The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jul. 29, 2003
Filed:
Mar. 08, 2002
Alec G Dodd, Derby, GB;
Rolls-Royce ple, London, GB;
Abstract
A mold support ( ) is disclosed for supporting a plurality of molds ( ) in a casting apparatus having a first zone for introducing molten material into the molds and a second zone in which the material in the molds can cool. The mold support ( ) is capable of relative movement from the first zone to the second zone thereby forming a solidification front in the material in each mold, whereby the solidification front moves through the material as the material solidifies. Each mold ( ) defines a main axis (A) along which the solidification front can move and a centrally extending plane (P) perpendicular to the main axis. The mold support ( ) comprises carrying means upon which the molds ( ) can be disposed. The geometry of the carrying means is such that the centrally extending plane of a first mold ( ) arranged on the carrying means at or towards a central region thereof is not co-planar with the centrally extending plane of a second mold spaced from the first mold ( ) away from the central region, and such that the main axis (A) of each mold ( ) extends substantially perpendicular to the solidification front to be formed therein.