Method and apparatus for continuous molten material cladding of extruded products
AssigneeReynolds Metals Company
InventorDavid E. Hatch
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The apparatus includes a molten material cladding apparatus comprising a crucible and a molten material dispensing tool engaged therewith. The crucible and molten material dispensing tool form a chamber to retain molten material, the molten material flowing through passageways in the molten material dispensing tool to form menisci in a bore thereof. An extrusion passing through the molten material dispensing tool punctures the menisci, wherein molten material flows through the molten material dispensing tool and clads the outer surface of the extruded product passing therethrough. By using menisci of molten material, a smooth surfaced, uniform thickness clad product is produced having a wide range of cladding thicknesses.
Claims19
A continuous molten metal cladding tool apparatus comprising:
- a) a crucible for retaining a molten metal;
- and
- b) a molten metal dispensing means for cladding an elongated member with said molten metal, said crucible and said molten metal dispensing means forming a chamber for holding said molten metal, said molten metal dispensing means further comprising;
- a dispensing tool having a first opening for passage of said elongated member therethrough, and a plurality of second openings therethrough, each said second opening providing communication between said chamber and said first opening to form a meniscus of molten metal at a distal end of each of said second openings, each said meniscus being adapted for contacting an outer surface of said elongated member to clad said molten metal thereon.
A method of continuous cladding of an elongated member using a molten metal comprising the steps of:
- a) providing an elongated member;
- b) providing a cladding molten metal;
- c) forming a plurality of menisci of said cladding metal;
- d) puncturing each of said menisci by passing said elongated member therethrough to continuously flow said cladding molten metal on the surface of said passing elongated member;
- and
- e) solidifying said molten metal on said elongated member to form a clad elongated member.
A continuous molten material cladding tool apparatus comprising:
- a) a crucible for retaining a molten material;
- and
- b) a molten material dispensing means for cladding an elongated member with said molten material, said crucible and said molten material dispensing means forming a chamber for holding said molten material, said molten material dispensing means further comprising:
- a dispensing tool having a first opening for passage of said elongated member therethrough, and a plurality of second openings therethrough, each said second opening providing communication between said chamber and said first opening to form a meniscus of molten material at a distal end of each of said second openings, each said meniscus being adapted for contacting an outer surface of said elongated member to clad said molten material thereon.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.