# How Early Electromagnetic Pumps Moved Liquid Metal Using Magnetic Fields

> A 1927 patent for a pump that uses electromagnetic forces to move conductive liquids without needing moving mechanical parts like pistons or impellers.

- **Patent:** US 1647147
- **Original title:** Electromagnetic pump
- **Owner:** Individual
- **Granted:** 1927
- **Status:** Public domain (expired)
- **Times cited:** 7
- **Field:** mechanical, energy, materials

## What it does

The patent describes a device that moves electrically conductive fluids, such as liquid metals, by applying a magnetic field and an electric current perpendicular to each other. This interaction creates a Lorentz force, which pushes the fluid through a conduit. Because the force acts directly on the fluid itself, the design eliminates the need for traditional mechanical components like gears, valves, or rotating blades that would otherwise wear out or leak when handling harsh molten materials.

## What it does NOT cover

- Does not cover pumps designed for non-conductive fluids like water or oil.
- Does not cover mechanical pumping mechanisms that rely on physical impellers or pistons.
- Does not cover systems that lack an integrated electromagnetic field source.

## The clever bit

The invention bypasses the 'moving parts' problem by treating the liquid metal as a conductor in a motor, effectively turning the fluid itself into the rotor of an electromagnetic pump.

## Real-world examples

1. Liquid metal cooling loops in fast-neutron nuclear reactors
2. Molten salt processing in chemical manufacturing
3. Industrial die-casting equipment for molten aluminum

## Why it matters

This technology was a precursor to modern liquid metal cooling systems used in specialized reactors and industrial metallurgy. By removing mechanical wear points, it allowed for the handling of materials that would destroy standard pumps.

## Frequently asked questions

### What does How Early Electromagnetic Pumps Moved Liquid Metal Using Magnetic Fields cover?

A 1927 patent for a pump that uses electromagnetic forces to move conductive liquids without needing moving mechanical parts like pistons or impellers.

### Who owns patent US 1647147?

Individual owns this patent, granted in 1927.

### When does this patent expire?

This patent has expired and is now in the public domain — anyone can use the invention freely.

### What is patent US 1647147 cited by?

This patent has been cited by 7 later patents that build on its ideas.

### What problem does this patent solve?

This technology was a precursor to modern liquid metal cooling systems used in specialized reactors and industrial metallurgy. By removing mechanical wear points, it allowed for the handling of materials that would destroy standard pumps.

### What does this patent NOT cover?

Does not cover pumps designed for non-conductive fluids like water or oil.

**Full plain-English explainer:** https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/1647147/sound-on-film-talking-pictures

**Original patent:** https://patents.google.com/patent/US1647147

---

_Source: PatentBrief — https://patentbrief.org. Patent facts are from public records; the plain-English explanation is PatentBrief's._


## Related patents

Semantically similar inventions in the PatentBrief corpus:

- [How Albert Einstein and Leo Szilard Designed a Silent Refrigerator](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/1781541/einstein-szilard-refrigerator) — A 1930 patent by Albert Einstein and Leo Szilard for a refrigerator that uses electromagnetic pumps instead of moving mechanical parts to circulate coolant.
- [How Jarvik's Artificial Heart Uses Electric Motors to Pump Blood](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/4173796/jarvik-artificial-heart) — A 1977 invention by Robert Jarvik that uses a reversible electric motor to power a hydraulic pump, enabling artificial hearts to mimic the natural pumping action of a human heart.
- [How Ernest Lawrence Invented the Cyclotron Particle Accelerator](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/1948384/cyclotron-lawrence) — This 1934 patent describes the cyclotron, a machine that uses magnetic and electric fields to whip particles into high speeds for scientific research.
- [How Nikola Tesla Invented the Modern AC Electric Motor](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/382280/tesla-ac-motor) — Nikola Tesla's 1888 patent for an induction motor that uses rotating magnetic fields to convert electricity into mechanical motion without needing physical brushes.
- [How Charles Hall Invented Modern Aluminum Production](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/400664/hall-process-aluminum-smelting) — This 1889 patent describes the Hall-Héroult process, which uses electricity to extract pure aluminum from its ore, making the metal affordable for everyone.