Apparatus for supporting wax pattern during investment casting

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11738386-B2
Application number	US-202217867090-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jul 18, 2022
Priority date	Nov 12, 2021
Publication date	Aug 29, 2023
Grant date	Aug 29, 2023

Abstract

An approach for supporting a wax pattern during investment casting. The approach described herein forms a support structure to support the wax pattern during investment casting. The support structure has a capping structure with a geometry that can match a profile of a lower region of the wax pattern, and at least one support brace extending outward from the support capping structure. The support structure can be placed on a surface of the lower region. The support capping structure can form a defined envelope to enclose the lower region of the wax pattern. The support structure is connected to a base plate by the support brace(s). The capping structure and the support brace(s) secure the wax pattern to the base plate and distribute the load of the wax pattern to maximize strength while minimizing the risk of a discontinuity in the wax or shell that could affect the casting process.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An apparatus to support a wax pattern of a part that is to be cast to a base plate during an investment casting process of the part, the apparatus comprising:
a support structure placed about the wax pattern, wherein the support structure is configured to match a shape of a region of the wax pattern, and wherein the support structure forms a defined envelope around the region of the wax pattern; and
at least one support brace extending outward from the support structure to connect to the base plate,
wherein the support structure and the at least one support brace secure the wax pattern to the base plate in a fixed position and distribute the load of the wax pattern while secured to the base plate.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one support brace comprises a plurality of support braces, wherein each of the support braces are angled to the support structure and the base plate.

3. The apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein each of the plurality of support braces are spaced apart from one another at the support structure and the base plate.

4. The apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein the spacing between each of the support braces at the base plate is greater than the spacing of each of the support braces at the support structure.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the support structure supports a greater portion of the load of the wax pattern than a portion of the load supported by the at least one support brace.

6. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the force of the load of the wax pattern received by the support structure is distributed evenly against the bottom surface of the wax pattern.

7. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the defined envelope is formed around a bottom surface of the wax pattern and extends upward to enclose a lower region of the wax pattern.

8. The apparatus according to claim 7 , wherein the support structure comprises a geometry that matches a profile of the lower region of the wax pattern.

9. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the wax pattern comprises a gas turbine part.

Assignees

• Gen Electric

Inventors

• Maughan James Rollins
• Herzlinger Jason
• Willson Patrick Daniel

Classifications

• B22C7/02 Primary

  Lost patterns · CPC title

• B22C9/04

  Use of lost patterns · CPC title

• B33Y80/00

  Products made by additive manufacturing · CPC title

• B22C23/02 Primary

  Devices for coating moulds or cores · CPC title

• B22C9/043

  Removing the consumable pattern · CPC title