FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT, 1970 (39 of 1970) & THE PATENTS RULES, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION (See section 10, rule 13) 1. Title of the invention: DEGASSING MACHINE WITH A FLUX CONVEYING SYSTEM
2. Applicant(s)
NAME NATIONALITY ADDRESS
PYROTEK INDIA PVT. Indian Gat No. 1228 & 1229, Pune- Nagar
LTD. Road, Sanaswadi, Tal. - Shirur,
Dist. - Pune Maharashtra 412 208,
India
3. Preamble to the description
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it
is to be performed.

FIELD OF INVENTION
[0001] The present subject matter generally relates to a degassing
machine, and particularly to a degassing machine with a flux conveying system.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Process of degassing is used in a variety of industrial
applications for removal of gases present in a liquid substance, such as a molten metal. A degassing machine, which is employed for performing the process of degassing, includes a hopper which is to store a flux, and which is connected with a flux transfer mechanism to provide the flux to an operating site, such as a degassing vessel. The flux plays a vital role in the process of degassing, as it is responsible for the separation of the molten metal from slag and thus avoids the reaction of the molten metal, and improving the cleanliness of the molten metal.
BRIEF DESCRIPTIONOF DRAWINGS
[0003] The following detailed description references the drawings,
wherein:
[0004] FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic diagram of the degassing
machine, in accordance with an example implementation of the present subject matter;
[0005] FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic diagram of the degassing
machine, in accordance with another example implementation of the present subject matter;
[0006] FIG. 3 illustrates a schematic diagram of the degassing
machine, in accordance with yet another example implementation of the present subject matter; and
[0007] FIG. 4 illustrates a schematic diagram of the degassing
machine highlighting components of a flux conveying system, in accordance with an example implementation of the present subject matter.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0008] In general, a degassing machine includes a column, a base,
a cantilever arm, a flux hopper, a flux transfer mechanism, a degassing rotor, and a degassing vessel. Conventionally, a molten metal is filled in the degassing vessel, and the flux is dispensed from the flux hopper directly into the degassing vessel, containing the molten metal, by gravity using the flux transfer mechanism. The flux transfer mechanism includes a cavity-type feeder for feeding the flux from the flux hopper to the degassing vessel. Dispensing of the flux using the cavity-type feeder limits the feeding of the flux into the molten metal at a fixed rate. Thus, in the conventional techniques, a user-defined feed rate of the flux into the degassing vessel is not possible.
[0009] Another problem being associated with the conventional flux
supplying technique, is related to the increase in the maintenance of the cavity-type feeder. The cavity-type feeder includes moving units which are implemented to supply the flux from the flux hopper to the molten metal. The examples of moving units include an electric geared motor. The moving units are used for driving the cavity-type feeder. The moving units, used for the supply of flux, are in direct contact of the flux during an operation of the cavity-type feeder. After the operation of the cavity-type feeder is finished, a residual flux is left in the cavity-type feeder. This residual flux, which is in contact with the moving units, causes contamination in the cavity-type feeder. This results in a requirement for cleaning of the cavity-type feeder at regular time intervals so as to prevent the contamination of the cavity-type feeder. The regular cleaning requirement results in an increase in the maintenance cost of the degassing machine.
[0010] Further, the cleaning of the cavity-type feeder may result in
introduction of breaks in the operation of the degassing machine, and thus
results in the loss of overall production of the degassing machine.
[0011] Therefore, there is a requirement of a degassing machine
variable flux feed rate capability, and which reduces the maintenance requirement of the degassing machine.

[0012] The present subject matter describes a degassing machine
with a variable flux feed rate capability and with reduced maintenance cost and with improved operation capability.
[0013] In an example implementation of the present subject matter,
the degassing machine includes a flux discharge unit and a flux conveying system. The flux discharge unit has a storage chamber and an outlet. The storage chamber is for storing a flux. The outlet is formed at a bottom end of the storage chamber for discharging the stored flux to a degassing vessel of the degassing machine. The flux conveying system is in connection with the flux discharge unit. The flux conveying system is to convey the discharged flux from the flux discharge unit to the degassing vessel. The flux conveying system includes a control valve, a collection unit, and a suction unit, and a flux transfer line. The control valve is in connection with an outlet of the flux discharge unit for controlling a discharge rate of the flux. The collection unit is positioned below the control valve for collecting the discharged flux. The suction unit is positioned to create a negative pressure in the collection unit to draw out the flux from the collection unit. The flux transfer line has a first end and a second end. The first end has a suction unit for drawing the collected flux into the flux transfer line. The second end is to output the flux into the degassing vessel.
[0014] In one example, the control valve is in communication with a
Human-Machine Interface (HMI). The HMI provides an operator with an option to input a desired feed rate of the flux. The HMI is coupled with a processor and a memory for storing and executing the input for controlling the control valve in order to adjust the feed rate as per the requirement. The capability of controlling the flux feed rate according as per the requirement allows for the adjustment of the amount of flux being introduced in the degassing vessel according to the amount of molten metal present in the degassing vessel. This, as a result, allows for a controlled degassing of the molten metal, reducing the flux material requirement, and preventing flux

wastage by controlling the feeding of flux to an amount required for the degassing process.
[0015] In the degassing machine, as per the present subject matter,
the suction unit is used as a conveying mechanism for the flux, which
eliminates the requirement of an electric geared motor including moving
units, the moving units of the electric geared motor being in direct contact
with the to-be-transferred flux. This elimination of any moving unit from the
degassing machine avoids the requirement for regular cleaning of the
degassing machine components, which results in the reduction of the
maintenance cost as well as ensures the decrease in the number of breaks
in operation of the degassing machine, required for the cleaning process.
[0016] These and other advantages of the present subject matter
would be described in a greater detail in conjunction with FIGS. 1 to 4 in the following description. It should be noted that the description merely illustrates the principles of the present subject matter. It will thus be appreciated that those skilled in the art will be able to devise various arrangements that, although not explicitly described herein, embody the principles of the present subject matter and are included within its scope. Furthermore, all examples recited herein are intended only to aid the reader in understanding the principles of the present subject matter. Moreover, all statements herein reciting principles, aspects and implementations of the present subject matter, as well as specific examples thereof, are intended to encompass equivalents thereof.
[0017] FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic diagram of the degassing
machine 100, in accordance with an example implementation of the present
subject matter. The degassing machine 100 has a base 116, a column 118,
a cantilever arm 120, a degassing rotor unit 112, a degassing vessel 114, a
flux discharge unit 110, and a flux conveying system having a control valve
102, a collection unit 104, a suction unit 106, and a flux transfer line 108.
[0018] In an example, the base 116 is placed on the ground, and can
be fixed to the ground by means of one of the various techniques, including

but not limited to fastening, bolting, and riveting. In another example, the
base 116 is placed on a movable structure including a set of wheels. The
movable structure can be a trolley. The attachment of the base 116 on the
movable structure allows mobility of the degassing machine 100.
[0019] The column 118 is vertically attached to the base 116 by
means of one of the various techniques, which include but are not limited to fastening, bolting, riveting, and welding.
[0020] The cantilever arm 120 is mounted on the column 118. The
cantilever arm 120 includes two ends, a first end being attached to the column 118, and a second end being placed over the degassing vessel 114. The cantilever arm 120 is mounted on the column 118, such that the cantilever arm 120 is movable in a vertical direction. The vertical displacement capability of the cantilever arm 120 allows for the adjustment of the height of the cantilever arm 120 from the ground level. The cantilever arm 120 usually, but not necessarily, includes two sections which are slidably mountable on one another. The slidable mounting of the arm sections allows for an adjustment of a length of the cantilever arm 120. The purpose of the length adjustment is to adjust the position of the second end of the cantilever arm 120 with respect to an operating site, which is the position of the degassing vessel 114. The degassing rotor unit 112 is vertically disposed on second end of the cantilever arm 120. A drive source is mounted on the cantilever arm 120 and coupled to the degassing rotor unit 112, for rotating the degassing rotor unit 112 in conjunction of the rotation of the drive source. The drive source is typically a motor but can be any suitable drive source. The degassing vessel 114 is to contain a to-be processed molten metal. The degassing vessel 114 is made from a material which is suitable for high-temperature operations. The degassing vessel 114 is placed below the degassing rotor unit 112. The degassing rotor unit 112 is provided for dispersing a gas contained in the molten metal. In an example, the molten material is a molten metal. In an example, the molten metal is an aluminium alloy.

[0021] In an example, the degassing rotor unit 112 is vertically
suspended from the second end of the cantilever arm 120. In another example, the degassing rotor unit 112 is suspended from the second end of the cantilever arm 120 at an angle.
[0022] The flux discharge unit 110 has a storage chamber 110a for
storing a flux, and an outlet 110b at a bottom end of the storage chamber 110a for discharging the stored flux to a degassing vessel 114 of the degassing machine 100.
[0023] The flux conveying system is in connection with the flux
discharge unit 110. The flux conveying system is provided to convey the
discharged flux to the degassing vessel 114. The control valve 102 is
connected to the outlet 110b of the flux discharge unit 110. The control valve
is to control a discharge rate of the flux. In an example, the control valve
102 is a ball valve. In another example, the control valve 102 is electro-
pneumatically actuated for providing a capability to the control valve 102 to
be controlled through electric signal to adjust the amount of flux being
discharged from the valve. Further, the control valve 102 is in
communication with a Human-Machine-Interface (HMI) (not shown in FIG.
1). The HMI provides a medium to an operator of the degassing machine
100 to enter a desired rate of feed of the flux which is to-be-provided in the
degassing vessel 114 containing the to-be-degassed molten metal. The
HMI is coupled to a processor and a memory. The memory is to store
instructions entered by the operator related to the process of degassing,
such as the flux feed rate. The processor is to execute the input instructions
for controlling the control valve 102. The feed rate is controlled by adjusting
a control valve opening timing, which, in turn, controls the amount of flux
being passed from the control valve. The control valve 102 is controlled by
the processor, such that, the control valve 102 can output the flux from the
outlet 110b of the flux discharge unit 110 at a desired feed rate.
[0024] In an example, the collection unit 104 is positioned below the
control valve 102 for collecting the discharged flux. In an example, the

collection unit 104 is positioned such that the flux discharged via the control valve 102 falls in the collection unit 104 due to gravity. The flux transfer line 108 includes a first end and a second end. The first end of the flux transfer line 108 has a suction unit 106 for drawing the collected flux into the flux transfer line 108. In an example, the suction unit 106 is positioned to create a negative pressure in the collection unit 104 to draw out the flux from the collection unit 104. The suction unit 106 has an inlet 106a. In an example, the inlet 106a is positioned such that the collected flux is drawn out from the collection unit 104 via the inlet 106a. In an example, the suction unit 106 is vacuum operated. The suction unit 106 is to draw the collected flux into the flux transfer line 108. The second end of the flux transfer line is for outputting the flux into the degassing vessel 114. The second end is positioned above the degassing vessel 114 to provide the transferred flux to the degassing vessel 114.
[0025] FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic diagram of the degassing
machine 100, in accordance with another example implementation of the present subject matter. The flux discharge unit 110 is disposed above the collection unit 104. The flux conveying system includes a supply means 202 to transfer the discharged flux from the control valve 102 to the collection unit 104. An end of the supply means 202 is connected to an output end of the control valve 102 to provide a transfer path between the control valve 102 and supply means 202. Another end of the supply means 202 is positioned such that the flux output from the control valve 102 is provided to the collection unit 104.
[0026] FIG. 3 illustrates a schematic diagram of the degassing
machine 100, in accordance with yet another example implementation of the present subject matter. The collection unit 104 is positioned such that the flux discharged via the control valve 102 falls directly in the collection unit 104 due to gravity. The suction unit 106 includes an extension pipe 302. The extension pipe 302 includes an end which is coupled to an inlet 106a of the suction unit 106, and another end which is positioned to create a

connecting path between the collection unit 104 and the suction unit 106, for allowing the suction unit 106 to draw out the collected flux from the collection unit 104.
[0027] FIG. 4 illustrates a schematic diagram of the degassing
machine 100 highlighting components of a flux conveying system 402, in
accordance with an example implementation of the present subject matter.
The flux conveying system 402 has a control valve 102, a collection unit
104, a suction unit 106, and a flux transfer line 108. The control valve 102
is connected to the outlet 110b of the flux discharge unit 110, to control a
discharge rate of the flux. The collection unit 104 is positioned below the
control valve 102 for collecting the discharged flux. The suction unit 106 is
positioned to create a negative pressure in the collection unit 104 for
drawing out the flux from the collection unit 104. The flux transfer line 108
includes a suction unit 106 for drawing the collected flux into the flux transfer
line 108. The drawn flux is then provided into the degassing vessel.
[0028] In an example, the degassing machine includes a Human-
Machine Interface (HMI) 404. The control valve 102 is in communication with the HMI 404. The control valve 102 is controlled by a HMI 404. The HMI 404, in communication with the control valve 102, is to adjust the feed rate as per the requirement. In an example, the capability of controlling the flux feed rate according as per the requirement allows for the adjustment of the amount of flux being introduced in the degassing vessel according to the amount of molten metal present in the degassing vessel.
[0029] Although examples for the present disclosure have been
described in language specific to structural features and/or methods, it is to be understood that the appended claims are not limited to the specific features or methods described herein. Rather, the specific features and methods are disclosed and explained as exemplary implementations of the present disclosure.

I/We Claim:
1. A degassing machine (100) comprising:
a flux discharge unit (110) having:
a storage chamber (110a) to store a flux; and
an outlet (110b) at a bottom end of the storage chamber (110a) to discharge the stored flux to a degassing vessel (114) of the degassing machine (100); and
a flux conveying system (402) connected to the flux discharge unit (110), wherein the flux conveying system (402) is to convey the discharged flux to the degassing vessel (114),
wherein the flux conveying system (402) comprises:
a control valve (102), connected to the outlet (110b) of the flux discharge unit (110), to control a discharge rate of the flux;
a collection unit (104), positioned below the control valve (102), to collect the discharged flux;
a suction unit (106), positioned to create a negative pressure in the collection unit (104) to draw out the flux from the collection unit (104); and
a flux transfer line (108), having a first end and a second end, the first end includes the suction unit (106) to draw the collected flux into the flux transfer line (108), wherein the second end is to output the flux into the degassing vessel (114).
2. The degassing machine (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control valve (102) is a ball valve.
3. The degassing machine (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control valve (102) is electro-pneumatically actuated.
4. The degassing machine (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control valve (102) is controlled by a Human-Machine Interface (HMI) (404).

5. The degassing machine (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
collection unit (104) is positioned such that the flux discharged via the
control valve (102) falls in the collection unit (104) due to gravity.
6. The degassing machine (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the flux conveying system (402) comprises a supply means (202) to transfer the discharged flux from the control valve (102) to the collection unit (104).
7. The degassing machine (100) as claimed in claim 5 or 6, wherein the suction unit (106) comprises an inlet (106a) positioned such that the collected flux is drawn out from the collection unit (104) via the inlet (106a).
8. The degassing machine (100) as claimed in claim 5, wherein the suction unit (106) comprises an extension pipe (302), one end of which is coupled to an inlet (106a) of the suction unit (106) and another end of which is positioned to create a connecting path between the collection unit (104) and the suction unit (106), to allow the suction unit (106) to draw out the collected flux from the collection unit (104).