Including Ladle Or Crucible Type Melt Receptacle Patents (Class 164/335)
  • Publication number: 20080277091
    Abstract: An aluminum ingot casting machine comprising a source of molten metal, a rotatable annular ring, carrying ingot casting moulds and a drive means for indexing the moulds. The machine includes a vacuum demoulder having a vacuum seal arrangement comprising a sealing element having a flexible core which can deform to form a vacuum seal against an ingot and a flexible abrasion resistant outer layer on said core, and retaining elements located on a lower face of the vacuum lifting head for releasably retaining the sealing element onto the lifting head. The vacuum seal comprises a flexible ring shaped body, being rounded in cross section, having a fibre cord core and an abrasion resistant flexible sheathing surrounding the core.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2008
    Publication date: November 13, 2008
    Inventors: David James Beale, Matthew James Astill Holmes
  • Patent number: 7418993
    Abstract: A system for producing cast components from molten metal. One form of the present invention includes a system for the precision pouring of molten metal within a casting mold. The precision pouring system is driven by a pressure differential.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce Corporation
    Inventors: Donald J. Frasier, M. Eric Schlienger, Guy Allen Brady, Matthew T. Kush, Patrick A. Vessely
  • Patent number: 7407068
    Abstract: A fill tube assembly is for a casting mold. The fill tube assembly includes a fill tube having a tubular member with a receiving end, a mold-engaging end and an intermediate portion. The mold-engaging end has a tapered flange radially extending therefrom, the remainder of the tubular-member has a substantially uniform cross-section. A clamping assembly is structured to maintain a substantially leak-proof seal at the fill tube, casting mold interface while accommodating dimensional variations. The clamping assembly includes a gasket, a load ring, a clamping plate and a pre-load gap between the clamping plate and the casting mold and optionally includes a dimensional compensating ring. When tightened, the clamping plate biases the load ring against the flange thereby distributing a uniform load against the casting mold, compressing the gasket therebetween while narrowing the pre-load gap to accommodate dimensional variations. A method of use is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2008
    Inventors: Marshall A. Klingensmith, Mark A. Ripepi, Rabindra K. Bhattacharyya, James T. Burg
  • Publication number: 20080169080
    Abstract: A casting mould for manufacturing a cast part from a metal melt includes a mould cavity for reproducing a cast part and comprising an inlet for pouring metal melt into the mould cavity and also to a device and a process for casting metal melts of this type. The casting mould provides further optimized casting results even under hard practical operating conditions. In addition, the use or application of the device according to the invention and the process minimizes the risk of jamming during casting. This is achieved in that the casting mould has at least one compensation chamber which is linked to the mould cavity via a channel and comprises at least one portion which is arranged above the maximum filling level (Fmax) of the casting mould during solidification of the metal melt.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2006
    Publication date: July 17, 2008
    Inventors: Klaus Lellig, Michael Stolz
  • Publication number: 20080164000
    Abstract: The invention relates to a casting method for aluminium or aluminium alloys, in which molten aluminium is treated and fed to at least one casting station (33, 34), in which the molten metal is cast into semi-finished products or similar. A number of casting ladles (25) are used to treat and feed the molten aluminium to the respective casting station (33, 34). The ladles are filled with the molten metal and the latter is then transported to at least one additional stage (32), where it is treated. The molten metal is subsequently delivered in the ladles (25) to the casting station (33, 34), where the ladles (25) are emptied. The invention thus provides an efficient method that can be flexibly adapted to the time periods of the process, said periods altering according to the situation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2005
    Publication date: July 10, 2008
    Applicant: STOPINC AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Dirk Kotze, Dawid Dewet-Smith
  • Patent number: 7318467
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing the caliper body of a vehicular disc brake by the gravity casting method. The caliper body is used for the vehicular disc brake wherein a pair of frictional pads are disposed opposite to each other with a disc rotor held therebetween. The caliper body has a cylinder disposed on one side of the disc rotor, a reaction pawl disposed on the other side of disc rotor, and a bridge for coupling the cylinder and the reaction pawl on the outer peripheral side of the disc rotor. A sprue is provided in the bottom portion of the cylinder, and the caliper body is cast by a cavity with the side of molding the bottom portion of the cylinder disposed in the upper part of and in the vertical direction of the cavity and with the side of molding the reaction pawl disposed in the lower part of and in the vertical direction thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Assignee: Nissin Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Umehara, Syoji Kaiume, Takenori Tsuchiya
  • Patent number: 7316338
    Abstract: An discharging device for molten metal between an upper ladle (1) and a tundish (3) comprising a slide valve nozzle fixed to the base of the ladle, comprising an upper fixed nozzle (42) and a mobile one below (43), inserted into an opening in the base of said slide valve nozzle with the lower end protruding from it, and a ring shaped blade (46) fixed to the base of the slide valve nozzle around said aperture. The tundish (3) comprises a cylindrical jacket (22) placed with a vertical axis and fitted at its end with a sand joint (24) for sealing gas into which the ring shaped blade is sunk (46). The slide valve nozzle can be fixed to the base of the ladle by mountings (48, 49) fitted with eyelets into which pivots (50) are inserted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2008
    Assignee: Danieli & C. Officine Meccaniches S.p.A.
    Inventors: Brian W. Botham, Gianni Zomero, Andrea De Luca
  • Patent number: 7316337
    Abstract: A device for discharging molten metal from a container to another, comprising an outlet sleeve which penetrates into the lower container pushed by springs against a nozzle of refractory material which connects the inside of the upper container with the outside, so as to make a seal for the molten metal. The outlet sleeve is surrounded by a cylindrical sheath which joins, through a sand joint with a cylindrical blade fixed to the base of the upper container, around the aperture where it faces the nozzle. The sheath and the blade enclose a volume into which an inert gas is injected to remove the air possibly present.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2008
    Assignee: Danieli & C.Officine Meccaniche S.p.A.
    Inventors: Brian W. Botham, Gianni Zomero, Andrea De Luca
  • Publication number: 20070221013
    Abstract: The present invention provides a heat-resistant material for a low-melting metal casting machine, which comprises calcium silicate and a fluoride.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2007
    Publication date: September 27, 2007
    Inventor: Akifumi Sakamoto
  • Publication number: 20070221355
    Abstract: An insulating coating (6) formed of engineering plastic with high heat resistance, high-pressure resistance, and chemical resistance is formed on a surface of a water-level detecting electrode part (3) of an electrode rod for detecting water-level (1) attached to penetrate a metal container (5) communicating with a boiler (7) and including an external power supply connecting terminal part (2) projecting outside the container (5) and the water-level detecting electrode part (3) projecting inside the container (5). One side of a power supply (27) is connected to the external power supply connecting terminal part (2), and another side of the power supply (27) is connected to the container (5) for energization. An electrostatic capacity between the water-level detecting electrode part (3) and the container (5) is measured by using the insulating coating (6) formed on the surface of the water-level detecting electrode part (3) as a dielectric.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2007
    Publication date: September 27, 2007
    Applicant: Miura Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuji Yoshinari, Hideo Furukawa, Osamu Tanaka
  • Patent number: 7082985
    Abstract: A moulding apparatus (10) for moulding a strap on to a group of battery plates including a mould block (14) with moulds (24), each of which has an inlet weir (28) and an outlet weir (29). The ridge (30) of these weirs is effectively a knife edge but includes a thermal break. This construction allows rapid processing whilst avoiding the formation of solid tails.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2006
    Assignee: TBS Engineering Limited
    Inventor: Robert T. Hopwood
  • Patent number: 7048031
    Abstract: A new apparatus for casting dental prosthesis has been proposed, comprising a ring-placing section onto which plural rings are to be placed, a crucible holder for holding plural cylindrical crucibles, a burning unit with a furnace, a casting unit and a conveyer for conveying the ring or the crucible. The lifting state of the burning unit includes a base capable of rotating around a substantially horizontal axis, an orientation-maintaining mechanism for maintaining the base substantially horizontal and an orientation-changing mechanism for exerting an external force onto the base. The conveyer performs a position-correcting motion for correcting the position of the ring by lowering the gripper. The apparatus provides a management code to each crucible for preventing troubles or delay of work caused by the breaking of crucibles due to the aging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: Denken Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masaki Usui
  • Patent number: 7011136
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for melting metals uses microwave energy as the primary source of heat. The metal or mixture of metals are placed in a ceramic crucible which couples, at least partially, with the microwaves to be used. The crucible is encased in a ceramic casket for insulation and placed within a microwave chamber. The chamber may be evacuated and refilled to exclude oxygen. After melting, the crucible may be removed for pouring or poured within the chamber by dripping or running into a heated mold within the chamber. Apparent coupling of the microwaves with softened or molten metal produces high temperatures with great energy savings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2006
    Assignee: BWXT Y-12, LLC
    Inventors: Alan F. Moore, Donald E. Schechter, Marvin Stanley Morrow
  • Patent number: 6998535
    Abstract: A method for casting articles from metal foam includes a molten metal bath and a foam forming means. The foam is drawn into a ladle, within a heated chamber, which transports a foam sample to a mold. The ladle deposits the foam sample into the mold and the mold is closed. Once cooled and hardened the formed article is removed. The system of the invention comprises a molten metal bath, a heated foam collecting chamber, a ladle for drawing a sample of the foam and for transporting the sample to a mold. The present invention provides an apparatus for carrying out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Cymat Corporation
    Inventor: Scott Nichol
  • Patent number: 6994148
    Abstract: A casting machine furnace apparatus that includes a furnace adapted to receive molten metal is described herein. The furnace includes an outer wall structure, a cover adapted to seal the furnace, a source of fluid, and a casting apparatus in fluid communication with the molten metal. The fluid is supplied into the furnace for applying fluid pressure on the molten metal. The application of fluid pressure on the molten metal causes the molten metal to supply the casting apparatus. The outer wall structure of the furnace is provided with a plurality of exhaust ports where the ports are provided in the outer wall structure at predetermined locations. The ports are selectively controllable between a first closed position, where the exhaust ports do not allow air to be exhausted from the furnace, and a second opened position, where the exhaust ports enable air to be exhausted from the furnace.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2006
    Assignee: Hayes Lemmerz International, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth D. McKibben, Daniel D. Minor, Alan P. Gould, Robert L. Macheske, Dean VanderJagt, Rick Van Horn, Khushal Wardak, Roger Mucci, John Starks
  • Patent number: 6973955
    Abstract: A trough is described for carrying molten metal, comprising an outer shell defined by a bottom wall and two side walls, an insulating layer filling the outer shell and a conductive U-shaped refractory trough body for carrying molten metal, the trough body being embedded in the insulating layer. At least one heating element is positioned in the insulating layer, adjacent to but spaced apart from the trough body, to provide an air gap between the heating element and the trough body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2005
    Assignee: Novelis Inc.
    Inventors: John S. Tingey, David A. Salee, Wade Lee Bowles
  • Patent number: 6951238
    Abstract: A vertical injection machine and method for injecting liquid metal. The machine includes a metering chamber, a vertical injection chamber, and a first conduit connecting the metering chamber to the injection chamber. The height of liquid metal in the metering chamber determines the volume of metal in the injection chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2005
    Assignee: Takata Corporation
    Inventors: Kinji Hirai, Hisayuki Fukada, Yuuji Osada
  • Patent number: 6896032
    Abstract: A casting apparatus for pouring molten metal into molds comprises a vessel having a molten metal-receiving chamber generally extending between a filling end and a pouring end. The vessel includes a nozzle disposed in a bottom surface of the chamber proximate to the pouring end. A stopper cooperates with the nozzle to control a downward gravity flow of molten metal through the nozzle. A first support pivotably supports the vessel to provide a horizontal tilt axis substantially coincident with the nozzle. A second support is connected to the vessel at a point away from the tilt axis and has a drive for controlling a pivot position of the vessel. A tilt angle controller detects a level of molten metal within the chamber and engages the drive to maintain the level at a predetermined level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2005
    Assignee: Hayes Lemmerz International, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel D. Minor, Mark Salgat, William W. Seaton, David Good, Kenneth D. McKibben
  • Patent number: 6892791
    Abstract: A casting apparatus for pouring molten metal into molds comprises a vessel having a molten metal-receiving chamber generally extending between a filling end and a pouring end. The vessel includes a nozzle disposed in a bottom surface of the chamber proximate to the pouring end. A stopper cooperates with the nozzle to control a downward gravity flow of molten metal through the nozzle. A first support pivotably supports the vessel to provide a horizontal tilt axis substantially coincident with the nozzle. A second support is connected to the vessel at a point away from the tilt axis and has a drive for controlling a pivot position of the vessel. A tilt angle controller detects a level of molten metal within the chamber and engages the drive to maintain the level at a predetermined level. A horizontal support rail slidably supports the vessel to provide a horizontal movement perpendicular to the tilt axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2005
    Assignee: Hayes Lemmerz International
    Inventors: Daniel D. Minor, Mark Salgat, William W. Seaton, David Good, Kenneth D. McKibben
  • Publication number: 20040211545
    Abstract: An apparatus for producing a metallic slurry material for use in semi-solid forming of a shaped part. The apparatus is generally comprised of a forming vessel and a thermal jacket. The forming vessel defines an inner volume for containing the metallic slurry material and has an outer surface. The thermal jacket has an inner surface disposed in thermal communication with the outer surface of the forming vessel to effectuate heat transfer therebetween. At least one of the forming vessel and the thermal jacket defines a number of grooves to limit the rate of heat transfer adjacent the grooves. In one embodiment, the forming vessel defines a plurality of axially-offset grooves extending about the entire periphery of the outer surface of the forming vessel. In another embodiment, a stator is disposed about the thermal jacket to impart an electromagnetic stirring force to the metallic slurry material contained within the forming vessel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2004
    Publication date: October 28, 2004
    Inventors: Patrick J. Lombard, Shaupoh Wang, Walter L. Winterbottom, George Spiller
  • Patent number: 6796362
    Abstract: An apparatus for producing a metallic slurry material for use in semi-solid forming of a shaped part. The apparatus is generally comprised of a forming vessel and a thermal jacket. The forming vessel defines an inner volume for containing the metallic slurry material and has an outer surface. The thermal jacket has an inner surface disposed in thermal communication with the outer surface of the forming vessel to effectuate heat transfer therebetween. At least one of the forming vessel and the thermal jacket defines a number of grooves to limit the rate of heat transfer adjacent the grooves. In one embodiment, the forming vessel defines a plurality of axially-offset grooves extending about the entire periphery of the outer surface of the forming vessel. In another embodiment, a stator is disposed about the thermal jacket to impart an electromagnetic stirring force to the metallic slurry material contained within the forming vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2004
    Assignee: Brunswick Corporation
    Inventors: Patrick J. Lombard, Shaupoh Wang, Walter L. Winterbottom, George Spiller
  • Publication number: 20040182538
    Abstract: The invention concerns an apparatus 1 for carrying out a melting and casting operation in the fine casting art comprising a melting crucible 2 for receiving melting charge, a heating device 3 for heating the melting charge in the melting crucible 2, and a pyrometer 8 for ascertaining the temperature of the melting charge. In order to improve the quality of the products manufactured with such an operation the invention provides that the apparatus 1 is provided with a control device 4 for controlling the melting and casting operation in dependence on the ascertained melting charge temperature, wherein the control device 4 has a database 16 with a plurality of selectable, respectively melting charge material-specific parameter sets PS1, PS2, PS3 each with one or more parameters for configuring the pyrometer 8.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2004
    Publication date: September 23, 2004
    Applicant: BEGO Bremer Goldschlagerei, Wilh. Herbst GmbH & Co.
    Inventor: Heinz Lambrecht
  • Publication number: 20040173337
    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: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2004
    Publication date: September 9, 2004
    Inventors: James A. Yurko, Rodger W. Brower, Raul A. Martinez, Merton C. Flemings, Paolo Bertelli
  • Patent number: 6755235
    Abstract: A quick-change lock assembly is adapted to releasably attach a fill tube to a mold in a casting machine, the fill tube connecting a furnace of the casting machine to the mold. The casting machine preferably utilizes a Vacuum Riserless Casting/Pressure Riserless Casting (VRC/PRC) process. The lock assembly includes an upper ring that is adapted to be attached adjacent an aperture in a surface of the mold of the casting machine. The outer ring has inner and outer concentric surfaces. The lock assembly also includes a lower ring that also has inner and outer concentric surfaces. The inner surface of the lower ring is operable to receive a fill tube. The outer surface of the lower ring is operable to be releasably attached to the inner surface of the upper ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2004
    Assignee: Hayes Lemmerz International, Inc.
    Inventor: Cedo Nedic
  • Publication number: 20040108092
    Abstract: A method and system of processing castings is provided in which one or more castings are deposited into a mobile furnace and moved from one station to another of a multi-station casting processing system. The interior of the mobile furnace is heated so as to maintain the temperature of the casting within a desired range of temperatures. The multi-station casting processing system may include a casting machine, a fluidized bed and a quench tank. The method may include transferring a casting into the mobile furnace and moving the furnace from one station to another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2003
    Publication date: June 10, 2004
    Inventors: Robert Howard, Paul M. Crafton, Scott P. Crafton, James L. Lewis, Volker R. Knobloch
  • Publication number: 20040065429
    Abstract: A gravity type tiltable metal mold casting machine, comprising: a pair of opposing upright supporting frames (2, 2); a pair of opposing main rotating shafts (3, 3) rotatably mounted on the upright supporting frames (2, 2); a main frame (4) suspended from and between the main rotating shafts (3, 3); an electric motor (19) attached to one of the main rotating shafts (3, 3) for reversibly rotating it and hence the frame (4); a drag die plate (6) vertically moved by mold-fastening cylinders (5, 5) mounted on a lower part of the main frame (4); a metal drag (10) secured to the drag die plate (6), the metal drag having a drag pushing-out mechanism (23) for pushing an as-cast product out of the metal drag; a pair of opposing horizontal cope tilting shafts (13, 13) secured to an upper end of the main frame at locations rearward of the main rotating shafts (3, 3); a cope-attaching frame (14) rotatably mounted at one end on the cope tilting shafts (13, 13); a cope die plate (16) secured to a lower surface of the cope-a
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2003
    Publication date: April 8, 2004
    Inventors: Mitsuharu Osugi, Eiji Naruse, Yuji Kanayama, Yutaka Murata
  • Patent number: 6715535
    Abstract: A method of casting has a mold assembled on a base plate. The finished mold is rotated by approximately 180° around a horizontal rotational axis. A casting container with an upwardly positioned aperture end, removed from the mold, is filled with melt for one casting operation. The casting container is sealingly coupled by the aperture end to the ingate end of the mold. The mold, together with its contacting casting container, is rotated by approximately 180° around a horizontal axis. Accordingly, the melt reaches the mold, and the casting container is removed from the coupled position away from the mold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Assignee: VAW mandl & berger GmbH
    Inventors: Friedhelm Kahn, Joachim Kahn, Gerhard Eisenberger, Horst Paul Grüness, Walter Hauder, Johann Winkler, Peter Stika, Johann Preisinger, Peter Jungbauer, Klaus Schröter, Rolf Gosch
  • Publication number: 20040055729
    Abstract: A casting furnace for use in melting and molding metals. The furnace has a mold insertion and withdrawal system attached thereto and incorporates an offset mold elevator for moving a mold up and down from a mold chamber to a furnace chamber while eliminating the need for a pit. The furnace further includes a readily removable chill plate on which the mold rides. An overhead material feed system is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2002
    Publication date: March 25, 2004
    Inventor: David O. Warren
  • Publication number: 20040055730
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for alternating pouring into molds, casts or refining hearths from a common hearth in a furnace. The apparatus provides a main hearth, a plurality of optional refining hearths, and a plurality of casting molds or direct molds whereby the refining hearths and molds define at least two separate ingot making lines. The main hearth alternatively pours into a first ingot making line while the other line is prepared, and vice versa allowing for continuous melting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2002
    Publication date: March 25, 2004
    Inventors: Edward S. Jackson, David O. Warren
  • Patent number: 6681836
    Abstract: A predetermined amount of molten metal 12 is supplied to a heat-insulating crucible 18. After that, a chill block 46, which is cooled to a predetermined temperature of not more than a temperature of the molten metal 12, is immersed and rotated in the molten metal 12. Accordingly, the molten metal 12 is agitated while being cooled to give no directivity of cooling. It is possible to obtain semisolidified metal 20 which is formed into slurry uniformly and effectively as a whole. The semisolidified metal 20 is discharged from the heat-insulating crucible 18, and it is supplied to a forming machine 22 to apply a forming treatment thereto. Accordingly, it is possible to produce the desired slurry efficiently and economically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2004
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazuya Sakamoto, Nobumasa Hamazoe, Kenji Ohwada, Atsushi Suzuki
  • Publication number: 20030213575
    Abstract: A melting method and a melting crucible assembly involve positioning a disposable (non-reusable), self-supporting refractory liner body in a refractory host crucible and melting a metallic charge in the liner residing in the host crucible. The melted metallic charge is poured from the refractory liner body, and the used refractory liner body is removed from the host crucible for discarding and replaced with a clean, new (unused) refractory liner body in the host crucible for melting the next metallic charge therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2002
    Publication date: November 20, 2003
    Inventors: Thomas J. Todaro, Mark K. Tarby, Jason S. Andruchowitz, John M. Astrab, Robert H. Bayles, Edward W. Bornemann, James D. Maslen, Evan R. Miller, George J. Normann, Albert Osagie-Erese
  • Patent number: 6640879
    Abstract: A die casting system includes a vessel defining a reservoir with a controlled heater and an agitator for maintaining the bath of semi-solid metal in a homogeneous isothermal state, a transfer system capable of transferring a known quantity of metal in its semi-solid state to a mold cavity in a die casting machine, the transfer system including a heated suction tube, a vacuum source for vacuum ladling semi-solid metal from the bath to a die, and a plunger tip providing a path for free air flow to allow evacuation of the suction tube during casting and a metal replacement system for replacing the known quantity of transferred metal with a similar amount of liquid metal so that a stable homogeneous isothermal bath of semi-solid metal is controllably maintained to be available for die casting operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Assignees: Gibbs Die Casting Aluminum Co., Semi-Solid Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin L. Richard, Richard I. Neill, Jr., Christopher S. Rice, Shinya Myojin, Patricio F. Mendez, Timothy B. Gage, John F. O'Daniels, Charles E. Barron
  • Patent number: 6619371
    Abstract: During a casting operation a teeming ladle is moved relatively horizontally in the X direction and vertically in the Z direction and pivoted about rotational axis A. Thus it becomes possible during automatic casting always to maintain the theoretical fulcrum of the spout about which the teeming ladle is pivoted while maintaining a safety margin between the teeming ladle and the mold at the lowest possible position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Hubo Engineering GmbH
    Inventor: Fritz Lauper
  • Patent number: 6578622
    Abstract: A lost core molding assembly (20) according includes a manifold (22) which minimizes adherence between a molten alloy and the manifold. The manifold (22) receives a heated fluid from a source and circulates the heated fluid through a heated fluid passage (66.) The heated fluid passage (66) arrangement assures that the heated fluid maintains the molten alloy in an even molten condition thereby reducing degradation of the molten alloy prior to injection into the mold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2003
    Assignee: Siemens VDO Automotive Inc.
    Inventors: John Jacobs, Michael Robert Morency
  • Publication number: 20030102103
    Abstract: An apparatus for producing a metallic slurry material for use in semi-solid forming of a shaped part. The apparatus is generally comprised of a forming vessel and a thermal jacket. The forming vessel defines an inner volume for containing the metallic slurry material and has an outer surface. The thermal jacket has an inner surface disposed in thermal communication with the outer surface of the forming vessel to effectuate heat transfer therebetween. At least one of the forming vessel and the thermal jacket defines a number of grooves to limit the rate of heat transfer adjacent the grooves. In one embodiment, the forming vessel defines a plurality of axially-offset grooves extending about the entire periphery of the outer surface of the forming vessel. In another embodiment, a stator is disposed about the thermal jacket to impart an electromagnetic stirring force to the metallic slurry material contained within the forming vessel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2002
    Publication date: June 5, 2003
    Inventors: Patrick J. Lombard, Shaupoh Wang, Walter L. Winterbottom, George Spiller
  • Patent number: 6523598
    Abstract: The vacuum induction melting system is designed to be operated in a continuous or semi-continuous manner for extended periods of time for increased efficiency, and makes it possible to easily and quickly remove the induction furnace from the melt chamber when it becomes necessary to replace and rebuild the furnace. The melting system includes a melt chamber which forms an airtight enclosure, with an induction furnace located within the melt chamber. A charging chamber is communicatively connected to the melt chamber adjacent its upper end. The charging chamber includes a door providing access to the interior of the charging chamber so that a charge of raw materials can be placed therein. An isolation valve is located between the melt chamber and the charging chamber and is movable between open and closed positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2003
    Assignee: ATI Properties, Inc.
    Inventor: Sterry A. Shaffer
  • Patent number: 6516868
    Abstract: A bottom heated holder furnace (12) for containing a supply of molten metal includes a storage vessel (30) having sidewalls (32) and a bottom wall (34) defining a molten metal receiving chamber (36). A furnace insulating layer (42) lines the molten metal receiving chamber (36). A thermally conductive heat exchanger block (54) is located at the bottom of the molten metal receiving chamber (36) for heating the supply of molten metal. The heat exchanger block (54) includes a bottom face (65), side faces (66), and a top face (67). The heat exchanger block (54) includes a plurality of electrical heaters (70) extending therein and projecting outward from at least one of the faces of the heat exchanger block (54), and further extending through the furnace insulating layer (42) and one of the sidewalls (32) of the storage vessel (30) for connection to a source of electrical power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignee: Alcoa Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Kinosz, Thomas N. Meyer
  • Patent number: 6484792
    Abstract: A single use, transportable reaction crucible for a metallothermic welding portion is provided. A separate cylindrical reaction vessel is disposed in the cylindrical casing of a non-metallic crucible shell, which has a flat base and a lid. The reaction vessel is supported on the base of the crucible shell and accommodates a welding portion. The outer diameter of the reaction vessel is less than an inner diameter of the cylindrical casing, with refractory material filling the annular intermediate space thereby formed between the reaction vessel and the cylindrical casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Inventor: Rolf Plötz
  • Patent number: 6460605
    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: April 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2002
    Assignee: Heinrich Wagner Sinto Maschinenfabrik GmbH
    Inventor: Herbert Grolla
  • Patent number: 6443216
    Abstract: An apparatus for and method of controlling the cooling rate of a metallic melt in the production of a semi-solid slurry billet for use in a casting process. The apparatus comprises a thermal jacket including symmetrical halves, with each half having a rounded heat transfer surface extending between a pair of longitudinal edges. An actuator mechanism engages the heat transfer surfaces into intimate contact with a vessel containing the metallic melt to effectuate conductive heat transfer between the vessel and the thermal jacket, with the pairs of longitudinal edges of each halve being disposed in a generally opposite, spaced relationship. The thermal jacket includes a plurality of passageways adapted to carry cooling air for extracting heat from the metallic melt, and a plurality of electric heating elements for adding heat to the metallic melt. The cooling rate of the metallic melt is controlled within a range of about 0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Assignee: AEMP Corporation
    Inventors: Patrick J. Lombard, Shaupoh Wang
  • Publication number: 20020036072
    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: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2001
    Publication date: March 28, 2002
    Applicant: Heinrich Wagner Sinto Maschinenfabrik GmbH
    Inventor: Herbert Grolla
  • Publication number: 20020029864
    Abstract: The present invention proposes an apparatus for casting dental prosthesis designed to save labor and costly malformations. In a form of the invention, a first arm mechanism 20 for conveying a ring and a second arm mechanism 30 for conveying a crucible are provided to slide along the same guide 27. A ring-placing platform C and a burning unit G are placed across the guide 27, and so are a crucible-placing platform D and a casting unit H. When the arm mechanism 20 places a ring on a lifting stage 44, the lifting stage 44 moves upward to contain the ring in a furnace 41, where the ring is heated to burn off the wax inside. Meanwhile, the arm mechanism 30 places the crucible in a container 50, where alloy ingots are melted. After completing the melting of the alloy ingots and the burning of the ring, the arm mechanism 20 conveys the ring onto the top of the crucible in the container 50.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2001
    Publication date: March 14, 2002
    Applicant: DENKEN CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Masaki Usui
  • Publication number: 20020000304
    Abstract: A method of casting has a mold assembled on a base plate. The finished mold is rotated by approximately 180° around a horizontal rotational axis. A casting container with an upwardly positioned aperture end, removed from the mold, is filled with melt for one casting operation. The casting container is sealingly coupled by the aperture end to the ingate end of the mold. The mold, together with its contacting casting container, is rotated by approximately 180° around a horizontal axis. Accordingly, the melt reaches the mold, and the casting container is removed from the coupled position away from the mold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2001
    Publication date: January 3, 2002
    Inventors: Friedhelm Kahn, Joachim Kahn, Gerhard Eisenberger, Horst Paul Gruness, Walter Hauder, Johann Winkler, Peter Stika, Johann Preisinger, Peter Jungbauer, Klaus Schroter, Rolf Gosch
  • Patent number: 6332357
    Abstract: An inlet/outlet pipe extending downward from a bottom face of a body for a ladle is bent at its tip end into an S-shape in an intermediate portion of the pipe, and its tip end is located at a level higher than that of the bent portion. When a negative pressure in the ladle body is increased, a height of range of a molten metal is increased before and after an occurrence of disturbance in the ladle body, so that the negative pressure in the ladle body is made balance with a weight of the molten metal. Thereby, the molten metal is measured and held at a constant volume in the ladle body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2001
    Assignees: Hiroshima Aluminum Industry Co., Ltd., Hanano Corporation
    Inventors: Makoto Matsuura, Hiroshi Masaki, Shinya Naitou, Hiroshi Yamagata
  • Patent number: 6276437
    Abstract: Continuous casting machine for the casting of a thin slab with a thickness of less than 150 mm comprising a vacuum tundish having a first atmospheric chamber (7) and a second low pressure or vacuum chamber (1) hydraulically connected to the first chamber and purging means (11) for introducing a purging gas into the liquid steel after it has entered the first chamber but before it entered the second chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2001
    Assignee: Corus Staal BV
    Inventor: Huibert Willem Den Hartog
  • Patent number: 5996677
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for supplying molten metal to a die-casting machine. Metal is received from a smelter in a road-going vessel. A burner is lowered into an opening in the road-going vessel to direct heat into the road-going vessel to maintain the molten metal within the road-going vessel at a suitable temperature. Molten metal is transferred from the road-going vessel to a die-casting machine without substantial re-refining. Preferably the molten metal is transferred directly to a die-casting machine using a covered launder system connectable to the road-going vessel to shield the molten metal from atmospheric contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Assignees: Connell Limited Partnership, Amcam Castings Limited
    Inventor: Gordon Woodhouse
  • Patent number: 5931214
    Abstract: Mold heating vacuum casting furnace system comprising a mold preheating chamber located above and connected to a vacuum casting chamber via an intermediate isolation valve. A mold elevator is provided in the casting chamber and can be moved into the mold preheating chamber to lower the mold onto an annular rotary chill member residing in the casting chamber. The elevator includes an upstanding elevator shaft that moves in the opening of the annular chill member in a manner that the preheated mold is deposited or set on the annular chill member as the elevator is lowered into the casting chamber. The chill member includes an upwardly diverging mold engaging surface onto which the preheated mold is set by the elevator as it is lowered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1999
    Assignee: Howmet Research Corporation
    Inventors: Robert A. Spicer, Allen R. Price
  • Patent number: 5921311
    Abstract: An installation for eliminating impurities during casting of metals, comprising at least one casting ladle (2) which forms an outlet siphon (3) and can tilt around a transverse axis (14). Starting from the siphon (3), the casting ladle (2) is prolonged by a conduit (4) which ends at a scum-retaining pan (5), wherein the conduit forms a single piece with the ladle and the pan. The pan (5) has outlet orifices (7) at the bottom and is externally lined with a ceramic cloth (10) which acts as a filter for retention of impurities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1999
    Assignee: Asturiana De Zinc, S.A.
    Inventors: Fernando Sitges Menendez, Francisco Alvarez Tamargo, Francisco Tamargo Garcia, Jose M. Matinez Valdes
  • Patent number: 5875832
    Abstract: The apparatus includes a cylinder for holding molten material and a plurality of molds each having a plurality of cavities for receiving molten material. As the cylinder is rotated by a driving mechanism, the molten material is passed through a plurality of holes in a cylindrical wall which surrounds the holding area where the molten material is located, and into the cavities in the molds, which are transported in series beneath the cylinder as the cylinder rotates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1999
    Assignee: Dale L. Haberny
    Inventors: Steven H. Senser, Dale L. Haberny
  • Patent number: 5829510
    Abstract: A crucible for exothermic welding includes a frame and two semi-cylindrical or rectangular refractory blocks which include abutting planes through a reaction chamber and a sprue hole. One block is mounted for movement with respect to the other from an aligned mating position forming the chamber and sprue hole to an offset position which movement loosens slag formed during the welding process, and greatly facilitates cleaning. Adjustable spring ball rollers maintain the parting plane pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1998
    Assignee: Erico International Corporation
    Inventor: Jean Claude Fuchs