TURNING LOCK FOR MELT-FLUID MATERIALS, ESPECIALLY METAL MELTS.

摘要

A rotary valve assembly for use in regulating the flow of molten material includes a stator member having therethrough a flow opening and adapted to be fixed to a source of molten material with the flow opening communicating with such source. The stator member has therein a rotor-receiving opening interrupting the flow opening and defined by a conical bearing surface. A frusto-conical shaped rotor member extends into the rotor-receiving opening, and the rotor member has an outer surface complementary to the bearing surface of the stator member. The rotor member has extending laterally therethrough a flow opening which, upon rotation of the rotor member with respect to the stator member, may be moved into and out of alignment with the flow opening of the stator member. A power driven device is provided to rotate the rotor member with respect to the stator member, thereby to selectively regulate the relative degree of alignment of the flow openings. A mechanical clutch transmits rotational torque of the power driven device to the rotor member and urges the rotor member toward the stator member to ensure sealing engagement between the outer surface of the rotor member and the sealing surface of the stator member, while at the same time enabling relative axial, lateral and angular displacements between the rotor and stator members due to thermal expansion and/or contraction.