Abstract: A molten metal pump includes an impeller, a pump base housing at least partially enclosing the impeller, a shaft connected to the impeller, a motor connected to the shaft, a motor mount plate for supporting the motor; and a post for connecting the motor mount plate to the pump base housing. The molten metal pump can include a connector that connects the post to the motor mount plate. The molten metal pump can include a socket for connecting the shaft to the motor. The shaft can comprise an assembly including an elongated metal rod having a first end and a second end and a metal non-circular drive member attached at the second end of the elongated metal rod.

Abstract: A molten metal pump includes an impeller, a pump base housing at least partially enclosing the impeller, a shaft connected to the impeller, a motor connected to the shaft, a motor mount plate for supporting the motor; and a post for connecting the motor mount plate to the pump base housing. The molten metal pump can include a connector that connects the post to the motor mount plate. The molten metal pump can include a socket for connecting the shaft to the motor. The shaft can comprise an assembly including an elongated metal rod having a first end and a second end and a metal non-circular drive member attached at the second end of the elongated metal rod.

Abstract: A metal scrap submergence device comprising an open top chamber including walls of a heat resistant material, an inlet positioned in a side wall of the chamber, an outlet positioned in the base of said chamber, and a ramp adjacent said side wall of the chamber. The side wall further includes a feature affecting molten metal flow. The feature can include, for example, a baffle, a vane, a passage, a diverging or converging shape and combinations thereof. Similarly, the molten metal flow can be affected by slanting the ramp inwardly or outwardly.

Abstract: A molten metal pump comprising an elongated tube having a base end defining an inlet and a top end defining an outlet is provided. The elongated tube is constructed of a reinforced fiber material (RFM). A shaft is disposed within the tube with an impeller secured to the shaft and disposed proximate the base end.

Abstract: A molding machine for molding material is provided. The machine includes a cavity to be filled with molten metal and a conduit system leading to the cavity, thus forming a system of interconnected hollow spaces. At least one pressure member is moveable in at least part of the conduit system. A centrifugal pump in fluid communication with a reservoir of molten metal is provided, the pump providing molten metal to the hollow space receiving the at least one pressure member.

Abstract: A molten metal processing apparatus selected from a pump, a degasser, a flux injector, and a scrap submergence device constructed to include at least one element comprised of C/C composite.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a molten metal pump comprising an elongated pumping chamber tube with a base end and an open top end. A shaft extends into the tube and rotates an impeller therein, the impeller rotates proximate the base end. The tube has a diameter at least 1.1 times the diameter of the impeller. The pumping chamber tube preferably has a length at least three times the height of the impeller. The base end includes an inlet and the top end includes a tangential outlet. Rotation of the impeller draws molten metal into the pumping chamber and creates a rotating equilibrium vortex that rises up the walls of the pumping chamber. The rotating vortex adjacent the top end exists the device cia the tangential outlet.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a molten metal transfer system. The system includes a pump having interchangeable low flow and high flow impellers and selective low flow and high flow transfer troughs.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a molten metal pump comprising an elongated pumping chamber tube with a base end and an open top end. A shaft extends into the tube and rotates an impeller therein, the impeller rotates proximate the base end. The tube has a diameter at least 1.1 times the diameter of the impeller. The pumping chamber tube preferably has a length at least three times the height of the impeller. The base end includes an inlet and the top end includes a tangential outlet. Rotation of the impeller draws molten metal into the pumping chamber and creates a rotating equilibrium vortex that rises up the walls of the pumping chamber. The rotating vortex adjacent the top end exists the device cia the tangential outlet.

Abstract: A method of fluxing or degassing a molten metal residing as a bath in a furnace. The bath of molten metal includes a bath surface height and the method provides at least one rotating impeller in the molten metal bath to initiate a flow of the molten metal. The flow in the molten metal results in elevating a portion of the molten metal above the bath surface height where at least one of a fluxing agent and an inert gas is introduced into the elevated portion of the molten metal.

Abstract: A flux injector apparatus and method adapted to distribute a predetermined amount of flux to an associated pool of molten aluminum. The flux injector apparatus includes a pressurized tank adapted to store and feed the flux under pressure. A feed mechanism operative to discharge a predetermined amount of flux to an outlet and a controller for monitoring and operating the apparatus. The feed mechanism includes a housing having an inner wall defining a cavity with an inlet and an outlet. A feed wheel is positioned within the cavity and operative to receive a predetermined amount of flux from the inlet, translate the flux within the cavity and discharge the predetermined amount of flux through the outlet of the pressurized tank.

Abstract: A metal scrap submergence device comprising an open top chamber including walls of a heat resistant material, an inlet positioned in a side wall of the chamber, an outlet positioned in the base of said chamber, and a ramp adjacent said side wall of the chamber. The side wall further includes a feature affecting molten metal flow. The feature can include, for example, a baffle, a vane, a passage, a diverging or converging shape and combinations thereof. Similarly, the molten metal flow can be affected by slanting the ramp inwardly or outwardly.

Abstract: A molten metal pump comprised of a metal base defining a pumping chamber is provided. The pump further includes a motor mount adapted to receive a motor, at least one metal post extending between the base and the motor mount, and a metal shaft disposed between the motor and an impeller disposed in the pumping chamber. A bearing ring engages the impeller. The pumping chamber will include an inlet and an outlet. A steel riser tube in fluid communication the outlet is also provided.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a molten metal impeller is provided. It includes a generally cylindrical graphite body having a plurality of passages extending from a top surface to a side wall. A hub is formed in the center of the graphite body. A ceramic cap member is secured to the top surface of the graphite body. The cap member is comprised of a ring forming a central passage shaped cooperatively to overlap the hub and a plurality of vanes extending radially from the ring to an outer rim. The rim has a height between adjacent vanes which increases in the direction of intended impeller rotation. The rim further has a height which decreases from its radially outer most edge to an inner most edge.

Abstract: A flux injector apparatus and method adapted to distribute a predetermined amount of flux to an associated pool of molten aluminum. The flux injector apparatus includes a pressurized tank adapted to store and feed the flux under pressure. A feed mechanism operative to discharge a predetermined amount of flux to an outlet and a controller for monitoring and operating the apparatus. The feed mechanism includes a housing having an inner wall defining a cavity with an inlet and an outlet. A feed wheel is positioned within the cavity and operative to receive a predetermined amount of flux from the inlet, translate the flux within the cavity and discharge the predetermined amount of flux through the outlet of the pressurized tank.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a molten metal pump comprising an elongated pumping chamber tube with a base end and an open top end. A shaft extends into the tube and rotates an impeller therein, the impeller rotates proximate the base end. The tube has a diameter at least 1.1 times the diameter of the impeller. The pumping chamber tube preferably has a length at least three times the height of the impeller. The base end includes an inlet and the top end includes a tangential outlet. Rotation of the impeller draws molten metal into the pumping chamber and creates a rotating equilibrium vortex that rises up the walls of the pumping chamber. The rotating vortex adjacent the top end exists the device cia the tangential outlet.

Abstract: An impeller for dispersing gas into molten metal includes a rectangular prism body having upper and lower faces and four side walls. The body has an opening extending through the upper and lower faces and defines a hub around the opening on the upper face. The impeller further includes a plurality of elongate grooves extending radially outwardly from the hub.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a molten metal impeller is provided. It includes a generally cylindrical graphite body having a plurality of passages extending from a top surface to a side wall. A hub is formed in the center of the graphite body. A ceramic cap member is secured to the top surface of the graphite body. The cap member is comprised of a ring forming a central passage shaped cooperatively to overlap the hub and a plurality of vanes extending radially from the ring to an outer rim. The rim has a height between adjacent vanes which increases in the direction of intended impeller rotation. The rim further has a height which decreases from its radially outer most edge to an inner most edge.

Abstract: An impeller for dispersing gas into molten metal includes a rectangular prism body having upper and lower faces and four side walls. The body has an opening extending through the upper and lower faces and defines a hub around the opening on the upper face. The impeller further includes a plurality of elongate grooves extending radially outwardly from the hub.

Abstract: A molten metal pump includes an impeller, a pump base housing at least partially enclosing the impeller, a shaft connected to the impeller, a motor connected to the shaft, a motor mount plate for supporting the motor; and a post for connecting the motor mount plate to the pump base housing. The molten metal pump can include a connector that connects the post to the motor mount plate. The molten metal pump can include a socket for connecting the shaft to the motor. The shaft can comprise an assembly including an elongated metal rod having a first end and a second end and a metal non-circular drive member attached at the second end of the elongated metal rod.