Method and apparatus for casting an airfoil
US5404930A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 6, 1994 |
| Grant date | Apr 11, 1995 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 6, 2014 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB22C9/086
- WIPO fieldMaterials, metallurgy
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
An improved mold for use in casting a metal airfoil has an airfoil mold cavity and a starter chamber. A lower end of the starter chamber is formed by a chill plate. A filter is disposed in the starter chamber between the airfoil mold cavity and the chill plate. When an airfoil is to be cast, molten metal is conducted into the starter chamber, into passages in the filter and into the airfoil mold cavity. The molten metal is solidified upward in the starter chamber from the chill plate and through the passages in the filter. The filter blocks migration of impurities from the starter chamber to the airfoil mold cavity as the metal solidifies in the starter chamber. As the molten metal begins to solidify in the airfoil mold cavity, the molten metal is solidified as a large number of columnar grain crystals which extend from the passages in the filter into the airfoil mold cavity. If a single crystal airfoil is desired, a single crystal selector may be provided between the starter chamber and the airfoil mold cavity.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.