Lube applicator for die cast machine plunger

{
  "publication_number": "US6244388B1",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "B1",
  "title": "Lube applicator for die cast machine plunger",
  "abstract": "The present invention discloses an improved dry graphite lube applicator for die cast machines. The lube applicator comprises a hopper holding dry graphite lube, a feeding chamber in gravity communication with the hopper, a feeding turn screw disposed within the feeding chamber having a plurality of spiraling turns wherein each turn holds a predetermined amount of dry graphite, a motor connected to the feeding turn screw to rotate the feeding turn screw, a dispensing chamber in communication with the feeding chamber wherein the feeding screw deposits the predetermined amount of dry graphite, an air compressor source in pressure communication with the dispensing chamber to deliver the predetermined amount of dry graphite to an injection sleeve of the die cast machine. In further embodiments of the present invention, an additional sweeper mechanism is included.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A dry graphite lube applicator for a die cast machine having an injection sleeve, the dry graphite lube applicator comprising: a hopper holding dry graphite lube; a feeding chamber in gravity communication with the hopper; a feeding turn screw disposed within the feeding chamber having a plurality of spiraling turns disposed around the circumference of the turn screw, wherein each turn holds a predetermined amount of dry graphite lube; a driving device connected to the feeding turn screw to rotate the feeding turn screw within the feeding chamber; a controlling device coupled to the driving device to control extent of the turning of the turn screw to accurately estimate an amount of dry graphite lube to be deposited based on the number of turns of the turn screw and the speed of the turns; a dispensing chamber in communication with the feeding chamber, wherein the feeding screw deposits the accurately estimated amount of dry graphite lube; an air compressor source in pressure communication with the dispensing chamber to deliver the accurately estimated amount of dry graphite lube to the injection sleeve of the die cast machine.",
    "2. The dry graphite lube applicator according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of spiraling turns of the feeding turn screw is in a tight rotatable relationship with the feeding chamber.",
    "3. The dry graphite lube applicator according to claim 1, further comprising a sweeper mechanism which comprises: a sweeper chamber in communication with the dispensing chamber; a plunger slidably engaged within the sweeper chamber having an open and closed position; and a cap means attached to one end of the plunger, wherein the cap means closes off the feeding chamber from the dispensing chamber in the closed position and allows a compressed sweeping air to travel through the dispensing chamber into the injection sleeve to clear accumulated dry graphite lube in the injection sleeve, further wherein the cap means closes off the sweeper chamber in the open position to allow a compressed dispensing air to deliver the predetermined amount of dry graphite lube to the injection sleeve.",
    "4. The dry graphite lube applicator according to claim 3, wherein the compressed sweeping air and the compressed dispensing air is delivered from the air compressor source.",
    "5. The dry graphite lube applicator according to claim 3, wherein the sweeper means is placed in the closed position by compressed sweeping air and returned to the open position by a spring mechanism.",
    "6. A dry graphite lube applicator for a die cast machine having an injection sleeve, the dry graphite lube applicator comprising: a hopper holding dry graphite lube; a feeding chamber in gravity communication with the hopper; a feeding turn screw disposed within the feeding chamber having a plurality of spiraling turns disposed around the circumference of the turn screw, wherein the plurality of spiraling turns of the feeding turn screw is in a tight rotatable relationship with the feeding chamber; a controlling device coupled to the turn screw to control extent of the turning thereof to accurately estimate an amount of dry graphite lube to be deposited based on the number of turns of the turn screw and the speed of the turns; a dispensing chamber in communication with the feeding chamber, wherein the feeding screw deposits the accurately estimated amount of dry graphite lube; and an air compressor source in pressure communication with the dispensing chamber to deliver the accurately estimated amount of dry graphite lube to the injection sleeve of the die cast machine.",
    "7. The dry graphite lube applicator according to claim 6, further comprising a sweeper mechanism which comprises: a sweeper chamber in communication with the dispensing chamber; a plunger slidably engaged within the sweeper chamber having an open and closed position; and a cap means attached to one end of the plunger, wherein the cap means closes off the feeding chamber from the dispensing chamber in the closed position and allows compressed air to travel through the dispensing chamber into the injection sleeve to clear stray dry graphite lube, further wherein the cap means closes off the sweeper chamber in the open position to allow compressed air to deliver the dry graphite lube to the injection sleeve.",
    "8. A dry graphite lube applicator for a die cast machine having an injection sleeve, the dry graphite lube applicator comprising: a hopper holding dry graphite lube; a feeding chamber in gravity communication with the hopper; a feeding turn screw disposed within the feeding chamber having a plurality of spiraling turns disposed around the circumference of the turn screw, wherein the plurality of spiraling turns of the feeding turn screw is in a tight rotatable relationship with the feeding chamber; a controlling device coupled to the turn screw to control extent of the turning thereof to accurately estimate an amount of dry graphite lube to be deposited based on the number of turns of the turn screw and the speed of the turns; a dispensing chamber in communication with the feeding chamber, wherein the feeding screw deposits the accurately estimated amount of dry graphite lube; and an air compressor source in pressure communication with the dispensing chamber to deliver the accurately estimated amount of dry graphite lube to the injection sleeve of the die cast machine; and a sweeper mechanism utilizing the air compressor source to clear stray dry graphite lube from inside the dry graphite lube applicator and the injection sleeve of the die cast machine.",
    "9. The dry graphite lube applicator according to claim 1, wherein the driving device is a motor.",
    "10. The dry graphite lube applicator according to claim 1, wherein the controlling device includes a control circuit and a timer.",
    "11. The dry graphite lube applicator according to claim 2, wherein the tight rotatable relationship acts as a buffer for air to travel to the hopper, minimizing direct air contact with the dry graphite lube in the hopper.",
    "12. The dry graphite lube applicator according to claim 6, wherein the controlling device includes a control circuit and a timer.",
    "13. The dry graphite lube applicator according to claim 8, wherein the controlling device includes a control circuit and a timer.",
    "14. A dry graphite lube applicator for a die cast machine having an injection sleeve, the dry graphite lube applicator comprising: a hopper holding dry graphite lube; a feeding chamber in gravity communication with the hopper; a feeding turn screw disposed within the feeding chamber having a plurality of spiraling turns disposed around the circumference of the turn screw, wherein each turn holds a predetermined amount of dry graphite lube; a driving device connected to the feeding turn screw to rotate the feeding turn screw within the feeding chamber; a dispensing chamber in communication with the feeding chamber, wherein the feeding screw deposits the predetermined amount of dry graphite lube; an air compressor source in pressure communication with the dispensing chamber to deliver the predetermined amount of dry graphite lube to the injection sleeve of the die cast machine; and a sweeper mechanism that includes a sweeper chamber in communication with the dispensing chamber, a plunger slidably engaged within the sweeper chamber having an open and closed position, and a cap means attached to one end of the plunger, wherein the cap means closes off the feeding chamber from the dispensing chamber in the closed position and allows a compressed sweeping air to travel through the dispensing chamber into the injection sleeve to clear accumulated dry graphite lube in the injection sleeve, further wherein the cap means closes off the sweeper chamber in the open position to allow a compressed dispensing air to deliver the predetermined amount of dry graphite lube to the injection sleeve.",
    "15. The dry graphite lube applicator according to claim 14, wherein the compressed sweeping air and the compressed dispensing air is delivered from the air compressor source.",
    "16. The dry graphite lube applicator according to claim 14, wherein the sweeper means is placed in the closed position by compressed sweeping air and returned to the open position by a spring mechanism.",
    "17. A dry graphite lube applicator for a die cast machine having an injection sleeve, the dry graphite lube applicator comprising: a hopper holding dry graphite lube; a feeding chamber in gravity communication with the hopper; a feeding turn screw disposed within the feeding chamber having a plurality of spiraling turns disposed around the circumference of the turn screw, wherein the plurality of spiraling turns of the feeding turn screw is in a tight rotatable relationship with the feeding chamber; a dispensing chamber in communication with the feeding chamber, wherein the feeding screw deposits the dry graphite lube; and an air compressor source in pressure communication with the dispensing chamber to deliver the dry graphite lube to the injection sleeve of the die cast machine; and a sweeper mechanism that includes a sweeper chamber in communication with the dispensing chamber, a plunger slidably engaged within the sweeper chamber having an open and closed position, and a cap means attached to one end of the plunger, wherein the cap means closes off the feeding chamber from the dispensing chamber in the closed position and allows compressed air to travel through the dispensing chamber into the injection sleeve to clear stray dry graphite lube, further wherein the cap means closes off the sweeper chamber in the open position to allow compressed air to deliver the dry graphite lube to the injection sleeve."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "1. Field of the Invention\n\nThis present invention relates to mechanized lube applicators. More specifically, embodiments of the present invention are directed to a lube applicator for applying lubrication to the plungers of die cast machines.\n\n2. Related Art\n\nDie casting is generally performed by the use of casting molds attached to two separate plates, a stationary plate and a movable plate. The molds are “cast” by bringing the movable plate against the stationary plate (“closed position”) so that the casting molds can act as a template for the desired casting. While the casting molds are in the closed position, melted material is injected into the casting mold through an injection sleeve by means of a plunger in fluid communication with the casting mold on the stationary plate. Once the fluid cools into a solid, the movable plate separates from the stationary plate to release the finished casting. This aspect of die casting is well known.\n\nHowever, a constant problem experienced during die casting has been the wear and tear of the plunger during the die cast process. Early efforts to reduce wear and tear on the plunger was the use of grease within the plunger to reduce the friction experienced by the plunger as the plunger moved along the injection sleeve. However, grease caused numerous problems. Besides the messiness involved with the use of grease, grease was difficult to apply and was not uniformly effective throughout the entire injection sleeve. In addition, grease tended to adversely mix with the liquid casting material as the casting material passed through the injection sleeve.",
  "cpc": [
    "B22D 17/2038",
    "B22D 17/2007",
    "F16N 15/02",
    "F16N 25/04"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "B22D 17/20"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "Sunny Die Casting Inc"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "Sung Yol Yun"
  ],
  "filing_date": "1999-07-07",
  "publication_date": "2001-06-12",
  "grant_date": "2001-06-12",
  "priority_date": "1999-07-07",
  "application_number": "US-34877099-A",
  "family_id": "23369460",
  "cited_by_count": 16,
  "citations": [
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  ]
}