US 2012/0312494 A1 · Spherical centrifuge

Abstract

Devices and methods are disclosed for the centrifugal casting of spheres, particularly hollow spheres containing low air pressure, as well as solid and hollow spheres having a gradient internal density. Molten or self-hardening casting material is introduced into a hollow spherical mold and the mold made to rotate about two axes intersecting at the center of the mold. The resulting centrifugal forces cause the casting material to be evenly distributed about the inner surface of the mold. If a mixture of casting materials of different densities is used, the densest material will settle closer to the walls of the mold, while less dense materials will move closer to the center. The casting material is hardened and the resulting sphere is removed from the mold. One or more valves may be employed to transport fluent materials into and out of the mold. If gas is removed from a partially-filled mold prior to casting, the product will be a hollow sphere having an interior pressure less than ambient. Spheres made according to the present invention have a wide range of uses including insulation and bearing balls.

Claims39

Dependent claims

(canceled)

A device for centrifugally casting a spheroid, said device comprising

(a) a support structure;
(b) a frame mounted on said support structure, said frame being capable of rotation about a primary axis;
(c) a plurality of molds mounted on said frame, at least one of said molds having a hollow spherical interior, and said one of said molds being rotatably mounted on said frame, with the center of said hollow spherical interior of said one of said molds located on said primary axis;
(d) said one of said molds being capable of being caused to rotate about said primary axis by said rotation of said frame;
(e) said one of said molds being capable of rotating on said frame about a secondary axis passing through the center of said hollow spherical interior of said one of said molds, and said secondary axis being substantially perpendicular to said primary axis;
(f) said hollow spherical interior of said one of said molds being capable of containing casting material;
and
(g) a drive mechanism for rotating said one of said molds about said secondary axis while said frame is simultaneously rotated about said primary axis.

5 more elements

A device for centrifugally casting spheroids, said device comprising

(a) a support structure;
(b) a frame mounted on said support structure, said frame being capable of rotation about a primary axis;
(c) a plurality of molds, said molds mounted on said frame in a straight line along said primary axis, each of said molds having a first and second rotational mounting point on opposite sides of each of said molds, each of said molds mounted on said frame at said first and second rotational mounting points, each of said molds having a hollow spherical interior with the center of each of said hollow spherical interiors of said molds located on said primary axis;
(d) said hollow spherical interiors of said molds being capable of containing casting material;
(e) said molds being capable of being caused to rotate about said primary axis by said rotation of said frame;
(f) said molds being capable of rotating on said frame about secondary axes passing through the center of each of said hollow spherical interiors of said molds, said secondary axes each being substantially perpendicular to said primary axis, and said secondary axes passing through said first and second rotational mounting points of each of said molds;
(g) a coupling means among said molds to allow all of said molds to rotate about said secondary axes simultaneously;
and
(h) a drive mechanism for rotating all of said molds about said secondary axes while said frame is simultaneously rotated about said primary axis;

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Spherical centrifuge

Life of this patent

Spherical centrifuge

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims39