Pcc Airfoils, Inc.

Gary J Vanek

Robert Mark Garlock

Lawrence Donald Graham

During casting of metal articles, a mold is moved into a body or bath of molten metal. The mold is moved into a container which contains a portion of the body of molten metal. Heat is transferred at a first rate from the mold to a first portion of the body of molten metal disposed above the container. Heat is transferred at a second rate from the mold to the second portion of the body of molten metal at least part of which is disposed in the container. The container retards movement of molten metal relative to the mold to effect an increase in the temperature of the molten metal in the container and thereby retards transfer of heat from a portion of the mold disposed in the container to the body of molten metal. The mold enters the container through an opening at the upper end portion of the container. One or more additional openings may be provided at the lower end portion of the container.

Method of casting metal articles

A method of casting metal articles includes providing a plurality of interconnected support sections. Article mold sections are positioned on the support sections. After article mold cavities, have been filled with a molten metal which is at a first temperature, the support sections and a body of a second molten metal are moved relative to each other while the body of a second molten metal is at a temperature which is less than the first temperature. Space extending between side surfaces of the support sections and between side portions of the article mold sections is filled with the second molten metal during movement between the support sections and the body of a second molten metal. A layer of insulating material may be provided above the body of a second molten metal. A baffle may be provided between a container holding the body of a second molten metal and a furnace assembly.

To cast one or more metal articles, a mold structure is positioned on a support with an anchor extending upward from the support into the mold structure. The mold structure and anchor are interconnected by a retainer which extends through a portion of the mold structure into the anchor. When the mold structure is immersed in a cooling bath, force is transmitted between the mold structure and anchor to retain the mold structure against movement relative to the support.

Method and apparatus for casting metal articles

A baffle includes a base and a seal having flexible segments which engage a mold structure. The base of the baffle may have a noncircular opening in which article mold portions of the mold structure are disposed. The baffle may be connected with the furnace assembly before a mold is moved into the furnace assembly or may be connected with the furnace assembly as the mold is moved into the furnace assembly. A projection connected with the mold structure may be utilized to orient the baffle relative to the mold structure. The projection may be a thermocouple assembly which extends from the chill plate. Alternatively, the projection may be a portion of the mold structure itself.

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Chardon, OH, United States of America

Gary J Vanek