Casting apparatus including a gas driven molten metal injector and method

Abstract

The casting apparatus ( ) includes a holding vessel ( ) for containing a supply of molten metal ( ) and a casting mold ( ) located above the holding vessel ( ) and having a casting cavity ( ). A molten metal injector ( ) extends into the holding vessel ( ) and is at least partially immersed in the molten metal ( ) in the holding vessel ( ). The molten metal injector ( ) is in fluid communication with the casting cavity ( ). The molten metal injector ( ) has an injector body ( ) defining an inlet opening ( ) for receiving molten metal into the injector body ( ). A gas pressurization source ( ) is in fluid communication with the injector body ( ) for cyclically pressurizing the injector body ( ) and inducing molten metal to flow from the injector body ( ) to the casting cavity ( ). An inlet valve ( ) is located in the inlet opening ( ) in the injector body ( ) for filling molten metal into the injector body ( ). The inlet valve ( ) is configured to prevent outflow of molten metal from the injector body ( ) during pressurization and permit inflow of molten metal into the injector body ( ) after pressurization. The inlet valve ( ) has an inlet valve actuator ( ) located above the surface of the supply of molten metal ( ) and is operatively connected to the inlet valve ( ) for operating the inlet valve ( ) between open and closed positions.