Gas-transfer foot

摘要

The present invention includes a molten metal pump and associated components that enable gas to be released into a stream of molten metal. The gas may be released into the molten metal stream (preferably into the bottom of the stream) flowing through a passage. Such a stream may be within the pump discharge and/or within a metal-transfer conduit extending from the pump discharge. The gas is released by using a gas-transfer foot that is positioned next to and is preferably attachable to the pump base or to the metal-transfer conduit. Preferably, the conduit (and/or discharge) in which the gas is released comprises two sections: a first section having a first cross-sectional area and a second section downstream of the first section and having a second cross-sectional area, wherein the second cross sectional area is larger than the first cross-sectional area. Preferably, the gas is released into or near the second section so that the gas is released into an area of relatively lower pressure.

主权项

1. A molten metal pump including:
(a) a motor; (b) a rotor; (c) a shaft connecting the motor to the rotor; (d) a base comprising:
a pump chamber; anda discharge in communication with the pump chamber; (e) a metal-transfer conduit downstream of the discharge, the metal-transfer conduit in communication with the discharge such that at least some of the molten metal moving through the discharge also moves through the metal-transfer conduit;
the metal-transfer conduit having an internal channel including a first section having a first cross-sectional area and a second section having a second cross-sectional area, the second section being downstream of the first section and the second cross-sectional area being greater than the first cross-sectional area; anda gas-release opening on the bottom surface of the channel in communication with one or more of the group consisting of the first section and the second section; and (f) a gas-transfer foot comprising:
a gas inlet port through which gas passes into the gas-transfer foot; anda gas outlet port in communication with the gas-release opening so that gas can be transferred from the gas outlet port through the gas-release opening into the conduit channel.