Abstract: A tube pump includes a tube having a closed off lower end portion and an open upper end portion. The upper end portion of the tube is adapted to be fastened to support structure. The lower end portion is adapted to be submerged in molten metal. The tube includes an inlet opening and an outlet opening. A pump shaft is adapted to be connected to a motor driven drive shaft and has upper and lower end portions. The pump shaft extends inside the tube. An impeller is fastened to the lower end portion of the pump shaft and disposed near a lower end portion of the tube. Inlet and outlet conduits are connected to the tube inlet and outlet openings adjacent to a top or bottom of the impeller so that a conduit inlet opening is disposed near the surface of the bath and a conduit outlet opening is disposed remote from the conduit inlet opening. The tube pump removes dross from the galvanizing bath to produce galvanized parts having improved properties.

Abstract: A self-cleaning transfer gear pump for transferring molten metal includes the following features: a transfer conduit extends upward from an outlet of a base, two rotatable gears are formed of refractory material and disposed in the gear chamber and engage each other during rotation. A boss functioning as a bearing extends from the drive gear and is adapted to be received in an opening in the base. A shaft is fastened at a lower end to the drive gear. A filter is fastened to the base so as to cover the inlet and prevents particles and objects in the molten metal from entering the gear chamber. In operational mode, a motor rotates the shaft and the drive gear whereby the drive gear and the second gear engage each other while being rotated so as to positively displace molten metal from the inlet to the outlet and along the transfer conduit to the remote location.

Abstract: A self-cleaning transfer gear pump for transferring molten metal includes the following features: a transfer conduit extends upward from an outlet of a base, two rotatable gears are formed of refractory material and disposed in the gear chamber and engage each other during rotation. A boss functioning as a bearing extends from the drive gear and is adapted to be received in an opening in the base. A shaft is fastened at a lower end to the drive gear. A filter is fastened to the base so as to cover the inlet and prevents particles and objects in the molten metal from entering the gear chamber. In operational mode, a motor rotates the shaft and the drive gear whereby the drive gear and the second gear engage each other while being rotated so as to positively displace molten metal from the inlet to the outlet and along the transfer conduit to the remote location.

Abstract: A pump for pumping molten metal includes a pump shaft having an upper end and a lower end. A motor is connected to the upper end of the shaft. An impeller is fastened to the lower end of the shaft. Support structure supports the motor above the molten metal. A base is disposed below the support structure including an impeller chamber in which the impeller is rotated by activation of the motor. The base includes at least one inlet opening leading to the impeller chamber and at least one outlet passageway leading from the impeller chamber. At least one support post extends between the support structure and the base enabling the base to be submerged in the molten metal beneath the support structure. A device enables the post to resist deterioration while the post is disposed in the molten metal.

Abstract: A tube pump for transferring molten metal includes a refractory tube having upper and lower end portions. A motor is disposed near the upper end portion of the refractory tube. A refractory shaft extends in the refractory tube and is connected to the motor near the upper end portion of the refractory tube. A refractory impeller is connected to the shaft in the lower end portion of the refractory tube. An upper outlet extends from upper end portion of the refractory tube through which molten metal flows upon rotation of the impeller. The refractory tube is enclosed at its upper end portion. A gas source flows gas into the refractory tube at or near its upper end portion under a pressure which prevents overflow of the molten metal above the outlet. Flux may be directed into the refractory tube alone or with gas.

Abstract: A pump for pumping molten metal and delivering flux includes a refractory base that can be submerged in molten metal including an impeller chamber, an inlet and an outlet. A refractory shaft sleeve has upper and lower end portions and is fastened to the base at the lower end portion. A motor is disposed near the upper end portion of the shaft sleeve. A refractory shaft extends in the shaft sleeve and is connected to the motor near the upper end portion of the shaft sleeve. A refractory impeller is connected to the shaft and is rotatable in the impeller chamber. A flux feeding device feeds flux into the shaft sleeve. Also featured is a method for delivering flux in the shaft sleeve of the pump and a method for cleaning flux accretions in the shaft sleeve.

Abstract: A pump for pumping molten metal and delivering flux includes a refractory base that can be submerged in molten metal including an impeller chamber, an inlet and an outlet. A refractory shaft sleeve has upper and lower end portions and is fastened to the base at the lower end portion. A motor is disposed near the upper end portion of the shaft sleeve. A refractory shaft extends in the shaft sleeve and is connected to the motor near the upper end portion of the shaft sleeve. A refractory impeller is connected to the shaft and is rotatable in the impeller chamber. A flux feeding device feeds flux into the shaft sleeve. Also featured is a method for delivering flux in the shaft sleeve of the pump and a method for cleaning flux accretions in the shaft sleeve.

Abstract: A tube pump for transferring molten metal includes a refractory tube having upper and lower end portions. A motor is disposed near the upper end portion of the refractory tube. A refractory shaft extends in the refractory tube and is connected to the motor near the upper end portion of the refractory tube. A refractory impeller is connected to the shaft in the lower end portion of the refractory tube. An upper outlet extends from upper end portion of the refractory tube through which molten metal flows upon rotation of the impeller. The refractory tube is enclosed at its upper end portion. A gas source flows gas into the refractory tube at or near its upper end portion under a pressure which prevents overflow of the molten metal above the outlet. Flux may be directed into the refractory tube alone or with gas.

Abstract: In a cementless pump for pumping molten metal, support structure is suspended above the molten metal. A motor is supported by the support structure. A shaft is fastened to the motor. An impeller is mounted to a lower end of the shaft. A refractory base is supported in the molten metal and includes at least one impeller chamber in which the impeller is rotated and at least one discharge passageway. The base includes through holes. Support posts are each fastened to the support structure and to the base. Refractory sleeves are each disposed in one of the through holes. Post fastening members fasten the lower ends of the posts to the base without cement. A portion of each of the post fastening members is located inside the refractory sleeve. Also featured is a method of replacing posts in a cementless pump for pumping molten metal.

Abstract: A pump for pumping molten metal includes a pump shaft having an upper end and a lower end. A motor is connected to the upper end of the shaft. An impeller is fastened to the lower end of the shaft. Support structure supports the motor above the molten metal. A base is disposed below the support structure including an impeller chamber in which the impeller is rotated by activation of the motor. The base includes at least one inlet opening leading to the impeller chamber and at least one outlet passageway leading from the impeller chamber. At least one support post extends between the support structure and the base enabling the base to be submerged in the molten metal beneath the support structure. A device enables the post to resist deterioration while the post is disposed in the molten metal.

Abstract: In a cementless pump for pumping molten metal, support structure is suspended above the molten metal. A motor is supported by the support structure. A shaft is fastened to the motor. An impeller is mounted to a lower end of the shaft. A refractory base is supported in the molten metal and includes at least one impeller chamber in which the impeller is rotated and at least one discharge passageway. The base includes through holes. Support posts are each fastened to the support structure and to the base. Refractory sleeves are each disposed in one of the through holes. Post fastening members fasten the lower ends of the posts to the base without cement. A portion of each of the post fastening members is located inside the refractory sleeve. Also featured is a method of replacing posts in a cementless pump for pumping molten metal.

Abstract: A coupling assembly includes a motor driven drive shaft. A rotatable refractory shaft is adapted to be connected to a rotor. Locking recesses are formed in an upper end of the refractory shaft. A rotatable coupling includes a body and a device for affixing the drive shaft to the body. Lever arms are fastened to the body and can be pivoted. A recess in the body receives the refractory shaft. Openings in the body extend from an exterior surface of the body to the recess. Each of the lever arms includes a protruding locking member positioned in the opening in the body. Each locking member engages a locking recess. A device exerts a force against the lever arms forcing the locking members into the locking recesses.

Abstract: A method of adjusting a vortex of molten metal comprises providing a scrap charging vessel. The scrap charging vessel includes a vortex control plate having an outlet orifice that can be positioned at a bottom of the vessel so that the outlet orifice is in fluid communication with an outlet passageway of the vessel. A vortex level is estimated or observed. A size of the outlet orifice of the vortex control plate is selected that can produce a desired level of a vortex in the vessel that is the same as or different than the estimated or observed vortex level. The vortex control plate of the selected outlet orifice size is positioned in the vessel. Molten metal is moved into an inlet opening of the vessel and forms the vortex at the desired level in the vessel.

Abstract: This disclosure features a transfer pump for pumping molten metal having a riser with a reusable socket. The pump includes a motor, support structure above a molten metal bath, a motor driven shaft and an impeller on an end of the shaft rotatable in a base. A riser made of refractory material extends from a transfer opening in the base to the support structure. The riser has a passageway for molten metal along a length of the riser. A clamp has a first clamp portion fixedly connected to the support structure and a second clamp portion that is pivotable with respect to the first clamp portion. A fastener is used to open and close the clamp. Sections of a split socket each have a flange and a body portion. The socket is received in the clamp such that the flanges of the socket are disposed above the clamp, and when the clamp is closed the socket holds the riser.

Abstract: A method of adjusting a vortex of molten metal comprises providing a scrap charging vessel. The scrap charging vessel includes a vortex control plate having an outlet orifice that can be positioned at a bottom of the vessel so that the outlet orifice is in fluid communication with an outlet passageway of the vessel. A vortex level is estimated or observed. A size of the outlet orifice of the vortex control plate is selected that can produce a desired level of a vortex in the vessel that is the same as or different than the estimated or observed vortex level. The vortex control plate of the selected outlet orifice size is positioned in the vessel. Molten metal is moved into an inlet opening of the vessel and forms the vortex at the desired level in the vessel.

Abstract: The invention features a molten metal flow powered device including a housing, a rotor rotatably supported by the housing, the rotor being configured and arranged to be powered by a stream of molten metal discharged from a pump, and a gas transfer conduit having an upper end adapted to engage a gas source and a lower end supported by the housing from which gas is fed to the rotor. The invention also features a pumping and degassing system that includes the pump and a source of pressurized gas. The system can also include a machine for directing flux into the pressurized gas, for passage along the gas transfer conduit to the rotor.

Abstract: This disclosure features a transfer pump for pumping molten metal having a riser with a reusable socket. The pump includes a motor, support structure above a molten metal bath, a motor driven shaft and an impeller on an end of the shaft rotatable in a base. A riser made of refractory material extends from a transfer opening in the base to the support structure. The riser has a passageway for molten metal along a length of the riser. A clamp has a first clamp portion fixedly connected to the support structure and a second clamp portion that is pivotable with respect to the first clamp portion. A fastener is used to open and close the clamp. Sections of a split socket each have a flange and a body portion. The socket is received in the clamp such that the flanges of the socket are disposed above the clamp, and when the clamp is closed the socket holds the riser.

Abstract: The present invention features a multi-functional pump for pumping molten metal, which includes a base that is submerged in molten metal having at least two impeller chambers. The base includes one or more inlet openings and one or more outlet openings. Each outlet opening leads from one of the impeller chambers. The invention enables the impeller to be moved to a position to rotate in either impeller chamber or while straddling impeller chambers. This enables the pump to have the versatility to operate in a circulation mode; a transfer mode; two or more circulation modes; two or more transfer modes; and a combination of transfer and circulation modes. The impeller chambers can be stacked over each other and the impeller can be moved vertically in and between impeller chambers. Also featured is a method of operating the multifunctional pump of the present invention.

Abstract: The invention features a molten metal flow powered device including a housing, a rotor rotatably supported by the housing, the rotor being configured and arranged to be powered by a stream of molten metal discharged from a pump, and a gas transfer conduit having an upper end adapted to engage a gas source and a lower end supported by the housing from which gas is fed to the rotor. The invention also features a pumping and degassing system that includes the pump and a source of pressurized gas. The system can also include a machine for directing flux into the pressurized gas, for passage along the gas transfer conduit to the rotor.

Abstract: The present invention features a multi-functional pump for pumping molten metal, which includes a base that is submerged in molten metal having at least two impeller chambers. The base includes one or more inlet openings and one or more outlet openings. Each outlet opening leads from one of the impeller chambers. The invention enables the impeller to be moved to a position to rotate in either impeller chamber or while straddling impeller chambers. This enables the pump to have the versatility to operate in a circulation mode; a transfer mode; two or more circulation modes; two or more transfer modes; and a combination of transfer and circulation modes. The impeller chambers can be stacked over each other and the impeller can be moved vertically in and between impeller chambers.