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.

A scrap melting system and method includes a vessel that is configured to retain molten metal and a raised surface about the level of molten metal in the vessel. Solid metal is placed on the raised surface and molten metal from the vessel is moved upward from the vessel and across the raised surface to melt at least some of the solid metal. The molten metal is preferably raised from the vessel to the raised surface by a molten metal pumping device or system. The molten metal moves from the raised surface and into a vessel or launder.

A metal melt pump includes a bottomed cylinder body including a side wall and a bottom wall, a melt flow passage body including a melt flow passage that connects a suction port and an ejection port and being a body separate from the bottomed cylinder body, and a melt driving part including a magnetic field device and adapted to drive metal melt in the melt flow passage. The magnetic field device includes a plurality of permanent magnets arranged such that different magnetic poles are alternately arrayed along a circumference of a shaft, and the melt flow passage body is removably provided on the bottomed cylinder body at a position below the bottomed cylinder body and where a magnetic force line from one of the permanent magnets penetrates through the bottom wall downward to reach the melt flow passage.

A metal melt pump includes a bottomed cylinder body including a side wall, a melt flow passage body including a melt flow passage and being a body separate from the bottomed cylinder body, and a melt driving part including a magnetic field device and an electric motor and adapted to drive metal melt in the melt flow passage. The magnetic field device includes a plurality of permanent magnets arranged such that different magnetic poles are alternately arrayed along a circumference of a rotary shaft, and the melt flow passage body is removably provided on the bottomed cylinder body at a position around the side wall and where a magnetic force line from one of the permanent magnets penetrates through the side wall and an inner side flow passage wall of the melt flow passage body to reach the melt flow passage.

A molten metal pump assembly and method to fill a mold with molten metal, such as aluminum. The assembly includes a support frame for suspending the molten metal pump above a furnace. The support frame includes a mechanism for lifting and lowering the molten metal pump into engagement and disengagement with the mold.

A smart molten metal pump system and method automatically controls the operating speed of the pump rather than requiring an operator to control the speed. The system includes a pump, a controller for controlling the speed of the pump, and one or more of a temperature sensor (such as a thermocouple), one or more of a device (such as a laser or float) to measure the depth of the molten metal, and one or more of a vibration sensor (such as an accelerometer) to measure vibration. The controller receives input about the temperature of the molten metal, and/or about the depth of the molten metal, and/or about the vibration of the pump or one or more pump components, and possibly other data. The controller analyzes the one or more inputs to vary the speed of the pump, turn the pump off, and/or send a communication to an operator.

A molten metal rotor receives and retains an end of a molten metal rotor shaft. The rotor shaft has one or more projections at the end received in the rotor. The rotor has an inner cavity, a top surface with an opening leading to the inner cavity, and at least one abutment. The opening includes one or more portions for allowing each projection to pass through the opening and into the inner cavity. The rotor and/or shaft are then rotated so at least one of the outwardly-extending projections is under the top surface of the rotor and is against an abutment. A molten metal pump, rotary degasser scrap melter or other device used in molten metal may utilize a rotor/shaft combination as disclosed herein.

A scrap melting system and method includes a vessel that is configured to retain molten metal and a raised surface about the level of molten metal in the vessel. Solid metal is placed on the raised surface and molten metal from the vessel is moved upward from the vessel and across the raised surface to melt at least some of the solid metal. The molten metal is preferably raised from the vessel to the raised surface by a molten metal pumping device or system. The molten metal moves from the raised surface and into a vessel or launder.

Embodiments of the invention are directed to a rotor for a molten metal pump and a molten metal pump including the rotor. The rotor has a main body and a top comprised of a material that is at least twice as hard as the main body. The top, among other things, may form a first portion of each rotor blade wherein the first portion directs molten metal into a pump chamber or other structure in which the rotor is mounted.

A scrap melting system and method includes a vessel that is configured to retain molten metal and a raised surface about the level of molten metal in the vessel. Solid metal is placed on the raised surface and molten metal from the vessel is moved upward from the vessel and across the raised surface to melt at least some of the solid metal. The molten metal is preferably raised from the vessel to the raised surface by a molten metal pumping device or system. The molten metal moves from the raised surface and into a vessel or launder.