Advanced material overflow transfer pump

Abstract

A molten metal pump comprising an elongated tube having a base end defining an inlet and a top end defining an outlet is provided. The elongated tube is constructed of a reinforced fiber material (RFM). A shaft is disposed within the tube with an impeller secured to the shaft and disposed proximate the base end.

1 . A molten metal pump comprising an elongated tube having a base end and a top end, said elongated tube comprised of a reinforced fiber material (RFM), a shaft disposed within said tube and an impeller rotatable by said shaft, said impeller disposed proximate said base end, said base end including an inlet and said top end including an outlet. 
     
     
         2 . The molten metal pump of  claim 1  wherein said elongated tube includes a sidewall thickness of between about 18 and 50 mm. 
     
     
         3 . The molten metal pump of  claim 2  wherein said elongated tube includes a length of at least two meters. 
     
     
         4 . The molten metal pump of  claim 1  further including a bearing ring disposed in the inlet. 
     
     
         5 . The molten metal pump of  claim 4  wherein said bearing ring is comprised of RFM. 
     
     
         6 . The molten metal pump of  claim 5  wherein said shaft and impeller form an assembly, said assembly be selectively removable as a unit from said tube. 
     
     
         7 . The molten metal pump of  claim 1  including at least three legs projecting from the base end. 
     
     
         8 . The molten metal pump of  claim 1  further comprising at least three holes configured for mounting a bearing ring. 
     
     
         9 . The molten metal pump of  claim 1  wherein said elongated tube has an external diameter of less than about 235 mm and wherein a wall forming said elongated tube has a width of less than about 50 mm. 
     
     
         10 . The pump of  claim 1  wherein said top end has a generally volute shape and a diameter greater than a diameter of said tube, a metallic frame at least partially encompassing said top end, said top end further including an RFM trough in fluid communication with said outlet which allows egress of molten metal from the pump. 
     
     
         11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . A molten metal crucible, said crucible comprised of RFM and having a bowl shape main body, a side wall of said main body including a tubular column having a base end in fluid communication with said crucible and a top end in fluid communication with a launder or spout, and further including a shaft and impeller assembly configured to be received in said tubular column. 
     
     
         13 . A molten metal pump comprising an elongated tube having a base end and a top end, said elongated tube comprised of reinforced fiber material (RFM), said base end defining an opening, a shaft disposed within said tube and an impeller rotatable by said shaft, said impeller at least substantially closing said opening, wherein said impeller is arranged such that a radial edge of the impeller forms a dynamic seal with an inner wall of said tube or a base edge of said tube forms a dynamic seal with an upward facing surface of said impeller. 
     
     
         14 . The pump of  claim 13  wherein said opening is at least substantially circular and said radial edge of the impeller forms the dynamic seal with an inner wall of the tube. 
     
     
         15 . The pump of  claim 13  wherein said impeller is comprised of graphite and includes a radial ceramic bearing which interfaces with said tube. 
     
     
         16 . The pump of  claim 13  wherein said impeller is comprised of a ceramic material and does not include a bearing. 
     
     
         17 . The pump of  claim 13  wherein said impeller is comprised of a disc-shaped main body and a hub, a plurality of vanes disposed on a top surface of said main body, wherein at least one passage extends from a bottom surface of said main body to the top surface. 
     
     
         18 . The pump of  claim 17  wherein at least 75% of all molten metal entering said tube passes through said passages. 
     
     
         19 . The pump of  claim 13  wherein the spaces between adjacent vanes are open upwardly. 
     
     
         20 . The pump of  claim 17  wherein an inwardly recessed inlet is in fluid communication with said at least one passage. 
     
     
         21 . The pump of  claim 13  wherein said impeller is comprised of a disc-shaped main body including a hub extending from a first surface, a plurality of vanes extending radially from said hub or from said first surface or both, said vanes extending less than a full distance between said hub and a radial edge of the disc-shaped body, an inwardly recessed inlet in a second surface of the main body opposed to the first surface, and at least two passages extending from the inlet to the vane including side of impeller. 
     
     
         22 . (canceled)