US3845808A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for casting directionally solidified articles
Assignee: Rolls Royce PLC
•
Filing: 1972-11-30
•
Granted: 1974-11-05
•
Expires: 1992-11-30
Abstract
Abstract Casting apparatus for the production of directionally solidified castings comprises first, second and third chambers and valves between the first and second and second and third chambers. The first chamber holds a charge melting and pouring arrangement. The second comprises a casting chamber and the third is a withdrawal chamber so that the casting may be withdrawn in a controlled fashion from the second chamber to produce the required directional solidification.
Inventors
- 👤 G Higginbotham
- 👤 K Cuckson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 16:03
CPC Classifications
B; B22; B22D; B22D27/00; B22D27/04; B22D27/045; B22D27/15
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
149 words
Apparatus for casting comprising first, second and third adjacent chambers each of which may be sealed and evacuated, the chambers being mounted one above another with the first chamber uppermost, first and second valve means dividing said first chamber from said second chamber and said second chamber frOm said third chamber respectively, a charge melting arrangement in said first chamber adapted to melt metal and discharge the molten metal through said first valve means into a mould supported within saidsecond chamber during said discharge, a mould heating furnace in said second chamber adapted to heat said mould, and a movable chill support adapted to carry a chill and said mould between said second and said third chambers wherein said mould is introduced into said heating furnace and removed when charged from said second to said third chamber so that a directional grain structure may be formed in the casting.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
149 words
Apparatus for casting comprising first, second and third adjacent chambers each of which may be sealed and evacuated, the chambers being mounted one above another with the first chamber uppermost, first and second valve means dividing said first chamber from said second chamber and said second chamber frOm said third chamber respectively, a charge melting arrangement in said first chamber adapted to melt metal and discharge the molten metal through said first valve means into a mould supported within saidsecond chamber during said discharge, a mould heating furnace in said second chamber adapted to heat said mould, and a movable chill support adapted to carry a chill and said mould between said second and said third chambers wherein said mould is introduced into said heating furnace and removed when charged from said second to said third chamber so that a directional grain structure may be formed in the casting.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
53 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 further comprising charging means for the charge melting arrangement which comprises a flange member adapted to carry a crucible which holds the new charge, the first chamber having an aperture which is sealed by the flange when the crucible is in position in the charge melting arrangement.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 further comprising separate duct mean connected to said first, second and third chambers for evacuation of these chambers.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 3 further comprising control means which operate said valves in sequence so as to maintain at all times during the operation a vacuum within the second chamber.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 further comprising withdrawal means adapted to withdraw the charged mould from the second chamber at a non-constant predetermined rate.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a single vacuum pumping unit and a single power supply for the bottom pouring equipment which service a plurality of the chamber combinations.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
126 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a pair of charge holding crucibles and flanges and a pair of said third chambers and chill supports, said crucibles and third chambers being movable together in a reciprocatory manner between a position in which one of the charge holding crucibles is located above the first chamber and one of the third chambers is located below the second chamber and a position in which the said one of the charge holding crucibles is remote from the first chamber and the said one of the third chambers is remote from the second chamber while the other one of the charge holding crucibles and the other one of the third chambers are positioned adjacent the first and second chambers respectively.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
37 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 7 in which the pair of charge holding crucibles and the pair of third chambers are mounted on a spindle which can be rotated through an arc between the said two positions.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 7 in which the said third chambers are alternately sealed against the lower surface of the second chamber by upward movement of the third chamber.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-11-04 | 1978-05-06 | 1978-11-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-11-04 | 1982-05-06 | 1982-11-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-11-04 | 1986-05-06 | 1986-11-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |