Molten metal controlled flow launder

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11931802-B2
Application number	US-202016877267-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	May 18, 2020
Priority date	May 17, 2019
Publication date	Mar 19, 2024
Grant date	Mar 19, 2024

Abstract

A launder for use in moving molten metal includes at least one relatively narrow channel through which molten metal flows. Using a narrow, rather than broad, channel permits better control of the flow and helps prevent overflowing the launder or a structure adjacent the launder. A molten metal pumping or transfer system may utilize a launder as disclosed herein.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A unitary launder for use in moving molten metal, the launder comprising:
(a) a top surface, and no non-oxidic ceramic material;
(b) a channel configured to transfer molten metal, the channel being V-shaped and having an open top comprising an upper cross-sectional area and a bottom tip comprising no cross-sectional area, wherein each side of the V-shaped channel is formed at an angle of 30 degrees—60 degrees from the horizontal axis and each angled side extends from the bottom tip to the top surface of the launder; and
(c) a grate in the channel, wherein the grate is configured to filter solid pieces from molten metal.

2. The launder of claim 1 that is comprised of ceramic.

3. The launder of claim 1 , wherein the channel is centered in the launder.

4. The launder of claim 1 , wherein the top of the channel has a channel width and top of launder has a launder width, and the channel width is 50% or more of the launder width.

5. The launder of claim 1 , wherein the top of the channel has a channel width and top of launder has a launder width, and the channel width is 50% or less of the launder width.

6. The launder of claim 1 that comprises a plurality of channels.

7. The launder of claim 6 , wherein each of the plurality of channels is V-shaped.

8. The launder of claim 1 that further includes a launder height and a channel height and the channel height is 50% or more of the launder height.

9. The launder of claim 1 that further includes a launder height and a channel height and the channel height is 50% or less of the launder height.

10. The launder of claim 1 , wherein each side of the V-shaped channel is formed at an angle of 45 degrees from the horizontal axis.

11. The launder of claim 1 that is comprised of oxidized ceramic or refractory material.

Assignees

• Molten Metal Equipment Innovations Llc

Inventors

• Cooper Paul V

Classifications

• B22D41/00 Primary

  Casting melt-holding vessels, e.g. ladles, tundishes, cups or the like (B22D39/00, B22D43/00 take precedence) · CPC title

• B22D35/04

  into moulds, e.g. base plates, runners · CPC title

• B22D39/02

  having means for controlling the amount of molten metal by volume · CPC title

• F04D7/065

  for liquid metal · CPC title

• F04D29/026

  especially adapted for liquid pumps · CPC title