Pneumatic metal sampler

Claim 2

A molten metal sampler comprising a sample cartridge having a sample mold with a mold cavity having an air vent and a fill tube having an entry port, and said cartridge including a refractory shield between said mold cavity and said fill tube entry port, a lance having a receptacle for receiving said sample mold means for releasably securing and sealing said shield in said receptacle during immersion to prevent flow of metal into said receptacle and exteriorly of said sample mold and to provide a vacuum seal within said receptacle inside of said shield, and means for reducing the pressure in said receptacle interiorly of said shield and in said mold cavity to cause flow of metal through said entry port into said mold cartridge when said sampler is immersed.

Claim 3

A molten metal sampler comprising a sample cartridge having a sample mold with a mold cavity having an entry port and an air vent, a lance having a receptacle for receiving said sample cartridge, means for releasably securing and sealing said sample cartridge in said receptacle, and means for reducing the pressure in said receptacle and said mold cavity to cause flow of metal through said entry port into said mold cartridge and wherein said means for releasably securing and sealing said sample cartridge receptacle comprises a tapered inside wall on said receptacle and a sealing gasket secured to said sample cartridge, said sealing gasket interfitting with said tapered wall to provide an air seal with said tapered wall.

Claim 4

A molten metal sampler comprising a sample cartridge having a sample mold with a mold cavity having an entry port and an air vent, a lance having a receptacle for receiving said sample cartridge, means for releasably securing and sealing said sample cartridge in said receptacle, and means for reducing the pressure in said receptacle and said mold cavity to cause flow of metal through said entry port into said mold cartridge and wherein said means for releasably securing and sealing said sample cartridge receptacle comprises a tapered inside wall on said receptacle and a sealing gasket secured to said sample cartridge, said sealing gasket interfitting with said tapered wall to provide an air seal with said tapered wall.

Claim 5

A sampler in accordance with claim 2 wherein said sealing gasket comprises an O-ring, and wherein said cartridge has an annular refractory shield supporting said O-ring.

Claim 6

A molten metal sampler comprising a sample cartridge having a sample mold with a mold cavity having an entry port and an air vent, a lance having a receptacle for receiving said sample cartridge, means for releasably securing and sealing said sample cartridge in said receptacle, and means for reducing the pressure in said receptacle and said mold cavity to cause flow of metal through said entry port into said mold cartridge and wherein said lance includes a pipe, and said means for reducing the pressure in said receptacle comprises a pump communicating with said pipe, said pump including a cylindrical housing at one end of said pipe, said cylinder having an aperture in communication with the interior of said pipe, a piston reciprocal in said cylinder, and means for moving said piston to evacuate air in said cartridge to cause a flow of metal into said cartridge including a spring for biasing said piston and manually operable means for releasably holding said piston against the bias of the spring, and causing movement of said piston under bias of said spring when said manually operable means for releasably holding said piston is actuated.

Claim 7

A molten metal sampler comprising a sample cartridge having a sample mold with a mold cavity having an entry port and an air vent, a lance having a receptacle for receiving said sample cartridge, means for releasably securing and sealing said sample cartridge in said receptacle, and means for reducing the pressure in said receptacle and said mold cavity to cause flow of metal through said entry port into said mold cartridge and wherein said lance includes a pipe, and said means for reducing the pressure in said receptacle comprises a pump communicating with said pipe, said pump including a cylindrical housing at one end of said pipe, said cylinder having an aperture in communication with the interior of said pipe, a piston reciprocal in said cylinder, and means for moving said piston to evacuate air in said cartridge to cause a flow of metal into said cartridge including a spring for biasing said piston and manually operable means for releasably holding said piston against the bias of the spring, and causing movement of said piston under bias of said spring when said manually operable means for releasably holding said piston is actuated.

Claim 8

A sampler in accordance with claim 4 wherein said means for moving said piston comprises a piston rod having one end projecting through said cylinder end wall and means on said piston rod for manually manipulating the position of said piston.

Claim 9

A sampler in accordance with claim 5 wherein said piston rod extends through said passage in said pipe, with said piston rod being located relative to said cartridge so that movement of said piston rod causes contact of said rod and said cartridge to eject said cartridge from said receptacle.

Claim 10

A sampler in accordance with claim 1 wherein said lance has a passage in communication with said receptacle and saiD means for reducing the pressure in said receptacle comprises a pressure tank on said lance, said pressure tank having a supply of gas under pressure and an outlet, and means connected to said outlet and in communication with said passage for reducing pressure in said passage to cause a flow of metal into said mold cavity upon discharge of gas from said pressure tank.

Claim 11

The combination of a reusable sampling lance including a pipe adapted for repetitive use with consumable sample cartridges, each of said sample cartridges including opposed mold parts defining a mold cavity, said mold parts being spaced to provide an air vent, wall means connected to and communicating with said mold cavity and defining a passage for filling said mold cavity with molten metal, wall means defining a receptacle open at one end for receiving said opposed mold parts, means connecting said receptacle to said pipe and means connected to said mold parts for supporting said mold parts in said receptacle and providing an air seal between said open end of said receptacle and said mold parts and pressure reducing means connected to and supported on said pipe for evacuating said receptacle and said mold cavity to cause a flow of metal into said mold cavity.

Claim 12

The combination of a reusable sampling lance including a pipe adapted for repetitive use with consumable sample cartridges, each of said sample cartridges including opposed mold parts defining a mold cavity, said mold parts being spaced to provide an air vent, wall means connected to and communicating with said mold cavity and defining a passage for filling said mold cavity with molten metal, wall means defining a receptacle open at one end for receiving said opposed mold parts, means connecting said receptacle to said pipe and means connected to said mold parts for supporting said mold parts in said receptacle and providing an air seal between said open end of said receptacle and said mold parts and pressure reducing means connected to and supported on said pipe for evacuating said receptacle and said mold cavity to cause a flow of metal into said mold cavity.