Abstract: A casting apparatus, comprising: a heating chamber having an open lower end defined by a periphery; a chill plate having a peripheral region for supporting one or more casting molds thereon and being in movable to move the molds from within the heating chamber to below the lower end of the heating chamber to withdraw the casting molds from the heating chamber; a cooling spool disposed at the periphery of the open lower end of the heating chamber and including a surface area for receiving heat energy radiated from at least one of the heating chamber and the casting molds; and a spool shield disposed at the cooling spool and movable to control an amount of the surface area of the cooling spool available for receiving the heat energy. In another embodiment there is an additional inner cooling spool movable inside the area surrounded by the casting molds for receiving radiant energy. A second spool shield at the inner spool controls its available surface area.

Abstract: A casting apparatus includes a substantially stationary heating chamber having an upper pouring opening and a substantially open lower end; an outer cooling spool disposed at a periphery of the open lower end of the heating chamber; a chill plate having an aperture therethrough and movable through the lower end of the heating chamber; a mold assembly receivable in the chamber and movable through the lower end of the chamber and including peripherally disposed mold cavities defining a substantially interior space accessible through the open lower end of the chamber, an inner cooling spool movable through the aperture of the chill plate and the open lower end of the mold assembly; a first actuator for vertically displacing the chill plate and mold assembly; and a second actuator for vertically displacing the inner cooling spool.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for controlling radial solidification in cast turbine wheel or nozzle assembly so as to produce an equiaxed fine grain structure in a hub portion and a directionally solidified grain structure in an integral blade portion by means of adjustable heat shields and heating elements disposed above and below the mold.