Means To Separate Cast Product From Shaping Surface Patents (Class 164/404)
  • Patent number: 11572614
    Abstract: The multi-chamber heat treatment device includes intermediate conveyors connected together, each treatment conveyor of the intermediate conveyors is attached with a treater that applies predetermined heat treatment to a treatment object and conveys the treatment object to the treater, and each treater is either one of a main treater that applies main treatment to the treatment object, a preheater that applies preheating treatment to the treatment object before the main treatment, and a cooler that applies cooling treatment to the treatment object after the main treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignees: IHI CORPORATION, IHI MACHINERY AND FURNACE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Osamu Sakamoto, Ichiro Nakamoto, Takuma Yoshida
  • Patent number: 11453052
    Abstract: A method and an automatic degate system includes a fixture configured to receive a workpiece, a registration device configured to position the workpiece in a predetermined orientation and position, and a robotic arm. The robotic arm is configured to move in at least a gripping direction. The robotic arm includes a gripping device configured to engage the workpiece at predetermined locations after being moved in the gripping direction. The robotic arm also includes a support bracket, a plurality of elongate rods each having a predetermined length and extending orthogonally from the support bracket, and a respective cutting puck coupled to a distal end of each of the plurality of elongate rods. The cutting pucks configured to remove a biscuit of excess material from the workpiece while being moved in the gripping direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Zakhar Yerokhin, Jason Elmer Charles Overland, You Dong
  • Patent number: 11420398
    Abstract: A system for separating support structure from a three-dimensional (3D)-printed component integrally printed with the support structure during an additive manufacturing (AM) process includes one or more transducers, indexing features configured to engage the transducer(s) and position the transducer(s) in contact with the support structure, and an electronic control unit (ECU). The ECU activates the transducer(s) which then vibrate at a predetermined resonant frequency of the support structure until the support structure fractures. A method includes engaging a transducer with an indexing feature, positioning the indexing feature with respect to the support structure such that the transducer is in contact with the support structure, and activating the transducer during a post-processing stage of the AM process, via the ECU, to cause the transducer to vibrate at the predetermined resonant frequency until the support structure fractures or breaks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Robert L. Mann, Jr., Hayden S. Osborn, Alexander J. Coco
  • Patent number: 11305341
    Abstract: A mold shake-out system to suppress the effects of an excessive or insufficient water sprinkling amount in mold shake-out that separates a mold, into which castings have been poured, into castings and molding sand, the mold shake-out system including: a shake-out device that separates the castings and a mold into the castings and the molding sand; a water sprinkling portion that sprinkles water in the shake-out device; and a control device that controls the water sprinkling amount in the water sprinkling portion; the control device adjusting the water sprinkling amount on the basis of molding/pouring data including molding data regarding the mold into which castings have been poured and which is loaded into the shake-out device, pouring data regarding molten metal that forms the castings, and time data from when the molten metal is poured into the mold until when the mold is loaded into the shake-out device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: SINTOKOGIO, LTD.
    Inventors: Yasuaki Asaoka, Hisashi Harada
  • Patent number: 10668478
    Abstract: A multi-directional tumbling cylinder for use in concentrating or cleaning of products such as dross, salt cake, slag, carbon blocks, both, or cast or molded metal pieces, wherein the tumbling cylinder is of length, the cylinder mounted upon a base, is rotated through the operations of a motor, with the cylinder capable of turning in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction. The cylinder has an intake end and an outlet, and a series of liner segments disposed therein, that interconnect together to form an inner cylinder, and the segments have a series of rifling provided upon the inner surface, and series of vanes formed upon their outer surfaces, with the riffling and vanes having sloped lateral edges, at select degrees, to provide for controlled movement and volumetric flow of product being processed, either towards the outlet, tumbled within its midsection, moving product back towards the inlet, for regulated processing and cleaning of such product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: Distron Manufacturing Co.
    Inventors: Mark M Didion, Michael S Didion
  • Patent number: 10232914
    Abstract: A pressure activated time-delayed release device and method. The device includes a body having a drive chamber and a compression chamber disposed therein, a drive piston disposed within the drive chamber of the body, and a compression piston disposed within the compression chamber of the body. A throttle mechanism is disposed between the drive piston and the compression piston. The throttle mechanism controls a release of viscous fluid from the drive chamber into the compression chamber. The drive piston and compression piston are connected so as to cause the compression piston to move substantially simultaneously with the drive piston to compress a compressible element disposed within the compression chamber. The device moves from an un-actuated state to an actuated state when the device is exposed to a predetermined water pressure for a predetermined period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Leif E. Roth, Ryan J. Halonen
  • Patent number: 9987756
    Abstract: A hand device includes: a hand base (40a); a first finger (40b) which extends from a tip of the hand base (40a) in a longitudinal direction while bending to the hand base (40a); a second finger (40c) attached to the hand base (40a) so as to face a surface of the hand base (40a) side of a tip of the first finger (40b); and a drive mechanism (40e) which actuates the second finger (40c) so that a tip of the second finger (40c) approaches or separates from the first finger (40b).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tetsuya Ishikawa, Susumu Miyazaki
  • Patent number: 9669459
    Abstract: A system and method of making a part. The part may cast in a die. A gripper assembly may be provided that has a gripper and a spray nozzle that provides a fluid. The part may be quenched with a fluid when the part is in the die.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: Bradley D. Guthrie, Venkat Nara, Paul Harrison, Ronald H. Hasenbusch
  • Patent number: 8708032
    Abstract: A decoring method and system is provided. The method includes the steps of providing the casting having a core material disposed in the internal passage; providing the decoring apparatus configured to selectively oscillate the casting and selectively rotate the casting; securing the casting in the decoring apparatus; introducing a quantity of shot into the internal passage of the casting; oscillating the casting; and rotating the casting. A decoring apparatus configured to selectively oscillate the casting along a first axis, rotate the casting about a second axis, and rotate the casting about a third axis, is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Thomas P. Newcomb
  • Publication number: 20120048500
    Abstract: In a state in which an insert is fitted to an inner portion of a main mold, a hole passing through from an outer portion of the main mold to a cavity of the insert is provided in the main mold to the insert. An extrusion pin bush is inserted into the hole from a side of an opening portion facing the outer portion of the main mold in the hole. A stopper, which is loosely inserted into an outer periphery of a base end side protruding to the outer portion of the main mold from an inner diameter portion of the extrusion pin bush of the extrusion pin, is attached by screw to a thread portion provided in the opening portion facing the outer portion of the main mold. The extrusion pin bush abuts on a locking portion provided on the side of the opening portion facing the outer portion of the main mold in the hole by the stopper.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2011
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Applicant: SHOWA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kenichi YAMADA, Taro NOZAKI
  • Patent number: 7509994
    Abstract: A casting shakeout apparatus comprises: a first unit for vibrating a supporting member on which a casting is placed and a second unit for applying impact or vibration to the casting, wherein the second unit can move between two positions, one of which is an evacuation position for allowing the casting to be loaded and unloaded and a work position for applying impact or vibration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Inventors: Yoshitaka Aoyama, Shoji Aoyama
  • Patent number: 7438119
    Abstract: A system for reclaiming sand from a casting process includes a chamber having an inlet, an outlet, and a plurality of baffles defining a circuitous path for the sand therebetween, a heating element for providing heat to the chamber, and a fluidizing distributor for directing the sand through the chamber. A method of reclaiming waste sand also is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Consolidated Engineering Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul M. Crafton, James L. Lewis, Jr., Ian French, Shanker Subramanian, James R. Garrett
  • Patent number: 6991767
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for the debonding and sand core removal of sand cores from cast parts, the heat treating of metal parts and the removal of organic contamination from metal parts, which is utilizing a fluid bed furnace having an improved fluidizing gas distributor which discharges fluidized gas in a downward direction away from the parts in the fluidized bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: Procedyne Corp.
    Inventors: H. Kenneth Staffin, Edward P. Traina, Giovanni Rubino
  • Patent number: 6929670
    Abstract: An apparatus for the separation of sand from an air stream in a thermal sand removal oven is disclosed. The preferred embodiment of the apparatus comprises a plurality of members comprising two planar members joined to form ā€œVā€ shaped members. The vertex of the ā€œVā€ shape points generally in the direction of the air current. The apparatus is installed in the recirculated air stream of a thermal sand removal oven, in a location between the sand molds and the air circulation means. The present invention is also installed in ovens containing metal castings containing sand cores, and ovens containing metal castings both encased in a sand mold and containing a sand core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2005
    Assignee: Can-Eng Furnaces Ltd.
    Inventors: Mohamed S. Hamed, Alan Van Geyn
  • Patent number: 6910522
    Abstract: A system and method for heat treating castings and removing sand cores therefrom. The castings are initially located in indexed positions with their x, y, and z coordinates known. The castings are passed through a heat treatment station typically having a series of nozzles mounted in preset positions corresponding to the known indexed positions of the castings passing through the heat treatment station. The nozzles apply fluid to the castings for heat treating the castings and degrading the sand cores for removal from the castings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2005
    Assignee: Consolidated Engineering Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott P. Crafton, Paul M. Crafton, Volker R. Knobloch, James L. Lewis, Jr., Ian French, Franz Ruegg
  • Patent number: 6808005
    Abstract: When extracting the castings (5, 6) produced in a mould foundry plant, comprising an extraction station receiving the moulds (1, 2, 3) with solidified castings (5, 6) positioned in the mould cavities at the mould-parting surface between mould parts a part of the casting (5) to be extracted is gripped in a fixed position and orientation before opening the mould cavity containing said casting, said gripping providing a positive, fixed engagement between the gripping tool (8) and the casting (5), the mould cavity containing the gripped casting (5) is opened by removing a first mould part (1), the gripped casting (5) is extracted from the mould cavity, and the casting (5) is moved to a delivery position for further processing thereof. This provides a possibility of delivery of the extracted casting (5) in a well-defined position and orientation for the further processing thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2004
    Assignee: Disa Industries A/S
    Inventors: Anders Clemens Bloch, Michael Sander Jensen
  • Publication number: 20040011497
    Abstract: When extracting the castings (5, 6) produced in a mould foundry plant, comprising an extraction station receiving the moulds (1, 2, 3) with solidified castings (5, 6) positioned in the mould cavities at the mould-parting surface between mould parts, a part of the casting (5) to be extracted is gripped in a fixed position and orientation before opening the mould cavity containing said casting, said gripping providing a positive, fixed engagement between the gripping tool (8) and the casting (5), the mould cavity containing the gripped casting (5) is opened by removing a first mould part (1), the gripped casting (5) is extracted from the mould cavity, and the casting (5) is moved to a delivery position for further processing thereof. This provides a possibility of delivery of the extracted casting (5) in a well-defined position and orientation for the further processing thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2003
    Publication date: January 22, 2004
    Inventors: Anders Clemens, Michael Sander
  • Patent number: 6672367
    Abstract: A system and method for heat treating castings and removing sand cores therefrom. The castings are initially located in indexed positions with their x, y, and z coordinates known. The castings are passed through a heat treatment station typically having a series of nozzles mounted in preset positions corresponding to the known indexed positions of the castings passing through the heat treatment station. The nozzles apply heat to the castings for heat treating the castings and dislodging the sand cores for removal from the castings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: Consolidated Engineering Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott P. Crafton, Paul M. Crafton, Volker R. Knobloch, James L. Lewis, Jr., Ian French
  • Patent number: 6644382
    Abstract: A casting 31 is fixed to a support member 23, and the casting 31 is hit by a hammer 43 while vibrating the support member, so that vibrations of different properties are applied to the casting to shake out the sand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Inventors: Yoshitaka Aoyama, Shoji Aoyama
  • Patent number: 6595267
    Abstract: A tumbling unit such as a casting shake-out unit, rotary media drum, sand reclaimer or the like, is provided. The tumbling unit includes a cylindrical outer shell and a cylindrical inner shell. The inner liner is formed of a series of interfitting segments. The segments each have an inner surface, an outer surface, side edges, a front edge, a back edge, and a vane extending from the outer surface. The side edges of the segments have a groove formed therein which extends the length of said the edges. The grooves of neighboring segments define channel between the segments. A pin or liner lock key is received in the channel to urge the neighboring segments apart to form a tight interfit among the segments in a row of the liner. The retaining pin has a body having side surfaces, a top surface, and a bottom surface. A hole extends through the pin body and receives a dowel, which is sized to extend from opposite sides of said pin body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Assignee: Didion Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Michael S. Didion, Charles J. Didion
  • Patent number: 6453982
    Abstract: Apparatus for reclaiming sand is provided for removing impurities therefrom. The apparatus includes a vibratory conveyor in which the sand is fluidized and heated. The conveyor vibrates the sand to obtain a more uniform temperature. The apparatus may be used to clean used process sand, such as by pyrolyzing binder from foundry sand, or may be used to remove impurities from virgin sand, thereby minimizing the amount of silica which must be added to the virgin sand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Assignee: General Kinematics Corporation
    Inventors: Albert Musschoot, Daniel T. Lease
  • Publication number: 20020112839
    Abstract: The removal of bonded sand, either core sand or mold sand, from a metal casting comprises placing the metal casting in a furnace chamber and subjecting the metal casting to the action of a high velocity heated gas stream (preferably above 3000 ft/minute) from hot air generators positioned on opposite sides of the chamber at the approximate level of the metal casting and directed to the metal casting. The heated gas stream is at a temperature and oxygen content sufficient to oxidize the binder in the bonded sand and a velocity sufficient to remove the debonded sand. The sand is removed by gravity from the furnace chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2001
    Publication date: August 22, 2002
    Inventor: John R. Kay
  • Patent number: 6390174
    Abstract: In a method of extracting castings (1, 2, 3) from moulds in a mould-string plant, the downstream-most mould (1) is gripped by a robot gripper (9) and made to cooperate with an engagement member (14), the latter first penetrating into the mould adjacent the casting (4) and then pulling the latter away from the mould. By proceeding in this manner it is possible to achieve a reliable extraction using relatively simple equipment and procedures. Other types of engagement members could be suctions cups or electromagnets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Assignee: Georg Fischer Disa A/S
    Inventors: Anders C. Bloch, Jan SĆørensen
  • Publication number: 20020023729
    Abstract: A tumbling unit such as a casting shake-out unit, rotary media drum, sand reclaimer or the like, is provided. The tumbling unit includes a cylindrical outer shell and a cylindrical inner shell. The inner liner is formed of a series of interfitting segments. The segments each have an inner surface, an outer surface, side edges, a front edge, a back edge, and a vane extending from the outer surface. The side edges of the segments have a groove formed therein which extends the length of said the edges. The grooves of neighboring segments define channel between the segments. A pin or liner lock key is received in the channel to urge the neighboring segments apart to form a tight interfit among the segments in a row of the liner. The retaining pin has a body having side surfaces, a top surface, and a bottom surface. A hole extends through the pin body and receives a dowel, which is sized to extend from opposite sides of said pin body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2001
    Publication date: February 28, 2002
    Inventors: Michael S. Didion, Charles J. Didion
  • Patent number: 6273176
    Abstract: A tumbling unit such as a casting shake-out unit, rotary media drum, sand reclaimer or the like, is provided. The tumbling unit includes a cylindrical outer shell and a cylindrical inner shell. The inner liner is formed of a series of interfitting segments. The segments each have an inner surface, an outer surface, side edges, a front edge, a back edge, and rifling extending from the outer surface. The side edges of the segments have a groove formed therein which extends the length of said the edges. The grooves of neighboring segments define channel between the segments. The pin is received in the channel to urge the neighboring segments apart to form a tight interfit among the segments in a row of the liner. The retaining pin has a body having side surfaces, a top surface, and a bottom surface. A rib extends along each side surface which is shaped and sized to be received in the grooves of the neighboring segments. An arm extends upwardly from the pin body top surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Assignee: Didion Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Michael S. Didion
  • Patent number: 5967222
    Abstract: In order to effectively remove and reclaim sand from a metal casting, an apparatus and system includes a bed having an entrance for receiving the casting and an exit for removing the casting. The bed is adapted to fluidize sand and may also be subjected to vibratory forces. The apparatus and system further includes a sand distribution conveyor for supplying sand to be fluidized to the bed at a point generally near the entrance and a sand transfer conveyor for removing sand to be recirculated from the bed at a point generally near the exit. The bed achieves a thorough mixing of the sand due to the fluidization and vibratory forces. With these features of construction, the apparatus and system also includes a sand return conveyor with all of the conveyors being vibratory and insulated to achieve energy efficient sand recirculation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1999
    Assignee: General Kinematics Corporation
    Inventors: Albert Musschoot, Daniel T. Lease
  • Patent number: 5924473
    Abstract: In order to effectively remove and reclaim sand from a metal casting, an apparatus and system includes a bed having an entrance for receiving the casting and an exit for removing the casting. The bed is adapted to fluidize sand and may also be subjected to vibratory forces. The apparatus and system further includes a sand distribution conveyor for supplying sand to be fluidized to the bed at a point generally near the entrance and a sand transfer conveyor for removing sand to be recirculated from the bed at a point generally near the exit. The bed achieves a thorough mixing of the sand due to the fluidization and vibratory forces. With these features of construction, the apparatus and system also includes a sand return conveyor with all of the conveyors being vibratory and insulated to achieve energy efficient sand recirculation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1999
    Assignee: General Kinematics Corporation
    Inventor: Albert Musschoot
  • Patent number: 5901775
    Abstract: In order to effectively heat treat and decore a metal casting, and thereafter fully reclaim the core sand for reuse, a two-stage system processes metal castings and core sand formed of sand and binder. The two-stage system includes a first stage for removing the core sand from the metal casting while at the same time heat treating the metal casting, and it also includes a separate, second stage for reclaiming the core sand. For this purpose, fluidized and heated sand is utilized as the castings and sand are conveyed together in the first stage and the sand alone is conveyed in the second stage for recirculation of at least a portion of the sand to the first stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1999
    Assignee: General Kinematics Corporation
    Inventors: Albert Musschoot, Daniel T. Lease
  • Patent number: 5829509
    Abstract: Provided is a five-in-one process/integrated furnace system that (i) receives and heat treats a casting, (ii) removes sand core materials from the casting, (iii) actively reclaims sand from the sand core materials, (iv) substantially cools the reclaimed sand, and (v) removes fines from the reclaimed sand. The furnace system includes a heating chamber disposed above and contiguous with a cooling chamber. The heating chamber and cooling chamber are preferably constructed so that heat and gasses pass therebetween. The heating chamber is preferably in the general form of a heat treating furnace. The heating chamber receives and heat treats metal castings. During the heat treating process, sand core materials are dislodged from the castings and enter into a sand reclaiming region. A hot fluidized bed functions to reclaim sand from the sand core materials within the heating chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1998
    Assignee: Consolidated Engineering Co, Inc.
    Inventor: Scott P. Crafton
  • Patent number: 5794865
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a rotary lump crusher/reclaiming drum for reclaiming lump materials such as aggregates, chemically-bonded sand lumps, dross, ferrous and non-ferrous scrap and slag. The rotary drum has an outer cylinder concentric with an inner cylinder both of which rotate simultaneously, the latter containing treatment compartments to reduce the lumps to smaller pieces which are in turn reduced to reclassifiable particulate matter in preparation for resuage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1998
    Assignee: Didion Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Charles J. Didion, Michael S. Didion
  • Patent number: 5769153
    Abstract: The present invention is a process for making a honeycomb structure of a ected material, having the steps: (a) disposing molten material in a melt container disposed over a mold, where the melt container has an opening for releasing molten material into the mold, where the mold is shaped for molding the honeycomb structure; (b) moving the melt container relative to the mold, where the molten material flows out of the opening into the mold; and (c) removing the mold from the material. Another aspect of the invention is an apparatus for making a honeycomb structure of a selected material, including: (a) a mold shaped for molding the honeycomb structure; (b) a melt container, disposed over the mold, having an opening for releasing molten material into the mold; and (c) a conveyor, for moving the melt container relative to the mold as the melt container releases the molten material into the mold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1998
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: Jack D. Ayers
  • Patent number: 5758713
    Abstract: The device comprises a rigid frame (12) having a vertical axis of symmetry X) forming a virtual axis of oscillation of the frame defined by the intersection of the longitudinal and transverse vertical median planes of the frame. This frame is connected to a fixed support (14) by elastically deformable connecting elements (16). The decoring device further comprises two devices (24) for clamping castings to be decored carried by two opposite ends of the frame (12) and aligned in the longitudinal median plane, and two out of balance motors (26) fixed to two opposite sides of the frame (12), these motors having axes of rotation parallel to the axis of symmetry (X) of the frame (12) and being aligned with this axis of symmetry in the transverse median plane. The motors (26) are adapted, in operation, to cause the frame (12) to oscillate about its virtual axis X so that the centre of gravity of each casting to be decored describes a substantially horizontal and ellipsoidal path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1998
    Assignee: Dimafond - Distribution et Ingenierie de Materiel pour la Fonderie
    Inventor: Daniel Fallet
  • Patent number: 5738162
    Abstract: Provided is a process/integrated furnace system that (i) receives and heat treats a casting, (ii) removes sand core materials from the casting, and (iii) actively reclaims sand from the sand core materials. The furnace system includes a heating chamber that receives and heat treats metal castings. During the heat treating process, sand core materials are dislodged and fall from the castings into a sand reclaiming region. A hot fluidized bed functions to reclaim sand from the fallen sand core materials within the heating chamber. The fallen sand core materials are not evenly distributed across the zones within the heating chamber. To compensate for the uneven distribution, sand discharge weirs and leveling bars divide the hot fluidized bed in to different bed zones having different dwell times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1998
    Assignee: Consolidated Engineering Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Scott P. Crafton
  • Patent number: 5732762
    Abstract: The apparatus comprises a rack containing a casting that includes a core, a heating chamber that includes a vibration structure for vibrating the rack and in a lower portion thereof a first sand discharge structure for discharging sand falling from the casting for removing casting sand and core sand adhering to the casting while heat treating the casting, and a cooling chamber that includes a water tank for immersing the rack containing the casting, an elevator structure for lowering the rack into the water tank and lifting the rack out of the water tank, an oscillation structure for oscillating the rack when the rack is in the water tank, and a second sand discharge structure for discharging sand falling onto a bottom of the water tank for washing off casting sand and core sand adhering to the casting ejected from the heating chamber while cooling the casting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1998
    Assignees: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha, Taiho Industries Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Usui, Tamio Okamura
  • Patent number: 5725045
    Abstract: This invention provides an apparatus which can remove sand on a demolded cast product with only an upper cast frame being removed. The apparatus consists of an elevator frame 6 having a ceiling plate 4, a bottom plate 5, and vertical plates 5A, which are movably mounted in the vertical direction on elevator 2, and cylindrical air-ejecting nozzles 9 fitted movably up and down in holes passing through the bottom plate 5.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1998
    Assignee: Sintokogio, Ltd.
    Inventors: Makoto Fukihara, Toshiki Takamura
  • Patent number: 5725041
    Abstract: A static pour, gravity feed permanent mold machine for molding a casting from molten metal heated in a furnace, consisting of a chassis, a die holder adapted to receive a reusable die, a reusable open-face die for insertion in the die holder, a vertically-oriented die ejection system for ejecting the casting from the die, an ejector pin lubrication system, horizontal mobile gating blocks which together form a gating system when brought together over the die opening, a horizontally-mounted degater for severing the gating system from the casting while the gating system and casting are still hot, a mobile casting receiver for removing the casting from machine, and a mobile robot arm for dipping molten metal from the furnace and for returning the gating system to the furnace for remelting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1998
    Inventor: Eugene F. Schultz
  • Patent number: 5638890
    Abstract: A casting shake-out unit has an outer cylinder and an inner cylinder. The inner cylinder is made of a plurality of interfitting segments which interlock and cooperate with each other to prevent a segment from falling out of the completed inner cylinder. Each segment includes tongues extending from opposing edges of the segment's body and pockets formed in the body. The pockets of one segment receive at least a part of the tongue of a neighboring segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 17, 1997
    Assignee: Didion Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Michael S. Didion, Charles J. Didion
  • Patent number: 5638887
    Abstract: A retaining rod is provided for forcing a tight interfit between adjacent segments of a liner of a casting shake-out unit, sand reclaimer, rotary media drum, or a tumbling unit. The adjacent edges of the liner segments have triangular grooves which combine to create diamond shaped channels between adjacent segments of the liner. The rod is generally diamond shaped in cross-section and tapered from front to back, giving the rod an overall trapezoidal appearance. The cross-sectional height of the rod is greater than the cross-sectional width of the rod. Thus, the rod can be placed in the channel in one of two positions and the same rod may be used if the clearance between adjacent segments is large or small simply by rotating the rod 90.degree..
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 17, 1997
    Assignee: Nidion Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Michael S. Didion
  • Patent number: 5597031
    Abstract: A process and a device are proposed for the casting and unpacking of clusters which, after the casting, after passage over a primary cooling path, are freed by jolting from the surrounding molded clump consisting of mold sand, whereupon, after passage over a secondary cooling path, the individual castings are separated from the cluster. The cluster is cast with a hanger which is present in front in the direction of transport, and the molded clump is conveyed over a discharge shaft for old sand against a transport hook in the manner that the hanger with the transport hook suspended, swings downward, throwing off the predominant quantity of old sand from the molded clump, whereupon the cluster is jolted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 28, 1997
    Assignee: Georg Fischer Giessereianlagen AG
    Inventor: Wendelin Weimann
  • Patent number: 5597521
    Abstract: An unloader-separator attached to a die casting machine which includes a swing arm having grippers to hold the gate having components thereon. The swing arm holding the gate is rotated to a second position. A punch platen pushes the components through openings in the window platen which corresponds with the components on the gate. The swing arm releases the gate remnants for recycling, rotates to the first position and the cycle repeats. A link arm connects the swing arm to a cam unit which controls the rotation of the swing arm to a cam unit which controls the rotation of the swing arm. The cam unit also provides overload protection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 28, 1997
    Inventor: John L. Wickham
  • Patent number: 5531263
    Abstract: An oscillating trough for shotblasting, which prevents workpieces (W) from being damaged when they are turned over in the trough, is provided. The trough includes a depression (24) defined by two surfaces X.sub.4, X.sub.5 extending from the bottom (21) of the transfer portion upwardly and outwardly thereby making an inner angle of 80.degree.-100.degree. and an arcuate surface S connected to the top of each surface X.sub.4, X.sub.5 of the depression. The surface S is an arc in cross section of a radius of 70-100% of the radius of the largest cylinder inscribable in imaginary planes Y and Z each of a predetermined length in cross section, the plane Y at one end intersecting an upper end of the surface X.sub.4 or X.sub.5 with an external angle of 140.degree.-160.degree., and the plane Z at one end intersecting the plane Y with an inner angle of 120.degree.-140.degree..
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 2, 1996
    Assignee: Sintokogio, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masatoshi Yamamoto, Mitsuo Matsuba, Hideaki Kaga, Masaki Shibata
  • Patent number: 5460219
    Abstract: Sand cores are broken up and removed from castings, particularly from cylinder heads from internal combustion engines. A pneumatic hammer is applied to the casting while the casting is held against a low pressure cylinder. The casting is subjected to horizontal oscillation by a receiver actuated by a rod and a double eccentric rotatably driven by a geared motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 24, 1995
    Assignee: Massin Limited Company
    Inventors: Marcel Massin, Daniel Massin
  • Patent number: 5267603
    Abstract: The drum incorporates an inner and outer cylinder, having a helical vane located intermediate thereof, with the media drum being supported upon a base and rotated by a drive motor. The drum contains two parts, an entrance segment and an exit segment. At the exit segment, reclaiming media and sand passes into the space between the inner and outer cylinders and is carried to the entrance segment by the helical vanes. At the entrance segment, the media is picked up by a reclaimer which reintroduces the media into the reclaimer to recycle the media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1993
    Assignee: Didion Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Charles J. Didion
  • Patent number: 5213150
    Abstract: The special angular fixture or jig for mounting a casting, such as a die cast engine block, resiliently holds the casting both inside and outside of a cabinet, in which cabinet the casting is high-frequency-vibrated for removing an expendable and disintegrated core, such as of sand, from the casting. The fixture is so located with respect to the door to the cabinet so that when the door is closed, the casting on the fixture is resiliently held between the closed door and a vibrating plate of a high-frequency vibrator. Specifically, the fixture disclosure is L-shaped and mounted on cushioned legs to a downwardly open door to a cabinet, which legs permit the casting to be urged against a vibrating plate mounted in the cabinet when the door of the cabinet is closed. The cabinet collects the particles of the disintegrated core which are vibrated from the casting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1993
    Assignee: Doehler-Jarvis Limited Partnership
    Inventor: Jakob H. Sensenstein
  • Patent number: 5201812
    Abstract: The apparatus for removing investment material from an investment flask casting includes a spring-biased seating assembly, a centering assembly having spring-biased shoulder mounts, a vertical impact assembly, and a pair of opposing horizontal impact assemblies. The vertical and horizontal impact assemblies work simultaneously and in combination with the spring-biased seating assembly and the spring-biased shoulder mounts to transmit linear dynamic and high frequency vibratory impact energy to the investment flask casting wherein the apparatus effectively and quickly removes virtually all of the investment material therefrom. The investment apparatus further includes an investment collection system for collecting waste investment material for subsequent disposal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 13, 1993
    Assignee: Conley Casting Supply Corp.
    Inventor: Douglas J. Goss
  • Patent number: 5174359
    Abstract: A saw guide bearing casting machine includes a pair of mold plates selectively movable by a cylinder between a closed operative position defining a mold cavity for receiving molten babbitt material and forming material into a saw guide bearing. The first mold plate includes a flat planar portion of the mold cavity. The second mold plate includes the remainder of the mold cavity, for forming the sides and face portions of the bearing. The second late slides on guide rods while the first plate is held stationary. Ejection pins and hole forming plugs and studs are provided on the second plate. The ejection pins slide within the second plate and through a stationary stop plate. Abutments are mounted on the ejection pins on opposite sides of the stop plate. Inward abutments strike the stop plate as the second plate is retracted, to force the cast bearing to drop from the mold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1992
    Inventors: Charles R. Nelson, Charles Nelson, Jr., Mark A. Nelson
  • Patent number: 5095968
    Abstract: A media drum incorporates an inner and outer cylinder, having a helical vane located generally intermediate thereof, with the media drum being supported upon a base, and its bearings, and motivated into rotation by a drive motor. The media drum integrally contains two parts, an entrance segment, and an exit segment. At the exit segment a cooling component, in the form of a liquid spray, is either directed into the drum, or into a jacket surrounding the exit segment of the drum, for cooling of the castings, media sand, abrasive members, to achieve a rapid cool down of these various components during usage of the apparatus. A reservoir is provided for collecting any excess liquid coolant, and a steam jacket surrounds the drum for collecting any generated steam for its removal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1992
    Assignee: Didion Manufacturing Co.
    Inventor: Charles J. Didion
  • Patent number: 5016827
    Abstract: A sand reclaiming drum incorporating a single cylinder, or structured having a dual cylinder reclaimer. The sand reclaiming drum comprises four sections: an inlet section into which mold castings are introduced, first and second inner sections, and an outlet section. The inlet and first inner sections include helical rifling which urge the castings forward. The first and second inner sections include plates which greatly agitate the castings to loosen embedded sand therefrom. The outlet section includes a plurality of perforations along its length through which the sand may exit the drum and ejection means to urge the sand free castings from the reclaimer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 21, 1991
    Assignee: Didion Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Charles J. Didion
  • Patent number: 4955425
    Abstract: Apparatus for non-impact handling of foundry castings utilizes a sand pervious basket to receive a sand mold and casting and to segregate the casting from the mold. A turntable assembly lifts and translates the basket to a secondary conveyor which removes the casting for further processing. The secondary conveyor may be a walking beam conveyor adapted to operate inside a quenching tank and the basket adapted to align with the walking beam conveyor for removal of the casting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 11, 1990
    Inventor: James F. McKenna
  • Patent number: 4795124
    Abstract: An article extracting means which is mounted on a carriage means which in turn is slidably mounted on the side of an article forming machine having two members movable relative to one another to form an article between them. A pivoted extractor arm in mounted on the carriage means to pivot in a vertical plane toward and away from the forming machine. An upper portion of the extractor arm carries an independently pivoted arm which may move in the same vertical plane as the extractor arm between at least two 180 degree opposed positions related to positioning gripping members carried thereby between an article gripping and an article release positions. The gripping members feature a construction wherein opposing jaw members are moved in a parallel direction toward and away from one another. One jaw member is actuated in a linear direction which via a rack and pinion arrangement cause the other jaw to move in parallel, but opposing direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 3, 1989
    Assignee: The Snair Company
    Inventor: Masashi Nagai