By Direct Fluid Pressure Patents (Class 164/119)
  • Publication number: 20080023526
    Abstract: A new pressure-only molten metal valving apparatus and method is provided. This novel approach to controlling the flow of liquids eliminates the need for active, moving valve components. Using the natural surface tension properties of liquids, the gas pressure either activates liquid flow when a threshold is overcome or retains the liquid in a head, even when lifted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2006
    Publication date: January 31, 2008
    Inventors: Glen N. Biggs, John J. Garant, Peter A. Gruber, Bouwe W. Leenstra, Christopher L. Tessler, Thomas Weiss
  • Patent number: 7174946
    Abstract: A chill casting and foam casting method together with a casting mold that is closable in a pressure-tight manner for producing molded articles. To improve the chill casting method and the foam casting method so that the quality of the products produced is greatly increased and particularly homogeneous material properties are achieved, a gas is supplied to a melt which only partially fills a closed mold cavity until the inside pressure within the mold cavity exceeds the melting point pressure curve such that the melt suddenly solidifies. The solidification process takes place largely independently of location and is thus sudden, so that the instantaneous state of the melt is reflected in the resulting solidified article with virtually no change. This makes it possible to produce molded articles which have a uniform core distribution and meet high quality demands in a reliable and reproducible manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: The University of Hannover
    Inventors: Jochen Weber, Friedrich-Wilhelm Bach, Mirko Schaper
  • Patent number: 7056577
    Abstract: A body, such as a grain, for providing ingrowth and growth of bone tissue and/or connective tissue. The body consists of a plastic or non-essentially elastic biocompatible material, preferably metal or metal alloy. It is also porous, having the following porosity characteristics: (a) the porosity is continuous and (b) the opening of cavities/indentations/pockets and the ducts connecting them has the width of >about 50 ?m for bone tissue and >about 10 ?m for connective tissue. In a method of making such a body, the body has been produced by blowing gas into a melt of metal. An advantageous use of bodies according to the invention is enclosing thereof in a casing, formed with openings, for making an implant, such as a spinal implant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignee: Tigran Technologies AB
    Inventors: Ingrid Bruce, Lars Bruce
  • Patent number: 7036554
    Abstract: The invention is relating to a system for casting metal, the system comprising a holding furnace (3) containing a base metal melt (2), at least one casting crucible (1) mounted inside the holding furnace (3) and situated at least partly in the base metal melt (2), the said casting crucible (1) divided to at least first volume (4) and second volume (5) with a separating wall (6), which separating wall (6) is forming a gap (10) with the casting crucible wall (11) said casting crucible (1) having at least one opening (12) in the wall (11) from the first volume (4) to the base metal melt (2) in holding furnace (3) and having means to import alloying material (7) to the first volume (4) and having at least one casting die (8) in the second volume (5) inserted into the alloyed metal melt (9). The invention also relates to a method of casting metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2006
    Inventors: Russell Nippert, Brian Swank, Ilppo Hiekkanen, Ilpo Koppinen
  • Patent number: 6929052
    Abstract: A method for uphill casting/low-pressure casting, especially of light metal alloys, with a casting furnace lying below a casting table, having a riser pipe and a mouth opening of the riser pipe and having a mould with an underlying pouring-in opening and having a slide valve closure, forming a flow-through channel which for casting takes on a substantially straight, longitudinal course, wherein for shut-off in the slide valve closure, two opening sections of the flow-through channel directly adjacent one to the other are displaced with respect to one another transversely to the longitudinal course of the flow-through channel directly after casting with still liquid melt in the pouring-in opening, so that an overlying opening section remains in open communication with the pouring-in opening free from undercut and an underlying opening section remains in open communication with the mouth opening of the riser pipe, wherein the opening sections are completely offset with respect to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2005
    Assignee: Hydro Aluminium Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Alexander Fischer, Wolfgang Müller
  • Patent number: 6910520
    Abstract: There is disclosed a mold (1) for casting including: a lower mold (6) having four gates (5) (at least one gate); an upper mold (7) being matched with the lower mold (6) to form a cavity; and side molds (2a), (2b) being matched with the lower mold (6) and upper mold (7) to form the cavity and being split (into at least two). In the mold (1) for casting is constituted an upper surface of a weir (4) of a flat portion of side molds (2a), (2b), and other surfaces of the weir (4) is constituted of a concave portion of the lower molds (6), and the weir (4) is disposed so as to keep a parting line (3) between the side molds (2a), (2b) away. The mold (1) for casting can easily be demolded, and the desired number of gate systems can be formed in desired positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2005
    Assignee: Asahi Tec Corporation
    Inventor: Tatsuya Aoki
  • Patent number: 6899159
    Abstract: A method for uphill/low pressure casting of a liquid melt in a device which has a casting furnace lying below a casting table, a mould with an underlying pouring-in opening and a slide valve closure forming a flow-through channel having a substantially straight longitudinal course during casting the liquid melt. The casting method constitutes casting the liquid melt in the pouring-in opening of the mould, shutting off the slide valve closure by displacing an overlying opening section and an underlying opening section of the flow-through channel directly after casting the liquid melt in the mould, which liquid melt is still in the pouring-in opening. The liquid melt is lowered below the mouth opening of the riser pipe and the mould is placed on the riser pipe so that a downward pressure is set between the slide valve closure and the mouth opening of the riser pipe which behaves elastically flexibly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Assignee: Hydro Aluminium Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Alexander Fischer, Wolfgang Müller
  • Patent number: 6840301
    Abstract: A method for casting an article composed of a foamed metal includes positioning a die with a die cavity above a bath of a molten metal and pressurizing the bath to cause the molten metal to fill the die cavity. A gas is then bubbled through the molten metal to form a foam. The foam is formed in the die cavity. Once the foam in the die cavity is solidified, the pressure in the bath is released and the formed article is removed. An apparatus for the method includes a die positioned above the bath, the die having a die cavity in fluid communication with the bath. The bath is provided with a pressurizing means and a venting means as well as a gas supply port for forming the foam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2005
    Assignee: Cymat Corp.
    Inventors: Scott Nichol, James K. Killingbeck, Richard G. Manely
  • Publication number: 20040250978
    Abstract: A method for uphill casting/low-pressure casting, especially of light metal alloys, with a casting furnace lying below a casting table, having a riser pipe and a mouth opening of the riser pipe and having a mould with an underlying pouring-in opening and having a slide valve closure, forming a flow-through channel which for casting takes on a substantially straight, longitudinal course, wherein for shut-off in the slide valve closure, two opening sections of the flow-through channel directly adjacent one to the other are displaced with respect to one another transversely to the longitudinal course of the flow-through channel directly after casting with still liquid melt in the pouring-in opening, so that an overlying opening section remains in open communication with the pouring-in opening free from undercut and an underlying opening section remains in open communication with the mouth opening of the riser pipe, wherein the opening sections are completely offset with respect to each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2003
    Publication date: December 16, 2004
    Inventors: Alexander Fischer, Wolfgang Muller
  • Patent number: 6819547
    Abstract: The housing used in the electronic apparatus has an outer wall. The outer wall is formed by injecting a metal material from a plurality of gates into a molding space in a metal die. The outer wall includes a first end portion situated on an upstream end along a flowing direction of the metal material, a second end portion situated on a downstream end of the flowing direction of the metal material, and an injection portion formed on the first end portion where the plurality of gates of the metal die are situated, forming a space between the first end portion and the injection portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2004
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Minaguchi, Nobuyasu Tajima, Naohiro Yokoyama, Yasuyuki Suzuki
  • Patent number: 6805189
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for making a cast product shape using a die casting method wherein a molten metallic material is introduced into a shot sleeve having an end that is closed by a movable closure member. The molten metallic material is forced by movement of a plunger in the shot sleeve to the closed end of the shot sleeve where the plunger maintains pressure on the metallic material until it is at least partially solidified in the shot sleeve in the form of a cast product having a outer peripheral shape corresponding to the inner peripheral shape of the shot sleeve. The end of the shot sleeve then is opened by relative movement of the closure member and the shot sleeve, and the plunger is moved further to eject the product shape from the open end of the shot sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2004
    Assignee: Howmet Research Corporation
    Inventor: Leonard L. Ervin
  • Patent number: 6789582
    Abstract: Apparatus for casting molten metal for the production of metal castings by “lost-foam” technology, comprises: a first container (15) of molten metal, a second container (1) having an upper mouth and containing a bath of granular material (2), immersed in which is a pattern (3, 3a) made of expanded material which can evaporate when contacted by the molten metal, and filling means (14) for supplying the molten metal from the first container (15) to the pattern (3, 3a) in the second container (1), and means for applying a partial vacuum to the second container (1), the means comprising a removable cover (7) which can seal the mouth of the second container (1) in a leaktight manner and which has a first opening (9) with which vacuum-generating means (10, 11) are associated and a second opening (13) with which the filling means (14) are associated in a leaktight manner so that, when the cover (7) is fitted on the second container (1) in a leaktight manner and the vacuum-generating means (10, 11) are ac
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Assignee: Teksid Aluminum S.r.l.
    Inventor: Andrea Mancusi
  • Patent number: 6779588
    Abstract: A mold of a casting machine is filled to make a cast article. The method includes providing a molten metal to a casting chamber in fluid communication with the mold, the casting chamber having a supply conduit for introducing a gas into the casting chamber, and the casting chamber having an evacuation conduit for delivering the molten metal from the casting chamber to the mold. The method also includes controlling the filling of the mold during a first time interval by delivering the molten metal from the casting chamber to the mold at a first rate. The method further includes controlling the filling of the mold during a second time interval by delivering the molten metal from the casting chamber to the mold at a second rate. The filling of the mold decelerates from the first rate to the second rate and the second rate does not exceed the first rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2004
    Assignee: Hayes Lemmerz International, Inc.
    Inventors: Dave Good, Robert L. Macheske, Kenneth D. McKibben, Daniel D. Minor, Tom Rozich, Mark Salgat, Brandon Schnettler
  • Patent number: 6772819
    Abstract: A casting machine is provided for producing an as-cast product by using horizontally split type metal molds, which are closed and held horizontally to define a cavity, and by pouring molten metal from a holding furnace into the cavity. The casting machine includes a metal drag held horizontally at a fixed position; a plurality of upwardly-facing cylinders disposed around the metal drag and mounted on a floor or a base, each cylinder having a cylinder rod that extends and retracts; and a cope die base mounted for vertical movement on the distal ends of the cylinder rods of the upwardly-facing cylinders for horizontally holding a metal cope at a position above the metal drag so that the metal cope is mated with the metal drag to define the cavity when the cope die base is lowered by the upwardly-facing cylinders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Assignee: Sintokogio, Ltd.
    Inventors: Fumikazu Shiose, Yukiyoshi Funakoshi
  • Patent number: 6742568
    Abstract: The casting apparatus (50) includes a holding vessel (10) for containing a supply of molten metal (12) and a casting mold (52) located above the holding vessel (10) and having a casting cavity (54). A molten metal injector (14) extends into the holding vessel (10) and is at least partially immersed in the molten metal (12) in the holding vessel (10). The molten metal injector (14) is in fluid communication with the casting cavity (54). The molten metal injector (14) has an injector body (16) defining an inlet opening (24) for receiving molten metal into the injector body (16). A gas pressurization source (38) is in fluid communication with the injector body (16) for cyclically pressurizing the injector body (16) and inducing molten metal to flow from the injector body (16) to the casting cavity (54). An inlet valve (42) is located in the inlet opening (24) in the injector body (16) for filling molten metal into the injector body (16).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2004
    Assignee: Alcoa Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas N. Meyer
  • Publication number: 20040050525
    Abstract: An apparatus and process are provided for discharging a dose of a molten metal from a pressure pour furnace. A heating chamber of the furnace is used to keep the molten metal at a selected temperature. A sealing port between the heating chamber and a pressure chamber allows selectively filling of the pressure chamber with molten metal from the heating chamber by inserting or removing a sealing means from the sealing port. The sealing means inserted in the sealing port also provides a means for preventing back flow of the molten metal to the heating chamber when the pressure chamber is pressurized. Differential pressure sensing of the pressure of the molten metal in the pressure chamber and the pressure of the pressurizing gas in the pressure chamber can optionally be used to achieve an accurate measured discharge from the pressure chamber as the level of molten metal decreases from repeated discharges of doses from the furnace.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2003
    Publication date: March 18, 2004
    Inventors: Gordon F. Kennedy, Mark G. Mohler
  • Patent number: 6684934
    Abstract: Countergravity casting of metals and metal alloys provides for melting of the metallic material under subambient pressure, evacuation of a gas permeable or impermeable mold under subambient pressure, and controlled, rapid filling of the mold while it is maintained under the subambient pressure by applying gas pressure locally on the molten metallic material in a sealed space defined by engagement of a mold base and a melting vessel with a seal therebetween. The gas pressure applied locally in the sealed space establishes a differential pressure on the molten metallic material to force it upwardly through the fill tube into the mold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: Hitchiner Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Danny L. Cargill, Mark W. Oles, Robert A. Poole
  • Publication number: 20040011496
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for uphill casting/low-pressure casting, especially of light metal alloys, having a casting furnace lying below a casting table, with a riser pipe and a mouth opening of the riser pipe and having a mould with an underlying pouring-in opening and having a slide valve closure, forming a the flow-through channel which for casting takes on a substantially straight, longitudinal course, wherein for shut-off in the slide valve closure, two opening sections of the flow-through channel directly adjacent one to the other are displaced with respect to one another transversely to the longitudinal course of the flow-through channel directly after casting with still liquid melt in the pouring-in opening, wherein an overlying opening section remains in open communication with the pouring-in opening free from undercut and an underlying opening section remains in open communication with the mouth opening of the riser pipe, wherein the opening sections are completely offset with respect to each other, a
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2003
    Publication date: January 22, 2004
    Inventors: Alexander Fischer, Wolfgang Mller
  • Patent number: 6675865
    Abstract: The concave design forming unit with the desired form is formed on the surface of the molded component easily in the case of injection molding by using the low melting point metal material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Tatsuo Yoshida
  • Patent number: 6666254
    Abstract: A method is described for uphill casting in sand molds with high-resin casting cores or especially casting cores containing binders, and with directed solidification of metallic castings that have at least one cavity. In particular, these are prototypes of engine blocks or cylinder heads, for example for internal combustion engines that are provided with a cavity through which coolant water flows. To provide for low-turbulence flow of the liquid molten metal during the deaeration of the casting mold, the casting mold is provided with at least one feeder head that is connected through a casting system to an infeed funnel, and the molten metal it contains is displaced by gravity through the casting system into the casting mold, with the cavity in the molten metal being subjected after the filling to reduced pressure that is greater than the pressure of the core gases formed in the core. This eliminates the hindrance to filling the mold from air pockets in the mold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2003
    Assignee: ACTech GmbH Advanced Casting Technologies Giessereitechnologie
    Inventors: Heiko Voigt, Norbert Demarczyk
  • Patent number: 6640877
    Abstract: Molten metallic material is cast into a mold that is made with a barrier to reduce gas permeability through a mold wall that forms on its innermost side a mold surface for contacting the molten metallic material. The molten metallic material is gravity cast into the mold residing in a furnace in a casting chamber under a first pressure, such as subambient pressure. Then, a gaseous pressure is provided in the casting chamber higher than the first pressure rapidly enough to reduce or eliminate the presence of localized voids in the casting solidified in the mold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Assignee: Howmet Research Corporation
    Inventors: Mark L. Soderstrom, Bart M. Kilinski, John R. Brinegar, Brad J. Murphy
  • Patent number: 6637496
    Abstract: Apparatus for making a cast article includes a rotary table with a drive for indexing the rotary table to a plurality of rotational positions. A molten metal supply apparatus is placed at a first fixed location adjacent to said rotary table. A plurality of casting machines are supported at predetermined spacings on the rotary table, each respective casting machine having a respective holding furnace feeding a respective stalk tube and having a molten metal inlet port for receiving molten metal from the molten metal supply apparatus when the respective casting machine is indexed to a fill position adjacent the first fixed location. Each respective casting machine is adapted to receive one or more molds and has an open mold configuration and a closed mold configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Assignee: Hayes Lemmerz International, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert L. Macheske, Thomas J. H. Rozich, Alan P. Gould, Daniel D. Minor, Kenneth D. McKibben
  • Publication number: 20030178169
    Abstract: A method for uphill/low-pressure casting, especially of light metal alloys, with a casting table having a flow-through opening, with a casting furnace lying below the casting table with a riser pipe forming an upwardly open mouth opening, with a mould having a base plate which has a downwardly open pouring-in opening; the mouth opening is positioned against the flow-through opening in a sealing fashion from below, the mould is brought with its pouring-in opening over the flow-through opening, melt is conveyed from the casting furnace via the riser pipe into the mould until it is filled, the mould is displaced horizontally on the casting furnace with open melt-filled communication between the casting furnace and the mould until the pouring-in opening is closed by the casting table below and the flow-through opening is closed by the base plate above, the melt is allowed to drop in the riser pipe as far as below the mouth opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2003
    Publication date: September 25, 2003
    Inventors: Alexander Fischer, Wolfgang Mller
  • Patent number: 6595265
    Abstract: A fan according to the present invention can be monolithically molded out of a metal with a low energy in combination with a structure of a metal mold, in which gate arrangement and/or distribution of dimensions of vanes is devised in injecting a low melting-point metal such as magnesium, wherein not only production but also reproducing such as recycling are facilitated, and also a metalwave of the fan can be produced in consideration of the global atmosphere preservation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hitoshi Kikuchi, Yoshimi Iwamura, Yasuyoshi Makino, Jiro Fukuyama, Hideaki Miyagawa, Akio Endo
  • Patent number: 6550526
    Abstract: The invention relates to a crucible induction furnace for producing cast parts consisting of aluminum and magnesium alloys, especially particle-reinforced alloys. According to the invention, the material being melted is directly, inductively heated and stirred in an electrically non-conductive, refractory lining or crucible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Assignee: Honsel GmbH & Co., KG
    Inventors: Dieter Brungs, Andreas Kessler, Manfred Dette
  • Patent number: 6540007
    Abstract: A process for molding a casting made of light alloy comprises the steps consisting in: preparing a mold with a print made of physically setting sand, incorporating a movable closure means in the mold near a feed runner of the mold, placing the mold in such a way that its feed runner is in the lower part, connecting the feed runner of the mold to a tube for feeding with a pressurized molten alloy, filling the mold with said alloy, before any substantial solidification of the casting, moving the closure means in order to close off the feed runner, then rotating the mold through approximately 180° in order to ensure solidification in gravity mode. Application especially to the manufacture of engine blocks for motor vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2003
    Assignee: Montupet S.A.
    Inventor: Philippe Meyer
  • Publication number: 20030034143
    Abstract: A method for casting an article composed of a foamed metal includes positioning a die with a die cavity above a bath of a molten metal and pressurizing the bath to cause the molten metal to fill the die cavity. A gas is then bubbled through the molten metal to form a foam. The foam is formed in the die cavity. Once the foam in the die cavity is solidified, the pressure in the bath is released and the formed article is removed. An apparatus for the method includes a die positioned above the bath, the die having a die cavity in fluid communication with the bath. The bath is provided with a pressurizing means and a venting means as well as a gas supply port for forming the foam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2002
    Publication date: February 20, 2003
    Inventors: Scott Nichol, James K. Killingbeck, Richard G. Manley
  • Patent number: 6505677
    Abstract: When casting metal articles in a mould by forcing molten metal upwardly through a filling tube by gas pressure in a closed chamber, the datum level just below that of a connector connecting the filling tube to the mould is registered by a level sensor in a sensing tube while the latter's upper end is connected to atmosphere through a vent tube. At the same moment, the pressure is measured by a pressure sensor and recorded by a control unit and maintained constant by the latter after the emptying of the sensing tube, by connecting its upper end to the chamber through an equalizing tube, until the pressure is increased to fill the mould according to a predetermined function of time programmed into the control unit. The starting point for the filling of all moulds in succession is the same, regardless of the amount of metal in the supply unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: Georg Fischer Disa A/S
    Inventors: Peter M¥ller Iversen, Uffe Andersen
  • Patent number: 6499529
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for countergravity casting a plurality of articles wherein a ceramic mold is provided having an upstanding riser passage and a plurality of mold cavities disposed along a length of the riser passage at different elevations, each mold cavity communicating to the riser passage via a gate passage, wherein molten metal is forced to flow upwardly from a source into the riser passage for supply to the mold cavities via their gate passages, wherein the mold is rotated so that molten metal that resides in the gate passages is subjected to centrifugal force in a direction toward the mold cavities, and wherein molten metal in the riser passage is drained to empty the riser passage before molten metal in the mold cavities and the gate passages solidifies, leaving the gate passages at least partially filled with molten metal for supply to the mold cavities in response to shrinkage as molten metal therein solidifies while the container is rotated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2002
    Assignee: Hitchiner Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Attila P. Farkas
  • Publication number: 20020195224
    Abstract: A casting machine is provided for producing an as-cast product by using horizontally split type metal molds, which are closed and held horizontally to define a cavity, and by pouring molten metal from a holding furnace into the cavity. The casting machine includes a metal drag held horizontally at a fixed position; a plurality of upwardly-facing cylinders disposed around the metal drag and mounted on a floor or a base, each cylinder having a cylinder rod that extends and retracts; and a cope die base mounted for vertical movement on the distal ends of the cylinder rods of the upwardly-facing cylinders for horizontally holding a metal cope at a position above the metal drag so that the metal cope is mated with the metal drag to define the cavity when the cope die base is lowered by the upwardly-facing cylinders.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2002
    Publication date: December 26, 2002
    Applicant: SINTOKOGIO, LTD.
    Inventors: Fumikazu Shiose, Yukiyoshi Funakoshi
  • Publication number: 20020179276
    Abstract: The casting apparatus (50) includes a holding vessel (10) for containing a supply of molten metal (12) and a casting mold (52) located above the holding vessel (10) and having a casting cavity (54). A molten metal injector (14) extends into the holding vessel (10) and is at least partially immersed in the molten metal (12) in the holding vessel (10). The molten metal injector (14) is in fluid communication with the casting cavity (54). The molten metal injector (14) has an injector body (16) defining an inlet opening (24) for receiving molten metal into the injector body (16). A gas pressurization source (38) is in fluid communication with the injector body (16) for cyclically pressurizing the injector body (16) and inducing molten metal to flow from the injector body (16) to the casting cavity (54). An inlet valve (42) is located in the inlet opening (24) in the injector body (16) for filling molten metal into the injector body (16).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2001
    Publication date: December 5, 2002
    Inventor: Thomas N. Meyer
  • Publication number: 20020166650
    Abstract: A closed system and method that includes a source of pressurizeable molten lead connected to a mold having a mold cavity therein with the mold maintainable at sufficiently low temperature so that a charge of molten lead located in the mold cavity solidifies to thereby form a solidified casting in the mold cavity. A housing having a runner, is maintainable at sufficiently high temperature to maintain the molten lead in a molten state so that the mold cavity can be refilled with a fresh charge molten lead when a solidified casting is removed therefrom without introducing air to the closed system. A shut-off valve, having an open position to allow a charge of molten lead to flow into the mold cavity and a closed position to prevent molten lead from flowing out of the runner as the molten lead in mold cavity solidifies with the shut-off valve configurable to intensify the pressure of the lead in the mold cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2002
    Publication date: November 14, 2002
    Applicant: Water Gremlin Company
    Inventor: Robert W. Ratte
  • Patent number: 6453978
    Abstract: A casting process for casting, in particular of sand molds provided with casting boxes, which makes it possible to keep the apparatus expense low, to save cycle material and to achieve an improved quality, consists of the intake channel extending in a plane lying essentially horizontally during casting and being provided with a bearing surface defining its port, onto which bearing surface can be sealingly positioned a fill pipeline through which the mold can be filled with metal under low pressure. A casting system to carry out the method consists of a casting machine with a pressure kettle and a fill pipeline which is connected to the intake channel lying essentially in a horizontal plane, whereby the sealed coupling of fill pipeline and intake channel is obtained through specified bearing pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Assignee: Heinrich Wagner Sinto Maschinenfabrik GmbH
    Inventor: Herbert Grolla
  • Patent number: 6453979
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for investment casting wherein a ceramic investment mold is disposed in a chamber and communicates with a melt reservoir connected to the mold and having a reservoir volume for holding enough melt to fill the mold. The melt pour cup reservoir is communicated to the mold via an inverted loop feed gate so that the melt is fed from a lower region of the reservoir through the inverted loop feed gate to the mold upon gas pressurization of the melt in the reservoir. The loop feed gate is configured to have a loop region above the melt level in the reservoir so as to prevent melt flow from the reservoir to the more mold cavities in the absence of pressurization. While residing in the reservoir, oxides and other inclusion-forming particles in the melt can float to the upper surface of the melt, whereby the melt fed from the lower region of the reservoir to the mold via the inverted loop melt feed gate includes reduced amount of inclusion-forming particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Assignee: Howmet Research Corporation
    Inventors: Mark L. Soderstrom, Dale A. Grumm, Lester G. Striker
  • Patent number: 6453976
    Abstract: A vaporizable refractory coated pattern assembly is formed having a sprue connected to a plurality of thin wall patterns of articles to be cast. The pattern assembly is supported in a refractory particulate media in an open bottom container that is evacuated to subambient pressure and rotated in a manner to distribute particulates to regions of the refractory coated patterns not yet directly contacted by particulates. The pattern assembly is comprised of relatively dense foam plastic pattern material that imparts increased strength to the thin wall patterns. The sprue includes a vent passage that communicates to a particulate media to vent pattern decomposition vapors thereto in a manner that enables faster replacement of the pattern assembly in the media, despite the use of the relatively dense pattern material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Assignee: Hitchiner Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventors: George D. Chandley, Qi Zhao
  • Patent number: 6450237
    Abstract: A compound cast product is formed in a casting mold (14) having a mold cavity (16) sized and shaped to form the cast product. A plurality of injectors (24) is supported from a bottom side (26) of the casting mold (14). The injectors (24) are in fluid communication with the mold cavity (16) through the bottom side (26) of the casting mold (14). A molten material holder furnace (12) is located beneath the casting mold (14). The holder furnace (12) defines molten material receiving chambers (36) configured to separately contain supplies of two different molten materials (37, 38). The holder furnace (12) is positioned such that the injectors (24) extend downward into the receiving chamber (36). The receiving chamber (36) is separated into at least two different flow circuits (51, 52). A first molten material (37) is received in a first flow circuit (51), and a second molten material (38) is received into a second flow circuit (52).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2002
    Inventors: Thomas N. Meyer, Srinath Viswanathan
  • Publication number: 20020121157
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for producing metal foam and to a metal body produced using this process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2002
    Publication date: September 5, 2002
    Inventors: Wilfried Knott, Benno Niedermann, Manfred Recksik, Andreas Weier
  • Patent number: 6422293
    Abstract: Placed in a box (1) is a ceramic shell (21) delimiting a casting space (22), the shell being surrounded by a mass of binder-free sand (23). The casting space is connected to a source (4) of liquid metal located underneath, in which are applied, in succession, a pressure (P1) bringing the liquid to the threshold of the casting space (22), a pressure (P2) slightly greater than that necessary for filling this space, and then a marked overpressure (P3); finally, the pressure is brought back down to the first value (P1). When the casting space has been filled, an underpressure is created in the space containing the mass of sand (23) in order to prevent any deformation of the shell (21) due to the overpressure (P3), at least until the formation of a metal skin against the shell and at most until the start of the reduction in the overpressure in the source (4) of liquid metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2002
    Assignee: SEVA
    Inventors: Jean-Louis Comarteau, Christophe Liebaut, Alain Reny, Didier Thomas
  • Patent number: 6382301
    Abstract: In order to increase casting production during a filling of a mold from below, an uptake for the casting mass is provided in molding sand of the mold. Immediately after the filling of the mold has been concluded, a part of the uptake which extends in the molding sand is interrupted and thus closed off so that the mold can be immediately separated from the casting container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignee: Heinrich Wagner Sinto Maschinenfabrik GmbH
    Inventor: Herbert Grolla
  • Patent number: 6378595
    Abstract: A control system and method for controlling a low-pressure die casting machine wherein the pressure within the dies more accurately tracks the desired recipe pressure. The control system senses pressure in the dies and compares the sensed pressure to desired pressure. Should the difference between the sensed pressure and the desired pressure be indicative of a problem in the casting operation, subsequent casting cycles are prevented. Should the difference between the sensed pressure and the desired pressure be indicative of a potential catastrophic failure, the current casting cycle is immediately terminated, thereby minimizing the possibility of catastrophic failure. The control system has commercially available and easily replaceable components and, thus, can be quickly repaired to reduce machine downtime should any component fail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Assignee: Honda of America Mfg., Inc.
    Inventor: Richard D. Zimmerman, II
  • Publication number: 20020023728
    Abstract: A fan according to the present invention can be monolithically molded out of a metal with a low energy in combination with a structure of a metal mold, in which gate arrangement and/or distribution of dimensions of vanes is devised in injecting a low melting-point metal such as magnesium, wherein not only production but also reproducing such as recycling are facilitated, and also a metalwave of the fan can be produced in consideration of the global atmosphere preservation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2001
    Publication date: February 28, 2002
    Inventors: Hitoshi Kikuchi, Yoshimi Iwamura, Yasuyoshi Makino, Jiro Fukuyama, Hideaki Miyagawa, Akio Endo
  • Patent number: 6341640
    Abstract: In casting metal objects in casting cavities (2) in moulds (1), connectable to a pressurized mould-filling furnace (5) through a delivery tube (8) and a connector (9), an external riser (13) is connected to and extends upwardly from the junction of the tube (8) and the connector (9). The riser (13) is used as a temporary reservoir in which the level of molten metal is regulated by controlling the gas pressure in space 7 in the furnace (5) such that the filling head, defined as the difference in level between the metal in the casting cavities (2) and that in the external riser (13), is kept constant or made to vary in a desired manner, e.g. so as to cause the level in the cavities to ascend at a substantially constant rate. The invention makes it inter alia possible to produce high-quality aluminum castings in sand moulds, e.g. using automatic foundry equipment of the DISAMATIC® type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2002
    Assignee: Georg Fischer Disa A/S
    Inventors: Peter Iversen, Uffe Andersen
  • Publication number: 20020000303
    Abstract: Production of light metal castings composed of magnesium or magnesium alloys, includes supplying a liquid metal first to a dosing chamber; pumping gas under pressure into the dosing chamber so as to press the liquid metal into a preliminarily evacuated mold nest; performing a production process within a system which is pressure-tightly closed from outside; performing heating of the liquid metal in a lower part of a melting device which adjoins a feed system; performing overheating of the liquid metal from a melting condition with a temperature of approximately 630° C. to a rigidification condition at a tool side to a lower region of a valve seat; and supplying and withdrawing a protective gas by a differential pressure system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2001
    Publication date: January 3, 2002
    Inventor: Bernhard Kern
  • Patent number: 6321825
    Abstract: In the case of uphill low pressure casting of metals, particularly light metal, a casting mold is connected by its gate, via a riser to a melting container and the melt contained therein is displaced under pressure through the riser into the mold. For increasing the casting capacity while maintaining a high quality of the casting, most of the melt volume necessary for filling the mold is displaced into the latter at the maximum casting speed, then the melting column in the riser is sheared and a residual volume remaining between the shearing point and the gate is displaced into the mold with a negative speed gradient. An apparatus for performing the above process is includes a tubular portion provided between the riser and the gate, the tubular portion forming a residual volume, an opening being formed between the riser and the tubular portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2001
    Assignee: Georg Fischer DISA AG
    Inventors: Norbert Damm, Herbert Zulauf
  • Patent number: 6318444
    Abstract: An apparatus for charging horizontal and vertical cold chamber pressure die-casting machines with metal, includes a pressure chamber having a first end which connects to a cold chamber pressure die casting machine, and an interchangeable receptacle, arranged underneath or laterally underneath the pressure chamber, the receptacle including a riser pipe which extends upwardly from a first end immersed in molten metal in the receptacle through a gas-tight cover on the receptacle to a second end. A pressure or aspirating line is fastened on the cover and connected at a first end to the second end of the riser pipe, and is connectable at a second end to a mid-point in the pressure chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2001
    Inventors: Gustav Ohnsmann, Gerold Bandt
  • Patent number: 6305460
    Abstract: In order to increase casting production during a filling of a mold from below, whereby an uptake for the casting mass is provided in the molding sand of the mold, immediately after the filling of the mold has been concluded a part of the uptake, which part extends in the molding sand, is interrupted and thus closed off so that the mold can be immediately separated from the casting container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2001
    Assignee: Heinrich Wagner Sinto Maschinenfabrik GmbH
    Inventor: Herbert Grolla
  • Patent number: 6247521
    Abstract: A melt filling pressure difference control method controls a pressure difference used to supply melt from a holding furnace to a cavity of a casting machine by generating a pressure difference between an interior space of holding furnace and the cavity formed inside the mold. The method includes the steps of setting up a program pattern comprising time-varying characteristics of pressure difference target values, controlling the pressure difference so as to follow the program pattern that was set up, detecting whether the melt surface has risen to a predetermined level inside the cavity, compensating the program pattern based on the melt surface level when the melt surface has risen to a predetermined level inside cavity, and controlling the pressure difference between space inside the holding furnace and the cavity so as to follow the compensated program pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2001
    Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Kabushiki Kaisha Isuzu Seisakusho
    Inventors: Hiroshi Kawai, Seiji Hirata, Yasutaka Furukawa
  • Patent number: 6216766
    Abstract: A pipe conveying molten material upwards from a pressurized receptacle into the mold of a low pressure diecasting machine, positioned on and supported by the receptacle, is secured in a fluid-tight fit by an adjustable coupling device. One end of the pipe extends through the topmost wall of the receptacle to pick up the molten material and the other terminates in a head located externally of the receptacle and tightened together with a seal against the mold. The outer surface of the pipe head has at least one substantially frusto conical portion matched to the surfaces of a plurality of wedges disposed circumferentially around the pipe and mounted on slide ways which can be directed by suitable actuators from an at-rest position to an operating position in which the pipe is subjected to an axial force with the pipe head clamped together with the seal against the machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2001
    Assignee: Reynolds Wheels International Ltd.
    Inventors: Gianni Benni, Giorgio Muneratti
  • Patent number: 6196294
    Abstract: A casting plant for low-pressure casting of molten metal with operatively and kinematically connected units in the form of linear or revolving conveying devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Inventors: Gustav Ohnsmann, Gerold Bandt, Martin Ohnsmann
  • Patent number: 6125914
    Abstract: A mold having a supply tube in a lower portion and in which has been placed a fibrous preform, is placed in a container. A crucible filled with magnesium blocks is placed under the mold. The magnesium is heated and the mold is preheated under vacuum until the fusion of the magnesium starts. The tube is then introduced into the magnesium and a neutral gas circulation is set up in the container, under a vacuum insufficient to trigger the evaporation of magnesium. After its complete fusion, the magnesium is transferred into the mold by a rapid pressurization of the container. The mold is then cooled and the part removed from the mold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2000
    Assignee: Aerospatiale Societe Nationale Industrielle
    Inventors: Laetitia Billaud, Philippe Le Vacon