# US 2014/0190651 A1 · Apparatus and Method for Embedding an Element > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0190651 A1 - Document ID: US20140190651A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 14/127,776 - Filed: 2012-06-21 - Published: 2014-07-10 - Earliest claimed: 2011-06-21 - Assignees: Jaguar Land Rover Limited - Applicants: Jaguar Land Rover Limited - Inventors: Mike Shergold - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140190651A1 ## CPC - B22C 9/00: Moulds or cores (uniquely adapted to particular casting processes B22D); Moulding processes - B22C 21/14: for reinforcing or securing moulding materials or cores, e.g. gaggers, chaplets, pins, bars - B22D 19/00: Casting in, on, or around objects which form part of the product (B22D23/04 takes precedence; alumino-thermic welding B23K23/00; coating by casting molten material on the substrate C23C6/00) - B22D 19/02: for making reinforced articles (B22D19/14 takes precedence) - B22C: FOUNDRY MOULDING (moulding refractory materials in general B28B) - B22D: CASTING OF METALS; CASTING OF OTHER SUBSTANCES BY THE SAME PROCESSES OR DEVICES (shaping of plastics or substances in a plastic state B29C; metallurgical processing, selection of substances to be added to metal C21, C22) ## Abstract Embodiments of the present invention provide apparatus for forming a component from a solidified fluid medium. The apparatus comprises a body defining a cavity into which the fluid medium may be introduced, the cavity optionally being shaped to define a shape of the component, and a carrier for supporting one or more elements to be embedded in the component. The carrier is arranged to be introduced into the cavity to support the one or more elements within the cavity whilst the fluid medium is introduced into the cavity. Embodiments of the invention are useful in a range of fabrication technologies including casting of metals and injection moulding operations. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An apparatus for forming a component from a solidified fluid medium, the apparatus comprising: a body defining a cavity into which the fluid medium may be introduced; and a carrier for supporting one or more elements to be embedded in the component, the carrier being arranged to be introduced into the cavity to support the one or more elements within the cavity whilst the fluid medium is introduced into the cavity. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the carrier is arranged to be coupled to the body defining the cavity thereby to prevent relative movement between the carrier and the body. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the carrier is arranged to be supported by the body. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein one or more portions of the carrier are arranged to abut one or more corresponding portions of the body thereby to allow the carrier to be supported in a prescribed position and orientation within the cavity. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) An apparatus as claimed in claim 4 wherein the body is provided with one or more recesses within the cavity into which a corresponding one or more portions of the carrier may be introduced. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) An apparatus as claimed in claim 4 wherein the body is provided with one or more protrusions within the cavity, the carrier having a corresponding one or more portions into which the one or more protrusions of the body may be introduced. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the carrier comprises one or more tabs arranged to be folded around a portion of an element to couple the element to the carrier. ### Claim 8 (canceled) ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the carrier comprises a carrier body having at least one arm portion protruding therefrom, the arm portion being arranged to be coupled to a portion of the body thereby to support the carrier body in the cavity. ### Claim at position 10 10-11. (canceled) ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the carrier is formed from a material comprising the same material as the fluid medium to be introduced. ### Claim 13 (canceled) ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the carrier is formed from aluminium, and wherein the at least one element comprises a metal matrix composite material. ### Claim at position 14 15-16. (canceled) ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the at least one element comprises an aluminium matrix composite (AMC) material. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the at least one element comprises a porous alumina structure within which an aluminium matrix is provided. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the cavity is shaped to define a shape of the component. ### Claim 20 A carrier for supporting one or more elements to be embedded in a component formed from a solidified fluid medium, the carrier being arranged to be introduced into a cavity to support the one or more elements within the cavity whilst the fluid medium is introduced into the cavity, the carrier being coupled to at least one of the one or more elements. ### Claim 21 A method of fabricating a component comprising: providing a body defining a cavity into which a fluid medium may be introduced; introducing a carrier into the cavity, the carrier supporting one or more elements to be embedded in the component; and introducing the fluid medium into the cavity whereby the one or more elements are at least partially embedded in the fluid medium. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) A method as claimed in claim 21 wherein the step of providing a body defining a cavity comprises providing a body defining a cavity shaped to define a shape of the component. ### Claim 23 (depends on 21) A method as claimed in claim 21 wherein the step of introducing a fluid medium comprises the step of introducing a molten material. ### Claim 24 (depends on 23) A method as claimed in claim 23 whereby the molten material comprises a molten metal. ### Claim 25 (depends on 21) A method as claimed in claim 21 whereby the carrier is formed from a material comprising the same material as the fluid medium to be introduced. ### Claim 26 (depends on 21) A method as claimed in claim 21 whereby the step of introducing the fluid medium comprises introducing the fluid medium whereby the carrier becomes at least partially embedded in the fluid medium. ### Claim at position 25 27-29. (canceled)