Claims
- 1. A filter assembly for filtering molten metal poured into a mold, comprising:
(a) a filter formed from refractory material, the filter having first and second porous surfaces through which molten metal may flow, and a peripheral surface; and (b) locating means for assisting the positioning of the filter in a mold, the locating means situated on at least one of the first, second and peripheral surfaces of the filter and arranged to extend from the at least one of the first, second and peripheral surfaces of the filter to another of the first, second and peripheral surfaces or to another part of said surface(s), at least during use.
- 2. An assembly according to claim 1, in which the locating means is attached to the at least one of the first, second and peripheral surfaces of the filter.
- 3. An assembly according to claim 2, in which the locating means is adhered to the at least one of the first, second and peripheral surfaces of the filter.
- 4. An assembly according to claim 1, in which the locating means is located on only a peripheral region of the first and/or second surface of the filter.
- 5. An assembly according to claim 1, in which part of the locating means extends outwardly from a said surface on which it is located, away from one or more other said surface(s) of the filter, the locating means being flexible to enable it to be deformed into conforming contact with the other surface(s) of the filter.
- 6. An assembly according to claim 5, in which the outwardly extending part of the locating means comprises a plurality of flaps which may be deformed into conforming contact with said other surface(s) of the filter.
- 7. An assembly according to claim 1, in which the locating means extends from the first and/or second surface of the filter to the peripheral surface of the filter such that part of the locating means covers at least part of the peripheral surface of the filter.
- 8. An assembly according to claim 7, in which the part of the locating means which covers at least part of the peripheral surface of the filter comprises a plurality of flaps.
- 9. An assembly according to claim 7, in which the part of the locating means which covers at least part of the peripheral surface of the filter is doubled back on itself such that has a generally V- or U-shaped cross-section.
- 10. An assembly according to claim 1, in which the locating means is resiliently compressible.
- 11. An assembly according to claim 1, in which the locating means is formed from ceramic fibres, glass fibres, ceramic paper, and/or vermicular graphite.
- 12. An assembly according to claim 1, in which the locating means comprises a gasket for forming a seal between the filter and an inner surface of a mold in which the filter is located in use.
- 13. An assembly according to claim 1, in which the first and second surfaces of the filter are substantially planar and substantially mutually parallel.
- 14. An assembly according to claim 13, in which the peripheral surface of the filter is substantially perpendicular to the first and second surfaces of the filter.
- 15. An assembly according to claim 14, in which the filter has a substantially right cylindrical shape, the first and second surfaces being substantially circular.
- 16. An assembly according to claim 13, in which the peripheral surface of the filter is at an oblique angle with respect to the first and second surfaces of the filter.
- 17. An assembly according to claim 16, in which the filter has a substantially frusto-conical shape, the first and second surfaces being substantially circular.
- 18. A kit of parts for forming a filter assembly, comprising:
(a) a filter formed from refractory material, the filter having first and second porous surfaces through which molten metal may flow, and a peripheral surface; and (b) locating means adapted to be attached to at least one of the first, second and peripheral surfaces of the filter and arranged to extend from the at least one of the first, second and peripheral surfaces of the filter to another of the first, second and peripheral surfaces or to another part of said surface(s), during use, the locating means being adapted to locate the filter in a mold.
- 19. A mold for casting metal, including an aperture through which molten metal may be poured into the mold, and a filter assembly according to claim 1 located in the aperture such that the locating means is situated between the filter and an inner surface of the aperture.
- 20. A mold according to claim 19, in which the filter assembly is located on a ledge provided in the aperture.
- 21. A mold according to claim 19, in which the locating means comprises a gasket which seals between the filter and the inner surface of the aperture.
- 22. A method of casting metal in a mold having an aperture through which molten metal may be poured, and utilizing a filter assembly for filtering molten metal poured into the mold, the filter assembly comprising: a filter formed from refractory material, the filter having first and second porous surfaces through which molten metal may flow, and a peripheral surface; and locating means for assisting the positioning of the filter in the mold; said method comprising:
(a) positioning the locating means so that it is situated on at least one of the first, second and peripheral surfaces of the filter and extends from the at least one of the first, second and peripheral surfaces of the filter to another of the first, second and peripheral surfaces or to another part of said surface(s) during use; and (b) pouring molten metal (e.g. aluminum, or containing aluminum) through the filter so that it flows through the aperture and into the mold to form a cast metal element.
- 23. A mold for casting metal including:
a mold body having an aperture through which molten metal may be poured into a mold cavity in the mold body; a filter of refractory material having first and second molten metal-porous surfaces and a peripheral surface; and a gasket which is attached to at least one said surface of the filter and extends to another of said surfaces and which positions the filter in the mold so that molten metal flowing through the mold aperture flows through the filter first and second surfaces.
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is based upon U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 60/134,616 filed May 18, 1999, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein.
Provisional Applications (1)
|
Number |
Date |
Country |
|
60134616 |
May 1999 |
US |
Continuations (1)
|
Number |
Date |
Country |
Parent |
09566987 |
May 2000 |
US |
Child |
10135526 |
May 2002 |
US |