Method of casting annular member

Abstract

A method of casting an annular member is provided. The method includes preparing a sand mold. The method further includes clamping the sand mold between at least two plates. The method further includes rotating the sand mold. The method further includes introducing molten cast material into the sand mold during rotation of the sand mold.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A method of casting an annular member, the method comprising:
 preparing a sand mold;   clamping the sand mold between at least two plates;   rotating the sand mold; and   introducing molten cast material into the sand mold during rotation Thereof.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising, mounting the sand mold in a centrifugal casting machine for rotation thereof. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising, heating the sand mold during rotation thereof. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2  further comprising, removing the sand mold from the centrifugal casting machine after rotation thereof. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4  further comprising, cooling the sand mold until solidification of the molten cast material, after removal from the centrifugal casting machine. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5  further comprising, removing the plates after solidification of the molten cast material. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6  further comprising, dismantling the sand mold to remove the annular member. 
     
     
         8 . A method of casting a metal seal, the method comprising:
 preparing a sand mold, having a longitudinal axis, with an annular core and radially extending cavities defining surfaces of the metal seal;   clamping the sand mold between at least two plates;   mounting the sand mold in a centrifugal casting machine along an axis of rotation thereof, wherein the axis of rotation of the centrifugal casting machine is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the sand mold;   rotating the sand mold in the centrifugal casting machine;   pouring molten cast material, through the annular core, into the sand mold during rotation thereof;   removing the sand mold from the centrifugal casting machine;   cooling the sand mold until solidification of the molten cast material;   removing the plates after solidification of the molten cast material; and   dismantling the sand mold to remove the metal seal.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the annular core is located substantially at a radial center of the sand mold. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the sand mold includes a channel connecting the annular core and the cavity. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the channel includes a taper extending in a downward slope from the annular core to the cavity. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein at least one of the plates provides a hole aligning with the annular core of the sand mold, when clamped therewith. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the sand mold is removed from the centrifugal casting machine using one or more grips provided on the plates. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the molten cast material is introduced in a direction of rotation of the sand mold. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the sand mold is rotated in a range of 500 to 2000 revolutions per minute. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the sand mold is rotated in a range of 1000 to 1200 revolutions per minute. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the sand mold is rotated for a time period ranging from 30 minutes to 180 minutes. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the sand mold is rotated for a time period ranging from 60 minutes to 90 minutes. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 8  further comprising, heating the sand mold in the centrifugal casting machine during rotation thereof. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the sand mold is heated to a temperature in a range of 100 to 500 degrees Celsius.