US3877620A - Metal valve for battery grid casting machine - Google Patents

Metal valve for battery grid casting machine Download PDF

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Publication number
US3877620A
US3877620A US435830A US43583074A US3877620A US 3877620 A US3877620 A US 3877620A US 435830 A US435830 A US 435830A US 43583074 A US43583074 A US 43583074A US 3877620 A US3877620 A US 3877620A
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
housing
combination called
molten metal
lower housing
ball
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Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US435830A
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English (en)
Inventor
Robert R Rader
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Wirtz Manufacturing Co Inc
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Wirtz Manufacturing Co Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Wirtz Manufacturing Co Inc filed Critical Wirtz Manufacturing Co Inc
Priority to US435830A priority Critical patent/US3877620A/en
Priority to GB2348974A priority patent/GB1475127A/en
Priority to CA201,249A priority patent/CA1005401A/en
Priority to DE19742427640 priority patent/DE2427640C3/de
Priority to JP49065661A priority patent/JPS5223768B2/ja
Priority to IT51622/74A priority patent/IT1016100B/it
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3877620A publication Critical patent/US3877620A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B22—CASTING; POWDER METALLURGY
    • B22D—CASTING OF METALS; CASTING OF OTHER SUBSTANCES BY THE SAME PROCESSES OR DEVICES
    • B22D17/00—Pressure die casting or injection die casting, i.e. casting in which the metal is forced into a mould under high pressure
    • B22D17/20—Accessories: Details
    • B22D17/30—Accessories for supplying molten metal, e.g. in rations

Definitions

  • the 251/351 upper housing is fixed and has a feed line for molten [51] Int. Cl B22d 37/00 metal Connected thereto-
  • the lower housing is verti- [58] Field of Search 164/337; 251/147, 347, Cally movable and has a lead discharge line extending 251/351, 222/507, 509, 559, 537 therefrom.
  • a ball valve member is loosely retained on a pedestal in the lower housing and is arranged to seal 5 References Cited with an annular valve seat in the upper housing to UNITED STATES PATENTS control the flow of lead in response to vertical movement of the lower housing.
  • Battery grid casting machines necessarily employ some form of means for dispensing a predetermined amount of molten metal into a mold filling ladle during a predetermined time interval of each cycle of the machine.
  • Such means frequently take the form of a molten metal valve.
  • the valve controls the amount of molten metal discharged to a ladle.
  • the ladle is tipped or rocked to pour the required charge of molten metal into the cavity of the closed mold.
  • Valves of this type must be capable of operating freely without undue friction in order to dispense the requisite charge of molten metal at the proper time. This is particularly true where the quantity of metal dispensed is controlled by opening the valve a predetermined extent for a predetermined time period.
  • valve constructions this is difficult to achieve in view of the fact that the temperature of the molten metal flowing therethrough (for example, 700 1.000 F.) tends to produce distortion and cause misalignment and malfunctioning of the valve. It thus becomes important that such valves be constructed so that their proper functioning is not adversely affected by relatively high temperatures.
  • the present invention has for its object the provision of a molten metal valve of the type described which achieves the aforementioned objectives.
  • the valve of the present invention embodies upper and lower telescopically engaged tubular housings which are axially movable relative to one another.
  • the upper housing is connected to a source of molten metal, such as a lead pot, and the lower housing discharges into a mold filling ladle.
  • the two housings are dimensioned to have a slight clearance between their telescoping side walls to compensate for possible distortion and misalignment due to heat and assembly tolerances.
  • a valve seat is mounted in the upper housing for cooperation with a spherical ball valve member retained in the lower housing.
  • the ball valve member is supported for lateral rolling movement on a flat hard metal surface so that it will align itself readily with the valve seat when the two housings are moved relatively toward one another.
  • the ball valve member is surrounded by an open retaining cage which limits the lateral excursion of the ball so that it is at all times located in a self'aligning position relative to the valve seat.
  • FIG. I is a fragmentary perspective view of the valve and valve operating mechanism of the present invention.
  • FIG. 2 is a fragmentary elevational view of a portion of the mechanism shown in FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional view of the valve in the closed position
  • FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 and illustrating the valve closed with the valve components in a slightly misaligned condition
  • FIG. 5 is a sectional view along the line 55 in FIG. 3;
  • FIG. 6 is a generally diagrammatic showing of the molten metal feed system for the machine.
  • a heated lead pot is shown at I0.
  • a pump 12 suitably driven by a motor 14.
  • the outlet of pump 12 connects with a vertically extending feed line 16 having an inverted U-shaped return bend 18 connected with a downwardly extending return line 20, the lower end of which discharges into lead pot 10.
  • a branch feed line 22 connects with feed line I6.
  • Line 22 extends to a molten metal valve, generally designated 24, having a discharge line 26 which discharges into a ladle 28.
  • Ladle 28 is arranged to be tipped during each cycle of the machine to discharge a predetermined amount of molten metal into the grid mold.
  • the extent of ladle tipping is such as to retain a substantial amount of molten metal in the ladle at all times.
  • the ladle charge is replenished with each opening of valve 24.
  • a fitting 30 connected with U-bend 18 is provided for supplying inert gas to the molten metal flowing through lines 16, 20 and 22.
  • motor 14 and pump 12 are operated continuously to feed molten metal upwardly through line 16 and to line 22.
  • the excess metal returns to the lead pot through return line 20. It will be observed that in the arrangement illustrated the molten metal at valve 24 is subjected to a constant pressure head. After each opening of valve 24 ladle 28 tips to discharge into the grid mold a predetermined portion of the molten metal therein.
  • This mechanism includes a pedestal 32 suitably mounted on a frame member 34 of the grid casting machine. On the upper end of pedestal 32 there is mounted a cross arm 36 carrying at one end a vertical mounting plate 38 and a horizontally extending support bar 40.
  • a pneumatic cylinder 42 is mounted on mounting plate 38 by an L- shaped bracket 44.
  • An adjusting screw 46 is employed for vertically shifting cylinder 42.
  • a piston rod 48 projects upwardly through the upper end of cylinder 42.
  • An air line 50 is connected to the lower end of cylinder 42. Cylinder 42 is operated by a timer-controlled solenoid valve 52.
  • a threaded bushing 54 extends downwardly through support bar 40 in axially aligned relation with cylinder 42.
  • the end of support bar 40 through which bushing 54 is threaded is axially split and provided with a clamping screw 56. After bushing 54 is vertically adjusted to the desired position, screw 56 is tightened to lock bushing 54 in its adjusted position.
  • the free upper end of piston rod 48 is provided with a vertically adjustable tip 58 which normally abuts the enlarged head 60 of a vertically shiftable pin 62 extending through bushing 54.
  • the extent to which pin 62 can shift vertically upwardly from the position shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is limited by the lower end face of the threaded shank 64 of bushing 54.
  • Upstanding arms 66 are securely mounted on cross arm 36 intermediate its ends and a lever 68 is pivoted between the upper ends of arms 66, as at 70.
  • a lever 68 is pivoted between the upper ends of arms 66, as at 70.
  • At one end lever 68 carries a weighted member 72.
  • At its opposite end lever 68 is formed with an upwardly opening, U-shaped fulcrum 74.
  • a vertical link 76 has its upper end pivotably supported in fulcrum 74 by means of a pivot pin 78.
  • a counterweight is fixedly mounted on link 76 adjacent pivot pin 78.
  • valve 24 comprises an upper housing 82 and a lower housing 84.
  • Upper housing 82 is in the form of an inverted cup which is fixedly mounted on the other end of cross arm 36 by a mounting plate 86.
  • Lower housing 84 is likewise of cup shape and is fixedly mounted to the lower end of link 76.
  • link 76 has been displaced circumferentially in FIGS. 3 and 4 relative to its position as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2.
  • Housings 82, 84 are telescopically engaged as illustrated, the inner diameter of housing 82 being slightly larger than the outer diameter of housing 84 so that there is a slight clearance 88 between the side walls of these housings. This clearance is preferably on the order of 0.0l 0.020 inches.
  • pivot pin 78 (by means of which link 76 is fulcrumed on lever 68) is axially aligned with the center axes of housings 82, 84.
  • counterweight 80 is designed and arranged to maintain the lower housing in a generally co-axially aligned relation with the upper housing.
  • Fitting 90 which extends vertically through the end wall of the housing.
  • the upper end of fitting 90 is threaded as at 92 for connection with the feed line 22 from lead pot l0.
  • Fitting 90 has a central passageway 94 which terminates at its lower end in a threaded opening 96.
  • valve seat member 98 Within opening 96 there is threaded a valve seat member 98, the vertical position of which is determined by the thickness of a spacer 100.
  • Valve seat member 98 is centrally apertured and in open communication with the central passageway 94 of fitting 90.
  • At its lower end member 98 is formed with an accurately ground annular seat 102.
  • Valve seat member 98 is formed ofa wear and temperature resistant metal, such as stainless steel or lllium B (a nickel-chromium-molybdenum-copper alloy).
  • Lower housing 84 has a radially inclined bottom wall 104. the lowermost portion of which is in open communication with discharge line 26 through an aperture 106. Within bottom wall 104 there is embedded a pedestal 108 formed or a hard, temperature-resistant metal. The upper end of pedestal 108 is ground with a smooth flat face 110 which is perpendicular to the central axis of housing 84. On the flat face 110 of pedestal 108 there is supported an accurately spherical carbide ball 112. Ball 112 is free to roll on flat face 110 within the limits defined by a retaining cage comprises of four upstanding pins 114.
  • the radius of the circle defined by the radially innermost portions of pins 114 exceeds the radius of ball 112 by at least the radial clearance space 88 between the side walls of housings 82, 84. Pins 114 limit the lateral excursion of ball 112 to a distance less than the radius of annular valve seat 102. Thus, regardless of the extent of vertical misalignment between housings 82, 84, ball 112 will always align itself properly and seal with the annular valve seat 102.
  • valve 24 is opened and closed by shifting lower housing 84 vertically.
  • the valve may be opened during each cycle of the machine by any suitable means.
  • the means for operating the valve includes a switch 116 which is arranged to be actuated by any component of the battery grid casting machine which moves in timed relation to the opening and the closing of the mold.
  • switch 116 can be actuated by a bar or rod connected to the movable section of the mold.
  • Switch 116 actuates a preset timer which energized solenoid 52 for a predetermined period of time. For example, if each cycle of the machine has a duration of about 3 seconds, then valve 24 may be opened for three-quarters to one and one-quarter seconds.
  • piston rod 48 When solenoid 52 is energized piston rod 48 is displaced upwardly to an extent such that the enlarged head 60 of pin 62 engages the lower end face of the threaded shank 64 of bushing 54.
  • the upper end of pin 62 engages the lower end face of the threaded shank 64 of bushing 54.
  • the upper end of pin 62 engages the bottom face of weight 72.
  • Weight 72 in combination with tension spring 118 normally rocks lever, 68 in a counterclockwise direction, thus urging ball 112 to engage valve seat 102 and thereby effectively close the valve.
  • the vertical position of cylinder 42 is adjusted by screw 46 so that the upper end of pin 62 is spaced slightly below the bottom face of weight 72 when the valve is closed.
  • inert gas to the space enclosed by housings 82, 84 through a conduit 122 connected with the upper housing 82, as at 124. While a small amount of inert gas may escape from within the housings at the clearance space 88 between the housings, this amount is not substantial since, as pointed out above, the clearance space 88 only amounts to about 0.0l0 0.020 inches.
  • the outer diameter of fitting 90 is sufficiently smaller than the inner diameter of housing 82 so as to provide an annular space therebetween for the introduction of inert gas.
  • the bottom wall of housing 84 is inclined.
  • valve of this invention is also constructed to facilitate servicing and cleaning thereof.
  • molten metal valves of the type described must be cleaned periodically.
  • the present valve can be disassembled for cleaning without requiring the use of tools. To disassemble the valve it is merely necessary to lift weight 72 and, thus, lower housing 84 sufficiently to disengage it from within housing 82. Thereafter link 76 is raised to release it from the upwardly opening fulcrum 745 and the two sections of the valve are accessible for cleaning.
  • the operation of the casting machine is cyclical, it is not absolutely necessary that the molten metal valve be opened and closed during each cycle of the machine. If desired, the valve can remain open continuously during machine operation and the rate of metal flow controlled by a metering valve in the molten metal feed line. With this mode of operation it is nevertheless essential that the valve produce a fluid-tight seal when it is closed periodically upon an intentional stopping or interruption of the machine operation for servicing and the like.
  • a valve for dispensing molten metal to a mold filling ladle comprising, upper and lower tubular housings having their central axes extending generally vertically in generally coaxially aligned relation, the lower end of said upper housing and the upper end of said lower housing being in open communication with one another and telescopically engaged, one of said housings being supported in fixed position on the machine and the other being mounted on the machine for vertical movement, means for shifting said movable housing vertically, said upper housing having a bore therein which opens vertically downwardly, said bore terminating at its lower end in an annular valve seat which is generally co-axial with said upper housing, said valve seat being disposed below said upper end of said lower housing, an inlet conduit for molten metal connected with said bore, said lower housing having an upstanding pedestal therein, said pedestal having a generally flat upper end face lying in the plane perpendicular to the axis of said housing, a
  • said cage means comprises a plurality of pins spaced circumferentially around said ball and defining a circle having a diameter slightly larger than the diameter of said ball.
  • the combination called for in claim 6 including a vertically extending fitting in said upper housing, said fitting having an outer diameter less than the inner diameter of said housings so as to provide an annular space between said fitting and the side walls of said housings and an inlet conduit for inert gas on said upper housing discharging into said annular space.
  • inlet conduit is connected with a source of molten metal at a constant pressure head and means for moving said lower housing downwardly a predetermined distance at regular intervals for a predetermined period of time for dispensing a predetermined charge of molten metal during each cycle of the machine.
  • the combination called for in claim 6 including a generally horizontally disposed lever supported for pivotal movement in a vertical plane, said lower housing being supported by a portion of said lever remote from the pivotal support of said lever, said means for shifting said movable housing comprising means for pivoting said lever.
  • the combination called for in claim 10 including a generally vertically extending link fixedly connected to and extending upwardly from said lower housing, said link having its upper end pivotally connected with said lever.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Casting Support Devices, Ladles, And Melt Control Thereby (AREA)
  • Cell Electrode Carriers And Collectors (AREA)
  • Lift Valve (AREA)
US435830A 1974-01-23 1974-01-23 Metal valve for battery grid casting machine Expired - Lifetime US3877620A (en)

Priority Applications (6)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US435830A US3877620A (en) 1974-01-23 1974-01-23 Metal valve for battery grid casting machine
GB2348974A GB1475127A (en) 1974-01-23 1974-05-28 Valves for dispensing molten metal in casting machines parti cularly in battery grid casting machines
CA201,249A CA1005401A (en) 1974-01-23 1974-05-30 Metal valve for battery grid casting machine
DE19742427640 DE2427640C3 (de) 1974-01-23 1974-06-07 Vent» für geschmolzenes Metall
JP49065661A JPS5223768B2 (it) 1974-01-23 1974-06-11
IT51622/74A IT1016100B (it) 1974-01-23 1974-06-19 Perfezionamento negli apparecchi per la produzione per colata di griglie di piastre per accumulatori al piombo

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US435830A US3877620A (en) 1974-01-23 1974-01-23 Metal valve for battery grid casting machine

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3877620A true US3877620A (en) 1975-04-15

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US435830A Expired - Lifetime US3877620A (en) 1974-01-23 1974-01-23 Metal valve for battery grid casting machine

Country Status (5)

Country Link
US (1) US3877620A (it)
JP (1) JPS5223768B2 (it)
CA (1) CA1005401A (it)
GB (1) GB1475127A (it)
IT (1) IT1016100B (it)

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4083478A (en) * 1976-11-22 1978-04-11 Wirtz Manufacturing Company, Inc. Molten metal shut-off valve utilizing cooling to solidify metal flow
US4187966A (en) * 1978-08-23 1980-02-12 Kalamazoo Manufacturing Company Metal dispensing valve assembly for battery grid casting machine
CN102806338A (zh) * 2011-06-02 2012-12-05 山东瑞宇蓄电池有限公司 蓄电池板栅铸造机及其铅液控制装置
CN102990048A (zh) * 2012-12-06 2013-03-27 江苏三环实业股份有限公司 一种悬臂式铅液输出装置

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US953154A (en) * 1909-05-15 1910-03-29 William H Pride Jr Waste-valve for washbowls.
US3786962A (en) * 1971-11-15 1974-01-22 Kalamazoo Mfg Co Molten metal dosing system

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US953154A (en) * 1909-05-15 1910-03-29 William H Pride Jr Waste-valve for washbowls.
US3786962A (en) * 1971-11-15 1974-01-22 Kalamazoo Mfg Co Molten metal dosing system

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4083478A (en) * 1976-11-22 1978-04-11 Wirtz Manufacturing Company, Inc. Molten metal shut-off valve utilizing cooling to solidify metal flow
US4187966A (en) * 1978-08-23 1980-02-12 Kalamazoo Manufacturing Company Metal dispensing valve assembly for battery grid casting machine
CN102806338A (zh) * 2011-06-02 2012-12-05 山东瑞宇蓄电池有限公司 蓄电池板栅铸造机及其铅液控制装置
CN102806338B (zh) * 2011-06-02 2014-11-19 山东瑞宇蓄电池有限公司 蓄电池板栅铸造机及其铅液控制装置
CN102990048A (zh) * 2012-12-06 2013-03-27 江苏三环实业股份有限公司 一种悬臂式铅液输出装置
CN102990048B (zh) * 2012-12-06 2015-02-04 江苏三环实业股份有限公司 一种悬臂式铅液输出装置

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB1475127A (en) 1977-06-01
IT1016100B (it) 1977-05-30
DE2427640A1 (de) 1975-07-24
JPS50104724A (it) 1975-08-19
CA1005401A (en) 1977-02-15
JPS5223768B2 (it) 1977-06-27
DE2427640B2 (de) 1976-09-16

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