US2332956A - Apparatus for casting lead ballast - Google Patents

Description

01$ 9 A. A. WASHTON 2,332,956

APPARATUS FOR CASTING LEAD BALLAST File d June 25, 1942 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 A A/um A Wasfifm M A By M A W W j /momeys 1943- A. A. wAsHToN 2,332,956

APPARATUS FOR CASTING LEAD BALLAST Filed June 25 1942 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 WI r 6 & i A q Axm xmm /7 W MT-ru Patented Oct. 26, 1943 D STATES PATENT A P RAT S FOR F IC /Ts Abram A. Washton, NewLondon, Conn. Application June 25, 1942, Serial No. 448,461

1 Claim.

The invention relates to improved apparatus forpouring both virgin and secondary lead for theproduction of what areknown as Afpigs as used for ballast in submarines, the primary object of the invention being to provide apparatus for this purpose which eliminates the surface irregularities, and hence deviations in form .and Weight of the pigs, which results from presently used apparatus, and thereby eliminate the finishingoperations now required to make the pigs uniform in shape and cross section and in Weight. 1 i Other important objects and advantages of the inventionwill be apparent from a reading of the following description taken in connection with the appended drawings, wherein for purposes of illustration a preferred embodiment of the mold of the present invention is shown.

The A pig which is used for ballast in submarines measures 3%" weight is approximately 55% pounds. As now practiced the pouring of these pigs is done in a mold having a 14" long surface and a side wall height of 3 /8", with the result that when the pig is poured and has cooled 011, there is a pronounced depression in the middle of the top 14" surface, the only cure for which is to pour additional lead into the depression and fill it and finish off the resulting surface to trueness. In practice it is rare that a perfectly smooth surface results on the repaired side of the pig, although considerable time and expense are expended in that aim. I

In accordance with the method of the present invention instead of the pouring being done in a horizontally elongated mold of usual construction, the pouring is done in a vertically elongated mold of a certain character described herein,

with the result that all four sides of the resultant pigs and the tops and bottoms thereof are absolutely smooth and true, with the exception of a slight depression, about the size of a ten-cent piece, on the upper end disregarded or can be relatively easily and inexpensively trued up. The importance of the regular smooth and geometrically perfect sides of the pig will be apparent when it is considered that it is important to eliminate air spaces between the pigs as they are laid longitudinally upon each other in the submarines for ballast purposes, such air spaces occurring when the sides of the pigs are irregular as now produced, the result of such air spaces being uneven and insecure packing of the ballast pigs. As the result of the present method and apparatus, the contact between x 3 x 14" and its of the pig, which can be the pigs when packed for ballast purposes is substantially geometrically perfect, so that. air spaces are eliminated, and better i and tighter packing are allowed, thereby saving space and eliminating to a substantialextent the danger of shifting of the ballast; i i

t To suitably and sufficiently carry out the process of the present invention it is-necessary ;to have a sectional mold, the sections of which are of substantially equal heat absorbing characteristic and uniform trueness, and s0 arranged that the point ofseparation of; the sections will; be at the corners of the pigs; otherwisewpigs of nonuniform density and non-uniform contour will re sult. 'I'he mold disclosedherein admirably lends itself to the conduct ofthe present method with the highest type of result.v

Referring in detail to the drawings, wherein a preferred type of mold in accordance with the present invention is shown:

Figure 1 is a general side elevational view.

Figure 2 is a top plan view of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary enlarged horizontal sectional view.

Figure 4 is an isometric view showing the two sections of a mold unit in partly separated relation.

Figure 5 is a Figure 6 is yoke.

Figure 7 is a A p g Referring in detail to the drawings, the numeral 5 generally designates the plural mold in accordance with the present invention, the same comprising a fiat horizontal base 6 of suitable metal or other suitable material, upon which rest in perpendicular or other substantially vertical position a plurality of mold units 1, each consisting of a pair of similar mold sections 8 and 9 having the lower ends straight out and squared to rest flush on the top of the base 6.

Each of the sections 8 and 9 of the mold units are exactly similar in cross section and rise to the same level above the base 6, each said section consisting of an L-shaped cross section body, one arm of the L-shape being squared and unmutilated as indicated by the numeral I0 and the other arm having its terminal portion cut away at its inner side as indicated by the numeral II to define a rectangular notch running the full height of the section. As indicated in the drawings the sections are assembled upon the base 6 with the unmutilated squared ends I0 seated in the grooves II, the grooves H being of perspective view of the clamp. a perspective view of the clamp perspective view of one of the dicated in Figure 2 of the drawings, with the extreme left hand mold unit engaging the bight portion l5 of the clamp frame; The free ends of the legs l4 have reduced extensions lfi formed A r,

thereon which have openings l1 accommodating removable stop pins l8. Theblamping yoke 19 consists of an adequately rigid metal bar l9 which has vertical slots opening through the opposite end: portions thereof: and: of substantially thearsamei shapel as'thev extensions: lie on the free ends of the" clamp: framelegs; witl'r a threadedz hole: win-the middleof the yoke to nireadably receive the pressure screw-22 which has a rotatably connected pressure-head: 23:"01'1 its inner end to engage th'e end sectionof the extremerighthand mold unitia's indicated in Figur'esfl' and 3- of the drawings. It'will be obvious that with-the mold unit's in place (in-the base and the -clamp frame T3 in place,- with the yoke IS on the extension' is and with the pins [-3 in place, operation' bf the screw 22 by: any suitable means in alongitudinally-- inward direction will compress the mold section's towardthe bight portion l5" of the clamp f rame, thereby securely and exactly assembling tl'ie mold unitsfor the pouring operation. The molten lead is poured into the upper ends of the mold units and when cool the screw 22 is relaxed, the clamping frame 13 is taken off, and the sections of the mold units are separated from the pigs.

Having described the invention, claimed as new is;

Apparatus for casting square lead pigs comprising a horizontal base, a plurality of vertical mold units resting on said base and embodying vertical chambers closed at their lower ends by said base and open at their upper ends to receive what is molten lead, said chambers being uniformly square in cross section from end to end, each mold unit comprising a pair of similar removable sectionsL-shaped in horizontal cross section and characterized by similar mass and heat absorbency, the inner side of one wing of each section being notched to conformably receive an unmutilated portion of a wing of another section; whereby the sections; Wh'ehassembled, provide a substantially square" cross section hollow block with the lines of separation between thesections being precisely located at diagonally opposite corners of saidcl'lamber-s, and a removable clampframe enclosing and engaging the moldunits and assembling thesame in side-byside relation on the'bas'e, said frame consistin of a U shape with the legs engagingopposite sidesof the mol'cl'unit's and' with' the biglit' engagingthe end of one extreme-mold unit, a yoke removably mounted on the free ends of said legs, anchoring m'eans ibr the yoke, and ap1-essure screw on saidyokeengagingthewen'd of the the opposite extreme mold unit.

ABHAM A; WASHTON'.

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