FEEDER SYSTEM

Abstract

The present invention relates to a feeder system for use in metal casting operations utilising casting moulds and to a feeder sleeve for use in the feeder system. There is provided a feeder system for metal casting, the feeder system comprising a feeder sleeve mounted on a breaker core, the feeder sleeve having a first end and an opposite second end, a longitudinal axis extending between the first and second ends, and a continuous sidewall extending generally around the longitudinal axis between the first and second ends, the sidewall defining a cavity for receiving molten metal during casting, and the breaker core defining an open bore therethrough for connecting the cavity to the casting, wherein the first end of the feeder sleeve is mounted on the breaker core, and the feeder sleeve comprises at least one protrusion extending from an exterior surface of the sidewall at the second end of the feeder sleeve.

Claims

1. A feeder system for metal casting, the feeder system comprising a feeder sleeve mounted on a breaker core, the feeder sleeve having a first end and an opposite second end, a longitudinal axis extending between the first and second ends, and a continuous sidewall extending generally around the longitudinal axis between the first and second ends, the sidewall defining a cavity for receiving molten metal during casting, and the breaker core defining an open bore therethrough for connecting the cavity to the casting, wherein the first end of the feeder sleeve is mounted on the breaker core, and the feeder sleeve comprises at least one protrusion extending from an exterior surface of the sidewall at the second end of the feeder sleeve.

2. The feeder system of claim 1, wherein the at least one protrusion extends in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the feeder sleeve.

3. The feeder system of claim 1, wherein the sidewall of the feeder sleeve is cylindrical and has a generally circular cross-section.

4. The feeder system of claim 1, wherein the second end of the feeder sleeve defines an open bore therethrough.

5. The feeder system of claim 1, wherein the at least one protrusion is integrally formed with the sidewall.

6. The feeder system of claim 1, wherein the at least one protrusion extends outwardly from the sidewall to a distance of 5-35% of the maximum diameter of the sidewall at the second end of the feeder sleeve.

7. The feeder system of claim 1, wherein the at least one protrusion extends from the second end towards the first end along 4-25% of the maximum height of the feeder sleeve, as measured in the direction of the longitudinal axis.

8. The feeder system of claim 1, wherein the at least one protrusion is a plurality of discrete protrusions.

9. The feeder system of claim 8, wherein the at least one protrusion comprises at least 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10 discrete protrusions, wherein the at least one protrusion comprises 3 discrete protrusions, or wherein the at least one protrusion comprises 4 discrete protrusions.

10. The feeder system of claim 8, wherein each protrusion extends around 3-25% of the circumference of the sidewall at the second end of the feeder sleeve.

11. The feeder system of claim 8, wherein the distance between the centres of adjacent protrusions is 5-50%% of the circumference of the sidewall at the second end of the feeder sleeve.

12. The feeder system of claim 8, wherein the at least one protrusion has a cross-section which is semi-circular, quarter-circular, wedge-shaped or square.

13. The feeder system of claim 8, wherein the protrusions are arranged in a scalloped configuration around the periphery of the second end of the feeder sleeve.

14. The feeder system of claim 1, wherein the at least one protrusion is an annular rim which extends around the entire periphery of the second end of the feeder sleeve.

15. The feeder system of claim 14, wherein the annular rim is circular.

16. The feeder system of claim 14, wherein the annular rim has a cross section in the shape of a polygon having at least three sides.

17. The feeder system of claim 16, wherein the annular rim has a square cross section.

18. The feeder system of claim 16, wherein the corners of the polygon are rounded.

19. The feeder system of claim 18, wherein the radius of curvature of the corners is 10-100% of the maximum distance to which the corners of the polygon project outwardly from the exterior surface of the sidewall.

20. A feeder sleeve for use in the feeder system of claim 1, the feeder sleeve comprising a first end and an opposite second end, a longitudinal axis extending between the first and second ends, and a continuous sidewall extending generally around the longitudinal axis between the first and second ends, the sidewall defining a cavity for receiving molten metal during casting, the first end of the feeder sleeve being configured for mounting on a breaker core, and the feeder sleeve comprising at least one protrusion extending perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis from an exterior surface of the sidewall at the second end of the feeder sleeve.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032] Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0033] FIGS. 1 and 2 are schematic views of a feeder system according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0034] FIG. 3 is a plan view of the feeder system shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;

[0035] FIGS. 4(a) to 4(f) show schematic views of a number of variations of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;

[0036] FIG. 5 is a schematic view of a feeder system in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;

[0037] FIG. 6 is a schematic view of a feeder system in accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention; and

[0038] FIG. 7 is a plan view of the feeder system shown in FIG. 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0039] Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a feeder system 100 comprising a feeder sleeve 10 mounted on a breaker core 11. The feeder sleeve 10 has a first end 12 and an opposite second end 13, with a longitudinal axis A extending between the first and second ends 12,13. A continuous sidewall 14 extends generally around the longitudinal axis A in the shape of a cylinder, defining a cavity therein for receiving molten metal. The first end 12 of the feeder sleeve 10 is mounted on the breaker core 11. The breaker core 11 is a conventional disc-type core defining an open bore therethrough (not shown) for connecting the feeder sleeve cavity to the casting.

[0040] In the depicted embodiment, the feeder sleeve 10 comprises four discrete protrusions 15 extending outwardly from an exterior surface of the sidewall 14 at the second end 13 of the feeder sleeve 10. As shown in FIG. 2, the height H.sub.2 of each protrusion is 10% of the maximum height H.sub.1 of the feeder sleeve 10 (as measured in the direction of the longitudinal axis A). As shown in FIG. 3, the cross-sectional shape of each protrusion (as seen in plan view along the longitudinal axis A) is a semi-circle. The top edge of each protrusion 15 is flat and contiguous with the second end 13 of the feeder sleeve 10, while the bottom of each protrusion 15 is rounded. Each protrusion 15 extends from the exterior surface of the sidewall 14 to a distance D.sub.2 which is 8% of the maximum diameter D.sub.1 of the cylindrical sidewall 14. Each protrusion 15 extends around the periphery of the sidewall to a width W.sub.1 that is 5% of the circumference of the cylindrical sidewall 14. The protrusions 15 are evenly spaced around the circumference of the sidewall 14, with a width W.sub.2 between adjacent protrusions which is 20% of the circumference of the sidewall 14. In total, the coverage of protrusions 15 around the circumference of the sidewall 14 is 20%, with 80% of the circumference having no protrusions.

[0041] As shown in FIGS. 4(a) to (f), the feeder sleeve 10 does not need to comprise four discrete protrusions 15 and may comprise any suitable amount, such as 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 protrusions 15.

[0042] Referring to FIG. 5, there is shown another embodiment of a feeder system 200, comprising a feeder sleeve 20 mounted on a breaker core 21. The feeder system 200 is largely the same as the feeder system 100 shown in FIG. 1, except that the at least one protrusion is in the form of a circular rim 25 which extends around the entire periphery of the second end 23 of the feeder sleeve 20. The side edge 27 of the rim 25 is squared off rather than rounded.

[0043] Referring to FIG. 6, there is shown a further embodiment of a feeder system 300, wherein the at least one protrusion is in the form of a square rim 35. The corners 38 of the square rim 35 are rounded. As shown in FIG. 7, the square rim 35 projects from the exterior surface of the sidewall 34 to a minimum distance D.sub.3 at the centre of the sides of the square and a maximum distance D.sub.4 at the corners of the square. D.sub.3 is 10% of the maximum diameter D.sub.1 of the sidewall 34 and D.sub.4 is 35% of the maximum diameter D.sub.1 of the sidewall 34. The distance D.sub.4 between the sidewall 34 and the corners 38 corresponds to the radius of curvature of the rounded corners.