Abstract: A fluidization apparatus is adapted for use with a flask containing a particulate bed, for example, a foundry flask used in lost foam metal casting. The apparatus comprises a reciprocal plenum box defining a plenum having a gas outlet and receivable within the flask such that the plenum outlet registers with a perforated partition supporting the particulate bed within the flask. The plenum outlet is covered by an air filter suitable for removing contaminants from compressed air. The plenum box also carries a resilient seal member located about the plenum outlet. When the box is received in the flask, pneumatic lifts mounted upon the box raise the box to seal the box against the partition. Compressed air admitted to the plenum flows from the plenum outlet through the filter, which removes entrained contaminants that might otherwise plug the partition, and thereafter through the partition to fluidize the particulate bed.

Abstract: Used foundry sand is passed downward through a series of vertical, fluid sand beds. Hot air is forced upward in countercurrent fashion through the beds in turn so that a boiling action is achieved in the sand masses. The combination of thermal and abrasive action removes both organic resin and clay-bonded materials from the sand in one continuous operation.

Abstract: A single shop continuous casting facility is disclosed that comprises furnaces 10 and 10a for producing hot metal, continuous casters 12 and 12a for forming continuous lengths of solidified metal, and a rotating bridge crane 14 for transporting ladles 52 of hot metal from the pouring stands of said furnaces to the casting stands of said casters, the pouring stands of said furnaces and the casting stands of said casters being disposed within the arcuate area serviced by crane 14.

Abstract: A reclamation apparatus comprising a centrifugal apparatus for removing impurities from sand by abrasion and entrainment. The apparatus is used to reproduce old molding sand so as to be useable again in making molds and, comprises a cylindrical body including an old sand feed hopper and a dust attraction opening in its upper part, an open-top rotary drum in its central part and a reclaimed sand discharge opening in its lower part. The old sand supplied through the feed hopper is distributed uniformly along the peripheral portion of the bottom plate of the rotary drum by means of a distributor, and the rotary drum is rotated at a high speed to cause a shearing phenomenon in the layer of sand and cause the sand to scatter over the peripheral wall of the drum.

Abstract: A powder compression molding method for producing a multilayer powder compression molded article having a plurality of different material layers disposed in a compression direction utilizes relative movements between an upper punch, a lower punch, a die having a step formed therein, and two feed shoes. The powder compression molded article thus formed requires a reduced amount of a special layer. The powder compression molding method includes forming a first space by moving the die relative to the lower punch, introducing a first powder into the first space through a first feed shoe, lowering the lower punch relative to the die to form a second space so that an upper surface of the first powder on the step of the die and on the lower punch has a nonuniform height, introducing a second powder into the second space, and moving the upper punch towards the lower punch to compress the first and second powders.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved ingot mold. The only alteration in design involves the outside surface of the ingot mold. The invention involves recesses cast or cut into the outside surface of ingot molds for the specific purpose of accommodating steel reinforcement bands. These recesses allow air spaces to exist between the mold surface and the steel reinforcement bands for the purpose of reducing thermal conduction and to bridge any irregularities in the iron mold surface. They can further allow the band to be applied in such a way that the band does not extend beyond the furthest outside surface of the ingot mold exterior wall. The benefit of this is that the steel band is protected from any abuse that may occur as a result of handling the mold. The further benefit is achieved of protecting the band from molten steel that may splash from the top of the mold during teeming (pouring) or transportation.

Abstract: A light weight ingot mold mat for receiving molten metal is formed from sheets of metal compatible with the molten metal. The sheets have closely spaced holes therein throughout most of their area so that they are very light and easily crumbled to form a honeycombed structure. The mat is placed on the mold stool and absorbs the force of the molten metal and chills it so that it freezes sufficiently to seal the joint between the stool and mold. The mat is melted and absorbed into the ingot.

Abstract: A method of and a device for the shipping of hot metal goods, such as hot steel ingots and slabs, in which the ingots or slabs are lowered into a container in which a granular insulating material, preferably porous vermiculite, is fluidized by a pressurized gas during the introduction of these metal goods. The particles of the insulating material, upon termination of the fluidization are then allowed to pack around and envelop the metal goods. The insulating material is again fluidized during withdrawal of the metal goods at the unloading site.

Abstract: Herein disclosed is a method and apparatus for changing the width of a cast piece during continuous operation. The method comprises stopping pouring a molten metal into a mold, inserting a frame including a pair of opposite side plate members into the mold so that the lower ends of the members are dipped in the molten metal, pouring the molten metal into a cavity defined by said frame, and withdrawing the cast piece together with said frame to obtain a cast piece having a desired width.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improvement of a flux powder supplying apparatus for continuous casting, and more particularly to the apparatus in which on a moving car 8 arranged near a mould 5 for casting there are placed a flux powder supplying apparatus 7 and a screw conveyor 11, at the end of the screw conveyor 11 there is connected a guide rod 16 mounted on the conveyor 11 to an arc-shaped guide 15, a crank mechanism 13 is provided connected to the conveyor 11, a nozzle opening 18 is idly fitted at the end portion of the screw conveyor 11 through the guide rod 16, the screw conveyor 11 and the crank mechanism 13 are respectively connected to motors 12, 14, and the nozzle opening 18 is reciprocally movable with optional control over the width direction of the mould 5.

Abstract: A device for sampling molten steel is provided with a mold cavity and an inlet path which includes a floatation-type slag separation chamber. A ceramic sieve is disposed at the outlet of the separation chamber to prevent large slag particles from passing through while trapping small slag droplets by adhesion.

Abstract: A foundry mold jacket to be positioned around a sand mold during pouring of the molten metal. The jacket has a generally rectangular body portion having a central opening to receive the sand mold. The jacket has a depth of approximately six inches and straddles the parting line of the mold. Extensions or lugs extend outwardly from opposite sides of the body portion and locating members are disposed on the upper surfaces of the extensions for positioning a weight on the upper surface of the jacket body. In addition, the extensions are provided with locating holes which receive locating pins on lifting arms that raise and lower the mold jacket relative to the sand mold.

Abstract: Disclosed is a mold structure for casting large metallic parts such as ingots so as to avoid the formation of the "shrinkage pipe" which normally develops on the exposed top surface of such castings during their solidification. The structure comprises a cap for placement on a mold which includes a diaphragm having a front surface located to intercept radiation emitted from the top surface of the cooling metal mass and to reemit radiation back thereto, and a means for returning radiation emitted from the back surface of the diaphragm such as an infrared reflector or a stack of baffles. The cap may include means for cooling the reflective surface and suitable ports which allow the interior of the mold and cap to be evacuated. Portions of the mold adjacent its open top may be provided with insulation to prevent heat loss from the metal by conduction. Various means for providing make-up heat to the top surface of the metal mass may also be included in the structure.

Abstract: A system for handling pattern devices in molding apparatus for producing mold halves in mold boxes includes a rotatable transfer device having a pair of diametrically opposed tables whereby rotation of the transfer device will periodically shift the tables between a waiting position and an operating position located on opposite sides of the axis of rotation of the transfer device. A conveyor track system is provided having a portion thereof defined by conveyor track elements located on the tables. The conveyor track system includes an upper track section and a lower track section and the overall conveyor track system is formed to define a closed circulation path for the pattern devices.

Abstract: An apparatus for the removal, accompanied by simultaneous turning, of cut-to-length hot strand sections from the delivery or run-out roller tables of a multistrand continuous casting installation for steel. The pivot shaft of pivotal levers, provided with receiver or take-up portions for the cut-to-length strand sections, is located below a cooling bed arranged laterally of the delivery or run-out roller tables, approximately at the center between the cooling bed and the roller table located furthest from such cooling bed. By virtue of the foregoing and due to the constructional configuration of the receiving portions or strand section-receivers and a slide or chute operatively associated with the roller table situated closest to the cooling bed, it is possible, with the aid of only one single pivot mechanism or device, to conjointly directly transfer a number of strand sections which are simultaneously turned through an angle of about 90.degree.

Abstract: A device for mitigating the splashing of droplets of molten metal during the pouring of same into a mould comprises a strip or strips of material which form a system of polygonal cells. The device is for vertical location with the strips edgewise in the base of a mould and fulfills the function of either a splash-guard when casting direct or a float when bottom-casting.

Abstract: A molding sand feeding device including a first molding sand distribution mechanism constructed of a plurality of partition and bottom or end plates so as to define a plurality of molding sand distribution passages which are in parallel with each other and are inclined downward at angles to the vertical and alternately in the opposite directions, a second molding sand distribution mechanism disposed immediately below the first sand molding distribution mechanism and comprised of a pair of distribution plates assembled in the form of an inverted V so that the molding sand discharged from the first distribution mechanism may be distributed into two flows in opposite directions, and a third molding sand distribution mechanism which is substantially similar in construction to the second distribution mechanism and which is disposed at right angles to the second mechanism so that the molding sand discharged from the second distribution mechanism may be distributed into two flows in opposite directions.

Abstract: Disclosed is a rotary-type continuous motion core making machine capable of carrying a number of core mold boxes, each supported on a carrier adapted to move up and down, a sand distributing system adapted to inject a foundry sand mix into each of the core boxes, and a manifold system for distributing curing and purging gases to the core boxes. The machine is capable of completing a core/mold production cycle in a single circle of turret revolution. The vertical movement of the core box carrier, horizontal radial movement of portions of the gas manifold system, and movements of other parts of the machine are generated by the turret rotation and are controlled by a number of stationary contoured cam tracks. Disclosed also is a novel catalyst gas generating system, a core box assembly containing ejector pins in the top portion thereof, and a system for collecting and assembling components into a unified core and mold assembly.

Abstract: A casting-marking apparatus is adapted for incorporation in a permanent foundry pattern of the type used to produce sand molds for metal casting. The apparatus carries a marking that is impressed in the sand old and subsequently reproduced on a casting. The apparatus is designed and constructed so that the marking that it carries can be altered from a station remote from the pattern. In the apparatus, the alterable marking is carried by a marking body that is rotated by an air actuated piston.

Abstract: A fixture for use in positioning the walls of an adjustable continuous-casting mold. The fixture includes a frame which is inserted in the mold and keys for engaging keyways in the upper and lower edges of the side walls of the mold to center the fixture. The fixture has positioning rods to be abutted by the adjustable end walls of the mold. The positioning rods are adjustable but remain equidistant from the center of the fixture.

Abstract: A "Flask and Pattern Starter" device, for the purpose of providing a seal-breaking movement of the cope flask and for the matchplate pattern also, as a molder "squeezer molds" in a foundry operation where he is lifting a flask, and a pattern. The apparatus serves as a leverage surface for the hands of the molder as he separates the pattern from cope and drag flasks in a molding operation. The device is placed over guide pins which are normally used on pattern equipment in the foundry operations.

Abstract: A method and apparatus employed in the spacing and gapping the product containing rollers contained within a plurality of continuous casting discharge racks. Both the method, and apparatus with which the method is employed, insure the accurate gapping of the discharge rack rollers from a specific centerline, the latter being in a given spacial relationship with a given benchmark located upon the rack per se such that the centerlines of a plurality of such racks are collinearly aligned when positioned using their respective benchmarks within a continuous casting machine.

Abstract: A nozzle for blowing foundry cores, the nozzle being adapted to be fitted to a filling tray of a type operated in conjunction with the hot-box process. The nozzle consists of a pair of tubular concentric plastic sleeves assembled and shaped to provide an intermediate annular-sectioned space constituting a cooling jacket in which water is circulated, the male sleeve carrying at its lower end a plastic nose-piece adapted to withstand heavy abrasive and thermal conditions.

Abstract: A pair of generally rectangular core box mounting plates are cast from aluminum. Each plate includes a plurality of parallel spaced ribs extending outwardly from a surface of the plate to define channels therebetween permitting excape of compressed air and sand from core boxes positioned between a pair of such plates. Extending along and sealing one edge of the channels is a ridge which directs the sand, air and gases from the core box to the open ends of the channels. Mounting flanges are provided such that the structure consisting of the core box mounted to the plates can in turn be secured to a shell core machine. In order to accommodate relatively small core boxes, a plurality of the ribs are shortened to provide lands which can accommodate spacer blocks so that a pair of universal plates can be used for different sized core boxes.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed which functions to adjust the moisture content of casting sand as it is being recovered, so that the sand may be re-used without significant or further adjustment of its water content. The apparatus includes a cooler-drier which receives hot castings and sand and discharges the sand and castings separately. A water spray impinges upon the sand and castings as they are moved through the cooler-drier and a temperature sensor which senses the temperature of the sand/castings mixture at the inlet controls the water spray so that the discharged sand possesses a uniform and selected moisture content.