Abstract: A method for producing flake particles by projecting a continuing stream of molten material upon the surface of a rotating generally circular, heat extracting drum, having a serrated edge with each serration comprising a radial surface and an angularly disposed connecting surface from the base of one radial surface to the peripheral extremity of the adjacent radial surface; and rotating the heat extracting drum at a speed relative to the size and shape of the serrations and relative to the rate of molten material projection to form a discrete flake particle on each angularly disposed surface; followed by removing each particle from the surface after each particle is at least partially solidified; and cooling the particles in a surrounding atmosphere.

Abstract: A filling apparatus includes a melt container with a bottom outlet spout and an interior closure plug. In certain embodiments the spout has a conical end. A casting mold has a pouring gate and channel. The container is supported by an elevating mechanism and either the container or the mold can also be movable horizontally to permit alignment of the spout and gate. A separatory body is between the spout and gate, several embodiments being disclosed including a layer of material formed on the spout and a conical member in a recess at the gate, the conical member being shaped to receive the conical end of the spout during filling. The separating member of the mold includes a receptacle having a volume greater than the volume of the spout bore below the closure plug to accept melt therefrom after filling.

Abstract: A plurality of carriages, each containing a pouring ladle, are provided for pouring molten metal into moving molds of a conveyor. The carriages are essentially driven from a single motor and move in a closed loop containing a loading zone and a pouring zone. Each carriage contains a clutch pump to control movement along the loop. Rotation of ladles to a pour position is attained by use of a parallelogram linkage on the carriage and remotely located variable pour rate controls. A sensor system including an extension arm is supported by each carriage for sensing the presence of a mold car and for causing the carriage to match the speed of the mold.

Abstract: The process includes the delivery of molten metal for solidification in stepped flow and the blowing of a gas through the flow at a step located at the level of the surface of that portion of the flow which is directly fed for solidification, or at a level exceeding said level by as much as 300 mm.The apparatus for realizing said process comprises a tundish with a stepped bottom. A means for blowing the gas through the flow of metal is provided within that portion of the tundish which is located level with the upper generatrix of the outlet from the tundish or preferably, at a level about 300 mm above said generatrix.

Abstract: An apparatus has means for containing a level of flowable hardenable material therein, and means is selectively operable for carrying a predetermined amount of the hardenable material from the level thereof in the containing means to a preselected position beyond the level of the remaining hardenable material in the containing means. Means is associated with the carrying means in its preselected position for extracting therefrom another amount of the hardenable material predeterminately less than the predetermined amount.A method of operating the apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process and apparatus for manufacturing silicon astings or moldings, having a columnar structure of single-crystal regions of crystal with a preferential crystallographic orientation, and which can be manufactured cheaply and in large numbers in a semi-continuous mode of production. Liquid silicon is cast in a casting station, under an inert gas and preferably under reduced pressure, preferably in graphite molds which are exposed to a temperature gradient of 200.degree. to 1,000.degree. C. After cooling, the silicon is withdrawn automatically via a transport chamber connected to the casting station into special cooling stations, while the casting station is reloaded with an empty mold for repeating the process. The silicon blocks which have preferably been produced by this procedure are use as basic material for inexpensive solar cells having efficiencies of more than 10%, after they have been sawn into individual small wafers and have been doped and lead-bonded.

Abstract: A plurality of carriages, each containing a pouring ladle, are provided for pouring molten metal into moving molds of a conveyor. The carriages are essentially driven from a single motor and move in a closed loop containing a loading zone and a pouring zone. Each carriage contains a clutch pump and a brake pump to control movement along the loop. Rotation of ladles to a pour position is attained by use of a parallelogram linkage on the carriage and remotely located variable pour rate controls.

Abstract: A method of casting is provided which uses boxless moulds. The method comprises the steps of stacking a plurality of boxless moulds substantially horizontally on one another in a frame to form a substantially vertical stack, pivoting the frame with the moulds therein through an angle of approximately 90.degree. so that each mould stands substantially vertically, and filling the moulds with molten metal while they are in the substantially vertical position.

Abstract: A metal melting furnace comprising a furnace housing, which includes a means for heating the interior thereof, and a hearth for holding metal to be melted wherein the hearth and the furnace housing are mounted for mutual relative movement between a position wherein the hearth is within the furnace housing where the metal can be melted and a position wherein the hearth is outside the furnace housing where metal can be loaded onto and unloaded from the hearth.

Abstract: A vessel for liquid, especially a ladle for molten metal, is constructed and arranged to facilitate pouring of the contents in a uniform stream along a predetermined path under a uniform pressure head, while facilitating starting and stopping of the stream. To this end, the vessel is supported for rotation about first and second generally horizontal, transverse, axes. The liquid is discharged from an outlet in the vessel located on the first axis when the vessel is rotated about the first axis. By controlling rotation, a constant head of liquid and uniform discharge trajectory is established. Flow is conveniently interrupted by rotation of the vessel about the second axis to tilt the first axis and raise the discharge outlet by an amount equal to the liquid head. Flow is restarted by lowering the discharge outlet to its original position. Preferably, the first axis is horizontal during discharge.

Abstract: The installation comprises a pressure tight casing with vacuum melting and casting chambers communicating with each other via a pressing chamber. The vacuum melting chamber accommodates an electrode holder arranged above a melting pot. Located under the melting pot is a pouring device with funnels, one of which is inserted into a hole in the shell of the pressing chamber. The vacuum melting chamber incorporates an appliance for cleaning the used funnels and a mechanism for moving the funnels. The pressing chamber communicates with the pressmould. One half of the pressmold is secured on an immovable vertical plate and the other half is mounted on a movable vertical plate. The movable vertical plate travels over horizontal guides.

Abstract: The plug lifting structure for a stopper in a tundish is coupled, via a single, mechanical connection point, to a hydraulic actuator rod being part of the casting stand, so that removal of the tundish merely requires lowering of that rod to separate the control connection.

Abstract: An apparatus for casting a fusible material has a support on which is provided a row of melting burners and a parallel row of warming burners. A crucible holder on the support has a pair of bars forming a plurality of seats each above a respective one of the melting burners and each for a respective crucible. A slide having a plurality of mold holders is displaceable into a position with the mold holders above the warming burners. Once the material in the crucible holders has been melted by the melting burners the entire crucible-holding assembly may be agitated horizontally to homogenize this material. Thereafter the entire crucible-holding assembly is tipped up to pour the contents of the crucibles into the molds which have been preheated by the warming burners. The warming burners are then shut off and jets of compressed ambient-temperature gas are directed at the molds to cool the material therein and solidify same into a tablet or slug suitable for X-ray analysis.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for pouring molten metal from a ladle to a mold. The ladle is titled about an axis of rotation extending through a point proximate the outlet of the ladle, whereby the relative positions of the point where molten metal from the ladle begins to fall and the pouring cup of the mold are kept constant and the molten metal is poured into the mold without varying the path of the streamline between the ladle outlet and the pouring cup of the mold. The vertical sectional contour of the ladle including the outlet is segmental.

Abstract: A ladle gate for use with casting apparatus including a mold of the kind used in casting battery plate grids and including a ladle of the type used in holding a supply of molten lead alloy and being pivotable into a pouring position wherein a quantity of the molten lead alloy can be poured into the mold. The ladle gate is positioned adjacent the ladle spouts and functions to permit flow of molten lead alloy through the ladle spouts when the ladle is in a pour position, and to interrupt the flow of molten lead alloy through the spouts at the completion of the pour, when the ladle pivots to its rest position, to thereby prevent the formation of solidified drippage at the spouts.

Abstract: In a continuous casting machine, the combination comprises a mould structure, a tundish car, a tundish, and a shroud for molten metal. An arrangement is provided for mounting the tundish shroud on the tundish car and for mounting the shroud adjacent the casting machine. The arrangement for mounting the shroud includes an elevating arrangement for raising the shroud into sealing engagement with a ladle when the latter is supported generally above the mould structure and for lowering the shroud to afford sufficient clearance for removal of the ladle.

Abstract: An arrangement is provided for feeding a liquid alloyed metal under protective atmosphere into a high speed continuous casting machine for casting a strip of alloyed metal, preferably calcium lead which is subsequently formed into battery grids and the like. The arrangement includes atmosphere tight holding and melting pots constructed of steel plates with submerged electrical heating elements, a level control arrangement for the liquid baths therein and a skid ramp in the melting pot for charging metal hogs therein.

Abstract: A method for casting an insoluble anode for use in the electrowinning of copper, the anode being formed by casting molten lead alloy preferably including calcium as an alloying agent in a suitable mold, necessary flow of the molten alloy being minimized within the mold, the temperature of the molten alloy and the temperature of the mold being selected to minimize the time necessary for solidification of the molten alloy within the mold, the lead alloy anode preferably being removed from the mold substantially as soon as it is mechanically self-supporting and rapidly cooling the anode in an unstressed configuration to freeze its grain structure and develop dimensional stability. The present invention also relates to a lead alloy casting produced by the above method as well as to an insoluble anode formed from a lead alloy including calcium as an alloying agent, the anode being characterized by the uniform precipitate distribution illustrated in FIG. 7 and the surface finish illustrated in FIG. 9.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing compact polycrystalline ingots of materials such as InP, GaP and GaAs having a defined geometric form is provided comprising a reaction boat having a plurality of melting pots formed therein, said melting pots having the shape of a single crystal melting crucible and at least one connecting canal communicating with said melting pots.

Abstract: A molten metal pouring device is disclosed, wherein there are provided two pairs of link mechanisms whose links are adapted to be moved in parallel relation to each other, so that, regardless of an inclined angle of a ladle, a molten metal-dropping locus may follow a constant path when a molten metal is poured from a ladle into a mold. The molten metal pouring device equipped with these link mechanisms can be readily automated, as well as permits the reduction in cross sectional area of a sprue of a mold. Thus, temperature drop of a molten metal is avoided, with the result of production of castings of an improved quality.

Abstract: In a casting apparatus using a mould which comprises a horizontal series of identical mould parts and presents at least one casting cavity at each joint between successive mould parts, the mould is advanced stepwise through a pouring station including a pouring sow, the bottom of which rests on the top surface of the mould and has at least one outlet to successively communicate with the inlets of the casting cavities of the mould during the stepwise advance thereof.

Abstract: Apparatus for melting, holding and tapping metals or metal alloys, in which solid material is melted down in a channel-type induction furnace, the melt then being transferred to a second channel-type induction furnace to be kept hot, possibly over-heated and stored, characterized in that the melting furnace is connected to the second furnace by way of a feeding channel and is located at a higher level than the second furnace and that the second furnace is in the form of a pressure furnace for pressure tapping through a spout. As a further characterizing feature, the tapping spout is provided with a tun dish in which sub-atmospheric pressures can be obtained to control the tapping through the spout.

Abstract: Melting and casting apparatus wherein a metal pellet is transferred from a receptacle into a casting ladle. Thereafter, the casting ladle is moved into a RF heater where the pellet is melted. The casting ladle containing the molten metal is then moved by a suttle and guide arrangement to a pouring position where the casting ladle is tipped by a linkage assemble to pour the metal.

Abstract: A continuous mechanical iron pouring line for pouring molten metal into a moving conveyor line of abutting sand molds. A plurality of pouring ladles mounted on independently driven and controlled carriages move along a track in a closed-loop between: (1) a stationary ladle filling station wherein molten metal flows from a stationary holding vessel into the ladle; (2) a pouring station wherein the molten metal is conveyed from the ladle into an associated moving mold as the ladle and mold move together through the pouring station; and (3) back to the filling station. Control of each carriage is effected by interaction of that carriage with preceding and succeeding carriages. At the pouring station, the mold line parallels the track along which the carriages move and defines a sector wherein the metal may be poured.

Abstract: A method of attaching an end frame and another structural component of a dynamoelectric machine wherein the structural component is positioned within a receiving means therefor in the end frame. At least one of the end frame and structural component is moved relative to the other thereof to an aligned position for assembly with each other, and metal is cast into the receiving means for forming a rigid tie between the end frame and the structural component for maintaining them in their aligned assembly position. Apparatus for rigidly interconnecting an end frame with another structural component of a dynamoelectric machine is also disclosed.

Abstract: An installation for producing bimetallic solid bodies of cylindrical shape comprises a movable base which, together with a runner means is adapted to eliminate a clearance between the runner means and a casting mould having a stationary horizontal axis of rotation.