Ge Infrastructure Technology, LLC

General Electric Company

Christopher Raymond Hanslits

Canan Uslu Hardwicke

Shenyan Huang

Jared Micheal Iverson

Jon Conrad Schaeffer

Michael Douglas Arnett

A system is provided with a controller configured to receive a computer model of a mold configured to cast a part. The computer model has a variable wall thickness of the mold thermally tailored to a geometry of the part. The controller is configured to control a manufacturing system to produce the mold based on the computer model.

System and method for casting with mold having thermally tailored wall

A method of forming a directionally-solidified casting component using a casting system is provided. The casting system includes a chamber having a heating zone and a cooling zone separated by a baffle plate. The method includes pouring an alloy in a liquid state into a mold shell. The mold shell is positioned on a chill plate within the heating zone. The method further includes moving the mold shell from the heating zone into the cooling zone. The alloy transfers from the liquid state to a solid state within the mold shell while moving the mold shell from the heating zone to the cooling zone. The method further includes contacting the mold shell with a heat transfer member.

Heat extraction or retention during directional solidification of a casting component

A casting system for forming a directionally-solidified casting component is provided. The casting system defines an axial direction, a radial direction, and a circumferential direction. The casting system includes a chamber and a baffle plate disposed within the chamber. The chamber and the baffle plate collectively define a heating zone and a cooling zone. The heating zone and the cooling zone are separated by the baffle plate. The casting system further includes a shaft and a cooling plate disposed on the shaft. The cooling plate is movable between the heating zone and the cooling zone. A mold shell is disposed on the cooling plate. The casting system further includes a cooling system for directing a coolant fluid towards the mold shell.

Systems and methods for enhanced cooling during directional solidification of a casting component

Embodiments of the disclosure provide a system including: an enclosure having an interior sized to enclose and the workpiece and form a vacuum and pressurized atmosphere within the interior. A plurality of thermal applicators may be in thermal communication with first and second portions of the interior. First and second thermal applicators may independently heat and cool the first and second portions of the interior. The first thermal applicator may apply a first thermal treatment to a first portion of the workpiece in the first portion of the interior. A second thermal applicator may apply a second thermal treatment to a second portion of the workpiece in the second portion of the interior independently of the first thermal treatment.

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Simpsonville, SC, United States of America

Christopher Raymond Hanslits