FOUNDRY CASTINGS AND METHOD FOR DE-CORING

The present invention relates to a machine for de-coring a plurality of foundry castings, which are arranged in an innovative manner to simplify the loading thereof, while decreasing the spatial occupation of the entire machine, maintaining a high level of de-coring performance, and reducing the risks of degradation of the structure of the de-coring machine.

The present invention also relates to a method for de- coring a plurality of foundry castings, wherein the step of arranging the foundry castings in the housings is innovative.

Several de-coring machines are known which are used for de-coring one or more foundry castings. For example, document EP2440348 describes a de-coring machine for removing residual moulding material from foundry castings, which has a fork-shaped frame defined by a base member and two shoulders located at opposite ends of a plane of symmetry of the frame and defining a housing for at least two foundry castings to be de-cored. The machine comprises two motors mounted on the frame, which are adapted to rotate in phase opposition to each other about a vertical axis of rotation lying in a plane of symmetry, so as to impart a vibratory movement to the frame in a given direction.

Patent document EP1995002 discloses a vibrating machine for removing sand from a hollow foundry casting. Such machine comprises a rotating drum which holds the foundry casting, and is mounted in a frame. The foundry casting is hammered to loosen the sand and is turned into a position where the sand can fall down. This machine can rotate the drum as the frame continues to vibrate, driven by a vibrating motor.

Patent application WO2016164955 discloses a de-coring machine that comprises a first machine frame, a machine table movable in relation to the machine frame for clamping a foundry casting, two eccentric masses driven in opposite directions and mounted on the machine table, as well as one drive motor arranged on the machine frame. A twisting torque is transferred from at least one drive motor to the two eccentric masses and is guided in such a way that said torque is supplied to the machine frame and to the machine table, guided via at least one belt leading to each eccentric mass.

Patent application WO2018152559 discloses an apparatus and a method for de-coring foundry castings, wherein the apparatus includes at least one hydraulic hammer and the method envisages the use of a hydraulic hammer for de-coring the foundry casting.

All the machines currently known in the art comprise eccentric masses that, in addition to being costly, heavy and poorly functional, do not allow the foundry casting housings to rotate by angles exceeding 270° because of the power cables and/or of the motion transmission means necessary for their operation. Moreover, said motors or eccentric masses increase the risk of resonance of the support frame, thus causing problems of stability of the support frame itself and leading to failures at the welding points of the various parts of the machine frame. In particular, it is known that the simultaneous activation of the oscillator, adapted to vibrate the housings, and of the de-coring hammers causes resonance of the support frame, which may result in fast degradation of the support frame itself .

The machines currently known in the art include a de- coring frame where one or more foundry castings are positioned. Such frame has a planar structure, so that in order to house a plurality of castings it is necessary to considerably enlarge the surface of said de-coring frame.

Furthermore, when the dimensions of said de-coring frame are increased, difficulties are encountered in rotating and/or vibrating or oscillating said de-coring frame in order to increase the de-coring power of the de- coring machine. This results in a considerable increase in the dimensions of the de-coring machine, in addition to an asymmetric load structure, particularly during the rotation, and high costs incurred for manufacturing the de-coring machine .

The de-coring machines currently known in the art suffer from a non-optimal spatial distribution of the foundry castings, since the ratio between the number of castings that can be de-cored simultaneously and the spatial occupation of the machine is very low.

Also, the machines currently known in the art do not allow facilitating the positioning of the foundry castings on the de-coring machine, and therefore it is necessary to increase the performance of the handling means in order to be able to reach every housing available in the de-coring frame .

In light of the above, therefore, the de-coring machines currently known in the art suffer from limitations that are essentially due to the structure of the de-coring frame and/or to the presence of vibratory devices and/or eccentric masses .

The present invention aims at solving all the above- mentioned problems suffered by the prior art, and many others as well, by providing a de-coring machine, and an innovative de-coring method, wherein it is possible to house a plurality of foundry castings in a de-coring machine having compact dimensions and very high performance.

One aspect of the present invention relates to a de- coring machine having the features set out in the appended claim 1.

A further aspect of the present invention relates to a method for de-coring a foundry casting having the features set out in the appended claim 10.

Auxiliary features are set out in respective dependent claims .

The features and advantages of the machine and method will become apparent from the following description of several possible embodiments thereof, supplied by way of non-limiting example, as well as from the annexed drawings, wherein :

• Figures 1A and IB show different views of a first embodiment of the de-coring machine according to the present invention; in particular: Figure 1A shows an axonometric view of the de-coring machine; Figure IB shows a top view of the machine of Figure 1A;

• Figures 2A and 2B show different views of a second embodiment of the de-coring machine according to the present invention; in particular: Figure 2A shows an axonometric view of the de-coring machine; Figure 2B shows a top view of the machine of Figure 2A; • Figures 3A and 3B show side views of two different embodiments of the de-coring machine; in particular: Figure 3A shows the de-coring machine of Figure 1A; Figure 3B shows the de-coring machine of Figure 2A;

• Figures 4A and 4B show different views of one possible embodiment of the housings comprised in the de- coring machine of Figure 1A; in particular: Figure 4A shows an axonometric view of the housings; Figure 4B shows a top view of the housings;

• Figures 5A and 5B show different views of one possible embodiment of the housings comprised in the de- coring machine of Figure 2A; in particular: Figure 5A shows an axonometric view of the housings; Figure 5B shows a top view of the housings;

• Figures 6A and 6B show different views of one possible embodiment of the shaft of the de-coring machine according to the present invention; in particular: Figure 6A shows a side view of the shaft; Figure 6B shows the shaft of Figure 6A in a sectional view relative to the plane 6B-6B;

• Figure 7 shows a detail of the shaft illustrated in Figure 6B, highlighting a first power portion with first ducts, a conduction portion with connection ducts, and a second power portion with second ducts;

• Figures 8A, 8B, 8C and 8D show, in a front view, the sequence of steps necessary for arranging a plurality of foundry castings in the housings of the de-coring machine of Figure 2A; in particular: Figure 8A shows the de-coring machine with all the housings clear of any foundry castings; Figure 8B shows the execution of the step of arranging at least one foundry casting in at least one first housing and the step of tightening said at least one housing, for at least one first foundry casting; Figure 8C shows the machine at the end of the step of rotating the housings; Figure 8D shows the execution of the step of arranging at least one foundry casting in at least one second housing and the step of tightening said at least one further housing, for at least one second foundry casting.

With reference to the above-listed figures, reference numeral 2 designates the de-coring machine according to the present invention. Reference "P" designates a foundry casting to be positioned in a housing 4 comprised in de- coring machine 2.

Dde-coring machine 2 according to the present invention is particularly suitable for de-coring foundry castings "P", which may comprise recesses and/or cavities.

Machine 2 according to the present invention comprises: a support structure 3; a plurality of housings 4, in which at least one pair of foundry castings "P" can be positioned and suitably retained; and a shaft 5.

Said shaft 5 is rotatably driven by a motor "M", and suitably supported by said support structure 3.

Machine 2 further comprises a plurality of de-coring hammers 6 adapted to selectively act upon said at least one pair of foundry castings "P" suitably positioned in said plurality of housings 4.

Machine 2 further comprises a power circuit 7 for supplying power to said plurality of de-coring hammers 6.

In de-coring machine 2 according to the present invention, said plurality of housings 4 are suitably connected to said shaft 5, rotating integrally with said shaft 5. Said shaft 5 is adapted to rotate about a longitudinal axis "L" .

Said de-coring machine 2 according to the present invention, comprises a plurality of housings 4, which are angularly spaced apart evenly around said shaft 5.

The present solution makes it possible to reduce the total spatial occupation of the de-coring machine through a better spatial arrangement of housings 4. In particular, it is possible to reduce the planar spatial occupation of the machine in comparison with a de-coring machine according to the prior art, the number of housings comprised therein being equal .

The present solution also makes it possible to distribute the loads evenly, thereby facilitating the rotation of said shaft 5, and hence of housings 4, about said longitudinal axis "L", thus increasing the de-coring performance of machine 2 according to the present invention.

In one possible embodiment, said machine 2 comprises at least one pair of housings 4 angularly spaced apart evenly around said shaft 5; therefore, such housings 4 are arranged along a diametrical axis of said shaft 5, mutually spaced apart by an angle of 180° around said shaft 5.

In an embodiment of machine 3 which comprises three housings 4, such housings are spaced apart by 120° around said shaft 5.

In a preferred embodiment of machine 2 according to the present invention, said machine 2 comprises at least two pairs of housings 4, i.e. four distinct housings 4. In such an embodiment, each pair of housings 4 is positioned along a diametrical axis of said shaft 5. In this embodiment as well, various housings 4, and the various pairs, are angularly spaced apart evenly around said shaft 5, in particular by an angle of 90°.

By increasing the number of housings 4 it is possible to improve the performance of the machine, since the de- coring process can be carried out simultaneously on a plurality of foundry castings "P" while still keeping the structural dimensions of de-coring machine 2 compact.

More in general, depending on the number of housings, which may also exceed four, various housings 4 are always angularly spaced apart evenly around said shaft 5.

This feature is particularly advantageous when de- coring machine 2 comprises two, or more than two, housings 4.

Even more generally, the number of housings 4 may be arbitrary, since they can be arranged angularly spaced apart evenly around said shaft 5, possibly by positioning said housings 4 along two mutually parallel circumferences about said shaft 5.

In a preferred, but non-limiting, embodiment of machine 2 according to the present invention, said shaft 5 can rotate by at least 360° in at least one direction of rotation.

De-coring machine 2 according to the present invention also facilitates the loading of foundry castings "P" for properly positioning them in respective housings 4, e.g. one by one or in pairs, in particular by allowing a loading system, e.g. an articulated arm adapted to handle said housings, to always place the empty housings 4 at the shortest possible distance. The present invention permits rotating the shaft during the phase in which the loading system is about to pick up other foundry castings to place them into housings 4 and vice versa. In fact, said shaft 5 can be turned by arbitrary angles "a", which may correspond to the angular distance or arc of circumference between two housings 4, or to multiples and/or submultiples of said angular distance between housings 4.

Preferably, said shaft 5 can rotate without solution of continuity; even more preferably, said shaft 5 can rotate in both directions of rotation without solution of continuity.

In a preferred, but non-limiting, embodiment of machine 2 according to the present invention, said shaft 5 comprises: a first power portion 52, a second power portion 56, and a conduction portion 54.

In said first power portion 52, at least one first duct 72 of said power circuit 7 is at least partly formed. To said at least one first duct 72 at least one power source is adapted to be connected.

In said second power portion 56, at least one or more second ducts 76 of power circuit 7 are at least partly formed. To said one or more second ducts 76 one or more of said de-coring hammers 6 are adapted to be connected.

Said conduction portion 54 is interposed between said first power portion 52 and said second power portion 56. One or more connection ducts 74 are formed in said conduction portion 54. Said connection ducts 74 are adapted to put said at least one first duct 72 in communication with said one or more second ducts 76.

Said first power portion 52 comprises a first sleeve 53. Said first sleeve 53 is adapted to remain stationary during the rotation of said shaft 5. The present embodiment makes it possible to supply power to de-coring hammers 6 without the power ducts limiting the capability of shaft 5 of rotating about said longitudinal axis "L" . In an even more preferable embodiment of de-coring machine 2 according to the present invention, said at least one first duct 72 comprises at least one connector 71 formed on said first sleeve 53. To said at least one connector 71 said at least one power source can be connected.

In the same embodiment, said second power portion 56 comprises at least one second sleeve 57. Each second duct 76 comprises at least one connector 77 formed on a second sleeve 57, to which a de-coring hammer 6 can be connected through a suitable power line.

In an even more preferable, though non-limiting, embodiment of machine 2 according to the present invention, said first sleeve 53 comprises a plurality of connectors 71, preferably arranged substantially along at least one line, e.g. at least one straight line parallel to said longitudinal axis "L" of shaft 5, and/or along the circumference of said first sleeve 53.

Preferably, said plurality of connectors 77, comprised in said at least one second sleeve 57, are arranged along at least one circumference around said longitudinal axis "L" of shaft 5. In particular, in the case wherein there are a large number of de-coring hammers 6, the plurality of connectors 77 are arranged along more than one circumference, e.g. a first group of connectors 77 is arranged along one or more circumference on a second sleeve 57; whereas a second group of connectors 77 is arranged along at least one circumference on another second sleeve 57, distinct from the previous sleeve. Said two second sleeves 57 can be positioned at a mutual distance, since said second power portion 56 extends along a part of shaft 5. Preferably, said at least one second sleeve 57 is adapted to rotate integrally with said shaft 5. Even more preferably, said at least one second sleeve 57 is made as one piece with said second power portion 56 of shaft 5.

Shaft 5 according to the present invention turns out to be particularly advantageous because makes it possible to deliver power to de-coring hammers 6 in an innovative manner, ensuring that said shaft 5 can rotate without solution of continuity about said longitudinal axis "L" . Furthermore, the present embodiment also makes it possible to connect a power source to said connectors 71 formed on said first sleeve 53 in a simple manner.

Describing now more in depth one possible embodiment of shaft 5 and of power circuit 7, wherein the power source is of the pneumatic type, said first sleeve 53 surrounds shaft 5, in said first power portion 52 of shaft 5, underneath said first sleeve 53 whereon at least one connector 71 is formed, there is at least one circumferential groove 722. Said circumferential groove 722 is located in a position corresponding to said at least one connector 71, being in fluidic communication therewith.

In each circumferential groove 722 at least one radial hole 724 is formed, in particular said hole being directed towards said longitudinal axis "L" .

In the present embodiment, each circumferential groove 722 and corresponding hole 724 form a tract of a first duct 72 between the respective connector 71 and the corresponding connection duct 74. Said tract of the first duct 72 and said connection duct 74 rotate integrally with said shaft 5. In the present embodiment, connectors 71 formed on said first sleeve 53 remain stationary, whereas the remaining part of the first duct 72, and in particular the part thereof underneath the first sleeve 53, rotates together with said shaft 5.

Describing now more in depth the possible construction details of one possible embodiment, provided herein by way of non-limiting example, underneath each connector 71 a respective circumferential groove 522 is formed. Each circumferential groove 522 comprises a single radial hole 524 in communication with a single connection duct 74 formed in said conduction portion 54 of shaft 5.

In the present embodiment, for each connector 71 located on said first sleeve 53 there is a single first duct 72, which connects to a single connection duct 74.

More in general, depending on the type of power circuit 7, said connectors (71, 77) may be univocal, internally comprising an inlet connection and an outlet or return connection, e.g. like those for an electric power circuit or an open pneumatic circuit, or else may comprise two distinct and separate structures for the inlet connection and the outlet or return connection, e.g. like those for closed pneumatic or hydraulic power circuits, wherein closed circuits are implemented which comprise a delivery circuit and a return circuit.

More in general, in de-coring machine 2 according to the present invention power circuit 7 is preferably of the closed-circuit type, and each connector 71, formed in said first sleeve 53, comprises an inlet connection 711 and an outlet connection 712. Also, each connector 77 formed in said at least one second sleeve 57 comprises an inlet connection 771 and an outlet connection 772. In the embodiment wherein said power circuit 7 is a closed pneumatic or fluid conduction circuit, in order to supply power to a de-coring hammer 6 said inlet connection 711 and said outlet connection 712, formed in said first sleeve 53, form two distinct and separate first ducts 72 for the delivery and return of the pneumatic or hydraulic circuit. Likewise, in the same embodiment said inlet connection 771 and said outlet connection 772, formed in said at least one second sleeve 57, form two distinct and separate second ducts 76. Therefore, in said conduction portion 54 there are two distinct connection ducts 74 for the delivery and return of the pneumatic or hydraulic circuit .

In the present embodiment, in order to supply power to a de-coring hammer 6, each connector (71, 77) essentially comprises two connection structures for the inlet circuit and the outlet or return circuit, which must use an independent and distinct duct.

In the alternative embodiment wherein said power circuit 7 is of the electric type, in order to supply power to a de-coring hammer 6, said inlet connection 711 and said outlet connection 722 are formed in a single structure, since only one first duct 72, only one connection duct 74 and only one second duct 76 are necessary for routing an electric power line.

In a preferred embodiment of machine 2 according to the present invention, said plurality of de-coring hammers 6 are constrained to said plurality of housings 4, rotating integrally with said plurality of housings 4.

In such an embodiment, de-coring hammers 6 rotate together with said shaft 5, so that the de-coring hammer is allowed to act continuously upon the foundry casting independently of the angle of rotation of shaft 5, which can rotate in both directions of rotation without solution of continuity thus providing a de-coring action also during the rotation of said shaft 5. Therefore, said shaft 5can rotate without solution of continuity, thus ensuring the de-coring action also during the rotation of said shaft 5.

In a preferred embodiment, at least two de-coring hammers 6 are rigidly constrained to each housing 4.

Preferably, said de-coring hammers 6 are of the pneumatic type. Some embodiments of de-coring hammers 6 applicable to machine 2 according to the present invention are described, for example, in patent applications W02015189754 , WO2015189755 and W02015189757 , the technical teachings of which should be considered as included in the present patent application.

In the preferred embodiment of machine 2 according to the present invention, in addition to being connected to said shaft 5 to rotate integrally therewith, said plurality of housings 4 are also connected to said shaft 5 in such a way that the same plurality of housings 4 can move at least along an axis parallel to longitudinal axis "L" of said shaft 5. In particular, said plurality of housings 4 are rotatably constrained to said shaft 5, rotating integrally with said shaft 5, but at the same time said housings 4 have one degree of freedom, since they can move, e.g. translate, along an axis parallel to said longitudinal axis "L" .

In the preferred embodiment, wherein said plurality of de-coring hammers 6 are constrained to said housings 4, in particular wherein they move integrally with the latter, the oscillatory motion generated by said de-coring hammers 6 is adapted to allow said housings 4 to move at least along said axis parallel to said longitudinal axis "L" .

By exploiting the vibratory effect generated by de- coring hammers 6, the machine according to the present invention can cause housings 4 to oscillate.

In a preferred, but non-limiting, embodiment, said machine 2 according to the present invention comprises at least one damping system 8. Said damping system 8 is adapted to delimit the movement of said housings 4 at least along said axis, e.g. parallel to said longitudinal axis "L" .

Said damping system 8 provides further control over the oscillation of said housings 4, so that the vibrations will not propagate towards support frame 3 of machine 2, thus reducing the risk of deterioration of said support frame 3.

More in general, said damping system 8 is adapted to prevent the oscillatory motion from propagating towards shaft 5 and/or support frame 3.

In one possible embodiment, provided herein by way of non-limiting example, said damping system 8 comprises two elastic means, e.g. coil springs. Said two elastic means are preferably arranged on said shaft 5 to avoid the propagation of the oscillatory, in particular translational, motion of said housings 4 along shaft 5 and towards support frame 3.

Preferably, said elastic means are positioned on shaft 5 at the ends of said housings 4, so as to delimit and control the allowable oscillation of said at least one housing 4.

In a preferred embodiment of machine 2 according to the present invention, it comprises a support structure 40. On said support structure 40, said housings 4 are rigidly fastened. In a preferred embodiment, said support structure 40 comprises a sleeve 401 adapted to be fixed to said shaft

5.

A plurality of housings 4 are rigidly fastened on said support structure 40. Said support structure 40 provides that all housings 4 comprised in de-coring machine 2 are rigidly constrained to each other. Said housings 4 are spaced apart evenly around said sleeve 401, which is fitted over said shaft 5.

Said sleeve 401 is designed to be fitted over and fixed to said shaft 5 so as to rotate integrally with said shaft 5 as the latter rotates about said longitudinal axis "L", while allowing support structure 40 to slide along the same longitudinal axis "L" .

In a preferred, but non-limiting, embodiment, a pair of elastic elements, e.g. coil springs, of damping system 8 are adapted to operate at the ends of said sleeve 401 of support structure 40 of housings 4.

In a preferred, but non-limiting, embodiment, each housing 4 comprises: a fixed portion 41 and a movable portion 43. To said fixed portion 41 said at least one de-coring hammer 6 is rigidly constrained. Said fixed portion 41 is rigidly fastened to said support structure 40.

Said movable portion 43 is adapted to move relative to said fixed portion 41 to change the volume of said housing 4 for the purpose of retaining one or more foundry castings "P" between the fixed portion 41 and the movable portion 43.

Even more preferably, each housing 4 comprises at least one, preferably two, actuator device (s) . Said actuator device is adapted to automatically move at least one movable portion 43 relative to said fixed portion 41. In a preferred, but non-limiting, embodiment of machine 2 according to the present invention, said support frame 3 comprises a base 30 and at least two shoulders 32. Said shoulders 32 face each other, and said base 30 is positioned between them. Said shaft 5 weighs upon said shoulders 32. In particular, said shaft 5 comprises at least two support portions 50, which are rotatably coupled, through rolling means 34, to a respective shoulder 32 of support frame 3.

Said base 30 of support frame 3 advantageously comprises at least one hopper for collecting the residues of the de- coring process.

De-coring machine 2 according to the present invention is particularly suitable for implementing a method for de- coring foundry castings "P".

The method for de-coring foundry castings "P" makes it possible to remove the residues, in particular sand, from casting "P".

The de-coring method according to the present invention comprises the following steps:

- arranging at least one first foundry casting "P" in at least one first housing 4 comprised in machine 2;

- tightening said at least one first housing 4 appropriately to retain said at least one first foundry casting "P";

- rotatably driving at least one shaft 5 of machine 2, to which said plurality of housings 4 are connected;

- rotating said housings 4 about a longitudinal axis "L" of shaft 5 by a first angle "a" in at least one direction of rotation;

- arranging at least one further foundry casting "P" in at least one further housing 4 comprised in said machine 2; - tightening said at least one further housing 4 appropriately to retain said at least one further foundry casting "P";

- activating a plurality of de-coring hammers 6, comprised in said machine 2, to act upon said foundry castings "P".

The step of rotatably driving at least one shaft 5 permits said plurality of housings 4 to rotate about said longitudinal axis "L", for the purpose of facilitating the next steps of the de-coring method according to the present invention .

The step of rotating said housings 4 about a longitudinal axis "L" is carried out in order to place those housings 4 which are still empty in the optimal position for the loading systems, e.g. to make them more easily accessible to the loading system.

Said first angle "a" is arbitrary and may vary as a function of the requirements and characteristics of de- coring machine 2. For example, said first angle "a" corresponds to the angular distance between two housings 4. Preferably, in the embodiment that comprises four housings 4 and a loading system capable of positioning two foundry castings "P" at the same time into two distinct housings 4, said first angle "a" amounts to 90°.

In general, the method according to the present invention makes it possible to arrange those housings 4 which are yet to receive a foundry casting "P" into a position easily accessible to the loading systems, so as to facilitate the loading of new foundry castings into available housings 4, thereby speeding up the loading procedure and consequently also the unloading procedure, for loading/unloading foundry castings "P" onto/from said de-coring machine 2.

The de-coring method according to the present invention advantageously comprises a recursive step of:

- repeating the steps of:

- rotating said housings 4;

- arranging a further foundry casting "P"; and

- tightening said housing 4 appropriately.

Preferably, the recursive step is executed until foundry castings "P" have been received in all housings 4 comprised in de-coring machine 2.

Such recursive step of the method is carried out when de-coring machine 2 comprises a plurality of housings 4, in particular when the loading system for loading foundry castings "P" only permits loading one casting at a time and de-coring machine 2 comprises three or more housings. Also, said recursive step of the method is carried out when the de-coring machine comprises a plurality of housings, in particular when the loading system for loading foundry castings "P" permits loading one pair of castings at a time, to place them into two distinct housings 4, and de-coring machine 2 comprises at least three, or more, pairs of housings 4. Any hybrid embodiments easily inferable from, although not explicitly described in, the present description shall be considered to fall within the scope of the present invention.

In a preferred embodiment of the de-coring method according to the present invention, the step of activating a plurality of de-coring hammers 6 is followed by a step of: rotating said housings 4 by making at least one 360° rotation about said longitudinal axis "L" of shaft 5 in at least one direction of rotation. This step of the method increases the de-coring power because, since housings 4 can be turned by at least 360°, it improves the loosening of the residues from foundry castings "P".

In an even more preferable embodiment, the step of rotating said housings 4 is executed in both directions of rotation. For example, said housings 4 are rotated in a first direction of rotation for a predefined number of revolutions, or fractions thereof, or for a predefined time, and then the same housings are rotated in a second direction of rotation, opposite to the first one.

In a preferred embodiment of the de-coring method according to the present invention, the step of activating a plurality of de-coring hammers 6 is carried out continuously during the execution of the step of rotating said housings 4 by making at least one 360° rotation. By executing both of these steps of the method at the same time, it is possible to further increase the de-coring power, since the foundry casting can be acted upon by de-coring hammers 6 as housings 4 rotate about said longitudinal axis "L" .

In a preferred embodiment of the de-coring method according to the present invention, after the step of activating a plurality of de-coring hammers 6, the oscillatory motion generated by said plurality of de-coring hammers 6 is adapted to allow said plurality of housings 4 to move, e.g. to translate, along an axis parallel to said longitudinal axis "L" .

In the present embodiment of the method, during the step of activating de-coring hammers 6 it is possible to cause housings 4 to oscillate, e.g. thanks to damping system

8. Any implementations of the method that are different from those described herein, but obvious in the light of the contents of the present description and of the annexed drawings, shall be considered to fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

One possible implementation of the de-coring method according to the present invention is shown by way of example in Figures 8A-8D. Such figures show a summary of the sequence of steps necessary for arranging a plurality of foundry castings "P" in housings 4 of de-coring machine 2 according to the embodiment shown in Figures 2A-2B.

Figure 8A shows the de-coring machine with no foundry casting "P" positioned in housings 4, which are all empty; therefore, no foundry casting has been positioned into a housing 4 yet .

De-coring machine 2 can thus receive a plurality of foundry castings "P" in the various housings 4, in particular in four housings 4, comprised in de-coring machine 2.

Figure 8B shows the execution of the step of arranging at least one first foundry casting "P" in at least one first housing 4 and the step of tightening said at least one first housing 4 for at least one first foundry casting.

In the shown embodiment, two foundry castings "P" have been loaded, each one in a respective housing 4, where they have been respectively clamped.

At this stage of the method, de-coring machine 2 has two housings 4 in which two foundry castings "P" have been positioned and suitably clamped, in particular said castings are positioned on housings 4 that lie along the horizontal diametrical axis of shaft 5 of de-coring machine 2. Preferably, the loading system for loading foundry castings "P", e.g. a robotized arm provided with clamps, can position two foundry castings "P" into as many housings 4 located along the horizontal diametrical axis of shaft 5 of de-coring machine 2.

At this stage of the method, de-coring machine 2 still has at least one pair of empty housings 4, in particular the pair of housings that lie along a diametrical axis of shaft 5 which is perpendicular to the axis of housings 4 where foundry castings "P" have already been positioned.

Figure 8C shows de-coring machine 2 at the end of the step of rotating housings 4. At this stage of the method, shaft 5 has been rotated by an angle "a" of 90°, thereby arranging along a vertical axis those housings 4 where foundry castings "P" had been previously positioned and clamped. Furthermore, by means of such rotation of shaft 5 still empty housings 4 have been positioned along a horizontal axis, for the purpose of facilitating the loading system in positioning additional foundry castings "P" into empty housings 4.

Finally, Figure 8D shows the execution of the step of arranging at least one further foundry casting "P" in at least one further housing 4.

After this step of the method, foundry castings "P" have been positioned and clamped in all housings 4, so that the de-coring machine can execute the remaining steps of the method, in particular the steps of activating a plurality of de-coring hammers 6 simultaneously on all foundry castings "P" placed in the various housings 4.

Describing now the embodiments illustrated in the drawings by way of non-limiting example, Figure 1A shows an axonometric view of a first embodiment of de-coring machine

2. In this figure two housings 4 are visible, each one adapted to house a foundry casting "P", e.g. an engine block.

Said housings 4 are angularly spaced apart evenly, in particular by 180°, around said shaft 5.

With each housing 4 two de-coring hammers 6 are associated, which are adapted to act upon the same foundry casting. Both housings 4 are disposed perpendicular to the longitudinal axis "L" of shaft 5. In Figure 1A damping system 8 is partially visible, which allows controlling the vibration imparted by de-coring hammers 6 to housings 4, which start oscillating along axes parallel to said longitudinal axis "L", about which shaft 5 rotates, whereon said housings 4 are fixed.

In Figure 1A a part of the power circuit 7 is visible, which is partly formed in a portion of shaft 5, in particular in the first power portion 52. Said shaft is rotatably driven in both directions of rotation, by angles that are multiples and submultiples of 360°, by a motor "M" .

Figure IB shows a top view of machine 2 of Figure 1A. This figure makes it possible to understand further construction details of a first possible embodiment, provided herein by way of non-limiting example, of de-coring machine 2. In this figure one can see the first power portion 52 of shaft 5, where there are a plurality of connectors 71 of power circuit 7. In this figure one can also see the second power portion 56 of shaft 5, where there are a plurality of connectors 77. Between the first power portion 52 and the second power portion 56 there is a conduction portion 54. Shaft 5 is rotatably supported by a support frame

3, weighing upon two shoulders 32 through respective support portions 50. Said support frame 3 comprises also a base 30, arranged between the two shoulders 32. In this figure the two housings 4 are visible, in each one of which a respective foundry casting "P" is positioned. In this figure it is also possible to see, at least partly, damping system 8 that allows housings 4 to oscillate while avoiding the propagation of the oscillation both along shaft 5 and towards the structure of support frame 3.

For each housing 4 there are a fixed portion 41 and a movable portion 43, which can be moved by means of an actuator device in order to suitably retain the foundry casting "P".

Figure 2A shows an axonometric view of a second embodiment of de-coring machine 2. In this embodiment there are four housings 4, angularly spaced apart by 90° around said shaft 5, each one adapted to receive a foundry casting "P", e.g. an engine block. With each housing 4 two de-coring hammers 6 are associated, which are adapted to act upon the same foundry casting "P". In figure 2A damping system 8 is partly visible, which allows controlling the vibration imparted by de-coring hammers 6 to housings 4, which start oscillating along axes parallel to said longitudinal axis "L", about which shaft 5 rotates, whereon said housings 4 are fixed.

In Figure 2A a part of power circuit 7 is visible, which is partly formed in a portion of shaft 5, in particular in the first power portion 52. Said shaft 5 is rotatably driven in both directions of rotation, by angles that are multiples and submultiples of 360°, by a motor "M" .

Figure 2B shows a top view of machine 2 of Figure 2A. This figure makes it possible to understand further construction details of a second possible embodiment, provided herein by way of non-limiting example, of de-coring machine 2. In this figure one can see the first power portion

52 of shaft 5, where there are a plurality of connectors 71 of power circuit 7, suitably positioned. In this figure one can also see the second power portion 56 of shaft 5, where there are a plurality of connectors 77. Between the first power portion 52 and the second power portion 56 there is a conduction portion 54. Shaft 5 is rotatably supported by a support frame 3, weighing upon two shoulders 32 through respective support portions 50. Said support frame 3 comprises also a base 30, arranged between the two shoulders 32. In this figure four housings 4 can be seen, in each one of which a respective foundry casting "P" is positioned. Each housing 4 comprises a fixed portion 41 and a movable portion 43, which can be moved by means of an actuator device for the purpose of conveniently retaining foundry casting

"P".

Figure 3A shows a side view of de-coring machine 2 of Figure 1A. The figure also shows a part of power circuit 7, which comprises connectors 71, located at the first sleeve

53 of the first power portion 52, and other connectors 77, located at the second sleeve 57 of the second power portion 56. Between the first power portion 52 and the second power portion 56 there is said conduction portion 54.

Figure 3A also shows the position of the first power portion 52 relative to a transmission portion, through which motor "M" imparts the rotation to shaft 5, and to support portion 50 of shaft 5, located at shoulders 32 of support frame 3. In addition, the figure shows one possible arrangement of motor "M" with respect to shaft 5, for rotating the latter about said longitudinal axis "L" . Between said shoulders 32 said base 30 of support frame 3 is located, where there is a hopper for collecting the residues of the de-coring process. The figure shows the positioning of de- coring hammers 6 and of the damping system with respect to housing 4. Said housing 4, which houses a foundry casting "P", comprises a fixed portion 41 and a movable portion 43, the latter being movable by means of an actuator device 42.

Figure 3B shows a side view of de-coring machine 2 of Figure 2A. The figure illustrates one possible embodiment of a part of power circuit 7, which comprises connectors 71, located at the first sleeve 53 of the first power portion 52, showing in particular the disposition thereof. Other connectors 77 are also visible in this figure, which are located at at least one second sleeve 57 of the second power portion 56. Between the first power portion 52 and the second power portion 56 there is said conduction portion 54. Optionally, e.g. depending on the number of de-coring hammers, said power portion 56 may extend to define two second sleeves 57, between which said housings 4 can be positioned .

In Figure 3B one can also see the position of the first power portion 52 relative to transmission portion 51, through which motor "M" imparts the rotation to shaft 5, and to support portion 50 of shaft 5, at shoulders 32 of support frame 3. Between said shoulders 32 said base 30 of support frame 3 is located, where there is a hopper for collecting the residues of the de-coring process. The figure shows the position of de-coring hammers 6 with respect to housings 4. In the illustrated embodiment it is possible to identify a further second sleeve, whereon second connectors are formed, which is arranged between one end of the housing support structure and the distal support portion of the shaft. In this embodiment the second sleeves are located at the ends of the housing support structure.

Figure 4A shows an axonometric view of a first embodiment of housings 4, in accordance with the embodiment shown in Figure 1A. In the illustrated embodiment it is possible to see support structure 40 to which the two housings 4 are rigidly connected to move integrally therewith. Said support structure 40 comprises a sleeve 401 adapted to be connected to shaft 5 in a manner such that housings 4 will rotate integrally with said shaft 5 while at the same time, due to the vibration imparted by de-coring hammers 6, being able to slide along an axis, e.g. along said longitudinal axis "L" . Said housings 4 are angularly spaced apart evenly, in particular by 180°, around said sleeve 401, which is adapted to fit over shaft 5.

Said longitudinal movement of housings 4 is controlled by means of damping systems 8. Said damping systems 8 consist of springs suitably covered with a protective membrane, in particular a corrugated membrane, capable of following the compression and extension movements of the springs.

In the illustrated embodiment, fixed portion 41 of each housing 4 is rigidly connected to the support structure 40. To each fixed portion 41 said pair of de-coring hammers 6 are secured, which can act upon one or more foundry castings "P". In the illustrated embodiment there is only one foundry casting "P" in each housing 4. In this embodiment, movable portion 43 is made up of two plates, each one movable by means of a respective actuator device. Figure 4B shows a top view of housings 4. This figure clearly shows some possible construction details of the housings, and in particular of support structure 40, of sleeve 401, and of the arrangement of housings 3 and damping systems 8, to ensure that the assembly consisting of housings 4 will be able to rotate about an axis and move linearly along the same axis, as previously specified. Further construction details of fixed portion 41 and movable portion 43 are also visible in the drawing.

The figure clearly shows the symmetric disposition of housings 4 relative to th sleeve 401; therefore, such housings 4 will be symmetrical after having been connected to shaft 5, thus facilitating the rotary motion and the control over the oscillatory motion relative to said longitudinal axis "L" .

Figure 5A shows an axonometric view of a second embodiment of housings 4, in accordance with the embodiment shown in Figure 2A. In the illustrated embodiment it is possible to see support structure 40 to which four housings 4 are rigidly connected to move integrally therewith. Said support structure 40 comprises a sleeve 401, partially visible, which is adapted to be connected to shaft 5 in a manner such that housings 4 will rotate integrally with said shaft 5 while at the same time, due to the vibration imparted by de-coring hammers 6, being able to slide along an axis, e.g. along said longitudinal axis "L" .

Said housings 4 are angularly spaced apart evenly, in particular by 90°, around said sleeve 401.

Said longitudinal movement is controlled by means of damping systems 8. Said damping systems 8 consist of springs suitably covered with a protective membrane, in particular a corrugated membrane, capable of following the compression and extension movements of the springs.

The structure of said sleeve 401 is substantially similar to the one adopted in the previous embodiment shown in Figures 4A and 4B.

In the present embodiment, fixed portion 41 of each housing 4 is rigidly connected to support structure 40. To each fixed portion 41 said pair of de-coring hammers 6 are secured, which can act upon one or more foundry castings "P". In the illustrated embodiment there is only one foundry casting "P" in each housing 4. In this embodiment, movable portion 43 is made up of two plates, each one movable by means of a respective actuator device.

Figure 5B shows a top view of housings 4, wherein only three of four housings 4 are visible. This figure provides a better view of some possible construction details of housings 4. In this figure one can clearly see the symmetrical arrangement of the housings in mutually perpendicular planes with respect to the longitudinal axis "L"; therefore, once connected to shaft 5, such housings will be disposed symmetrically, being angularly spaced apart evenly, thus facilitating the rotary motion and the control over the oscillatory motion relative to said longitudinal axis "L" .

Figure 6A shows a side view of one possible embodiment of shaft 5 of machine 2 according to the present invention. This figure clearly shows one possible arrangement of inlet connections 711 and outlet connections 712 of power circuit 7, formed on said first sleeve 53 of the first power portion 52 of shaft 5. Said shaft 5 comprises a conduction portion 54, in which the connection ducts of power circuit 7 are formed. Coaxial to said conduction portion 54 is transmission portion 51, whereto a toothed wheel "G" is splined, whereupon motor "M" acts in order to rotatably drive said shaft 5 about said longitudinal axis "L" . In proximity to transmission portion 51, and still coaxial to said conduction portion 54, there is a support portion 50, where said shaft 5 is fixed to a shoulder of support frame 3. Rolling means 34 are provided at support portions 50, which allow shaft 5 to rotate about the longitudinal axis "L" .

At the opposite end of conduction portion 54 there is the second power portion 56, which comprises the second sleeve 57, whereon inlet connections 771 and outlet connections 772 of power circuit 7 are formed.

At the distal end of shaft 5, with respect to said first power portion 52, there is the second support portion 50, in which said rolling means are located, which are not visible in the present figure. Between said second sleeve 57 and said second support portion 50, a portion of shaft 5 is defined which is adapted to be coupled to said housings 4. In this figure pins are visible which are adapted to allow housings 4 to rotate integrally with said shaft 5 about said longitudinal axis "L" and to slide relative to said longitudinal axis "L" . Said pins are adapted to interact with said sleeve 401 of support structure 40 for housings 4.

Figure 6B shows the shaft of Figure 6A in a sectional view relative to the plane 6B-6B. From this figure one can easily understand one possible embodiment of power circuit 7, and in particular of the first ducts 72, connection ducts 74 and the second ducts 76. In particular, this figure also shows, in transparency, inlet connections 711 and outlet connections 712 formed in said first sleeve 53 of the first power portion 52 of shaft 5. In this figure it is also possible to see connection ducts 74 formed in conduction portion 54 of shaft 5, wherein such connection ducts 74 are parallel to said longitudinal axis "L" . The figure also shows the second ducts 76, which respectively terminate with inlet connections 771 or outlet connections 772, formed in said second sleeve 57.

This figure shows one possible embodiment of rolling means 34, which are conveniently incorporated into a connection flange that permits connecting said shaft 5, and in particular support portion 50, to support frame 3, in particular to a shoulder thereof, thus allowing shaft 5 to rotate about longitudinal axis "L" .

In this figure it is also possible to see a toothed wheel "G" splined to shaft 5, in particular at transmission portion 51. In the present figure it is possible to see that shaft 5 is made up of different parts suitably assembled together .

Figure 7 shows a detail of shaft 5 illustrated in Figure 6B, illustrating more clearly the first power portion 52 with the first ducts 72, conduction portion 54 with connection ducts 74, and the second power portion 56 with the second ducts 76. This figure provides a better view of the construction details of the first sleeve 53 and of the first power portion 52 for the creation of said circumferential grooves 722, each one of which is in fluidic communication with a respective connector, in particular an inlet connection 711. In this figure one can also see one possible embodiment of radial hole 724, which puts said circumferential groove 722 in fluidic communication with a respective connection duct 74. Said connection duct 74 extends from the first power portion 52 to the second power portion 56, where it connects, through suitable junctions, to the respective second duct 76, which terminates with a respective connection (771, 772) .

In this figure it is also possible to see an embodiment of shaft 5 wherein said second sleeve 57 is made as one piece with said conduction portion 54.

The de-coring machine according to the present invention makes it possible to maximize the number of housings 4 while keeping the dimensions of machine 2 compact and facilitating the loading and unloading of foundry castings onto/from said housings because said shaft can be rotated by an angle "a" in order to place said housings in the optimal position for the loading systems, thereby speeding up the process of loading and unloading housings 4.

De-coring machine makes it possible to maintain at high levels the foundry casting de-coring performance while reducing the time necessary for de-coring every single foundry casting, without however jeopardizing the structural integrity of the de-coring machine itself.

The de-coring machine according to the present invention allows, due to a compact structure that is easy to manufacture and maintain, reducing the costs incurred for de-coring a plurality of foundry castings.

The de-coring machine according to the present invention makes it possible to easily supply power to a plurality of de-coring hammers without adversely affecting the performance of the de-coring machine itself.

In particular, it has been observed that, since multiple complete revolutions can be made in both directions of rotation, the de-coring action is considerably improved, resulting in a reduction of the total time necessary for carrying out the de-coring process and of the costs thereof.

De-coring machine 2 according to the present invention makes it possible to cause housings 4 to oscillate, by applying a vibration thereto, without requiring any of the vibratory devices implemented in prior-art de-coring machines, by exclusively exploiting the oscillation generated by de-coring hammers 6. In particular, it has been observed that the present solution makes it possible to simplify the construction of de-coring machine 2, thus reducing the costs thereof, while at the same time preserving its integrity for a longer time in comparison with prior-art de-coring machines. Therefore, the present solution permits the execution of the de-coring step by simultaneously exploiting the action of the de-coring hammers and the oscillatory and/or vibratory motion of the housings where said foundry castings are arranged, which is precluded to the de-coring machines currently known in the art.

De-coring machine 2 according to the present invention allows overcoming all the technical problems that can be found in prior-art de-coring machines.

Any embodiments not described in detail herein, but easily inferable in the light of the present description and the annexed drawings, e.g. by combining different possible embodiments of the various elements of the de-coring machine, should nevertheless be considered to fall within the technical contents of the present description and the protection scope of the present invention.

REFERENCE NUMERALS De-coring machine 2 Support frame 3 Base 30

Shoulder 32 Rolling means 34 At least one housing 4 Support structure 40 Sleeve 401

Fixed portion 41 Movable portion 43 Shaft 5

Support portion 50 Transmission portion 51 First power portion 52 First sleeve 53 Conduction portion 54 Second power portion 56 Second sleeve 57 De-coring hammer 6 Power circuit 7 Connector 71 Inlet connection 711 Outlet connection 712 First duct 72

Circumferential groove 722 Radial hole 724 Connection duct 74 Second duct 76 Connectors 77 Inlet connection 771

Outlet connection 772 Damping system 8

Toothed wheel G

Axis L

Motor M Foundry casting P

Angle a

Barzano & Zanardo Milano S.p.A.