Close proximity pouring device

Abstract

There is disclosed herein a Close Proximity Pouring Device to automatically pour molten metal into a mold. The pouring device consists of a pour box equipped with a stopper rod and nozzle to dispense molten metal into a mold. This is accomplished by lowering the pour box so that a truncated conical pour nozzle, which extends below the pour box, is lowered into a truncated conical cavity in the mold without making contact with the mold. Then, when the stopper rod is opened, molten metal flows from the pour box through the nozzle and into the mold. As the molten metal fills the conical void between the nozzle and the mold, a seal is established preventing air from entering the mold. Oxidation and/or gassing of the molten metal entering the mold is minimized reducing the chance of producing defective castings. Once the molten metal seal is achieved between the nozzle and the mold, the metal head in the pouring vessel adds head pressure to improve filling the mold. Likewise, as the molten metal flows through the nozzle and fills the conical void between the nozzle and the mold, energy is transferred from the molten metal to the tip of the nozzle. By heating the tip of the nozzle during each pour, buildup of metal and metal oxides on the nozzle is eliminated.

1 . A method of pouring molten metals comprising:
 a pour box to hold molten metal;   a stopper rod actuator to allow metal to flow from a pour box;   a means to raise and lower the pour box;   a truncated conical nozzle through which the metal flows;   a truncated conical cavity in the mold; and   a gap between the truncated nozzle and the truncated cavity in the mold.   
   
   
       2 . A method of pouring molten metal as in  claim 1  where in molten metal fills part of the conical opening between the nozzle and the mold so that the tip of the nozzle is heated during each pour. 
   
   
       3 . A method of pouring molten metal as in  claim 1  where in the gap between the truncated conical nozzle and the truncated conical cavity in the mold is sized so that the surface tension of the metal will allow only a portion of the gap between the nozzle and the mold to fill without overflowing metal atop the mold. 
   
   
       4 . A method of pouring molten metal as in  claim 1  where in the molten metal forms a seal between the nozzle and the mold preventing aspiration of air into the mold. 
   
   
       5 . A method of pouring molten metal as in  claim 1  where once the a molten metal seal is achieved between the nozzle and the mold, the metal head in the pouring vessel adds head pressure to improve filling the mold. 
   
   
       6 . A method of pouring molten metal as in  claim 1  where in the pour box is raised and lowered by means of mechanical devices such as a hydraulic cylinder, a cam or a linear actuator operated device 
   
   
       7 . A method of pouring molten metal as in  claim 1  where in the pour box sits atop positioning devices to provide precise vertical control of the nozzle placement in the mold without contacting the mold when in the down position.