Method and apparatus for lubricating a closed die structure

Claim 3

A method according to claim 1, wherein said measured amount of said lubricant is disposed in a space adjacent to and adapted to communicate with the die cavity, and said gas under pressure is discharged into said space to discharge the lubricant therefrom into the die cavity.

Claim 4

A method according to claim 1, wherein said lubricant is in concentrated form and compressed air is utilized as the gas under pressure.

Claim 7

A method according to claim 4, wherein said lubricant is in concentrated form and compressed air is utilized as the gas under pressure.

Claim 8

A die member constructed for cooperation with another die element to define a metal-receiving cavity, said die member having a chamber therein arranged for communication with such a cavity, closure means normally closing said chamber with respect to the cavity and constructed to open in response to predetermined pressure in said chamber, said die member having a passageway therein communicating with said chamber for the entry of a lubricant into said chamber, and said die member having another passageway therein communicating with said chamber for supplying a gas under pressure thereto, by means of which lubricant in said chamber may be discharged past the closure means into the cavity.

Claim 9

A die member constructed for cooperation with another die element to define a metal-receiving cavity, said die member having a chamber therein arranged for communication with such a cavity, closure means normally closing said chamber with respect to the cavity and constructed to open in response to predetermined pressure in said chamber, said die member having a passageway therein communicating with said chamber for the entry of a lubricant into said chamber, and said die member having another passageway therein communicating with said chamber for supplying a gas under pressure thereto, by means of which lubricant in said chamber may be discharged past the closure means into the cavity.

Claim 10

A die member according to claim 6, wherein said closure means comprises a valve member and resilient means biasing said valve member in a chamber-closing position with respect to said cavity, with said gas discharge being operable to apply pressure to said valve member in opposition to the action of said resilient means to effect an opening of said valve for the passage of lubricant therethrough.

Claim 11

A die member according to claim 7, wherein said die member is constructed to provide, in cooperation with such another die element, an overflow recess communicating with said cavity, with said chamber being disposed to open on said recess.

Claim 12

In a diecasting apparatus having a stationary platen and a movable platen constructed to receive and support die members cooperable to form a die cavity for receipt of molten metal, one of said die members having a passageway communicating with said cavity, means normally closing the cavity end of said passageway, a lubricant supply, means arranged to communicate with said supply and said passageway for controlling the supply of a predetermined amount of lubricant to said passageway, a gas supply under pressure, valve means having an inlet connected to said gas supply and an outlet connected to said passageway, means responsive to relative movement between said stationary and movable platens for actuating said lubricant controlling means to effect an injection of lubricant into said passageway as said die members approach a closed position, and means responsive to relative movement between said stationary and movable platens for controlling said gas valve means to effect discharge of gas under pressure into said passageway, following injection of lubricant therein, when said die members reach closed position, operative to open said closure means and substantially uniformly distribute lubricant throughout the die cavity.

Claim 13

In a diecasting apparatus having a stationary platen and a movable platen constructed to receive and support die members cooperable to form a die cavity for receipt of molten metal, one of said die members having a passageway communicating with said cavity, means normally closing the cavity end of said passageway, a lubricant supply, means arranged to communicate with said supply and said passageway for controlling the supply of a predetermined amount of lubricant to said passageway, a gas supply under pressure, valve means having an inlet connected to said gas supply and an outlet connected to said passageway, means responsive to relative movement between said stationary and movable platens for actuating said lubricant controlling means to effect an injection of lubricant into said passageway as said die members approach a closed position, and means responsive to relative movement between said stationary and movable platens for controlling said gas valve means to effect discharge of gas under pressure into said passageway, following injection of lubricant therein, when said die members reach closed position, operative to open said closure means and substantially uniformly distribute lubricant throughout the die cavity.

Claim 14

An apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said die casting apparatus is of the open type having a shot sleeve communicating with the die cavity through which molten metal is supplied thereto, said sleeve opening to the atmosphere when said die members are in a closed position, prior to the receipt of molten metal into the die cavity, operative to provide a pressure release for gas discharged into said die cavity.

Claim 15

A diecasting apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said lubricant-controlling means comprises a pneumatically actuated metering device, and said actuating means therefor comprises an air valve operative to control the flow of actuating air to said metering device.

Claim 16

A diecasting apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said lubricant-controlling means includes cam means responsive to movement between the said platens, engageable with means for actuating said valve controlling airflow to said pneumatically actuated mEtering device.

Claim 17

A diecasting apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said gas valve means comprises a pneumatically operated pilot valve having a controlling timer, with said controlling means therefor comprising an electrically actuated air valve operative to control the flow of actuating air to said pilot valve.

Claim 18

A diecasting apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said gas valve controlling means includes switch means responsive to movement between said platens for actuating said electrically actuated air valve.

Claim 19

A diecasting apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said closure means comprises a valve member and resilient means biasing said valve member in a chamber-closing position with respect to said cavity, with said gas discharge being operable to apply pressure to said valve member in opposition to the action of said resilient means to effect an opening of said valve for the passage of lubricant therethrough.