CONTROLLED PRESSURE CASTING
First Claim
1. A composite casting comprising:
- a steel member;
an end cap fastened to an end portion of the steel member; and
a cast coupling member cast about the end portion of the steel member including the end cap, thereby positively and rigidly locking and securing said cast coupling member to said steel member.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method of forming metal castings, including positioning a first end of a structural member in a first mold cavity and a second end of the structural member in a second mold cavity. The first and second mold cavities being fluidly coupled to a reservoir of molten metal. Applying a main pressure to the molten metal in the reservoir to force the molten metal into the first mold cavity and the second mold cavity. Then, applying a first auxiliary pressure to the first mold cavity and a second auxiliary pressure to the second mold cavity to densify the casting formed in the first mold cavity and the second mold cavity. Also, a method for casting including maintaining a main pressure at or less than an initial, mold-filling pressure after first and second mold cavities have been filled. Additionally, a method for detecting whether a first mold cavity is sufficiently filled with molten metal by monitoring a moveable element.
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Citations
25 Claims
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1. A composite casting comprising:
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a steel member; an end cap fastened to an end portion of the steel member; and a cast coupling member cast about the end portion of the steel member including the end cap, thereby positively and rigidly locking and securing said cast coupling member to said steel member. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. An engine cradle for a motor vehicle, comprising:
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a frame assembly having a pair of spaced rails secured by spaced cross members; at least one of said spaced rails and said spaced cross members including a composite casting, including; a steel member; an end cap fastened to an end portion of the steel member; and a cast coupling member cast about the end portion of the steel member including the end cap, thereby positively and rigidly securing the cast coupling member to the steel member. - View Dependent Claims (10)
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11. The engine cradle as defined in claim 11 wherein the steel member is a tubular member.
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12. A control arm for a motor vehicle, comprising:
a composite casting including; a steel member curved in a longitudinal direction; an end cap fastened to an end portion of the steel member; and a cast coupling member cast about the end portion of the steel member including the end cap, thereby positively and rigidly securing the cast coupling member to the steel member. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14)
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15. An instrument panel support structure for a motor vehicle, comprising:
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a composite casting in the form of a cross beam; and a mount positioned on each end of said composite casting, said composite casting including; a steel member; an end cap fastened to an end portion of the steel member; and a cast coupling member cast about the end portion of the steel member including the end cap, thereby positively and rigidly securing the cast coupling member to the steel member. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17)
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18. A bumper assembly for a motor vehicle, comprising:
a composite casting including; a steel member; and end caps fastened to end portions of the steel member; and cast coupling members cast about the end portions of the steel member including the end caps, thereby positively and rigidly securing the cast coupling members to the steel member, said steel member forming a longitudinally extending steel bumper member constructed to protect the vehicle from impact, and said coupling members forming first and second aluminum members attached to said steel bumper member, wherein said steel bumper member extends between said first and second aluminum members and said first and second aluminum members are positioned between said steel bumper member and the space frame of the vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (19)
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20. A twist axle comprising:
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a steel torsion beam; an end cap fastened to an end portion of the steel torsion beam; and a cast trailing arm cast about the end portion of the steel torsion beam including the end cap, thereby positively and rigidly securing the cast trailing arm to the steel torsion beam. - View Dependent Claims (21)
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22. A composite casting comprising:
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a steel member; an end cap fastened to an open portion of the steel member; and a cast coupling member cast about the end cap of said steel member by casting-in-place aluminum about said end cap, thereby positively and rigidly securing said coupling member to said steel member. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25)
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Specification