US1790060A - Centrifugal casting machine - Google Patents

Description

. L. W. SAINE CENTRIFUGAL CASTING MACHINE Filed Jan. 5. 1929 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Jan. 27, 1931.

Jan. 27, 1931. L. w. sAlNE CENTRIFUGAL CASTING MACHINE 4` Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 5, 1929 gtor,

l Faq Ill I f (Ittorneg Jan. 27, 1931.

L. w. sAlNE 1,790,060

CENTRIFUGAL CASTING MACHINE -Filed Jan. 5, 1929 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 nvento; ,WH

r l Gtforneg Jan. 27, 1931. L. W. sAlNE CENTRLFUGAL CASTINGMACHINE f Filed Jan. 5, 1929 1 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 nventor,

Lonard W45' Gttorncg Patented Jan. 27, 1931 LEQNABD W. SAINE, F BRMINGHAM, ALABAMA CENTRIFUGAL CASTING MACHINE Application led January 5, b1929. Serial No. 330,657.

This invention relates to pipe molding machines and particularly to that class known as centrifugal molding machines wherein the molten metal is caused to assume a tubular form within a rapidly-revolving cylindrical mold without the use of a core to form cast iron pipesor other tubular objects.

The object is to provide a machine of this class having means for facilitating the introduction of the molten metal into the mold from a tiltable ladle of trough-like form, the latter, together with the entire machine, being preferably mounted in the runway from a cupola and capable of receiving the metal from the usual transfer car and pouring the metal into the mold simultaneously throughout its entire length prior to the revolving movement of the mold.

Another object is to provide a machine of of counter-balancing means and having gag.

ing means to determine the exact amount c of metal received from the transfer car, thus enabling the dumping of the entire contents of the ladle into the mold from end to end to form a pipe of proper thickness.

A final object is to provide mechanicallyoperated means which may be brought into position to engage with the pipe', after the same has been exposed by the separation of the mold or flask sections and has become sufficiently cooled, and of lifting said pipe from the lower mold section and placing the same upon a continuously moving conveyor to carryrthesame off for final coolingl or other p i, treatment.

A full and complete understanding ofthe invention may be obtained from a consideration of the following detailed description,

taken in connection with the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification; it being understood that while the drawings show a practical form of the in vention, the latter is not to be confined to j strict conformity with the showing thereof,

but may be changed or modified, so long as' such changes or modifications mark no mate-A rial departure' from the salient features of the invention, as specifically pointed out in 6o the appended claims.

In the drawings, in which similar reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several figures:-

Figure 1 is a front elevation of a centrifugal pipe molding machine constructed in accordance with the invention, the elevated pesition of the vupper mold or flask section being indicated in dotted lines;

Figure 2 is an end elevation, the driving gears being omitted.;

Figure 3 is a transverse sectional view through the machine; Y

Figure 4 is a top plan view of the same;

Figure 5 is a detail plan View of the lower 75 mold section;

Figure 6 is a similar View of the upper mold section;

Figure 7 is an enlarged transverse section through the complete mold and showing the cooling jacket and the locking means for holding the two sections together;

Figure 8 is a detail transverse section through the pouring ladle and showing the counter-balancing means therefor and the means for permitting the ladle to lower in filling to determine the amount by the gaging means;

Figure 9 is a detail section showing the means employed for determining the amount of metal in the pouring ladle;

Figure 10 is a detail horizontal sectional view through the pressure cylinder employed for actuating the arms for lifting the finished pipe or other casting from the mold, after the latter has been opened. p ,l

The preferred embodiment of the invention, as illustrated in the drawings, comprises a supporting base 1 which is in the form of a rectangular casing and adapted to be securely mounted upon and secured to aconcrete or other foundation of sullicie'nt strength. Secured to the base, adjacent'to each end thereof, is an upstanding support-2 having suitable base flanges for bolting-or otherwise n machine which is somewhat',v longer than the yus length of the pipe or other tubular object desired to be cast. o g l v o. Mounted upon the shafts 5' and adjacent to the bearings 4 are supporting rollers 6 having peripheral flanges at their margins and.

adapted to support and to revolve the centrifugal mold in a` manner to be explained. The shafts 5 are further supported at the inner sides of the rollers 6, by additional bearings 7 which are mounted on the upperl ends of posts having suitable connection with the base 1.

Each of the shafts 5 project at corresponding ends beyond the bearings 4. and havesecured thereto spur gears 8 of relatively large diameter though slightly spaced apart as indicated in dotted lines; in Figure 2) and thesegears are each in mesh with a driving pinion 9 mounted on a drive shaft 10 located substantially in line with the upper face of the base 1 so as to be out of the way of operators.

The centrifugal mold, as indicated generally by the reference numeral 1-1, comprises two equal sections 12 and 13. the section 12 being designed to remain in the machine when at a standstill (as in changing the molds or removing the casting) and the same will hereinafter be called the lower section, while the section 13 is adapted to be raised or elevated to permit the above operations and will hereinafter be called the upper sect-ion or member.

Each of the sections are of semi-circular form and are properly machined to lit accurately together when in operative position and to be locked together by means to be described. In order to preventl an)7 longitudinal movement of the mold while revolving-l the sections are each provided adjacent to their ends with complementary, semi-circular flanges 14 which form a continuous. circular bearing flange fitting between the flanges of the supporting and revolving rollers 6, the weight of the entirel mold and contents being sufficient to cause a positive rotary movement thereof through the medium of the supporting rollers.

Retaining rollers 15 are adapted to be broughtdown into contact with the flanges 14 on the top thereof to hold the revolving mold with a continuous recess 34 (see Figure 7) or flask tothe supporting rollers and said l rollers 15 are secured to a ngitudinally disposed beam 16 extending the entire length of the mold and havin@r suitable hangers or f brackets 17 for mounting the rollers-15 there.- in. The beam-16 is ada ted to 'be elevated and lowered by means o pinionsflSglocated beyondthe ends of the `beam.-and meshingv with upstanding racks19 which are suitably 4mounted in the upper ends of the upstanding kcontinuous shaft 20 and a driving motor 23.is

located upon the beam between the said bear.- ings 22 for simultaneously actuating each of the pinions for uniformly raising both ends of the beam together with the upper mold or flask section 13 in a manner-tube described. ,f

In order that the pinions may. beheld to the racks and that the beam with its load may be guided in a direct upward path, boxes 24 are mounted at the ends'of the shaft 20and in surrounding relation to the racks `and pinions for the purpose. y When a ipe has been cast and it is-desired to li the upper mold section away from the lower to permit the finished pipe to beremoved, it is effectedl by lifting links 25 which are pivoted at their upper ends, as at 26, to the. beam 16, said links having bifurcated lower ends provided with; alined openings and adapted to straddle apertured lugs 27 formed on the upper section 13 and to receive a removable pin 28 for detachably connecting the upper section tothe beam. The upper ends ofthe links, 25.,... are provided with slots 29 where engaging the pins 26 to permit lonigtudinal movement of the links in an upward direction to facilitate the engagement of the detachable pins 28. In order to move both links simultaneously, an actuating bar 30 is terminally connected to the respective links adjacent to their lower ends and said bar has an upwardly-inclined handle 31 connected to one end thereof the same being properly shaped to extend .forwardly of the beam 16 and being terminally perforated to receive a removable pin 32 which enters a socket 33 formed in the front face of said beam. This arrangement permits the bar 30 to be locked in position to hold the links 25 elevatedat an inclination and out of the way of the re-v volving mold, as clearly shown in the fullline position of the parts in Figure 1 of the drawings. l The upper mold section 13 isvprovided, in the edges where abutting the lower section tained in the enlarged flanges 14, while the lower section is likewise provided with a corresponding bead or rib for fitting into said recess to hold the two sections in erfect alincment when .locked together. ltach of the sections is also provided with a water space 36 formed in the walls thereof for the purpose if properly cooling the pipe casting during the operation of revolving the same, within. the mold 37 previously formed in each of the sections and extending outwardly to form pipe flanges where passing through the enlargements 14, as indicated at 38 (see Fig. 5). Each end portion 38 of the mold, formed in the sections 12 and 13, may have suitable prints 39formed therein to receive a core for forming the bolt hole in the flange of the finished pipe, in accordance with ordinary practice, and the molten metal, when poured in to the mold, is prevented from escaping at the ends, bymeans of end plates 40 provided with semi-circular openings 41 which, when the sections are together, form complete circles and which also permit lifting arms (to be later described) to enter the same for removing the casting from the mold.

In order to provide a constant supply of cold water to the water jackets, pipes 42 connected to both the upper and lower sections are secured to any suitable form of unions (not shown) which will permit the water to pass to the revolving sections 12 and 13.

For the purpose of locking the sections 12 and 13 together, during the revolving motion, the upper section 13 is provided with a plurality of equally spaced lugs 43 having inclined seatsformed in their upperfaces and extending laterally therefrom. The lower section 12 is provided with a corresponding number of movable fingers 44 having their under faces inclined to properly seat in the lugs 43, said fingers being formed integrally with and in overhanging relation to slidable block 45 having upper apertures threaded for the reception of screw threaded rods 46 and lower smooth apertures to slide along guide rods 47. The lower guide rod, on each side of the mold or flask, has its endsimounted in plates 48 while the upper, threaded rpd at each side has one end mounted for rotation in the corresponding plate 48 and passes through the other plates, at the opposite end, where they are provided with hand wheels 49 for the purpose of turning the threaded rods to cause the fingers 44 to enga-ge over the lugs 43 of the upper section to lock thev two sections together or to become separated to release the upper section for elevating by means before described. During the rotation of the mold or flask 12, 13, the locking means partakes of said movement, there being sulficient space between the hand wheels 49 and the inner face ofthe adjacent upstanding arm 3 for the purpose, and in like manner ample space -is present in the structure for the arrangement of the Water supply, as

above described.

In order to supply molten metal ,to the mold, when the said upper section has been elevated to the position indicated in dotted lines in Figure 1 of the drawing, there has been provided a speciall formed ladle 50 which is coextensive with t e mold and adapted to empty its contents along the entire length of the mold at any speed desired by the operator. This-ladle, which is of troughlike form is mounted upon a rock shaft 51 rotatable in upstanding supports 52 secured to the foundation at each end of the base member 1. The rock shaft is adapted to be actuated by handles' 53 secured at each end and held by set screws against the outer faces of the bearings in the supports 52, to prevent longitudinal movement of thelad'le and it will be seen that bv tilting the ladle to the position shown in Figure 3 ofthe drawings, the molten metal will be caused to pour uniformly into the mold, the end plates 40 preventing the metal from escaping at the ends.

It is desirable to weigh the molten metal as it is brought from the cupola (not shown) and placed in the tiltable ladle 50 so that the entire amount which has'bcen thus predetermined may be poured into the mold without the necessity for any further care-at the time of pouring. For this purpose the ladle is preferably resiliently mounted on the rock shaft 51 by means of angularly disposed ter- A minal arms 54 formed integrally with or secured to the ends of the trough orladle, the vertical portions of said arms passing downwardly through boxes 55 which are rigidly fixed to upstanding supports 56 carried by tle shaft 51adjacent to the bearings 52 thereo Secured to the vertical portions of each of the terminal arms 54 are collars 57, between which and the lower walls of the boxes, are interposed coiled springs 58 of a predetermined strength so that proper resistance will be offered to the lowering of the trough or ladle at each end when the metal isbeing poured therein and notification will be given to the operator by means of a bow spring 59 having its ends apertured tosurround the arm 54 and to bear respectively against the lower faceof the collar 57 and an upstanding collar or enlargement formed on the bottom wall of each box 55. r,l`he bow springs 59 each have a central, integrally formed indicator rod 60 extending horizontally therefrom and `projecting through a slot 55a formed in the front face of the box, said finger having suit--l V y v tained in the ladle. By this structure it will be seen that thel trough or ladle may be readi1 tilted when pouring by means of the hand es at each end and at the same time the ladle 'may be depressed under the Weight of the metal. In order to counterbalance the ladle and maintain the same in upright position until manuall tilted, weights 61 are provided at interva s along the length of the ladle. The weights are connected to the ladle by webs and have elongated, vertical slots 62 for the passage of the supporting and actuating shaft 51 to permit the said up and down movement of the ladle relative to the shaft. To insure suicient metal to fill the enlarged portions 38 of the mold where-the flanges of the pipe to be cast are formed, the ladle is provided at each end with deepened portions or pockets 50a to hold a greater depth of metal for the purpose and a continuous lip 63 is formed at the inner edge of the ladle, the said lip extending over substanti ally to the center of the mold, when the ladle is tilted, to properly deposit the. metal therein. After such 'deposit of the molten metal, the upper section 13 is lowered and locked to the lower section 12 of the mold and the same revolved, after the ladle has been righted by the automatic action of the Weights 61 and brought` to a position to receive another charge from the transfer car, as shown at 64 in Figure 2 of the drawings. y

After a pipe has been thus formed the upper mold section is lifted by suitable control of the motor 23 through the medium of the beam 1'6 and the links 25, when the exposed pipe 42a is adapted to be mechanically lifted by novel means from its position within the lower half ofthe mold. To this end lifting arms 65 are provided to swing about the are of a circle and remove the pipe, as stated, said arms having at their free ends inwardly directed trunnions 66 lwhich are moved inwardly towards each other to enter the ends of the pipe, after the upper mold section is elevated. The other ends of the arms 65 are connected to alined plungers 67 having at their inner opposed ends piston heads 68 located within a rocking cylinder 69 and which are adapted to be actuated towards and away from each other by suitable pressure within the cylinder under proper control (not shown). The plungers 67 are preferably `square in cross section, where passing through the cylinder heads, so that the arms 65 are causedto rock in accordance with the rocking movement of the cylinder by means about to be described. The piston cylinder 69 is mounted to rotate in intermediate and end bearings 7 0 'secured to upstanding supporting arms 71 suitably mounted on the base 1 and a gear wheel 72 c arrie'd by the cylinderbetween the intermediate bearings 70, prevents longitudinal movement of the cylinder and, through the medium of a pinion conveyor 75, as clearly illustrated in Figures 2 and 4 of thexdrawino's. While the drawings show a pipe 42a ghaving a reinforcing bead 43a near each end, said beads being enlarged at diametrically opposite points to provide for bolt openings 44a, as formed by the aforesaid cores which may rest in the prints 39, it is to be understood that flanged pipe, plain pipe or even bell and spigot pipe lmay be cast in the machine of the present invention by making provision Within the mold and it is to be understood that the mold yproper may be formed of dry sand, green sand or carbon or any combination thereof which may be found best in the use of the invention.

From the foregoing it will be seen that a strong and durable machine has been provided for casting pipeor other tubular bodies centrifugally, said machine having few operating parts and yet providing for readily forming such castings rapidly and accurately, the metal being handled in a manner to rapidly charge the mold with the exact amount necessary to produce a casting of 'the desired thickness and providing for the ready removal of the upper section of the mold to disclose the formedopipe and for the quick removal of the pipe from the machine ready for another operation. g

The mold 37 is preferably formed of carbon, but may be of sand, green or dry, or be made of a mixture of carbon and green sand, or carbon and dry sand, or a mixture of two or more of the ingredients, carbon, green sand and dry sand.

Having fully described my invention, and set forth its merits, what I claim is 1. In a machine for casting tubular members centrifugally; a base having end frames; parallel shafts mounted in the frames to revolve; gearing to drive the shafts in the same direction; flanged supporting and driving rollers securedto the shafts; a sectional flask having enlarged collars thereonsand adapted to rest on the rollers with the collars between the flanges of the rollers to revolve the flask and prevent longitudinal movement of the latter; upstanding racks carried by the end frames; boxes surrounding the racks; a longitudinal shaft mounted in the boxes above the flask; pinions on the shaft and Within the boxes; means for turning the shaft to raise and lower the 'same; and a beam hung to and beneath the shaft and having rollers -to bear on the collars of the flask to hold the .frames s latter on the driving rollers when the beam is lowered.

2. In a machine for castin ,tubular members centrifugally; a base havlng end frames; parallel shafts mounted in the frames to revolve; gearing to drive the shafts in the same direction; flanged supporting and driving rollers secured tothe shafts; a sectional flask having en-larged collars thereon and adapted to rest on the rollers with the collars between the flanges of the rollers to. revolve the flask andprevent longitudinal movement of the latter; u standing racks carried b the end Eoxes surrounding the rac s; a longitudinal shaft mounted in the boxes above the fiask; pinions on the shaft and within the boxes; means for turnin the shaft to raise and lower the same; a eam hung to and beneath the shaft and having rollers to bear on the collars of the flask to hold the latter on the driving rollers when the beam is lowered; and links flexibly huno from the beam and adapted to be engaged with the top section of the flask to remove the latter and permit the removal of the finished casting.

3. In a centrifugal casting machine; a cylindrical flask composed of two substantially equal longitudinal sections, each section being adapted to hold half of a mold therein for forming a tubular article;`-- a plurality of spaced lugs formed on each side of one of the sections adjacent to its meeting edges; a corresponding number of overhanging fingers carried by the other section and mounted in longitudinal guide rods; threaded actuating shafts mounted for rotation in each side of said section and traversing its respective series of fingers to draw the latter into engagement with the adjacent lugs to lock the two sections together at each side and means for turning said threaded shafts.

4. In a centrifugal casting machine; a cylindrical ask composed of two substantially equal longitudinal sections, each section being adapted to hold half of a mold therein for forming a tubular article; one of the sec tions having a continuous longitudinal bead formed on each abutting edge and the other section having a corres onding groove or recess to receive the bea of the other section to center and hold the same; and means operated at one end of the flask to positively lock the two sections together during the rotation of the flask.

5. In a centrifugal i e casting machine; a rotatable, sectional filasli; means for lifting one section away fromthe other; a tiltable trough-like ladle co-extensive with the flask sections and mounted to rock at one side of the ask and pour its contents into and along the entire length of the remaining lower section thereof; and counterweights carried b the ladle to maintain same in upright posltion when not tilted.

6. In a centrifugal pi e casting machine; a rotatable, sectional Has c; means for lifting one section away from the other a tiltable trough-like ladle co-extensive with the flask sections and mounted to rock at one side of the flask and pour its contents into and along the entire length of the remaining lower section thereof; said ladle having terminal arms extending downwardly and having collars thereon; boxes supported by the rock shaft of the ladle and apertured in their upper and lower walls to receive said terminal arms and vertically slotted in their front walls; coiled springs mounted in the boxes around the arms and /below the collars to cushion and weigh the load in the ladle; and leaf springs depressible by said collars and having central, graduated rods extendin through said slots to indicate the weight o the said load.

In testimony whereof Iaiiix my signature.l

LEONARD W. SAINE.

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