US1813381A - Casting ladle - Google Patents

Description

July 7, 1931.

F. G. CARRINGTON CASTING LADLE Filed June 8, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Mmmm WW .Mmmm Q 3@ .1MM 1M m July 7, 1931. l F. G. CARRINGTC |-Jy 1,813,381

CASTING LADLE Filed June 8. 1928 y 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 f//f//l/ futon/,110

Patented `luly 7i, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT ori-ICE 'FRANK G. CARRINGTON, OF'ANNISTON, ALABAMA, ASSIGNOR T0 FERRIC ENGINEER- ING COMPANY, 0F ANNISTON, ALABAMA, A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE CASTING LADLE Application led June 8, 1928. Serial No. 283,863.

This invention relates to a container, and more particularly hasreference to a ladlein a centrifugal casting apparatus.

In the casting of annular objects\by the 5 centrifugal process, molten metal is introduced into a rotating mold. The centrifugal force generated by the rotation of the mold serves to maintain upon the inner surface of the mold the metal that impinges thereon.

Three general types of operation are usually employed. In the first type, molten metal is oured just Within one end of the mold, and) the mold so manipulated that the metal is distributed within the mold as desired. A mold of comparatively low heat conductivity is required for this process, in vorder that the contained heat of the molten metal Will not be absorbed and carried off by the mold. l,

In the second type of operation, metal is poured over the side of a so-called dump trough which extends substantially the length of the mold. The trough is rotated and the metal is deposited in a sheet-like formation the length of the dump trough. Such a mold provides for' a more uniform longitudinal distribution of the metal in the'mold, and hence the mold employed may be of a somewhat higher heat conductivity than that employed in the first type of operation.

l/Vith the third process, which is preferable 1- under most conditions, practically no adjustment of the metal, either longitudinally or circumferentially of the mold is necessary 5 after it is poured into the mold. The metal is poured from the end of a pouring trough, which moves longitudinally with respect to the rotating mold. Such movement, together with the rotation of the mold, builds up the metal on the interior of the mold insuccessive and spirally related columns. Each turn of the spiral column must be deposited before the preceding turn has solidified, and thus adjacent columns may coalesce and insure a casting of unlform thickness.

Under most conditions it is desirable that the object cast be of uniform thickness, and* to vary the thickness along the length of the object, which is particularly true in the casting of pipe where the barrel is of uniform thickness, but Where the ends may require a structure of greater thickness. For this type of casting the third casting operation is preferable.

While a close control of the amount of metal poured is necessary in any onev of the different operations, it is particularly essential in the case of the last described method.

The thickness of the casting is a function of the speed of th'e rotation of the mold, the rate at which. the trough traverses the mold (in the third method), and the amount of metal discharged into the .mold A variation in any one of these factors will result in a casting of non-uniform thickness.

Heretofore much difficulty has been eX- i perienced in controlling the metal, and vae riations during a single casting operation of the amount of metal poured has been frequent which have resulted in defective castings;

The ladles previously employed have also been open to serieus objection, in that it has been difficult to clean the ladles after an operation or series of operations. Unless the amount of metal introduced into a ladle is closely re gulated, after a casting operation a residue o molten metal remains Within the ladle. If this is not immediately removed, the

Another object is .to devise a centrifugal casting process.

Yet another object is to provide a ladle.

A further object of this invention is to lpro-` ose- -ly the discharge of its contents.

vide a ladle and means for regulating c And a stillfurther object isto provide a ladle for a casting a paratus that may readily be emptied of mo ten metal after a casting operation and that may be easily and quickly dismantled. 1

To accomplish the above and? other important objects as will more fully appear hereinafter, my invention in general comprises a container that may readily be dismantled, and means for expelling the contents of the container at a determined rate.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, in which similar numerals indicate corresponding parts, but wishing it to be distinctly understood that the showing is exemplary merely, and that the scope of my invention is to be in nowise limited by the embodiments therein depicted: y.

Figure 1 is a side view in elevation of a casting apparatus.

Figure 2 is a view of the charging end of a ladle.

Figure 3 is a view of the ladle in position for cleaning.

Figure 4 is a side sectional view of the ladle and proximate end of the pouring trou h.

Figure 5 is a sectional view along the line 5-5 of Figure 4 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 6 is a view along the line 6'6 of Figure 4 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 7 shows the ladle with a modified f form of device for controlling a back pressure in the gas line.

Referring moreparticularly to Figure 1,

there is shown a ladle having a base plate 1,

resting upon four uprights 2, which form part of a support 3 for the ladle and a pour- 4 ing trough.

The base plate 1 supports a casing 5 for the ladle. This casing 5 is preferably rectangular, although under suitable circumstances its shape may be modified. Outwardly projecting flanges 6, drilled with apertures for the reception of bolts or rivets, surround the top.

of the casing 5. Outwardly projecting flanges 7 are also provided at the base of the casing 5, and rest upon the base plate 1. The

flanges 7 and the base plate 1 are secured together by means of bolts8, rivets, or 'other trunnions 9.

suitable means.

On the sides of the casing 5, above the center 'of gravityl of the assembled ladle, are

T ese trunnions are provided with anges 11 through which rivets 12, or other suitable. securing means, extend to fasten the trunnions to the-casing 5.v Annular grooves 13 areprovided in the trunnions 9 and are adapted to receive hooks or other appropriate supporting means as will be hereinafter pointed out. It will therefore be seen that by engaging the trunnions 9 with proper engaging means the ladle may be raised and supported pivotally, so that it maybe tipped to empty the ladle.

Portions of the front and rear walls of the casing 5 are cut away to form a charging port 14 and a discharge port 15. The purpose of these openings will be more fully pointed out hereinafter.

1 pressure to the ladle,

A lining 16, composed of suitable refractory material is provided within the casing 5. A linin 17 is also provided on the base plate-1. his refractory material is able to withstand the high temperatures to which the ladle is subjected when molten metal is introduced.

A cover plate 18 rests upon the outwardly extending flanges 6, and is secured thereto by means of bolts 19 which may be readily re.-

moved. An aperture 21 is provided in the.

joint is enthreaded a section of pipe 26.-

On the section 26 there is mounted a manually operable valve 27, adapted to be regulated to control the pressure in the system. The pipe 24 isv also provided with a valve 28, which governs the admission of a fluid to the pipe. This system arrangement serves to convey air or any other gas, und-er its operation being more specifically pointed out hereinafter. The pipe 24 is swivelled at a point beyond the valve 28, so that it may be rotated about its swivelling point and beyond the vertical planes of the ladle. The piping in the system is large enough to be substantially frictionless, and the pressure throughout the system is. therefore uniform. -By system I mean all of the piping on the low pressure side of the valve 28, and the chamber of the la le.

Ony the rear of the casin 5 there is aixed va charging spout 29. Thls chargin spout comprises a metal casing 31 having si e members 32 and 33, and a slanting wall 34. The wall 32 has an outwardly projecting vertical flange 35 and an-outwardly projecting horizontal iiang'e 36 at its base. The side- 33 has a flange 37 that extends vertically along the edge of the wall adjacent the casing 5, and a base iange 38. The casing 31 is secured to the casing 5 by means of bolts 39, that extend through the ianges 35 and 37 into the casing 5. iiange 41 is provided at the base of the slanting wall 34, and this iange, together with flanges 36 and 38, is secured to the base plate 1 by means of bolts 42.

Within the-casmg 31 there fits a refractory lining 43. Inte ral with this lining is a section 44 of the re ractory material which rests against the outside of the casing 5. It will be observed that the lining 44 extends above the top of the charging spout 29, and iits snugly against the under side of flange 6. An opening 45 is provided in the lining 44 which corresponds to the charging port 14 in size. It will be. observed that the lining 16 extends beneath the casing 5 at the charging port 14, and that the linings 43 and 44 lll make a tight joint With the casing 5 and the linings 16 and 17. This tight fit is impo-rtant in order to prevent an of the molten metal 'seeping into the joint ormed by the linings.

Molten metal 1s poured into the charging spout 29, and passes through the charging port 14 into the chamber formed by the casing 5 and lining 16. The same height of metal will obtain in the chamber as is present in the charging spout 29.

In the front of the ladle there is provided a discharge spout 46, similar to the. charging spout 29, but terminating at an elevation below the top of the charging spout. The discharge spout comprises a casing 47, and is provided With base flanges 48 and vertical flanges 49. The vertical flanges 49 are secured to the casing 5 by means of bolts 5l, While bolts 52 secure the base iiange 48 and the base plate 1. A refractory lining 53 is provided in the discharge spout, and this linin is similar-ito'the. linings 43 and 44 of the c arging spout. 1t extends to the lower side of the iiange and is provided With an aperture 54 corresponding to the outlet port 15 in the casing 5 and lining 16. The lining 53 is provided with an outturned lip 5.5, over Which the molten metal is discharged.

There is shown in detail in Figure 4 a chute 56, which is positioned adjacent the lip 55,

and receives the metal discharged from the ladle. The chute 56 is adapted to ifit into a trough frame 57, which is provided with a sectional lining 58. This sectional lining is of the type set forth in my copending application, Which has now become Patent No. 1,776,540 dated September 28, 1930, although 'it is of course understood that under certain circumstances the type of chute and trough may be varied. The chute 56 forms a tight fit with the lining 58 to prevent the seepage of any molten metal into the juncture.

The trough casing 57 is mounted on the support 3. As shown in Figure 6, studs 59, secured to the support 3, provide a berth for the trough casing 57 Plates 61, secured to the studs 59 by means of bolts 62, or other suitable means, extend partially over the trough casing 57 and firmly hold the trough inposition. 'Bhe extension of the trough from the support 3 may therefore be varied by removing the plates 61, positioning fthe trough as desired, and then securing the plate 61 to the studs 59. Variations in the proj ection of the trough from the support3 call Yfor a corresponding reallocation of the chute 56 in t-he trough. This may readily be accomplished, for the lining 58 may be in sections, and the necessarysections may be .1nserted or removed so that the chute 5.6 Will always be positioned under the lip 55 of the discharge spout.

The trough casing 57 is,y provided with a discharge spout 63, which is preferably o-f the type shown and described in my above men- -pressed air or gas is admitted to tioned Patent No. 1,77 6,540, although under some conditions the spout may be of a modified form.

Y.I have shown diagrammatically inFigure 1 a mold and its associated mechanism. A carriage 64, provided with Wheels 65, rotatably supports a mold 66. By means/bf a suitable driving. device 67, and necessary gearing (not shown), the mold is rotated Within the carriage 64. The carriage 64 runs on a track 68Il on which track may also be positioned the support 3. It is of course obvious that alterationsmay be shown in this structure Vto meet the exigencies of a particular situation.

In Figures 2 and 3 there is shown a device for removing the ladle from the support 3. This device comprises a chain 69 that supports tvvo arms 71. On the ends of the arms are hooks 72 adapted tof engage the grooves 13 of the trunnions 9. By positioning the hooks 72 in t-he grooves, there is prevented any transverse displacement of the ladle With re'- spect to the arms 71, but pivoting of the ladle on the trunnions is unrestricted.

As shown in Fig. 3, the ladle may be tilted in order to pour out any surplus metal at the completion of a casting operation, but the v ladle is normally maintained in an upright .has already been pointed out, the solidiication of metal Within the ladle seriously impedes the efficient operation of the device, for it not onlyadheres to the Walls of the ladle but also the ports are liable to be clogged by the metal.

In Figure 7, there is shown a vmodification of my invention, particularly adapted when it is desired to automatically control the pressure existing Within the chamber. Comthe .system through the valve 28 (see Fig. 4). On the section of pipe 26, there is suitably .fas-

tened in a fluid and pressure tight fit a flexible conduit 73. This conduit is joined to a Well, tube or pipe 74 closed at its top as at 75. The junction of the conduit 73 and the tube or Well 74 should be fluid and pressure tight to prevent the escape of any of the contained gas. By means of a hook 76, or other suitablevmeans, the tube or Well 74 is suspended from a cable 77. This cable passes over a sheave 78 rotatable upon an 'axle 79, and is' Wound upon a drum 80. The drum 80 is rotatably mounted'mpon bearings 81, and is driven lby a motor 82, or other alternative means.

The Well 74 may be lowered into a body of liquid 83, contained in a receptacle 84. It is of course to be understood that my invention also contemplates a device in which the Well is maintained stationary and the level of the liquid body 83 varied. Assuming that a given quantity of gas or air is being admitted to the system, the pressure of this body of gas will be dependent upon the extent to which the tube or well 74 is submerged in the liquid 83. If the relative position of the well 74 and the surface of liquid 83 remains fixed, andair is continuously admitted to the system through the valve 28, a constant pressure, depending upon the position of the well 74, will exist within the system because of the escape of surplus air through the well 74 and liquid 83. As the well 74 is lowered within the liquid 83, the u pressure within the system will be raised as the resistance to escape of the gas is increased by augmenting the hydrostatic head. As above pointed out, the pressure throughout the system is uniform, for the pipes are substantially frictionless.

.The drum may be either lowered at a uniform rate, or at a varyingVK rate. If the latter is desired, the drum maly7 be of irregulary circumference, or the speed of the motor may be varied.

From. the foregoing the operation of my invention is obvious: Molten -metal is deposited in the charging spout 29. It passes through the charging port 14 i-nto the chamber of the ladle and as well into the'discharge port 46.- With a uniform pressure upon the surface of the metal in these three compartlments, the liquid metal level will be at the same height yin ,each compartment. Molten metal is poured into the charging spout until P the desired height is obtained.

. I Will describe first the form shown in Figure 7. The valve 28 is opened, and an air or a gas under pressure is' thereby admitted to the chamber through the pipes 24 and 22. The rate of admission of this gas is such as to produce a gentle i'ow but not sufficient j to set up any friction in the system, and thus create any appreciable pressure when the well 74 is raised above the surface of the liquid 83. Then upon operating the motor 82 and the drum 80, the well is lowered at a pref determined rate. Upon contacting with the surface of the liquid 83, a resistance to escape is lset up on the gas enteringv the system. Pressure is immediately established in the system equal to this resistance to escape and the pressure is increased directly proportional to the rate atwhich the well 74 is being immersed. p

The eHect of this increase in pressure in the'ladle is to lower the metal in the chamber 5 and to raise-the levels of the metal in the charging spouts and dischargingspout. -But as the piping of the system has been made suiiiciently large to preventfriction and level pressure dilferences, the head of metal, due to differences between levels in the chamber and the discharge spout ofthe ladleawillv alson to the increase of volumedue to eXpansion of the gas, there will be'x no increase in pressure and consequently the rate of flow o fzmetal will not be affected by this expanslon.

The operation of the form of device shown in Figure 4 is theoretically the same as that governing the o eration of the apparatus shown in Figure At the commencement of the pouring operation, valve 28 is opened to admit to the system a stream of gas, the rate, however, not being enough to cause any friction. As the pressure within the system is built up by the admission of this gas, the exact pressure desired is. controlled' by the operation of valve 27, which serves to permit the escape of gas in excess of the amount necessary to establish the pressure required.

As the operation continues, it is necessary that the pressure within the system be increased, and consequently the valve 27 is manually turned to decrease the amount of gas that escapes.

After gas is admitted-to the ladle, it is heated up and consequently-expands. Because of this, a greater volume must be permitted to escape to compensate for this eX-` ansion, but experiments have shown that the total volume of gas esca-ping may be sufiiciently large so that the comparatively small increase, due to expansion, will not increase the pressure in the system and thereby vary the flow of metal other than would be expected by the manipulation of the valve. As the pressure increases the metal within the chamber is forced therefrom through the openings 14 and 15.` The liquid level within the charging spout 29 and discharging spout 46 therefore rises. `As this continues the metalrises tothe lip 55 and overflows into the chute 56. t passes from. the chute through the trough to the spout 63 where it is poured into the mold 66, which is rotating. As the metalis poured from the spout 63, the carriage 64 moves away from the support 3, and this movement, together with the rotation of the mold 66, causes the columnY of metal discharged from the spout 63 to be built up on the interior surface of the mold in spirals.

It will be lobserved that the charging spout 29 is higher than discharge spout 46, so that,

while the metal may overflow the lip 55 of the discharge spout, there can be no overflow of the metal from the charging spout 29. From time to time during `a casting operation additional molten metal may be introduced into the ladle by pouring into the spout 29 a fresh supply. This is of considerable value, for in a centrifugal casting process,

the timing of the various steps is closely regulated, .and a loss of time is always to be avoided. By my invention the operation may continue without interruption so far as the ladling process is concerned.

When the casting operation ceases the pipe joint 23 is loosened, and the pipe 24 swung about its point of swivel (not shown) so that it is clear of the ladle. The arms 71 are then brought into position, and the hooks 72 engage the trunnions. The ladle may now be taken to any suitable place where it is tipped;

as shown in Figure 3, and the molten metal residue poured therefrom, thus preventing solidication of the metal remaining after a casting operation.

If, however, it is impossible to empty the ladle before a portion of its contents solidiies,

the ladle may be readily dismantled by re#` moving the bolts'19 and taking oil the cover plate 18. The charging^ and discharging l spouts, together with their linings, may also be easily removed by loosening the bolts 39 and 51 respectively. When the cover plate 18, the charging spout 29 and the discharging spout 46 are removed, the interior of the ladle and the inlet and outlet orifices 14 and 15 are accessible, and may be easily cleaned. The spouts may also be cleaned when the ladle is thus taken down. y The advantages of my invention'will be apparent from the foregoing. I have provided an apparatus that is economic to construct, and the operation of which is eX` ltremely simple. Unskilled labor' cansafely be entrusted with the management of my device. 5

The ladle is susceptible to a nicety of control by means of the valves 28 and -27, or the device shown in Fig. 7, and once having been set in operation, the predetermined amount of metal to be discharged is assured.

have also shown a ladle device that may readily be cleaned and from whichv all excess metal may be removed before it has an opportunity to freeze. It is also constructed so that it may be quickly dismantled, and any metal that does adhere to the ladle may be easily scraped therefrom. Y

While I have shownv herein' a preferable embodiment of my invention, I wishit to be distinctly understood that various modifications may be made in this particular embodiment without exceeding the scope of the appended claims, by which, together with the prior art, I wish my invention to be alone limited. 00 I claim:

1. A'casting ladle comprising a chamber for molten metal, a discharge spout incommunication with said chamber and terminating above the initial level of the molten metal in the ladle, a charging spout in communication with said chamber and terminating above the discharge spout and means for introducing a gas under pressure into said Jchamber to force the molten metal from the discharge spout. v

2. A casting ladle comprising a chamber for molten metal, a discharge spout in communication with said chamber and terminat- 'ing above the initial level ofthe molten metal in the ladle, a charging spout in unobstructed communication with said chamber and terminating above the discharge spout and means for introducing a gas under pressure into said chamber to force the molten metal from the discharge spout, said charging and dis-V charge spouts both being 1n communication with the chamberwhen charging and when discharging molten metal from the chamber.

3. A pneumatic ladle, comprising a chamber for molten metal, a charging spout and a discharging spout in communication with said chamber, a conduit connected with said chamber forvintroducing a gas under pressure into said chamber 'for forcing molten metal into the discharge spout, means associated with said conduit for regulating the pressure of the gas within said chamber, said means comprising. a container for a liquid, a gas bell mounted in said container and having a portion immersed in said liquid, a conduit communicatingwith the upper portion of said bell and with said lirst mentioned conduit, and means connected with the bell for adjusting the position of said bell in the liquid for controlling the pressure inl said 10C ladle chamber. p

4. A ladling device comprising a lchamber for molten metal, removable charging and discharge spouts 'communicating with the chamber,fa conduit communicating with the chamber forintroducing a gas to the chambery forforcing molten metal through said discharge spout and means associatedwith said conduit for relieving the back pressure of gas in said chamber.

5. A ladling device comprising a receptacle for molten metal, a charging spout communieating with the lower portion of said receptacle, a discharge spout communicating with the lower portion of said receptacle, a conduit communicating with said receptacle for introducing a` gas therein for forcing molten metal out through said discharge spout-and means associated with said conduit for regulating the pressure of gas in said receptac1e.""120 6. A ladling device comprising a receptacle for molten metal, a charging spout communieating with the lower portion of said receptacle, a discharge spout communicating with the lower portion of said receptacle, a conduit communicating with said receptacle for introducing' a gas therein for forcing molten metal out through said discharge spout, a body of liquid located exteriorly of the receptacle, a cylinder having a closed end and an opened end positioned in said liquid with the open end submerged, a conduit connectmeans for varying the degree of submergence of the cylinder in the liquid for regulating the gas pressure in the receptacle.

7. A ladling device comprising a recep; tacle for molten metal, a charging spout communicating with the lower portion of said receptacle, a discharge spout communicating with the lower portion of said receptacle, a conduit communicating with said receptacle for introducing a gas therein for forcing molten metal out through said discharge spoilt, a chamber having a variable volume in communication with said conduit and means for varyingthe volume of said chamber to regulate the pressure in said receptacle.

8. A ladling device comprising a receptacle for molten metal,.a charging spout communieating with the lower portion of said receptacle, a discharge spout communicating with the lower portion of said receptacle, a conduit communicating with said receptacle for introducing a gas therein for forcing molten metal out through said discharge spout, a

body of liquid, a cylinder having a closed end and an open end positioned in said liquid with the open end submerged, a conduit connecting the upper portion of the interior of the cylinder with the conduit communicating with the receptacle, a cable connected to said cylinder and a power driven drum for said cable, operable for varying the degree of submergence of the cylinder to control the pressure in said receptacle,

9. A pneumatic ladle, comprising a chamber for molten metal,l a charging spout and a discharging spout in communication with said chamber, a conduit connected with said chamber for introducing a gas under pressure into said chamber for forcing molten metal into the discharge spout, means vassociated with said conduit for regulating the pressure of the gas within said chamber', said means comprising a container for a liquid, a gas well mounted in said container and having a portion immersed in said liquid, a conduit communicating with the upper portion of said well and with said first mentioned conduit, a cable connected to the upper portion of said well, a power driven drum adapted to raise and lower the cable and well for varying the degree of emergence of the well inthe liquid for controlling the pressure of gas in said chamber.

10. 'A casting ladle comprising a chamber in the chamber as the level of the molten metal in the chamber drops.

11. A casting ladle comprising a lchamber adapted to contain molten metal, a discharge spout in communication with said chamber, a conduit for introducing a` gas under pressure into said chamber for forcing metal contained therein into the discharge spout, a well adjustably positioned in a body of water for varying the volume in said well, a conduit placing the interior of said well in communication with said first mentioned conduit and means for varying the degree of emergence of said well in the liquid 4for controlling the pressure of gas in said chamber. 1

12. A casting ladle comprising a chamber for molten metal, a discharge spout in communication with said chamber and terminating above the level of the molten metal, means .for introducing gas under lpressure into said chamber to force the molten metal from the discharge spout, and means for progressively increasing the pressure of the gas within the chamber as the level of the molten metal in the chamber drops.

13. A casting ladle comprising a cham- L means comprising controlling mechanism for permitting the escape of excess gas.

14. A casting ladle comprising a charnber for molten metal, a discharge spout in communication with said chamber and terminatin above the level of the molten metal, means or introducing gas under pressure into said chamber to force the molten metal from the discharge spout and means for progressively increasing the pressure of the gas within the chamber as the level of the molten metal in the chamber drops, said means comprising a controlling valve for permitting the escape of excess gas.

In testimony whereof'I affix my signature.

FRANK G.- CARRINGTON.

for molten metal, a discharge spout in ,com-` munication with said chamber and terminating abovethe initial level of the molten metal, means for intrducin gas under pressure into said chamber to orce the molten metal from the discharge spout, and means for increasing the pressure ofthe gas with-

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