Abstract: The present invention relates to the formation of a macrocomposite body by spontaneously infiltrating a permeable mass of filler material or a preform with molten matrix metal and bonding the spontaneously infiltrated material to at least one second material such as a ceramic or ceramic containing body and/or a metal or metal containing body. Particularly, an infiltration enhancer and/or infiltration enhancer precursor and/or infiltrating atmosphere are in communication with a filler material or a preform, at least at some point during the process, which permits molten matrix metal to spontaneously infiltrate the filler material or preform. Moreover, prior to infiltration, the filler material or preform is placed into contact with at least a portion of a second material such that after infiltration of the filler material or preform, the infiltrated material is bonded to the second material, thereby forming a sealable electronic package.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for the preparation of moulds and cores used in the casting of metals. In the method the moulds and cores are prepared out of a granular moulding material as well as out of a binder agent that binds the moulding-material granules together. The binder agent used for the moulding mix is an anorganic salt, sodium aluminate, soluble in water and having a high melting point, as a rule higher than the casting temperature, which said salt is mixed with the granular moulding material as binder-agent solution dissolved in water. In the moulding process the binder agent is crystallized out of its water solution by microwave energy so that the binder agent forms a solid bridge between the granules of moulding material, said bridge binding the granules of moulding material together.

Abstract: Apparatus for producing metal shot includes pans having rows of apertures in the bottom walls thereof, a deflector member for each row of openings vertically underlying the corresponding row of openings and having a planar surface disposed at an angle to horizontal, and an inclined conveyor spaced below the deflector members. The pans and the deflector members and conveyor are vibrated, and the deflector members are cooled. Molten metal is placed in the pans, and vibration of the pans causes the molten metal flow downwardly through the openings therein to be interrupted, whereby droplets fall from the openings onto the corresponding deflector member. The descent of the droplets through air and the impingement of the droplets on the cooled deflector members cool and solidify the droplets. The droplets are somewhat flattened by impingement against the deflector members and are deflected laterally therefrom and fall downwardly onto the conveyor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel method for forming metal matrix composite bodies. Particularly, a permeable mass of filler material is formed into a preform. An infiltration enhancer and/or an infiltration enhancer precursor and/or an infiltrating atmosphere are also in communication with the preform, at least at some point during the process, which permits molten matrix metal to spontaneously infiltrate the preform when the preform is placed into the molten matrix metal. A means for maintaining the preform at least partially below the surface of the molten matrix metal can also be utilized.

Abstract: The invention is a method of forming a spherical bearing shell comprising an overlay casting process which utilizes a ceramic insert having a semi-spherical close-tolerance outer surface with a casting sprue opening therethrough and lubrication ribs on said outer surface. The ceramic insert is placed within structural bearing housing, defining an overlay cavity therebetween which is then cast with a molten bearing alloy into the sprue opening of the insert to a level above the height of the overlay cavity. The sprue opening is then back-drilled so that the ceramic insert and plug of bearing alloy can be separated from the bearing housing and overlay surface leaving a semi-spherical bearing surface with lubrication grooves cast therein.

Abstract: A curved-mold continuous casting apparatus has a reciprocable mold with a curved casting passage and an arm which guides the mold for reciprocation. A secondary cooling unit is located downstream of the mold and is followed by a withdrawal-and-straightening unit. The apparatus further has a rigid, curved dummy bar, a piston-and-cylinder unit for moving the dummy bar between a storage position and a casting position, and a lever which is articulated to the dummy bar and guides the same. A support consisting of a bedplate with an upright stand holds the mold, guide arm, secondary cooling unit, withdrawal-and-straightening unit, dummy bar, piston-and-cylinder unit and lever in assembled condition and in alignment for casting. The support and the components carried thereby form a preassembled, transportable module which can be brought to a casting location or removed from such location.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling a casting process for obtaining a cast product from a cast substance injected into a die cavity of a pair of casting dies by a fluid-operated injecting plunger and pressurized by a fluid operated squeezing plunger after the completion of an injecting process. Actual movement of the squeezing plunger is controlled to copy a desired curve with respect to a desired movement of the squeezing plunger versus an elapse of time from the start of the actual movement of the squeezing plunger.

Abstract: A novel cover (10) for one end of the casing within which a vehicular transmission is housed and a unique method for making the cover. The cover (10) has a metallic body portion (12) within which a unitary manifold (40) has been cast in situ. The manifold (40) incorporates a plurality of conduits having artight mechanically crimped ends (A-E) which have been preformed and conjoined into the unitary manifold (40) that is precisely disposed within a mold. Molten metal is admitted into the mold to encapsulate the manifold (40) within the metallic body portion (12) of the cover (10). After the cover (10) has been cast, with the manifold (40) encapsulated therein, the cover (10) is removed from the mold, and only a relatively modest amount of machining operations are required to complete the cover (10).

Abstract: A die casting vacuum valve has a cover die block and ejector die block. A cushion member is positioned in the cover die block and a reciprocating member is positioned in the ejector die block such that upon reciprocation of the reciprocating member, it contacts the cushion member and cover die block to seal the reciprocating member with the cover die block and the surrounding surface. A controller mechanism controls the reciprocation of the reciprocating member such that the reciprocating member contacts the cushion when the molten material enters the mold cavity and slot to prevent further flow of the molten material in the slot past the reciprocating member.

Abstract: Around a tooth, a molding cavity is formed which is closed at the tooth face and tooth flanks and in which the mold material forms a dome due to its surface tension. Said dome is flattened prior to the solidification of the material for approximation to the intended profile of the tooth back by exerting a pressure on the dome which pressure is moved progressively in the direction towards the tooth tip. When the hard material is melted with a gas or plasma jet the latter can be moved after the melting of the hard material in the direction towards the tooth tip over the dome. The gas jet is used to smooth the material after a first heating torch is used to melt the material.

Abstract: An improvement to the process for the lost-foam casting of metal articles. According to the process, the casting takes place under a controlled pressure which initially increases at a rate between 0.003 and 0.3 MPa for a first period of at most 5 seconds from the begining of the rise in pressure. The pressure then increases during a second period at a rate higher than the rate of increase during the first period, until the maximum desired pressure is attained.

Abstract: Process for secondary cooling of a metal product continuously cast on a machine in which secondary cooling is divided into n staggered independent zones, within which the flow of cooling fluid varies according to the speed of the product. An undesired change in the surface temperature of the product at a point HD of the metallurgical length of the machine, such as the straightening point, due to a foreseen or foreseeable variation starting at the time t.sub.vo, in the casting speed, is compensated for by anticipation. A determination is made, by means of the casting speed, of the time t.sub.o at which commences, at the upper part of the ingot mold, the portion of product which, at the time tvo, will reach the point HD; a further determination is made of the times t.sub.1, . . . , t.sub.1, . . . , t.sub.n at which the portion commencing at t.sub.o will emerge from the zones 1, . . . . i. . . . ,n of the secondary cooling; and, from the time t.sub.

Abstract: A cast composite material is made from particles and a matrix alloy of preselected composition that is difficult to wet to the particles. A wetting alloy having a composition that readily wets the particles is first mixed with the particles under conditions that wet the wetting alloy to the particles. The wetting alloy is selected so that is has no alloying elements in excess of that in the preselected matrix alloy, and preferably with wettability inhibiting elements reduced. After wetting and mixing have been achieved, the remaining alloying ingredients are added to the melt to adjust the matrix to the desired composition. The approach is applicable to cast composite materials containing both reactive and nonreactive particles. (aluminum matrix with silicon additions).

Abstract: A continuous casting method of a reduced height with a horizontal or almost horizontal oscillating crystallizer, whereby an immersed teeming nozzle teems molten metal into the crystallizer below the meniscus, regulation of the flow being obtained with regulation means corresponding to the formula: V.gtoreq.K.multidot..sqroot.2gh-2p/.rho., a pressure being kept within a tube portion of the teeming nozzle at least transiently which is correlated with the pressure surrounding the teeming nozzle itself and with the pressure acting on the meniscus of the molten metal in the crystallizer, the pressure within the tube portion of the teeming nozzle being such as will at least hinder the migration of gas from the exterior of the nozzle to the inside of the bore of the tube portion.

Abstract: A method of making an investment casting by forming a pattern which has the shape of the part which is to be made and forming from the pattern a mold of elastomeric (rubber) material which has a cavity which has the shape of the of the part or casting to be made. Liquid aqueous (water) material is poured into the mold cavity and the mold is cooled so that the material is frozen (ice) to form a solid temporary pattern having the shape of the part. The temporary pattern is coated or invested with ceramic material to form a solid shell about the temporary pattern. The solid temporary pattern is melted and the resulting aqueous material evacuated from the shell to form a cavity which has the shape of the part or casting. The shell cavity is filled with molten metal which is allowed to solidify to form the casting which is removed from the shell.

Abstract: A long thin metal article having a thick portion is cast with a stress free interconnection between the thick and thin portions of the article. A heat transfer wall is provided around at least a portion of a mold in which the article is cast. To preheat the mold, heat is radiated from an inner side surface of a furnace wall to an outer side surface of the heat transfer wall. Heat is radiated from an inner side surface of the wall to the mold. Molten metal is conducted into the long thin portion of the article mold at a location other than along the length of the long thin portion of the article mold. During solidification of the molten metal, heat is radiated from the thick portion of the article mold to the inner side surface of the heat transfer wall. As the mold structure is withdrawn from the furnace chamber during solidification of the molten metal in the article mold cavity, heat is radiated from the outer side surface of the heat transfer wall to locations outside of the furnace.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for moulding objects by feeding at least one consistent material into a mould where it solidifies prior to closing the inlet or opening of each runner of a cavity by means of at least one closing device, the gate feeding face of the runner of the cavity in question is closed, and then the molten material contained in the runner is expelled from the mould.

Abstract: A forming press, such as a foundry squeeze press, includes an axially movable bolster having locking hooks for engaging trunnions on a replaceable forming tool, such as a foundry sand squeeze board, to releasably secure the tool against the bolster and yet permit quick change-over from one forming tool to another to accommodate production of different workparts (e.g., mold copes or drags). The hooks are pivoted by a linear screw device to first positions wherein they are engaged with the trunnions. The hooks have pivot axes offset from the trunnion axes in such a manner as to impart such a component of motion along the bolster axis to the hooks when they are pivoted to the first positions as to tightly clamp the tool against the bolster. The hooks are pivotable by the linear screw device to second positions disengaged from the trunnions to free the forming tool for removal from the bolster.

Abstract: A turbine engine component includes an annular array of airfoils which extend between inner and outer shroud rings. In order to accommodate thermal expansion of the airfoils, space is provided in a shroud ring rail. To provide space in the shroud ring rail, core material is positioned at the ends of the airfoils. The core material may be preformed separetely from the airfoils or may be a coating which is applied to end portions of the airfoils. Wax pattern material partially encloses the end portions of the airfoils and core material. The shroud ring pattern and the core material are covered with ceramic mold material to form a mold. The shroud ring pattern is then removed from the mold to leave the core material disposed in the shroud ring mold cavity at the end portions of the airfoils. As the mold is preheated, bonds between the core material and the airfoils are broken and the core material is gripped between end portions of the airfoils and the ceramic mold material.

Abstract: A lifting and turning unit for a melting or casting plant. The lifting and turning unit for a deposit stand, preferably a table, for ingot molds of a vacuum melting and casting plant is provided. The unit consists of a tubular, vertically arranged lifter column that is axially movable with a hydraulic piston-cylinder unit and that has its upper end carrying the ingot mold table. A guide system composed of guide columns and of a yoke is provided. The guide columns serve for guiding the lifter column and for protecting the lifter column against twisting. The drive for the rotation of the rotatable ingot mold table is connected to the lifter column away from the harsh chamber environment. The unit provides an extremely low maintenance lifting and turing device wherein the longitudinal movements and the rotary movements can be executed separately from one another and thus allow for an exact positioning of the table.