Transfer system for liquid metals

Abstract

Transfer system for liquid metals such as aluminum, zinc and magnesium. The system is used to transfer liquid metal in a casting process from a furnace to a casting machine while extending the life term of the transfer conduit. The canal replaces the use of gas burners with electric heat generating means in order to maintain the constant temperature of the liquid metal transferred. The system allows to automatically maintaining the liquid metal level and a constant temperature during said liquid metal transfer.

1 . A system for transferring liquid metals from a heating furnace to a casting machine wherein the system comprises at least: 
 a central operation panel;    a programmable logic controller;    a hydraulic central system;    a balance hydraulic valve;    a level sensor;    a heat sensor;    a hydraulic cylinder;    wherein said central operation panel is operatively connected to said programmable logic controller which controls said hydraulic central system defining a range of action of said balanced valve, wherein at least said level sensor detects the level of liquid metal running through at least a conduit and sends the level detected to said programmable logic controller (PLC), defining said level detected by means of said balanced valve, the tilt degree of a casting furnace.    
     
     
         2 . The system according to  claim 1  wherein said at least a conduit comprises at least a canal containing a first profile and a second profile within said first profile.  
     
     
         3 . The system according to claims  1  and  2  wherein a plurality of said canals is abutted each other by attaching means such as nuts and bolts, welding, bridle, defining a modular conduit.  
     
     
         4 . The system according to  claim 1  wherein said at least one level sensor is placed in the vicinity of the furnace's outlet.  
     
     
         5 . The system according to  claims 1  to  4  wherein said at least one level sensor is configured to measure the level of liquid metal inside the canal.  
     
     
         6 . A canal for forming a conduit to transfer liquid metal from a casting furnace to a casting machine wherein the canal comprises a first U shape profile inside of which there is a second U shape profile, being separated by an insulate layer, defining said second profile a path for transferring liquid metal, and having said first U shaped profile a top cover attached by hinged comprising heating generator means.  
     
     
         7 . The canal according to  claim 6  wherein said first U shaped profile is attached to a double T beam.  
     
     
         8 . The canal according to  claim 6  wherein the insulate layer is made of fiber glass, ceramic fiber, microporous insulation panels, asbestos, refracting mud or the combination thereof.  
     
     
         9 . The canal according to  claim 6  wherein said first U shaped profile is made of a steel alloy.  
     
     
         10 . The canal according to  claim 6  wherein said second U shaped profile is made of any of fiber glass, ceramic fiber, microporous insulation panels, asbestos, refracting mud or the combination thereof.  
     
     
         11 . The canal according to  claim 6  wherein said heating generator means are electric resistance heating elements enclosed in metal tubes that emit heat in the form of infrared rays.  
     
     
         12 . The canal according to  claim 6  wherein a lid is placed on top of first and second profiles protecting the edges of such profiles from breakage.  
     
     
         13 . The canal according to  claim 6  wherein said hinged cover attached to said first U shaped profile is actuated by hydraulic means.  
     
     
         14 . The canal according to  claim 6  wherein the canal comprises at least a heat sensor placed on either ends of the canal.  
     
     
         15 . The canal according to  claim 14  wherein said at least a heat sensor is one of a laser beam sensor, a thermocouple or a combination of both.  
     
     
         16 . A method for controlling the transfer of liquid metal from a furnace to a casting machine wherein comprises the steps of: 
 a) tilting the furnace to a degree until the liquid metal is poured into the conduit;    b) obtaining the level information in said conduit by means of a level sensor;    c) sending the data obtained by said level sensor to a programmable logic controller;    d) controlling the tilt degree of the furnace by comparing the data sent by the level sensor and the data already pre programmed;    c) controlling the temperature of the liquid metal in the conduit    d) activating the hinged covers in case the temperature is below a level pre settled in the programmable logic controller;    e) igniting the heat generator means in the event that the temperature is still below the pre settled level even after the hinged cover was activated;    d) regulating the temperature by activating individually said hinged covers and said heat generator means.    
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 16  wherein comprise the additional steps of: 
 a) increasing the tilt degree of the furnace in the event that said level detector detects a decrease in the level of the liquid metal in the conduit.    b) decreasing the tilt degree of the furnace in the event that said level detector detects an increase in the level of the liquid metal in the conduit.    
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 16  wherein the activation of said hinged cover is strictly related to data supplied by the heat sensor to the programmable logic controller.