High pressure die cast machine

Abstract

A high pressure die casting apparatus for forming metal components includes a die cast mold, a shot sleeve, and a plunger. The shot sleeve includes a pivotable pouring lid disposed in an inlet of the shot sleeve. The pouring lid is disposed in at least one of a closed position and an open position while having a pouring profile shape for promoting smooth non turbulent flow of liquid metal from a pouring ladle to the shot sleeve.

The following is claimed: 
     
         1 . A high pressure die casting apparatus for forming metal components, the high pressure die casting apparatus including:
 a die cast mold having a stationary first mold and a movable second mold combining to form an interior mold cavity, and wherein the first mold includes a gate system hydraulically connected to the mold cavity;   a shot sleeve including an interior shot chamber, an inlet opening, a pouring lid, a first end, and a second end opposite the first end, and wherein the first end of the shot sleeve has an opening that hydraulically connects the shot chamber to the gate system of the first mold, the inlet is disposed in the shot sleeve, and the pouring lid is disposed in the inlet opening, and   a plunger disposed in the shot chamber, and wherein the plunger is configured to translate laterally through the shot chamber from the second end to the first end; and   wherein the pouring lid is disposed in at least one of a closed position and an open position; in the closed position the pouring lid is disposed in the inlet of the shot sleeve, and in the open position the pouring lid is pivoted such that the shot chamber is open.   
     
     
         2 . The high pressure die cast apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the pouring lid has a first end and a second end opposite the first end, the first end is pivotably mounted to the shot sleeve in the inlet opening. 
     
     
         3 . The high pressure die cast apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the pouring lid includes a resilient member for urging the pouring lid to the open position. 
     
     
         4 . The high pressure die cast apparatus of  claim 3  wherein the plunger urges the pouring lid to the closed position as the plunger translates laterally through the shot chamber towards the first end of the shot chamber. 
     
     
         5 . The high pressure die cast apparatus of  claim 4  wherein the pouring lid has a concave pouring profile surface. 
     
     
         6 . The high pressure die cast apparatus of  claim 5  wherein the pouring lid includes a pouring basin. 
     
     
         7 . The high pressure die cast apparatus of  claim 6  wherein the second end of the pouring lid includes an edge having a radius and the second end of the pouring lid fits to the interior surface of the shot chamber when the pouring lid is in the open position. 
     
     
         8 . A high pressure die casting apparatus for forming metal components, the high pressure die casting apparatus including:
 a die cast mold having a stationary first mold and a movable second mold combining to form an interior mold cavity, and wherein the first mold includes a gate system hydraulically connected to the mold cavity;   a shot sleeve including an interior shot chamber, an inlet opening, a first end, and a second end opposite the first end, and wherein the first end of the shot sleeve has an opening that hydraulically connects the shot chamber to the gate system of the first mold, and the inlet is disposed in the shot sleeve;   a pouring lid having a first end and a second end opposite the first end, and wherein the first end of the pouring lid is pivotably mounted in the inlet opening, and   a plunger disposed in the shot chamber, and wherein the plunger is configured to translate laterally through the shot chamber from the second end to the first end; and   wherein the pouring lid is disposed in at least one of a closed position and an open position; in the closed position the pouring lid is disposed in the inlet of the shot sleeve; in the open position the pouring lid is pivoted such that the shot chamber is open, and the high pressure die casting apparatus is operated according to a method of operation having several steps.   
     
     
         9 . The high pressure die cast apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the pouring lid includes a resilient member for urging the pouring lid to the open position. 
     
     
         10 . The high pressure die cast apparatus of  claim 8  wherein the plunger urges the pouring lid to the closed position as the plunger translates laterally through the shot chamber towards the first end of the shot chamber. 
     
     
         11 . The high pressure die cast apparatus of  claim 8  wherein the pouring lid has a concave pouring profile surface. 
     
     
         12 . The high pressure die cast apparatus of  claim 8  wherein the pouring lid includes a pouring basin. 
     
     
         13 . The high pressure die cast apparatus of  claim 8  wherein the second end of the pouring lid includes an edge having a radius and the second end of the pouring lid fits on to the interior surface of the shot chamber when the pouring lid is in the open position. 
     
     
         14 . The high pressure die cast apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the method of operation includes:
 a first step of providing the high pressure die cast machine with the pouring lid in the closed position;   a second step of actuating the pouring lid to the open position;   a third step of pouring liquid metal from a pouring ladle onto the pouring lid and into the shot chamber;   a fourth step of actuating the pouring lid to the closed position while the shot chamber has a prescribed amount of liquid metal;   a fifth step of actuating the plunger through the shot chamber and filling the mold cavity with the liquid metal;   a sixth step of retracting the plunger to an initial position; and   a seventh step of opening the mold after solidification of the part, ejecting the part, closing the mold, and returning to the second step of the method of operation.   
     
     
         15 . A pouring lid for a high pressure die cast apparatus, the pouring lid including a first end and a second end opposite the first end, and wherein the first end of the pouring lid is pivotably mounted in an inlet opening of a shot chamber of the high pressure die cast apparatus. 
     
     
         16 . The pouring lid of  claim 15 , wherein the pouring lid includes a resilient member for urging the pouring lid to an open position. 
     
     
         17 . The pouring lid of  claim 16 , wherein a plunger of the high pressure die cast apparatus urges the pouring lid to a closed position as the plunger translates laterally through the shot chamber. 
     
     
         18 . The pouring lid of  claim 17  wherein the pouring lid has a concave pouring profile surface. 
     
     
         19 . The pouring lid of  claim 18  wherein the pouring lid includes a pouring basin. 
     
     
         20 . The pouring lid of  claim 19  wherein the second end of the pouring lid includes an edge having a radius and the second end of the pouring lid fits to an interior surface of the shot chamber when the pouring lid is in the open position.