Device and method for cooling a shot plug

Abstract

The invention is accomplished by a shot block that is located intermediate the die and the shot sleeve. Such a shot block includes a body having mutually opposed first and second engagement surfaces. The first engagement surface abuts the shot sleeve and the second engagement surface abuts the die. A passage extends longitudinally through the body and defines an opening at the first engagement surface and an opening at the second engagement surface for transmitting a molten or semi-molten metal charge under pressure from the shot sleeve, through the passage, and into the die cavity. A cooling channel within the body circulates a fluid therethrough to absorb heat from the charge located within at least a portion of said passage (i.e. the biscuit).

1 . A die casting machine for creating a die cast component from a molten or semi-molten metal charge, said die casting machine comprising: 
 a first die and a second die configured for confronting engagement with one another along a separation surface and together defining at least one die cavity therebetween;    a shot block having a passage extending therethrough, said passage in fluid communication with said die cavity for transmitting a molten or semi-molten metal charge to said die cavity;    a cooling channel within said body for circulating a fluid therethrough to absorb heat from said charge located within at least a portion of said shot block passage; a shot sleeve having a passage, said shot sleeve abutting said shot block wherein said shot sleeve passage is in fluid communication with said shot block passage for transmitting said charge to said shot block passage;    a plunger disposed within said shot sleeve passage for forcing said charge through said shot sleeve; and    wherein a cross-section of said shot sleeve passage is substantially equal to a cross-section of said shot block passage so that said plunger is capable of entering said shot block passage.    
     
     
         2 . The die casting machine of  claim 2  wherein said shot block passage is substantially cylindrical.  
     
     
         3 . The die casting machine of  claim 3  wherein said shot sleeve passage is substantially cylindrical.  
     
     
         4 . The die casting machine of  claim 3  wherein said plunger has a cross section substantially equal to the cross-section of said shot sleeve passage.  
     
     
         5 . The die casting machine of  claim 1  wherein said cooling channel is located radially outwardly from said shot block passage.  
     
     
         6 . The die casting machine of  claim 5  wherein said cooling channel extends longitudinally within said shot block.  
     
     
         7 . The die casting machine of  claim 5  wherein said cooling channel extends at least partially circumferentially about said shot block passage.  
     
     
         8 . A die casting machine for creating a die cast component from a molten or semi-molten metal charge; said die casting machine comprising: 
 a first die and a second die configured for confronting engagement with one another along a separation surface and together defining at least one die cavity therebetween;    a shot block having a generally cylindrical passage extending therethrough, said passage in fluid communication with said die cavity for transmitting a molten or semi-molten metal charge to said die cavity, said passage having a diameter;    a cooling channel within said body for circulating a fluid therethrough to absorb heat from said charge located within at least a portion of said passage;    a shot sleeve having a generally cylindrical passage with a diameter, said shot sleeve abutting said shot block wherein said shot sleeve passage is in fluid communication with said shot block passage for transmitting said charge therethrough to said shot block passage;    a plunger disposed within said shot sleeve passage for forcing said charge through said shot sleeve; and    wherein the diameter of said shot block passage is substantially equal to the diameter of said shot sleeve passage so that said plunger is capable of entering said shot block passage.    
     
     
         9 . The die casting machine of  claim 8  wherein said cooling channel is located radially outwardly from said shot block passage.  
     
     
         10 . The die casting machine of  claim 9  wherein said cooling channel extends longitudinally within said shot block.  
     
     
         11 . The die casting machine of  claim 10  wherein said cooling channel extends at least partially circumferentially about said shot block passage.  
     
     
         12 . A shot block for use in a die casting machine wherein said shot block provides fluid communication of a molten or semi-molten metal charge between a shot sleeve and a die having a die cavity, the shot block comprising: 
 a body having mutually opposed first and second engagement surfaces, said first engagement surface capable of abutting engagement with a shot sleeve and said second engagement surface capable of abutting engagement with a die having a die cavity;    a passage extending longitudinally through said body and defining an opening at said first engagement surface and an opening at said second engagement surface for transmitting a molten or semi-molten metal charge under pressure through said passage; a cooling channel within said body for circulating a fluid therethrough to absorb heat from said charge located within at least a portion of said passage.    
     
     
         13 . The shot block of  claim 12  wherein said passage is substantially cylindrical.  
     
     
         14 . The shot block of  claim 12  wherein wherein said cooling channel is located radially outwardly from said passage.  
     
     
         15 . The shot block of  claim 14  wherein said cooling channel extends longitudinally within said shot block.  
     
     
         16 . The shot block of  claim 15  wherein said cooling channel extends at least partially circumferentially about said passage.