Abstract: A method of dispersing flux in molten metal includes providing a source of flux powder and a source of gas. An impeller is disposed on an end of a shaft inside the impeller chamber of a base made of heat resistant material. The base is submerged in the molten metal and includes a molten metal inlet opening into the impeller chamber and a molten metal discharge passageway extending from the impeller chamber to an exterior of the base. Molten metal is drawn through the inlet opening into the impeller chamber by rotation of the impeller in the impeller chamber. The molten metal is moved out of the impeller chamber through the discharge passageway by the rotation of the impeller. A discharge stream of molten metal travels through the discharge passageway into the molten metal exterior to the base. The gas flows from the gas source into a refractory flux conduit. The flux conduit extends from outside the molten metal into fluid communication with the discharge passageway.

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.

Abstract: A vortexer apparatus including a vessel comprising an exterior surface, an interior surface and a mouth for receiving material at an upper end of the interior surface. An outlet passageway extends downwardly from the interior surface. An inlet opening is located between the interior and exterior surfaces above the outlet passageway. The inlet opening is offset from the center line of the interior surface. A pump is adapted to pump fluid into the vessel to form a vortex in the vessel. The base and impeller of the pump are configured and arranged effective to provide molten metal leaving the base with a positive pressure. An outlet conduit extends from the base outlet to near the vessel inlet opening and can be maintained at a temperature above which molten metal solidifies, along it's entire length.

Abstract: A molten metal pump including a pump base with an inlet and outlet, a mixing impeller chamber for mixing gas and molten metal, a pumping impeller chamber for pumping molten metal. First and second impeller members supported by a shaft are adapted to rotate in mixing and pumping chambers respectively. The impeller members may be integrally formed of a single impeller or separate impellers on one or more shafts. A gas passageway extends from a gas source to the mixing chamber in the base. A gas dispersement pump includes a base with an impeller chamber and inlet and an outlet. An impeller is mounted to a shaft and adapted to be rotated in the impeller chamber. A gas passageway extends from a gas source to a gas outlet proximate to the impeller chamber. A gas dispersement member of porous refractory material is adapted to disperse gas from the gas passageway.

Abstract: A method of dispersing flux in molten metal includes providing a source of flux powder and a source of gas. An impeller is disposed on an end of a shaft inside the impeller chamber of a base made of heat resistant material. The base is submerged in the molten metal and includes a molten metal inlet opening into the impeller chamber and a molten metal discharge passageway extending from the impeller chamber to an exterior of the base. Molten metal is drawn through the inlet opening into the impeller chamber by rotation of the impeller in the impeller chamber. The molten metal is moved out of the impeller chamber through the discharge passageway by the rotation of the impeller. A discharge stream of molten metal travels through the discharge passageway into the molten metal exterior to the base. The gas flows from the gas source into a refractory flux conduit. The flux conduit extends from outside the molten metal into fluid communication with the discharge passageway.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention is directed to an impeller made of a non-metallic, heat resistant material, comprising a generally cylindrical shaped body, first and second generally planar end faces and a side wall extending between the first and second faces. A plurality of passages have inlets circumferentially spaced apart from each other on the first face, outlets at the impeller sidewall, and connecting portions extending between the inlets and the outlets transverse to the central axis. Another aspect of the invention is directed to an impeller comprising a central hub portion and first and second impeller bases, including end faces, transverse to a central axis. Vanes extend from the central hub portion between the impeller bases. Cavities are formed between the impeller bases and between adjacent vanes. Molten metal inlets on the end faces for molten metal to reach the cavities. Pumps are also disclosed using the inventive impellers.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention is directed to an impeller made of a non-metallic, heat resistant material, comprising a generally cylindrical shaped body, first and second generally planar end faces and a side wall extending between the first and second faces. A plurality of passages have inlets circumferentially spaced apart from each other on the first face, outlets at the impeller sidewall, and connecting portions extending between the inlets and the outlets transverse to the central axis. Another aspect of the invention is directed to an impeller comprising a central hub portion and first and second impeller bases, including end faces, transverse to a central axis. Vanes extend from the central hub portion between the impeller bases. Cavities are formed between the impeller bases and between adjacent vanes. Molten metal inlets on the end faces for molten metal to reach the cavities. Pumps are also disclosed using the inventive impellers.

Abstract: A pump for pumping molten metal includes a pump base comprised of non-metallic, heat resistant material. The pump base comprises an inlet opening, a wall that forms a pumping chamber, a passageway that communicates the inlet opening with the pumping chamber, and an outlet opening that communicates with the pumping chamber. A piston comprising non-metallic, heat resistant material is disposed in the pumping chamber. The wall comprises non-metallic, heat resistant material. A connecting member is fastened to the piston. A valve permits and restricts flow of molten metal in the pump base. An actuator is connected to the metal connecting member, the actuator being adapted for effecting reciprocal movement of the piston in the pumping chamber. The piston has a coefficient of thermal expansion and configuration effective to enable it to expand into contact with the wall during its reciprocal movement in the pumping chamber.

Abstract: A pump for pumping molten metal includes a pump base comprised of nonmetallic, heat resistant material. The pump base comprises an inlet opening, a wall that forms a pumping chamber, a passageway that communicates the inlet opening with the pumping chamber, and an outlet opening that communicates with the pumping chamber. A piston comprising non-metallic, heat resistant material is disposed in the pumping chamber. The wall comprises non-metallic, heat resistant material. A connecting member is fastened to the piston. A valve permits and restricts flow of molten metal in the pump base. An actuator is connected to the metal connecting member, the actuator being adapted for effecting reciprocal movement of the piston in the pumping chamber. The piston has a coefficient of thermal expansion and configuration effective to enable it to expand into contact with the wall during its reciprocal movement in the pumping chamber.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention is directed to an impeller made of a non-metallic, heat resistant material, comprising a generally cylindrical shaped body, first and second generally planar end faces and a side wall extending between the first and second faces. A plurality of passages have inlets circumferentially spaced apart from each other on the first face, outlets at the impeller sidewall, and connecting portions extending between the inlets and the outlets transverse to the central axis. Another aspect of the invention is directed to an impeller comprising a central hub portion and first and second impeller bases, including end faces, transverse to a central axis. Vanes extend from the central hub portion between the impeller bases. Cavities are formed between the impeller bases and between adjacent vanes. Molten metal inlets on the end faces for molten metal to reach the cavities. Pumps are also disclosed using the inventive impellers.

Abstract: An inlet protector or guard that prevents jamming and clogging of a molten metal pump. The guard includes a flat surface having a central opening that accepts a shaft of the molten metal pump. A wall extends from the periphery of the flat surface along a longitudinal axis of the shaft. The wall is sized to fit within an inlet opening of the pump. The wall includes a plurality of openings, forming an inlet through which molten metal can enter a base of the pump. The plurality of openings are small enough to prevent solid particles that are larger than a distance between an impeller of the pump and a pump chamber from entering the pump and large enough to prevent the pump from clogging.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention is directed to an impeller made of a non-metallic, heat resistant material, comprising a generally cylindrical shaped body having a central rotational axis, first and second generally planar end faces extending transverse to the central axis and a side wall extending between the first and second faces. A plurality of passages have inlets circumferentially spaced apart from each other on the first face, outlets at the impeller sidewall, and connecting portions extending between the inlets and the outlets transverse to the central axis. Each of the passages extends at an angle to the central axis along substantially an entire length and perimeter of the passages.

Abstract: An inlet protector or guard that prevents jamming and clogging of a molten metal pump. The guard includes a flat surface having a central opening that accepts a shaft of the molten metal pump. A wall extends from the periphery of the flat surface along a longitudinal axis of the shaft. The wall is sized to fit within an inlet opening of the pump. The wall includes a plurality of openings, forming an inlet through which molten metal can enter a base of the pump. The plurality of openings are small enough to prevent solid particles that are larger than a distance between an impeller of the pump and a pump chamber from entering the pump and large enough to prevent the pump from clogging.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention is directed to an impeller made of a non-metallic, heat resistant material, comprising a generally cylindrical shaped body having a central rotational axis, first and second generally planar end faces extending transverse to the central axis and a side wall extending between the first and second faces. A plurality of passages have inlets circumferentially spaced apart from each other on the first face, outlets at the impeller sidewall, and connecting portions extending between the inlets and the outlets transverse to the central axis. Each of the passages extends at an angle to the central axis along substantially an entire length and perimeter of the passages.

Abstract: An apparatus for pumping molten metal includes a pump base comprised of non-metallic, heat resistant material and adapted to be submerged in a bath of molten metal. The pump base includes a molten metal inlet opening; a molten metal valve chamber in communication with the inlet opening; a molten metal pumping chamber; a passageway that communicates the valve chamber and the pumping chamber and a molten metal outlet opening that communicates with the pumping chamber. A first piston made of non-metallic, heat resistant material is adapted for reciprocal movement in the valve chamber. A second piston made of non-metallic, heat resistant material is adapted for reciprocal movement in the pumping chamber. A first connecting member extends upwardly from the first piston and a second connecting member extends upwardly from the second piston. At least one actuator is in communication with the first and second connecting members.

Abstract: A nonmetallic pump for pumping molten metal includes a base with an impeller chamber, at least one molten metal inlet opening to the base, at least one molten metal outlet opening from the base, and an impeller connected to one end of a motor driven shaft and rotatable in the impeller chamber. The base includes an impeller opening in which the impeller is disposed and a wall extending so as to form a spiral-shaped opening around the impeller opening. An egress channel extends from the spiral-shaped opening toward the molten metal outlet opening.

Abstract: A pump for coating molten metal onto a substrate includes a base with an impeller chamber, at least one molten metal inlet opening to the base, at least one molten metal outlet opening from the base, and an impeller connected to one end of a motor driven shaft and rotatable in the impeller chamber, the base, shaft and impeller being made of refractory material. A conduit is in communication with the molten metal discharged from the molten metal outlet opening. The conduit is formed of refractory material and comprises an arcuate shaped portion in which molten metal outlet openings are disposed. An insulating region is located between the conduit and a motor support. The conduit has a shape and the conduit outlet openings are configured and arranged to discharge molten metal toward an interior of the conduit in upward and downward directions such that exterior surfaces of a workpiece passed therein are coated with molten metal.

Abstract: A nonmetallic pump for pumping molten metal includes a base with an impeller chamber, at least one molten metal inlet opening to the base, at least one molten metal outlet opening from the base, and an impeller connected to one end of a motor driven shaft and rotatable in the impeller chamber. The base includes a shell portion and a one-piece insert formed of nonmetallic heat-resistant material disposed in the impeller chamber. The insert includes a generally circular bore in which the impeller is disposed and a wall extending so as to form a spiral-shaped volute opening around the bore. An egress channel extends from the volute opening toward the molten metal outlet opening. Also included are methods for making the insert and base.

Abstract: A pressurized fluid circulating assembly includes a body made of non-metallic, brittle material. At least two apertures formed by internal threads are disposed in the body. First coupling members each include a first externally threaded male portion that can engage the threads of one of the apertures, a second internally threaded female portion and a head with multiple flats. Second coupling members each have an externally threaded male portion that can engage the second threaded portion of one of the first coupling members. A movement-inhibiting member is disposed at a fixed position near at least one flat of each of two of the first coupling members to prevent their rotation. A device may employ a movement-inhibiting member having a size and shape so as to be adapted to be received at a fixed position near at least one flat of each of two of the first coupling members when threaded into engagement with the apertures, thereby preventing rotation of the first coupling members.

Abstract: A non-metallic pump for pumping molten metal includes a motor, a shaft having one end connected to the motor and an impeller connected to the other end of the shaft. A base has a chamber in which the impeller is rotatable. Structure is used to removably insert the base into a bath of molten metal. The impeller includes stirrer openings which are configured and arranged to enable the impeller to cause solid matter in the molten metal to move toward an upper surface of the bath.