International Engine Intellectual Property Company, LLC

Edward A Reelfs

Billy J Cagle

Paul E Flick

Paul T Cody

Arthur D Parks

D Gary Wildrick, Ii

The use of green sand is eliminated by replacing green sand molds with all core sand assemblies that provide, during casting, both the internal and external surfaces of a casting, such as a cylinder head or engine block. In the process, a mold is formed from the same core sand that is used to form the core elements defining the internal passageways of the casting. A mold-core carrier is constructed with downwardly converging sides that hold assembled mold and core elements together, without fasteners, during transportation and pouring of the molten iron alloy into the mold-core assembly and the cooling period to form the casting. After the casting is formed, the core sand from both the mold elements and core elements is recovered, and may be recycled and processed to form further mold elements or core elements or both.

Casting method and apparatus

The use of green sand is eliminated by replacing green sand molds with all core sand assemblies that provide, during casting, both the internal and external surfaces of a casting, such as a cylinder head or engine block. In the process, a mold is formed from the same core sand that is used to form the core elements defining the internal passageways of the casting. A mold-core carrier is constructed with tapered sides that hold the assembled mold and core elements together during pouring of the molten iron alloy into the mold-core assembly and the cooling period to form the casting. Although the carrier sides can use a refractory liner, preferably the sides are made of replaceable sheet metal backed by an open structural framework to enhance cooling of the casting. After the casting is formed, the core sand from both the mold elements and the core elements is recovered, and may recycled and processed to form further mold elements or core elements or both.

Irregularly shaped mold-core assemblies are retained for casting within a thin-wall container by solid particulate material. In the process, the mold and core elements are formed from the core sand. After the mold and core elements, both of which are formed from core sand, are assembled, the assembly is placed in a container large enough to provide space around the assembled mold and core elements, and solid particulate material is placed in the space around the mold-core assembly to hold the assembled mold and core elements together during pouring of the molten iron alloy into the mold-core assembly and the cooling period, during which the molten iron alloy solidifies to form the casting. After the casting is formed, the solid particles and the core sand from the mold elements and core elements are recovered, processed and reused in further casting operations.

Growing community of inventors

Davenport, IA, United States of America

Edward A Reelfs