Patent ID: 7322397
Filing Date: 2008-01-29
Classification: B22D

Abstract:
1. In combination, a metal cast having an outer periphery and a casting furnace for manufacturing the metal cast, the furnace comprising: an interior chamber having a sidewall; a passage wall having an inner periphery which defines a passage extending through the sidewall of the interior chamber for transporting the metal cast from the interior chamber to atmosphere external to the interior chamber; wherein the passage wall includes an inwardly projecting annular flange which bounds a circumferential space within the passage and between the inner periphery of the passage wall and the outer periphery of the metal cast as the metal cast moves through the passage; a molten bath at least a portion of which is disposed in the circumferential space within the passage to prevent the external atmosphere from entering the interior chamber; a source of solid coating material; and a heat source for melting the solid coating material at a melting location within the circumferential space to form the molten bath, the heat source including heat radiating from the metal cast; and wherein the furnace is free of a melting chamber for melting the solid coating material at a location external to the interior chamber, wherein the metal cast has a transverse cross-sectional shape; and the passage has a transverse cross-sectional shape substantially the same as and larger than that of the metal cast; and wherein the molten bath is in contact with the metal cast to form a protective barrier thereon as the metal cast moves from the interior chamber to the external atmosphere.