Transfer line and valve assembly combination for handling molten liquids

Claim 1

In an apparatus for transferring a molten liquid from one point to another, the combination which includes: a. a transfer line for conducting the molten liquid, including a valve assembly connected to the outlet end of the transfer line, b. the valve assembly being defined by a cylindrical valve body having a neck portion at the upper part of the valve body, a cone-shaped valve seat at the lower end of the valve body, and a cylindrical stem slidable within the valve body, whereby c. the central portion of the valve stem is in sliding contact with the neck portion of the valve body and the upper and lower portions of the valve body are spaced from the valve stem to define an upper annular chamber above the neck portion and a lower annular chamber below the neck portion, d. the lower chamber is connected into the outlet end of the transfer line and is adapted to receive a molten liquid from the transfer line, e. a packing material is positioned in the upper chamber to provide a liquid-tight seal between the valve stem anD valve body, f. the valve stem further includes a hemispherical lower end adapted to sealingly engage the cone-shaped valve seat, a central bore which extends lengthwise through the valve stem, an inlet channel in communication with the upper end of the stem bore, for directing a fluid material into the bore, and several outlet channels which connect the lower end of the stem bore with the lower end of the valve stem, for discharging the fluid material into the valve seat, g. the upper end of the valve stem is connected by a coupling member to a power means adapted to move the valve stem up and down in the valve body, and h. the transfer line and valve body are connected by an electrical circuit into a source of electrical power, to thereby heat the transfer line and valve assembly.