Abstract: A cost-effective process for providing a copper-based alloy casting, which has superior wear characteristics, to a cylinder block is described. The process includes heating the copper-based alloy to a molten state for immersing the cylinder block within such, while promoting the entrained gas within the copper-based alloy to migrate in a given direction and terminate in a specified portion of the copper-based alloy to effectively control porosity. In one form, the process further includes cooling the immersed cylinder block in the given direction to effectively reduce microshrinkage of the copper-based alloy.

Abstract: A fluid circulation system in accordance with the invention includes a first fluid utilizing device (12) requiring a minimum fluid flow having an input (14) for receiving the minimum flow and an output (16) for discharging fluid received from the input; a second fluid utilizing device (24) having an input (26) for receiving fluid and an output (31) for outputting fluid; and a valve (80) having a first input (32) for receiving the fluid flow flowing from the output of the second device, a first output (36) for supplying the minimum fluid flow to the first device, a second input (34) for receiving the fluid flow flowing from the output of the first device and a second output (38) for supplying the fluid flow to the second device wherein any deficiency in fluid flow below the first fluid flow flowing from the first input to the first output is supplied with additional fluid flow (102) from the second input to the first output with any remaining fluid flow (104) from the second input flowing from the second outpu

Abstract: A cost-effective process for providing a copper-based alloy casting, which has superior wear characteristics, to a cylinder block is described. The process includes providing a negative pressure around the cylinder block and a copper-based alloy. The process further includes heating the copper-based alloy to a submolten state for immersing the cylinder block within such, while promoting the entrained gas within the copper-based alloy to migrate in a given direction and terminate in a specified portion of the copper-based alloy to effectively control porosity. The process further includes cooling the immersed cylinder block in the given direction to effectively reduce microshrinkage of the copper-based alloy.