Method and apparatus for cooling foundry castings

Abstract

A method for cooling foundry castings, characterized in that it comprises the steps of: forming a cooling fog by nebulizing a flow of water, exposing a substantial part of the external surface of the casting to said cooling fog, measuring the temperature of the casting, and interrupting the exposure of the casting to the cooling fog when the measured temperature drops below the predetermined threshold.

1 . A method for cooling foundry castings, comprising the steps of: 
 forming a cooling fog by nebulizing a flow of water,    exposing a substantial part of the external surface of the casting to said cooling fog,    measuring the temperature of the casting, and    interrupting the exposure of the casting to the cooling fog when the measured temperature drops below the predetermined threshold.    
   
   
       2 . Method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the cooling fog is formed within a cooling chamber surrounding the casting.  
   
   
       3 . Method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the formation of the cooling fog is interrupted when the measured temperature of the casting drops below said predetermined threshold.  
   
   
       4 . Method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the casting is moved outside the range of operation of the cooling fog when the measured temperature drops below said predetermined threshold.  
   
   
       5 . Method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the temperature of the casting is measured by bringing a sensitive element in contact with a surface of the casting at least partially sheltered from the action of said cooling fog.  
   
   
       6 . An apparatus for cooling foundry castings, comprising: 
 a device for producing a cooling fog by nebulizing a flow of water,    an element for measuring the temperature of a foundry casting whilst a substantial part of the external surface thereof is exposed to the action of said cooling fog, and    a controller for interrupting the exposure of the casting to the action of said cooling fog when the measured temperature drops below the predetermined threshold.    
   
   
       7 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 6 , comprising a cooling chamber containing at least one nebulizing gun.  
   
   
       8 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein said element for measuring the temperature of the casting comprises a sensitive element which in use is placed in contact with a surface of the casting at least partially sheltered from the action of the cooling fog.  
   
   
       9 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein said controller is able to interrupt the feeding of the water flow to said means for forming the cooling fog.  
   
   
       10 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein said controller is able to move the casting outside the range of action of said cooling fog.