Filter handling tool

Abstract

A molten metal filter box. The filter box includes a filter housing provided in a flow path for molten metal. A horizontal partition is disposed within the filter housing and has at least one filter receiving passage. A filter medium in the shape of a substantially flat plate is positioned within the filter receiving passage and below an inflow path of the molten metal. The filter medium includes a hole. A filter handling tool is disposed within the hole. The filter handling tool can optionally include a handle secured to the molten metal filter box to suspend the filter medium. Advantageously, the filter medium can be removed by grasping the filter handling tool and removing the filter medium.

1 . In combination a filter and a tool for installing and removing the filter from a molten metal filtration box, said tool comprising a shank, a head end secured to a first end of the shank, and a grasping element releasably secured to a second end of the shank, said filter comprising a plate of porous ceramic material defining a passage configured to receive the tool, said passage including an expandable gasket. 
     
     
         2 . The tool of  claim 1  wherein the head end is permanently secured to the shank. 
     
     
         3 . The tool of  claim 1  wherein the grasping element comprises an aperture. 
     
     
         4 . The tool of  claim 3  further comprises a handle shaped for insertion through said aperture. 
     
     
         5 . The tool of  claim 1  wherein at least a portion of the tool includes reinforced fiber material material covering steel. 
     
     
         6 . A method for mounting and removing a plate filter comprised of a porous ceramic material from a filtration box, said method comprising:
 (a) providing a tool that comprises a shank, a head end secured to a first end of the shank, and a grasping element releasably secured to a second end of the shank;   (b) detaching the grasping element or the head end from the tool;   (c) inserting the tool shank through a hole formed in the filter, said hole being partially filled by an expandable gasket;   (d) re-attaching the grasping element to the tool; and   (e) positioning the filter in a desired location within the filter box using said tool.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6  further comprising removing said filter from the filtration box at a temperature between about 300° and 660° C. 
     
     
         8 . (canceled) 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 6  wherein after step (e) the shank of the tool slides through the hole in the filter until the head of the tool engages a floor of the filtration box. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 6  further comprising detaching the grasping portion and removing a used filter from the tool and inserting the shank through a hole in a new filter and re-attaching the grasping portion. 
     
     
         11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9  wherein said filter is lifted using the tool during a tap out phase to create a gap between the filter and the filtration box. 
     
     
         13 . A molten metal filter box comprising:
 a filter housing provided in a flow path for molten metal;   a horizontal partition disposed within said filter housing and having at least one filter receiving passage;   a filter medium positioned within said filter receiving passage and below an inflow path of said molten metal, said filter medium including a hole;   a filter handling tool disposed within said hole, said filter handling tool including a grasping portion and a head portion interconnected by a shank, at least one of the grasping portion and the head portion being removable from the shank; and   wherein said filter medium can be removed by grasping the filter handling tool and removing said filter medium.   
     
     
         14 . The filter box of  claim 13  including an induction coil. 
     
     
         15 . The filter box of  claim 13  further comprising a gasket material disposed within said hole. 
     
     
         16 . The filter box of  claim 15  wherein said gasket material is comprised of a material that expands when heated. 
     
     
         17 . The filter box of  claim 13  further comprising an at least substantially non-expandable gasket material disposed between the filter medium and the filter housing. 
     
     
         18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . The filter box of  claim 13  wherein said grasping portion comprises a ring or hook. 
     
     
         20 . The filter box of  claim 19  wherein said ring or hook is selectively detachable from the shank. 
     
     
         21 . The filter box of  claim 13  wherein said shank has a length greater than a distance between a top surface of the filter medium when positioned in said filter receiving passage and a floor of the filter box below the filter medium. 
     
     
         22 . The filter box of  claim 13  wherein said head portion is permanently attached to said shank and said grasping portion is selectively removable from the shank. 
     
     
         23 . The filter box of  claim 13  wherein said head portion includes a rectangular perimeter.