Casting of metals

Abstract

A segmented die assembly for the casting of a metal object, the die assembly incorporating chill segments that are cooled using oil and/or water and/or air, the segments being interconnected and moved by actuators under the control of a Fuzzy logic module, wherein in use the assembly ensures that the chill maintains contact with the surface of the casting as it solidifies.

1 . A segmented die assembly for the casting of a metal object, the die assembly incorporating chill segments to be retained in contact with the molten metal during solidification of the casting, characterised in that the one or more of the segmented die segments are movable to maintain the chill in contact with the surface of the casting as it solidifies.  
   
   
       2 . The segmented die assembly as set forth in  claim 1 , further characterized in that there is a central chill segment and an outer die segment on opposite sides of the casting.  
   
   
       3 . The segmented die assembly as set forth in  claim 1 , further characterized in that the die segments are interconnected, and movable by an actuator.  
   
   
       4 . The segmented die assembly as set forth in  claim 1 , further characterized in that the chills are cooled, using oil and/or water and/or air.  
   
   
       5 . The segmented die assembly as set forth in  claim 3 , further characterized in that each actuator is controlled by a Fuzzy logic module.  
   
   
       6 . The segmented die assembly as set forth in  claim 5 , further characterized in that the Fuzzy logic module controls the actuators independently in response to inputs from devices measuring casting solidification parameters.  
   
   
       7 . (canceled)  
   
   
       8 . A die assembly for casting of a metal object, comprising a center section in which molten metal solidifies to form a casting of the metal object, and die segments on opposite sides of the casting; 
 wherein each die segment comprising an outer segment and chill segment interconnected with the outer segment;    wherein the chill segments are each positioned for contact with the surface of the casting and the outer segment are each positioned radially outward from its interconnected chill segment; and    wherein one or more of the die segments are movable to maintain the chill segments in contact with the surface of the casting as it solidifies.    
   
   
       9 . A die assembly as set forth in  claim 8 , wherein the center section is fixed.  
   
   
       10 . A die assembly as set forth in  claim 8 , wherein the center section has a shape corresponding to a cylinder block.  
   
   
       11 . A die assembly as set forth in  claim 8 , wherein the chill sections cool bulkhead sections of the cylinder block.  
   
   
       12 . A method of casting a metal object with the die assembly of  claim 8 , said method comprising the steps of: 
 moving each die segment inward to the center section;    contacting the chill segment with the casting