Patent ID: 8240356
Filing Date: 2012-08-14
Classification: B22D

Abstract:
1. A launder assembly for a die casting apparatus having a shot sleeve assembly coupled with a die block assembly, the launder assembly comprising: a reservoir containing molten material; a first member having a first inlet in fluid communication with the reservoir, and having a first outlet; a second member having a second inlet detachably coupled to the first member, the second inlet being sized and shaped to form a seal with the first outlet of the first member, the second member having a second outlet detachably coupled with the shot sleeve assembly; an alignment assembly attached to the first member, the alignment assembly adapted to move the first member relative to the second member for proper alignment between the first outlet of the first member and the second inlet of the second member; a transfer mechanism sized and shaped to transfer molten material from the reservoir through the first member and the second member to the shot sleeve assembly for injection into the die block assembly; a pipe having a pipe inlet and a pipe outlet, the pipe being sized and shaped to communicate molten material; a heater positioned in thermal communication with the pipe, the heater being adapted to maintain the temperature of the pipe above the melting point of the molten material; insulation sized and shaped to generally encase an outer surface of the pipe; a casing surrounding the pipe, the heater, and the insulation; and a female connector seated against the pipe outlet and secured by the casing, wherein the female connector comprising a generally cylindrical inner member having an outer surface, the outer surface defining a recess sized and shaped to receive the heater, wherein the heater is adapted to maintain the temperature of the inner member above the melting point of the material, the inner member having a generally outwardly tapered end; a generally cylindrical outer member having an inner surface sized and shaped to seat against the outer surface of the inner member, the outer member having an generally inwardly tapered end sized and shaped to seat against the generally outwardly tapered end of the inner member, wherein the inner member and outer member are sized and shaped to detachably couple with a male connector to form a seal that prohibits leakage of molten material therefrom; and a generally annular ring extending outwardly from the outer member sized and shaped to seat against the casing.