PROCESS FOR PRODUCING A COUPLER KNUCKLE AND IMPROVED COUPLER KNUCKLE

摘要

A process for producing a coupler knuckle and an improved coupler knuckle design are provided. The process produces a coupler knuckle by constructing a mold having the shape of the coupler knuckle. The mold is coated with a material that is resistant to melting at the molten melt temperatures of the molten metal used to form the knuckle. With the mold coated, the cavities in the mold interior are filled by placing an inert material therein. The molten metal used for forming the knuckle contacts the mold and consumes it, while the coating serves to provide a shape for the knuckle.

主权项

1. A method for producing a coupler knuckle comprising:
forming a mold having the desired shape of the coupler knuckle to be produced, said mold having at least one cavity therein and at least one opening therein; the mold having a plurality of mold component sections, wherein said mold component sections are arrangeable together to form a representation of the shape of the coupler knuckle to be produced; wherein said at least one cavity communicates with the exterior of the mold through at least one opening; wherein said mold component sections are formed from a consumable material; arranging the plurality of mold component sections to form the shape of the coupler knuckle to be produced, the mold component sections when arranged forming said at least one cavity and forming an opening in said mold that communicates with said at least one cavity; wherein the arranged mold component sections define an interior mold surface formed therefrom, and wherein the arranged mold component sections define an exterior mold surface formed therefrom, wherein said at least one cavity is formed by the interior mold surface; applying a refractory coating the interior and the exterior mold surfaces of said arranged mold component sections to form the mold; placing said mold formed from said arranged mold component sections in a secured arrangement for receiving a first material and a second material; introducing a first material into the at least one cavity to occupy the at least one cavity; introducing a second material into the mold to contact the mold component sections and to consume said mold component sections; wherein said second material takes the place of said mold component sections to form a coupler knuckle having a shape corresponding with the arranged mold component sections.