FEEDER FOR USE IN THE CASTING OF METALS IN CASTING MOLDS

Abstract

The invention relates to a feeder insert (1, 1) for use in the casting of metals in casting molds, with a feeder body (2, 2) and a feeder element (4, 4) which interacts with the feeder body (2, 2), which delimit a feeder cavity (6) for receiving liquid metal, the feeder body (2, 2) having a first end (8) with a passage opening (10) for the liquid metal, and a second end (12) which lies opposite the first end (8) and is open, and the feeder element (4, 4) being arranged at this second, open end (12), it being possible for portions of the feeder body (2, 2) and the feeder element (4, 4) to be displaced telescopically inside one another, with the result that the feeder cavity (6) can be compressed down to a minimum volume V.sub.K, the feeder body (2, 2) defining at least a proportion of 40% of this minimum volume V.sub.K.

Claims

1. A feeder insert (1, 1) for use in the casting of metals in casting molds, with a feeder body (2, 2) and a feeder element (4, 4) which interacts with the feeder body (2, 2), which delimit a feeder cavity (6) for receiving liquid metal, the feeder body (2, 2) having a first end (8) with a passage opening (10) for the liquid metal, and a second end (12) which lies opposite the first end (8) and is open, and the feeder element (4, 4) being arranged at this second, open end (12), it being possible for portions of the feeder body (2, 2) and the feeder element (4, 4) to be displaced telescopically inside one another, with the result that the feeder cavity (6) can be compressed down to a minimum volume V.sub.K, the feeder body (2, 2) defining at least a proportion of 40% of this minimum volume V.sub.K.

2. The feeder insert as claimed in claim 1, the feeder body (2, 2) defining a proportion of 45% or more, preferably 50% or more, particularly preferably 60% or more, with preference 70% or more, with particular preference 80% or more, of the minimum volume V.sub.K.

3. The feeder insert as claimed in claim 1, the feeder body (2, 2) having a mass mx and the feeder element (4, 4) having a mass m.sub.E, and the ratio of the mass mx of the feeder body (2, 2) to the mass m.sub.E of the feeder element (4, 4) being 0.5 or greater, preferably 0.85 or greater, particularly preferably 1 or greater, very particularly preferably 2 or greater, with preference 4-5 or greater, with particular preference approximately 5.75.

4. The feeder insert as claimed in claim 1, that proportion of the minimum volume V.sub.K which is defined by the feeder body (2, 2) having a sphericity ? of 0.75 or greater, preferably of 0.8 or greater, particularly preferably of 0.85 or greater, very particularly preferably 0.9 or greater.

5. The feeder insert as claimed in claim 1, i) it being possible for portions of the feeder element (4) to be pushed into the feeder body (2), or ii) it being possible for portions of the feeder body (2) to be pushed into the feeder element (4).

6. The feeder insert as claimed in claim 1, the volume center of gravity of the feeder cavity (6) lying within the volume proportion which is defined by the feeder body (2, 2) when the feeder cavity (6) is compressed down to the minimum volume V.sub.K.

7. The feeder insert as claimed in claim 1, for use in the casting of metals in casting molds, with a feeder body (2) and a feeder element (4) which interacts with the feeder body (2), which delimit the feeder cavity for receiving liquid metal, the feeder body (2) having a first end (8) with a passage opening (10) for the liquid metal, and a second end (12) which lies opposite the first end and is open, and the feeder element (4) being arranged at this second, open end (12), it being possible for portions of the feeder element (4) to be pushed into the feeder body (2), with the result that the feeder cavity (6) can be compressed down to a minimum volume V.sub.K, the feeder body (2) defining at least a proportion of 40% of this minimum volume V.sub.K, the feeder body (2) having a mass mx and the feeder element (4) having a mass m.sub.E, and the ratio of the mass m.sub.K of the feeder body to the mass m.sub.E of the feeder element being 0.5 or greater, and the volume center of gravity V.sub.S of the feeder cavity lying within the volume proportion defined by the feeder body (2) when the feeder cavity is compressed down to the minimum volume V.sub.K.

8. The feeder insert as claimed in claim 1, the feeder body (2, 2) having a wall (20) which extends from the first to the second end (8, 12), the wall (20) forming, on its inner side (22) which delimits the feeder cavity (6), a guide for the feeder element (4) which can be pushed along on it into the feeder body (2).

9. The feeder insert as claimed in claim 8, the guide having at least one guide face (24) or a plurality of guide portions which are arranged on the inner side of the wall (20).

10. The feeder insert as claimed in claim 1, the feeder body (2, 2) having a longitudinal axis (26) which extends from the first end to the second end, and, at least along a portion of its longitudinal axis, an inner cross-sectional area (28) which is of substantially rotationally symmetrical configuration about the longitudinal axis.

11. The feeder insert as claimed in claim 1, the feeder body (2, 2) having, starting from its second end (12) in the direction of its first end (8), an inner free cross-sectional area (28) which is constant in size and/or decreases along at least one portion of its longitudinal axis (26).

12. The feeder insert as claimed in claim 1, the feeder element (4) being configured as a feeder cap which can be placed onto the second, open end of the feeder body (2) and closes the latter.

13. The feeder insert as claimed in claim 1, the feeder element (4) having a contact portion (30) which corresponds with the inner side (22) of the wall (20) of the feeder body (4) and is designed to brake the movement of the feeder element during the displacement into the feeder body.

14. The feeder insert as claimed in claim 1, the feeder element (4) having, in relation to the longitudinal axis (26) of the feeder body (2), at least one bearing web (32) which projects outward in the radial direction via the opening at the second end (12) of the feeder body (2) and preferably lies on the second end of the feeder body (2) along the entire circumference of the opening at this end.

15. The feeder insert as claimed in claim 14, it being possible for portions of the feeder element (4) to be pushed into the feeder body (2), and the bearing web (32) being designed such that it is severed when the feeder element (4) is pushed telescopically into the feeder body (2).

16. The feeder insert as claimed in claim 13, that contact portion (30) of the feeder element (4) which faces the inner side (22) of the wall (20) of the feeder body (2) having at least one clamping part (34) for holding the feeder element (4) relative to the inner side of the wall (20) of the feeder body (2).

17. The feeder insert as claimed in claim 1, the feeder element (4, 4) having, on that inner side (36) of its wall (38) which delimits the feeder cavity (6), at least one material web (40) which preferably extends radially and axially with respect to the longitudinal axis (26) of the feeder body (2, 2).

18. The feeder insert as claimed in claim 17, two, three, four or more material webs (40) being arranged uniformly distributed around the longitudinal axis (26) on the inner-side wall (38) of the feeder element (4, 4).

19. The feeder insert as claimed in claim 1, the feeder element (4, 4) having, on its inner side which faces the feeder cavity (6), a recess (16) for receiving a centering pin tip (18).

20. The feeder insert as claimed in claim 1, at least portions of the feeder body (2, 2) and/or the feeder element comprising an exothermic heating mass.

21. The feeder insert as claimed in claim 1, the feeder insert (1, 1) having a modulus in the range from approximately 0.5 cm to 9 cm, preferably from approximately 1.2 cm to 2.6 cm.

22. The feeder insert as claimed in claim 1, for use in the casting of metals in vertically separable casting molds, the feeder body (2, 2) and the feeder element (4, 4) being designed for positioning by means of a centering pin (14) which can be positioned along a centering axis, and the feeder cavity (6) being configured in such a way that, in the case of a horizontal arrangement of the centering axis, a predominant volume proportion of the feeder cavity (6) can be positioned above the centering axis.

23. The feeder insert as claimed in claim 1, (i) the feeder element (4, 4) being formed from exothermic feeder material, or at least portions thereof comprising exothermic feeder material, and/or the feeder body (2, 2) being formed from exothermic feeder material, or at least portions thereof comprising exothermic feeder material, or (ii) the feeder element (4, 4) being formed from insulating feeder material, or at least portions thereof comprising insulating feeder material, and/or the feeder body (2, 2) being formed from insulating feeder material, or at least portions thereof comprising insulating feeder material, or (iii) the feeder body (2, 2) being formed from exothermic feeder material, or at least portions thereof comprising exothermic feeding material, and/or the feeder element (4, 4) not comprising exothermic feeder material and being formed from insulating feeder material, or at least portions thereof comprising insulating feeder material, or being formed from a material or containing a material which is selected from the group consisting of metals, plastics, cardboards, mixtures thereof and composite materials thereof, or (iv) the feeder body (2, 2) being formed from insulating feeder material, or at least portions thereof comprising insulating feeder material, and/or the feeder element (4, 4) being formed from exothermic feeder material, or at least portions thereof comprising exothermic feeder material, or being formed from a material or containing a material which is selected from the group consisting of metals, plastics, cardboards, mixtures thereof and composite materials thereof.

24. A kit for producing one or more feeder inserts (1, 1) as claimed in claim 1, comprising a feeder body (2, 2) or a plurality of feeder bodies (2, 2), and a feeder element (4, 4) or a plurality of feeder elements (4, 4) which corresponds or correspond to the feeder body or feeder bodies (2, 2) in such a way that, by way of respective assembling of feeder body (2, 2) and feeder element (4, 4), a feeder insert (1, 1), can be produced or a plurality of different feeder inserts (1, 1), can be produced with different volumes.

25. The kit as claimed in claim 24, comprising a centering pin (14) which corresponds with the passage opening (10) in the or one of the plurality of feeder bodies (2, 2) and preferably with a recess (16) for receiving a centering pin tip (18) in the or one of the plurality of feeder elements (4, 4).

26. The use of a feeder insert (1, 1), as defined in claim 1, during the production of a casting mold with a vertical mold separation for dense feeding of a mold cavity present in the casting mold during the casting operation.

Description

[0045] The invention will be described in greater detail in the following text on the basis of one preferred exemplary embodiment with reference to the appended figures, in which:

[0046] FIG. 1 shows a view of a first embodiment of a feeder insert according to the invention,

[0047] FIG. 2 shows a view of the feeder insert according to the invention in accordance with FIG. 1 in a sectional illustration in the uncompressed state,

[0048] FIG. 3 shows a view of the feeder insert according to the invention in accordance with FIG. 1 in a sectional illustration in its maximum compressible state,

[0049] FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of a second embodiment of a feeder insert according to the invention,

[0050] FIG. 5 shows a view of the feeder insert according to the invention in accordance with FIG. 4 in a sectional illustration in the uncompressed state, and

[0051] FIG. 6 shows a view of the feeder insert according to the invention in accordance with FIG. 4 in a sectional illustration in its maximum compressed state.

[0052] FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of a feeder insert 1 according to the invention which is used in the casting of metals in a casting mold (not shown in greater detail). The feeder insert 1 comprises a feeder body 2 and a feeder element 4 which interacts with the feeder body, which delimit a feeder cavity 6 for receiving liquid metal.

[0053] The feeder body 2 (also called a feeder lower part) has a first end 8, at which a passage opening 10 for the liquid metal is provided. Furthermore, the feeder body 2 has a second end 12 which lies opposite the first end 8, the second end 12 of the feeder body 2 being open. In one preferred embodiment, the feeder element 4 of the feeder insert according to the invention is arranged at the second, open end 12 of the feeder body 2 and closes the latter.

[0054] In the present embodiment, portions of the feeder body 2 and the feeder element 4 can be displaced telescopically inside one another. During the telescopic displacement inside one another, portions of the feeder element 4 are pushed into the feeder body 2, surfaces of the feeder body and the feeder element sliding on one another. The feeder body 2 and the feeder element 4 themselves are usually of non-deformable or non-compressible configuration.

[0055] By way of the displacement of the feeder body 2 and the feeder element 4, the feeder cavity 6 can be compressed down to a minimum volume V.sub.K, the feeder body defining at least a proportion of 40% of this minimum volume V.sub.K.

[0056] In the embodiment which is shown in FIG. 1, the feeder body 2 has a mass mx and the feeder element 4 has a mass m.sub.E, the ratio of the mass m.sub.K of the feeder body 2 to the mass m.sub.E of the feeder element being 0.5 or greater. In the present embodiment, the ratio of the mass m.sub.K to the mass m.sub.E is 2 or greater.

[0057] In order to ensure correct positioning of the feeder insert 1 on a model plate or mold model (not shown in greater detail), the feeder insert 1 is received with the aid of a centering pin 14 which, however, is not part of the feeder insert itself. The centering pin 14 serves merely to position the feeder insert 1 during the mold production, and is removed after the production of at least one mold part of the casting mold.

[0058] As can be seen from FIG. 1, the centering pin 14 corresponds with the passage opening 10 on the feeder body 2 and a recess 16 on the feeder element 4 for receiving a centering pin tip 18 of the centering pin 14.

[0059] FIG. 2 shows a sectional illustration of the feeder insert 1 in the uncompressed state, that is to say in the starting position of the feeder body 2 and the feeder element 4 with respect to one another. As can be seen from FIG. 2, portions of the feeder element 4 can be pushed into the feeder body 2. The feeder body 2 has a wall 20 which extends from the first end 8 to the second end 12.

[0060] In one embodiment, on its inner side 22 which delimits the feeder cavity 6, the wall 20 forms or defines a guide for the feeder element 4 which can be pushed in along the inner side of the wall 20. The guide comprises at least one guide face 24 on the inner side 22 of the wall 20 of the feeder body 2. In one possible embodiment, a plurality of guide portions which are arranged on the inner side of the wall can be provided instead of a guide face 24.

[0061] The feeder body has a longitudinal axis 26 which extends from the first end 8 to the second end 12. In addition, the feeder body has a cross-sectional area 28 which is of substantially rotationally symmetrical configuration about the longitudinal axis (FIG. 1) along a portion of the longitudinal axis 26. In a further embodiment of the feeder insert 1, the feeder body has, starting from its second end 12 in the direction of its first end 8 along the longitudinal axis 26, at least one portion with a constant and/or decreasing inner free cross-sectional area.

[0062] FIG. 3 shows the feeder insert 1 in its maximum compressible state, in which the feeder cavity is compressed to its minimum volume V.sub.K. The proportion of the feeder body 2 in the minimum volume V.sub.K of the feeder cavity is defined at the upper limit by the boundary 29 which is defined by the lower end of the feeder element 4.

[0063] The volume center of gravity V.sub.S of the feeder cavity 6 lies within that volume proportion of the minimum volume V.sub.K which is defined by the feeder body 2. That proportion of the minimum volume V.sub.K which is defined by the feeder body has a sphericity of 0.75 or greater.

[0064] Furthermore, FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate that the feeder element 4 is configured as a feeder cap which can be placed onto the second, open end 12 of the feeder body 2 and closes the second end 12. The feeder element 4 has a contact portion 30 which corresponds with the inner side 22 of the wall 20 of the feeder body 2. The contact portion 30 is configured to brake the movement of the feeder element during the telescopic displacement of portions of the feeder element 4 into the feeder body 2.

[0065] Furthermore, the feeder element 4 has a bearing web 32 which projects outward in the radial direction beyond the second open end 12 of the feeder body. In the embodiment which is shown, the bearing web 32 lies along the entire circumference at the second end 12 of the feeder body 2. The bearing web 32 holds the feeder element 4 in position at the second end 12 of the feeder body 2, in order to avoid premature pushing of the feeder element 4 into the feeder body 2. In addition, the bearing web 32 seals the region between the contact portion 30 on the feeder element 4 and the inner side 22 of the wall 20 on the feeder body 2, with the result that no mold material passes between the surfaces which slide on one another.

[0066] The bearing web 32 is configured to be severed during the telescopic pushing of the feeder element into the feeder body 2.

[0067] In one embodiment of the feeder insert according to the invention, one or more clamping parts are provided on the contact portion 30 of the feeder element 4 in order to hold the feeder element 4 relative to the inner side of the wall 20 of the feeder body 2. In relation to the longitudinal axis 26 of the feeder body 2, the clamping part or parts 34 projects/project approximately radially on the contact portion 30 of the feeder element 4, and therefore face the inner side of the wall 20 of the feeder body 2.

[0068] On its inner side 36 of the wall 38 which delimits the feeder cavity 6, the feeder element 4 has a plurality of material webs 40. In the embodiment which is shown, the material webs 40 preferably extend in the radial and axial direction with respect to the longitudinal axis 26 of the feeder body 2. The plurality of material webs 40 which are arranged on the inner side of the wall 38 of the feeder element 4 are arranged distributed uniformly around the longitudinal axis 26.

[0069] In one embodiment of the invention, the feeder insert 1 is positioned along a horizontally running centering axis during its use, a predominant volume proportion of the feeder cavity being positioned above the centering axis. This is achieved by the feeder element 4 having an odd number of material webs 40, and the feeder element 4 being positioned relative to the centering axis in such a way that more material webs 38 are arranged below the centering axis than above.

[0070] FIG. 4 shows a second embodiment of a feeder insert 1 according to the invention. The feeder insert 1 comprises a feeder body 2 and a feeder element 4 which interacts with the feeder body 2, which delimit a feeder cavity 6 for receiving liquid metal.

[0071] The feeder body 2 (also called a feeder lower part) has a first end 8, on which a passage opening 10 for the liquid metal is provided. Furthermore, the feeder body 2 has a second end 12 which lies opposite the first end 8, the second end 12 of the feeder body 2 being open. In the embodiment which is shown, the feeder element 4 of the feeder insert 1 according to the invention is arranged at the second, open end 12 of the feeder body 2 and closes it.

[0072] In the present embodiment, portions of the feeder body 2 and the feeder element 4 can be displaced telescopically inside one another. During the telescopic displacement inside one another, portions of the feeder element 4 are pushed on the outer side over the feeder body 2, faces of the feeder body and the feeder element sliding on one another. The feeder body 2 and the feeder element 4 themselves are usually of non-deformable or non-compressible configuration.

[0073] By way of the displacement of the feeder body 2 and the feeder element 4, the feeder cavity 6 can be compressed down to a minimum volume V.sub.K, the feeder body defining at least a proportion of 40% of this minimum volume V.sub.K. That embodiment of the feeder body 2 which is shown in FIG. 4 preferably has a mass M.sub.K, and the feeder element 4 has a mass m.sub.E, the ratio of the mass M.sub.K of the feeder body 2 to the mass m.sub.E of the feeder element 4 being 0.5 or greater.

[0074] In order to ensure positioning of the feeder insert 1 on a model plate or a mold model (not shown in greater detail), a centering pin can likewise be used. The centering pin then corresponds with the passage opening on the feeder body 2 and a recess 16 on the feeder element 4 for receiving a centering pin tip of the centering pin.

[0075] FIG. 5 shows a sectional illustration of the feeder insert 1 in the uncompressed state, that is to say in the starting position of the feeder body 2 and the feeder element 4 with respect to one another. As is clarified from FIG. 2, portions of the feeder element 4 can be pushed on the outer side over the feeder body 2.

[0076] By way of its outer side 22, a wall 20 of the feeder body 2 forms the guide for the feeder element 4 which can be pushed along the outer side 22 of the wall 20. The guide comprises at least one guide face 24 on the outer side 22 of the wall 20.

[0077] FIG. 6 shows the feeder insert 1 in its maximum compressible state, in which the feeder cavity 6 is com-pressed to its minimum volume V.sub.K. The proportion of the feeder body 2 in the minimum volume V.sub.K of the feeder cavity 6 is determined by its second end 12 itself which is open toward the top. The volume center of gravity V.sub.S of the feeder cavity 6 lies within that volume proportion of the minimum volume V.sub.K which is defined by the feeder body 2. That proportion of the minimum volume V.sub.K which is defined by the feeder body 2 preferably has a sphericity of 0.75 or greater.

[0078] As FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate, the feeder body 2 additionally has a contact portion 30 which corresponds with the inner side of the feeder element 4. The contact portion 30 is configured to brake the movement of the feeder element during the telescopic displacement of portions of the feeder element 4 over the feeder body 2.

[0079] In one embodiment of the feeder insert 1 according to the invention, one or more clamping parts 34 for holding the feeder element 4 with respect to the outer side 22 of the wall 20 of the feeder body 2 are/is provided on the contact portion 30 of the feeder body 2. In relation to a longitudinal axis 26 of the feeder body 2, the clamping part or parts 34 projects/project approximately radially outward on the contact portion 30 of the feeder element 4 and therefore faces/face the inner side of the feeder element 4.

[0080] The feeder element 4 has a plurality of material webs 40 on its inner side 36, delimiting the feeder cavity 6, of its wall 38. In the embodiment which is shown, the material webs 40 preferably extend in the radial and axial direction with respect to the longitudinal axis 26 of the feeder body 2. The plurality of material webs 40 which are arranged on the inner side of the wall 38 of the feeder element 4 are arranged distributed uniformly around the longitudinal axis 26.

[0081] In one embodiment of the invention, the feeder element 4 has, along a portion of the longitudinal axis 26, a cross-sectional area which tapers conically starting from the lower end in the direction of the upper end.

[0082] Identical or similar components are denoted by the same designations.

LIST OF DESIGNATIONS

[0083] 1, 1 Feeder insert [0084] 2, 2 Feeder body [0085] 4,4 Feeder element [0086] 6 Feeder cavity [0087] 8 First end [0088] 10 Passage opening [0089] 12 Second end [0090] 14 Centering pin [0091] 16 Recess [0092] 18 Centering pin tip [0093] 20 Wall [0094] 22 Inner side [0095] 22 Outer side [0096] 24, 24 Guide face [0097] 26 Longitudinal axis [0098] 28 Cross-sectional area [0099] 30, 30 Contact portion [0100] 32 Bearing web [0101] 34, 34 Clamping part [0102] 36 Inner side [0103] 38 Wall [0104] 40 Material web [0105] V.sub.K Minimum volume, feeder cavity [0106] V.sub.S Volume center of gravity