US20060113058A1 - Tapping and pouring system for molten metals - Google Patents
Tapping and pouring system for molten metals Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20060113058A1 US20060113058A1 US11/253,034 US25303405A US2006113058A1 US 20060113058 A1 US20060113058 A1 US 20060113058A1 US 25303405 A US25303405 A US 25303405A US 2006113058 A1 US2006113058 A1 US 2006113058A1
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- United States
- Prior art keywords
- container
- molten material
- wall
- moving
- pouring
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
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- 229910052751 metal Inorganic materials 0.000 title claims abstract description 23
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 title claims abstract description 23
- 238000010079 rubber tapping Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 14
- 150000002739 metals Chemical class 0.000 title claims description 5
- 239000012768 molten material Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 65
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 claims description 7
- 229910045601 alloy Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 5
- 239000000956 alloy Substances 0.000 claims description 5
- 238000002844 melting Methods 0.000 claims description 5
- 230000008018 melting Effects 0.000 claims description 5
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 abstract description 20
- 230000005484 gravity Effects 0.000 abstract description 3
- 230000008901 benefit Effects 0.000 description 10
- 230000007246 mechanism Effects 0.000 description 4
- 230000004075 alteration Effects 0.000 description 3
- 238000011109 contamination Methods 0.000 description 3
- 238000004512 die casting Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000005855 radiation Effects 0.000 description 2
- ATJFFYVFTNAWJD-UHFFFAOYSA-N Tin Chemical compound [Sn] ATJFFYVFTNAWJD-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 239000004411 aluminium Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910052782 aluminium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N aluminium Chemical compound [Al] XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 230000008859 change Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000004891 communication Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000007423 decrease Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000005516 engineering process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000006872 improvement Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000006060 molten glass Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000003647 oxidation Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000007254 oxidation reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000008569 process Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000002699 waste material Substances 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B22—CASTING; POWDER METALLURGY
- B22D—CASTING OF METALS; CASTING OF OTHER SUBSTANCES BY THE SAME PROCESSES OR DEVICES
- B22D17/00—Pressure die casting or injection die casting, i.e. casting in which the metal is forced into a mould under high pressure
- B22D17/20—Accessories: Details
- B22D17/30—Accessories for supplying molten metal, e.g. in rations
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B22—CASTING; POWDER METALLURGY
- B22D—CASTING OF METALS; CASTING OF OTHER SUBSTANCES BY THE SAME PROCESSES OR DEVICES
- B22D39/00—Equipment for supplying molten metal in rations
- B22D39/02—Equipment for supplying molten metal in rations having means for controlling the amount of molten metal by volume
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B22—CASTING; POWDER METALLURGY
- B22D—CASTING OF METALS; CASTING OF OTHER SUBSTANCES BY THE SAME PROCESSES OR DEVICES
- B22D41/00—Casting melt-holding vessels, e.g. ladles, tundishes, cups or the like
Definitions
- the invention relates to a system for tapping and pouring high temperature molten material, comprising a first container and a second container capable of being introduced into the first container.
- One way to perform this operation is to make use of a ladle capable of being plunged into a bath of molten material, and further capable of taking out a particular amount of said molten material, transporting it for instance on top of a mould to be filled and pouring the molten material into the mould, either by tilting the ladle and by letting the molten material going through a spout or by opening a valve and letting the molten material to drain away through said valve.
- a system using the above principle is the “Hodler system”, as illustrated in FIG. 219 of page 126 of “Technologie de la Fonderie en Moules Metalliques, Fonderie sous pression”, Edition techniques des industries de la fonderie, Paris 1968.
- a container is plunged into a crucible which contains molten metal. Said container is then filled up with molten metal. The container is then removed from the crucible by mechanical means and carried to a place above a mould or a channel leading to a mould. A valve located on the bottom of the mobile container is opened to let the liquid drain away towards the mould.
- the system is characterized in that the second container is arranged inside the first container and, in operation, remains inside and in contact with the first container, the first and second container share a common inner wall comprising an exit for letting the molten material flowing out of the system, and the system comprises means for moving the second container in respect to the common inner wall to and fro a filling position for filling the second container with molten material present in the first container and a pouring position for pouring molten material from the second container through the exit.
- the system according to the invention is such that, in operation, the first container is filled with molten material.
- the second container is arranged inside the first container and executes in operation a movement inside the first container, i.e. the second container remains inside the first container, thus not causing dripping of molten material outside the system and causing less alteration of the molten material, for instance less oxidation and contamination of the molten metal.
- This is a first advantage over the systems known in the prior art in which molten material often drips from the mobile container, which results in needless loss of material and safety problems.
- This is the case of the “Hodler system” which also presents the propensity to cause important alteration to the molten material, due to the relatively long transportation time mainly outside the crucible.
- the system according to the invention significantly improves this situation since the transportation of the molten material before pouring is simplified in a significant way.
- a second advantage of the system according to the invention is that pouring can easily be controlled and stopped by reversing or stopping the movement of the second container without loss or risk of alteration of the molten material since the molten material which is not poured remains inside the second container and thus inside the first container.
- a third advantage is that the system is very compact, since the second container does not leave the first container. It means, firstly, that the occupied area on the floor is smaller and, secondly, that the system is much cleaner since the elements of said system are concentrated in a relatively smaller volume, thus requiring less protecting means to constrain to a particular area the high temperatures, the heat radiation, the polluted atmosphere, the molten material ejection and the like.
- a fourth advantage is that the heat remains subtantially inside the system up until the metal is actually poured, because no molten metal is transported outside the first container until it is poured.
- the mobile container is transported away from the crucible in such a way as to lead to a larger loss of energy and to subject a larger area to safety hazard.
- a fifth advantage of the system according to the invention is that only relatively small and simple movements are involved in the tapping and pouring operations since the second container remains inside the first container. No complex movement is required since the second container moves with respect to the common inner wall and thus the movement is at least to some extent guided, i.e. for instance only a certain type or certain types of movement, such as a translation or a rotation of the second container with respect to the first container, are possible. Moreover, the system may be totally automatized without complex mechanisms thanks to its simplicity.
- characteritics of the invention provide an at least partial solution to the mentioned problems of the prior art tapping and pouring systems, said problems being very specific to high-temperature molten materials. Indeed, the circumstances in which these systems are used are very particular, due to the extreme temperatures, the intense radiation, the polluted surrounding atmosphere, the molten metal ejections and so forth. Many normal material and devices cannot be used in these circumstances and any new improvement must be designed keeping in mind the specific context involved.
- system according to the invention is simpler, more compact, cleaner, less expensive and easier to install and maintain but yet provides for greater accuracy in pouring amounts of molten material, surprising though it may seem.
- FIG. 1 a shows a schematic cross-section representation of an example of the system according to the invention, in operation, while the second container is entirely plunged into the first container bath;
- FIG. 1 b shows the system of FIG. 1 a while the second container liquid level is slightly above the overflow limit, but while the molten material does not overflow yet;
- FIG. 1 c shows the system of FIG. 1 a while the second container liquid level is above the overflow limit and while the exceeding molten material is flowing over the brim of an aperture;
- FIG. 1 d shows a top view of the system of FIG. 1 c
- FIG. 2 a shows a schematic cross-section representation of an example of the system according to the invention, while not in operation, i.e. without any molten material in the containers;
- FIG. 2 b shows the second container of the system of FIG. 2 a, while said second container is completely separated from the first container;
- FIG. 3 a shows a schematic cross-section representation of another example of the system according to the invention, in operation, while the second container liquid level is above the overflow limit and while the exceeding molten material is flowing over the brim of an aperture;
- FIG. 3 b shows a top view of the system of FIG. 3 a
- FIG. 4 shows a schematic cross-section representation of yet another example of the system according to the invention, in operation, while the second container is at the pouring position.
- the invention concerns a system ( 2 ) for tapping and pouring high-temperature molten material, for instance for tapping molten metal from a crucible ( 4 ) and pouring it into a mould.
- FIG. 1 a shows a schematic cross-section representation of an example of the system ( 2 ) according to the invention, in operation, while the second container ( 6 ) is entirely plunged into the first container bath ( 8 ).
- the first container ( 4 ) or crucible contains indeed a bath ( 8 ) of molten material, for instance a molten metal, which communicates through a first channel ( 20 ) for instance with another crucible, although it will be clear for the person skilled in the art that such a communication channel ( 20 ) is neither essential nor compulsory to the invention.
- a second channel ( 18 ) or hollow inner tube is located substantially inside the first container ( 4 ) and extends from above the level La of the first container bath ( 8 ) to below the bottom of the first container ( 4 ), thus forming a inner wall ( 26 ), common to both the first container ( 4 ) and the second container ( 6 ).
- a common inner wall ( 26 ) delimiting the second channel ( 18 ) from the first container ( 4 ) and the bath ( 8 ) contained therein there is an aperture ( 12 ) or exit of which the lower level L A has to be above the level L B in order to prevent the molten material of the bath ( 8 ) from flowing through the aperture ( 12 ) into the second channel ( 18 ).
- Said second channel ( 18 ) may have a cylindrical shape and may be surrounded by the liquid bath ( 8 ).
- a second container ( 6 ) is arranged inside, i.e. fit in, the first container ( 4 ) in such a way as, first, to be substantially in contact through a joint ( 22 ) or not with the wall ( 26 ), secondly, to extend around the second channel ( 18 ), for instance to form a cylindrical shape around said channel ( 18 ) if said channel ( 18 ) has a cylindrical shape, and, thirdly, to be capable of moving vertically only.
- some means for lifting the second container ( 6 ) are provided in order to produce the vertical movement of the second container ( 6 ), i.e. in order to lift it and to lift it down.
- a jack ( 16 ) is represented and controls the second container's ( 6 ) movement via some rods ( 14 ). Nonetheless, it will be clear for the person skilled in the art that some other means may be used without departing from the invention.
- the term “inside” in “the second container ( 6 ) remains inside the first container ( 4 )” must be understood broadly, i.e. it means that the second container ( 6 ) stays in operation in or slightly above the first container ( 4 ) in such a way as, on the one hand, the movement of the second container ( 6 ) when in operation can be operated by a relatively simple mechanism and, on the other hand, the second container ( 6 ) stays in the vicinity of the first container ( 4 ), thus causing a relatively small heat loss.
- FIG. 1 b shows the system ( 2 ) of FIG. 1 a while the second container liquid level is slightly above the overflow limit, i.e. the level L A .
- FIG. 1 b is a schematic representation of the system ( 2 ) of FIG. 1 a at an instant just before some liquid of the second container liquid bath ( 10 ) goes through the aperture ( 12 ).
- FIG. 1 a shows the second container ( 6 ) at the filling position
- FIG. 1 b shows said second container ( 6 ) at the pouring position, just before the pouring step actually occurs.
- FIG. 1 c shows the system ( 2 ) of FIG. 1 a while the second container liquid level is above the level L A and while the exceeding molten material ( 24 ) is flowing over the brim of the aperture ( 12 ). It will be clear from the person skilled in the art that there may be no aperture ( 10 ) and that the exceeding molten material ( 24 ) may flow through an overflow outlet system, over the brim of the top of the second channel ( 18 ) or via any means of letting the liquid flow without departing from the invention.
- FIG. 1 d shows a top view of the system ( 2 ) of FIG. 1 c. Both containers ( 4 , 6 ) are shown and the exceeding molten material ( 24 ) is also shown when falling with gravity through the second channel ( 18 ).
- the dashed line A represents the plan according to which the cross-section of FIG. 1 c is made.
- the means ( 16 ) for lifting the second container ( 6 ) is not shown in FIG. 1 d in order to keep said figure as clear as possible.
- the successive steps shown in the FIG. 1 a , 1 b and 1 c illustrate an example of a way of operating the system ( 2 ) according to the invention in order to tap a particular amount or volume of molten material from the bath ( 8 ), lift it in a second container ( 6 ) and pour it through an aperture ( 12 ) in a channel leading for instance to a mould.
- the volume it is capable to hold is reduced and depends on said particular level.
- the overflowing molten material ( 24 ) that will may be poured into the mould depends on the level to which the second container ( 6 ) is lifted.
- the system ( 2 ) may be used for tapping and pouring different volumes or quantities without having to alter the components of said system ( 2 ).
- the molten material that is poured into e.g. a mould may consequently be controlled by the level to which the second container ( 6 ) is lifted.
- means for stopping the means ( 16 ) for lifting the second container ( 6 ) may be provided.
- a jack ( 16 ) with a carriage stop ( 32 ) may be used.
- Said means for stopping the lifting movement for instance an adjustable carriage stop ( 32 ) may be such that it is possible to adapt said means in order to change the volume of liquid to be poured.
- One notable advantage of the embodiment of the system ( 2 ) shown in FIG. 1 a , 1 b and 1 c is that, during the operation, the molten material stays, at least for some time heated by the molten material surrounding the inner tube ( 18 ), thus creating less heat and less contamination.
- FIG. 2 a shows a schematic cross-section representation of an example of the system ( 2 ) according to the invention, while not in operation, i.e. without any liquid in the containers ( 4 , 6 ).
- a first maximum volume VI is shown, this is the volume that can be contained by the second container ( 6 ) while fit into the first container ( 4 ).
- the volume VI is delimited by the wall ( 26 ), the walls of the first container ( 6 ) and the dashed line that would be the level of liquid in the second container ( 6 ) if it was full to the brim, for instance at the filling position.
- FIG. 2 b shows the second container ( 6 ) of the system ( 2 ) of FIG. 2 a, while said second container ( 6 ) is completely separated from the first container ( 4 ), but, nonetheless, in the same orientation and configuration as the orientation and configuration shown in FIG. 2 a.
- the second maximum volume V 2 is represented and is the volume that can be contained by the second container ( 6 ) while completely separated from the first container ( 4 ).
- the second maximum volume V 2 is different from the first maximum volume V 1 .
- the volume V 2 is smaller than volume V 1 and the volume V 1 is larger than 0.
- the difference of volume highlighted here is a characteristic of a class of systems ( 2 ) according to the invention, the class of systems ( 2 ) in which, in operation, the second container ( 6 ) only translates with respect to the common inner wall ( 26 ). In operation, during the process of lifting the second container ( 6 ) out of the bath ( 8 ), from a certain moment on, the volume that can be contained by the second container ( 6 ) is not anymore equal to V 1 and decreases towards V 2 .
- the third volume V 3 is defined as the maximum volume of molten material which can be contained into the second container ( 6 ) while the means ( 16 ) for moving said container bumps into the adjustable carriage stop ( 32 ) when said carriage stop ( 32 ) is at its highest position.
- the fourth volume V 4 is shown on FIG. 1 c and 4 and is defined as the maximum volume of molten material which can be contained into the second container ( 6 ) while the means ( 16 ) for moving said container bumps into the adjustable carriage stop ( 32 ), said carriage stop ( 32 ) being in a particular intermediate position.
- the difference between the first maximum volume V 1 and the third volume V 3 and the difference between said first maximum volume V 1 and the fourth volume V 4 represent, for a particular system according to the invention, the maximum volume of exceeding molten material that may exit the containers, respectively while the carriage stop ( 32 ) is at its highest position and while the carriage stop ( 32 ) is at a particular intermediate position.
- the accurate exceeding volumes that may exit the containers as explained, one must subtract from these differences of volume the possible small quantity of molten material which may leak through the joint ( 22 ), said quantity being controlled and independent of the level of molten material L b of the first container ( 4 ).
- the second container ( 6 ) shown in FIG. 2 b is disassembled from the system ( 2 ) according to the invention. Indeed, as explained above, in operation, the system ( 2 ) according to the invention is such that the second container ( 6 ) is arranged inside the first container ( 4 ) and remains in it throughout the entire operation of tapping and pouring.
- the second maximum volume Vp is substantially equal to zero.
- the exceeding molten material ( 24 ) flows through an exit in a third channel ( 28 ), which starts in an inner wall common to the first container ( 4 ) and to the second container ( 6 ), said exit being formed by a brim, an edge or a part of an edge of said wall, the means ( 16 ) for moving being then for moving the second container ( 6 ) up and down said wall.
- a schematic cross-section representation of said system ( 2 ), in operation, is shown in FIG. 3 a.
- the second container liquid level is above the overflow limit and the exceeding molten material ( 24 ) is flowing through the third channel ( 28 ).
- the second container ( 6 ) is fit into the first container ( 4 ) in such a way as to be substantially in contact via the joint ( 22 ) with said first container ( 4 ), to be capable of moving vertically in respect to the first container ( 4 ) and to be also capable of holding a bath of liquid ( 10 ).
- the second container ( 6 ) has a shape which may be generated by the rotation of a “L” around an vertical axis, even though it will be clear for the person skilled in the art that the second container's ( 6 ) shape may be different without departing from the invention.
- FIG. 3 b shows a top view of the system of FIG. 3 a.
- the dashed line B represents the plan according to which the cross-section of FIG. 3 a is made.
- the means ( 16 ) for lifting the second container ( 6 ) is not shown in FIG. 1 d in order to keep said figure as clear as possible.
- One notable advantage of the embodiment of the system ( 2 ) shown in FIG. 3 a is that the construction is simple, i.e. there is no need of installing an inner tube ( 18 ) in the first container ( 4 ).
- the second container ( 6 ) executes a rotation with respect to a rotation axis linking both containers.
- the rotation axis is the common inner wall mentionned above.
- the characteristic stating that the common inner wall ( 26 ) comprises an exit must be understood by the following meaning: said exit may be formed in the common inner wall ( 26 ) or located in the vicinity of said common inner wall ( 26 ) with departing from the system ( 2 ) according to the invention.
- FIG. 4 shows another embodiment of the system ( 2 ) according to the invention while the exit ( 12 ) is an aperture in the inner wall ( 26 ).
- This embodiment is very similar to the system ( 2 ) shown in FIG. 1 a , 1 b, 1 c and 1 d.
- the high-temperature molten material in operation, is a molten metal, such as aluminium, tin, lead or any other metal or alloy of metals. It may also be a molten glass.
- high-temperature molten material it must be understood that the concerned material has a melting point above 0 Celsius degrees.
- the material is a metal or an alloy of metals having a melting point comprised between 0 Celsius degrees and 1000 Celsius degrees.
- the alloy is, in a particular embodiment, an alloy of metals having a low melting point.
- the molten material is a molten metal and the joint ( 22 ) is generally entirely plunged in the bath ( 8 ) at any time of the operation of tapping and pouring molten material.
- the system ( 2 ) in operation, is such that the level L A is only slightly higher than the level L B . This slight difference between the level L A and the level L B guarantees that the difference between the pressure at the vicinity of the joint ( 22 ) in the second container ( 6 ) and the pressure at the vicinity of the joint ( 22 ) in the first container ( 4 ) stays relatively small, thus reducing the pressure on said joint ( 22 ) and the quantity of molten material leaking through said joint ( 22 ).
- System ( 2 ) for tapping a high-temperature molten material, especially a molten metal, from a bath ( 8 ) and pouring it into a mould comprising a mobile container ( 6 ) capable of moving with respect to an element ( 26 ) in such a way as, on the one hand, said container ( 6 ) may be plunged into the bath ( 8 ) to take some liquid and, on the other hand, lift the container ( 6 ) above a particular level for forcing the liquid to fall down with gravity through an aperture ( 10 ) along the wall.
- the system ( 2 ) does not imply high costs and allows to pour accurate volumes of molten material.
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
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- Casting Support Devices, Ladles, And Melt Control Thereby (AREA)
- Investigating And Analyzing Materials By Characteristic Methods (AREA)
Abstract
System (2) for tapping a high-temperature molten material, especially a molten metal, from a bath (8) and pouring it into a mould, comprising a mobile container (6) capable of moving with respect to an element (26) in such as way as, on the one hand, said container (6) may be plunged into the bath (8) to take some liquid and, on the other hand, lift the container (6) above a particular level for forcing the liquid to fall down with gravity through an aperture (10) along the wall. The system (2) does not imply high costs and allows to pour accurate volumes of molten material.
Description
- The invention relates to a system for tapping and pouring high temperature molten material, comprising a first container and a second container capable of being introduced into the first container.
- Many systems are known in the art to tap a particular amount or volume of high temperature molten material from a furnace and pour it, for instance into a mould for use in metal die-casting operations.
- One way to perform this operation is to make use of a ladle capable of being plunged into a bath of molten material, and further capable of taking out a particular amount of said molten material, transporting it for instance on top of a mould to be filled and pouring the molten material into the mould, either by tilting the ladle and by letting the molten material going through a spout or by opening a valve and letting the molten material to drain away through said valve.
- A system using the above principle is the “Hodler system”, as illustrated in
FIG. 219 of page 126 of “Technologie de la Fonderie en Moules Metalliques, Fonderie sous pression”, Edition techniques des industries de la fonderie, Paris 1968. In said system, a container is plunged into a crucible which contains molten metal. Said container is then filled up with molten metal. The container is then removed from the crucible by mechanical means and carried to a place above a mould or a channel leading to a mould. A valve located on the bottom of the mobile container is opened to let the liquid drain away towards the mould. - When these systems are used with important amounts of high-temperature molten material and while they are required to tap and pour very accurate amounts of such material they often cannot be manually driven and require elaborate mechanisms to plunge the container into the crucible, move said container to carry the material and open a valve or to tilt said container if needed. These mechanisms are expensive to make, install and maintain and present safety hazards, such as the risk of molten material dripping.
- It is an object of the invention to provide a system for tapping and pouring an accurate amount or volume of high-temperature molten material, especially a molten metal, the system being less expensive to make, install and maintain and being safer.
- To this end, the system is characterized in that the second container is arranged inside the first container and, in operation, remains inside and in contact with the first container, the first and second container share a common inner wall comprising an exit for letting the molten material flowing out of the system, and the system comprises means for moving the second container in respect to the common inner wall to and fro a filling position for filling the second container with molten material present in the first container and a pouring position for pouring molten material from the second container through the exit.
- The system according to the invention is such that, in operation, the first container is filled with molten material. Moreover, the second container is arranged inside the first container and executes in operation a movement inside the first container, i.e. the second container remains inside the first container, thus not causing dripping of molten material outside the system and causing less alteration of the molten material, for instance less oxidation and contamination of the molten metal. This is a first advantage over the systems known in the prior art in which molten material often drips from the mobile container, which results in needless loss of material and safety problems. This is the case of the “Hodler system” which also presents the propensity to cause important alteration to the molten material, due to the relatively long transportation time mainly outside the crucible. The system according to the invention significantly improves this situation since the transportation of the molten material before pouring is simplified in a significant way.
- A second advantage of the system according to the invention is that pouring can easily be controlled and stopped by reversing or stopping the movement of the second container without loss or risk of alteration of the molten material since the molten material which is not poured remains inside the second container and thus inside the first container.
- A third advantage is that the system is very compact, since the second container does not leave the first container. It means, firstly, that the occupied area on the floor is smaller and, secondly, that the system is much cleaner since the elements of said system are concentrated in a relatively smaller volume, thus requiring less protecting means to constrain to a particular area the high temperatures, the heat radiation, the polluted atmosphere, the molten material ejection and the like.
- A fourth advantage is that the heat remains subtantially inside the system up until the metal is actually poured, because no molten metal is transported outside the first container until it is poured. In the “Hodler system” of the prior art, the mobile container is transported away from the crucible in such a way as to lead to a larger loss of energy and to subject a larger area to safety hazard.
- A fifth advantage of the system according to the invention is that only relatively small and simple movements are involved in the tapping and pouring operations since the second container remains inside the first container. No complex movement is required since the second container moves with respect to the common inner wall and thus the movement is at least to some extent guided, i.e. for instance only a certain type or certain types of movement, such as a translation or a rotation of the second container with respect to the first container, are possible. Moreover, the system may be totally automatized without complex mechanisms thanks to its simplicity.
- Thus a simpler more compact system is obtained, which means less expensive as well. Since the system is simpler and more compact and since there is less heat loss and less risk of molten material dripping, contamination and safety hazard, the system is easier to install and maintain. Furthermore, since the implied movement is quite small and can be executed in a simple way, the movement can be controlled more accurately, thus leading to a more accurate amount of poured molten material.
- Thus the characteritics of the invention provide an at least partial solution to the mentioned problems of the prior art tapping and pouring systems, said problems being very specific to high-temperature molten materials. Indeed, the circumstances in which these systems are used are very particular, due to the extreme temperatures, the intense radiation, the polluted surrounding atmosphere, the molten metal ejections and so forth. Many normal material and devices cannot be used in these circumstances and any new improvement must be designed keeping in mind the specific context involved.
- In particular, it should be noted that the system according to the invention is simpler, more compact, cleaner, less expensive and easier to install and maintain but yet provides for greater accuracy in pouring amounts of molten material, surprising though it may seem.
- These and further aspects of the invention will be explained in greater detail by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which
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FIG. 1 a shows a schematic cross-section representation of an example of the system according to the invention, in operation, while the second container is entirely plunged into the first container bath; -
FIG. 1 b shows the system ofFIG. 1 a while the second container liquid level is slightly above the overflow limit, but while the molten material does not overflow yet; -
FIG. 1 c shows the system ofFIG. 1 a while the second container liquid level is above the overflow limit and while the exceeding molten material is flowing over the brim of an aperture; -
FIG. 1 d shows a top view of the system ofFIG. 1 c; -
FIG. 2 a shows a schematic cross-section representation of an example of the system according to the invention, while not in operation, i.e. without any molten material in the containers; -
FIG. 2 b shows the second container of the system ofFIG. 2 a, while said second container is completely separated from the first container; -
FIG. 3 a shows a schematic cross-section representation of another example of the system according to the invention, in operation, while the second container liquid level is above the overflow limit and while the exceeding molten material is flowing over the brim of an aperture; -
FIG. 3 b shows a top view of the system ofFIG. 3 a; and -
FIG. 4 shows a schematic cross-section representation of yet another example of the system according to the invention, in operation, while the second container is at the pouring position. - The figures are not drawn to scale. In general, like references numerals refer to like parts.
- According to a first aspect, the invention concerns a system (2) for tapping and pouring high-temperature molten material, for instance for tapping molten metal from a crucible (4) and pouring it into a mould.
-
FIG. 1 a shows a schematic cross-section representation of an example of the system (2) according to the invention, in operation, while the second container (6) is entirely plunged into the first container bath (8). In operation, the first container (4) or crucible contains indeed a bath (8) of molten material, for instance a molten metal, which communicates through a first channel (20) for instance with another crucible, although it will be clear for the person skilled in the art that such a communication channel (20) is neither essential nor compulsory to the invention. - A second channel (18) or hollow inner tube is located substantially inside the first container (4) and extends from above the level La of the first container bath (8) to below the bottom of the first container (4), thus forming a inner wall (26), common to both the first container (4) and the second container (6). In said common inner wall (26) delimiting the second channel (18) from the first container (4) and the bath (8) contained therein, there is an aperture (12) or exit of which the lower level LA has to be above the level LB in order to prevent the molten material of the bath (8) from flowing through the aperture (12) into the second channel (18). Said second channel (18) may have a cylindrical shape and may be surrounded by the liquid bath (8).
- A second container (6) is arranged inside, i.e. fit in, the first container (4) in such a way as, first, to be substantially in contact through a joint (22) or not with the wall (26), secondly, to extend around the second channel (18), for instance to form a cylindrical shape around said channel (18) if said channel (18) has a cylindrical shape, and, thirdly, to be capable of moving vertically only. In order to produce the vertical movement of the second container (6), i.e. in order to lift it and to lift it down, some means for lifting the second container (6) are provided. In
FIG. 1 a , a jack (16) is represented and controls the second container's (6) movement via some rods (14). Nonetheless, it will be clear for the person skilled in the art that some other means may be used without departing from the invention. - The term “inside” in “the second container (6) remains inside the first container (4)” must be understood broadly, i.e. it means that the second container (6) stays in operation in or slightly above the first container (4) in such a way as, on the one hand, the movement of the second container (6) when in operation can be operated by a relatively simple mechanism and, on the other hand, the second container (6) stays in the vicinity of the first container (4), thus causing a relatively small heat loss.
-
FIG. 1 b shows the system (2) ofFIG. 1 a while the second container liquid level is slightly above the overflow limit, i.e. the level LA. In other words,FIG. 1 b is a schematic representation of the system (2) ofFIG. 1 a at an instant just before some liquid of the second container liquid bath (10) goes through the aperture (12). Or, in still another words, whileFIG. 1 a shows the second container (6) at the filling position,FIG. 1 b shows said second container (6) at the pouring position, just before the pouring step actually occurs. -
FIG. 1 c shows the system (2) ofFIG. 1 a while the second container liquid level is above the level LA and while the exceeding molten material (24) is flowing over the brim of the aperture (12). It will be clear from the person skilled in the art that there may be no aperture (10) and that the exceeding molten material (24) may flow through an overflow outlet system, over the brim of the top of the second channel (18) or via any means of letting the liquid flow without departing from the invention. -
FIG. 1 d shows a top view of the system (2) ofFIG. 1 c. Both containers (4, 6) are shown and the exceeding molten material (24) is also shown when falling with gravity through the second channel (18). The dashed line A represents the plan according to which the cross-section ofFIG. 1 c is made. The means (16) for lifting the second container (6) is not shown inFIG. 1 d in order to keep said figure as clear as possible. - So, the successive steps shown in the
FIG. 1 a , 1 b and 1 c illustrate an example of a way of operating the system (2) according to the invention in order to tap a particular amount or volume of molten material from the bath (8), lift it in a second container (6) and pour it through an aperture (12) in a channel leading for instance to a mould. By lifting the second container (6) until it reaches particular level, the volume it is capable to hold is reduced and depends on said particular level. Subsequently, the overflowing molten material (24) that will may be poured into the mould depends on the level to which the second container (6) is lifted. This is an important advantage, for instance in die-casting operation but also on other applications, since, on the one hand, the accuracy of the volume of molten material delivered to a mould is an important requirement in order to waste as less metal as possible, and, on the other hand, the system (2) may be used for tapping and pouring different volumes or quantities without having to alter the components of said system (2). In other words, in operation, the molten material that is poured into e.g. a mould may consequently be controlled by the level to which the second container (6) is lifted. - In order to lift the second container (6) at a particular level and deliver an accurate volume, means for stopping the means (16) for lifting the second container (6) may be provided. For instance a jack (16) with a carriage stop (32) may be used. Said means for stopping the lifting movement, for instance an adjustable carriage stop (32), may be such that it is possible to adapt said means in order to change the volume of liquid to be poured. In order words, by controlling the movement of the jack (16) for instance, it is possible to control the volume to be poured. As explained above, this is an important advantage over the tapping and pouring systems as known in the art.
- One notable advantage of the embodiment of the system (2) shown in
FIG. 1 a , 1 b and 1 c is that, during the operation, the molten material stays, at least for some time heated by the molten material surrounding the inner tube (18), thus creating less heat and less contamination. -
FIG. 2 a shows a schematic cross-section representation of an example of the system (2) according to the invention, while not in operation, i.e. without any liquid in the containers (4, 6). In particular, a first maximum volume VI is shown, this is the volume that can be contained by the second container (6) while fit into the first container (4). The volume VI is delimited by the wall (26), the walls of the first container (6) and the dashed line that would be the level of liquid in the second container (6) if it was full to the brim, for instance at the filling position. - In contrast,
FIG. 2 b shows the second container (6) of the system (2) ofFIG. 2 a, while said second container (6) is completely separated from the first container (4), but, nonetheless, in the same orientation and configuration as the orientation and configuration shown inFIG. 2 a. By the expression “in the same configuration”, it should be understood that for instance no valve has been opened between the second container of the system shown inFIG. 2 a and the second container of the system shown inFIG. 2 b. In particular, the second maximum volume V2 is represented and is the volume that can be contained by the second container (6) while completely separated from the first container (4). The second maximum volume V2 is different from the first maximum volume V1. In particular, in the case illustrated inFIG. 2 a and 2 b, the volume V2 is smaller than volume V1 and the volume V1 is larger than 0. The difference of volume highlighted here is a characteristic of a class of systems (2) according to the invention, the class of systems (2) in which, in operation, the second container (6) only translates with respect to the common inner wall (26). In operation, during the process of lifting the second container (6) out of the bath (8), from a certain moment on, the volume that can be contained by the second container (6) is not anymore equal to V1 and decreases towards V2. - In addition to the volumes V1 and V2, the volumes V3 and V4 may be defined. The third volume V3 is defined as the maximum volume of molten material which can be contained into the second container (6) while the means (16) for moving said container bumps into the adjustable carriage stop (32) when said carriage stop (32) is at its highest position.
- The fourth volume V4 is shown on
FIG. 1 c and 4 and is defined as the maximum volume of molten material which can be contained into the second container (6) while the means (16) for moving said container bumps into the adjustable carriage stop (32), said carriage stop (32) being in a particular intermediate position. - Subsequently, the difference between the first maximum volume V1 and the third volume V3 and the difference between said first maximum volume V1 and the fourth volume V4 represent, for a particular system according to the invention, the maximum volume of exceeding molten material that may exit the containers, respectively while the carriage stop (32) is at its highest position and while the carriage stop (32) is at a particular intermediate position. However, in order to calculate the accurate exceeding volumes that may exit the containers as explained, one must subtract from these differences of volume the possible small quantity of molten material which may leak through the joint (22), said quantity being controlled and independent of the level of molten material Lb of the first container (4). This shows the role of the adjustable carriage stop (32) and illustrates one of the advantages of the system (2) according to the invention, i.e. that an accurate volume of molten material may be poured even if the level of liquid of the first container (4) varies slightly up or down with respect to its initial level.
- It should be noted that the second container (6) shown in
FIG. 2 b is disassembled from the system (2) according to the invention. Indeed, as explained above, in operation, the system (2) according to the invention is such that the second container (6) is arranged inside the first container (4) and remains in it throughout the entire operation of tapping and pouring. - In one embodiment of the system (2) according to the invention, the second maximum volume Vp is substantially equal to zero.
- In yet another embodiment of the system (2) according to the invention, in operation, the exceeding molten material (24) flows through an exit in a third channel (28), which starts in an inner wall common to the first container (4) and to the second container (6), said exit being formed by a brim, an edge or a part of an edge of said wall, the means (16) for moving being then for moving the second container (6) up and down said wall. A schematic cross-section representation of said system (2), in operation, is shown in
FIG. 3 a. The second container liquid level is above the overflow limit and the exceeding molten material (24) is flowing through the third channel (28). The second container (6) is fit into the first container (4) in such a way as to be substantially in contact via the joint (22) with said first container (4), to be capable of moving vertically in respect to the first container (4) and to be also capable of holding a bath of liquid (10). In this particular embodiment of the system (2) according to the invention, the second container (6) has a shape which may be generated by the rotation of a “L” around an vertical axis, even though it will be clear for the person skilled in the art that the second container's (6) shape may be different without departing from the invention. -
FIG. 3 b shows a top view of the system ofFIG. 3 a. The dashed line B represents the plan according to which the cross-section ofFIG. 3 a is made. The means (16) for lifting the second container (6) is not shown inFIG. 1 d in order to keep said figure as clear as possible. - One notable advantage of the embodiment of the system (2) shown in
FIG. 3 a is that the construction is simple, i.e. there is no need of installing an inner tube (18) in the first container (4). - It will be clear for the person skilled in the art that the volumes V1, V2, V3 and V4 and their meaning also apply to the embodiment of the system according to the invention as illustrated in
FIG. 3 a and 3 b. - In another embodiment of the system according to the invention, in operation, in the second container (6) executes a rotation with respect to a rotation axis linking both containers. The rotation axis is the common inner wall mentionned above. The characteristic stating that the common inner wall (26) comprises an exit must be understood by the following meaning: said exit may be formed in the common inner wall (26) or located in the vicinity of said common inner wall (26) with departing from the system (2) according to the invention.
-
FIG. 4 shows another embodiment of the system (2) according to the invention while the exit (12) is an aperture in the inner wall (26). This embodiment is very similar to the system (2) shown inFIG. 1 a , 1 b, 1 c and 1 d. - In yet another embodiment of the system (2) according to the invention, in operation, the high-temperature molten material is a molten metal, such as aluminium, tin, lead or any other metal or alloy of metals. It may also be a molten glass.
- By high-temperature molten material, it must be understood that the concerned material has a melting point above 0 Celsius degrees.
- In yet another embodiment of the system (2) according to the invention, the material is a metal or an alloy of metals having a melting point comprised between 0 Celsius degrees and 1000 Celsius degrees. The alloy is, in a particular embodiment, an alloy of metals having a low melting point.
- In yet another embodiment of the system (2) according to the invention, the molten material is a molten metal and the joint (22) is generally entirely plunged in the bath (8) at any time of the operation of tapping and pouring molten material. Moreover, according to a preferred embodiment, in operation, the system (2) is such that the level LA is only slightly higher than the level LB. This slight difference between the level LA and the level LB guarantees that the difference between the pressure at the vicinity of the joint (22) in the second container (6) and the pressure at the vicinity of the joint (22) in the first container (4) stays relatively small, thus reducing the pressure on said joint (22) and the quantity of molten material leaking through said joint (22).
- It will be clear for the person skilled in the art that the system (2) according to the invention may be used for getting samples of molten material without departing from the invention.
- In short, the invention can be described as follows: System (2) for tapping a high-temperature molten material, especially a molten metal, from a bath (8) and pouring it into a mould, comprising a mobile container (6) capable of moving with respect to an element (26) in such a way as, on the one hand, said container (6) may be plunged into the bath (8) to take some liquid and, on the other hand, lift the container (6) above a particular level for forcing the liquid to fall down with gravity through an aperture (10) along the wall. The system (2) does not imply high costs and allows to pour accurate volumes of molten material.
Claims (8)
1. System (2) for tapping and pouring molten material having a melting point above 0 Celsius degrees, comprising
a first container (4) and a second container (6) capable of being introduced into the first container (4);
characterized in that
the second container (6) is arranged inside the first container (4) and, in operation, remains inside and in contact with the first container (4);
the first (4) and second container (6) share a common inner wall (26) comprising an exit (12) for letting the molten material flowing out of the system (2); and
the system comprises means (16) for moving the second container (6) in respect to the common inner wall (26) to and fro a filling position for filling the second container (6) with molten material present in the first container (4) and a pouring position for pouring molten material from the second container (6) through the exit (12).
2. System (2) according to claim 1 , characterized in that the common inner wall (26) is formed by a vertically oriented hollow inner tube (18) arranged inside the first container (4), the inner tube (18) having near a free end the exit (12), in that the second container (6) is arranged around the inner tube (18), and in that the means (16) for moving are for moving the second container (6) along the inner tube (18).
3. System (2) according to claim 2 , characterized in that the common inner wall is formed by an inner wall of the first container (4) and the exit is formed by a brim, edge or a part of an edge of said wall, and the means (16) for moving are for moving the second container (6) up and down said wall.
4. System (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, the first container (4) and the second container (6) are in contact at a point which remains in operation plunged into the bath (8).
5. System (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, the first container (4) and the second container (6) are in contact at a point near which there is a joint (22).
6. System (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it further comprises an adjustable carriage stop for stopping the means (16) for moving the second container (6) at a particular level.
7. System (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the molten material is a metal or a alloy of metals.
8. System (2) according to claim 7 , characterized in that the material has a melting point comprised between 0 Celsius degrees and 1000 Celsius degrees.
Applications Claiming Priority (4)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
EP03101083A EP1477253B1 (en) | 2003-04-18 | 2003-04-18 | Tapping and pouring system for molten metals. |
EP03101083.8 | 2003-04-18 | ||
WOPCT/EP04/50531 | 2004-04-15 | ||
PCT/EP2004/050531 WO2004091831A1 (en) | 2003-04-18 | 2004-04-15 | Tapping and pouring system for molten metals |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20060113058A1 true US20060113058A1 (en) | 2006-06-01 |
Family
ID=33016991
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US11/253,034 Abandoned US20060113058A1 (en) | 2003-04-18 | 2005-10-17 | Tapping and pouring system for molten metals |
Country Status (8)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20060113058A1 (en) |
EP (1) | EP1477253B1 (en) |
AT (1) | ATE299768T1 (en) |
AU (1) | AU2004230277A1 (en) |
CA (1) | CA2522000A1 (en) |
DE (1) | DE60301056T2 (en) |
ES (1) | ES2246458T3 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2004091831A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE102006027252A1 (en) * | 2006-06-09 | 2007-12-13 | Volkswagen Ag | Device for casting melts comprises a container and a dosing unit formed as a tube arranged in the inner region and connected with one end to an opening in the container wall for feeding the melt into the tube |
Citations (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3261060A (en) * | 1963-09-05 | 1966-07-19 | Winkel Machine Co Inc | Precise pouring apparatus |
US4174190A (en) * | 1977-06-30 | 1979-11-13 | The United States Of America As Represented By The United States Department Of Energy | Annular linear induction pump with an externally supported duct |
Family Cites Families (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
GB1375520A (en) * | 1973-08-31 | 1974-11-27 | ||
JPH058017A (en) * | 1991-07-03 | 1993-01-19 | Kubota Corp | Device for carrying molten metal |
JPH08117972A (en) * | 1994-10-19 | 1996-05-14 | Hitachi Metals Ltd | Pouring bush for casting |
JPH10272550A (en) * | 1997-03-31 | 1998-10-13 | Ryobi Ltd | Method for supplying molten metal and device for supplying molten metal |
JP2001239357A (en) * | 2000-02-29 | 2001-09-04 | Aisin Seiki Co Ltd | Apparatus for supplying molten metal |
-
2003
- 2003-04-18 AT AT03101083T patent/ATE299768T1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 2003-04-18 EP EP03101083A patent/EP1477253B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 2003-04-18 ES ES03101083T patent/ES2246458T3/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 2003-04-18 DE DE60301056T patent/DE60301056T2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
2004
- 2004-04-15 CA CA002522000A patent/CA2522000A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2004-04-15 AU AU2004230277A patent/AU2004230277A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2004-04-15 WO PCT/EP2004/050531 patent/WO2004091831A1/en active Application Filing
-
2005
- 2005-10-17 US US11/253,034 patent/US20060113058A1/en not_active Abandoned
Patent Citations (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3261060A (en) * | 1963-09-05 | 1966-07-19 | Winkel Machine Co Inc | Precise pouring apparatus |
US4174190A (en) * | 1977-06-30 | 1979-11-13 | The United States Of America As Represented By The United States Department Of Energy | Annular linear induction pump with an externally supported duct |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
CA2522000A1 (en) | 2004-10-28 |
DE60301056T2 (en) | 2006-06-01 |
ATE299768T1 (en) | 2005-08-15 |
WO2004091831A1 (en) | 2004-10-28 |
EP1477253A1 (en) | 2004-11-17 |
ES2246458T3 (en) | 2006-02-16 |
EP1477253B1 (en) | 2005-07-20 |
DE60301056D1 (en) | 2005-08-25 |
AU2004230277A1 (en) | 2004-10-28 |
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