Apparatus and method for squeeze casting
First Claim
1. An apparatus for casting metal articles comprising a receptacle for molten metal, at least one mould cavity for casting the metal article, the mould cavity being defined by co-operating upper and lower die parts, the die parts being movable with respect to each other and their separation distance being selected to define a predetermined cavity volume for the cast article, a conduit having a first end connected to an entrance in the lower die part of the mould cavity and a second end connected to the receptacle, means for transferring molten metal upwardly from the receptacle through the conduit to fill or substantially fill the mould cavity in a non-turbulent manner, sealing means being provided to seal the entrance to the lower die part, wherein pressurising means are provided to apply pressure on the die parts to further reduce the cavity volume during solidification of the metal in the mould cavity, the sealing means being below the lower die part and comprising a sliding gate located between the first end of the conduit and the entrance in the lower die part.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Squeeze casting of high integrity, near net shape castings is performed in a mould cavity defined by cooperating die parts which are movable with respect to each other and have a separation distance which is selected to define a predetermined cavity volume for the cast article. A conduit has a first end connected to an entrance in the lower die part of the mould cavity and a second end connected to a receptacle which contains molten metal. Molten metal is transferred upwardly from the receptacle through the conduit to fill or substantially fill the mould cavity. The entrance to the mould cavity is sealed, and pressure is applied on the die parts to further reduce the cavity volume during solidification of the metal in the mould cavity.
52 Citations
21 Claims
- 1. An apparatus for casting metal articles comprising a receptacle for molten metal, at least one mould cavity for casting the metal article, the mould cavity being defined by co-operating upper and lower die parts, the die parts being movable with respect to each other and their separation distance being selected to define a predetermined cavity volume for the cast article, a conduit having a first end connected to an entrance in the lower die part of the mould cavity and a second end connected to the receptacle, means for transferring molten metal upwardly from the receptacle through the conduit to fill or substantially fill the mould cavity in a non-turbulent manner, sealing means being provided to seal the entrance to the lower die part, wherein pressurising means are provided to apply pressure on the die parts to further reduce the cavity volume during solidification of the metal in the mould cavity, the sealing means being below the lower die part and comprising a sliding gate located between the first end of the conduit and the entrance in the lower die part.
- 19. A method of casting metal articles comprising the steps of locating a mould which has at least one mould cavity of variable volume above a receptacle containing molten metal, connecting a conduit between the mould cavity and the receptacle, said conduit having a first end connected to an entrance to the mould and a second end connected to the receptacle, forcing molten metal upwardly from the receptacle through the conduit and into the mould cavity without turbulence, preventing loss of molten metal from the mould cavity by sealing the entrance to the mould with a sliding gate which is moved from an open position which is below said mould cavity to a closed position which is also below said mould cavity, wherein during solidification of the molten metal pressure is applied to the mould cavity to reduce the volume thereby compensating for contraction during solidification.
Specification