Abstract: An exemplary furnace system for melting stock metal includes a main hearth and a side well subsystem, which includes a melting well disposed downstream of the main hearth for receiving flow from the main hearth, an input flow inducer disposed upstream of the melting well and downstream of the main hearth, and an output flow inducer disposed downstream of the melting well and upstream of the main hearth. The input flow inducer drives molten metal into the melting well, thereby forming a differential metal head in the melting well. The output flow inducer evacuates molten metal from an output conduit, thereby reducing counter-pressure at an output port of the melting well communicating with the output conduit. This allows atmospheric pressure to add to the differential metal head in the melting well, resulting in an increase in productivity of the side well subsystem and of the furnace system as a whole.

Abstract: An exemplary furnace system for melting stock metal includes a main hearth and a side well subsystem, which includes a melting well disposed downstream of the main hearth for receiving flow from the main hearth, an input flow inducer disposed upstream of the melting well and downstream of the main hearth, and an output flow inducer disposed downstream of the melting well and upstream of the main hearth. The input flow inducer drives molten metal into the melting well, thereby forming a differential metal head in the melting well. The output flow inducer evacuates molten metal from an output conduit, thereby reducing counter-pressure at an output port of the melting well communicating with the output conduit. This allows atmospheric pressure to add to the differential metal head in the melting well, resulting in an increase in productivity of the side well subsystem and of the furnace system as a whole.

Abstract: An exemplary furnace system for melting stock metal includes a main hearth and a side well subsystem, which includes a melting well disposed downstream of the main hearth for receiving flow from the main hearth, an input flow inducer disposed upstream of the melting well and downstream of the main hearth, and an output flow inducer disposed downstream of the melting well and upstream of the main hearth. The input flow inducer drives molten metal into the melting well, thereby forming a differential metal head in the melting well. The output flow inducer evacuates molten metal from an output conduit, thereby reducing counter-pressure at an output port of the melting well communicating with the output conduit. This allows atmospheric pressure to add to the differential metal head in the melting well, resulting in an increase in productivity of the side well subsystem and of the furnace system as a whole.

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.

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.

Abstract: An apparatus for moving a stream of molten metal comprising a pumping member, a housing at least partially enclosing the pumping member, a power device seated on a support, and a shaft connecting the power device and the pumping member. At least one post is disposed between the support and the housing. The post includes an elongated rod comprising a metal alloy surrounded by an outer sheath. An inner member may surround the rod and provide a molten metal resistant barrier. The rod includes a first end connected to the support and a second end secured to the housing. A similar design for a shaft is also provided.

Abstract: An apparatus for moving a stream of molten metal comprising a pumping member, a housing at least partially enclosing the pumping member, a power device seated on a support, and a shaft connecting the power device and the pumping member. At least one post is disposed between the support and the housing. The post includes an elongated rod comprising a metal alloy surrounded by an outer sheath. An inner member may surround the rod and provide a molten metal resistant barrier. The rod includes a first end connected to the support and a second end secured to the housing. A similar design for a shaft is also provided.

Abstract: An apparatus for moving a stream of molten metal comprising a pumping member, a housing at least partially enclosing the pumping member, a power device seated on a support, and a shaft connecting the power device and the pumping member. At least one post is disposed between the support and the housing. The post includes an elongated rod comprising a metal alloy surrounded by an outer sheath. An inner member may surround the rod and provide a molten metal resistant barrier. The rod includes a first end connected to the support and a second end secured to the housing. A similar design for a shaft is also provided.

Abstract: A molten aluminum pump comprised of an impeller attached to a vertical rotary shaft, the shaft forming a connecting portion between a motor and the impeller and being comprised of a refractory material without a radial bearing surface. The impeller is housed within a pumping chamber of a base member wherein rotation of the shaft and impeller draws molten aluminum into the chamber and forces the molten aluminum through an outlet in the chamber. The motor is secured to the shaft with a rigid coupling and at least one bearing journaling the coupling.

Abstract: The invention provides a composite carbon or graphite having desirable properties such as corrosion and wear resistance. The invention combines a graphite substrate with a protective porous zone of silicon carbide. The whole body of graphite plus silicon carbide then is infiltrated with aluminum phosphate. An adhered barrier of silicon carbide, ranging in thickness between 0.015 and 0.050 inch thick is integrated with a graphite stratum to form a very hard surface, resistant to mechanical and chemical wear. The silicon carbide barrier is closely compatible to the graphite substrate, in resistance to thermal shock and in qualities of thermal expansion. In order to improve oxidation resistance further, a new composition was formed by infiltrating aluminum phosphate through the silicon carbide into the graphite to form a single body of composite graphite.

Abstract: The invention provides a composite carbon or graphite having desirable properties such as corrosion and wear resistance. The invention combines a graphite substrate with a protective porous zone of silicon carbide. The whole body of graphite plus silicon carbide then is infiltrated with aluminum phosphate. An adhered barrier of silicon carbide, ranging in thickness between 0.015 and 0.050 inch thick is integrated with a graphite stratum to form a very hard surface, resistant to mechanical and chemical wear. The silicon carbide barrier is closely compatible to the graphite substrate, in resistance to thermal shock and in qualities of thermal expansion. In order to improve oxidation resistance further, a new composition was formed by infiltrating aluminum phosphate through the silicon carbide into the graphite to form a single body of composite graphite.