Patent ID: 7306194

Claim:
A mold for producing a ceramic heat shield, comprising: a bottom mold portion; a top mold portion arranged opposite the bottom mold portion; a first side mold portion arranged between the top and bottom mold portions; a second side mold portion arranged adjacent the first side mold portion and between the top and bottom mold portions; a third side mold portion arranged opposite the second side mold portion and between the top and bottom mold portions, and a fourth side mold portion arranged opposite the first side mold portion and between the top and bottom mold portions, wherein the fourth side mold portion comprises an upper half arranged adjacent to the top mold portion and a lower half arranged adjacent to the bottom mold portion where the upper and lower halves each contains an aperture, configured to receive an uncured, fluid ceramic material, wherein the first, second, third and fourth side mold portions comprise the peripheral surfaces of the mold shell, and are positioned to extend perpendicular relative to the top and bottom mold portions, and further wherein the first, second, third and fourth side mold portions are constructed and arranged to removably connect with the top and bottom portions.