Patent ID: 7984747
Filing Date: 2011-07-26
Classification: B22D

Abstract:
1. A control method for supplying an inert gas for use with a metal molding apparatus, the apparatus including: an injection cylinder, for injecting a molten metal, having an injection plunger, movable back and forth, at the center inside a cylinder body having a nozzle thereat a tip, and a feed opening disposed above a retracted position thereof; an inert gas source; a storage container for retaining the molten metal, the storage container provided with a heater and above the feed opening; a gas feed path from the inert gas source to the storage container; a flow sensor for monitoring a flow rate of the inert gas; a solenoid valve for opening and closing the gas feed path between the storage container and the inert gas source, wherein the flow sensor and the solenoid valve are provided sequentially in the gas feed path; a temperature detector for detecting a temperature of the storage container; and a controller for controlling the monitoring of the flow rate of the inert gas with the flow sensor, the opening and closing of the gas feed path with the solenoid valve, and an output of the heater, by receiving a flow signal concerning a flow rate of the inert gas from the flow sensor and a temperature signal concerning the temperature of the storage container from the temperature detector, the controlling step comprising the steps of: