METHODS EMPLOYING PERMANENT MAGNETS HAVING REACH-OUT MAGNETIC FIELDS FOR ELECTROMAGNETICALLY PUMPING

Method precisely, quickly controls flow of molten metal to metal casting apparatus by pumping, braking or throttling. The Faraday-Ampere principle of current flow in a unidirectional magnetic field is employed. Permanent magnets comprising neodymium or similar high-energy, rare earth materials provide " reach out" magnetism. These neo-magnets, usually shown as cubes, are arranged in various powerful configurations driving intense unidirectional magnetic field B across a non-magnetic gap (44) many times larger than economically feasible otherwise. This gap (44) accommodates a conduit (43) for pressurizing and moving a flow of molten metal (M). In making multiple identical castings, a controlled, intermittent, predetermined flow of molten metal (M) is fed to a series of identical individual molds. The invention obviates needs for operating metallurgical valves or expensive tilting mechanisms for metallurgical furnaces. Existing furnaces too low to permit inflow by gravity may be rendered usable by embodiments of this invention. © KIPO & WIPO 2007