Patent ID: 7383873
Filing Date: 2008-06-10
Classification: B22D

Abstract:
1. A method of casting comprising the steps of transporting a mold to a controlled environment melt chamber via a mold lock chamber, pouring a liquid metal into the mold, and transporting the mold from the controlled environment melt chamber via the mold lock chamber, the improvement comprising the steps of: providing a rotary screw external to and adjacent to a side of the casting furnace; providing a linear motion driven shaft element to move linearly along the longitudinal axis of the rotary screw when the rotary screw is rotated; providing a lift shaft disposed in a lift shaft housing adjacent to the mold lock chamber; connecting the first end of the lift shaft to the linear motion driven shaft element; connecting the first end of a support arm near to the second end of the lift shaft, the support arm protruding into the mold lock chamber; connecting a mold support structure to a second end of the support arm; rotating the rotary screw to raise or lower a mold seated on the mold support structure; and disconnecting the linear motion drive shaft element from the lift shaft by opening a door in the mold lock chamber.