US924858A - Casting apparatus. - Google Patents

Description

B. B. VAN WAGNER. CASTING APPARATUS. APPLICATION rum) DEO.26,1908.

924 5 Patented June15, 1909.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

E. B. VAN WAGNER. CASTING APPARATUS. APPLICATION FILED DEO.26,1908.

924,858. Patented June 15, 1909.

6 SHEETS-BEBE! 2.

E. B. VAN WAGNER. CASTING APPARATUS.

APPLIOATION FILED DBO. 26,1908.

Patented June15, 1909..

6 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

Hiya/r18 E. B. VAN WAGNER. CASTING APPARATUS. APPLICATION nun nno.2s,190a.

924,858, Patented June 15,1909.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

E. B. VAN WAGNER. GASTING APPARATUS. APPLICATION FILED DEO.28,1908.

924,858. Patented June 15,1909.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 6.

ELBERT B. VAN WAGNER, OF SYRACUSE, NEW YORK.

GASTIN G APPARATUS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 15, 1909.

' Application filed December 26, 1908. Serial No. 469,238.

To all whom it may c'neer1l:

Be it known that I, ELBERT B. VAN WAG- NER, citizen of the United States, residing at Syracuse, in the county of Onondaga and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Casting Apparatus, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements-in casting apparatus, and has for its object the providm of device for making what is 7 common y known as finished castin s, ,wherein the molten metal is forced into t e molds or dies by fluid pressure, and wherein all of the workin parts of the machine are also operated by Enid pressure, instead of by hand or other means.

This invention relates particularly to improvementsin the casting ap aratus shown and described in my United States Patents numbered 900,802 and 900,803, dated October 13,- 1908.

The invention consists principally of a firebox mounted on a table or stand, in which is sus ended a melting-pot or cylinder,the latter 'eated by means of gas burners in the ordinary manner,- the melting-pot having a filling neck, a res'sureinlet, and a discharge spout for delivering'the molten metal to a mold formed in a die, or in a pair of dies.

, The invention further consists of a (lie frame,'disposed horizontally and mounted on the table at an elevation slightly above the fire-box and melting chamber. The said frame arranged to operatively support the die-sections and other working parts of the device. invention further consists of a fluid pressitre cylinder supported by the frame, and em loyed for opening and closing the dies, as we 1 as for holding the sectionsof the dies together during the-casting;

The invention furtherjconsistsgofa fluid pressure cylinder supported-bythe istonrod of the die-operating cylinder, w ich is em loyed for operating the gate plunger.

. he invention further consists of a shield for inclosing the dies and other parts of the device, to prevent injury to the o erator' by the escape of molten metal during t e casting periods, and of a fluid pressure cylinder for raising and lowering the shield.

The invention further consists of means operable 1n connection with the shield, for

permitting or preventing the discharge ofmolten netal from the melting-pot.

' The, mvntion further consists of means pot, in which the meta for admitting fluid pressure to the meltingpot for forcing the molten metal into the mold to make the casting. And the inventionfurther consists of a common air or other pressure retainer, mounted on the table, the said retainer bein fitted with a series of valves and each va ve rovided with-a han dle or lever ca able of eing o erated independently an sequentially, or supplying pressure to the several cylinders and also to the melting-pot, in the order in which the casting o erations-are to -be carried out. W

Other eatures and parts-of the 'invention will be understood from'the detail description which follows, and by reference to the accompanying drawings which form a part of this specification, and in which Figure 1 is a side elevation of the complete I machine. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the same. Fig. 3 is a central longitudinal section substantially on the line 33 of Fig. 2. Fig. 4

is a front end elevation of the complete mathe shield lifted to permit chine, showin Fig. 5 is an enlarged deaccess to the ie.

tail sectionalview on the line 55 of Fig. 1,

showing the construction and arran ement of one of the fluid pressure valves. ig. 6 isan enlarged detail view of a part of the casting valve. Fig. 7 is a rear end elevation of the machine, showing the shield in its lower V position, as whenthe machine is ready for I casting. Fig. 8 is a crosS-sectionsubstan:

tially on the line 88 of Fig. 2, showing the gating cylinder and the manner of supporting it in working position. Fig. 9 is an enlarged detail view of the nozzle showing the provision foropening and cleaning the same.

Similar characters of reference are assigned to corresponding parts throughout the several views. 1 v

. Inthe drawings, 2 represents a table or stand supported by legs 3, and having a :large slotted o ening. 4 extending centrally from the midd e to near the rear end.

5 re resents a fire-box, which is mounted near t 1e front end of the table, to which it may bev secured in any suitable manner. The fire-box'has'an opentop, which is closed by a removable cover 6, which is preferably applied so as. to make a tight closure of the upper side of'th e box. The cover 6 is secured in place by a series of bolts ,7. The fire-box is preferably lined with asbestos'or some suitable refractory substance '5.

'9, represents a casting-cylinder or meltingis prepared for cast ing. The melting-pot is" preferably cylindrical in form, except its upper side which is made flat for convenience in attaching the ot to the cover 6, by which it is suspended in ,the fire-box. The melting-cylinder is secured to the cover by bolts 10. The metal is placed in the large cylindrical interior 11, and is melted by means of gas flames, the gas beingsupplied by a pair of pipes 12, 12, which enter the fire-box th'roug 1 suitable openings, and extend, one on each side, the full length of the melting-cylinder. 'These gas pipes are erforated (not shown) at close intervals for e purpose of providing a number of gas jets, by which the flames are directed against the under side of the meltingpot. The interior of the melting-chamber is preferably lined with some suitable refractory material, as 11, to prevent the molten metal from coming in contact with the-wallsof the 0t and injuring the same. The gas, as a ru e, is supplied to the melting-potunder considerable" pressure, in order to' produce the required heat.

' 13 re resents a filling passage formed in an upwan y projecting neck or ortion 14, preferably ormed inte rally wit the melting-pot, as best seen in ig. 3. This assage is closed by means of a screw cap 16w ich, in order to make a tight closure of the filling .opgning is screwed down u on a packing 15,

w ch preferably consists o asbestos or other heat resisting material.

17 represents a fluid ressure duct or p assa e formed in the raise portion adjacent the filhng-neck, into which is inserted a pipe 18, through whlch air or other fluid pressure may be admitted to force the molten metal from melting-chamber 11 into themolds.

19 represents a molten metal discharge passage formed in an integral neck or s out 20,-cast on the rear end of the pot, W 'ch passes out through an opening 21 in the fireox, and -inclines upwardly and rearwardly to a height slightly above the top of the cavit of the pot 9. The spout 20 terminates ina orizontal nozzle 22 which is split, and the upper loose section 23 is connected to the stationa art by means of a hinge 24 (see Fig. 9). construction is provided for permittingjhe nozzle to be opened and cleaned, in ease the metal becomes cold and clegs up passage 19.

he die su porting frame consists of four like metallic hare or rods 25, preferably made of steel or iron, and these rods, for convenience and economy in constructingand applying them, are preferably made square 1n cross-section; The guide-rods 25 are preferably disposed in a manner to form a hollow square extending horizontally from near the. middle of the tableto the rear end thereof, and these rods are held in such position by means of a heavy metallic head lece- 26, and two spaced tail pleces 27 and 28, t e rods being pose. Die section 29 is intended to be rigidly mounted on the rear side of head piece 26,

and is preferably held immovable during all the cas'tin operations. Die section 30 is intended to it) rigidly secured to the front face of a movable late or block 31 by bolts or pins 32, and t e die plate is slidable within thedrame, vby means of a series of guides 33,.

which are formed near the inner corners of therods 25. The, guides 33 are employed for the purpose of permitting plate 31 and die section 30 to be operated reciprocally-in the frame in a truly horizontal manner. The

' frame thus described, is supported in its elevated position some distance above the top of the table and concentric to the nozzle 22,

bymeans of a pair of angular brackets 34, which aresecured to the table by bolts 35. The die frame is disposed upon the table directly above the slotted opening 4.

The mold by which a casting is made is sometimes formed in one, but as a general rule, the mold cavity is partly formed in each, of the die sections, asindicated by the numeral 36 (see Fig. 3). The-molten metal reaches the mold by means of a small 011, 37 formed in the die section 29, anIFw iich is dis osed concentric to the nozzle 22.

11 order to carry out the workings of the present machine, the spout 20 is necessarily a foot or more in length, -and in order to reach the die sections, the s out extends for some distance beyond the ire-box. this arrangement it is difficult to maintain the required temperature in the discharge passage 19, so as to )revent the metal-from ecoming chilled be ore-it enters the mold,

Und e1" unless some independent heating means is provided for this part. I

i 39 represents a coiledigas pipe, which sip:-

rounds the discharge throat 20. Each coil of pi e 39 having a number ofperforations 40 rected against the spout 20, forthe purpose .to substantially the same temperature as the -meltingpot within the fire-box. A pipe 41 ormed on its inner circumference, through which gas is discharged, and then burned, the flames from the jets'b'eing di-- supplies gas to the coil 39. The head piece 26 of the frame is provided with a cavity 42 burner for-heating the nozzle, to prevent the cooling of the metal during the casting period. The nozzle heater 43 receives its supformed concentric'tothe'nozzle 22, and with-- .inthiscavity' is placed a coil of gas'pipe43, which surrounds the nozzle and is perforated the same as the coils 39, and forms a gas for the fire-box.

43, and also allows the burned use ply of gas from the coil 39 through a small pipe 44. A vent is formed in the head piece 26 for supplying draft for the burner gas to escape fromthe cavity 42. g 46 re resents a'dischar e pipe for carrying oif the burned gas, as wel as providing draft The working arts of my improved casting machine are a l operated and controlled automatically by pressure, which in the pres:

ent device consists of compressed air, al-

though any other fluid pressure may be employed for operating all of the movable parts with the same results.

As heretofore explained the casting is done by means of air pressure, which enters the melting-chamber through the duct or passage- 17, and forces the molten metal out through the throat19 and nozzle 22, through the port 37 into the mold 36. As soon as the metal enters andfills the mold, the next operation is the f gating of the casting. This is done by a reciprocating plunger 48, which passes through hole 49 formed in die section 30, and is preferably disposed concentric to the port 37. The gate 48 also passes through a hole in the die plate 31 (see Fig. 3).

To properly gate a casting after the mold is filled with molten metal, the plunger 48, is driven inwardly until it enters and closes the port 37, which effects the confining of the molten metal in the mold. The gate is then left in the last position until the metal hardens and the casting is completed.

To operate the gate 48, I provide a small cylinder 50, having a piston (not-shown) common to cylinders of the class, to whichthe gate 48 is connected and also serves as the piston-rod. Air pressure is supplied tocylinder 50 for gating the casting through a pipe 51, and the pressure to release or withdraw gate 48, is supplied through a pipe 52. Die section 30 and its supporting plate 31 are operated reciprocally in the frame, to open and close the mold, y means of a large cylinder 60, which is mounted upon the tail pieces 27 and 28 and is held in place by bolts 61. 1 Cylinder 60 is disposed concentric to the frame and mold the same as gate 48. Cylinder 60 is provided with a piston 62, mounted on a piston-rod 63 which extends through the cylinder, in order to assist in guiding and holding the rod truly concentric to the other parts. One end of piston rod 63 is fitted with a for 64, having four prongs or arms 65, the extremities of the arms being secured to the vertical edges of. the guide block 31,- and by means of which the blockand die section 30 are operated to open and close the mold, The gating cylinder 50 is mounts ed between, and carried backward and'forwardat each opening and closing of the mold by the fork 64. Cylinder 50 is connect- .any

die section 30, to open the mold for the removing of .a casting, is supplied through a pipe 68, and enters the cylinder through a port 68 (see Fig. 3).

' 69 represents a split ring or collar, hinged at one side and clamped on piston'rod 63 for shortening the backward stroke of the piston and die section 30 during the casting period.

'After the die sections have been closed up by the operation of cylinder 60', and before molten metal can be forced into the mold, a shield 70, preferably made of heavy sheet metal in the form shown in the draw-' ings, and which is disposed directly above the die sections, must first be lowered from its upper position shown in Figs. 1,. 3 and 4, to its lower position shown in Fig. 7. This shield is provided to prevent injury to the workmen which might result from the es-- cape of molten metal from between the die sections, or by the bursting'of the discharge spout 20, while'the heavypressure for casting is being applied. 7 The shield 70 is suspended by means of a piston rod 71, whichis operwhich may be supported from the ceiling of the shop or by any other suitable means.

'ated by. a piston (not shown) in a cylinder 72,

The piston rod 71 is operated downwardly by pressure supplied to cylinder 72 through a pipe 73, and it is operated for raising the shield by pressure received through a pipe 74.

In order to render the machine safe, and to prevent accidental application of the pressure to the melting-pot and the forcing of the metal into the mold when the dissections are open, I provide-a valve 7 5, preferably athree-port valve, which is disposed in the pipe 18 above the melting-pot. This valve is operated by a lever 76 which extends upwardly underneath the shield 70, and its free end passes loosely through a slot 71., formed in the lower end of piston rod 71. The arrangement of lever. 76 is such, that when-the shield is raised to its highest position, it closes valve 75 and prevents the pressure from flowing from a supply pipe 77 into the pipe 18, and at the same time opens a port 78 at the underside of the valve 75, for exhausting the air from the melting-pot, and this last provision is made to permit the unused meta remaining in spout 20 after the mold is filled, to gravitate back into chamber 11 followin each casting. o eration. .The full and dotte lines in Fig. 31 lustrate the disposition and operation of the lever 76. a I I To accomplish the automatic 0 eration of the several parts of the apparatus ythe emair or other pressure, Iprovide a ployment 0 common pressure retainer 80, which consists;

of a one-plart cylindrical casting, closed at with a gland-nut 98 which is screweddown one end, t e posite end being fitted with'a on a packing 99.. Each of the seven valves pressure supp y pipe 81, which may be connected with an air pump or other source of pressure, The retainer 80 is mounted on the table 2 by means of flanges 82 and 83 and held in place by bolts 84. To effect the operation of the several cylinders and direct the pressure to the melting-pot for'forcing the molten metal into the mold, I employ seven separate, but like valves, each valve.consist ing1 of a plunger 85, which is disposed vertica y in, and passes through the retainer 80.

Near the lower end of the plunger 85 isformed a cone valve 86, which fits in' a corresponding seat 87 formed in the bottom of the retainer.

. 89 represents a series oi depending tubularextensions or valve casings formed integrally on the underside of the retainer, one foreach of the valves, and which are bored out to receive the lower ends 90 of the plungers or valve stenis 85. Immediately below the valve seat 87, the casings 89 are counterbored, as at 91 to allow the free passage of the pressure from the retainer into the passage occupied by the stem 90. Below this counter-bored portion, the stem 90 is intended to fit the bore closely so as to prevent leakage. of the air past the stem, until the latter is raised upwardly far enough to brin the upper end of a groove or recess 92 formed in the side of the stem opposite the cavity,91. The groove 92 is made V-sha ed as shown in Fig. '5, with the narrow oint isposed so that when the valve is first ifted the feed ofthe pressure through the valve will be slight, and then as the raising of the valve is continued, the flow of air will increase accordingly as the groove becomes wider. This provision is made to afford a gradualrather than a sud den charging of the several cylinders, as 50, a 60 and 72.

The upper ehds of the seven valve plungers project some distance above the top side of the retainer, and to facilitate the constructing and assembling of the valves, a large circular threaded opemng 93 is formed in the top'wall of the retamer concentric to the valve seat 87. This opening is fitted with a threaded bushing 94 through which the plunger 85 passes, and the bushing is counter-bored at its lower end toreceive a packing 95, prov-ided to prevent escape of the pressure around the plunger. The. acki in placeby' a rin 96 which ts in t e counterbore of the bus ing, and the ring is heldin place and the packingrompressed, by a spring 97, which surrounds-the valverod 85 and rests upon the. cone valve 86. The is ring is-also employed to assist the valve in c-lbsing and remainingseated, during the 1ntervals in which no pressure is required for operating the workinglparts of the machine.

The upper end of t e bushing 94 1s fitted 95 is held,

is provided with a hand-lever for use in operating the valves independently. For con-v venience in identif ing and also describing .70

' ignated by letters, as A, B, C, D, E, F and G,

and these letters are assigned in the order in which the several valves are, to be operated during each complete cycle of casting opera-' tion. 'Figs. 1 and 2 show the arrangement of the valves and their operating handles and Fig. 5 shows the construction of the valves. so

The upper ends of the valve plungers are slotted, at 100 to receive the handle bars, which aresecured in place by pins 101. The innerendof each handle is nected by a The seven valves and their fittings including the operating levers are 7 structed and arranged exact y alike, exce t the casting-valve controlled by lever C, t 1e stem of which is provided with a large-groove 92, so as to permit a heavy charge of the pres,- sure to pass to the melting-pot at the mltlal movement of the valve.

I The molten metaleing heavy, and it be? mg necessary to fill t e mold ulckly as ossible, to prevent the chilling o the meta be fore the mold is completely filled, it is 1mportant' that the ressure for casting beapplied strongly an rather suddenly. Flg. 6

shows the size of the roove 92 for the casting valve C, as compared with the like part providedfor the othervalves, as shown 1n 5.

In the operation of the resent machine,

it is essent al that certain of the parts after being operated automatically by theprcssure, be held-for a time in'the position to which-they were set or forced by the appli cation of the ,air. For this ur ose certain ofthe Q rating-levers as A, i Provide with stop levers 104, which are. pivoted at their upper ends to the said levers, as at 105, the lower ends of the stops disposed so that when the levers are raised to the position shown by dotted linesin Fig. 4,

to open the valves, the lower. ends of the stops swing inwardly and catch upon a ledge' or shelf 106 and thus prevent the closing of the valves, and the shutting off of-the pressure, in-ca'se the o erator lets go'the handles l Eben it is time to shut ofi the pressure, the operator may disengage ahead of time.

the stops 1 04,- and allow the handles and valves to ravltate to closed position, as

shown by't e full lines in Fi s. 1, 4 and 5. 1

The several pipes employed or conducting the pressure from-the retainer to the cylinders and melting-pot are connected to their respective valves by means of gland-nuts 107. The pipes 5l and 52. which supply pivotally conn- 1 03 to a bracket 102, the 8 5 latter prefera ly cast with the retainer 80.

referably conand G are. 110

been mounted in place upon head piece 26,,

stood that suitable means may be employed for exhausting the pressure from the several cylinders, after each charging, though none such are shown herein.

The operation of my casting apparatus is as follows: Assuming that die section 29 has and die section 30 has been mounted upon the guide block 31, the operator will first raise the valve lever A to the position shown by dotted lines, Fig. 4, until the stop 104 catches upon the ledge 106. lever A opens the corresponding valve and YtClIIlltS the pressure to pipe 66, which conducts the air to the rear end of cylinder 60, and drives piston 62 in the direction to close up the die sections 29 and 30 ready for eastng, and stop 104 serves to hold the pressure in said cylinder to prevent the separation of the die sections when the metal is forced into the mold. For the second step in the operation, the operator will lift the handle B, and send the pressure through pipe 73 into. cylinder 72, for the lowering offth'e canopy or shield 70 from its upper position shown in Figs. 1, 3 and 4, to its-lower position shown in Fig. 7. The lowering of the shield, carries with it the lever 76, which opensvalve 75, to permit the passage of the pressure from pipe 77 intopipe 18, thence into the melting pot 9. The valve lever B being provided with a stop 104, the latter will hold the valve B open, and prevent the accidental lifting of the shield. The operator will next raise lever C, to open the valve which supplies the pressure to the melting-pot, for forcing the molten metal from the ot through discharge passage 19 into the mo d 36. It is intended that a high pressure be employed for operating the I resent machine, andthat the mold should '11 instantly the valve C is opened.

- pressure into the rear end of cylinder 50, and

The operator will then close valve C, thus confining the pressure in the melting-pot,,

which will hold the metal from gravitating away-from the mold The 0- erator should then quickly raise the lever and send the I drive the gate 48 inwardly through die sections 29 and 30, and also mold cavity 36, until it reaches and closes port 37, which extends between the nozzle 22 and the mold..

Valve D may then be allowed to close. For the next stepthe operator will lift lever E, to send the pressure through ipe 74 into cylinder 7,2, for lifting the shiel to its upper positionf'and'at the same time operating valve 75, to 'closethe same against the flow of pressure from the retainer. The last operation of valve 75 opens port -78 in said valve, to

exhaust the pressure confined in the melting- The lifting of pot, so as to allow the molten metal which ad been held in the discharge passage 19, to gravitate back into the melting-pot. The valve lever E by means of its stop 104, will be held in the open position, to prevent the lowering of the shield until the machine is made ready for a subsequent casting. The sixth step consists of raising lever F, for supplying pressure through pipe 52, to theforward end of cylinder 50 for withdrawing the gate 48. The final step in the cycle of operations consists of releasing the stop of lever A and then raising the lever G, for supplying pressure to the forward end of cylinder 60, to reverse the piston 62, for opening or spreading die sections29 and 30. By this last operation the arms 65 of fork 64 move the die plate 31, and with it the die section 30, to the right, away fromsection 29, a suflicient distance to permit the removal of the casting from the mold. Valve G will then be held in open position by its stop 104 forthe purpose of preventing the accidental closing up of the die sections while the casting is being removed Any of the well known ejecting means may be employed for releasing the casting. After the casting has been re-' moved and the mold cavity cleaned out, the machine is ready for the next cycle of opera tions, the initial step of which consists of releasing the stop of valve G and closing the same, and then opening valve A, to agaln close up the die sections, after which the other steps or o erations already described may be repeate in regular order for each casting. p

It is obvious that many other forms and arrangements of valves ma be employed for directing the pressure to t e several parts of the machine and produce the same results, the essential and important features of the device consistin of the use of a fluid pressure for filling the molds, and for operating the dies, the gate and the shield.

Under the construction, arrangement and" 110 operation of my improved casting apparatus,-

as herein shown anddescribed, it is possible to make'perfect finished castings more,

Patent, is I 1. The combination of a melting-pot and a sectional mold, the said melting-pot having a fluid pressure inlet, and a molten metal outlet, terminating in a split nozzle, the said inlet connecting with a pressure. p1pe, the said pressure pipe having an automatic valve for controlling the flow of pressure tOafiDd from said melting-pot, the said pressure pipe connecting with a retainer by means of a hand controlled valve, .the said mold sections opened and closed by a double headed fluid pressure cylinderythe said cylinder receiving pressure or operating its piston rec1procally through a pair of independent pipes connected by means of independent handcontrolled valves with said retainer, one of 7 said mold sections carrying a gate-plunger,

and the piston-rod of said cylinder carrying a fluid pressure cylinder for operating said gate-plunger, the last named, cylinder con-.

necting with said retainer by means of a pair of pipes and a pair of independentvalves.

' 2. The combination of a melting-pot having a fluid-pressure inlet and a molten metal discharge throat terminating in a split nozzle, and a sectional mold connecting with said pipe, one of said mold sections movabletoward and .from the other section by the piston-rod of a fluid pressure cylinder, the piston-rod of said cylinder supporting a second cylinder adapted to operate a gateplunger carried by said movable mold section, each of said cylinders connected with said retainer by means of a pair of; independent supply pipes and a pair of independent va ves, and a fluid pressure operatedshield adapted to conceal the mold sections during the casting period and also to control the operation of said three-way valve.

3. The combination with a fire-box and a melting-pot, the said pot having a fluid pressure inlet passage and a molten metal discharge 1passage, of a sectional mold connect ing wit said discharge passage, a horizontal frame to support said mold, fluid pressure actuated means for opening and closing the mold sections, a fluid pressure actuated plunger to gate a casting formed in said mold, a fluid pressure actuated shield adapted when set 1n one position to inclose the mold sections and ppfrmitthe forming of a casting, and when s ted from said position to permit the 'remov'al'of the casting-and at the same time prevent? the, discharge of molten metalfrom said melting pot, a fluid plunger, a pair pressure retainer, a pair of valves in said retainer adapted to control the flow of pres-- sure from said retainer to said mold operating means, a pair of valves in said retainer a apted to control. the flow of-pressure from said retainer for reciprocally operating, said 0 valves in said retainer adapted to control the flow of ressu're for raising and lowering said shie d, :aasingle valve in said retainer to control the flow .of

pressure from, the retainer to said meltingpot, a hand-lever for operatin each of sald valves, and means for gradua y increasing the flow of pressure through each of said valves during the opening movement thereof.

4. The combination with a fire-box and a melting-pot, the said pot having a fluid-pressure inlet passage and a molten metal discharge passage, of a sectional mold connecting with saiddischarge passage, a horizontal frame to support said mold, fluid-pressure actuated meansfor opening and closing the mold sections, a fluidpressure actuated plunger to gate a casting formed in said mold, a fluid-pressure actuated shield adapted when set in one position to inclose the mold' sectionsand permit the forming of a casting, and when shifted from said position to permit the removal of the casting and-at-the same time prevent the discharge of molten metal from said melting-pot through the discharge passage, a'common fluid-pressure re-.

tainer, for suppl ing pressure to operate the mold sections, t e gate plunger, the shield, and also to force the molten metal into the mold, a series of independent valves to control the flow of pressure from said retainer to all of said parts, and a hand-lever for operat ing each of said valves.

5.- The combination witha fire-box and a melting-pot, the said pot having a fluid-pressure inlet passage and a molten metaldischarge passage, of a sectional mold connect ing with said discharge passage, a horizontal frame to supportsaid mold, fluid pressure actuated means for opening and closing the mold sections, a fluid-pressure actuated plunger to gate a casting formed in said mold, a fluid-pressure actuated shield adapted When-set in one position to inclose the -mold sections and 'plrla frtmit the forming of a casting, and when ed from said position to permit the removal of the casting and at the same time prevent the discharge of molten metal through the discharge passage, a

common fluid-pressure retainer, for supplying pressure to operate the mold sections, thegate'plu'nger, the shield, and also to force the *molten metal into the mold, a series of independent valves to control the flow of pressure from said retainer to all of said parts, a handlever for operating each of said valves, and

a series 'of stops for holding certain of said valves in open position, to'prevent the accidental shifting of the parts controlled by said valves. or

' 6. An automatic casting apparatus, comprising a fire-box, a melting-pot in said firebox having a pressure inlet port, means for heating said melting-pot, a molten metal discharge'spout fonsaid melting-pot, 'anozzle formed on one end of said spout, means for heating said discharge spout and said nozzle,

a two-part mold connecting with said nozzle,

'a horizontal frame to support said mold,

fluid ressureactuated means for open ng and .c osing mold parts,-a fluid pressure i adapted when set in one position to inclose of molten metalfrom said melting-pot, a

actuated plunger to gate a casting formed in said mold, a'fluid pressure actuated shield the mold sections and permit the forming of a casting, and when shifted from said position to permit the removal of 'the'casting, and at the same time prevent the discharge common fluid pressure retainer, for supplylngpressure tooperate the mold sections, the gate plunger, the shield, and also to force the molten metal into the mold, and a series of independent valves to control the flow of pressure from said retainer to all of said parts.

7. A casting machine comprising a fireboX, a melting-pot in said fire-box, having a pressure inlet and a molten metal discharge spout terminating in a nozzle, means for heating said melting-pot, means for heating the discharge spout and nozzle, a retainer for fluid pressure, a plurality of independent pressure-control-valves connected to said retainer, apipe to conduct pressure from the retainer to the melting-pot through one of said valves, a valve in'said pipe capable of being operated independent of said first valve, adapted to permit or prevent the passage of pressure from said pipe to the melt ing-pot, a lever for operating said second valve, a die frame, a pair of dies supported by said frame, a mold cavity in said dies con- -necting with the nozzle of said discharge spout, a' shield to conceal said dies and said discharge spout while the mold is being filled with molten metal, means for connecting the lever of said second valve with said spout terminating in a nozzle, means for heating'said melting-pot, means for heating the discharge spout and nozzle, a retainer for fluid pressure, a plurality of pressure-control-valves connected to said retainer, each valve having a hand-lever, a pipe to conduct pressure from the retainer to the melting-pot through one of said valves, a valve in said pipe adapted to be operated independent of said first valve, adapted to permit or prevent the passageof ressure from saidpipe to-the melting-pot, a ever for operating said'second valve, a die frame, a pair of dies supported by said frame, a mold cavity in said dies connecting with the nozzle of vsaid discharge spout, a shield to conceal said dies andsaid discharge spout while the mold is being filled with molten metal, means for connecting the lever of said second valve with said shield,

whereby said valve 7 may be opened and closed by the lowering and raising of said shield, a fluid'pressure cylinder for, raising and lowering said shield, a pair of pipes for conducting pressure from the retainer to said cylinder, each of said ipes connecting with one of said control va ves, and a stop-lever for maintaining the pressure in said pipes and said cylinder.

9. A casting apparatus, comprising a melting-pot having a discharge spout and a pressure inlet, .a pressure retainer, a pipe connecting said retainer with the melting-pot, a valve interposed between said pipe and the retainer, a hand-lever to operate said valve,

a three-way valve disposed in said pipe adapted to permit or prevent the flow of pressure from the retainer to the melting-pot when said first valve is open, and for-exhausting the pressure from said pot, a lever to operate said three-way valve, a vertically movable shield to temporarily cover the cylinder for reciprocally operating said shield, a valve interposed between each of said pipes and said retainer, hand-levers for operating said valves,a die connecting wit-h the discharge spout of said melting-pot, a

frame to supply said die, a mold formed in 7 said die adapted to be filled with molten metal when the pressure is applied to said melting-pot, a fluid pressure actuated plunger carried by said die adapted for gating a casting after the mold is filled, pipes to supply pressure for operating said plunger, and a valve for controlling the flow of pressure from said retainer to each of said pipes.

10. A casting apparatus, comprising a firebox, a melting-pot in said fire-box, having a pressure inlet and a molten metal discharge spout, a pair of die sections, a mold in said die sections communicating with the dis.-

charge spout, a frame to support said (lie sections, a fluid pressure actuatedcylindermounted in said frame, for opening and closing said die sections, pipes to supply pressure to said cylinder to actuate'the same, a gate operatively connected to said die sections, a fluid pressure actuated cylinder to operate said gate reciprocally, pipes to supply ressure tosaid cylinder, a shield disposed a ove said die sections, a-fluid pressure actuated cylinder to raise and lower said shieldto expose or conceal-saiddie sections, pi es to supply pressure for actuating said cy inder, a pipe to supply ressure'to said melting-pot, a three-way va ve in said pipefs'aid valve adapted to permit or prevent the flow of pressureto said melting-pot and to-exhaust the pressure from said pot, a levento' operate said three-wavvalve, said lever connected tions, and a separate lever to open and close each valve.

1 1. An automatic casting apparatus comprising a melting-pot having a ort to admit pressure to force molten metal roin said pot,

and having a discharge spout to conduct the metal to a mold, a source of pressure, a retainer for said pressure, a plurality of valves operatively disposed in said retainer, adapted to be operated sequentially in the order of the casting operations, a mold formed in a pan of die sections, a frame to support said sections, a nozzle formed on the outer end of. the discharge spout of the melting-pot,

ten

adaptedfor filling'the mold with mo metal when the pressure is applied to said melting-pot, a fluid pressure cylinder mounted .on said frame adapted to open and close said diesections, a gate operatively disposed in said die sections concentric to the mold and the nozzle, a fluid-pressure cylinder to operate said gateimmedi'ately after the mold is filled, the said gate-cylinder su ported in operative position by and movab e with the piston-rod of said first named cylinder, a shield to inclose the diesduring the casting period, a fluid pressure cylinder to operate said shield, a pipe for conducting pressure from said retainer to the melting-pot, a

three-p0rt valve disposed in said pipe adapted to admit or prevent the passage of the pressure from the retainer to the meltingpot and also to exhaust the pressure from the said pot, a lever to operate said valve, the said lever connected to and operated by said shield, and a pair'of pipes to conduct the pressure from said retainer to each of said cylinders, each of said pipes connected to and controlled by one of said retainer valves. I

12. A casting a paratus, comprising a melting-pot inclose in a fire-box, and having a pressure inlet and a molten'metal discharge spout, a nozzle formed on one end of said s out,'a pair of die sections, a mold'in said die sections communicating with said'nozzle by means of a port, a plate to support-one of said die sections, a frame to support said die sections and saidplate, a series of guides to permit the reciprocalmovement of said plate within said fra'me,'a ressure actuated cylindercarriedby said ame, a piston and piston-rod for said cylinder, the said piston-rodconnected to said plate and adapted to operate the samejon said guides for opening and to heat Isaid spout, a nozz e having a hinged sectiomformclosing said mold, a fluid pressure retainer, '9. plpe to conduct pressure from said retamer to. said melting-pot, a valve interposed bepressure to said cylinder, a valve interposed etween each of said pipes, and said retainer, levers to operate said valves, the said levers provided with stops to hold the valves in open position, a valve disposed in the pipe leading to the melting-pot, and a lever to operate said valve, said lever connected with and operable by the raisiiig and lowering of said shield, for preventing or ermitting the flow of pressure into the me ting-pot after said first named valve is opened.

13. An automatic casting machine, comprising a fire-box, a table to support said .flre-box, a meltingot in said fire-box, the

said pot having auid pressure inlet and a molten metal-discharge spout, a gas burner ot, a like burner to heat said ing the outer extremity of said spout, a die supporting frame mounted on said table, having a hollow head piece to receive the said nozzle, a heater for said nozzle disposed in said head piece, a pair of die sections, one of said sections secured to said head piece, the other section mounted on a plate slidable in said frame by means of a series of guides, a mold in said die sections, a port to connect said mold with said nozzle, a fluid pressurecylindermounted in said frame, a piston rod operatively connected to said cylinder and connected tosa-id plate by means of a fork formed on one end thereof, adapted to reciprocally operate said plate and one of said dissections, a fluid pressure cylinder carried by said piston rod, a piston rod for said second cylinder, the said rod projecting from said cylinder and forming a gate-plunger, the free. end of said plunger ada ted to be driven through said plate and t rough both of'sai'd die sections by the first charging of said cylinder, for the purpose of gating a casting formed in said mold, a air of ipes to supply ressure for operating 0th 0 said piston ro s reciprocally, a pipe to supply pressure to the melting- 0t to force the molten metal into the mod, a retainer for fluid pressure mounted on said table, a series of valves disposedin said retainer, each valve connecting with one of said supply pipes, and adapted to be operated separately to draw pressure from said retainer and. direct the same through said pipes, at

' tions, a fluid ressure cy 'nderto raise and lower sald shie d, a valve to adnnt, or exclude hand-lever .for operating each valve, and a I pot, and an operating-lever for each of said 45 stop pivoted to certain of said levers, adapt-- ed to hold the corresponding valves in open position during the intervals of making and removing a casting.

14. A casting apparatus, comprising a firebox mounted upon a table, a melting-pot suspended in the 1irebox,the said meltingpot having a fluid pressure inlet and a tubu ar discharge outlet, the said discharge outlet terminating in a nozzle, a gas pipe for heating said melting-pot, a gas pipe'for heating the discharge outlet, a gas pipe'for heating the nozzle, a pair of dies having a mold formed partly in each, a frame disposed horizontally mounted on the table to operatively support the said dies, a fluid-pressure cylinder carried by said frame for operating one of said dies toward or away from the other die,

a piston-rod for said cylinder, a plunger for gating a casting operatively connected to one of the said dies, a fluid-pressure cylinder supported by the said piston-rod for operating the said plunger reciprocally, a shield to inclose the sald dies durin the casting operafluid pressure from the melting-pot, alever to operate said valve, the said operatively connected to said shield, where? by when the shield is raised the said valve is closed against the pressure employed for casting and opened to exhaust the ressure confined in the melting-pot, and w en the shield is lowered the said valve is opened to admit the pressure for forcing the molten metal into the mold, a source of fluid pressure, a retainer to receive said pressure, a series of independent valves carried by said retainer adapted 'to withdraw a portion of the pressure and direct the same to said cylinders and also to said melting-pot, a series of pipes to conduct the pressure from said valves to said cylinders and to the meltingever being valves, the said levers adapted to be operated sequentlally 1n the order of the casting operations.

15. In a casting apparatus, the combination with a table and a fire-box mounted thereon, of a melting-pot disposed in the firebox, a fluid ressure inlet for admitting pressure to and or exhausting the same from said melting-pot, a molten metal discharge spout formed integrally with said melting- 0t and projecting through an o ening in t e fireox, a nozzle formed on t e outer end of the, said spout, a coiled pipe heater for said spout, a coiled pipe heater for said nozzle, a pair of die sections having a mold formed in their abutting sides, a ort to connect the mold with said nozzle, a orizontal frame mounted on the table for supporting said die sections, a fluid pressure cylinder carried by said frame, a piston in said'cylinder, a piston-rod operated b said piston, the said piston-rod connected y means of a fork to one of said die sections, and capable of moving said die section reciprocally for opening and closing the mold, a retainer mounted on the table adapted to receive pressure from a pum or other source, a series of independent va ves carried by said retainer, two of'said valves adaptedto suppl pressure for operating said piston reci rocal one of said valves adapted to supp y ressure to said meltin ot to force the mo ten metal into the mo and means operable independent of said last named valve for permitting or preventing" the passage of the pressure into said meltingpot.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

, ELBERT B VAN WAGNER. Witnesses: I HARRY DE WALLACE, ROBERT L. WALLAon.

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