Gm Global Technolgoy Operations, Inc.

Thomas W Gustafson

Qigui Wang

Steven L Burkholder

Dale A Gerard

Liang Wang

Tiruttani Munikamal

Suresh Kumar K

Shasha Vali Shaik

Anil Kumar Sachdev

Michael J Walker

Daniel J Wilson

Devin R Hess

Christopher D Cogan

Garrold A DeGrace

Gregory Melekian

A system and method of manufacturing an aluminum fuel cell cradle includes providing a negative cast mold having cavities to form the cradle having a length greater than a width to define a longitudinal axis and providing a feeding mechanism disposed about the mold and in fluid communication with the cavities thereof. The feeding mechanism includes primary risers connected to and in fluid communication with the cavities. The method further includes melting a first metallic material to define a molten metallic material, moving the mold to a vertical orientation about the longitudinal axis while feeding molten metallic material through the runner to the cavities, and moving the cast mold to a horizontal orientation. A second solidification time in the risers is greater than a first solidification time in the mold such that shrinkage of the solidified metallic material occurs in the risers away from the mold.

System and method of making a cast reverse tilt-poured fuel cell cradle

A system and method of manufacturing an aluminum fuel cell cradle includes providing a negative cast mold having cavities to form the cradle and providing a feeding mechanism disposed about the mold and in fluid communication with the cavities thereof. The feeding mechanism includes a plurality of primary risers connected to and in fluid communication with cavities. The method further includes melting a first metallic material to define a molten metallic material, and moving the mold to a vertical casting orientation about a rotational axis, while feeding molten metallic material through the runner to the cavities, and cooling the molten metallic material to define a solidified metallic material. A second solidification time in the risers is greater than a first solidification time in the mold such that shrinkage of the solidified metallic material occurs in the risers away from the mold.

System and method of making a tilt-poured cradle for a fuel cell

Methods and systems are provided for continuously producing cast metal components. An exemplary method includes feeding molten metal into a first mold at a fill station; maintaining a pressurized chamber at an elevated pressure; moving the first mold into the pressurized chamber, wherein the molten metal solidifies in the first mold under the elevated pressure; and removing the first mold from the pressurized chamber.

In-line pressurization chamber for casting

A system and method of increasing a cooling rate of a metal sand casting during solidification. The system includes a 3-D printed manufactured sand mold defining a mold cavity, a coolant inlet port extending into the manufactured sand mold, a myriad of coolant passageways surrounding a portion of the mold cavity, and a coolant outlet port in fluid communication with the coolant passageways. The system further includes a coolant vapor extraction system having a collection manifold in fluid connection with the outlet port of the sand mold. A molten metal is poured into the mold cavity and a liquid coolant is introduced into the sand mold. The liquid coolant changes state into a gas phase as it permeates through the sand mold, thereby increasing the cooling rate of the casting. The liquid coolant may be that of a liquid nitrogen.

System and method of increasing cooling rate of metal sand casting during solidification

A cylinder head having a cast-in-place valve seat for an automobile vehicle includes a valve seat having an inner wall. At least one retaining feature integrally and homogeneously extends from the inner wall. The valve seat when positioned into a casting mold has the at least one retaining feature assisting in retaining the valve seat in the casting mold. A metal in a molten form is received in the casting mold. A cast component formed after cooling of the metal has the valve seat cast-in-place.

Method of manufacture and design of cast-in-place valve seats

A method of manufacturing an aluminum alloy cylinder head includes providing a precision sand core and mold assembly, a liquid aluminum alloy delivery system, and a mold manipulator system. The precision sand core and mold assembly is disposed in the mold manipulator system and the liquid aluminum alloy delivery system includes an in-furnace ultrasonic actuator and a launder tube having at least an ultrasonic actuator. The liquid aluminum alloy delivery system is sealed to the precision sand core and mold assembly and provides liquid aluminum alloy into a gating system of the precision sand core and mold assembly. The precision sand core and mold assembly is rotated approximately 180&#xb0;. The precision sand core and mold assembly is vibrated.

Growing community of inventors

Clarkston, MI, United States of America

Thomas W Gustafson