Hearth

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9381571-B2
Application number	US-201514961272-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Dec 7, 2015
Priority date	Feb 5, 2013
Publication date	Jul 5, 2016
Grant date	Jul 5, 2016

Abstract

A casting system and method. The casting system can include an energy source and a hearth, which can have a tapered cavity. The tapered cavity can have a first end portion and a second end portion, and the tapered cavity can narrow between the first and second end portions. Further, the tapered cavity can have an inlet at the first end portion that defines an inlet capacity, and one or more outlets at the second end portion that define an outlet capacity. Where the cavity has a single outlet, the outlet capacity can be less than the inlet capacity. Where the cavity has multiple outlets, the combined outlet capacity can match the inlet capacity. Further, the cross-sectional area of the tapered cavity near the inlet can be similar to the cross-sectional area of the inlet.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A casting system, comprising:
a hearth, comprising:
an inlet defining an inlet cross-sectional area;
a plurality of outlets, wherein each outlet defines an outlet cross sectional area; and
a cavity between the inlet and the plurality of outlets, wherein the cavity tapers from the inlet toward the plurality of outlets; and

a plurality of molds, wherein a mold is aligned with each outlet of the hearth.

2. The casting system of claim 1 , wherein the sum of the outlet cross sectional areas substantially matches the inlet cross-sectional area.

3. The casting system of claim 1 , wherein the hearth comprises:
a first sidewall; and
a second sidewall, wherein the cavity is defined between the first sidewall and the second sidewall, and wherein the first sidewall is not parallel to the second sidewall.

4. The casting system of claim 3 , wherein the first sidewall is angularly oriented approximately 1 degree to approximately 10 degrees relative to the second sidewall.

5. The casting system of claim 3 , wherein the plurality of outlets comprises a first outlet and a second outlet, wherein the first outlet extends through the first sidewall, and wherein the second outlet extends through the second sidewall.

6. The casting system of claim 5 , wherein the first outlet defines a first outlet cross-sectional area, wherein the second outlet defines a second outlet cross-sectional area, and wherein the second outlet cross-sectional area substantially matches the first outlet cross-sectional area.

7. The casting system of claim 1 , wherein the cavity defines a longitudinal axis, and wherein the outlets are symmetrically arranged relative to the longitudinal axis.

8. The casting system of claim 1 , wherein the molds are open-bottomed molds.

9. The casting system of claim 1 , comprising an energy source, wherein the energy source is structured to energize material in the hearth, and wherein a portion of the material forms a solidified skull that defines the cavity in the hearth.

10. The casting system of claim 1 , wherein each outlet comprises a pour lip, and wherein each pour lip is aligned with a mold of the casting system.

11. The casting system of claim 1 , wherein the hearth comprises a fluid based cooling system.

12. The casting system of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of molds are arranged for parallel casting.

13. A hearth for use with a casting system, wherein the hearth comprises:
a cavity, comprising:
a first end portion; and
a second end portion, wherein the cavity narrows between the first end portion and the second end portion;

an inlet at the first end portion, wherein the inlet defines an inlet capacity; and
an outlet at the second end portion, wherein the outlet defines an outlet capacity.

14. The hearth of claim 13 , comprising:
a first sidewall; and
a second sidewall, wherein the cavity is defined between the first sidewall and the second sidewall, and wherein the first sidewall is angularly oriented relative to the second sidewall.

15. The hearth of claim 13 , wherein the cavity tapers from approximately 1 degree to approximately 10 degrees between the first end portion and the second end portion.

16. The hearth of claim 15 , wherein the cavity tapers approximately 4 degrees from the first end portion to the second end portion.

17. The hearth of claim 13 , wherein the cavity comprises a skull of material, and wherein the skull of material defines the narrowing geometry between the first end portion and the second end portion.

18. The hearth of claim 13 , wherein the outlet is a first outlet, wherein the hearth comprises a second outlet that defines an outlet capacity, wherein the sum of the outlet capacities of the first outlet and the second outlet substantially matches the inlet capacity.

19. The hearth of claim 18 , wherein the cavity defines a longitudinal axis, and wherein the first outlet and the second outlet are symmetrically arranged relative to the longitudinal axis.

20. The hearth of claim 13 , wherein the inlet comprises a low edge, wherein the outlet comprises a low edge, and wherein the low edge of the outlet is higher than the low edge of the inlet.

Assignees

• Ati Properties Inc

Inventors

• Copland Evan H
• Arnold Matthew J
• Minisandram Ramesh S

Classifications

• B22D11/0403 Primary

  Multiple moulds · CPC title

• B22D41/00 Primary

  Casting melt-holding vessels, e.g. ladles, tundishes, cups or the like (B22D39/00, B22D43/00 take precedence) · CPC title

• F27B3/19

  Arrangements of devices for discharging · CPC title

• F27D2009/0002

  Cooling of furnaces · CPC title

• F27B3/12

  Working chambers or casings; Supports therefor · CPC title