Patent ID: 6505677
Filing Date: 2003-01-14
Classification: B22D

Abstract:
Apparatus for casting articles of metal in moulds having inlets at the side or bottom, the apparatus comprisinga) a supply unit for molten metal comprising a closed chamber containing a mass of molten metal in a bottom region thereof and a gas above the mass, b) a filling tube extending from the bottom region upwardly to a connector for temporary connection to a filling duct in a mould for casting an article of metal, c) pressure-varying means to vary the pressure in the gas between (i) low values, at which metal from the mass when rising though the filling tube does not reach the connector, and (ii) higher values, at which molten metal is made to flow through the connector into the filling duct in the mould, d) a sensing tube, the lower end of which extends into the mass, e) a level sensor placed in the sensing tube which reacts when the level of metal in the sensing tube is slightly lower than that of the connector, f) automatic control equipment to which the level sensor and the pressure-varying means are connected for controlling the operation of the apparatus including the pressure-varying means, and g) a switchable connecting system which alternately connects an upper end of the sensing tube to a space outside the closed chamber and to the gas above the mass in the closed chamber.