Casting apparatus and method
AssigneeATI Properties, Inc.
InventorsRobin M. Forbes Jones, Sterry A. Shaffer
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A nucleated casting apparatus including an atomizing nozzle configured to produce a droplet spray of a metallic material, a mold configured to receive the droplet spray and form a preform therein, and a gas injector which can limit, and possibly prevent, overspray from accumulating on the mold. The gas injector can be configured to produce a gas flow which can impinge on the droplet spray to redirect at least a portion of the droplet spray away from a side wall of the mold. In various embodiments, the droplet spray may be directed by the atomizing nozzle in a generally downward direction and the gas flow may be directed in a generally upward direction such that the gas flow circumscribes the perimeter of the mold.
Claims31
-46. (canceled)
An apparatus for producing a preform by nucleated casting, the apparatus comprising:
- a mold in which a preform is formed, wherein the mold comprises a side wall, and wherein the side wall of the mold comprises a mold upper portion;
- an atomizing nozzle, wherein the atomizing nozzle produces a droplet spray directed towards the mold;
- and
- a gas injector producing a gas flow, wherein the gas injector comprises a plate and a gas injector upper portion;
- wherein the plate and the mold define a passageway therebetween for gas flow;
- wherein the mold upper portion and the gas injector upper portion define a gap fluidly communicating with the passageway for gas flow;
- and
- wherein the gap directs the gas flow in a direction that redirects at least a portion of the droplet spray away from the side wall of the mold.
An apparatus for producing a preform by nucleated casting, the apparatus comprising:
- a mold comprising a top surface, a side wall, and a mold upper portion;
- an atomizing nozzle producing a droplet spray directed towards the mold;
- and
- a gas injector producing a gas flow and comprising a plate and a gas injector upper portion;
- wherein the plate and the mold define a passageway therebetween for gas flow;
- wherein the top surface of the mold and the gas injector upper portion define a gap in fluid communication with the passageway;
- and
- wherein the gap directs the gas flow in a direction that redirects at least a portion of the droplet spray away from at least one of the top surface of the mold and the side wall of the mold.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.