US2517317A

US2517317A - Centrifugal casting machine

Info

Publication number: US2517317A
Application number: US671254A
Authority: US
Inventors: Janco Nathan
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1946-05-21
Filing date: 1946-05-21
Publication date: 1950-08-01
Anticipated expiration: 1967-08-01

Description

Aug. 1, 1950 N. JANCO CENTRIFUGAL CASTING MACHINE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 21, 1946 ATTORNEYS Aug. 1, 1950 N. JANCO CENTRIFUGAL CASTING MACHINE Filed May 21, 1946 2 SheetsSheet 2 lIIIII/IlI/l I 7IIIIIIIIII4 l/IA II/II/III W e'l 1044 A TTORNEYS FIG.5

Patented Aug. 1, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,517,317 CENTRIFUGAL CASTING MACHINE Nathan Janco, Tulsa, Okla. Application May 21, 1946, Serial No. 671,254 1 1 Claim. (01. 22

This invention relates to improvements in centrifugal casting machines and refers more particularly to machines in which the flask or mold carrier is clamped in place.

In the trunnion type centrifugal casting machines used heretofore, .each machine accommodates only flasks of a given size. The trunnion wheels and tracks or tires of the conventional machine result in noisy operation, are expensive and restrict the versatility of the machine.

An object of this invention is to provide a centrifugal casting machine capable of operation with various size flasks.

Another object of this invention is to provide a centrifugal casting machine of the clamp type in which the usual trunnion wheels and tires are dispensed with. i i i i i A further object is to provide a casting machine .in which the flasks may be readily loaded and unloaded with respect to the machine. 1

Still another object is to provide a casting machine which will accommodate flasks varying both in diameter and length.

A still further object is to provide a casting machine having an extended life due to a minimum of and maximum size of bearing surfaces and wherein the bearing surfaces may be readily repaired or replaced when worn.

Other and further objects of this invention will appear from the following description:

In the accompanying drawings which form a part of the instant specification and are to be read in conjunction therewith and wherein like reference numerals are used to indicate like parts in the various views,

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a casting machine echine shown in Fig. 1,

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary view similar to that of. Fig. 3 illustrating a modified clamping ring, and

Figs. 5 and 6 are fragmentary views similar to Fig. 3 showing modified face plates and clamping assemblies.

Broadly the centrifugal casting machine of this invention comprises a housing or support with an associated runner pot at one end, a clamping assembly rotatably carried by the housingand a adaptedtto releasably engage a mold carrier or flask and the driving mechanism for revolving and actuating the clamping assembly.

; Referring; to the drawings, the support comprises a. horizontal ground base [0 and upright 2 forward and rear housings II and l2respectively. The first housing is at the pouring end of the machine and is adjustably mounted on track Illa ofthe base by bolt Ila. The rear housing encases the driving mechanism.

The forward housing II has :a central opening in which is positioned the bearing ring I3. Bearing against the inner periphery of ring 13 is the cylindrical portion of the forward clamp holder or face plate M. A cooling jacket I5 is positioned withinthe cylindrical portion of plate I4 to dissipate heat from the bearing. The runner pot I6 has a runner portion IBa adapted to extend through the central opening of the forward housing to distribute molten material into the mold in the customary fashion.

. A somewhat similar rear face plate I! is journaled in the rear housing. The mounting of this face plate will be more fully hereinafter explained in connection with the driving mechanism of the machine. 7

The face plates i4 and I! have confronting outturned flanges which carry the clamping means of this invention. In the modification shown in Fig. 3 adapter. rings l8 are bolted to the flange portions of the face plates. These adapter rings-have a cylindrical flange portion with a beveled surface shown at 18a. These beveled surfaces are adapted to receive the beveled edges of flask I9 whereby the flask may be removably clamped in position upon axial movement of one of the. face plates. The flask is a cylindrical member and contains a conventional mold 20 held in place by suitable positioning rings 2| at each end i Often flasks of different diameters are required and according to this invention may be used with this machine by employing varying size adapter rings l8. In Fig. 4 a modified form of adapter ring 22 is shown to illustrate the positioning of a flask 23 having a smaller diameter than flask IQ of Fig. 3. Another modification of the clamping means is shown in Figs. 5 and 6 wherein face plates 24 carry or have formed thereon a series of clamping surfaces which are concentric with the axis of rotation of the plates. The right hand or driving clamp shows another modification wherein face plate 33 carries an adapter plate 34 bolted thereto. This adapter plate has formed thereon clamping surfaces corresponding to those of plate 24. These adapter plates are provided with a series of concentric beveled portions or surfaces which constitute holding surfaces. As illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6 flasks having diameters corresponding to the clamping surfaces of the adapter plates may be clamped therebetween. It

3 is to be understood that these modified forms of clamping means are shown by way of illustration only and not by way of limitation.

Referring to the drive mechanism for the face plate I! reference is made to Fig. 3. The cylindrical portion Ila of plate ll extends into the front opening of housing AZ. This cylindrical portion bears in a sleeve 26 of suitable bearing material positioned within the housing. Internal splines l'lb are formed on the inner surface of the cylindrical portion of plate l1. These splines fit corresponding splines 21a formed at the forward end of shaft 21. Shaft 21 is journaled in housing l2 by means of a plurality of bearing rings 28 with suitable spacers. Shaft 21 has a driving connection with a pulley wheel 29 adapted to be suitably connected by V-shaped belts with a suitable prime mover not shown in the drawing.

Driving torque is transmitted to plate H from the shaft through the spline connection. However, while this connection prevents relative rotation between the plate and shaft, nevertheless limited axial movement of the plate H is permitted relative to the shaft. This limited axial movement permits advancement or retraction of the plate 11 with the adapter ring or clamp 58 into and out of clamping engagement with the flask 18. Thus placement or removal of the mold carrier or flask is facilitated by providing for axial movement of one of the clamps.

In order to impart axial movement to one clamp, plate H, is mounted on a plunger 30. plate has a partition We with a central aperture which fits over the countersunk end portion of the plunger. A bearing ring 3! and nut 32 position the plate on the end of the plunger. The

ill

The

bearing ring 3! also serves as a stop limiting rearward movement of the clamp by abutment against the forward end of shaft 21. Any suitable means for actuating plunger 30 may be provided and preferably hydraulic means are utilized. are not shown in the drawings.

It is believed that the operation of the machine is apparent from the foregoing description. Face plate ii is retracted to a rearward position and the flask l 9 is placed in position between the confronting plates I! and [4. Face plate I! and the clamp or adapter ring l3 associated therewith are advanced by manipulation of plunger 30 to cause engagement between the beveled ends of the flask and the beveled clamping surfaces of the adapter rings is. on shaft 21 is permitted by the spline connection therebetween. The mold 2!) and positioning plate 2! are assembled within the flask prior to its assembly in the machine. The prime mover In the interest of simplicity these means 1 Axial movement of plate I! for driving the pulley is started and driving torque is imparted through pulley 29 and shaft 21 to the face plate I! by means of the spline connection between the plate and shaft. This driving torque in turn is transmitted from the face plate through the adapter ring l8 to the flask l9 and thence to the forward adapter ring and face plate. Material to be cast is then run into the mold by means of the runner pot it and the runner [6a. After the flask has been revolved for a sufficient period of time, to form the casting, rotation of the flask is stopped and plunger 30 is actuated to retract face plate I! and its associated adapter ring [8. In this position the flask is released and may be withdrawn. The casting may manner.

The versatility of the machine is illustrated by the modifications shown in Figs. 4, 5 and 6. Referring to Fig. 4 it is seen that adapter rings l8 may be replaced by other suitable rings such as 22 in order to accommodate various diameter flasks. It is apparent that the flask may vary not only in diameter but also in length. The spline connection between the face plate I! and drive shaft 2'! permits some axial adjustment to accommodate flasks of somewhat different length. By adjusting the position of forward housing II on track Illa of the base support flasks varying in length as much as four feet and more may be used in the one machine. In the modifications of Figs. 5 and 6 a series of clamping surfaces are formed on the face plates themselves or are carried thereby and provide accommodation for flasks of various diameters.

It will be seen that the objects of this invention have been accomplished. There has been provided a centrifugal casting machine that is versatile in that it can accommodate flasks that vary in size both in diameter and length. The arrangement is such that the customary trunnions are dispensed with and no tires are required on the flasks. The construction is such that one of the confronting face plates of the casting machine may be moved axially to facilitate clamping of the flasks in position. This all contributes to the economy and utility of the machine and its operation resulting in lower cost castings.

It will be understood that certain features and subcombinaticns are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of the claim.

As many possible embodiments may be made of the invention without departing from the scope thereof, it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Having described by invention, I claim:

In a centrifugal casting machine for casting a cylindrical object such as pipe, a support, opposed clamping elements journaled in the support and each having a corresponding plurality of concentric annular faces arranged about the axis of rotation of the clamp elements for clamping molds of different diameters therebetween, a hollow drive shaft journaled in the support axially of the clamping elements and having a splined driving connection with one of the clamping elements providing for relative axial movement therebetween whereby the latter clamping element may be shifted axially relative to the other element to facilitate placement and removal of a mold member therebetween, and a plunger extending through the drive shaft and operably connected to the driven clamp element to provide for axial shifting thereof.

NATHAN JANCO.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,009,167 Monson Nov. 21, 1911 1,428,048 Myers Sept. 5, 1922 1,784,146 Leis Dec. 9, 1930 1,853,344 Fobert Apr. 12, 1932 2,047,588 Ledeboer July 14, 1936