Method and apparatus for preheating and distributing ingots

Abstract

A method and apparatus for preheating and distributing magnesium ingots used in magnesium die casting wherein the heating efficiency is improved thus reducing the energy required to heat the ingots to a temperature varying between 150° C.-350° C. prior to charging into a molten magnesium bath. A housing comprising a ceiling, a floor, side walls extending from the floor to the ceiling for defining a chamber which is divided into at least a storage area and a heating area, and means for moving the ingots from one side to another as well as out to the molten magnesium bath are provided. The apparatus of the invention is adapted to be securely positioned directly atop of a melting furnace whereby the heat generated by said furnace is used to preheat the ingots located within the apparatus prior to charging.

1 . An apparatus for preheating and distributing ingots comprising: 
 (a) a housing comprised of a ceiling, a partially opened floor, side walls extending from floor to ceiling defining a chamber which is divided into at least a storage area and a heating area;    (b) an opening for loading the ingots into the storage area;    (c) means for moving the ingots, one at a time, from the storage area into the heating area;    (d) means for moving the ingots located in the heating area to position said ingots for distributing;    (e) means for moving the ingots, one at a time, now in a distributing position into an ejector area;    (f) means for opening the ejector area and for slidably leading the ingots into a melting furnace;    wherein the apparatus is securely positioned atop the melting furnace and whereby the heat generated by a molten bath therein will be used to preheat the ingots located within the apparatus to a suitable temperature range prior to entering said molten bath.    
     
     
         2 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the floor is partially opened on the heating area side for direct contact with the top of the melting furnace and for allowing circulation of the ambient heated air within said apparatus.  
     
     
         3 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the ingots are manually loaded into the storage area.  
     
     
         4 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the means for moving the ingots from the storage area into the heating area is a first pneumatically-operated actuator.  
     
     
         5 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the means for lifting the ingots in the heating area is a pneumatically-operated lift which is connected to mechanically-operated hinged fingers for controlling the distribution of said ingots.  
     
     
         6 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the means for moving the ingots from the heating area into the ejector area is a second pneumatically-operated actuator.  
     
     
         7 . The apparatus according to  claim 5 , wherein the lift is connected to an ejector area side door said door to open as the lift is lifting the ingots into position for distributing and to close as the lift returns to its lowered position while at the same time the hinged fingers ensure enough space is available for the next ingot to be introduced prior to receiving a further ingot from the storage area.  
     
     
         8 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein means for monitoring the temperature of the ingots in the heating area is provided.  
     
     
         9 . The apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein the means for monitoring the temperature is a thermocouple.  
     
     
         10 . The apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein the means for monitoring the temperature is infrared technology.  
     
     
         11 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein means for monitoring a molten bath level in the furnace and in combination for automatically activating the distributing of ingots is provided.  
     
     
         12 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the suitable temperature range of the ingots is between 150° C. to 350° C.  
     
     
         13 . A method for preheating and distributing ingots comprising the steps of: 
 (a) positioning an apparatus for holding ingots atop a melting furnace;    (b) loading the ingots into a storage area of the apparatus;    (c) moving the ingots from the storage area into a heating area of the apparatus;    (d) moving the ingots within the heating area to position said ingots for distributing;    (e) moving the ingots from the heating area into an ejector area;    (f) distributing the ingots into the melting furnace when said ingots are within a suitable temperature range.    
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the suitable temperature range is between 150° C.-350° C.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the ingots are manually loaded into the storage area.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the preheating of the ingots is performed in the heating area through a partially opened floor of the apparatus said ingots housed in the heating area wherein heated air generated by the furnace is circulated about the ingots.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the ingots contained in the apparatus are advanced therein by pneumatically-operated means.