Slide shutoff for metal flow in a casting process

Abstract

A composite shut-off means for casting moulds, including a sliding closure made of sand and a compressive refractory material. The sliding closure has a passageway passing through it so as to allow the selective passage of molten metal there through, and a filtering means for the molten metal that filters the metal as it passes through the passageway. The means for retaining the sliding closure, are attached to the mould, so that in use, the mould can be closed and sealed by the sliding closure, and removed from the launder.

1 . A composite shut-off means for casting moulds, including a sliding closure with at least one passageway passing through it, wherein in use, when in a first open position the passageway is positioned so as to allow the passage of molten metal there through, into the mould, and in a second closed position, the molten metal is unable to pass through the passageway and the sliding closure seals the mould, preventing the entry of molten metal into the mould.  
   
   
       2 . A composite shut-off means for casting moulds, including a sliding closure that includes sealing means, and molten metal filtering means, wherein said shut-off means is the interface between the metal source and the mould.  
   
   
       3 . The composite shut-off means for casting moulds of  claim 1 , further characterised in that the sliding closure is operable by way of sliding it substantially transverse to metal flow.  
   
   
       4 . The composite shut-off means for casting moulds of  claim 1 , further characterised in that the sliding closure, and the means for retaining said sliding closure, are attached to the mould, so that in use, the mould can be closed and sealed by the sliding closure, and removed from the launder.  
   
   
       5 . The composite shut-off means for casting moulds of  claim 1 , further characterised in that the sliding closure is a rectangular plate element having an aperture or passageway passing there through.  
   
   
       6 . The composite shut-off means for casting moulds of  claim 1 , further characterised in that the sliding closure is a composite construction of sand, binding agent and compressive refractory material.  
   
   
       7 . The composite shut-off means for casting moulds of  claim 1 , further characterised in that the sliding closure sealing means includes a gasket made of compressive refractory material.  
   
   
       8 . The composite shut-off means for casting moulds of  claim 1 , further characterised in that the sliding closure utilises the compressive properties of the composite refractory material, such that in use, the pressure from the launder compresses the sliding closure, thereby effecting a seal.  
   
   
       9 . The composite shut-off means for casting moulds of  claim 1 , further characterised in that the filtering means uses either a stainless steel or fibreglass screen covering the aperture or passageway in the sliding closure.  
   
   
       10 . The composite shut-off means for casting moulds of  claim 1 , further characterised in that the sliding closure is actuated by a pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder.  
   
   
       11 . A method of actuating a composite shut-off means for casting moulds that includes a sliding closure, wherein there is a production system utilising a carousel that retains the mould, in which the motion of the carousel indexing is used rotate the carousel and the mould relative to the sliding closure, which is held in a fixed position via interference with the launder.  
   
   
       12 . A method of actuating a composite shut-off means for casting moulds that includes a sliding closure, wherein the launder is attached to a positionable, and programmable three-axis gantry, and the launder actuates the sliding closure via an interference with the sliding closure.  
   
   
       13 . A method of actuating a composite shut-off means for casting moulds that includes a sliding closure, wherein a robot retains, and moves the mould relative to the sliding closure, which is held in a fixed position via interference with the launder.  
   
   
       14 . (canceled)  
   
   
       15 . (canceled)  
   
   
       16 . The composite shut-off means for casting moulds of  claim 2 , further characterised in that the sliding closure is operable by way of sliding it substantially transverse to metal flow.  
   
   
       17 . The composite shut-off means for casting moulds of  claim 2 , further characterised in that the sliding closure, and the means for retaining said sliding closure, are attached to the mould, so that in use, the mould can be closed and sealed by the sliding closure, and removed from the launder.  
   
   
       18 . The composite shut-off means for casting moulds of  claim 2 , further characterised in that the sliding closure is a rectangular plate element having an aperture or passageway passing there through.  
   
   
       19 . The composite shut-off means for casting moulds of  claim 2 , further characterised in that the sliding closure is a composite construction of sand, binding agent and compressive refractory material.  
   
   
       20 . The composite shut-off means for casting moulds of  claim 2 , further characterised in that the sliding closure sealing means includes a gasket made of compressive refractory material.  
   
   
       21 . The composite shut-off means for casting moulds of  claim 2 , further characterised in that the sliding closure utilises the compressive properties of the composite refractory material, such that in use, the pressure from the launder compresses the sliding closure, thereby effecting a seal.  
   
   
       22 . The composite shut-off means for casting moulds of  claim 2 , further characterised in that the filtering means uses either a stainless steel or fibreglass screen covering the aperture or passageway in the sliding closure.  
   
   
       23 . The composite shut-off means for casting moulds of  claim 2 , further characterised in that the sliding closure is actuated by a pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder.