Device for controlling the pouring of molten materials

Patent · Sat Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1994

OSTI ID:869155

Moore, Alan F ^[1]; Duncan, Alfred L ^[2]

---

1. Knoxville, TN
2. Clinton, TN

A device for controlling the pouring of a molten material from a crucible or other container. The device (10) includes an annular retainer ring (12) for mounting in the drain opening in the bottom of a conventional crucible (16), the retainer ring defining a opening (14) therethrough. The device (10) also includes a plug member (22) having an annular forward end portion (24) for force-fit reception in the opening (14) of the retainer ring (12) to selectively seal the opening (14) and for being selectively forced through the opening (14). The plug member (22) has a rear end portion (26) for being positioned within the crucible (16), the rear end portion (26) including stop means for prohibiting the rear end portion from passing through the opening (14) in the retainer ring (12) when the forward end portion (24) is selectively forced through the opening. The plug member (22) defines at least one, and preferably a plurality of flutes (32), each extending from a point rearward the annular forward end portion (24) of the plug member (22), and forward the stop means, to a point rearward of the stop means. The flutes (32) permit fluid communication between the interior and exterior of the crucible (16) when the forward end portion (24) of the plug member (22) is forced through the opening (14) in the retaining ring (12) such that the molten material is allowed to flow from the crucible (16).

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: AC05-84OR21400
• Assignee: Martin Marietta Energy Systems, Inc. (Oak Ridge, TN)
• Patent Number(s): US 5286009
• OSTI ID: 869155
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

device
controlling
pouring
molten
materials
material
crucible
container
10
annular
retainer
12
mounting
drain
bottom
conventional
16
defining
14
therethrough
plug
22
forward
portion
24
force-fit
reception
selectively
seal
forced
rear
26
positioned
including
stop
means
prohibiting
passing
defines
preferably
plurality
flutes
32
extending
rearward
permit
fluid
communication
interior
exterior
retaining
allowed
flow
molten materials
stop means
fluid communication
molten material
selectively seal
/266/222/