Ladle for molten metal

Abstract

A ladle for a molten metal includes a main body having a hollow interior and an opening for receiving the molten metal. The main body has a sidewall with a nozzle formed therein. The nozzle defines an axis of rotation for the main body. The nozzle contacts, seals and is in fluid communication with the mold. The nozzle is configured to deliver the molten metal to a mold when the main body is rotated from a first position to a second position.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A ladle for a molten metal, comprising:
 a main body having a hollow interior and an opening for receiving the molten metal, the main body having a first sidewall with a nozzle formed therein, the nozzle defining an axis of rotation for the main body and configured to deliver the molten metal when the main body is rotated from a first position to a second position, the axis of rotation lying parallel to a direction that the molten metal is delivered through the nozzle.   
     
     
         2 . The ladle of  claim 1 , wherein the nozzle is cylindrical and extends outwardly from the first sidewall. 
     
     
         3 . The ladle of  claim 1 , wherein the axis of rotation of the main body is eccentric. 
     
     
         4 . The ladle of  claim 3 , wherein the nozzle in the first position is not in fluid communication with the molten metal in the hollow interior, and the nozzle in the second position is in fluid communication with the molten metal in the hollow interior. 
     
     
         5 . The ladle of  claim 1 , further comprising a funnel panel disposed in the hollow interior of the main body and configured to direct the molten metal toward the nozzle. 
     
     
         6 . The ladle of  claim 5 , wherein the funnel panel is oriented at an angle relative to the axis of rotation of the main body. 
     
     
         7 . The ladle of  claim 6 , wherein the funnel panel includes a first end abutting the first sidewall and a second end abutting a second sidewall formed in the main body opposite the first sidewall, the first end abutting the first sidewall at the opening of the hollow interior and the second end abutting the second sidewall within the hollow interior and spaced apart from the opening. 
     
     
         8 . The ladle of  claim 1 , wherein the main body has a rear wall that is angled downwardly relative to the axis of rotation when the main body is rotated to the second position. 
     
     
         9 . The ladle of  claim 8 , wherein the rear wall extends from the first sidewall to a second sidewall formed in the main body opposite the first sidewall. 
     
     
         10 . The ladle of  claim 1 , including a pin formed on the main body to facilitate the rotating of the main body from the first position to the second position, the pin disposed along the axis of rotation of the main body. 
     
     
         11 . A casting apparatus comprising:
 a ladle for a molten metal, the ladle including a main body having a hollow interior and an opening for receiving the molten metal, the main body having a sidewall with a nozzle formed therein, the nozzle defining an axis of rotation for the main body and configured to deliver the molten metal when the main body is rotated from a first position to a second position, the axis of rotation lying parallel to a direction that the molten metal is delivered through the nozzle; and   a mold having an inlet and a cavity formed therein for receiving the molten metal, the nozzle of the ladle in fluid communication with the inlet, the ladle rotatable about the axis of rotation to deliver the molten metal from the nozzle of the ladle into the cavity of the mold when the ladle is rotated from the first position to the second position.   
     
     
         12 . The casting apparatus of  claim 11 , further comprising a gasket disposed between the nozzle and the mold. 
     
     
         13 . The casting apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the gasket is affixed to one of the ladle and the mold. 
     
     
         14 . The casting apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the gasket is formed from a compliant composite including fibers and graphite. 
     
     
         15 . The casting apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the nozzle of the ladle abuts the mold. 
     
     
         16 . The casting apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the nozzle is cylindrical, extends outwardly from the sidewall, and is rotatably received by the inlet. 
     
     
         17 . The casting apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the nozzle is a female feature, the inlet is a male feature, and the nozzle rotatably receives the inlet. 
     
     
         18 . The casting apparatus of  claim 11 , further including an actuator or robot to rotate or transport the ladle during each of a filling operation of the ladle and a pouring operation of the ladle. 
     
     
         19 . The casting apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the nozzle is oriented at an angle relative to a floor surface during delivery of the molten metal from the ladle to facilitate delivery of the molten metal from the ladle. 
     
     
         20 . The casting apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein a facing surface of the mold including the inlet is oriented at an angle relative to vertical to facilitate delivery of the molten material from the ladle to the cavity of the mold.