The invention relates to systems for transferring molten metal from one structure to another. Aspects of the invention include a transfer chamber constructed inside of or next to a vessel used to retain molten metal. The transfer chamber is in fluid communication with the vessel so molten metal from the vessel can enter the transfer chamber. A powered device, which may be inside of the transfer chamber, moves molten metal upward and out of the transfer chamber and preferably into a structure outside of the vessel, such as another vessel or a launder.

The invention relates to systems for transferring molten metal from one structure to another. Aspects of the invention include a transfer chamber constructed inside of or next to a vessel used to retain molten metal. The transfer chamber is in fluid communication with the vessel so molten metal from the vessel can enter the transfer chamber. A powered device, which may be inside of the transfer chamber, moves molten metal upward and out of the transfer chamber and preferably into a structure outside of the vessel, such as another vessel or a launder.

To enable a ladle-tilting automatic pouring device to take less time for identification of the parameters and the device to pour highly precisely by sequentially updating pouring model parameters according to the pouring situation, the present pouring control method is based on a mathematical model of a process from input of control parameters to pouring of molten metal, the method including: identifying, using an optimization technique, a flow rate coefficient, a liquid density, and a pouring start angle that is a tilting angle of the pouring ladle when the flowing of the molten metal starts, which are the control parameters in the mathematical model, based on weight of liquid that flows out of the pouring ladle and tilting angle of the ladle that are measured during pouring, and a command signal that controls the tilting of the pouring ladle; and updating the control parameters to the identified control parameters.

To enable a ladle-tilting automatic pouring device to take less time for identification of the parameters and the device to pour highly precisely by sequentially updating pouring model parameters according to the pouring situation, the present pouring control method is based on a mathematical model of a process from input of control parameters to pouring of molten metal, the method including: identifying, using an optimization technique, a flow rate coefficient, a liquid density, and a pouring start angle that is a tilting angle of the pouring ladle when the flowing of the molten metal starts, which are the control parameters in the mathematical model, based on weight of liquid that flows out of the pouring ladle and tilting angle of the ladle that are measured during pouring, and a command signal that controls the tilting of the pouring ladle; and updating the control parameters to the identified control parameters.

The invention relates to systems for transferring molten metal from one structure to another. Aspects of the invention include a transfer chamber constructed inside of or next to a vessel used to retain molten metal. The transfer chamber is in fluid communication with the vessel so molten metal from the vessel can enter the transfer chamber. A powered device, which may be inside of the transfer chamber, moves molten metal upward and out of the transfer chamber and preferably into a structure outside of the vessel, such as another vessel or a launder.

The invention relates to systems for transferring molten metal from one structure to another. Aspects of the invention include a transfer chamber constructed inside of or next to a vessel used to retain molten metal. The transfer chamber is in fluid communication with the vessel so molten metal from the vessel can enter the transfer chamber. A powered device, which may be inside of the transfer chamber, moves molten metal upward and out of the transfer chamber and preferably into a structure outside of the vessel, such as another vessel or a launder.

[Problem to Be Solved] A pouring control method for controlling an automatic pouring device with a tilting-type ladle is provided. By the method, a lip of a pouring ladle approaches a sprue of a mold without striking any object located within the range of its movement. Also, by the method, the molten metal that runs out of the ladle can accurately fill the mold. [Solution] The pouring control method comprises the steps of setting a target flow rate of molten metal to be poured, generating a voltage to input it to a motor that tilts the ladle (hereafter, the tilting motor) so as to reach the target flow rate of the molten metal based on an inverse model of a mathematical model of molten metal that runs out of a pouring ladle and an inverse model of the tilting motor, estimating the flow rate of the molten metal that runs out of the ladle, estimating the falling position and getting the estimated falling position to be a target position, and generating a trajectory for the movement of the pouring ladle wherein the trajectory causes the height of the lip of the pouring ladle above the level of a sprue of a mold to decrease.

[Problem to Be Solved] A pouring control method for controlling an automatic pouring device with a tilting-type ladle is provided. By the method, a lip of a pouring ladle approaches a sprue of a mold without striking any object located within the range of its movement. Also, by the method, the molten metal that runs out of the ladle can accurately fill the mold. [Solution] The pouring control method comprises the steps of setting a target flow rate of molten metal to be poured, generating a voltage to input it to a motor that tilts the ladle (hereafter, the tilting motor) so as to reach the target flow rate of the molten metal based on an inverse model of a mathematical model of molten metal that runs out of a pouring ladle and an inverse model of the tilting motor, estimating the flow rate of the molten metal that runs out of the ladle, estimating the falling position and getting the estimated falling position to be a target position, and generating a trajectory for the movement of the pouring ladle wherein the trajectory causes the height of the lip of the pouring ladle above the level of a sprue of a mold to decrease.

A device for pumping molten metal includes a pump configured to pump molten metal, wherein the pump comprises (i) a motor, (ii) a shaft having a first end connected to the motor, and a second end connected to a rotor, wherein the rotor is configured to push molten metal upwards as it rotates. At least part of the shaft and the rotor are positioned in a conduit of a riser. The riser has an outer surface, a front, a bottom, a two-stage conduit, an inlet and an outlet above the inlet and below the motor. The two-stage conduit has a lower stage and a an upper stage, wherein the lower stage is generally cylindrical and the upper stage has a circular cross-sectional portion and one or more lobes extending from and in communication with the circular cross-sectional portion.

A device for pumping molten metal includes a pump configured to pump molten metal, wherein the pump comprises (i) a motor, (ii) a shaft having a first end connected to the motor, and a second end connected to a rotor, wherein the rotor is configured to push molten metal upwards as it rotates. At least part of the shaft and the rotor are positioned in a conduit of a riser. The riser has an outer surface, a front, a bottom, a two-stage conduit, an inlet and an outlet above the inlet and below the motor. The two-stage conduit has a lower stage and a an upper stage, wherein the lower stage is generally cylindrical and the upper stage has a circular cross-sectional portion and one or more lobes extending from and in communication with the circular cross-sectional portion.