Compliant fill tube assembly, fill tube therefor and method of use
US7601293B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 30, 2008 |
| Grant date | Oct 13, 2009 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 30, 2028 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T29/49826
- WIPO fieldMaterials, metallurgy
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A fill tube assembly is for a casting mold. The fill tube assembly includes a fill tube having a tubular member with a receiving end, a mold-engaging end and an intermediate portion. The mold-engaging end has a tapered flange radially extending therefrom, the remainder of the tubular member has a substantially uniform cross-section. A clamping assembly is structured to maintain a substantially leakproof seal at the fill tube, casting mold interface while accommodating dimensional variations. The clamping assembly includes a gasket, a load ring, a clamping plate and a pre-load gap between the clamping plate and the casting mold and optionally includes a dimensional compensating ring. When tightened, the clamping plate biases the load ring against the flange thereby distributing a uniform load against the casting mold, compressing the gasket therebetween while narrowing the pre-load gap to accommodate dimensional variations. A method of use is also disclosed.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.