Abstract: A kit enables selective circulation and transfer of molten metal of a furnace. The kit includes a transfer block of refractory material adapted to be disposed downstream of a refractory pump wall of a pump well. The block includes a transfer passageway that extends from alignment with an opening in the pump wall toward an exterior vessel outside the furnace. A support structure can be adapted to be fixed over the furnace. Pulleys can be carried by the support structure. An actuator can be positioned outside of the furnace. A cable can be fastened at one end portion to the transfer block and at another end portion to the actuator and extends around the pulleys. When actuated in one stroke the actuator moves the cable so as to move the block upward out of alignment with the pump wall opening to cause molten metal circulation.

Abstract: A system for treating wire includes an elongated vessel that contains a molten fluid. A pump is disposed in the molten fluid in the vessel. The pump includes an elongated discharge conduit extending for at least a portion of the length of the vessel. Conveyance structure enables the wire to be conveyed through the molten fluid. Operation of the pump enables a temperature of the molten fluid in the vessel to be changed. The wire is heat treated as a result of passing through the molten fluid.

Abstract: A system for treating wire includes an elongated vessel that contains a molten fluid. A pump is disposed in the molten fluid in the vessel. The pump includes an elongated discharge conduit extending for at least a portion of the length of the vessel. Conveyance structure enables the wire to be conveyed through the molten fluid. Operation of the pump enables a temperature of the molten fluid in the vessel to be changed. The wire is heat treated as a result of passing through the molten fluid.

Abstract: A system for pumping molten metal and melting metal scrap in a furnace that includes a first well that is separated from a second well by a refractory separating wall. The first well and the second well are in fluid communication with a main vessel, the separating wall including a passageway for molten metal. The system includes a pump disposed in the first well for pumping molten metal. A scrap charging vessel is disposed in the second well into which the scrap is added to molten metal contained therein. A conduit extends from the pump over the separating wall. Molten metal pumped from the pump travels from the conduit into the scrap charging vessel.

Abstract: A pump for pumping molten metal includes a refractory base that can be submerged in a bath of molten metal. A refractory shaft sleeve has upper and lower end portions and is fastened to the base at the lower end portion. The shaft sleeve is enclosed at the upper end portion and includes openings at a lower end portion. The base includes an impeller chamber that is in fluid communication with the shaft sleeve and includes an outlet from the impeller chamber. The pump includes a motor. A refractory shaft extends in the shaft sleeve and is connected to the motor. A refractory impeller is connected to the shaft and is rotatable in the impeller chamber of the base. A gas source flows gas comprising inert gas into the shaft sleeve under pressure. A regulator regulates at least one of flow rate and pressure of the gas so as to avoid cavitation of the pump while outletting the gas through the openings of the shaft sleeve.

Abstract: A pump for pumping molten metal includes a refractory base that can be submerged in a bath of molten metal. A refractory shaft sleeve has upper and lower end portions and is fastened to the base at the lower end portion. The shaft sleeve is enclosed at the upper end portion and includes openings at a lower end portion. The base includes an impeller chamber that is in fluid communication with the shaft sleeve and includes an outlet from the impeller chamber. The pump includes a motor. A refractory shaft extends in the shaft sleeve and is connected to the motor. A refractory impeller is connected to the shaft and is rotatable in the impeller chamber of the base. A gas source flows gas comprising inert gas into the shaft sleeve under pressure. A regulator regulates at least one of flow rate and pressure of the gas so as to avoid cavitation of the pump while outletting the gas through the openings of the shaft sleeve.

Abstract: A pump for pumping molten metal includes a refractory base that can be submerged in a bath of molten metal. A refractory shaft sleeve has upper and lower end portions. The base includes an impeller chamber and includes at least one inlet opening and outlet opening. The pump includes a motor. A refractory shaft extends in the shaft sleeve and is connected to a motor. A refractory impeller is connected to the shaft and is rotatable in the impeller chamber. A gas source flows inert gas into the shaft sleeve under pressure. In one aspect the shaft sleeve can be spaced from the base so as to leave a gap between the shaft sleeve and the base. A regulator regulates at least one of flow rate and pressure of the gas so as to avoid cavitation of the pump while the gas is released from the shaft sleeve. Also featured is a method of operating the pump so as to reduce dross formation in the 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: 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 pump mixes gas and molten metal and pumps molten metal. A base of the pump includes an inlet and an outlet, a mixing impeller chamber adapted to mix gas and molten metal and a pumping impeller chamber adapted to pump molten metal. First and second impeller members supported by a shaft are adapted to rotate in the mixing and pumping chambers, respectively. The impeller members may be integrally formed components of a single impeller or separate impellers supported on one or more shafts. A gas passageway extends from a gas source in proximity to the mixing chamber in the base. A gas dispersement pump for molten metal includes a base including an impeller chamber, an 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 in proximity to the impeller chamber. A gas dispersement member composed of porous refractory material is adapted to disperse gas supplied from the gas passageway.

Abstract: The present invention features a vortexer apparatus including a vessel comprising an exterior surface, an interior surface containing fluid and a mouth for receiving material at an upper end portion of the interior surface. In one application the material is metal scrap that is melted in molten metal as the fluid. All components that contact the molten metal are formed of refractory material. An outlet passageway extends downwardly from the interior surface. A vessel inlet opening is located between the exterior and interior surfaces above the outlet passageway. A center line passes through a center of the interior surface and the vessel inlet opening is disposed at a location offset from the center line. A pump is adapted to pump fluid into the vessel effective to form a vortex of fluid in the vessel. The base and impeller are configured and arranged effective to provide molten metal leaving the base outlet with a positive pressure.

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 shaft coupling apparatus used in a pump assembly for pumping molten metal. The apparatus includes an impeller shaft, a drive shaft, and first and second coupling members. The first member engages the impeller shaft and includes a tube and two diametrically opposed pins. The second member includes a sleeve having an inner diameter adequate to receive the tube, a plate fixed to the sleeve having a mating surface cooperatively aligned with a mating surface of the impeller shaft, structure defining pin receiving slots, each slot adapted for guiding a pin into a retained position extending through the slot, and structure defining a plurality of voids in a sleeve outer surface. The pins and voids are rotatably engagable by a tool set such that the impeller and motor shafts are connectable and disconnectable by manual operation of the tool set. The apparatus may form a quick disconnect/connect gas injection shaft.