US3659644A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for the casting of metal anodes
Assignee: Societe Generale Metallurgique de Hoboken SA
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Filing: 1969-05-05
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Granted: 1972-05-02
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Expires: 1989-05-05
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus and process for casting of metal, such as copper anodes. The apparatus includes an oven for melting the metal and a rotatable casting wheel which carries a series of molds. A tiltable ladle pours the molten metal into a mold, and sensing means inside the mold produces a signal in response to the level of the molten metal in the mold for ending the pouring operation from the ladle. When the pouring operation for a particular mold has terminated, the casting wheel is automatically rotated to bring the next mold into proper position for receiving the molten metal.
Inventors
- 👤 Edouard De Bie
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 08:56
CPC Classifications
B; B22; B22D; B22D5/00; B22D5/02; B22D25/00; B22D25/02; B22D25/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
432 words
An apparatus for casting anodes comprising: A rotatably mounted casting wheel; a plurality of molds spaced equidistantly around the periphery of said casting wheel; a motor to impart movement to said casting wheel; first electrical detecting means operatively connected to said motor to decelerate said motor and thus decelerate said rotatably mounted casting wheel when one of said molds approaches a first work station; a ladle for containing molten metal mounted to pour molten metal into one of said molds situated at said first work station; at least one fluid activated first cylinder and piston; linkage between said first piston and said ladle to translate movement from said first cylinder to said ladle; means to control the flow of working fluid to said first cylinder; second electric detecting means operatively associated with said first cylinder flow control means to signal said first cylinder flow control means that one of said molds is approaching said first work station and to cause said ladle to commence the pouring event while said mold is approaching said first work station; at least one adjustable electrically conductive sensing device positioned over said first work station mounted to allow its movement into and out of one of said molds located in said first work station; at least one fluid activated second cylinder and piston attached to said sensing device to impart motion thereto to move said sensing device into and out of one of said molds located in said first work station; means to control the flow of working fluid to said second cylinder; third electrical detecting means operatively associated with said motor and second cylinder flow control means to signal said motor that one of said molds in said first work station and to stop said motor, thus stopping said rotatably mounted casting wheel locating one of said molds at said first work station, and to signal said second cylinder flow control means that a mold is in said first work station to cause said sensing device to move into said mold; and electrical circuitry connecting said sensing device with said first and second cylinder flow control means, and said motor to transmit an electric signal from said sensing device upon contact of the molten metal in said mold with said sensing device, thus completing an electric circuit signalling the completion of a pouring event, causing the retraction of said sensing device from said mold, return of the ladle to an upright position, and starting of said motor to impart a movement to said casting wheel to position another of said molds at said first work station.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
432 words
An apparatus for casting anodes comprising: A rotatably mounted casting wheel; a plurality of molds spaced equidistantly around the periphery of said casting wheel; a motor to impart movement to said casting wheel; first electrical detecting means operatively connected to said motor to decelerate said motor and thus decelerate said rotatably mounted casting wheel when one of said molds approaches a first work station; a ladle for containing molten metal mounted to pour molten metal into one of said molds situated at said first work station; at least one fluid activated first cylinder and piston; linkage between said first piston and said ladle to translate movement from said first cylinder to said ladle; means to control the flow of working fluid to said first cylinder; second electric detecting means operatively associated with said first cylinder flow control means to signal said first cylinder flow control means that one of said molds is approaching said first work station and to cause said ladle to commence the pouring event while said mold is approaching said first work station; at least one adjustable electrically conductive sensing device positioned over said first work station mounted to allow its movement into and out of one of said molds located in said first work station; at least one fluid activated second cylinder and piston attached to said sensing device to impart motion thereto to move said sensing device into and out of one of said molds located in said first work station; means to control the flow of working fluid to said second cylinder; third electrical detecting means operatively associated with said motor and second cylinder flow control means to signal said motor that one of said molds in said first work station and to stop said motor, thus stopping said rotatably mounted casting wheel locating one of said molds at said first work station, and to signal said second cylinder flow control means that a mold is in said first work station to cause said sensing device to move into said mold; and electrical circuitry connecting said sensing device with said first and second cylinder flow control means, and said motor to transmit an electric signal from said sensing device upon contact of the molten metal in said mold with said sensing device, thus completing an electric circuit signalling the completion of a pouring event, causing the retraction of said sensing device from said mold, return of the ladle to an upright position, and starting of said motor to impart a movement to said casting wheel to position another of said molds at said first work station.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
42 words
An apparatus for casting anodes according to claim 1, wherein a discharge rod is located through the bottom of each of said molds to aid in extracting said anode from each of molds by pushing said anode partially out of said mold.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
251 words
An apparatus for casting anodes according to claim 2, including: a housing mounted to allow its movement into and out of said mold is located over said mold at a second work station, and is adapted to strike said discharge rod to properly seat it in said mold; at least two spaced apart retractable sensing devices disposed in said housing such that a portion of each of said sensing devices extends downwardly therefrom, one of said sensing devices is located over said discharge rod to contact a head of said rod and the other of said sensing devices is located a distance from said discharge rod to contact the bottom of said mold to determine if said discharge rod is seated properly in said mold; a hooter; two electrical contacts located in said housing, one of said contacts being operatively associated with one of said sensing devices and said hooter, and the other of said contacts being operatively associated with the other of said sensing devices and said hooter to produce an audio signal if said discharge rod is not properly seated; at least one fluid activiated third cylinder and piston attached to said housing to impart motion thereto to move said housing and said sensing devices into and out of said mold; and means to control the flow of working fluid to said third cylinder, said means activating said third cylinder upon a signal that one of said molds is in position under said housing at said second work station.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
An apparatus for casting anodes according to claim 3, wherein spray means is located over said mold at a third work station to coat the protruding end of said discharge rod with a refractory material.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
An apparatus for casting anodes according to claim 4, wherein a spray means is located between said second and third work stations to coat a mold cavity with a refractory material.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-05-02 | 1975-11-01 | 1976-05-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-05-02 | 1979-11-01 | 1980-05-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-05-02 | 1983-11-01 | 1984-05-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |