Abstract: The time history of a molten metal casting charge being introduced into a mold cavity is recorded by an electrically operated recorder including a plurality of electrical circuits, each of which produces a timing signal upon being completed or closed and is connected to an electrical timing lead having an electrically bare, free end adapted to be located in the mold cavity. The free ends of the timing leads are positioned at predetermined locations of interest in the mold cavity and the molten metal serves as a common ground for completing the electrical circuits in the recorder. The timing cycle is started in response to the molten metal contacting the electrically bare, free end of an electrical trigger lead located near the inlet of the mold cavity and electrically connected to the recorder.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an apparatus for uniformly feeding particulate matter into a carrier gas, which apparatus includes a particulate matter inlet duct communicating with a carrier gas conduit, a device for introducing into the conduit upstream of the inlet duct, a flow of carrier gas which is maintained under constant pressure prior to introduction, a particulate matter pump communicating with the inlet duct and operable at a variable pumping rate to supply particulate matter through the inlet duct to the conduit, a device for sensing the pressure in the conduit, and a control connected to the pressure sensing means for varying the pumping rate of the pump in accordance with pressure variation in the conduit to maintain a uniform feed of particulate matter into the carrier gas flowing in the conduit.