Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
114 words
An apparatus for the degassing and filtration of molten metal comprising: chamber means having inlet means, outlet means, and at least one filter plate means; wall means associated with said chamber means, said wall means being adapted to support said at least one filter plate means; fluxing gas inlet means positioned in said chamber means with respect to said at least one filter plate means such that fluxing gas issuing from said fluxing gas inlet means passes through said at least one filter plate means; and said at least one filter plate means includes passageway means for providing a preferential path for passing said fluxing gas through said at least one filter plate means.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
114 words
An apparatus for the degassing and filtration of molten metal comprising: chamber means having inlet means, outlet means, and at least one filter plate means; wall means associated with said chamber means, said wall means being adapted to support said at least one filter plate means; fluxing gas inlet means positioned in said chamber means with respect to said at least one filter plate means such that fluxing gas issuing from said fluxing gas inlet means passes through said at least one filter plate means; and said at least one filter plate means includes passageway means for providing a preferential path for passing said fluxing gas through said at least one filter plate means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said passageway means consists of an array of holes in said at least one filter plate means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
An apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said holes are of equal size and substantially larger than the pore size of said at least one filter plate means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
An apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said hole size is from about 0.10" to about 0.45".
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
50 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said fluxing gas inlet means comprises a sparger plate being provided with a plurality of orifices of controlled size and spacing so as to minimize fluxing gas bubble size while maximizing fluxing gas bubble dispersion thereby optimizing the degassing of said molten metal.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
An apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said plurality of said orifices size is in the range of 0.005" to 0.050".
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
An apparatus according to claim 6 wherein said plurality of said orifices spacing is in the range of 0.25" to 5.00".
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
An apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said plurality of said orifices size is in the range of 0.010" to 0.020".
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
An apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said plurality of said orifices spacing is in the range of 0.75" to 2.00".
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
An apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said passageway means consists of an array of holes in said at least one filter plate means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
28 words
An apparatus according to claim 10 wherein said holes are of equal size and substantially larger than the pore size of said at least one filter plate means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
17 words
An apparatus according to claim 11 wherein said hole size is from about 0.10" to about 0.45".
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
An apparatus according to claim 12 wherein said plurality of said orifices size is in the range of 0.005" to 0.050".
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
21 words
An apparatus according to claim 13 wherein said plurality of said orifices spacing is in the range of 0.25" to 5.00".
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
21 words
An apparatus according to claim 12 wherein said plurality of said orifices size is in the range of 0.010" to 0.020".
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
21 words
An apparatus according to claim 15 wherein said plurality of said orifices spacing is in the range of 0.75" to 2.00".