CASTING SLEEVE WITH WILLIAMS CORE
A sleeve ( 110 ) for use in metal casting has a sleeve body, where a longitudinal axis (B) has a side wall ( 116 ) formed around it, defining a sleeve interior. The sleeve body is open at a first end ( 118 ). A core ( 120 ) is formed integrally along an interior surface extends into the sleeve interior. The sleeve body and the core are formed of a gas-permeable refractory material. At least the core contains material for generating heat when heated by a molten metal. The core extends along the side wall from the first end to a second end. The core has a width that is constant or decreases in a radial direction away from the side wall, especially with a triangular profile, with a base thereof in contact with the side wall. The sleeve body is cylindrical or frustoconical, with a diameter that decreases from the open first end.
1 . A sleeve for use in metal casting, comprising:
a sleeve body having a longitudinal axis around which is formed a side wall that defines an interior of the sleeve, the sleeve body being open at a first end thereof; and
a core, formed integrally along an interior surface of the side wall and extending into the sleeve interior.
2 . The sleeve of claim 1 , wherein:
the sleeve body and the core that extends into the sleeve interior are each formed of a gas-permeable refractory material.
3 . The sleeve of claim 2 , wherein:
at least the core comprises material selected for generating heat when heated by a molten metal.
4 . The sleeve of claim 1 , wherein:
the core extends along the side wall of the sleeve body from the first end to a second end thereof.
5 . The sleeve of one of claim 1 , wherein:
the core has a width that is constant or decreases in a radial direction away from the side wall.
6 . The sleeve of claim 5 , wherein:
the core has a triangular profile, with a base thereof in contact with the side wall.
7 . The sleeve of claim 1 , wherein:
the sleeve body is frustoconical, with a diameter that decreases from the open first end to a second end thereof.
8 . The sleeve of claim 1 , further comprising:
a cover, sized and adapted to close the sleeve body at a second end thereof.
9 . The sleeve of claim 1 , further comprising, a cover, formed integrally with the sleeve body at a second end thereof.
10 . The sleeve of claim 9 , wherein:
the cover is provided with at least one aperture therethrough.
11 . The sleeve of claim 9 , wherein:
the cover comprises a gas-permeable refractory material and, optionally, material selected for generating heat when heated by a molten metal.
12 . The sleeve of claim 8 , wherein:
the cover is provided with at least one aperture therethrough.
13 . The sleeve of claim 8 , wherein:
the cover comprises a gas-permeable refractory material and, optionally, material selected for generating heat when heated by a molten metal.
14 . The sleeve of claim 3 , wherein:
the core extends along the side wall of the sleeve body from the first end to a second end thereof.
15 . The sleeve of claim 3 , wherein:
the core has a width that is constant or decreases in a radial direction away from the side wall.
16 . The sleeve of claim 15 , wherein:
the core has a triangular profile, with a base thereof in contact with the side wall.
17 . The sleeve of claim 3 , wherein:
the sleeve body is frustoconical, with a diameter that decreases from the open first end to a second end thereof.
18 . A sleeve for use in metal casting, comprising:
a sleeve body having a longitudinal axis around which is formed a side wall that defines an interior of the sleeve, the sleeve body being frustoconical, with a diameter that decreases from an open first end to a second end thereof; and
a core, formed integrally along an interior surface of the side wall and extending into the sleeve interior, the core having a triangular profile, with a base thereof in contact with the side wall
wherein each of the sleeve body and the core are formed of a gas-permeable refractory material, with at least the core further comprising material selected for generating heat when heated by a molten metal.
19 . A method of preparing a mold for casting a molten metal, comprising the steps of:
providing a sleeve according to claim 1 ;
providing a vertically-split mold;
inserting the sleeve in a first part of the vertically-split mold, such that an axis of the sleeve lies horizontally in the mold when the mold is oriented to receive the molten metal, with the core of the sleeve positioned to be gravitationally above a reservoir of the molten metal reservoir formed in the sleeve by a pour of the molten metal.