Metallurgical apparatus – Means for melting or vaporizing metal or treating liquefied... – By stirring or mixing molten metal
Utility Patent
1998-10-19
2001-01-02
Kastler, Scott (Department: 1742)
Metallurgical apparatus
Means for melting or vaporizing metal or treating liquefied...
By stirring or mixing molten metal
C266S286000, C266S287000
Utility Patent
active
06168753
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention is related to a structure for supporting a pump or similar apparatus immersed below the metal level of a bath of molten metal, such as aluminum or zinc.
In my aforementioned co-pending patent application, I disclosed a vertical post or leg for supporting a pump immersed in a bath of molten metal beneath an overhead structure above the bath of molten metal. Certain pumps disclosed in my prior patent application are buoyant in a bath of molten metal because of their lower specific density. In order to locate the pump in a suitable position below the metal level, it is desirable to have one or more overhead support legs. I disclosed a support leg having a ceramic sleeve extending between the overhead structure and the pump. The ceramic sleeve material is resistant to the heat of the molten metal. An internal vertical graphite leg is disposed in the sleeve. The graphite leg has sufficient compressive strength to support the pump in the bath of molten metal but has a tendency to burn in the presence of heat and oxygen. I disclosed a means for protecting the graphite leg by providing an internal chamber around the graphite leg and in the ceramic sleeve. An inert gas, such as nitrogen, protects the graphite from burning. However, I have found in some cases it is unnecessary to have a gas filled chamber in the sleeve to protect the graphite. Further, I have found novel means for introducing an inert gas into the ceramic sleeve to prevent burning of the graphite.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The broad purpose of the present invention is to provide an improved vertical leg structure for supporting a pump immersed in a bath of molten metal beneath an overhead structure disposed above the molten metal. In the preferred embodiment of the invention a ceramic sleeve extends between the overhead structure and the pump housing. It has a sufficient height to hold the housing in the bath of molten metal. An internal leg of a graphite material is disposed in the sleeve to provide a vertical support between the overhead structure and the pump housing.
A slight clearance between the ceramic sleeve and the graphite leg forms a chamber which is filled in various ways by both, gaseous and non-gaseous but inert materials. The leg comprises a vertical ceramic sleeve housing and a vertical graphite leg that extends between the overhead supporting structure and the pump housing. The sleeve covers that portion of the graphite exposed to the heat of the molten metal and above the metal line where severe burning of the graphite would occur due to the oxygen present in air.
Still further objects and advantages of the invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains upon reference to the following detailed description.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5092500 (1992-03-01), Weber et al.
patent: 5558505 (1996-09-01), Mordue et al.
patent: 5716195 (1998-02-01), Thut
Alphatech, Inc.
Chandler Charles W.
Kastler Scott
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