System and method to feed mold with molten metal

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2020360987-A1
Application number	US-202016877296-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	May 18, 2020
Priority date	May 17, 2019
Publication date	Nov 19, 2020
Grant date	—

Abstract

A system and method for filling a mold with molten aluminum includes a molten metal pump, a vessel configured to contain molten metal, a mold for receiving molten metal, and a conduit between the vessel and the mold. Molten metal is pumped in the vessel until it reaches a level at which it flows through the conduit and into the mold. The flow of molten metal into the mold is stabilized to maintain a level of molten metal in the mold. A skin of solid metal forms between the mold and the conduit, at which time the pumping of molten metal can cease. The mold with solid metal in it can be moved.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A system for placing molten aluminum into a mold, the system comprising:
(a) a vessel having a first chamber and a second chamber; a dividing wall separating the first chamber and the second chamber, the dividing wall having a first height H 1 and a first opening below the first height H 1 ; wherein the second chamber has an outer wall comprising a second opening having a second height H 2 that is above the first opening; (b) a molten metal pump in the first chamber; (c) a mold outside of the vessel and above the second opening, the mold having a cavity, a bottom surface at a fourth height H 4 , a top surface with a fifth height H 5 , and a mold opening in communication with the cavity; and (d) a conduit leading from the second opening in the outer wall of the second chamber to the mold opening; wherein when the pump is operated it moves molten metal from the first chamber through the first opening and into the second chamber, and through the conduit and into the mold cavity.

2 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the molten metal pump is a circulation pump.

3 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the molten metal pump is a gas-release pump.

4 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the molten metal pump has a pump housing with an outlet, and the outlet is positioned 6″ or less from the opening.

5 . The system of claim 1 , wherein a bracket is connected to the dividing wall and the bracket is also connected to the molten metal pump and configured to maintain the molten metal pump in position in the first chamber.

6 . The system of claim 5 , wherein the molten metal pump has a superstructure that is a metal platform, and the bracket is connected to the superstructure.

7 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the vessel that includes the first chamber and the second chamber is a reverbatory furnace.

8 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the molten metal pump has a pump housing with an outlet, and the outlet is positioned at least partially in the opening.

9 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the mold is comprised of ceramic.

10 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the mold is comprised of silicon carbide.

11 . The system of claim 1 , wherein there is no structure between the second chamber and the conduit.

12 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the conduit is comprised of ceramic.

13 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the conduit is comprised of silicon carbide.

14 . The system of claim 15 , wherein there is no structure between the conduit and the mold.

15 . The system of claim 1 that includes a second molten metal pump in the second chamber.

16 . The system of claim 5 , wherein the dividing wall has an upper edge and the bracket is on the upper edge.

17 . The system of claim 5 , wherein the molten metal pump has a superstructure that is a metal platform, and the bracket is connected to the superstructure.

18 . A system for transferring molten metal to a mold, the system comprising:
(a) a vessel configured to hold molten metal; (b) a conduit in fluid communication with the vessel; (c) a molten metal pump in the vessel and an uptake chamber leading to an outlet that is at or above a mold; and (d) a conduit connecting the vessel to a mold.

19 . The system of claim 18 , wherein the molten metal pump is a circulation pump.

20 . The system of claim 18 , wherein the molten metal pump is a gas-release pump.

21 . The system of claim 18 , wherein the conduit has an inner cross-sectional area of between 6 in 2 and 24 in 2 .

22 . The system of claim 18 , wherein a bracket is connected to a wall and the bracket is also connected to the molten metal pump and configured to maintain the molten metal pump in position relative the first end of the conduit.

23 . The system of claim 18 , wherein the conduit is covered by an insulator.

24 . The system of claim 18 , wherein there is no structure between the vessel and the conduit.

25 . The system of claim 18 , wherein the mold is comprised of ceramic.

26 . The system of claim 18 , wherein the molten metal pump has a superstructure that is a metal platform, and the bracket is connected to the superstructure.

Assignees

• Molten Metal Equipment Innovations Llc

Inventors

• Cooper Paul V

Classifications

• F04D7/065

  for liquid metal · CPC title

• 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 Primary

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

• F27D2003/0054

  Means to move molten metal, e.g. electromagnetic pump · CPC title

• B22D39/00

  Equipment for supplying molten metal in rations · CPC title