Melt Transport Spout with Negative Pressure Sealing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing casting devices suffer from issues such as mechanical closure contamination, inadequate control over melt flow behavior, and high melt impact on casting molds, leading to inferior cast workpieces due to turbulence and oxide inclusions.

Innovation Solution

A melt transport device with a spout and a gas valve that utilizes negative pressure to prevent melt leakage, combined with a siphon or sieve to control flow and reduce fall height, ensuring a calm and precise pouring process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a mechanical sealing device is used to close the pouring opening, then the opening can be sealed, but the sealing device becomes contaminated and loses tightness after some use

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing reliabilityVSAvoidcontamination of sealing device
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing function is extracted from the mechanical sealing device and transferred to the negative pressure field. The pouring opening is sealed not by a mechanical barrier in contact with molten metal, but by the pressure difference between the negative pressure interior and atmospheric pressure exterior, eliminating contamination of sealing components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The mechanical sealing system is replaced with a pneumatic sealing system using negative pressure. Instead of mechanical contact between sealing components and molten metal, a pressure field is used to maintain sealing, eliminating wear and contamination issues inherent in mechanical systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If the sealing device is positioned above the lance, then the opening can be closed, but the molten metal has a significant impact height that can damage the mold

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing functionVSAvoidimpact damage to mold
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The spout with siphon or sieve acts as an intermediary device between the melt receiving chamber and the mold. It controls the flow of molten metal, allowing it to exit at a controlled rate and with reduced velocity, thereby minimizing impact on the mold while maintaining sealing through negative pressure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If the sealing device is positioned above the lance, then the opening can be closed, but turbulence and oxide inclusions occur in the casting

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing functionVSAvoidturbulence and oxide inclusions
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The mechanical sealing system is replaced with a pneumatic sealing system using negative pressure. Instead of mechanical contact between sealing components and molten metal, a pressure field is used to maintain sealing, eliminating wear and contamination issues inherent in mechanical systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The spout with siphon or sieve acts as an intermediary device between the melt receiving chamber and the mold. It controls the flow of molten metal, allowing it to exit at a controlled rate and with reduced velocity, thereby minimizing impact on the mold while maintaining sealing through negative pressure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Productivity

If a large diameter pouring channel is used, then high flow velocity can be achieved, but the melt may leak out due to lack of containment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflow velocityVSAvoidleakage protection
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The mechanical sealing system is replaced with a pneumatic sealing system using negative pressure. Instead of mechanical contact between sealing components and molten metal, a pressure field is used to maintain sealing, eliminating wear and contamination issues inherent in mechanical systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution ensures reliable leakage protection without mechanical contamination, allows for precise control of melt flow, and minimizes turbulence, resulting in improved quality of cast workpieces.

Implementation Method 1

A gas valve (7) is arranged in the melt vessel (3), which is fluid-connected to the melt receiving chamber (4) and is designed for the regulated introduction of gas into the melt receiving chamber (4)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectNegative pressure: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 2

a siphon is formed in the spout (5), which has a reservoir (14) arranged between the melt receiving chamber (4) and the spout opening (6)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSiphon effect: Syphon

Implementation Method 3

a sieve is arranged in the spout (5), which has a mesh size between 0.05mm and 10mm

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFiltration: Filter (physical)

Implementation Method 4

the overflow level is defined as the level from which the melt can flow out of the reservoir and subsequently out of the spout due to the influence of gravity

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentEP3941662B1Method for transporting a melt and method for casting a melt
Publication Date: 2023.06.14 FILL GMBH
  • EP3941662B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3941662B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3941662B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3c

AI summary

The invention relates to a melt transporting device (1) comprising a melt container (3) in which a melt receiving chamber (4) is formed and comprising a spout (5), said spout (5) having a spout opening (6). A gas valve (7) is provided which is fluidically connected to the melt receiving chamber (4) and which is designed to regulate the introduction of gas into the melt receiving chamber (4). Furthermore, a) the spout (5) is equipped with a siphon (13) which has a reservoir (14) that is arranged between the melt receiving chamber (4) and the spout opening (6), and the reservoir (14) has an overflow level (17), wherein a siphon wall (15) is provided which has a siphon wall lower edge (41), and the siphon wall (15) protrudes into the reservoir (14) such that the siphon wall lower edge (41) is arranged on a lower level than the overflow level (17) of the reservoir (14), and/or b) the spout (5) is equipped with a filter (24) which has a mesh width (25) between 0.05 mm and 10 mm.