Patent GB-1381647-A (GB)
Title: Molten metal pouring eqipment
IPC: B22D39/00
Filed: 1972-10-09
Abstract: 1381647 Metal pouring apparatus CHRYSLER CORP 9 Oct 1972 [12 Oct 1971] 46482/72 Heading B3F [Also in Division F4] Pouring apparatus for filling a mould with molten metal comprises a pouring ladle 121 carried on a swingable and rotatable arm 120 arranged to move the ladle between a filling position and a pouring position, the ladle being horizontal in the filling position and, in the pouring position, tilted by rotation of cam 123 to pour the metal into the mould. The pouring rate pattern is determined by the profile of cam 123 so that, for example, pouring may start at a high rate, then continue at a lower rate finishing again at a high rate. The cam is driven by motor 124 and rotates arm 120 through cam follower lever 122. The arm 120 is carried by a rotary unit 119 by which it is moved from the central filling position shown in Fig. 1 alternately to the two casting machines 113, 114 of known construction. In the filling position a known metering device dispenses a predetermined amount of molten metal from a furnace at a constant temperature, the ladle being raised relative to the support arm 120 to reduce the distance the metal falls. The casting machines each have a set of sectional moulds 125 which are opened and closed hydraulically. A strut loader 126 feeds reinforcing elements from magazine 127 to be embedded in the piston. The pistons are removed from the moulds by an unloader 128 and are taken via a cooling rack 129 to a conveyer 130. The movements of the pouring ladle are controlled automatically in synchronism with the operation of the casting machines by electrical circuits. In each position of the ladle a corresponding switch is operated to provide a signal indicating that the ladle is in that position. Switches are also provided to be operated by the cam follower arm 122 to indicate when the ladle is in the horizontal position for filling and when the ladle is fully tipped. A clamp is provided adapted to lock arm 120 against rotation during the filling operation. The four machines work together in an automatic cycle, the operation of the pouring machine being locked to the operation of one of the casting machines 113, 114, alternately, the other casting machine being locked out of control until the end of the pouring operation. Each cycle consists of a number of steps. When the operative one of the casting machines has finished placing the reinforcing struts it gives a signal to fill the ladle. When the ladle is filled and the strut placer 126 has returned to the inoperative position a signal initiates a swing of arm 120 to bring the ladle to the pouring position over the moulds of one of the casting machines. Signals indicating that the ladle is in pouring position and that the moulds are closed causes rotation of the cam 123 to tilt the ladle and pour the metal. When the ladle is fully tipped a cooling cycle timer on the moulding machine is initiated to cause the casting machine to cycle independently through mould cooling, mould opening, piston unloading and strut placing so that it is ready for the start of the next cycle. The ladle meanwhile will have come under the control of the other casting machine. If pouring from the ladle has not taken place within a preset period from the start of the filling operation a failure sequence is initiated which causes a horn to be sounded and the arm 120 swing away to bring the ladle to a "dump" position where the metal is poured into a drain pan. The apparatus then shuts down and awaits restarting by an operator. The control 'circuit (Figs. 12a-12e, not shown), is a ladder circuit in which a relay or solenoid initiating each step of the cycle is energized by closure of switches and/or contacts indicating that the previous step is completed and that other necessary conditions are fulfilled. The operation of the circuit during each step of the cycle is described.