Die coolant system with an integral and automatic leak test

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9010175-B2
Application number	US-201213344683-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jan 6, 2012
Priority date	Jan 6, 2012
Publication date	Apr 21, 2015
Grant date	Apr 21, 2015

Abstract

Systems and methods allow detection and location of die coolant leaks while a die is in a die cast machine and at operating temperature. The testing can be performed during normal down time of the die casting assembly and repeated as desired. Cooling circuits of the die can be tested in zones where zones are sorted to identify particular cooling circuits as having leaks as necessary. Valving, leak sensors, air decay units, and added machine control are provided in the die cooling system to enable onboard leak testing of the die while installed in the die casting machine.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A die cooling system comprising:
a die including a plurality of cooling circuits, wherein each of the cooling circuits comprises:
an inlet including a first end and a second end, the first end of the inlet fluidly coupled to the die;
an outlet including a first end and second end, the first end of the outlet fluidly coupled to the die;
an inlet valve fluidly coupled to the second end of the inlet; and
an outlet valve fluidly coupled to the second end…

Assignees

• Ward Gary C
• Gm Global Tech Operations Inc

Inventors

• Ward Gary C

Classifications

• B22D17/2218 Primary

  Operations & Transport · mapped topic