Casting device and method

Abstract

A improved method and apparatus are provided for casting objects. The apparatus includes a molten metal or liquid retaining container with a bottom feed outlet, a casting chamber with a bottom feed inlet, and a connecting portion through which molten metal or liquid from the container portion flows into the casting mold. The melt flows from the melt container to the casting chamber through the hollow connecting portion by movement of the relative positions of the melt container and the casting chamber, allowing for a controlled casting method with a minimum of turbulence.

1 . An apparatus for casting metal products comprising: 
 one or more first melt chambers with inlet/outlet ports; and    one or more second melt chambers with inlet/outlet parts; and    a connecting means between said one or more first melt chambers and said one or more second melt chambers connected to said one or more first melt chambers and said one or more second melt chambers at said inlet/outlet ports.    
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said inlet/outlet ports in said first melt and second melt chambers are located at the bottom of the said melt chambers.  
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein said inlet/outlet ports further include valves.  
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said one or more first melt chambers are moveable relative said one or more second melt chambers.  
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , further comprising mechanical means for changing the position of said one or more first and one or more second melt chambers relative to one another.  
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the positions of said one or more first and one or more second melt chambers are moved vertically with respect to one another.  
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the positions of said one or more first and one or more second melt chambers are moved rotationally with respect to one another about a horizontal axis running longitudinally through said apparatus.  
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the position of said melt chambers includes a positive feed angle between said one or more first melt chambers and said one or more second melt chambers in the direction of melt material flow.  
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein said melt chambers further include a positive feed angle in the direction of melt flow from said inlet into the receiving melt chamber.  
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said connecting means is a hollow flexible tube of a high-temperature heat resistant material.  
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said connecting means is moveably connected to said one or more first and one or more second melt chambers.  
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said one or more second melt chambers are molds for casting objects.  
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein said apparatus further comprises mechanical means to rotate the said one or more first melt chambers and said one or more second melt chambers about a horizontal axis with respect to one another.  
   
   
       14 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said melt chambers further comprise heating means.  
   
   
       15 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said one or more first melt chambers feeds a plurality of second melt chambers.  
   
   
       16 . An apparatus for casting metal products comprising; 
 one or more first melt chambers with inlet/outlet parts;    one or more second melt chambers with inlet/outlet ports wherein said one or more second melt chambers are moveable with respect to each other;    a connecting means between the said one or more first melt chambers and said one or more second melt chambers wherein said connecting means is connected to said one or more first melt chambers and said one or more second melt chambers at said inlet/outlet ports;    a positive melt materials feed angle from said one or more first melt chambers to said or more second melt chambers; and    said one or more first melt chambers and said one or more second melt chambers comprise one or more casting molds.    
   
   
       17 . The apparatus of  claim 16  wherein said one or more first melt chambers and said one or more second melt chambers are moveable vertically with respect to one another.  
   
   
       18 . The apparatus of  claim 16  wherein one or more first melt chambers and said one or more second melt chambers are moveable rotationally with respect to one another about a horizontal axis running longitudinally through said apparatus.  
   
   
       19 . A method of casting metal products by transferring molten metal from a first melt chamber to a second melt chamber through bottom inlet/outlet ports, said method comprising the steps of: 
 filling one or more first melt chamber with a desired amount of molten metal;    moving said one or more first melt chamber vertically with respect to one or more second melt chamber such that said molten metal flows from the first melt chamber into said second melt chamber leaving a volume of molten metal in said one or more first melt chambers.    
   
   
       20 . The method of claim wherein surface impurities are not transferred into said second melt chamber.