Cooling of chill molds using baffles

摘要

A chill mold is used to cool molten material to form a casting. A support holds the chill mold so that a bottom of the chill mold is elevated. A baffle is arranged to divert a generally horizontal flow of cooling air upwardly to impinge the bottom of the chill mold. A plurality of chill molds may be aligned generally in a row, and at least one fan may be arranged at an end of the row to direct the flow of cooling air underneath the chill molds. The size and the vertical position of the baffles may be varied along the row, so as to generally equalize convective cooling rates among the chill molds in the row.

主权项

1. An apparatus for cooling a molten material, comprising:
a chill mold having a bottom panel and at least one sidewall rising up from the bottom panel defining together a vessel for holding the molten material therein to form a casting; a support having a base that holds the support generally upright on a floor surface and a frame positioned above the base adapted to receive and hold the chill mold so that the bottom panel is elevated relative to the base; a fan that directs a generally horizontal flow of cooling air below the frame; and a baffle arranged underneath the frame, the baffle having an air flow guiding surface that partially faces the fan and partially faces the bottom panel of the chill mold, the guiding surface being thus adapted to divert the generally horizontal flow of cooling air upwardly to impinge on the bottom panel of the chill mold when supported on the frame.