Alcoa Inc.

Aluminum Company of America

Scott E Reighard

Vivek M Sample

Vincent Paola

Ronald G Chabal

A molten metal supply system () includes a plurality of injectors () each having an injector housing () and a reciprocating piston (). A molten metal supply source () is in fluid communication with the housing () of each of the injectors (). The piston () is movable through a first stroke allowing molten metal () to be received into the housing () from the molten metal supply source (), and a second stroke for displacing the molten metal () from the housing (). A pressurized gas supply source () is in fluid communication with the housing () of each of the injectors () through respective gas control valves (). The molten metal supply system () is in fluid communication with an outlet manifold () having a plurality of outlet dies (), which may be used to form continuous metal articles including rods, bars, ingots, and continuous plate.

Continuous pressure molten metal supply system and method for forming continuous metal articles

A molten metal supply system ( ) includes a plurality of injectors ( ) each having an injector housing ( ) and a reciprocating piston ( ). A molten metal supply source ( ) is in fluid communication with the housing ( ) of each of the injectors ( ). The piston ( ) is movable through a return stroke allowing molten metal ( ) to be received into the housing ( ) from the molten metal supply source ( ), and a displacement stroke for displacing the molten metal ( ) from the housing ( ). A pressurized gas supply source ( ) is in fluid communication with the housing ( ) of each of the injectors ( ) through respective gas control valves ( ). The gas supply source ( ) is used to pressurize a space formed between the molten metal ( ) and the piston ( ) during the return stroke of the piston ( ) of each of the injectors ( ).

Continuous pressure molten metal supply system and method

A molten metal supply system ( ) includes a plurality of injectors ( ) each having an injector housing ( ) and a reciprocating piston ( ). A molten metal supply source ( ) is in fluid communication with the housing ( ) of each of the injectors ( ). The piston ( ) is movable through a first stroke allowing molten metal ( ) to be received into the housing ( ) from the molten metal supply source ( ), and a second stroke for displacing the molten metal ( ) from the housing ( ). A pressurized gas supply source ( ) is in fluid communication with the housing ( ) of each of the injectors ( ) through respective gas control valves ( ). The molten metal supply system ( ) is in fluid communication with an outlet manifold ( ) having a plurality of outlet dies ( ), which may be used to form continuous metal articles including rods, bars, ingots, and continuous plate.

An injector ( ) for a molten metal supply system includes an injector housing ( ) configured to contain molten metal. A molten metal supply source ( ) is in fluid communication with the housing ( ). A piston ( ) extends into the housing ( ). The piston ( ) is movable through a return stroke allowing molten metal ( ) to be received into the housing ( ) from the molten metal supply source ( ), and a displacement stroke for displacing the molten metal ( ) from the housing ( ). A gas supply source ( ) is in fluid communication with the housing ( ) through a gas control valve ( ). The gas supply source ( ) is used to pressurize a space ( ) formed between the molten metal ( ) and the piston ( ) during the return stroke of the piston ( ) such that when the piston ( ) moves through the displacement stroke a compressed gas filled space is formed.

Injector for molten metal supply system

An injector ( ) for a molten metal supply system includes an injector housing (102) configured to contain molten metal. A molten metal supply source ( ) is in fluid communication with the housing ( ). A piston ( ) extends into the housing ( ). The piston ( ) is movable through a return stroke allowing molten metal ( ) to be received into the housing ( ) from the molten metal supply source ( ), and a displacement stroke for displacing the molten metal ( ) from the housing ( ). A gas supply source ( ) is in fluid communication with the housing ( ) through a gas control valve ( ). The gas supply source ( ) is used to pressurize a space ( ) formed between the molten metal ( ) and the piston ( ) during the return stroke of the piston ( ) such that when the piston ( ) moves through the displacement stroke a compressed gas filled space is formed.

Apparatus and process are disclosed for providing, and continuously monitoring and controlling, a tapered temperature profile in solid metal first heated to a specified initial temperature. Temperatures are monitored at a plurality of locations along the length of the metal and are adjusted by successively withdrawing and returning a portion to a heating source through physical movement In one aspect, apparatus and process continuously monitor and control a tapered temperature profile in a billet of aluminum alloy through a first step of rapid heating in a single-zone electric induction furnace to a temperature sufficient to bring the billet to its cold end set point while not exceeding its maximum skin temperature. The temperatures of the billet are monitored at its die end and its ram end and are adjusted by successively withdrawing and returning the billet to the induction furnace to reduce the heat in the ram end relative to the die end. A specified tapered temperature profile can be established and maintained along the billet to match a desired temperature profile reference value. In one aspect, the tapered temperature profile preferably produces a traveling crush or upset for reducing air entrapment in the billet to be extruded.

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Lower Burrell, PA, United States of America

Scott E Reighard