Patents Assigned to Pyrotek, Inc.
  • Publication number: 20140041252
    Abstract: In accordance with one aspect of an exemplary embodiment, a dryer for removing hydrocarbons and/or moisture from metal chips is provided. The dryer has a chamber including a top portion and a base portion. The top portion is comprised of a material having a higher emissivity than the material forming the base portion. A burner is provided which introduces heated gas into the top portion. A device for transporting the metal chips is provided in the base portion. The device receives the metal chips at an inlet and transporting the metal chips to an outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2013
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Applicant: PYROTEK, INC.
    Inventors: Chris Vild, Robert Bendlak, James Grayson, Mark Bolton, Mark Reynolds, David Quilter
  • Publication number: 20130224038
    Abstract: According to another embodiment, a molten metal impeller comprised of a generally cylindrical body including a plurality of passages extending from a top surface to a side wall and a cap member secured to a top surface of the body. The cap member is shaped cooperatively to overlay the cylindrical body. The cap member includes a first side seated on the top surface and a second opposed side. The top surface includes one of a notch or a protrusion and the first side of the cap member includes one of a notch or a protrusion oriented to mate with the notch or protrusion of the body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2013
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Applicant: PYROTEK, INC.
    Inventor: Jason Tetkoskie
  • Patent number: 8480950
    Abstract: Device and method for separating metals and metal oxides thereof, in particular in non-ferrous alloys, such as zinc. To this end, zinc residues (dross) is placed in a rotary drum and heated. After a certain treatment time, pure metal located in the bottom part of the drum is poured out. The invention proposes that the drum be held rotatably on a drive mechanism arranged in the cover of the furnace. This facilitates handling of the drum, more particularly when placing it on its drive mandrel. As a result, it is possible to use larger drums, resulting in a larger capacity and a more efficient process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Pyrotek, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter C. Jetten, E. J. B. de Winter
  • Patent number: 8475594
    Abstract: A continuous galvanizing line uses a coating pot containing a molten zinc bath having bottom dross and further comprises a pump. The pump agitates the bottom dross so the bottom dross interacts with aluminum and converts to top dross, which can be removed without needing to stop the galvanizing line. A reaction vessel may also be used to provide a higher concentration of aluminum to react with the bottom dross.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Pyrotek, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark A. Bright, Gregory C. Becherer, Robert L. Grodeck
  • Publication number: 20120217683
    Abstract: A preheat charging system for preheating scrap metal prior to delivery to a melting furnace. The system includes a preheating station having a heating chamber adapted to receive scrap metal. Hot gas from a burner chamber is circulated around the scrap metal. The burner chamber is adapted to receive exhaust gas from a hot exhaust gas source such as a melting furnace. A burner apparatus is mounted within the burner chamber in a flow path of an exhaust inlet port. The burner is configured to supply supplemental heat on demand to the heating chamber to supplement the hot exhaust gas. A first fan can be provided to direct exhaust air from a furnace to the burner chamber. A second fan can be provided for directing air into the burner apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2010
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Applicant: PYROTEK, INC.
    Inventors: Charbel Saliba, Jon Tipton, Chris T. Vild
  • Patent number: 8187528
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to an apparatus for degassing, submerging, agitating and pumping molten metal. More particularly, the present invention relates to a mechanical apparatus for moving or pumping molten metal such as aluminum, zinc or magnesium. Specifically, the present invention is related to a drive for such an apparatus in which a motor is positioned above a molten metal bath and rotates a vertical shaft. The lower end of the shaft drives an impeller or a rotor to impart motion to the molten metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Pyrotek, Inc.
    Inventor: George Mordue
  • Patent number: 8178036
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Pyrotek, Inc.
    Inventors: David Neff, Richard S. Henderson, Lennard D. Lutes, James Grayson
  • Patent number: 8112864
    Abstract: An extraction device is provided for use when extracting a ceramic foam filter, as used for example in the production and processing of aluminum. The extraction device includes an anchor device (1) having an anchor body (2) suitable for driving into the filter, and a screw thread (8) that extends along at least part of the length of the anchor body, for engagement with the filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Pyrotek, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark Vincent
  • Publication number: 20120017726
    Abstract: A method for the purification of a metal selected from the group consisting of aluminum and aluminum alloys, wherein said metal is in a liquid phase and is contacted with a salt flux consisting of a selected tertiary mixture of NaCl, KCl, and MgCl2.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2011
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Applicant: PYROTEK INC.
    Inventors: Sylvain Tremblay, Luc Desrosiers, Daniel Levesque
  • Patent number: 7988763
    Abstract: A method for the purification of a metal selected from the group consisting of aluminum and aluminum alloys, wherein the metal is in a liquid phase and is contacted with a salt flux consisting of a binary mixture of NaCl and MgCl2. Preferably, more than 22% by weight of the binary mixture consists of NaCl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Pyrotek Inc.
    Inventors: Sylvain Tremblay, Luc Desrosiers, Daniel Levesque
  • Publication number: 20100307293
    Abstract: A method for the purification of a metal selected from the group consisting of aluminum and aluminum alloys, wherein said metal is in a liquid phase and is contacted with a salt flux consisting of a binary mixture of NaCl and MgCl2. Preferably, more than 22% by weight of the binary mixture consists of NaCl.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2009
    Publication date: December 9, 2010
    Applicant: PYROTEK INC.
    Inventors: Sylvain Tremblay, Luc Desrosiers, Daniel Levesque
  • Patent number: 7811509
    Abstract: A molten metal submergence device includes a submergence chamber, an inlet pipe, and a vortex breaker. The submergence chamber is defined by a side wall and includes an inlet in communication with an associated molten metal bath and an outlet in communication with the associated molten metal bath. The inlet is positioned in relation to the side wall such that material passing through the inlet is introduced at least substantially tangentially to the side wall. The inlet pipe is in communication with the inlet of the submergence chamber. The inlet pipe is configured to depend from a wall of the submergence chamber within the confines of the side wall. The vortex breaker is disposed in the submergence chamber between the inlet and the outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Pyrotek, Inc.
    Inventors: Chris T. Vild, Richard Henderson, Richard C. Chandler
  • Patent number: 7662335
    Abstract: A material scrap submergence device comprises a body (10) of heat resistant and/or a refractory material that includes a side wall (12) and a base (14) that define a submergence chamber (10). The refractory body (10) can include passages (24) that receive rods (22). The rods (22) can place the refractory body (10) under compression. In another embodiment, the body is confined by a frame (72) attached to the body. The submergence chamber (10) can also be used as a gas injection chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Assignee: Pyrotek, Inc.
    Inventors: Chris T. Vild, Jan H. L. Van Linden
  • Patent number: 7455809
    Abstract: A gas injection tube includes a first end adapted to connect to a reactive gas source and a second end. A tube base attaches to the second end of the gas injection tube. The gas injection tube includes a passageway and the tube base includes a channel. The passageway communicates with the channel to provide gas to a molten metal stream traveling through the channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2008
    Assignee: Pyrotek, Inc.
    Inventors: James Grayson, Chris T. Vild
  • Patent number: 7278824
    Abstract: A molten material pump includes an impeller housed within a base member of the pump. A plurality of grooves are defined in a peripheral sidewall of the impeller for either drawing a molten material into the base member's chamber or pushing molten material out of the base member's chamber. The impeller is rotated by a rotatable shaft connected to an upper surface of the impeller. The rotatable shaft includes a non-circular shaped lower end dimensioned to be received within a cooperating opening in the impeller. The molten material pump further includes a connecting assembly for interconnecting components of the molten material pump. The connecting assembly includes a first mounting member attached to a first pump component that is dimensioned to be fitted within a cooperating recess of a second mounting member attached to a second pump component. In another embodiment of the invention, a stub shaft connects an upper shaft portion of the shaft to the impeller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2007
    Assignee: Pyrotek, Inc.
    Inventors: George S. Mordue, Mark A. Bright
  • Patent number: 7157043
    Abstract: An apparatus for filtering molten metal held in a vessel before the metal enters the dosing tube. The filtering apparatus includes an attachment portion that mounts to the dosing tube, a filter body connected to the attachment portion and a planar surface attached to an end of the filter body opposite the attachment portion. The filter body can include a beveled end opposite the attachment portion where the planar surface is attached. The apparatus can be made from a bonded-particle material made from silicon carbide or aluminum oxide held together by an aluminum-resistant binder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Pyrotek, Inc.
    Inventor: David Neff
  • Patent number: 7144217
    Abstract: A molten metal pump system which includes a particle relief passageway between the vanes on the impeller and the pump base, the particle relief passageway being a predetermined size to allow particles of a predetermined size to pass between the plurality of vanes and the interior walls of the impeller aperture of the pump base. Part or all of the particle relief passageway may, but need not, be as a result of a shoulder on the radially outward end of the plurality of vanes in the inlet side of the impeller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2006
    Assignee: Pyrotek, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald E. Gilbert, Mark A. Palmer
  • Patent number: 7083758
    Abstract: Disclosed is a free flowing dry back-up material which comprises: from 67 to 96% by weight of fly-ash; from 2 to 15% by weight of a heat sensitive binder such as boric acid; from 2 to 7% by weight of a non-wetting agent such as calcium fluoride; from 0 to 10% by weight of a heat expandable material, viz. a material expandable as a function of the temperature such as vermiculite or graphite; and from 0 to 1% by weight of a dust suppressant such as kerosene. This material which is useful in particular in the aluminum industry has the advantages of being water free and free flowing, such avoiding the use of vibrator to position it into a shell. It also has a low density and a low thermal conductivity. Moreover, it is organic free as compared to the existing materials which use an organic binder to ensure a low temperature set; and it sets at a temperature lower than 400° F.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2006
    Assignee: Les Produits Industriels de Haute Temperature Pyrotek Inc.
    Inventor: Sylvain P. Tremblay
  • Patent number: 6977059
    Abstract: A molten metal pump shaft coupling system for use in the coupling or connection of elongated shafts to other components and equipment, and for the disconnection thereof. A coupling with internal discontinuous threads may be coupled with an externally threaded shaft, with either continuous or discontinuous threads. Aspects of the invention include multiple external threads which may be pitched to accomplish a quicker and more efficient disconnect system. Furthermore, a shaft removal system is provided which provides two points of contact to assist in rotating a broken shaft end out of a coupling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2005
    Assignee: Pyrotek, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald Gilbert, Mike Klepacki
  • Patent number: 6918741
    Abstract: An impeller system for use in a molten metal pump, the impeller system including a generally cylindrical outer wall with outlets therein, an impeller lid mounted on the impeller walls, the impeller lid including a plurality of inlets, with the shaft being mounted directly into a base, which is mounted relative to the outer wall. The impeller system has an open interior defined by the outer wall, the lid and the base, and the impeller shaft mounts directly into the base without the need for a collar or attachment to the impeller lid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2005
    Assignee: Pyrotek, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald Gilbert, Mark Palmer