Abstract: A method of eliminating solidification shrinkage porosity defects in cast metal articles includes disposing an expanded polystyrene chill (36) within a preformed mold cavity (26) and thereafter introducing molten metal into the cavity (26) and vaporizing the chill member (36), whereby the heat of vaporization rapidly cools a localized region of the molten metal adjacent the chill member and accelerates solidification thereof enabling remote still-molten metal to feed solidification shrinkage in this region and prevent the formation of porosity defects that would otherwise result.

Abstract: A casting core (42) for forming a water jacket chamber (28) within a cylinder block (22) includes a bonded sand continuous wall portion (48) for forming a water passage (30) encircling a plurality of the cylinders (24) and through which water is circulated for cooling the perimeter of the cylinders (24). The casting core (42) also includes a bridging portion (46) that extends cross-wise in the wall (48) for forming a thin water passage bypass (32) extending through the thin web of cylinder block material (26) separating the adjacent cylinders (24) for providing cooling between the piston cylinders (24). The bridging portion (46) comprises a metal support element (64) covered by a sleeve of woven refractory material (66). A method is also provided for producing a cylinder block having such a casting core (42).

Abstract: A countergravity low-pressure casting apparatus (10) includes a feedback control system (98) which continuously measures the actual pressure of metal being pumped into a mold (12) and controls the voltage applied to an electromagnetic pump (66) to conform the actual metal pressure with the ideal metal pressure versus casting cycle time fill schedule (96).

Abstract: A permanent metal mold (12) has a casting cavity (18) within which variable thickness molten metal articles (20) are cast. Portions (26) of the casting cavity walls (16) are formed oversized and lined with sand (44) to conform with the external size and shape of certain thick (46) and thin (48) sections of the cast article (20). The thickness of the sand liner (44) is reversely correlated to the thick (46) and thin (48) sections of the article (20) to cause these sections (46, 48) to cool at different rates in order to achieve an approximately equalized cooling time of these sections (46, 48). Other portions (50, 52) of the casting cavity walls (16) are formed bare of the sand liner (44) and conform with the external size and shape of other corresponding sections (54, 56) of the cast article (20).

Abstract: A countergravity casting apparatus (10) includes a mold (12) supported above a furnace (14) containing a supply of molten metal to be cast into the mold (12). An electromagnetic pump (66) is accommodated in a casting chamber (46) of the furnace (14) and pumps the metal against gravity from the furnace (14) into the mold (12). The casting chamber (46) is enclosed by an insulating cover (40) and defines an air space over the metal in the chamber (46). A lance (64) extends through the cover (40) and delivers inert gas into the air space and purges it of outside atmospheric gases that would otherwise contaminate the metal in the chamber (46).

Abstract: A sleeve of woven heat resistant material is axially compressed (22) to enlarge its cross-sectional area and perimeter. A support element (24) is disposed within the sleeve (22) to support it in its enlarged perimeter condition (26). The sleeve-covered support element (18) is then disposed in a cavity (14) of a casting mold (12) and molten metal (36) is cast into the cavity (14) and around the sleeve-covered support element (18). The molten metal (36) is allowed to solidify to form a cast article (16). The support element (24) is then withdrawn from within the sleeve (22), leaving the sleeve (22) within and adhered to the walls of the passageway (20) of the article in the expanded perimeter condition (26). A tension force A is applied to the sleeve (22) forcing it to stretch into a smaller cross-sectional area and perimeter (28) and causing the sleeve (22) to detach from the casting (16) for easy removal.

Abstract: A counter-gravity metal casting apparatus (10) comprises a reservoir (14) having a casting chamber (46) therein. An electro-magnetic pump (66) is accommodated in the chamber (b 46) and is responsive to input voltage for pumping molten metal from the chamber (46) into an above-situated distribution vessel (78) and mold (12). The chamber 46) is enclosed by cover (40) and supplied with inert gas (60) for purging the space (62) above the metal or outside atmospheric contaminated gases. A feed back controller (98) is also provided for continuously measuring the actual pressure of the pumped metal of the casting cycle and then controlling the output of the pump (66) to conform the actual metal pressure with an ideal reference metal pressure versus casting cycle time schedule.