Pressure Forming Patents (Class 164/113)
  • Patent number: 7234505
    Abstract: A metal flow system, for use in casting aluminium alloy using a pressure casting machine, is provided by a component of a die or mould assembly, for the machine, which defines a die cavity. The component defines at least part of an alloy flow path for the flow of aluminium alloy from a pressurized source of substantially molten aluminium alloy of the machine to the die cavity. The flow path includes at least one runner and a controlled expansion port, referred to also as a CEP, which has an inlet through which the CEP is able to receive aluminium alloy from the runner and an outlet through which aluminium alloy is able to flow from the CEP for filling the die cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation
    Inventors: Morris Taylor Murray, Matthew Alan Cope
  • Patent number: 7225854
    Abstract: In a process of pouring molten metal under pressure into a die cavity C through a pouring gate G, a molten metal pressure in a part of the die cavity to be filled with the molten metal later than the rest thereof, or in the vicinity of the part, is detected by a first pressure sensor S5, and a cavity backpressure in the part of the die cavity to be filled with the molten metal later than the rest thereof, or in the vicinity of the part is detected by a backpressure sensor 12. Then, a pouring rate of the molten metal is controlled in accordance with changes in the respective detected pressures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Fukumoto, Kouji Furutani, Tomohiro Fujita, Kousuke Izumiuchi
  • Patent number: 7225855
    Abstract: In a motor drive injection unit and a motor drive injection method, which can obtain an injection speed suitable for a molding material having fast solidifying speed as well as can securely carry out pressure keeping for a predetermined period of time while making a position of an injection piston unmovable after injection and filling are completed, a molding material in a cylinder is injected into a metal mold by converting a rotational motion of an electric servo motor into a reciprocating motion of an injection piston in the cylinder through a plunger with a ball screw, a surge pressure control means is provided for placing the injection piston in the cylinder in an unmovable state when at least a predetermined amount of a load is applied to the injection piston by the molding material in the cylinder, the surge pressure control means includes a combination of rotation control means of the electric servo motor and an upward movement suppression mechanism of the injection piston, and further, an injection s
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Assignee: YKK Corporation
    Inventors: Tatsuyoshi Miyazaki, Takeshi Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 7222657
    Abstract: A metal object is formed by die-casting with the use of a specially treated mold. The mold has cavity-defining surfaces covered by a heat-insulating layer made of a material that includes ceramic powder and heat-resistant resin. Molten metal is injected into the cavity coated with the heat-insulating layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Koichi Kimura, Kota Nishii
  • Patent number: 7216690
    Abstract: A method of forming a material includes the steps of: vibrating a molten material at an ultrasonic frequency while cooling the material to a semi-solid state to form non-dendritic grains therein; forming the semi-solid material into a desired shape; and cooling the material to a solid state. The method makes semi-solid castings directly from molten materials (usually a metal), produces grain size usually in the range of smaller than 50 ?m, and can be easily retrofitted into existing conventional forming machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: UT-Battelle LLC
    Inventors: Qingyou Han, Xiaogang Jian, Hanbing Xu, Thomas T. Meek
  • Patent number: 7174947
    Abstract: A method for sizing an overflow chamber (46) in a mold (32) for the die casting of metals is disclosed. The method includes the steps of simulating a pressure of molten metal (30) in a main cavity (42) of the mold (32) and calculating the volume of the overflow chamber (46) from parameters yielded by the pressure simulation. A mold (32) defining overflow chambers (46) is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Peter B. Olmsted Trust
    Inventor: Peter Olmsted
  • Patent number: 7165598
    Abstract: In a method for making a cast product by squeeze casting using an AZ91D alloy, the AZ91D alloy is heated to a liquid state, a shot sleeve is filled with the liquid AZ91D alloy, and a seal is formed between the shot sleeve and a die. In addition, the liquid alloy is injected into the die with an injection unit at a pressure of greater than about 69 Mega Pascal (Mpa) and a gate velocity of less than about 500 millimeters per second (mm/sec) and the AZ91D alloy is solidified in the die to generate the cast product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2007
    Assignee: SPX Corporation
    Inventor: Rathindra DasGupta
  • Patent number: 7163046
    Abstract: The apparatus of the invention is an injection molding apparatus of a type adapted to cool a molten metal under shearing by an extrusion screw in a substantially vertical chamber into a semi-solidified slurry and then inject the semi-solidified slurry discharged from a discharge port at the lower end of a channel into molding plates, in which a clamping device is adapted to open or close a movable plate relative to a stationary plate in the horizontal direction, and a connection member having, at the inside, a vertical first channel and a second channel extending in the horizontal direction from the lower end of the first channel and in communication with the stationary plate is connected to the discharge port at the lower end of the chamber. Since this can inject and mold light metal molding products of high quality with less pore or shrinkage without excessively enlarging the size for the height of the apparatus, casting products of high quality can be obtained at a reduced cost by injection molding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Assignee: Kobe Steel, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tatsuya Tanaka, Munenori Soejima, Katsunori Takahashi, Takeshi Kanda, Kazuhisa Fujisawa
  • Patent number: 7159640
    Abstract: A casting member comprising hot-die steel or high-speed steel as base material and having coating layers at least on its working plane, wherein the outermost layer among the coating layers consists essentially of at least one nitride, oxinitride or carnonitride composed mainly of V, and another coating layer comprising at least one nitride, oxinitride or carnonitride composed mainly of Cr is formed as a layer just above the base material. If necessary, an intermediate layer comprising at least one nitride, oxinitride or carnonitride composed mainly of V and Cr may be formed as a coating layer on the boundary surface between the outermost layer and the layer just above the base material. The thickness of the outermost layer is preferably 0.5 to 5.0 ?m, the thickness of the layer just above the base material is preferably 0.5 to 3.0 ?m, and the thickness of the intermediate layer is preferably 1.0 ?m or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Hitachi Metals, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenichi Inoue, Ken Inoue
  • Patent number: 7152658
    Abstract: A process and an apparatus for continuous casting of metallic materials in a semi-solid state is disclosed. A solid metallic material is processed by heating the material in a first container with an inductive heater to a temperature above the solidus temperature. The processed metallic material is then transported to a storage container, from there to an injection unit and subsequently to a casting tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: Demag Ergotech GmbH
    Inventors: Mark Hartmann, Andreas Lohmüller, Sabine Pahlke, Bernd Tröger
  • Patent number: 7150308
    Abstract: An injection molding apparatus includes a melt furnace and a metal supply system located in the melt furnace. The metal supply system includes a pump. The injection molding apparatus also includes a first metal inlet from the melt furnace to the metal supply system and a vertical injection mechanism adapted to inject liquid metal into a die system. The injection molding apparatus also includes a second metal inlet from the metal supply system to the vertical injection mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2006
    Assignee: Takata Corporation
    Inventors: Kinji Hirai, Hisayuki Fukada, Yuuji Osada
  • Patent number: 7140419
    Abstract: A metallic alloy having a semi-solid range between the liquidus temperature and the solidus temperature of the metallic alloy is processed by cooling the metallic alloy from an initial metallic alloy elevated temperature to a semi-solid temperature of less than the liquidus temperature and more than the solidus temperature, and maintaining the metallic alloy at the semi-solid temperature for a sufficient time to produce a semi-solid structure in the metallic alloy of a globular solid phase dispersed in a liquid phase. The cooling may be accomplished by providing a crucible at a crucible initial temperature below the solidus temperature, pouring the metallic alloy into the crucible, and allowing the metallic alloy and the crucible to reach a thermal equilibrium between the liquidus temperature and the solidus temperature of the metallic alloy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: Alcan Internatinoal Limited
    Inventors: Don Doutre, Gary Hay, Peter Wales
  • Patent number: 7134478
    Abstract: A method of die casting spheroidal graphite cast iron able to prevent formation of chill crystals to allow the crystallization of fine spheroidal graphite and simultaneously prevent the formation of internal defects, including the steps of preparing a die formed with a heat insulation layer at inside walls of a cavity, filling molten metal having a composition of the spheroidal graphite cast iron through a runner into the cavity, closing the runner so as to seal the cavity right before the molten metal in the cavity starts to solidify, and allowing the molten metal to solidify by the action of the inside pressure caused by crystallization of the spheroidal graphite in the sealed cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Aisin Takaoka Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazumi Ohtake, Akira Manabe, Yoshihiro Hibino, Takahiro Sato, Kazufumi Niwa
  • Patent number: 7128128
    Abstract: The invention provides a plunger tip for die casting machines which is excellent in slidability and sealing properties. The plunger tip comprises a tip main body (20) and is slidable inside a plunger sleeve (60) for pushing out a molten metal into a die. The tip main body (20) is made of a metal material and covered over an outer peripheral surface thereof with a slide sleeve (40) made of a rigid resin material exhibiting high slidability and excellent sealing properties on the inner surface of the plunger sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2006
    Assignees: Kubota Corporation, Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takahiro Kaba, Hiroshi Yamaguchi, Hiroshi Kawai
  • Patent number: 7121319
    Abstract: The provision or use, for the pressure casting of magnesium alloy in a molten or thixotropic state with a pressure casting machine having a mould or die which defines a die cavity, of a metal flow system which includes a die or mould tool means which defines at least one runner from which molten magnesium alloy is able to be injected into the die cavity. The metal flow system is of a form providing for control of metal flow velocities within the flow system, whereby substantially all of the metal flowing throughout the die cavity is in a viscous or semi-solid state. Filling of the die cavity is able to proceed progressively by semi-solid fronts of metal moving away from a gate or other site of injection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Assignee: Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation
    Inventors: Morris Taylor Murray, Matthew Alan Cope
  • Patent number: 7121320
    Abstract: A method of shaping a semisolid metal comprising pouring a molten aluminum or magnesium alloy which contains a crystal grain refiner and which is superheated to less than 50° C. above a liquidus temperature of aluminum or magnesium, directly into a vessel without using a cooling jig, maintaining the alloy in the vessel for 30 seconds to 30 minutes as a resultant melt is cooled to a temperature where a specified liquid fraction is established such that a temperature of the poured alloy which is liquid and superheated to less than 10° C. above the liquidus temperature or which is partially solid, partially liquid and at a temperature of less than 5° C. below the liquidus temperature decreases from an initial level and passes through a temperature zone 5° C. below the liquidus temperature within at least 10 minutes, whereby fine primary crystals are generated in the alloy, recovering the alloy from the vessel, supplying the alloy into a mold, and shaping the alloy under pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Assignee: Ube Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Mitsuru Adachi, Hiroto Sasaki, Yasunori Harada, Tatsuo Sakamoto, Satoru Sato
  • Patent number: 7111663
    Abstract: A metal flow system, for high pressure die casting of alloys using a machine having a pressurized source of molten alloy and a mould defining at least one die cavity, defines a metal flow path by which alloy received from the pressurized source is able to flow into the die cavity. A first part of the length of the flow path includes a runner and a controlled expansion port (CEP) which increases in cross-sectional area, in the direction of alloy flow, from an inlet end of the CEP at an outlet end of the runner to an outlet end of the CEP. A CEP exit module (CEM) forms a second part of the length of the flow path from the outlet end of the CEP. The increase in cross-sectional area of the CEP is such that molten alloy, received at the CEP inlet end at a sufficient flow velocity, undergoes a reduction in flow velocity in its flow through the CEP whereby the alloy is caused to change from a molten state to a semi-solid state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2006
    Assignee: Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation
    Inventors: Morris Taylor Murray, Matthew Alan Cope, Patrick William Rohan, Alan Michael Quadling
  • Patent number: 7108042
    Abstract: An aluminum alloy suitable for diecasting of components with high elongation in the cast state contains, as well as aluminum and unavoidable impurities, 8.0 to 11.5 w. % silicon, 0.3 to 0.8 w. % manganese, 0.08 to 0.4 w. % magnesium, max 0.4 w. % iron, max 0.1 w. % copper, max 0.1 w. % zinc, max 0.15 w. % titanium and 0.05 to 0.5 w. % molybdenum. Optionally, the alloy also contains 0.05 to 0.3 w. % zirconium, 30 to 300 ppm strontium or 5 to 30 ppm sodium and/or 1 to 30 ppm calcium for permanent refinement and for grain refinement gallium phosphide and/or indium phosphide in a quantity corresponding to 1 to 250 ppm phosphorus and/or titanium and boron added by way of an aluminum master alloy with 1 to 2 w. % Ti and 1 to 2 w. % B.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Assignee: Aluminum Rheinfelden GmbH
    Inventor: Hubert Koch
  • Patent number: 7096921
    Abstract: The present invention provides coating systems that minimize thermal and residual stresses to create a fatigue- and soldering-resistant coating for aluminum die casting dies. The coating systems include at least three layers. The outer layer is an alumina- or boro-carbide-based outer layer that has superior non-wettability characteristics with molten aluminum coupled with oxidation and wear resistance. A functionally-graded intermediate layer or “interlayer” enhances the erosive wear, toughness, and corrosion resistance of the die. A thin adhesion layer of reactive metal is used between the die substrate and the interlayer to increase adhesion of the coating system to the die surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Assignee: Colorado School of Mines
    Inventors: John J. Moore, Dalong Zhong
  • Patent number: 7051785
    Abstract: The subject invention provides a method of manufacturing an air conditioning compressor assembly for a vehicle having a front head member. A forming die having a cover half and an ejector half is shaped to define the features of the front head member. A conventional casting process is used to form the front head member. The front head member is cast to include a plurality of sealing surfaces, each concentric with a bore. A fastener passes through the bore to secure the front head member to the compressor housing such that a head portion of the fastener is in sealing engagement with the sealing surface as cast into the front head member to provide a pressure tight seal therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Bradley Joseph Dewispelaere, Philip LaRoach, Michael J Hampton, Andrew W Gifford
  • Patent number: 7051784
    Abstract: By determining an amount of a metal to be prepared into a slurry in its liquid state, thereafter applying a motion to the melted metal via a mechanical or physical means when at least a part of the melted metal reaches a temperature below the liquidus temperature and cooling the melted metal in a slurry preparing container to prepare the melted metal into a metal slurry in a semi-solid state, and by concurrently making the semi-solid metal slurry in the slurry preparing container with a shape to be kept almost unchanged, and feeding the semi-solid metal slurry in a state wherein the shape is nearly kept as it is into the shot sleeve/prechamber of the part making machine, a semi-solid metal slurry with the non-dendritic (spherical) primary crystal particles being fine and almost uniform can be fed into the part making machine, with no need of any specifically complex process but with a simple system and plain equipment. Thus, a shaped part with high quality can be produced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: Ahresty Corp.
    Inventors: Shunzo Aoyama, Chi Liu, Toshiyuki Sakazawa, Ye Pan
  • Patent number: 7036551
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of molding a low-melting-point metal alloy which exhibits thixotropy properties in a solid-phase and liquid-phase coexisting temperature region. In this method, a temperature of a heating holding cylinder is increased to a liquidus temperature or higher at the start of a molding operation. Then a remaining material in the preceding molding remaining in the heating holding cylinder in a solid state is wholly melted. After that a temperature of the heating holding cylinder is lowered to a temperature in the solid-phase and a liquid-phase coexisting temperature region. At the same time a molding material is supplied and a provisional molding is carried out. After the temperature has reached the solid-phase and liquid-phase coexisting temperature region, a regular molding is started. By the present invention a problem of a remaining material in the heating holding cylinder, which becomes a trouble at the start of molding by injection, is solved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2006
    Assignee: Nissei Plastics Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuo Anzai, Koji Takei, Ko Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 7032640
    Abstract: A method of molding a low melting point metal alloy which exhibits thixotropy properties at a solid-liquid coexisting temperature, said method comprising the steps of heating said metal alloy at a temperature in the solid-liquid coexisting temperature region to form a semisolid, supplying said semisolid to a heating/holding cylinder to be accumulated, and injecting said semisolid into a mold. At the end of the molding process, a remaining semisolid material is heated to a wholly molten state, then discharged by injection, and heating is stopped so that the molding operation is finished; or, at a temporary suspension of molding, an accumulated material is heated to a wholly molten state and, at the resumption of molding, the temperature of the heating holding cylinder is lowered to the original solid-liquid coexisting temperature region while discharging said wholly molten material by injection and resupplying with new semisolid molding material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: Nissei Plastic Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuo Anzai, Koji Takei, Ko Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 7028746
    Abstract: An apparatus for molding a metal material. The apparatus includes a vessel with portions defining a passageway through the vessel. An inlet is located toward one end and a member or agitation means is located within the passageway. A plurality of heaters are located a length of the vessel. The first of the heaters is located immediately downstream of the inlet and is a low frequency induction coil heater whereby the temperature gradient through the vessel's sidewall is minimized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignee: Thixomat, Inc.
    Inventors: Ron Akers, Ralph E. Vining, D. Matthew Walukas, Raymond F. Decker, Chris Pedder
  • Patent number: 7025114
    Abstract: A casting method and casting mold able produce a casting having an island and connecting portion is disclosed. A casting having a body, an opening provided so as to pass through the body, an island arranged separated from the body in the opening, and a connecting portion joining the island and body is cast using a casting mold. The casting mold is provided with a body gate connected to a body cavity for forming the body and an opening gate connected to an island/connecting portion cavity for forming the island and the connecting portion. The body gate and opening gate are connected to a runner through body pin gates and opening pin gates; in addition, a die casting mold able to suitably change between a three-part mold structure and a two-part mold structure to cast a die casting is disclosed. The three-part mold structure die casting mold, a movable mold, a first cavity, a connection sleeve, a first runner, a pin gate, and an extension sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: DENSO Corporation
    Inventors: Takeshi Nagasaka, Tomoyuki Hatano, Hiromi Takagi, Ikuo Ozawa, Yasushi Hibi, Minoru Furuhata, Koji Tsuboe, Isao Uenaka
  • Patent number: 7025113
    Abstract: A method for the refining of primary aluminum in hypoeutectic alloys by mixing a titanium based grain refiner into a solid/semi-solid hypoeutectic slurry is described. The method provides control of the morphology, size, and distribution of primary Al in a hypoeutectic Al—Si casting by mixing a hypoeutectic Al—Si liquid with titanium boron alloys. The invention enables grain refining techniques for SSM casting of hypoeutectic Al—Si alloys.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: SPX Corporation
    Inventors: Deepak Saha, Diran Apelian, Mark A. Musser, Dayne Killingsworth, Zach Brown
  • Patent number: 7017649
    Abstract: A die casting machine obtain to obtain a suitable reduced pressure and reliably prevent the entry of molten metal into a valve when reducing the pressure in a cavity and injecting and filling it with a molten metal for casting, provided with the valve for opening and closing an exhaust path, a position detector for detecting an open/closed state of the exhaust path by the valve, an injection apparatus, a position detector for detecting the position of the injection plunger, and a control apparatus for controlling the injection. The control apparatus outputs a control instruction for making it close the exhaust path to the valve when the detected position of the injection plunger reaches a valve closing position set before the speed switching position and stops the drive of the injection plunger when not detecting completion of closure of the exhaust path when the injection plunger reaches the speed switching position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: Toshiba Kikai Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shoko Kubota
  • Patent number: 7017645
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for thermoplastic casting of a suitable glass forming alloy is provided. The method and apparatus comprising thermoplastically casting the alloy in either a continuous or batch process by maintaining the alloy at a temperature in a thermoplastic zone, which is below a temperature, Tnose, (where, the resistance to crystallization is minimum) and above the glass transition temperature, Tg, during the shaping or moulding step, followed by a quenching step where the item is cooled to the ambient temperature. A product formed according to the thermoplastic casting process is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: Liquidmetal Technologies
    Inventors: William L. Johnson, Choongnyun Kim, Atakan Peker
  • Patent number: 7004223
    Abstract: The method and apparatus of the present invention utilizes a computer and at least one pressure transducer for monitoring vacuum parameters in the operation of a die casting machine. A profile of the vacuum measurements are generated as a function of time and are graphically displayed on a shot monitor. The computer is optionally programmed with operator defined traces for comparison with acquired data profiles to segregate parts based on the comparison values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Assignee: SPX Corporation
    Inventors: Zachary Brown, Mark Musser, Joseph Bigelow
  • Patent number: 6997231
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for vacuum diecasting and a diecasting mould (1), especially for diecasting components made of metal or the alloys thereof. The aim of the invention is to provide a better casting quality while simplifying the procedure of the method. To this end, the evacuation of the die cavity (5) and the filling with molten bath are carried out independently from one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Buhler Druckguss AG
    Inventors: Paul Jung, Werner Brugger, Benno Niedermann
  • Patent number: 6994146
    Abstract: A die-casting method and a device for use in the die-casting method are disclosed. The casting material, which can be liquid metal, semi-solid metal or metal-matrix composite, in the shot chamber of a die-casting machine is driven to flow with high shear rate to mix homogeneously by the electromotive force induced with at least one low-frequency shifting electromagnetic field. The temperature and the microstructure of the casting material near the shot chamber are further controlled and perturbed by at least one high-frequency electromagnetic field to minimize the temperature difference or the growth of dendritic microstructure. To ensure the efficiency of the electromagnetic fields, the shot chamber is made of non-magnetic material and its wall thickness is less than three times the penetration depth of the electromagnetic fields. The shot chamber is surrounded by at least one solenoid coil, a conducting shield and at least one electric motor stator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2006
    Inventor: Shaupoh Wang
  • Patent number: 6994147
    Abstract: A method for the refining of primary silicon in hypereutectic alloys by mixing at least two hypereutectic alloys into a solid/semi-solid hypereutectic slurry is described. The method provides control of the morphology, size, and distribution of primary Si in a hypereutectic Al—Si casting by mixing a hypereutectic Al—Si liquid with solid hypereutectic Al—Si particles. The invention enables SSM processing of hypereutectic Al—Si alloys.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2006
    Assignee: SPX Corporation
    Inventors: Deepak Saha, Diran Apelian, Mark A. Musser, Dayne Killingsworth, Zach Brown
  • Patent number: 6988529
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for preparing a metal or metal-alloy product for a casting process—wherein the product is brought into a partly solidified (semi-solidified) state before casting—in which the product contains crystallization nuclei uniformly distributed throughout its volume. The method involves introducing an amount of a chosen alloy (in pulverized form) and an amount of a chosen melt, which is at a temperature above the liquefaction temperature of the alloy, into a crystallization vessel, which is heated to below the liquefaction temperature of the alloy, and mixing the melt and the alloy together in the crystallization vessel by means of electrical and/or magnetic forces to create the desired product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2006
    Inventor: Evgenij Sterling
  • Patent number: 6948549
    Abstract: A vacuum die casting apparatus includes a casting cavity (10), which is evacuatable via a vacuum valve (26). A liquid casting material is pressable into the casting cavity by a piston (14) actuated by an actuator (17). A filling level sensor (20) detects a predetermined filling level of the casting material in the casting cavity. A control device (34) is connected to the filling level sensor for controlling the vacuum valve, and a position sensor (32) is connected to the control device (34) for detecting movement of the piston (14). The control device generates a closing signal for the vacuum valve (26) when the piston, after reaching the position (s1) at which the filling level sensor (20) indicates a predetermined filling level of the casting cavity (10) with casting material has been reached, is displaced in a predetermined manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2005
    Assignee: Alcan BDW GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Jürgen Wüst, Klaus Währisch, Dieter Auer, Elisabeth Wenzel, Christophe Bagnoud
  • Patent number: 6945308
    Abstract: This assembly is for use with hot chamber die casting. More specifically, the assembly is a fast fill bottom fill gooseneck. The intake port has been moved to the bottom of the gooseneck. The bottom intake port has been fitted with an interior plug. When the plunger moves upwardly, it creates a vacuum the pulls the interior plug upwardly. This vacuum also opens the bottom intake port pulling molten metal into the chamber from the reservoir. When the plunger moves downwardly, the interior plug moves downwardly and seals the bottom intake port. As the plunger continues to travel downward, it pressurizes the molten metal and forces the molten metal contained in the cylinder through the channel in the gooseneck, through the nozzle seat and the nozzle into the die cavity of the die thereby filling the cavity and forming the cast part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Inventor: Melvin A. Jones
  • Patent number: 6942006
    Abstract: A metal injection molding apparatus is provided with features which reduce the amount of metal which enters the drive mechanism of the apparatus. The apparatus contains a piston having the head and the shaft, the shaft having a diameter smaller than the diameter of the head. At least one piston ring circumscribes the piston shaft. The apparatus contains an injection chamber having an accumulation portion and a shaft housing portion. The shaft housing portion has openings in the sidewalls and a polygonal internal cross section. The accumulation portion of the injection chamber is maintained at a higher temperature than the shaft housing portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignee: Takata Corporation
    Inventor: Kaname Kono
  • Patent number: 6942009
    Abstract: Provided is an apparatus for continuously manufacturing a plurality of high-quality billets containing fine, uniform spherical particles, with improvements in energy efficiency and mechanical properties, cost reduction, convenience of casting, and shorter manufacturing time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Inventor: Chun Pyo Hong
  • Patent number: 6938669
    Abstract: According to the present invention, between the mold-clamping process S1 in which the mold 1 is closed and the injection-pressure increase (solidifying) process S3, the gate-melting process for heating the hot runner 21 to melt the plug (metallic material) of the gate 27, the mold-lubricant coating process for spraying the lubricant onto the wall surface of the cavity 10, and the material-metering process are simultaneously carried out in parallel to each other. Thus, the molding cycle time can be reduced to a great extent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2005
    Assignee: DENSO Corporation
    Inventors: Hideyuki Suzuki, Koichiro Sato, Ryuichi Onoda
  • Patent number: 6938672
    Abstract: Provided is a rheoforming apparatus that ensures the manufacture of products with fine, uniform spherical particles, with improvements in energy efficiency and mechanical properties of the products, cost reduction, convenience of forming, and shorter manufacturing time. The apparatus includes a first sleeve, an end of which is formed with an outlet vent for releasing slurries; a second sleeve for receiving molten metals, an end of the second sleeve being hinge-connected to the other end of the first sleeve at a predetermined angle; a stirring unit for applying an electromagnetic field to an area of the second sleeve in which the molten metals are present; a plunger, which is inserted into the other end of the second sleeve to block the other end of the second sleeve for receiving the molten metals and to pressurize the slurries; and a forming unit, which is connected to the outlet vent of the first sleeve to form products with a predetermined shape using the slurries.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2005
    Inventor: Chun Pyo Hong
  • Patent number: 6929051
    Abstract: A mold and a method of casting a part wherein the casting surfaces of the mold including the nooks and crannies of the mold are bounded by pitted mold surfaces with the pitted mold surfaces having surface voids therein that are sufficiently small to prevent the molten metal to enter therein; however, when the molten metal is poured in the mold having the pitted surfaces the molten metal solidifies on top of the pitted surface without entering into the pits in the mold surface, yet at the same time the molten metal flows smoothly over all the mold surfaces including the structural nooks and crannies of the mold to form a cast product that is substantially free of voids and fissures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2005
    Assignee: Water Gremlin Company
    Inventors: Norman E. Peterson, Tracy L. Cain
  • Patent number: 6929706
    Abstract: An aluminum-magnesium alloy for casting operations consisting of, in weight percent, Mg 2.7-6.0, Mn 0.4-1.4, Zn 0.10-1.5, Zr 0.3 max., V 0.3 max., Sc 0.3 max., Ti 0.2 max., Fe 1.0 max., Si 1.4 max., balance aluminum and inevitable impurities. The casting alloy is particularly suitable for application in die-casting operations. Further the invention relates to the method of use of the casting alloy for die-casting automotive components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2005
    Assignees: Corus Aluminium Voerde GmbH, Corus Aluminium Walzprodukte GmbH
    Inventors: Martinus Godefridus Johannes Spanjers, Desikan Sampath, Alfred Johann Peter Haszler
  • Patent number: 6923244
    Abstract: A pouring apparatus for castings uses separate systems for supplying billets and delivering the semi-molten material, making it possible to readily modify the discharge flows and pressure. A pouring apparatus for castings that comprises solid material supply means for supplying solid material to a melting basin; heating means for heating the melting basin to semi-melt solid material supplied to the melting basin; a conveyance chamber provided adjacent to the melting basin; and delivery means for discharging, from a discharge nozzle, semi-molten material conveyed from the melting basin to the conveyance chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2005
    Assignees: Seiko Idea Center Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tetsuichi Motegi, Kiichi Miyazaki, Yoshitomo Tezuka, Kiyotaka Yoshihara
  • Patent number: 6918427
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing a metal component from a non-dendritic, semi-solid metal alloy slurry involves the use of a graphite agitator that is functionally equivalent to conventional metal rod agitators, and has the additional advantage of having a very low surface wettability, whereby labor and expenses associated with removing a metal alloy skin formed after withdrawal of the agitator from a metal slurry is eliminated or at least substantially reduced. The invention also provides an improved process and apparatus for producing a metal component from a non-dendritic semi-solid metal slurry by transferring the slurry to a cooling vessel for subsequent cooling and raising of the solids content without agitation after the slurry has been formed with agitation in a first vessel, whereby more rapid cooling of the slurry and increased production rates are achievable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2005
    Assignee: IdraPrince, Inc.
    Inventors: James A. Yurko, Rodger W. Brower, Raul A. Martinez, Merton C. Flemings, Paolo Bertelli
  • Patent number: 6915834
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for producing metal foam and to a metal body produced using this process. The object is achieved by a process for producing metal foam by adding a blowing agent to a metal melt, wherein the metal melt is introduced into the die cavity of a metal die-casting machine and is foamed using a blowing agent which releases gases and is solid at room temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Assignees: Goldschmidt AG, Buehler Druckguss AG
    Inventors: Wilfried Knott, Benno Niedermann, Manfred Recksik, Andreas Weier
  • Patent number: 6913062
    Abstract: A fiber reinforced porous preform is positioned within a die cavity defined by upper and lower die members, and the lower die member defines at least one gate opening in the center portion of a water cooled shot sleeve which receives a vertically moveable shot piston. The area of the gate opening is small relative to the area of the shot sleeve, and the lower die member defines an annular recess above the inner surface of the shot sleeve for entrapping a shell of pre-solidified metal. Air vent slots extend outwardly between the shot sleeve and lower die member and are closed by the shell of pre-solidified metal. In one embodiment, the shot sleeve and shot piston are non-circular or oval in cross-section; and the lower die member has a plurality of longitudinally space gate openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2005
    Assignee: THT Presses Inc.
    Inventors: Richard J. Kamm, Michael J. Loughman, Ronald P. Swarts
  • Patent number: 6910521
    Abstract: A molten metal feed apparatus which can feed molten metal into a casting apparatus by opening a vessel and which is free from leakage of the molten metal from the opening/closing part of the vessel, provided with a holding vessel having an opening at its bottom and holding a metal material, a lid for closing the opening, a drive means for making the lid move with respect to the holding vessel to open or close the opening, and an induction heating coil for heating the metal material by induction of a current to the metal material in the holding vessel and generating a magnetic field applying to the molten metal a force preventing leakage of the molten metal in the holding vessel from between the opening and the lid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2005
    Assignee: Toshiba Kikai Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroshi Nanto, Akira Hirahara
  • Patent number: 6904951
    Abstract: A casting device for metallic product includes a main unit 1 having a pressurizing chamber 14 and casting cavities 16 for accommodating a metallic material M, a pressurizing unit 3 for pressurizing the metallic material M contained in the pressurizing chamber 14 to cause the metallic material to flow into the casting cavities 16 and a blade unit 4 provided between the pressurizing chamber 14 and the casting cavities 16. The blade unit 4 includes a scraper edge 41 for scraping the outer layer of the metallic material M pressurized by the pressurizing unit 3. After the end of the scraping operation for the outer layer M2 of the metallic material M, the blade unit 4 is moved by the first driving unit 51 from the scraping position A1 to a disengaging position. Thereby, the metallic material can be readily separated from the blade unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2005
    Assignee: Aisin Takaoka, Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomiyuki Murayama, Ken Torii, Yukinao Demachi
  • Patent number: 6901991
    Abstract: A metal alloy is heated to a molten state and is poured into a shot sleeve of a vertical die cast press and on top of a shot piston. The shot sleeve is transferred to an injection station while the molten alloy is cooled to a semi-solid slurry and a globular, generally non-dendritic microstructure. A retractable cooling pin is temporarily inserted into a center portion of the slurry while in the shot sleeve to obtain optimum cooling. A center portion of the slurry is injected upwardly by the piston through a gate opening into a die cavity while an outer more solid portion of the slurry is entrapped in an annular recess. After the slurry solidifies, the shot piston retracts, and the shot sleeve is transferred to a position where the residual biscuit is removed. Another shot sleeve filled with the molten allow is transferred, and the process is repeated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2005
    Assignee: THT Presses Inc.
    Inventors: Richard J. Kamm, John L. Jorstad
  • Patent number: 6899158
    Abstract: There is provided a method for manufacturing a cylinder for an internal combustion engine by making use of an insert core, which makes it possible to manufacture the cylinder by a die casting method such as a high-pressure die casting method at low cost and in high accuracy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Assignee: Kioritz Corporation
    Inventors: Fujihiro Matuura, Takio Shoji, Daiju Yamada
  • Patent number: RE39291
    Abstract: In metallic material injection molding machines, the connection between the injection nozzle and the sprue bushing has tended to leak metallic material. To overcome this problem, the nozzle has been modified to have a projecting portion or spigot that extends into a mating portion of the sprue bushing to form a seal between the respective portion walls. The nozzle and sprue bushing can move axially with respect to one another without loss of sealing whereas with the prior designs any separation between confronting annular surfaces on the sprue bushing and the nozzle would result in a loss of sealing and leakage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Assignee: Husky Injection Molding Systems Ltd.
    Inventors: Martin R. Kestle, Jan Marius Manda