Patent GB-1337203-A (GB)
Title: Device for supplying metered amounts of molten metal to die casting machines
IPC: B22D39/02
Filed: 1971-10-27
Abstract: 1337203 Metal pouring apparatus G GHIDINI 27 Oct 1971 [12 Nov 1970] Heading B3F [Also in Division B8] Apparatus for supplying molten metal to a die casting machine, comprises a frame; an arm which is mounted on a pin mounted on the frame and which is rotatable about the substantially vertical axis of the pin; a basin suspended from the arm; means for moving the basin vertically with respect to the arm; means for tipping the basin from a molten metal carrying position to a pouring position; and means for pivoting the arm so as to move the basin horizontally about the axis; wherein each said means is drivable by a respective pressurized liquid, e.g. oil operable piston-and-cylinder unit. As illustrated the apparatus comprises a base 1 supporting a vertically orientated rotatable shaft 5, a horizontally directed arm 11 supported at one end by a body 10 fast with the shaft, a vessel 21 pivotally supported on a vertical shaft 18 at the other end of the arm, and a rod 22 and bar 23 movable to cause the vessel to pivot from the position illustrated to a pouring position. A ram 8 effects, via a rack-and-pinion, rotation of the shaft 5, and a similar arrangement 12-15, effects vertical movement of the shaft 18 and vessel. A further ram 34 effects via linkage 26-30, shaft 25, sleeve 31 and arm 32 vertical movement of the rod 22 and pivoting of the vessel. The rams 8, 12 and 34 are supplied with pressure oil from a pump, and operation of the apparatus is controlled automatically by electro-mechanical valves (not shown) and microswitches including switches 40, 41 actuated respectively by cams 38 and 39 rotatable with the arm 11. The cams 38, 39 are adjustable circumferentially of the body 10 to vary the angle of rotation of the arm. In operation actuation of switch 41 by cam 39 as the arm 11 pivots to the broken line position of Fig. 2 actuates a first valve to stop supply of oil to ram 8 when the vessel is positioned over the furnace, actuates a second valve to supply oil to ram 12 to lower the vessel, and actuates a third valve to supply oil to ram 34 to raise rod 22 and pivot the vessel to its pouring position. When an adjustable feeler 36 engages the surface of the metal in the furnace an electrovalve is actuated (by completion of an electric circuit via feeler, molten metal and the vessel) to stop supply of oil to the ram 12, a timer is actuated, and oil is supplied to the ram 34 to pivot the vessel to its illustrated position. When the timer times out the rod 18 and vessel 21 are raised by actuation of ram 12 until a microswitch (not shown) is actuated, to cause stopping of supply of oil to the ram 12, and connection of ram 8 to the pump so as to commence movement of the arm 11 to the full line position (Fig. 2). When the cam 38 actuates microswitch 40 a valve is actuated to stop supply of oil to the ram 8 and, if the die platens are together, a timer is energized. The latter controls pivotal movement of the vessel to its pouring position and return to its initial position and the commencement of movement of arm 11 towards the furnace. A throttle valve 46 (Fig. 5) in the supply line from the pump is actuated by the cams 38, 39 as they approach their respective microswitches 40, 41 so that the speed of rotation of the arm immediately before and after reversal of arm rotation is reduced. The apparatus may alternatively be manually controlled.