Having Flow Control Or Conduit Means Intermediate The Receptacle And Mold Patents (Class 164/337)
  • 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: 7036555
    Abstract: A distributor device for use in aluminium casting includes a rigid, substantially bowl-shaped receptacle (2) of a refractory material having a base member (4) and a peripheral wall (6) that extends upwards from the base. The receptacle has an inlet opening (8) towards the upper end thereof and a pair of outlet openings (14) towards the base thereof. The device is constructed and arranged such that, in use, molten aluminium poured into the distributor device through the inlet opening (8) is redirected by the distributor device and flows outwards into the mould through the outlet openings (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2006
    Assignee: Pyrotek Engineering Materials Limited
    Inventors: Mark Vincent, Sylvain Tremblay
  • Patent number: 7028745
    Abstract: The invention relates to apparatus and methods for forming a terminal on a battery. Terminal forming apparatus (11) has a mould (12) with a cavity (26) which is intended to encircle the post and bush assembly (22, 25) of a battery box (10). The mould cavity (26) is formed with an open upper mouth (27) and a lateral inlet/outlet (28) which connects with the feed channel (13). Inlet (28) is defined by a weir (29) which acts as a constant height device to define the final filling height of the mould cavity (26). This arrangement allows over filling of the mould above the height of the weir (29) and subsequent dropping of that level to the height of the weir (29). This enables the terminal to be formed at precisely the correct height without the need for any metering of the lead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignee: TBS Engineering Limited
    Inventors: Robert T Hopwood, Christopher S Barge
  • Patent number: 7011135
    Abstract: An apparatus 1 for producing a composite material including ceramic hollow particles and one of aluminum and aluminum alloy pressurizes a gas feeding member 20, a molten stock vessel 30, a packing 50, a forming mold 60 and an air-removal ceramic filter 80 by means of an upper pressure die 11 and a lower pressure die 12 and introduces an Ar gas thereby allowing molten aluminum 40 or molten aluminum alloy 40 to infiltrate in gaps between the plural ceramic hollow particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2006
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Takayuki Kato, Hiroshi Suzuki
  • Patent number: 7004229
    Abstract: An apparatus is described for starting and stopping a horizontal casting machine, e.g. a caster for continuous casting of metal ingots. The caster comprises a feed trough for carrying molten metal, at least one casting mould and a connecting trough separately connecting each casting mould to the feed trough. A shutoff gate is associated with each connecting trough and movable between an open position and a closed position. Each connecting trough includes a drop-down portion located between the shutoff gate and the casting mould, this drop-down portion being adapted to swing downwardly and thereby rapidly drain molten metal from the connecting trough and an entrance of the mould. The apparatus may also include an elongated starter block, adapted to be inserted into the casting mould and having a threaded recess formed therein for receiving molten metal. An O-ring is fitted to the starter block to seal the block against the casting mould.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Assignee: Novelis, Inc.
    Inventors: David A. Salee, Jack Hamby, Wade Lee Bowles, John Steven Tingey
  • Patent number: 6945310
    Abstract: An injection molding apparatus includes a melt furnace and a metal supply system located in the melt furnace. The metal supply system includes a pump. The injection molding apparatus also includes a first metal inlet from the melt furnace to the metal supply system and a vertical injection mechanism adapted to inject liquid metal into a die system. The injection molding apparatus also includes a second metal inlet from the metal supply system to the vertical injection mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Assignee: Takata Corporation
    Inventors: Kinji Hirai, Hisayuki Fukada, Yuuji Osada
  • Patent number: 6942010
    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: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignee: Sintokogio, Ltd.
    Inventors: Mitsuharu Osugi, Eiji Naruse, Yuji Kanayama, Yutaka Murata
  • Patent number: 6926066
    Abstract: An improved magnesium die casting system incorporates filling of the shot sleeve from the underside and/or in-line re-melting of scrap magnesium using a re-melt furnace. A pump is used to transfer molten magnesium from a casting furnace to the shot sleeve through an underflow filling tube. The shot sleeve is filled in a laminar manner, minimizing entrapped gases. The in-line re-melt system allows recycling of scrap in-house and reduces energy cost associated with heating and re-heating scrap. The improved system increases casting quality and reduces scrap rates and recycling costs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Inventor: Alain Renaud Boulet
  • Patent number: 6910521
    Abstract: A molten metal feed apparatus which can feed molten metal into a casting apparatus by opening a vessel and which is free from leakage of the molten metal from the opening/closing part of the vessel, provided with a holding vessel having an opening at its bottom and holding a metal material, a lid for closing the opening, a drive means for making the lid move with respect to the holding vessel to open or close the opening, and an induction heating coil for heating the metal material by induction of a current to the metal material in the holding vessel and generating a magnetic field applying to the molten metal a force preventing leakage of the molten metal in the holding vessel from between the opening and the lid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2005
    Assignee: Toshiba Kikai Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroshi Nanto, Akira Hirahara
  • Patent number: 6880614
    Abstract: A vertical injection machine having a first chamber for supplying liquid metal, a second chamber located lower than the first chamber and a first conduit connecting the first chamber to the second chamber. The first conduit has a shutter rod disposed within and a valve head attached to a lower portion of the shutter rod. The valve head is adapted to seal a lower portion of the first conduit. A metering rod is disposed within the second chamber. The vertical injection machine also includes a vertically oriented third chamber and a second conduit connecting the second chamber to the third chamber. An injection rod is disposed vertically within the third chamber and a injection nozzle is located at an upper portion of the third chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Assignee: Takata Corporation
    Inventors: Kinji Hirai, Hisayuki Fukada, Yuuji Osada
  • Patent number: 6871692
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method for the casting of metals comprising the steps of: indexing a mould (3) in series on a rotating carousel (2) to a pouring station (2.1), skimming station (2.2) and a mould transfer station (2.3); casting molten metal into the mould at the pouring station (2.1); skimming dross from the molten metal at the skimming station (2.2); transferring the mould (3) containing molten metal from the mould transfer station (2.3) to a cooling section (5) and replacing it at the mould transfer station (2.3) with an empty mould; transferring a cooled mould containing a solidified metal ingot (10) from the cooling section (5) to a demoulding station (7) remote from the rotating carousel (2); removing the solidified ingot (10) from the mould (3); removing the pin/hook members (11) from the ingot (10); returning the pin/hook members (11) to the empty mould (3); returning the empty mould (3) to the mould transfer station (2.3); and transferring the ingot (10) to the further processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2005
    Assignee: Outokumpu Oyj Espoo
    Inventors: Ernest Hamilton, David Beale
  • Patent number: 6805190
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method for the casting of metals comprising the steps of: indexing a mould (3) in series on a rotating carousel (2) to a pouring station (2.1), skimming station (2.2) and a mould transfer station (2.3) casting molten metal into the mould at the pouring station (2.1); skimming dross from the molten metal at the skimming station (2.2); transferring the mould (3) containing molten metal from the mould transfer station (2.3) to a cooling section (5) and replacing it at the mould transfer station (2.3) with an empty mould; transferring a cooled mould containing a solidified metal ingot (10) from the cooling section (5) to a demoulding station (7) remote from the rotating carousel (2); removing the solidified ingot (10) from the mould (3); removing the pin/hook members (11) from then ingot (10); returning the pin/hook members (11) to the empty mould (3); returning the empty mould (3) to the mould transfer station (2.3); and transferring the ingot (10) to the further processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2004
    Assignee: Outokumpu Oyj
    Inventors: Ernest Hamilton, David Beale
  • Publication number: 20040159418
    Abstract: A fill tube for die casting machine includes a vitreous coating thereon effective to reduce or eliminate the flow of air through the gas permeable wall of the fill tube during die casting when air pressure is applied on the molten metal or alloy in the vessel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2003
    Publication date: August 19, 2004
    Inventor: Matthew W. Willer
  • Patent number: 6763877
    Abstract: A method and device for the controlled tempering of a casting trough integrated between a supply vessel for a molten metal (e.g., copper or a copper alloy), and at least one continuous casting mold. The trough walls and the trough floor of the casting trough are at least partially provided with a lining layer having a specific electrical resistance between 10−1 &OHgr;·m to 10−6 &OHgr;·m and being resistant to the heat of the molten metal. The lining layer is inductively heated by an electrical heating device arranged around the lining layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Assignee: KM Europa Metal AG
    Inventors: Andreas Krause, Dirk Rode, Uwe Quadfasel, Hartmut Olemann, Ralph Frankenberg, Hubertus BrĂ¼ning
  • Publication number: 20040129401
    Abstract: In a filling-tube construction (1, 2) for providing a connection between a mould (6) to be filled with molten metal and a mould-filling furnace (3) containing molten metal (5), said mould (6) having at least one casting cavity (7), the lowermost part of each such cavity communicating with a filling duct (8), at least one end of which is open to the outside of said mould (6) and adapted to be temporarily connected to the filling-tube construction (1, 2) to receive molten metal (5) from the mould-filling furnace (3), the mould-filling furnace being adapted to contain molten metal (5) and to transfer said molten metal (5) under a controlled pressure through the filling-tube construction (1, 2) and to the filling duct (8), the filling-tube construction comprises a first section (1) extending from a position close to the bottom of said mould-filling furnace (3) up to an intermediate position closer to the filling duct (8) and at least one separate second section (2) providing a connection from the upper end of the
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2003
    Publication date: July 8, 2004
    Inventors: Peter Moller Iversen, Uffe Andersen
  • Publication number: 20040123970
    Abstract: An apparatus for filtering molten metal held in a vessel before the metal enters the dosing tube. The filtering apparatus includes an attachment portion that mounts to the dosing tube, a filter body connected to the attachment portion and a planar surface attached to an end of the filter body opposite the attachment portion. The filter body can include a beveled end opposite the attachment portion where the planar surface is attached. The apparatus can be made from a bonded-particle material made from silicon carbide or aluminum oxide held together by an aluminum-resistant binder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2003
    Publication date: July 1, 2004
    Applicant: Metaullics Systems Co. L.P.
    Inventor: David Neff
  • 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
  • Patent number: 6712126
    Abstract: A molten metal supply system (90) includes a plurality of injectors (100) each having an injector housing (102) and a reciprocating piston (104). A molten metal supply source (132) is in fluid communication with the housing (102) of each of the injectors (100). The piston (104) is movable through a return stroke allowing molten metal (134) to be received into the housing (102) from the molten metal supply source (132), and a displacement stroke for displacing the molten metal (134) from the housing (102). A pressurized gas supply source (144) is in fluid communication with the housing (102) of each of the injectors (100) through respective gas control valves (146). The gas supply source (144) is used to pressurize a space formed between the molten metal (134) and the piston (104) during the return stroke of the piston (104) of each of the injectors (100).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Alcoa, Inc.
    Inventors: Vivek M. Sample, Scott E. Reighard, Vincent A. Paola, Ronald G. Chabal
  • Patent number: 6708752
    Abstract: An injector (100) for a molten metal supply system includes an injector housing (102) configured to contain molten metal. A molten metal supply source (132) is in fluid communication with the housing (102). A piston (104) extends into the housing (102). The piston (102) is movable through a return stroke allowing molten metal (134) to be received into the housing (102) from the molten metal supply source (132), and a displacement stroke for displacing the molten metal (134) from the housing (102). A gas supply source (144) is in fluid communication with the housing (102) through a gas control valve (146). The gas supply source (144) is used to pressurize a space (148) formed between the molten metal (134) and the piston (104) during the return stroke of the piston (104) such that when the piston (104) moves through the displacement stroke a compressed gas filled space is formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Assignee: Alcoa Inc.
    Inventors: Vivek M. Sample, Scott E. Reighard, Vincent A. Paola, Ronald G Chabal
  • Patent number: 6701997
    Abstract: The present invention provides improved heated manifolds, heaters and nozzles for injection molding, having a high strength metal skeleton infiltrated with a second phase metal having higher thermal conductivity. Also disclosed is method of forming a manifold, heater or nozzle preform and infiltrating the preform with a highly thermally conductive material. The invention also provides a method of simultaneously infiltrating and brazing injection molding components of similar or dissimilar materials together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Inventors: Jobst U. Gellert, Hakim Belhadjamida
  • Patent number: 6659165
    Abstract: In an apparatus for casting a metal comprise a crucible (2), a casting mold (3) and an electrode rod (10) for an arc discharge are provided in an interior portion of a casting chamber (1) capable of controlling a pressure, a supporting shaft (6) exists in a side of an outflow end portion of the crucible (2) close to a charging port (5) of the casting mold (3), the crucible (2) can be tilted around the supporting shaft (6), a crucible tilting means (7) exists in a side of a non-outflow end portion of the crucible (2), a clearance between a metal and the electrode rod is kept substantially constant after the arc melting of the metal (4) on the crucible (2) is started and the melting of the metal (4) makes progress and until the metal (4) in the melting state drops down due to the tilting of the crucible (2), and the arc discharge is kept during a period that the metal (4) flows and drops down.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: Nissin Dental Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Matsuyuki Miyake, Yasuhiko Kuwamura
  • Patent number: 6659163
    Abstract: The method relies on the simultaneous filling of mold (1) from its bottom through main casting gutter (3) and rising of molten metal (2) in a secondary gutter (6) which branches off from the start of casting gutter (3), with said molten metal (2) rising in secondary gutter (6) in the same amount as in mold (1), so that when the latter is full the main casting gutter (3) is sealed and feeding from the secondary gutter (6) continues, causing it to overflow and fill the corresponding feed head (5) provided on top of mold (1), with secondary gutter (6) communicating at the top with said feed head (5) so that once said feed head is full secondary gutter (6) is sealed. In this manner, the most liquid metal will reach the top part of mold (1) and may be fed to it to compensate contraction of the metal as it cools. A further object of the invention is the device (7) which seals the main casting gutter (3) and the secondary gutter (6), with these two sealing devices (7) being identical and independent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: Loramendi, S.A.
    Inventor: Arana Eraña Agustin
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20030201090
    Abstract: A molten metal feed apparatus which can feed molten metal into a casting apparatus by opening a vessel and which is free from leakage of the molten metal from the opening/closing part of the vessel, provided with a holding vessel having an opening at its bottom and holding a metal material, a lid for closing the opening, a drive means for making the lid move with respect to the holding vessel to open or close the opening, and an induction heating coil for heating the metal material by induction of a current to the metal material in the holding vessel and generating a magnetic field applying to the molten metal a force preventing leakage of the molten metal in the holding vessel from between the opening and the lid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2003
    Publication date: October 30, 2003
    Applicant: TOSHIBA KIKAI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hiroshi Nanto, Akira Hirahara
  • 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
  • Patent number: 6609555
    Abstract: A casting rollover apparatus includes a cage supporting a casting mold and a slide coupled to the cage for advancing the mold into and out of engagement with a molten metal discharge nozzle. A spindle is carried on the slide and coupled to the cage for rotating the cage. A clamp cylinder is carried on the cage for clamping the mold in the closed position. A single transducer is mounted on one of a pair of pressurized fluid drive cylinders on the slide to detect the position of the slide. Electrical plug connectors are coupled to the transducer and the cylinder control elements. Thrust bearings are mounted on the spindle and apply a pre-load to the spindle. A digital proportional valve is coupled to a drive cylinder for controlling the deceleration of the spindle. A position detector switch is mounted in the path of angular rotation of the spindle to initiate spindle deceleration. The clamp cylinder carries a tubular member coupled to the piston and movable with respect to the clamp cylinder housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2003
    Assignee: Adams Automation
    Inventors: Robert H. Spengler, III, Michael H. Kuvasta
  • Patent number: 6598658
    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: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2003
    Assignee: Water Gremlin Company
    Inventor: Robert W. Ratte
  • Patent number: 6591895
    Abstract: Apparatus for pouring of molten metal from a vessel onto the gating system of a mold includes a shield assembly that diverts any abnormal flow of molten metal occurring between normal flow of molten metal onto the gating system when molds are indexed for pouring. The shield assembly protects sensitive components of the mold, such as the gating and casting patterns in a lost foam casting process, from abnormal flow of molten metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2003
    Assignee: Inductotherm Corp.
    Inventors: Emad Tabatabaei, William R. Pflug
  • Patent number: 6589473
    Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing a copper wire includes a melting furnace in which combustion is performed in a reducing atmosphere so as to produce molten copper; a holding furnace for maintaining a predetermined temperature of the molten copper supplied from the melting furnace; a casting trough for sealing the molten copper supplied from the holding furnace in a non-oxidizing atmosphere and for transferring the molten copper to a tundish; a degasser provided in the casting trough for dehydrogenating the molten copper passing therethrough; a continuous casting machine for continuously producing cast copper from the molten copper supplied from the tundish, and a cutter for cutting the cast copper into a predetermined length. The apparatus permits a dehydrogenating treatment to be performed without requiring a long moving distance of molten copper, and in which the generation of holes in solidification is suppressed, whereby high quality low-oxygen copper wire having superior surface quality can be obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2003
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Materials Corporation
    Inventors: Haruhiko Asao, Yutaka Koshiba, Keiji Nogami, Tutomu Masui, Kazumasa Hori, Kenji Wakiguchi, Masahiko Wada, Yoshiaki Hattori
  • Patent number: 6585797
    Abstract: The melter furnace includes a heating chamber (16), a pump chamber (18), a degassing chamber (20), and a filter chamber (22). The pump chamber (18) is located adjacent the heating chamber (16) and houses a molten metal pump (30). The degassing chamber (20) is located adjacent and in fluid communication with the pump chamber (18), and houses a degassing mechanism (36). The filter chamber (22) is located adjacent and in fluid communication with the degassing chamber (20). The filter chamber (22) includes a molten metal filter (38). The melter furnace (12) is used to supply molten metal to an externally located holder furnace (14), which then recirculates molten metal back to the melter furnace (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: Alcoa Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Kinosz, Thomas N. Meyer
  • Patent number: 6578620
    Abstract: The filtering molten metal injector system includes a holder furnace, a casting mold supported above the holder furnace, and at least one molten metal injector supported from a bottom side of the casting mold. The holder furnace contains a supply of molten metal. The mold defines a mold cavity for receiving the molten metal from the holder furnace. The molten metal injector projects into the holder furnace. The molten metal injector includes a cylinder defining a piston cavity housing a reciprocating piston for pumping the molten metal upward from the holder furnace to the mold cavity. The cylinder and piston are at least partially submerged in the molten metal when the holder furnace contains the molten metal. The cylinder or the piston includes a molten metal intake for receiving the molten metal into the piston cavity when the holder furnace contains molten metal. A conduit connects the piston cavity to the mold cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2003
    Assignee: Alcoa Inc.
    Inventors: David R. Trudel, Thomas N. Meyer, Michael J. Kinosz, Guy Arnaud, Nicolas Bigler
  • 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
  • Patent number: 6576184
    Abstract: A tank for liquid metal processing tilting about an axis and fed by a fixed chute and pouring the liquid metal into a fixed evacuating chute. The tank includes at least a passage hole for supplying, discharging, or emptying the liquid metal arranged in one of its walls and extended by a mobile nozzle integral with the tank. At least the fixed evacuation chute merges with the tilting axis and the nozzle. Further, the fixed chute is assembled together by a linking device articulated in rotation about the tilting axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2003
    Assignee: Pechiney Rhenalu
    Inventor: Jacques Griffon
  • Patent number: 6536508
    Abstract: A molten metal supply system (90) includes a plurality of injectors (100) each having an injector housing (102) and a reciprocating piston (104). A molten metal supply source (132) is in fluid communication with the housing (102) of each of the injectors (100). The piston (104) is movable through a return stroke allowing molten metal (134) to be received into the housing (102) from the molten metal supply source (132), and a displacement stroke for displacing the molten metal (134) from the housing (102). A pressurized gas supply source (144) is in fluid communication with the housing (102) of each of the injectors (100) through respective gas control valves (146). The gas supply source (144) is used to pressurize a space formed between the molten metal (134) and the piston (104) during the return stroke of the piston (104) of each of the injectors (100).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: Alcoa Inc.
    Inventors: Vivek M. Sample, Scott E. Reighard, Vincent A. Paola, Ronald G. Chabal
  • Patent number: 6528010
    Abstract: A molten metal handling vessel, comprising a base and one or more sidewalls surrounding the base and extending upwardly therefrom, the interior surfaces of the base and sidewall(s) each comprising a lining formed from refractory material, the sidewall lining including a ledge spaced a distance from the base lining, the ledge projecting inwardly into the interior of the vessel and extending around at least a quarter of the periphery of the base, and all parts of the sidewall lining below the ledge projecting at least as far into the vessel as does the ledge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Assignees: Foseco International Limited, Stelco Inc.
    Inventors: Donald R. Zacharias, Norbert A. Strobel
  • 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: 6513571
    Abstract: A low pressure casting machine having a fill line connected between a thermally insulated chamber and a refractory furnace. A solenoid valve is included in the fill line and is selectively opened to allow gravity to fill the thermally insulated chamber to a predetermined level with molten metal. The thermally insulated chamber is subsequently pressurized to force molten metal from the chamber into a mold cavity to cast a metal component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Assignee: Hayes Lemmerz International, Inc.
    Inventor: Romulo A. Prieto
  • Patent number: 6505674
    Abstract: An injector (100) for a molten metal supply system includes an injector housing (102) configured to contain molten metal. A molten metal supply source (132) is in fluid communication with the housing (102). A piston (104) extends into the housing (102). The piston (102) is movable through a return stroke allowing molten metal (134) to be received into the housing (102) from the molten metal supply source (132), and a displacement stroke for displacing the molten metal (134) from the housing (102). A gas supply source (144) is in fluid communication with the housing (102) through a gas control valve (146). The gas supply source (144) is used to pressurize a space (148) formed between the molten metal (134) and the piston (104) during the return stroke of the piston (104) such that when the piston (104) moves through the displacement stroke a compressed gas filled space is formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: Alcoa Inc.
    Inventors: Vivek M. Sample, Scott E. Reighard, Vincent A. Paola, Ronald G. Chabal
  • Publication number: 20030000676
    Abstract: A pouring apparatus for castings uses separate systems for supplying billets and delivering the semi-molten material, making it possible to readily modify the discharge flows and pressure. A pouring apparatus for castings that comprises solid material supply means for supplying solid material to a melting basin; heating means for heating the melting basin to semi-melt solid material supplied to the melting basin; a conveyance chamber provided adjacent to the melting basin; and delivery means for discharging, from a discharge nozzle, semi-molten material conveyed from the melting basin to the conveyance chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2002
    Publication date: January 2, 2003
    Applicant: Tetsuichi MOTEGI
    Inventors: Tetsuichi Motegi, Kiichi Miyazaki, Yoshitomo Tezuka, Kiyotaka Yoshihara
  • Patent number: 6467528
    Abstract: A fiber reinforced porous preform is positioned within a die cavity defined by upper and lower die members, and the lower die member defines a gate opening in the center portion of a water cooled shot sleeve which receives a vertically moveable shot piston. The area of the gate opening is small relative to the area of the shot sleeve, and the lower die member defines an annular recess above the inner surface of the shot sleeve for entrapping a shell of pre-solidified metal. Air vent slots extend outwardly between the shot sleeve and lower die member and are closed by the shell of pre-solidified metal. The structure prevents pre-solidified metal and air from entering the die cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2002
    Assignee: THT Presses Inc.
    Inventors: Richard J. Kamm, Michael J. Loughman, Ronald P. Swarts
  • Publication number: 20020148590
    Abstract: The present invention provides improved heated manifolds, heaters and nozzles for injection molding, having a high strength metal skeleton infiltrated with a second phase metal having higher thermal conductivity. Also disclosed is method of forming a manifold, heater or nozzle preform and infiltrating the preform with a highly thermally conductive material The invention also provides a method of simultaneously infiltrating and brazing injection molding components of similar or dissimilar materials together.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2002
    Publication date: October 17, 2002
    Inventors: Jobst U. Gellert, Hakim Belhadjamida
  • Patent number: 6460604
    Abstract: An apparatus for uphill low pressure casting of molten metal in sand molds conveyed in synchronized manner with a casting station located at the conveyor, a gas pressure holding furnace containing the molten metal and located at the casting station with a rising casting tube connectable to the sand molds has a device for refilling the holding furnace with molten metal. To permit a rapid casting cycle and high casting capacities, the refilling device has at least one pressure-tight melt container and a filling tube located in the holding furnace with a seal positioned outside the same. The melt container is couplable in pressure-tight manner by means of its outlet to the holding furnace filling tube. The holding furnace is connected to the melt container by means of a pneumatic pressure compensating line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2002
    Assignee: Georg Fischer DISA AG
    Inventors: Norbert Damm, Herbert Zulauf
  • Patent number: 6460603
    Abstract: An apparatus for uphill low pressure casting of metals in split sand moulds and having a sprue in one of the two moulds, to which can be connected the casting tube of a melt container and which is connected to the lowest area of the mould cavity, and having a sealing plug integrated into the mould and which after the filling of the mould cavity can be brought into the closed position by means of an external drive engaging in the mould, including a seal which does impairing casting quality and moulding sand preparation. Between the sprue and the mould cavity is provided a casting channel connecting the sprue and the mould cavity. The sealing plug is constructed as a sand mould body and in a shaped-in guide of the mould is displaceable between an open position and a closed position, and seals a casting channel and a metallostatic pressure of the molten metal in the mould acts against the guide on the sealing plug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2002
    Assignee: Georg Fischer Disa AG
    Inventors: Norbert Damm, Herbert Zulauf
  • Publication number: 20020139506
    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: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2001
    Publication date: October 3, 2002
    Inventors: Thomas N. Meyer, Srinath Viswanathan
  • Patent number: 6457512
    Abstract: Fully dense long ingots are produced by the bottom pouring method and apparatus of the present invention. A solidification sequence is achieved which is conducive to eliminating solidification shrinkage and piping. The set-up of the bottom poured ingot molds facilitates a solidification sequence starting from the top and then down the ingot mold and then up the down pour pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2002
    Assignee: Concurrent Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Kuang-O Yu, Alex Simkovich
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20020129920
    Abstract: The method relies on the simultaneous filling of mold (1) from its bottom through main casting gutter (3) and rising of molten metal (2) in a secondary gutter (6) which branches off from the start of casting gutter (3), with said molten metal (2) rising in secondary gutter (6) in the same amount as in mold (1), so that when the latter is full the main casting gutter (3) is sealed and feeding from the secondary gutter (6) continues, causing it to overflow and fill the corresponding feed head (5) provided on top of mold (1), with secondary gutter (6) communicating at the top with said feed head (5) so that once said feed head is full secondary gutter (6) is sealed. In this manner, the most liquid metal will reach the top part of mold (1) and may be fed to it to compensate contraction of the metal as it cools. A further object of the invention is the device (7) which seals the main casting gutter (3) and the secondary gutter (6), with these two sealing devices (7) being identical and independent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2002
    Publication date: September 19, 2002
    Inventor: Agustin Arana Erana
  • Patent number: 6450236
    Abstract: A method of ascending casting in a casting cavity where filling from the bottom results in a region of reduced pressure formed during the cooling in which solidification can be expected to take place last. The region is post-fed with molten material from a shortest possible feeding duct. By doing this, the consumption of casting metal is reduced, because it is no longer necessary to use a surplus of molten material to keep the bottom ingate open for feeding purposes and the consumption of mold material is also reduced because it is no longer necessary to adapt the mold to accommodate surplus molten material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2002
    Assignee: Georg Fischer Disa A/S
    Inventors: Peter Iversen, Uffe Andersen
  • Publication number: 20020108736
    Abstract: The molten metal injector system includes a holder furnace containing a supply of molten metal. A casting mold is supported above the holder furnace. The mold defines a mold cavity for receiving molten metal from the holder furnace. One or more molten metal injectors is supported from the bottom side of the mold. The injector is in fluid communication with the mold cavity and includes a reciprocating piston for pumping molten metal upward from the holder furnace and injecting the molten metal into the mold cavity. The injector is partially submerged in molten metal when the holder furnace contains molten metal. The injector includes a molten metal intake for receiving molten metal into the injector. The molten metal intake is located below the surface of the molten metal in the holder furnace.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2002
    Publication date: August 15, 2002
    Inventors: Thomas N. Meyer, Michael J. Kinosz, Nicholas Bigler, Guy Arnaud
  • Publication number: 20020104638
    Abstract: Apparatus for pouring of molten metal from a vessel onto the gating system of a mold includes a shield assembly that diverts any abnormal flow of molten metal occurring between normal flow of molten metal onto the gating system when molds are indexed for pouring. The shield assembly protects sensitive components of the mold, such as the gating and casting patterns in a lost foam casting process, from abnormal flow of molten metal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2001
    Publication date: August 8, 2002
    Inventors: Emad Tabatabaei, William R. Pflug