Vacuum valve apparatus for die casting
AssigneeOutboard Marine Corporation
InventorsRussell J. VanRens, Donald L. Lessard
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The vacuum valve apparatus is used in die casting equipment of the type which utilize a source of vacuum pressure in an internal die cavity for making a casting. The apparatus includes a valve body that has components that are separable along a split line that is positioned to facilitate removal of casting material from internal ports that may result in the event of a malfunction.
Claims24
A vacuum valve apparatus for use in a die casting means, the die casting means being of the type which utilizes a source of vacuum pressure and a die body having internal surfaces which define an internal die cavity for making a casting, said apparatus comprising:
- a valve body adapted to be mounted to the die body, said valve body having at least one face that is generally coextensive with an internal surface of the die cavity, said valve body having a first internal port means adapted to receive a valve means, a second internal port means communicating said first port means to the source of vacuum pressure, said first port means terminating at said one face and being in communication with said die cavity;
- an openable and closeable valve means housed in said first internal port means of said valve body and communicating said first port means with the die cavity when said valve means is open and isolating the first port means from the die cavity when said valve means is closed;
- said valve body having at least two body components that are separable from one another along a split line, said split line being located along at least said first internal port means, so that separating said valve body components enables any casting material to be removed from said first and second internal port means.
A vacuum valve apparatus for use in a metal die casting machine, the die casting machine being of the type which has a die body having internal surfaces which define an internal die cavity for making a metal casting, the machine utilizing a source of vacuum pressure for evacuating the die cavity immediately before a casting operation, said apparatus comprising:
- a valve body adapted to be attached to said die body, said valve body having at least a front face that is generally coextensive with an internal surface of the die cavity, said valve body having a first internal port means adapted to receive a valve means, a second internal port means communicating said first port means with the source of vacuum pressure, said first port means terminating at said front face and being in communication with said die cavity;
- an openable and closeable valve means housed in said first internal port means of said valve body and communicating said first port means with the die cavity when said valve means is open and isolating the first port means from the die cavity when said valve means is closed;
- said valve body having at least two body components that are separable from one another along a split line, said split line being located along at least said first internal port means whereby the same is formed in each of said valve body components, so that separating said valve body components exposes a substantial portion of at least said first internal port means to enable any casting material to be removed therefrom.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.