US3659644A - Apparatus for the casting of metal anodes - Google Patents

Abstract

An apparatus and process for casting of metal, such as copper anodes. The apparatus includes an oven for melting the metal and a rotatable casting wheel which carries a series of molds. A tiltable ladle pours the molten metal into a mold, and sensing means inside the mold produces a signal in response to the level of the molten metal in the mold for ending the pouring operation from the ladle. When the pouring operation for a particular mold has terminated, the casting wheel is automatically rotated to bring the next mold into proper position for receiving the molten metal.

Description

I United States Patent [151 3,659,644 De Bie 1 May 2, 1972 1541 APPARATUS FOR THE CASTING F 3,200,451 8/1965 Worswick I64/l56 METAL ANODES 3.3l9,728 /l967 Johansson et al... .....1s4/1ss 3,380,51 l 4/1968 Campbell 1 ..l64/l55 [72] Inventor: Edouard De Bie, Antwerp, Belgium 2,763,904 9/1956 Sukava I64 56 [73] Assignee: Metallurgle Hoboken, Brusaels, Belgium 3 5/1959 sukava 1 64/156 3,188,704 6/l965 Sukava 1 l64/l 56 ml Ml! 1969 3.404325 10/1968 Kapun 164/56 [211 App]. No.: 821,866

Primary Examiner-J. Spencer Overholser Assistant Examiner-V. Rising Alilluciluofl Attorney-Irving M. Weiner May I5, 1968 Belgium ..584l2 [57] ABSTRACT [52] U.S. Cl ..164/326, l64/269, 164/156, An apparatus and process for casting of metal such as copper IM/IZS' 164/348 164/136 anodes. The apparatus includes an oven for melting the metal [5 Int. and a rotatable i g wheel carries a series of molds. [58] new of 3 A tiltable ladle pours the molten metal into a mold, and I6 I l sensing means inside the mold produces a signal in response to the level of the molten metal in the mold for ending the pour- [56] cued ing operation from the ladle. When the pouring operation for UNITED STATES PATENTS a particular mold has terminated, the casting wheel is automatically rotated to bring the next mold into proper position I X for receiving the molten metal 1,960,002 5/1934 Eppensteiner et al.. .....l64/269 2,882,567 4/l959 Deakins et al.164/l 5 Claim, 9 Drawing Flgures Patented May 2, 1972 3,659,644

8 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTUR Edam/ed 05 512-:

ATTORNEY Patented May 2, 1972 8 Sheets-Sheet C TNVENTOR y EObt/Afld DE 515 ATTORNE! Pltontnd May 2, 1972 B Shun-Shut 7 ATTORNEY Patented May 2, 1972 3,659,644

8 Sheets-Sheet l.

INVEHTUR ATTOPH:

Patented May 2, 1972 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 hmUNW mwmorz B Edounrea PE 515 y w 2, M

ATTORNEY Patented May 2, 1972 8 Sheets-Shut. 7

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Z w m U aw Patented May 2, 1972 B Shun-Shut 8 l N V E H T O R Edam/al s 5/5 ATTORHE! APPARATUS FOR THE CASTING OF METAL ANODES This invention relates to the casting of metals and more particularly to the casting of copper anodes. A detailed description is given hereinafter of the process and apparatus according to the present invention when applied to the casting of copper anodes.

In the ordinairy practice, copper from a melting oven of the reverberatory type for instance, is cast into molds made of copper and arranged along the periphery of a circular casting machine (casting wheel). The liquid copper coming from the melting oven is first collected in a tilting ladle arranged between the oven and the casting wheel.

The copper contained in the tilting ladle is cast into molds by hand actuating a hydraulic or pneumatic system which operates the tilting of the ladle.

All the above operations have so far been effected by hand. An operator in a cabin situated in the proximity of the casting wheel actuates the stoppages and startings of the casting wheel according to the duration required for casting the metal and according to the duration required for withdrawing the anodes from the molds. The operator has also to estimate the level of the copper in the mold de visu so that the anodes shall have a thickness as constant as possible. Great variations of the thickness are obtained with the known method and moreover, the operations in the known installations require a large member ofworkmen.

The object of the present invention is to provide means to obtain an important saving of hand labor, a greater regularity of the operation and a greater regularity of the weight and thickness of the anodes.

According to the present invention, the end of the casting operation of the metal and the starting of the movement of the casting wheel are automatically actuated by a device acting under the effect of a predetermined level of the liquid metal in the mold.

The casting is automatically interrupted when the anode in the mold has reached the required thickness.

According to another characteristic feature of the invention, the movement of the casting wheel is started after the anodes have been withdrawn from the molds.

Use is advantageously made for removing the anodes from the mold, of a device which consists of pincers which seize the anode lifted from its mold, by its edges, and of a rod discharge rod") passing through the mold which deposits it in a cooling tank in which a device is operated to align the anodes one next to the other. The movements of the pincers and of the discharge rod passing through the mold are automatically actuated according to a predetermined sequence.

The device for aligning the anodes may consist of two chains. Grooves are provided upon these chains to receive the well known lugs of the anode. The chains work intermittently by steps, each step displacing the anodes inside a cooling tank and presenting a free slot of the chains to receive the next anode.

An automatic discharge device is advantageously provided, in which the movements of lowering the pincers, the lifting of the discharge rod, the closing of the pincers on the anode, the lifting of the pincers holding the anode, the driving of a translation movement of the pincers holding the anode, the deposition of the anode in the cooling tank, the return of the pincers without the anode to their initial position, and the displacement of the chains are automatic and take place according to the sequence above mentioned.

The head of the discharge rod is advantageously coated with a coating substance known per se," and means are provided for automatically effecting the said coating at the desired moment in the sequence of operational steps and for striking the said head to place it back in its initial position.

Means are provided for automatically spraying the molds at a predetermined moment in the sequence of operational steps with a mixture known per se.

Other objects and characteristic features of the invention when applied to the casting of copper anodes will appear from the description which follows of one mode of carrying the invention into efiect, and as illustrated in the accompanying dia grammatic drawings.

In the drawings,

FIG. I is a plan view of the apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a more detailed plan view of the said apparatus.

FIGS. 3 and 4 show various steps of the operation of withdrawing the anodes from their molds.

FIGS. 50, 5b, 6, 7 and 8 show various modes of carrying the invention into effect.

Referring now more particularly to FIG. 1, the positions of the various improved parts of a casting wheel I have been shown therein. The casting wheel is provided with l6 molds 2 for instance, equidistantly arranged along its periphery.

Various elements of the device for removing the anodes from their molds have been shown in a position A: a cooling tank 21 for the anodes, a track I7 for a carriage 16 which supports pincers used for withdrawing the anodes from the molds (not illustrated in FIG. 1), the position of a discharge rod 12, a cylinder 6 actuating upward and downward movements of the said pincers.

(The details of the elements are shown in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5a and 5b).

A device for controlling the position of the head of the discharge rod 12 (the details of which are shown in FIG. 6) is shown in a position B.

A device for coating the head of the discharge rod 12 and spray-guns 62 for spraying the molds (the details of which are shown in FIG. 7) are shown in a position C.

A casting station (the details of which are shown in FIG. 8) comprising a casting tilting ladle 41 hydraulically actuated, which receives the liquid metal from a melting oven H through a channel G, is shown in a position C. A sensing device 53 and a pneumatic cylinder 48 actuating the sensing device are also shown; they serve to stop the casting operation (straightening the ladle 41 in an upward position) when the metal has reached a predetermined level in the mold 2.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the relation between the various devices already described with reference to FIG. I.

The casting wheel 1 is driven by a direct current motor M through the intermediary of a speed reducing gear N and of a pinion P engaging a toothed crown Q.

To each mold 2 corresponds a cam 3, which rotates with the casting wheel I and which is intended to meet contacts E7, E17, E8, Ell, in the order stated, in the direction of rotation ofthe casting wheel shown by the arrow F.

Each cam 3 meets the four contacts above mentioned, each 16th of a revolution. It will be noted that the sequence of operations already mentioned for the FIG. I, takes place at each 16th of a revolution. The connections or electrical drives between the contacts E and the various apparatus (motor, electro-pneumatic valves) are shown by dotted lines with arrow heads and the pneumatic or hydraulic circuits are shown by full lines with arrow heads.

When the casting wheel I rotates in the direction shown by the arrow F, the cam 3 of a mold meets first the contact E7 which acts, (as shown by a dotted arrow) upon the motor M with the object of producing a deceleration of the casting wheel 1 by a progressive regulation of the dynamo of the motor group by means of a transistorized circuit.

When the cam 3 continues its movement, it meets the contact E17 which acts upon the solenoid K] of the electrohydraulic valve K operating through the intermediary of the piston 44 of the cylinder 43 a progressive tilting movement frontwards of the casting ladle 41, and consequently the casting of the metal into the mold 2.

As soon as the cam 3 arrives at the meeting point with the contact E8, the casting wheel 1 stops its rotation.

The meeting of the cam 3 with the contact E8 actuates, by acting upon the solenoid L1 of the electro-pneumatic valve L, the downward stroke of the piston 48 and of a solitary sensing device 53 as shown in FIG. 2 and in FIG. 8.

The meeting of the cam 3 with the contact E8, acts upon the electro-pneumatic valve R and starts the withdrawal of the anode in position A from the mold, effecting the lowering of the discharge pincers, the principal cylinder of which is shown at 6 in FIG. 2 (but the details of which are shown more clearly in FIGS. 3, 4 and a and 5b).

The meeting of the cam 3 with the contact E8 starts the coating operation of the mold which is in the position C and of the head of the discharge rod 12 (which has not been shown in FIG. 2 but the details of which are shown in FIG. 7).

As soon as the metal liquid comes into contact with the sensing device 53 in the mold in casting position D, an electric current is established which acts upon the solenoid K2 of the electro-hydraulic valve K which actuates the straightening to an upright position of the casting ladle 41 through the intermediary of the piston 44 of the cylinder 43.

Simultaneously, the electric current acts upon the solenoid L2 of the electro-pneumatic valve L which effects a rapid upward stroke of the piston 48 and of the sensing device 53, and acts upon the motor M for restarting the casting wheel 1.

The cam 3 continues its movement and meets the contact E11 which acts upon the electro-pneurnatic valve S to start the spraying of the mold which passes from position B to position C, by means of spray guns 62 receiving a suspension of crushed quartz of flour fineness from a tank 63.

The various steps of the discharge operation in the position A, are shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 and are described hereinafter:

The meeting of the cam 3 and of the contact E8 serving to stop the casting wheel 1 starts the withdrawal of the anodes from the molds. The contact E8 acts upon the solenoid R1 of the electro-pneumatic valve R which actuates a downward stroke of the piston 5 of the cylinder 6, the rod 4 of which carries at its end a cylinder 7 containing a piston 9 and its rod 8 which drives the movement of the pincers 10. Simultaneously, the contact E8 acts through the intermediary of a stop device E4 clutched by a carriage 16 in a position above the mold 2 of the anode which is to be withdrawn, and upon a solenoid T1 of an electro-pneumatic valve T which actuates the upwards stroke of the rod 13 of the piston 14 of the cylinder 15, the rod 13 lifting the discharge rod 12; the rod 12 lifts the anode ll situated in the mold in an inclined position, as shown in FIG. 3.

When the rod l3 of the piston 14 arrives at its upper dead point, it engages a stop device E which brings the motor M to a standstill.

During the downward stroke of the piston 5, a cam fixed upon a rod 29 and integral with the rod 4 of the piston 5 engages a contact E6 which acts as second locking means for the motor M.

When the piston 5 arrives at the lower dead point, a cam of the rod 29 meets the contact E3 which acts upon the solenoid U1 of the electro-pneumatic valve U which actuates the downward stroke of the piston 9 of the cylinder 7, the rod 8 of which closes the pincers 10 upon the side edges of the anode 11 in the inclined position inside the mold 2.

Simultaneously, the contact E3 acts upon the slow acting relay 30 which acts with a delay upon the solenoid R2 of the electro pneumatic valve R, the latter actuating the upward stroke of the piston 5 of the cylinder 6.

During the upward stroke of the piston 5, a cam of the rod 29 actuates the contact E6 in an opposite direction and partially frees the motor M.

The meeting during the upward stroke of the piston S of a cam of the rod 29 with the contact E2 acts upon the solenoid T2 of the valve T, which produces the downward stroke of the piston 14 and of the rod 13, and the return of the discharge rod 12 into the cavity of its mold.

The downward stroke of the rod 13 drives the contact E10 in an opposite direction, thus freeing the motor M.

It follows that the machine 1 cannot rotate as long as the discharge rod 12 is in the raised position and/or as long as the pincers 10 are in the lower position.

The length of time during which the casting wheel is stopped may be changed so as to adapt it to the discharge cycle, to the step of casting liquid copper into anodes, and the change of the said length of time of the stoppage period may be effected by modifying the position of the contact E6.

At the end of the upward stroke of the piston 5, a cam of the rod 29 acts upon the arresting device E1 which acts upon the solenoid VI of the electro-pneumatic valve V which drives the piston 19 of the cylinder 20. The piston 19 pushes the carriage 16 along its track 17; the carriage 16 upon which the pincers l0 and the cylinders with compressed air 6 and 7 are mounted advances then towards the cooling tank 21.

When the carriage l6 arrives above the cooling tank 21 at the end of the track 17, it acts upon an arresting device E5 which acts upon the solenoid R1 of the electro-pneumatic valve R; the latter effects the downward stroke of the piston 5 above the tank 2], and this allows also the working of the contacts arranged along the rod 29 to take place under different conditions.

The downward stroke of the piston 5 is interrupted by the action of the contact E2 which opens the circuit of the solenoid R1 and R2 of the valve R in order to close the valve R, thus stopping the inlet of compressed air to the cylinder 6. Simultaneously, the contact E2 acts upon the solenoid U2 of the valve U which effects the upward stroke of the piston 9 of the cylinder 7 and the opening of the pincers 10.

The anode 11 is thus deposited into the cooling tank 21 filled with water, the suspension lugs 22 of the anode 11 entering the first groove 23 of two conveying chains 24 and the lower edge of the anode 1] bearing against a notch 25 of the tank 21.

The contact E2 acts simultaneously upon the slow action relay 30 which acts with a delayed action upon the solenoid R2 of the valve R which effects the upward stroke of the piston 5 of the cylinder 6.

At the end of the upward stroke of the piston 5, a cam of the rod 29 acts upon the arresting or stopping device El which acts upon the solenoid V2 of the valve V, and the latter starts through the intermediary of the piston 19 a movement in an opposite direction of the carriage 16. The latter brings the pincers 10 in an open position above the molds 2.

Simultaneously, the arresting device E 1 acts upon the valve W which actuates the piston 26 of the cylinder 27, the piston 26 actuating a ratchet wheel 28 which displaces the chains 24 through a groove 23.

The lower edge of the anode 11 leaves the notch 25 of the tank 21 and the anode tilts in a vertical position in the tank 2 l.

The anodes are thus placed one next to the other inside the tank 21 whence they are taken together by a crane or the like (not shown) and a rocking lever known "per se" (not illustrated).

Referring to FIGS. 50 and 5b The pincers for withdrawing the anodes 11 consist of four linked arms 10 ending by corrugated grippers 31 which seize the anodes 11 by their side edges.

The movements of opening and closing of the arms 10 which are linked upon hinges 69 are effected by means of two crossbars 32 linked to each pair of arms 10 by means of studs 68 passing with play through slots 33 bored in the arms 10.

Under the action of the rod 8 of the piston 9 moving in the cylinder 7, each crossbar 32 which is connected with the rod 8, closes or opens the grippers 31 by displacing the studs 68 in the slots 33.

Referring now to FIG. 6

While the withdrawal cycle is carried into effect on the mold shown in position A in FIG. 1, the mold in the position B, which may be the mold which follows immediately after the mold subjected to a withdrawal operation or may be another mold which follows, is subjected to the operation for the control of the position of the rod 12.

it may happen indeed that the rod 12 does not fall into. the correct position in its cavity, and that consequently it goes beyond the bottom of the mold.

It may also happen that the rod fails to act, which happens for instance when the head of the discharge rod has broken, or remains stuck in the anode when the latter is withdrawn by the pincers 10.

It may also happen that the head of the discharge rod is worn out and that it penetrates too far in its cavity in the mold 2.

A system such as shown in H6. 6 and which is described hereinafter, allows of controlling the position of the rod 12 after the anode has been withdrawn from the mold.

A metal box 34 provided with two sensing devices 35 and 36 is hung to the rod 37 of the piston 38 of a pneumatic cylinder 39 fed by a electro-pneumatic valve Y.

Under the action of a contact E2 shown in FIG. 3, which contact is the same as that used for actuating the closing of the pincers upon the anode 11 in an inclined position during the withdrawal of the anode from its mold and acting upon the electro-pneumatic valve Y, the piston 38 lowers the metal box 34 and the sensing devices into the cavity 40 of the mold 2 at the point where the head 54 of the rod 12 is situated. The metal box 34 comes into contact with the cavity 40 and strikes upon the head of the rod 12 in order to place it if necessary in its initial position. The sensing device 35 which is situated exactly above the head 54 of the rod 12 and the other sensing device 36 which is situated upon the bottom 40 of the mold move away simultaneously inside the box 34, without operating the contacts E12 and E13 adapted to each of the sensing devices 35 and 36 and connected with a hooter (not illustrated). lf now the rod 12 fails to act or if it is not perfectly placed in position, in spite of the striking to which it had been subjected, (that is if the sensing devices are not situated at the same level inside the mold), the hooter works through the intermediary of the arresting devices E12 or E13 adapted to each sensing device, and ofsprings 55.

The upward stroke of the piston 38 is actuated through the intermediary of the valve Y, and of the contact E2 which also starts the downward stroke of the rod 12 (as shown in FIG. 3) in the withdrawal cycle.

Referring now to FIG. 7:

While the withdrawal cycle of the mold has taken place in the position A and the operation of control of the position of the rod 12 of the mold has taken place in the position B, the mold in the position C (which mold is situated, after the molds subjected to the previous operations) is subjected to an operation for coating the head 54 of the rod 12 with a suspension known per se" consisting of a refractory mixture .in water. Also, the mold leaving the position B for the position C is automatically subjected during its travel between the two positions to a spraying by means of solutions known per se, for instance a mixture of crushed quartz having the fineness of flour, by means of spray-guns 62, such as those sold under the commercial name Murphy.

In the example illustrated in FIG. 7, the meeting of the cam 3 with the contact E8, which also actuates the stoppage of the casting wheel 1 and the starting of the withdrawal cycle, actuates an electro-pneumatic valve X which actuates an alternating movement of a pneumatic piston 56 moving in a cylinder 57.

The rod of the piston is provided at its end with a cap 58 which is immersed in a tank 59 containing a known suspension of a refractory mixture in water.

The alternating motion of the cap 58 integral with the piston 57 opens during a small interval of time an orifice 60 situated in the bottom of the tank 59, and allowing, during a small interval of time, the liquid suspension to flow upon the head 54 of the rod 12.

In the example shown in FIG. 7 the spraying of the molds 2 with the mixture coming from the spray-guns 62 is started by the meeting of the cam 3 fixed to the casting wheel, with the contact E11 (see FIG. 2), which contact actuates an electropneumatic valve 5 sending compressed air to the spray guns 62, thus producing a suction of the mixture 64 contained in the tank 63, and projects it upon the bottom 40 of the mold 2.

The spraying which is effected during the working of the machine, is interrupted by a slow acting relay, not shown, acting upon the electro-pneumatic S in order to stop it after a predetermined interval of time such that the mold shall be completely sprayed.

With reference now to FIG. 8

While the cycle is applied to a mold in the position A, and the operation of control of the position of the discharge rod on the mold in the position B takes place, and the operations of spraying and of coating the head of the discharge rod 12 of the mold in the position C are carried out, the mold which is in the position D in front of the oven is subjected to the operation of filling the mold.

The operation of filling the mold is effected by an automatic tilting frontwards of a casting ladle 41 fed by a channel G in connection with the oven H FIG. 1).

The movements of the casting ladle 41 are obtained by means of a hydraulic cylinder 43 fed by a pump 45 driven by a motor 46 through the intermediary of an electro hydraulic valve K which acts upon the piston 44 of the cylinder 43. The hydraulic circuit is closed upon the tank 47.

When the cam 3 meets a contact E17 (E16. 2), the electrohydraulic valve K feeds the upper part of the cylinder 43 and acts upon the upper part of the piston 44 which actuates the progressive tilting movement frontwards of the ladle 41 by means of a pulley 65 and of a cable 66. The said progressive movement is obtained by means of a known system, not shown, of diaphragms adapted to be regulated, which are inserted in the hydraulic circuit of the cylinder 43.

It is to be noted that the tilting frontwards of the ladle 41 started by the meeting of the contact E17 with the cam 3 fixed to the casting wheel 1 takes place after braking (by the meeting of the contact E7 with the cam 3), but before the stoppage of the casting wheel 1, (effected through the meeting of the contact E8 with the cam 3) as shown in F IG. 2. The casting is thus commenced before the casting wheel is has come to a complete stop.

Whilst the filling operation of the mold has commenced, the meeting of the contact E8 (which acts to stop the casting wheel) with the cam 3 actuates also the downward stroke of the piston 48 of the pneumatic cylinder 49 which is placed in a vertical position above the mold near the point where the filling of the casting ladle 41 takes place.

A rod 50 for the piston 48 connected, as shown in F IG. 8, by means of an insulated small rod 51 with a rod 52 provided at its end with a sensing device 53 made of graphite, is lowered fairly slowly to bear against the edge of the mold 2, so that the sensing device 53 shall not receive a copper jet. The slow downward movement of the sensing device 53 is obtained by means of a known system of diaphragms (not illustrated) which is inserted in the pneumatic circuit of the cylinder 49.

Under these conditions, the sensing device 53 made of graphite is situated above the cavity of the mold at a distance from the bottom of the mold which corresponds to the thickness required for the anode to be cast.

When the liquid copper comes into contact with the sensing device 53, the electric current thus closed actuates the solenoid L2 of the electro-pneumatic valve L which operates the rapid withdrawal of the piston 48 carrying with it the sensing device 53. The rapid withdrawal of the piston 48 is obtained by a known system, non illustrated, for instance by a valve for the rapid withdrawal of compressed air contained in the upper part of the cylinder 49.

The electric current thus closed by the contact of the liquid metal with the sensing device 53, acts also through the intermediary of the electro-hydraulic valve K upon the casting ladle 41 which re-takes its upward position very rapidly, thus stopping the casting operation. The rapid movement back into the upward position is obtained by means of a known system (non illustrated) of diaphragms which are adapted to be regulated, placed in the hydraulic circuit of the cylinder 43, and permitting to remove quickly any oil contained in the upper part of the cylinder 43.

The electric current thus established by the contact of the sensing device 53 with the liquid copper, actuates also the starting of the casting wheel 1, through the intermediary of an electrical connection 67 actuating the motor M of the casting wheel 1, provided the latter is not stopped by the arresting device E10 and E6 explained for the withdrawal cycle, thus permitting a new rotation of one-sixteenth of the revolution of the casting wheel.

When the casting wheel has started its rotary movement, a metal brush (not illustrated) removes any burrs from the graphite rod.

What l claim is:

I. An apparatus for casting anodes comprising:

A rotatably mounted casting wheel; a plurality of molds spaced equidistantly around the periphery of said casting wheel; a motor to impart movement to said casting wheel; first electrical detecting means operatively connected to said motor to decelerate said motor and thus decelerate said rotatably mounted casting wheel when one of said molds approaches a first work station; a ladle for containing molten metal mounted to pour molten metal into one of said molds situated at said first work station; at least one fluid activated first cylinder and piston; linkage between said first piston and said ladle to translate movement from said first cylinder to said ladle; means to control the flow of working fluid to said first cylinder; second electric detecting means operatively associated with said first cylinder flow control means to signal said first cylinder flow control means that one of said molds is approaching said first work station and to cause said ladle to commence the pouring event while said mold is approaching said first work station; at least one adjustable electrically conductive sensing device positioned over said first work station mounted to allow its movement into and out of one of said molds located in said first work station; at least one fluid activated second cylinder and piston attached to said sensing device to impart motion thereto to move said sensing device into and out of one of said molds located in said first work station; means to control the flow of working fluid to said second cylinder; third electrical detecting means operatively associated with said motor and second cylinder flow control means to signal said motor that one of said molds in said first work station and to stop said motor, thus stopping said rotatably mounted casting wheel locating one of said molds at said first work station, and to signal said second cylinder flow control means that a mold is in said first work station to cause said sensing device to move into said mold; and electrical circuitry connecting said sensing device with said first and second cylinder flow control means, and said motor to transmit an electric signal from said sensing device upon contact of the molten metal in said mold with said sensing device, thus completing an electric circuit signalling the completion of a pouring event, causing the retraction of said sensing device from said mold, return of the ladle to an upright position, and starting of said motor to impart a movement to said casting wheel to position another of said molds at said first work station.

2. An apparatus for casting anodes according to claim 1, wherein a discharge rod is located through the bottom of each of said molds to aid in extracting said anode from each of molds by pushing said anode partially out of said mold.

3. An apparatus for casting anodes according to claim 2, in cluding:

a housing mounted to allow its movement into and out of said mold is located over said mold at a second work station, and is adapted to strike said discharge rod to properly seat it in said mold; at least two spaced apart retractable sensing devices disposed in said housing such that a portion of each of said sensing devices extends downwardly therefrom, one of said sensing devices is located over said discharge rod to contact a head of said rod and the other of said sensing devices IS located a distance from said discharge rod to contact the bottom of said mold to determine if said discharge rod is seated properly in said mold; a hooter; two electrical contacts located in said housing, one of said contacts being operatively associated with one of said sensing devices and said hooter, and the other of said contacts being operatively associated with the other of said sensing devices and said hooter to produce an audio signal if said discharge rod is not properly seated; at least one fluid activiated third cylinder and piston attached to said housing to impart motion thereto to move said housing and said sensing devices into and out of said mold; and means to control the flow of working fluid to said third cylinder, said means activating said third cylinder upon a signal that one of said molds is in position under said housing at said second work station.

4. An apparatus for casting anodes according to claim 3, wherein spray means is located over said mold at a third work station to coat the protruding end of said discharge rod with a refractory material.

5. An apparatus for casting anodes according to claim 4, wherein a spray means is located between said second and third work stations to coat a mold cavity with a refractory material.

l l t

Claims (5)

1. An apparatus for casting anodes comprising: A rotatably mounted casting wheel; a plurality of molds spaced equidistantly around the periphery of said casting wheel; a motor to impart movement to said casting wheel; first electrical detecting means operatively connected to said motor to decelerate said motor and thus decelerate said rotatably mounted casting wheel when one of said molds approaches a first work station; a ladle for containing molten metal mounted to pour molten metal into one of said molds situated at said first work station; at least one fluid activated first cylinder and piston; linkage between said first piston and said ladle to translate movement from said first cylinder to said ladle; means to control the flow of working fluid to said first cylinder; second electric detecting means operatively associated with said first cylinder flow control means to signal said first cylinder flow control means that one of said molds is approaching said first work station and to cause said ladle to commence the pouring event while said mold is approaching said first work station; at least one adjustable electrically conductive sensing device positioned over said first work station mounted to allow its movement into and out of one of said molds located in said first work station; at least one fluid activated second cylinder and piston attached to said sensing device to impart motion thereto to move said sensing device into and out of one of said molds located in said first work station; means to control the flow of working fluid to said second cylinder; third electrical detecting means operatively associated with said motor and second cylinder flow control means to signal said motor that one of said molds in said first work station and to stop said motor, thus stopping said rotatably mounted casting wheel locating one of said molds at said first work station, and to signal said second cylinder flow control means that a mold is in said first work station to cause said sensing device to move into said mold; and electrical circuitry connecting said sensing device with said first and second cylinder flow control means, and said motor to transmit an electric signal from said sensing device upon contact of the molten metal in said mold with said sensing device, thus completing an electric circuit signalling the completion of a pouring event, causing the retraction of said sensing device from said mold, return of the ladle to an upright position, and starting of said motor to impart a movement to said casting wheel to position another of said molds at said first work station.

2. An apparatus for casting anodes according to claim 1, wherein a discharge rod is located through the bottom of each of said molds to aid in extracting said anode from each of molds by pushing said anode partially out of said mold.

3. An apparatus for casting anodes according to claim 2, including: a housing mounted to allow its movement into and out of said mold is located over said mold at a second work station, and is adapted to strike said discharge rod to properly seat it in said mold; at least two spaced apart retractable sensing devices disposed in said housing such that a portion of each of said sensing devices extends downwardly therefrom, one of said sensing devices is located over said discharge rod to contact a head of said rod and the other of said sensing devices is located a distance from said discharge rod to contact the bottom of said mold to determine if said discharge rod is seated properly in said mold; a hooter; two electrical contacts located in said housing, one of said contacts being operatively associated with one of said sensing devices and said hooter, and the other of said contacts being operatively associated with the other of said sensing devices and said hooter to produce an audio signal if said discharge rod is not properly seated; at least one fluid activiated third cylinder and piston attached to said housing to impart motion thereto to move said housing and said sensing devices into and out of said mold; and means to control the flow of working fluid to said third cylinder, said means activating said third cylinder upon a signal that one of said molds is in position under said housing at said second work station.

4. An apparatus for casting anodes according to claim 3, wherein spray means is located over said mold at a third work station to coat the protruding end of said discharge rod with a refractory material.

5. An apparatus for casting anodes according to claim 4, wherein a spray means is located between said second and third work stations to coat a mold cavity with a refractory material.

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