Vortex inhibitor with sacrificial rod

Abstract

An improved vortex inhibitor for separating slag from molten metal during the discharge of molten metal through a nozzle includes a uniform castable refractory body with a generally tapering shape, a hollow chamber within the body and an elongated sacrificial member. The hollow chamber receives the sacrificial member or a mount for the sacrificial member. The refractory body and the sacrificial member combination in molten metal has a specific gravity less than the specific gravity of molten metal and is positioned narrow end downward when supported in molten metal. The hollow chamber can fill with molten metal to form a core that aids in orienting the body in a narrow end downward position. The sacrificial member align the with the area in which the vortex forms and minimizes interference with the flow through the discharge nozzle. The body preferably includes swirl obstructing surfaces.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A vortex inhibitor for molten metal pouring from a discharge nozzle comprising: 
 a uniform castable refractory body having a generally tapering shape along a longitudinal axis from a base toward a narrow end and a hollow chamber positioned longitudinally to the body extending within the body; and    an elongated sacrificial member constructed to dissolve before substantially obstructing the discharge nozzle and retained by the hollow chamber to form an integral body;    whereby the integral body combining the refractory body and the sacrificial member has a specific gravity of about 2.3 to about 7.0, and is self-orienting in a narrow end downward position when supported in molten metal.    
     
     
         2 . The vortex inhibitor of  claim 1  wherein protrusions extending outwardly from the sacrificial member mount in the hollow chamber to form an integral body.  
     
     
         3 . The vortex inhibitor of  claim 1  wherein crimps extending outwardly from the sacrificial member mount in the hollow chamber to form an integral body.  
     
     
         4 . The vortex inhibitor of  claim 1  wherein molten metal is disposed within the hollow chamber upon introduction into the metal receptacle.  
     
     
         5 . The vortex inhibitor of  claim 1  wherein the sacrificial member is hollow.  
     
     
         6 . The vortex inhibitor of  claim 1  wherein the sacrificial member is a solid bar.  
     
     
         7 . The vortex inhibitor of  claim 1  wherein an exposed surface of the sacrificial member is coated with a refractory material having a refractory coating thickness.  
     
     
         8 . The vortex inhibitor of  claim 7  wherein the refractory coating thickness is less than about 9 millimeters.  
     
     
         9 . The vortex inhibitor of  claim 3  wherein the sacrificial member is filled with a refractory material.  
     
     
         10 . The vortex inhibitor of  claim 1  wherein the body includes a complex polygonal base.  
     
     
         11 . The vortex inhibitor of  claim 1  wherein the base is hexagonal.  
     
     
         12 . The vortex inhibitor of  claim 1  wherein the base is octagonal.  
     
     
         13 . The vortex inhibitor of  claim 1  wherein the specific gravity of the elongated sacrificial member is in the range of about 3.5 to 7.9.  
     
     
         14 . A vortex inhibitor for molten metal pouring from a discharge nozzle comprising: 
 a uniform castable refractory body having a generally tapering shape along a longitudinal axis from a base toward a narrow end and a shaft positioned longitudinally to the body extending within the body; and    an elongated sacrificial member constructed to dissolve before substantially obstructing the discharge nozzle and retained by the shaft to form an integral body;    whereby the integral body combining the refractory body and the sacrificial member has a specific gravity of about 2.3 to about 7.0, and is self-orienting in a narrow end downward position when supported in molten metal.    
     
     
         15 . The vortex inhibitor of  claim 14  wherein the shaft is hollow.  
     
     
         16 . The vortex inhibitor of  claim 14  wherein the shaft is solid.  
     
     
         17 . The vortex inhibitor of  claim 15  wherein the sacrificial member contains external screw threads.  
     
     
         18 . The vortex inhibitor of  claim 16  wherein the sacrificial member contains external screw threads.  
     
     
         19 . The vortex inhibitor of  claim 17  wherein an end of the shaft contains internal screw threads, wherein the external screw threads on the sacrificial member and internal screw threads are matable.  
     
     
         20 . The vortex inhibitor of  claim 15  wherein the sacrificial member contains internal screw threads and an end of the shaft contains internal screw threads.  
     
     
         21 . The vortex inhibitor of  claim 20  further comprising a nipple with external screw threads at each end, wherein the nipple mates the sacrificial member with the shaft.  
     
     
         22 . The vortex inhibitor of  claim 18  wherein an end of the shaft contains external screw threads.  
     
     
         23 . The vortex inhibitor of  claim 22  having a coupling containing internal screw threads, wherein the coupling mates the sacrificial member with the shaft, whereby the body and the sacrificial member combination form an integral vortex inhibitor.  
     
     
         24 . The vortex inhibitor of  claim 14  wherein the sacrificial member is hollow.  
     
     
         25 . The vortex inhibitor of  claim 24  wherein the sacrificial member is positioned snugly over the shaft.  
     
     
         26 . The vortex inhibitor of  claim 14  wherein the shaft extends partially within the body.  
     
     
         27 . The vortex inhibitor of  claim 14  wherein the specific gravity of the elongated sacrificial member is in the range of about 3.5 to about 7.9.