US4601415A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vortex inhibitor for molten metal discharge
Assignee: Tetron Inc
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Filing: 1984-09-21
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Granted: 1986-07-22
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Expires: 2004-09-21
Abstract
Abstract A vortex inhibitor for use in tundishes, ladles, or metal making furnaces prevents the contamination of high quality molten steel by the slag layer which rides atop the surface of molten metal within such receptacles comprises a tapered polygonal body of castable refractory material whose specific gravity is less than the specific gravity of the molten metal but greater than the specific gravity of the slag. The refractory body is buoyantly supported at the interface of the layer of slag and the molten metal and includes a weighted apex so that the apex depends toward nozzle opening within receptacle. Thus, the body centers itself within the swirl of fluid generated during discharge of the fluid through the nozzle, and the inertia of the body substantially deenergizes the vortex so as to avoid formation of a suction funnel which typically draws the slag layer into and through the nozzle with the molten metal below the previously known critical level within the receptacle.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert J. Koffron
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 07:52
CPC Classifications
B; B22; B22D; B22D43/00; B22D43/001; B22D43/002
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
115 words
In combination with molten metal receptacles wherein a layer of slag covers a layer of molten metal and having a discharge nozzle beneath the level of molten metal, the improvement comprising; means for inhibiting the suction generated by the vortex formed above the discharge nozzle to prevent mixture of the slag with the molten metal being discharged through said discharge nozzle, wherein said means comprises a polygonal body of refractory material tapered along its entire length and means for supporting said body at the interface of said layer of slag and layer of molten metal over said discharge nozzle whereby said body generally conforms with the shape of the vortex substantially along its entire length.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
115 words
In combination with molten metal receptacles wherein a layer of slag covers a layer of molten metal and having a discharge nozzle beneath the level of molten metal, the improvement comprising; means for inhibiting the suction generated by the vortex formed above the discharge nozzle to prevent mixture of the slag with the molten metal being discharged through said discharge nozzle, wherein said means comprises a polygonal body of refractory material tapered along its entire length and means for supporting said body at the interface of said layer of slag and layer of molten metal over said discharge nozzle whereby said body generally conforms with the shape of the vortex substantially along its entire length.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said means for supporting comprises said body having a specific gravity less than the specific gravity of said molten metal and greater than the specific gravity of said slag.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said body comprises a tetrahedral body of refractory material.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said body includes weighting means for orienting the apex of said tapered body to extend downwardly into said layer of molten metal.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said body is formed from a castable refractory material.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
The invention as defined in claim 3 wherein said tetrahedral body is a regular tetrahedron.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said receptacle comprises a ladle.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said receptacle comprises a melting furnace.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
13 words
The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said receptacle is a tundish.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
The invention as defined in claim 1 and further comprising means for placing said body in said receptacle.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
27 words
The invention as defined in claim 10 wherein said placement means comprises handle means extending outwardly from the base of said tapered body for suspending said body.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
14 words
The invention as defined in claim 11 wherein said handle means comprises a wire.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
119 words
In combination with molten metal receptacles wherein a layer of slag covers a layer of molten metal and having a discharge nozzle beneath the level of molten metal, the improvement comprising; means for inhibiting the suction generated by the vortex formed above the discharge nozzle to prevent mixture of the slag with the molten metal being discharged through said discharge nozzle wherein said means comprises a tapered, polygonal body of refractory material and means for supporting said body at the interface of said layer of slag and layer of molten metal over said discharge nozzle, and wherein said body includes weighting means for orienting the apex of said tapered body to extend downwardly into said layer of molten metal.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
119 words
In combination with molten metal receptacles wherein a layer of slag covers a layer of molten metal and having a discharge nozzle beneath the level of molten metal, the improvement comprising; means for inhibiting the suction generated by the vortex formed above the discharge nozzle to prevent mixture of the slag with the molten metal being discharged through said discharge nozzle wherein said means comprises a tapered, polygonal body of refractory material and means for supporting said body at the interface of said layer of slag and layer of molten metal over said discharge nozzle, and wherein said body includes weighting means for orienting the apex of said tapered body to extend downwardly into said layer of molten metal.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
25 words
The invention as defined in claim 13 wherein said weighting means comprises a core of material with a greater specific gravity than the refractory material.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
13 words
The invention as defined in claim 14 wherein said weighting core is spherical.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1989-07-21 | 1990-01-20 | 1990-07-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-07-21 | 1994-01-20 | 1994-07-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-07-21 | 1998-01-20 | 1998-07-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |