Apparatus for producing a metallic slurry material for use in semi-solid forming of shaped parts

Abstract

An apparatus for producing a metallic slurry material for use in semi-solid forming of a shaped part. The apparatus is generally comprised of a forming vessel and a thermal jacket. The forming vessel defines an inner volume for containing the metallic slurry material and has an outer surface. The thermal jacket has an inner surface disposed in thermal communication with the outer surface of the forming vessel to effectuate heat transfer therebetween. At least one of the forming vessel and the thermal jacket defines a number of grooves to limit the rate of heat transfer adjacent the grooves. In one embodiment, the forming vessel defines a plurality of axially-offset grooves extending about the entire periphery of the outer surface of the forming vessel. In another embodiment, a stator is disposed about the thermal jacket to impart an electromagnetic stirring force to the metallic slurry material contained within the forming vessel.

1 - 43 . (canceled)  
     
     
         44 . An apparatus for controlling the temperature of a metallic melt, comprising: 
 a vessel for receiving the metallic melt;    a body portion extending along an axis and positioned in thermal communication with said vessel, said body portion including a plurality of first axial passageways for directing a fluid in a first axial direction, said body portion including a plurality of second axial passageways for directing said fluid in a second axial direction generally opposite said first axial direction; and    a manifold portion having at least one fluid path, said at least one fluid path being positioned in fluid communication with said first and second axial passageways to redirect said fluid from said first axial direction to said second axial direction.    
     
     
         45 . The apparatus of  claim 44  wherein said manifold portion has a plurality of said fluid paths, each of said fluid paths being positioned in fluid communication with corresponding pairs of said first and second axial passageways to redirect said fluid from said first axial direction to said second axial direction.  
     
     
         46 . The apparatus of  claim 44  wherein said manifold portion has a first axially facing surface defining a plurality of slots therein, said body portion having a second axially facing surface defining openings of said plurality of said first and second axial passageways, said first axially facing surface being disposed proximately adjacent said second axially facing surface with each of said plurality of slots being positioned in fluid communication with corresponding pairs of said to redirect said fluid from said first axial direction to said second axial direction.  
     
     
         47 . The apparatus of  claim 44  wherein said body portion has a substantially cylindrical shape, said first and second axial passageways being positioned circumferentially about said body portion with said first axial passageways being disposed radially inward of said second axial passageways.  
     
     
         48 . The apparatus of  claim 44  wherein said body portion includes: 
 a first portion defining a first surface extending between a first pair of axial edges;  
 a second portion defining a second surface extending between a second pair of axial edges; and  
 wherein said first and second surfaces are each engaged in intimate contact with said vessel to effectuate conductive heat transfer between said body portion and said vessel with said first pair of axial edges being disposed generally opposite and in spaced relation relative to said second pair of axial edges when said first and second surfaces are engaged in intimate contact with said vessel.  
 
     
     
         49 . The apparatus of  claim 48  wherein said body portion is comprised of a plurality of axial sections, said axial sections being joined together to form an integrated structure.  
     
     
         50 . The apparatus of  claim 44  further comprising a stator disposed about said body portion, said stator adapted to impart an electromagnetic stirring force to the metallic melt within said vessel.  
     
     
         51 . The apparatus of  claim 44  wherein said fluid comprises pressurized air.  
     
     
         52 . The apparatus of  claim 44  wherein said fluid comprises oil.  
     
     
         53 . An apparatus for controlling the temperature of a metallic melt, comprising: 
 a vessel for receiving the metallic melt;    a body portion extending along an axis and positioned in thermal communication with said vessel, said body portion including a plurality of axial passageways adapted to transport a fluid therethrough; and    a manifold portion having a fluid path positioned in fluid communication with inlet openings of said plurality of axial passageways to distribute said fluid to each of said axial passageways.    
     
     
         54 . The apparatus of  claim 53  wherein said manifold portion has a first axially facing surface defining a slot therein, said body portion having a second axially facing surface defining said inlet openings, said first axially facing surface being disposed proximately adjacent said second axially facing surface with said slot being positioned in fluid communication with each of said inlet openings to distribute said fluid to each of said axial passageways.  
     
     
         55 . The apparatus of  claim 53  wherein said body portion and said manifold portion each have a substantially cylindrical shape, said plurality of axial passageways being positioned circumferentially about said body portion, said fluid path extending about said first axially facing surface in a circumferential direction.  
     
     
         56 . The apparatus of  claim 53  wherein said body portion is comprised of a plurality of axial sections, said axial sections being joined together to form an integrated structure.  
     
     
         57 . The apparatus of  claim 53  further comprising a stator disposed about said body portion, said stator adapted to impart an electromagnetic stirring force to the metallic melt within said vessel.  
     
     
         58 . The apparatus of  claim 53  wherein said fluid comprises pressurized air.  
     
     
         59 . The apparatus of  claim 53  wherein said fluid comprises oil.  
     
     
         60 . A thermal jacket for controlling the temperature of a metallic melt, comprising: 
 a wall having an exterior surface extending along an axis;    a plurality of passageways extending at least partially through said wall and adapted to transport a fluid therethrough; and    a plurality of openings extending from said exterior surface and positioned in fluid communication with respective ones of said plurality of passageways to discharge said fluid in a direction transverse to said axis.    
     
     
         61 . A method of controlling the cooling rate of a metallic melt, comprising: 
 providing a vessel;    providing a thermal jacket;    introducing the metallic melt into the vessel;    placing the thermal jacket in thermal communication with the vessel;    effectuating heat transfer between the vessel and the thermal jacket; and    controlling the cooling rate of the metallic melt within a range of about 0.1 degrees Celsius per second to about 10 degrees Celsius per second.    
     
     
         62 . The method of  claim 61  wherein the thermal jacket includes a plurality of passageways extending at least partially therethrough; and 
 wherein the effectuating comprises providing fluid flow through the passageways.  
 
     
     
         63 . The method of  claim 61  wherein the thermal jacket includes a plurality of heating elements; and 
 wherein the effectuating comprises activating the heating elements to add heat to the metallic melt.  
 
     
     
         64 . The method of  claim 63  wherein the controlling comprises: 
 regulating the fluid flow through the passageways; and  
 regulating activation of the heating elements.  
 
     
     
         65 . The method of  claim 61  wherein the thermal jacket has an axis and includes a first portion defining a first axial surface, and a second portion defining a second axial surface facing a direction generally opposite the first axial surface; and 
 wherein the placing includes moving the first and second portions in generally opposite directions until the first and second axial surfaces are engaged in intimate contact with the vessel to effectuate conductive heat transfer between the vessel and the thermal jacket.  
 
     
     
         66 . The method of  claim 61  further comprising transporting the vessel between a first axial position remote from the thermal jacket and a second axial position in which the vessel is disposed between the first and second portions of the thermal jacket.  
     
     
         67 . The method of  claim 61  further comprising providing a stator; and 
 activating the stator to impart an electromagnetic stirring force to the metallic melt.