Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for intersecting and filtering a molten metal stream. The apparatus includes a filtering vessel, which is fitted with a filter element. Means are provided for dampening the momentum of the molten metal stream so that the filter element is not damaged by impact with the molten metal stream. When not in use the filtering vessel can be placed within a molten metal bath for preheating. The present invention can be used to filter molten metal that is being intermittently transferred.

Abstract: The improved crucible of the present invention both filters molten metal during the transfer of the molten metal from a supply receptacle such as a melting furnace to a receiving receptacle such as a mold. The transfer crucible of the present invention may be either portable or permanently mounted. The present invention relates to both the design of the improved transfer crucible and to the method for using the improved transfer crucible. The transfer crucible of the present invention is fitted with one or more removable blades, each of which contains a filter element. Molten metal can be filtered while the crucible is being filled with molten metal, during transfer of molten metal, or if desired molten metal can be filtered both on entry into and on exit from the transfer crucible.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a hoist to be used in combination with an apparatus for filtering molten metal. The hoist of the present invention is used both to position the filtering vessel, and to back-flushing metal through the filter element. The present invention also relates to the method of back-flushing. Back-flushing serves to dislodge particulate and thereby clean the filter element. When the filtering vessel is submerged in a molten metal bath back flushing serves to aid the exchange of the molten metal interior to the filtering vessel with the molten metal exterior to the filtering vessel, and in so doing aids in minimizing the temperature difference between molten metal interior and exterior to the molten metal filtering vessel. Periodic back-flushing significantly extends the life of the molten metal filtering apparatus.