IMPROVEMENTS IN CASTING METALS
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Henry Osborne Taylor, of Panteg, in the County
of Monmouth, Mechanical Engineer, and John William Wailes, of the same
Place, Engineer, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN CASTING METALS."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Henry Osborne
Taylor and John William Wailes at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents
on the 10th October 18 78.
WILLIAM HENRY OSBORNE TAYLOR, of Panteg, in the County of Monmouth,
Mechanical Engineer, and JOHN WILLIAM WAILES, of the same Place, Engineer.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN CASTING METALS."
This Invention relates, first, to an improved mode of casting hollow articles of
annular or circular form, such as ring-shaped ingots or circular plates of steel or
other metals.
Such ring-shaped ingots or annular or circular castings are ordinarily made by
casting the metal in a mould, in the centre of which is placed a core of some suitable
material, by the removal of which after the ingot or casting has become solid the
required central hole is left.
The Invention relates, secondly, to casting articles of other forms than ring-shaped,
hollow, or cylindrical articles.
The ordinary plan of casting the metal round a core presents several incon-
veniences, one of the chief of which is that the casting (if it is thin) is often less
sound or less solid than a block of metal of the same bulk would be if cast without
the central hole; moreover, special precautions must in most cases be taken to avoid
the risk of the metal cracking or tearing as it contracts round the core in the act of
cooling.
Now according to our Invention, instead of making such ring-shaped ingots or
castings in a stationary mould in the centre of which a core is fixed, and by the

page_text: removal of which core after the inetal has become solid the required hole through
the ingot or casting is left, as above mentioned, we pour the metal into a mould,
which is kept in rotation by preference round a vertical axis by mechanical means
at such a high velocity that the liquid metal as soon as it is poured into the mould
is driven by the centrifugal force caused by the rotation of the mould against the
inner circumference of the latter, so that as it cools the metal becomes solidified in
the form of a ring-shaped or hollow ingot or casting, the outer surface of which has
the form of the mould, and the inner surface is more or less conical; or, if the mould
be rotated at a high velocity, the casting will be nearly cylindrical, forming in fact
a ring-shaped section of the paraboloid of revolution, which is the form taken by
the free surface of a mass of heavy liquid kept in rapid rotation round a vertical
axis.
The axis of rotation, instead of being vertical, may (if found more convenient) be
inclined or even placed horizontal in a horizontal position, provided that the velocity
of rotation of the mould be sufficient to throw the liquid metal (when poured into
it) into the required annular form.
In order to impart (more rapidly and readily) the movement of rotation to the
molten metal when poured into the mould, we provide the face of the rotating disc
with curved or radial ribs or channels, which will direct or guide the liquid metal to
the circumference.
This improved system of casting is applicable for casting other articles than those
of an annular or circular form, such as the ring-shaped ingots or circular platos
above mentioned. In adapting the Invention to other articles the moulds are
securely fixed on a table or frame, to which rapid rotary motion is imparted while
the molten metal is being poured into the mould. In order to balance the parts
and to prevent undue strain on the apparatus, it will be found convenient to arrange
two or more moulds on the rotating table or frame. The several moulds should be
so arranged on the table or frame that the weight may be as evenly as possible dis-
tributed round the centre of motion. The effect of the rapid rotation will be that
the molten metal will be driven by centrifugal motion towards the circumference,
and in so doing will become compressed and will be more homogeneous and free
from honeycomb or blow holes than if cast in a stationary mould in the ordinary
way. The compression of the molten metal has heretofore been obtained to a certan
extent in stationary moulds by means of mechanical pressure, but this is an expen-
sive operation, which it is the object of our Invention to avoid.
In case it should be found that pouring into the revolving runner should injure
the metal by the admixture of air with the metal, a stationary runner may be
adapted to the revolving runner by means of a revolving gland joint, the air being
thus prevented from getting into the revolving runner; and by keeping a head
of metal in the fixed runner, air is prevented from getting into the revolving
mould.
Compressed castings may be made on the revolving table (as herein described),
and metal of various qualities or different densities may be used as would be
desirable in projectiles where it is necessary to cast the lower parts as soft as
possible, while the point of the projectile should be very hard. For many purposes
we find it desirable to conduct the inolten metal by means of suitable channels to a
point near the circumference of the rotatory mould, or that point which is furthest
removed from the centre of motion, so that it may be quickly deposited in the
desired place.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said William Henry Osborne Taylor and John William Wailes in the Great
Seal Patent Office on the 10th April 1879.
WILLIAM HENRY OSBORNE TAYLOR, of Panteg, in the County of Monmouth,
Mechanical Engineer, and JOHN WILLIAM WAILES, of the same Place, Engineer.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN CASTING METALS."
This Invention relates to an improved mode of casting steel and other metals
under pressure into hollow articles of annular or circular form having the qualities
of wrought steel when cast steel is employed, and producing articles of great density
when other metals are employed.
In this improved mode of casting, the well-known defects of the ordinary mode of
casting in moulds furnished with a central core and the after defects of such castings
through contracting when cooling are avoided.
Now according to our Invention, instead of making ring-shaped castings in sta-
tionary moulds in the centre of which a core is fixed, and by the removal of which
core after the metal has become solid the required hole through the casting is left,
we pour the metal into a mould, which is kept in rotation by preference round a
vertical axis by mechanical means at such a high velocity that the liquid metal as
soon as it is poured into the mould is driven by centrifugal force (caused by the
rotation of the mould) against the inner circumference of the latter, so that (as it cools)
the metal becomes solidified in the form of a ring-shaped or hollow casting, the outer
surface of which has the form of the mould, and the inner surface is more or less
conical; or, if the mould be rotated at a high velocity, the casting will be nearly
cylindrical, forming in fact a ring-shaped section of the paraboloid of revolution,
which is the form that will be assumed or taken by the free surface of a mass of
heavy liquid kept in rapid rotation round a vertical axis.
The axis of rotation, instead of being placed vertically, may (if found more con-
venient) be inclined or even horizontal, provided that the velocity of rotation of the
mould be sufficient to throw the liquid metal (when poured into it) into the required
annular form.
In order to impart (more rapidly and readily) the movement of rotation to the
molten metal when poured into the mould, and to preserve the fluidity of the
molten metal, we provide the face of the rotating disc or cover with a straight or
curved channel or channels which will direct or guide the liquid metal from the
centre to the circumference; or we form the channels in the sand of the mould.
This improved system of casting is applicable for casting other articles than those
of an annular or circular form, such as projectiles, axle boxes, or any desired
articles within the capability of the machine employed to carry and give them
rotation.
In adapting the Invention to other articles the moulds are to be securely fixed,
either in a table or frame, or placed in a mould box to which rapid rotary motion
is imparted while the molten metal is being poured into the mould. In order to
balance the parts and to prevent undue strain on the apparatus, it will be found
convenient to arrange moulds on the rotating table or frame. The several moulds
should be so arranged on the table or frame that the weight be as evenly as possible
distributed around the centre of motion. The effect of the rapid rotation of the
mould will be that the molten metal will be driven by centrifugal motion towards
the circumference, and in so doing will become compressed and will be more homo-
geneous and free from honeycomb or blow holes. This result has heretofore been
obtained to a certain extent in stationary moulds by means of mechanical pressure,
but this is an expensive operation, which it is the object of our Invention to
avoid.
In case it should be found that pouring into the revolving runner should injure
the metal by the admixture of air with the metal, a stationary runner may be

page_text: adapted to the revolving runner by means of a revolving gland joint placed at the
central opening, the air being thus prevented from getting into the revolving runner;
and by, keeping a head of metal in the fixed runner, air will be prevented from
getting into the revolving mould.
Compressed castings may be made on a revolving table or in a rotary flask or
frame (as herein described), and metal of various qualities or different densities may
be used as would be desirable in projectiles where it is necessary to cast the lower
parts as soft as possible, while the point of the projectile should be very hard. We
find it desirable to conduct the molten metal direct by means of a suitable channel
or channels to a point near the circumference of the rotary mould, or that point by
preference which is furthest removed from the centre of motion; or in some cases
(according to the article which is being cast) at the place where it is to assume its
definite form.
In the accompanying Drawings Fig. 1 is a vertical section of a mould constructed
and arranged for making an annular casting, such as is required to produce the tyre
of a railway carriage wheel; Fig. 2 is a plan view of the same as seen from above.
The mould is composed of two parts; the part a constitutes the chamber for the
reception of the metal, and the part is a closed cover for the same.
This cover
may be temporarily secured in place by steadying pins or otherwise. The mould a
is fixed on the upper end of the vertical shaft or axle c, which is mounted in suitable
bearings and carries a pulley c¹, whereby the shaft c is actuated by means of a
band driven by any suitable prime mover so as to impart rapid rotary motion to the
mould a.
The closed cover b is formed with a central opening d, which communicates with
radial channels that extend to the inner periphery of the mould. Into this
central opening the molten metal is poured, whence it flows along the channels ď²,
and is discharged under pressure on to the inner periphery of the rotating mould a.
The metal is here compressed by the centrifugal force acting in two opposing direc-
tions, that is, outwards from the centre of motion of the mould, and inwards in the
direction of the inflow of the metal to the mould into a solid ring e. The metal is
thus passed through the covered ways d', which are formed by casting recesses in
the cover b, and closing the same by the detachable plate b'. The molten metal
will be effectually prevented from breaking up and becoming oxidized by exposure
to the air. The inner periphery of the mould a should take a form suitable for
casting the angle-iron, ring or tyre desired to be cast.
a is a
When casting articles which do not require a core the moulds will be arranged
radially in the mould box, and they may be supplied with molten metal by runners
leading from the central opening to the inner ends of the moulds. This arrange-
ment is shewn in sectional elevation at Fig. 3, and in plan view at Fig. 4.
mould box, the sand in which is moulded by means of patterns in the ordinary way;
b is the cover of the mould. These parts constitute a "flask," such as is usually
employed for producing moulds in sand for casting in metal, except that it is
mounted on a vertical shaft c, so that it may receive rapid rotary motion.
It will be obvious that instead of moulding several articles in one rotating flask
or frame, as shewn in the Figures, a number of separate moulds made either of sand,
loam, or metal may be placed upon and secured to a rotating table, care being taken
to place all the separate moulds in communication with the central gate or opening,
so that the molten metal may flow therefrom along radial channels, as at d', into
the moulds, as at f, f. In order to balance the parts and to prevent undue strain on
the apparatus it will be found convenient to arrange several moulds on the rotating
table, frame, or flask. The several moulds should be so arranged on the table, frame,
or flask, that the weight may be as easily as possible distributed round the centre of
motion. The molten metal is poured into the central spring d³, and is conducted
thence to the moulds. The effect of the rapid rotation of the moulds will be to drive
the molten metal by centrifugal force towards the circumference, and thus the
castings will be homogeneous and free from honeycomb or blow holes than if cast
in a stationary mould in the ordinary way.
•

page_text: It may be remarked that metals of different qualities or densities may be used in
combination in casting projectiles.
The two or more kinds of metal will in this case be supplied to the moulds in
such order that the harder metal will go to form the point and the softer the rear
of the projectiles.
Having now set forth the nature of our Invention of "Improvements in Casting
Metals," and explained the manner of carrying the same into effect, we wish it to
be understood that under the above in part recited Letters Patent we claim,-
First. When casting metals in moulds under the action of centrifugal force, the
use of a closed or open channel or channels within the moulds for the purpose of
conducting the molten metals to the place where they are to receive their definite
form, as above described.
Second. Casting metals in moulds under pressure obtained from centrifugal force
acting in opposing directions, as above described.
Third. The general construction and arrangement of apparatus, substantially as
herein described.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Henry Osborne Taylor, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, the Tenth day of April, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-nine.
W. H. OSBORNE TAYLOR. (L.S.)