The device of claim 7 , wherein the launder is formed at a horizontal angle of one or more of the group selected from: 0°, an angle tilting backwards towards the second section of between 1° and 3°, an angle tilting backwards towards the second section of between 1° and 10°.
9 . The device of claim 3 , wherein there is a wall that separates the vessel cavity from the transfer conduit and a channel is formed in the bottom of the wall and allows molten metal to pass from the vessel cavity to the opening.
10 . The device of claim 3 that further includes a molten metal pump including a motor, a platform on which the motor rests, a shaft having a first end connected to the motor and a second end connected to a rotor, wherein at least part of the shaft is positioned in the second section and the rotor is positioned in the first section.
11 . The device of claim 10 , wherein the vessel has an upper perimeter, and the transfer conduit has an upper perimeter, and the platform of the molten metal pump is supported by at least the upper perimeter of the transfer conduit in order to support the pump.
12 . The device of claim 11 , wherein the platform of the molten metal pump also rests on at least the upper perimeter of the vessel.
13 . The device of claim 3 , wherein the transfer conduit includes a first wall having a first outer surface and a second wall having a second outer surface, and one side of the platform includes a first centering bracket and the opposite side of the platform includes a second centering bracket; the first centering bracket being juxtaposed the first outer surface and the second centering bracket being juxtaposed the second outer surface to help center the shaft and rotor in the transfer conduit.
14 . A pumping device for pumping molten metal, the device including (a) a pump having a motor, a rotor and a drive shaft connecting the motor to the rotor, and (b) a refractory casing that includes an inlet, an uptake tube having a first section with a first cross-sectional area and a second section with a second cross-sectional area, wherein the second section is above the first section and the second cross-sectional area is larger than the first cross-sectional area, and a rectangular outlet in communication with the second section (c) the rotor being received in the first section, and (d) the pump being removable from the casing without removing the casing from a molten metal bath.
15 . The pumping device of claim 1 that further includes a launder attached to the outlet.
16 . The pumping device of claim 1 wherein the casing has a rectangular outer surface.
17 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the rectangular outlet is at least two feet above the opening.
18 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the rectangular outlet is at least two feet above an inner bottom surface of the vessel.
19 . A device for use with a vessel including a cavity for containing molten metal, the device being in fluid communication with a vessel cavity and including:
(a) an inlet in communication with the cavity to permit molten metal to enter the transfer chamber;
(b) an enclosed inner section and an open section, the enclosed inner section having a first opening in communication with the open section;
(c) a pump positioned in the transfer chamber, the pump having a motor, a drive shaft having a first end connected to the motor, and a second end, and a rotor connected to the second end, wherein the shaft is positioned at least partially in the enclosed inner section and the rotor is positioned at least partially in the enclosed inner section;
(d) a rectangular outlet above the first opening and below the motor, wherein molten metal can exit the transfer chamber through the outlet;
(e) wherein the rotor has a diameter, and the enclosed inner section has an interior diameter, and the interior diameter is between ⅛″ to 1″ greater than the diameter of the rotor;
wherein, as the pump operates the rotor is rotated and directs molten metal up into the enclosed inner section and out of the rectangular outlet.
20 . The device of claim 19 , wherein the pump does not include a pump base.
21 . The device of claim 19 , wherein the pump does not include a superstructure or support posts.
22 . The device of claim 19 , wherein the drive shaft comprises a motor shaft coupled to a rotor shaft and the rotor shaft is positioned at least partially in the enclosed inner section.
23 . The device of claim 19 , that has three walls and shares a fourth, common wall with the vessel.