Molten metal transfer vessel and method of construction
The invention relates to systems for transferring molten metal from one structure to another. Aspects of the invention include a transfer chamber constructed inside of or next to a vessel used to retain molten metal. The transfer chamber is in fluid communication with the vessel so molten metal from the vessel can enter the transfer chamber. A powered device, which may be inside of the transfer chamber, moves molten metal upward and out of the transfer chamber and preferably into a structure outside of the vessel, such as another vessel or a launder.
1. A vessel for use in a system for transferring molten metal, the vessel including (a) a first end through which molten metal enters, (b) a second end through which molten metal exits, (c) a cavity, (d) a transfer chamber with an open top; an opening in communication with the cavity; an uptake section above and in communication with the opening; and an outlet above the opening, the outlet in communication with the uptake section and; (e) a launder in communication with the outlet and in communication with a second vessel, wherein the second vessel is separate from the first vessel and does not share a common wall with the first vessel.
2. The vessel of claim 1 that also includes an inner bottom surface that slopes downward towards the opening.
3. The vessel of claim 1 that further includes a tap-out opening positioned in the vessel wherein the transfer chamber is located lower than the opening.
4. The vessel of claim 1 wherein the outlet is at least two feet above the opening.
5. The vessel of claim 2 wherein the outlet is at least two feet above the inner bottom surface.
6. A transfer chamber system for use with a vessel including a cavity for containing molten metal, the transfer chamber system being in fluid communication with the vessel cavity and including:
(a) an open top through which a molten metal pump is received;
(b) an inlet in communication with the cavity to permit molten metal to enter the transfer chamber;
(c) an enclosed inner section and an open section, the enclosed inner section having a first opening in communication with the open section;
(d) the molten metal 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;
(e) an outlet above the first opening and below the motor, wherein molten metal can exit the transfer chamber through the outlet;
(f) 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 outlet.
7. The transfer chamber system of claim 6 that has a bottom surface two feet or less beneath the first opening.
8. The transfer chamber system of claim 6 wherein the pump does not include a pump base housing the rotor.
9. The transfer chamber system of claim 6 wherein the pump does not include a superstructure or support posts.
10. The transfer chamber system of claim 6 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.
11. The transfer chamber system of claim 10 wherein the rotor shaft is comprised of one or more of the group consisting of graphite and ceramic.
12. The transfer chamber system of claim 6 that has three walls and shares a fourth, common wall with the vessel.
13. The transfer chamber system of claim 6 wherein the pump is supported by a carriage connected to the transfer well.
14. The transfer chamber system of claim 6 wherein the transfer chamber has a first section having a first cross-sectional area and a second section having a second cross-sectional area, the second section adjacent the opening and the second cross-sectional area being smaller than the first cross-sectional area.
15. The transfer chamber system of claim 14 that has a third section having a third cross-sectional area, the third section being between the first section and the second section, and the third cross-sectional area being smaller than the first cross-sectional area, but larger than the second cross-sectional area.
16. The vessel of claim 1 wherein a launder is connected to the outlet.
17. The transfer chamber system of claim 12 wherein a launder is connected to the outlet and the launder has a horizontal angle of between 0° and 10° tilting back towards the outlet.
18. The transfer chamber system of claim 12 wherein the launder has a horizontal angle of between 0° and 5° tilting back towards the outlet.
19. The transfer chamber system of claim 12 wherein the launder has a horizontal angle of between 0° and 3° tilting back towards the outlet.
20. The transfer chamber system of claim 12 wherein the launder has a horizontal angle of between 1° and 3°.
21. The transfer chamber system of claim 12 wherein a launder is connected to the outlet and the launder is angled backwards towards the outlet at a downward slope of ⅛″ for every 10″ of launder length.
22. The transfer chamber system of claim 12 that further includes a tap-out opening positioned lower than the opening.