Coupling and rotor shaft for molten metal devices

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12560169-B2
Application number	US-201916533383-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Aug 6, 2019
Priority date	Jul 2, 2014
Publication date	Feb 24, 2026
Grant date	Feb 24, 2026

Abstract

A coupling has an opening and a protrusion extending downward from the opening. The protrusion has threads that are preferably positioned outside of the opening. A rotor shaft that connects to the coupling has an internal bore with threads that receives and retains the protrusion, such as by a threaded connection between the two, so the protrusion applies driving force to the shaft.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A coupling for use in processing molten metal, the coupling comprising:
(a) a collar including (i) a cavity configured to receive an end of a rotor shaft, the cavity having a top surface, and (ii) an opening to the cavity; and (b) a projection extending through the cavity and outside of the opening, the projection being threaded only outside of the opening, and the projection configured to be retained in a bore of the rotor shaft.

2 . The coupling of claim 1 , wherein the collar and the projection are comprised of steel.

3 . The coupling of claim 1 , wherein the cavity is chamfered so that it has a smaller diameter at the top surface than at the opening.

4 . The coupling of claim 1 , wherein the cavity has a wall that is not threaded.

5 . The coupling of claim 1 , wherein the projection extends through the center of the cavity.

6 . The coupling of claim 1 , wherein the projection extends 2″ or more beyond the opening.

7 . The coupling of claim 1 , wherein the projection extends 3″ or more beyond the opening.

8 . The coupling of claim 1 , wherein the projection has a first portion inside of the cavity and a second portion outside of the opening, wherein the first portion does not have threads and the second portion has threads.

9 . The coupling of claim 1 , wherein the projection has threads that are square, 1″ ACME threads.

10 . The coupling of claim 1 , wherein the projection has an exterior end positioned outside of the cavity, and the exterior end is chamfered.

11 . The coupling of claim 10 , wherein the exterior end is ¼″ long and has a 45° chamfer.

12 . The coupling of claim 1 wherein the distance from the top surface to the opening is between 1″ and 1.5″.

13 . The coupling of claim 1 , wherein the projection includes an interior passage for transferring gas.

14 . A molten metal pump comprising:
(a) a motor having a motor shaft with a first end connected to the motor and a second end; (b) the coupling of claim 1 , wherein the coupling has a first end connected to the second end of the motor shaft; (c) a rotor shaft having (i) a first end positioned at least partly in the cavity of the collar, (ii) a bore that is threadingly connected to the projection, and (iii) a second end; and (d) a rotor connected to the second end of the rotor shaft.

15 . A rotary degasser comprising:
(a) a motor having a motor shaft with a first end connected to the motor and a second end; (b) the coupling of claim 1 , which has a first end connected to the second end of the motor shaft; (c) a rotor shaft having (i) a first end positioned at least partly in the opening of the collar, (ii) a bore that is threadingly connected to the projection, and (iii) a second end; and (d) a rotor connected to the second end of the rotor shaft.

16 . A molten metal pump comprising:
(a) a motor having a motor shaft with a first end connected to the motor and a second end; (b) the coupling of claim 1 , which has a first end connected to the second end of the motor shaft; (c) a rotor shaft having (i) a first end positioned at least partly in the cavity of the collar, (ii) a bore that is threadingly connected to the projection, and (iii) a second end; and (d) a rotor connected to the second end of the rotor shaft.

17 . The molten metal pump of claim 16 , wherein there are no threads in the cavity.

18 . The molten metal pump of claim 16 , wherein the projection extends 2″ or more beyond the opening.

19 . The molten metal pump of claim 16 , wherein the projection includes an interior passage for transferring gas.

20 . The molten metal pump of claim 16 , wherein the cavity is chamfered so that it has a smaller diameter at the top surface than at the opening.

Assignees

• Molten Metal Equipment Innovations Llc

Inventors

• Cooper Paul V

Classifications

• F27D2099/0083

  Drives; Auxiliary drives · CPC title

• F27D99/00

  Subject matter not provided for in other groups of this subclass · CPC title

• F27D3/14

  Charging or discharging liquid or molten material · CPC title

• F16D1/02

  for connecting two abutting shafts or the like · CPC title

• F27D17/302

  Constructional details of ancillary components, e.g. waste gas conduits or seals · CPC title