Patent ID: 8580186

Claim:
A flow control apparatus for control of molten metal flow, said apparatus comprising: a flow control element having opposed ends and a longitudinal axis extending between said opposed ends, and said element being movable between an operating position and an inactive position; a guide element including an elongated track having a first part extending generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the flow control element; at least one track follower retained by said guide element and movable along said track; an elongated arm attached to the flow control element adjacent one end of the arm and attached to the at least one track follower adjacent an opposite end of the arm; and an actuator operably connected to said at least one track follower to move said at least one track follower along said track, and wherein said track has a second part that curves away from the longitudinal axis of the flow control element, thereby causing said arm and attached flow control element to pivot as said flow control element approaches said inactive position.