US2572754A - Ingot mold splash bowl - Google Patents

Description

Oct. 23, 1951 w. R. PATTERSON INGOT MOLD SPLASH BOWL Filed Feb. 28, 1949 Patented Oct. 23, 1951 INGOT MOLD SPLASH BOWL William R. Patterson, Los Angeles, Calif., assignor to The National Supply Company, Pittsburgh, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application February 28, 1949, Serial No. 78,777

(on. zz 14a 6 Claims.

This invention relates to the manufacture of metal ingots.

Big end up ingots which are poured from the top are commonly subject to surface defects caused by splashing of the stream of molten metal from the bottom of the mold at the beginning of the pouring operation. The splashing metal which strikes the relatively cold side walls of the mold results in formation of solidified platelike masses which may adhere to the mold. The stream of hot metal from the nozzle of the pouring ladle falls a considerable distance. particularly in the case of tall ingot molds. The molten metal strikes the bottom of the mold with considerable force and a very strong splash may result if the molten metal stream impinges on a surface normal to the direction of the stream. As the pouring continues and as the level of the molten metal rises in the mold, the frozen platelike masses are covered by molten metal and may partially fuse into the liquid mass. These partially fused masses are poorly bonded and become what is commonly known as scabs. These give appreciable trouble in the production of forged or rolled products made from such an imperfect ingot. Furthermore, these chilled masses of metal may not adhere to the mold walls but may detach themselves and locate in the body of the ingot and thus adversely aflect the quality of the ingot.

Surface scabs and internal defects of this character are found in top poured ingots made in either closed bottom molds or open bottom molds, but the most serious trouble is encounteredwith the open bottom molds since the shape of the bottom is generally made substantially flat. It is customary to place the bottom of the open bottom mold on a substantially flat plate known in the art as a stool plate. This surface is normal to the molten stream of metal as it enters the mold, and hence highly undesirable vigorous splashing occurs.

It is the principal object of my invention to minimize the splashing of molten metal as it is initially poured into the upper end of either closed bottom or open bottom molds.

Another object is to provide a splash bowl for an ingot mold provided with means for absorbing the kinetic energy of the stream of molten metal Other detailed objects and advantages will appear hereinafter.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a sectional elevation showing a preferred embodiment of my invention as applied to an open bottom ingot mold of the type producing big end up ingots.

Figure 2 is a sectional plan view taken substantially on the lines 2-: as shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a top plan view 01' a splash bowl employed in connection with my invention.

Figure 4 is a sectional elevation taken substantially on the lines 4-4 as shown in Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a side elevation partly in vertical section illustrating an embodiment of my invention in connection with a closed bottom ingot mold.

Referring to the drawings, the ingot mold I0 is of the open bottom type and the molten stream of metal is poured into the upper end from any suitable ladle (not shown). The central opening II in the mold l0 may be nonclrcular as shown clearly in Figure 2 in order to produce a fluted ingot. This central opening is tapered for a major portion of the height of the mold I0 so that the I cross-sectional size of the opening is smaller near the bottom of the mold Ill.

The mold I0 is adapted to rest on a stool plate I! having a central opening l3. The upper end of this opening I 3 may be flared to receive the conical periphery ll of the splash bowl II. The opening in the lower end of the ingot mold I0 is constricted as shown at l6 so that the extreme lower end of the opening is substantially in alignment with the upper end of the opening l3 in the stool plate I2. The splash bowl II is provided with a central cavity l1, forming a continuation of the opening II in the ingot mold III. A plurality of vertical spikes l8 formed integrally with the bottom 22 of the splash bowl I! extend upwardly into the cavity ll. When the molten stream of metal is poured into the opening II the stream falls vertically into the cavity II. The vigorous splashing which would normally occur on a flat horizontal surface does not take place and the energy of the stream is dissipated as it bounds and rebounds among the vertical spikes ID. A pool of molten metal is thus formed in the cavity I7 and in the lower end of the central opening ll without any objectionable splashing of molten metal upwardly onto the sides I 9 of the opening II in the ingot mold ll. Once this cushioning pool has been formed the function of the spikes II has been accomplished. and thereafter the molten pool prevents any serious splashing upwardly onto the relatively cold walls of the mold.

The spikes it may fuse into the molten metal as it solidifies and the splash bowl I! may become attached to the small end of the solidified ingot. This does not, however, present any problem because the small and of the ingot is cropped oil. in the region of the restricted throat it. While a new splash bowl is normally required for each ingot poured into the mold, this relatively small additional cost is more than offset by the savings in surface chipping and conditioning of the ingot prior to rolling or forging. Furthermore, the internal quality of the ingot metal is superior because of the freedom from partially fused splash 'metal which may have adhered initially to the mold walls but later become detached and located within the body of the ingot.

The ingot mold l and splash plate I! may be provided with the usual lugs 20 for handling.

The embodiment of my invention shown in Figure utilizes a splash bowl 30 which is substantially the same as that described in the previous embodiment. The splash bowl 30 is mounted directly in the tapered opening 3i formed in the bottom of the closed bottom ingot mold 32. In this embodiment no stool plate is employed. The action of the spikes 33 on the splash bowl 30 is substantially the same as that described above. In either case the energy of the molten metal stream is diffused and a minimum of splashing occurs whether the stream falls directly into the center of the splash bowl or somewhat off-center.

While it is not essential that the spikes be parallel in order to accomplish the benefits of my invention, nevertheless, I prefer to form them in parallel relationship for ease of manufacture. The spikes l8 may be conveniently cast integrally with the walls and bottom of the bowl i5.

Having fully described my invention, it is to be understood that I do not wish to be limited to the details herein set forth, but my invention is of the full scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. Apparatus for casting metal ingots comprising an upright mold having a central opening to receive a stream of molten metal, and a splash minimizing bowl member forming the lower end of the mold having a plurality of integral upwardly extending spikes adapted to diffuse the energy of the molten stream falling thereon to minimize splashing of metal upwardly against the sides of the mold opening.

2. A combined splash bowl and bottom plug for an ingot mold, the bowl having walls and an integral fioor defining an upwardly opening cavity, the walls and floor being sufllciently massive to withstand pressure of liquid metal in the mold, and a cluster of spikes formed integrally with the 4 central opening extending therethrough to receive a stream of molten metal, a splash bowl insertable through the mold opening to forma plug at the bottom thereof. the splash bowl having walls and a fioor formed integrally therewith to define an upwardly opening cavity, and a plurality of spikes fixed on the floor and extending upwardly into the cavity.

4. Apparatus for casting metal ingots comprising an upright mold having a central opening extending therethrough to receive a stream of floor and extending upwardly into the said cavity. go

3. Apparatus for casting metal ingots comprising in combination an upright mold having a molten metal, a stool plate supporting the mold and provided with a central aperture, a massive splash bowl resting on the stool plate in said aperture and forming the lower end of the mold opening, the splash bowl having walls and a floor formed integrally therewith to define an upwardly opening cavity, and a plurality of spikes fixed on the floor and extending upwardly into the cavity.

5. Apparatus for casting metal ingots comprising an upright mold having a central opening extending therethrough to receive a stream of molten metal, a stool plate supporting the mold and provided with a central tapered aperture, a massive splash bowl having externally tapered walls received in said aperture, the bowl also having a floor integrally joining the walls, and a plurality of spikes extending upwardly from the floor of the bowl.

6. In an apparatus for casting metal ingots, including an upright mold having a central opening extending therethrough to receive a stream of molten metal, and a stool plate supporting the mold and provided with a central aperture having tapered walls, the improvement comprising: a massive splash bowl having a tapered external surface adapated to fit within said tapered walls, the splash bowl forming the lower end of the mold opening, the splash bowl having walls and a floor formed integrally therewith to define an outwardly opening cavity, and a plurality of spikes fixed on the floor and extending upwardly into the cavity.

WILLIAM R. PATTERSON.

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

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