Control pin and spout system for heating metal casting distribution spout configurations

Abstract

A control pin system, including an apparatus and method, for use in controlling the flow of molten metal in a molten metal distribution system for casting, with some aspects of the control pin including: a control pin body with an internal cavity and an outer surface, wherein the outer surface is sized and configured to operatively interact with an internal surface of a spout to effectively control the flow of molten metal through a spout aperture; and a heater element within the internal cavity of the control pin body. In other embodiments, the heater may be located within the spout body and transferring heat to the control pin.

1 . A control pin for use in controlling the flow of molten metal in a molten metal distribution system for casting, the control pin comprising:
 a control pin body with an internal cavity and an outer surface, wherein the outer surface is sized and configured to operatively interact with an internal surface of a spout to effectively control molten metal flow through a spout aperture; and   a heater element within the internal cavity of the control pin body.   
   
   
       2 . A control pin as recited in  claim 1 , and further wherein a thermocouple is located within the internal cavity of the control pin body to provide temperature information from within the control pin body. 
   
   
       3 . A control pin as recited in  claim 1 , and further wherein the heater element is molded into the control pin body. 
   
   
       4 . A control pin as recited in  claim 1 , and further wherein the control pin body is made at least partially of a laminated composite ceramic material that includes multiple layers of a reinforcing fabric embodied within a cast ceramic matrix. 
   
   
       5 . A heat control system for use in a combination of a control pin and a spout used in managing molten metal flow from a molten metal distribution system into a casting mold, the preheat control system comprised of:
 a control pin with a control pin body;   a spout with a spout body;   a heater in one of the control pin body or in the spout body;   wherein heat is transferred from the heater through one of the control pin body or the spout body, to the other one of the control pin body or the spout body, to preheat both the control pin body and the spout body.   
   
   
       6 . A method for heating a control pin used in controlling the flow of molten metal through a molten metal distribution system and into casting molds, the method comprising the following:
 providing a spout with a spout aperture configured to facilitate flow of molten metal from the molten metal distribution system into casting molds;   providing a control pin body with an internal cavity and an outer surface, wherein the outer surface is sized and configured to control the opening between the spout aperture and control pin when the control pin is inserted therein;   providing a heater within the internal cavity of the control pin body;   increasing the temperature of the heater within the control pin to pre-heat the control pin prior to introducing metal to the spout; and   positioning the control pin into the spout to control the flow of molten metal through the spout.   
   
   
       7 . A method for heating a control pin as recited in  claim 6 , and further comprising retracting the control pin from the spout to thereby allow molten metal to flow through the spout. 
   
   
       8 . A method for heating a control pin as recited in  claim 6 , and further increasing the temperature of the heater sufficient to additionally pre-heat the spout.