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.

1 . A vortex inhibitor for molten metal pouring from a discharge nozzle of a metal receptacle, the vortex inhibitor 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    a solid metal elongated sacrificial member directly contacting molten metal during pouring and dissolving before substantially obstructing the discharge nozzle,    the solid metal elongated sacrificial member being retained by the hollow chamber to form an integral body, and    the integral body having a specific gravity less than the specific gravity of molten metal and 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 solid metal elongated sacrificial member mount in the hollow chamber to form the integral body.  
   
   
       3 . The vortex inhibitor of  claim 1 , wherein crimps extending outwardly from the solid metal elongated sacrificial member mount in the hollow chamber to form the integral body.  
   
   
       4 . The vortex inhibitor of  claim 1 , wherein molten metal is disposed within the hollow chamber after introduction of the vortex inhibitor into the metal receptacle.  
   
   
       5 . The vortex inhibitor of  claim 1 , wherein the uniform castable refractory body includes a complex polygonal base.  
   
   
       6 . The vortex inhibitor of  claim 1 , wherein the uniform castable refractory body includes a hexagonal base.  
   
   
       7 . The vortex inhibitor of  claim 1 , wherein the uniform castable refractory body includes a octagonal base.  
   
   
       8 . The vortex inhibitor of  claim 1 , wherein the specific gravity of the solid metal elongated sacrificial member is in the range of about 3.5 to 7.9.  
   
   
       9 . A vortex inhibitor for molten metal pouring from a discharge nozzle of a metal receptacle, the vortex inhibitor 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    a hollow metal elongated sacrificial member having an empty cavity, the hollow metal elongated sacrificial member dissolving before substantially obstructing the discharge nozzle,    the hollow metal elongated sacrificial member being retained by the hollow chamber to form an integral body, and    the integral body having a specific gravity less than the specific gravity of molten metal and self-orienting in a narrow end downward position when supported in molten metal.    
   
   
       10 . The vortex inhibitor of  claim 9 , wherein the empty cavity of the hollow metal elongated sacrificial member is a refractoryless empty cavity.  
   
   
       11 . The vortex inhibitor of  claim 9 , wherein protrusions extending outwardly from the hollow metal elongated sacrificial member mount in the hollow chamber to form the integral body.  
   
   
       12 . The vortex inhibitor of  claim 9 , wherein crimps extending outwardly from the solid metal elongated sacrificial member mount in the hollow chamber to form the integral body.  
   
   
       13 . The vortex inhibitor of  claim 9 , wherein molten metal is disposed within the hollow chamber after introduction of the vortex inhibitor into the metal receptacle.  
   
   
       14 . The vortex inhibitor of  claim 9 , wherein the hollow metal elongated sacrificial member contains external screw threads.  
   
   
       15 . The vortex inhibitor of  claim 9 , wherein the hollow metal elongated sacrificial member contains external screw threads.  
   
   
       16 . The vortex inhibitor of  claim 9 , wherein the specific gravity of the hollow metal elongated sacrificial member is in the range of about 3.5 to about 7.9.  
   
   
       17 . A vortex inhibitor for molten metal pouring from a discharge nozzle of a metal receptacle, the vortex inhibitor 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    a hollow metal elongated sacrificial member having an empty cavity and coated with a refractory material, the hollow metal elongated sacrificial member dissolving before substantially obstructing the discharge nozzle,    the hollow metal elongated sacrificial member being retained by the hollow chamber to form an integral body, and    the integral body having a specific gravity less than the specific gravity of molten metal and self-orienting in a narrow end downward position when supported in molten metal.    
   
   
       18 . The vortex inhibitor of  claim 17 , wherein the empty cavity of the hollow metal elongated sacrificial member is a refractoryless empty cavity.  
   
   
       19 . The vortex inhibitor of  claim 17 , wherein the empty cavity of the hollow metal elongated sacrificial member is filled with a refractory core.  
   
   
       20 . The vortex inhibitor of  claim 17 , wherein crimps extending outwardly from the solid metal elongated sacrificial member mount in the hollow chamber to form the integral body.