Patent ID: 6106226
Filing Date: 2000-08-22
Classification: F04D

Abstract:
Apparatus for moving molten metal in a bath of molten metal, comprising:a rotatable moving member suited to be disposed in a bath of heated molten metal to move the molten metal;a shaft having an upper end suited to extend out of the molten metal, and a lower end suited for disposition into the molten metal, the shaft having a longitudinal shaft axis;power means connected to the upper end of the shaft for rotating the shaft;means for connecting the lower end of the shaft to the moving member for rotating the moving member in the molten metal;an elongated tubular shield having a longitudinal shield axis, the tubular shield receiving the shaft therein such that the shaft axis coincides with the shield axis, the tubular shield having a length sufficient to substantially enclose that portion of the shaft disposed in the molten metal;the tubular shield being formed of a material that is resistant to the heat of the molten metal;means for longitudinally prestressing the tubular shield, comprising:an upper clamping member mounted on an upper portion of the shaft and clampingly engaged with an upper portion of the shield;a lower clamping member longitudinally spaced from the upper clamping member and mounted on a lower portion of the shaft and clampingly engaged with a lower portion of the shield;means for adjusting the longitudinal distance between the upper clamping member and the lower clamping member to longitudinally clamp that portion of the shield therebetween;whereby the shield is disposed such that the maximum longitudinal stress on the shield is in compression as it is rotated by the power means.