Abstract: Apparatus for treating a metal charge comprises a box furnace and a container containing material for treating the charge. The box furnace is mounted on props whose length is sufficient to permit the container to be positioned under the furnace. The furnace has a shroud within which the charge is heated. Means are provided for introducing the charge into the furnace. The shroud and the container are provided with alignable openings through which the heated charge can be transferred, by charge-transfer means, from the furnace to the container. Pressurized gas is supplied to the interiors of the shroud and the container. The charge-transfer means comprises a carrier supported within the container by a support positioned outside the container. Vertical movement of the support relative to the container causes vertical movement of the carrier.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for removing burrs and other roughage from stamped, milled and cast metallic articles. A conical combustion chamber is provided with a spiral groove which creates a turbulent flow for an ignited combustible mixture, which turbulence transforms the process from combustion to detonation. The detonated gaseous mixture is directed down the conical combustion chamber in expanding fashion to the articles which are to be de-burred, which articles are stored in a receptacle in axial alignment with the conical-shaped combustion chamber. During detonation, the burrs and other roughage are removed from the articles, while the remainder of each article is kept in tact.

Abstract: In a method for continuous heat treatment of separated elongated metallic material said material is conveyed stepwise through a single furnace chamber. Said furnace chamber comprises a heating section and an adjacent holding section. In the heating section the material is heated up to a treating temperature and in the holding section the material is held at the treating temperature both in an atmosphere of forced circulation of hot gas common to both furnace sections. The temperature of the circulated hot gas is automatically feedback-controlled at the location of the transition between the heating section and the holding section, the hot gas being set into forced motion in a single circulating zone and being heated up in a single heating zone with respect to the direction of passage of the material.

Abstract: A process for metallizing a copper film comprising the step of heat treating a copper film formed by an electroless plating process as opposing electrodes of a ceramic capacitor. The process comprises the steps of placing a ceramic body having a copper film formed on the surface thereof by an electroless plating process within a container sealing the same from the external atmosphere and maintaining constant the internal atmosphere, and heating the container maintaining the surrounding of the container in an inert atmosphere.

Abstract: An apparatus for the treatment of a metallic workpiece includes (a) a transport structure which includes a mounting portion and a platform portion, the platform portion, which is the part of the transport structure on which the workpiece to be treated is positioned, being electrically insulated from the mounting portion, and (b) a hollow furnace which includes heating elements and two spaced apart electrodes, the furnace being constructed to allow the platform portion of the transport structure to be located within the hollow furnace during its operation while the mounting portion remains exterior thereto.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for heat treating a tubular type heat exchanger. A heat fluid is passed through the tube bundle in order to heat the exchanger from within.

Abstract: Oxygen sensor comprising solid oxygen-ion-conducting electrolyte with a platinum group metal film electrode contacts and monitors nonoxidizing or reducing gas atmosphere in a metal heat treatment (gas carburizing) furnace after a getter of the same platinum group metal as in the film electrode removes platinum group metal contaminants from such atmosphere before it contacts the electrode. Getter is held in a thin-walled, multi-passaged honeycomb body.

Abstract: An apparatus for metallurgically heat treating workpieces, the apparatus comprises a rotatable retort having an elongated treating chamber. A workpiece conveyor is within the treating chamber whereby the workpieces can be moved from the entrance end to the exit end of the treating chamber. A plurality of partitions within the treating chamber cooperate with the conveyor and treating chamber to divide the treating chamber into a plurality of distinct atmospherically isolated chambers and to allow for the movement of the workpieces into and out of the chambers. A gas distributor is within the treating chamber. The gas distributor is operatively connected to a reactive gas source and has gas outlets in selected ones of the chambers.

Abstract: An industrial furnace, particularly a single-chamber vacuum furnace, for heat treatment of metallic workpieces, with a heating chamber which is formed in a housing, which heating chamber is heatable via heating elements and is provided on the bottom and on the ceiling with a closable chamber opening for the passage of a quenching gas which can be circulated by means of a blower. A flap is swingably mounted at the chamber opening underneath a closing slide, which chamber opening is provided for the entrance of the gas. The flap controls the incoming flow of gas within the range of the free cross-section of the chamber opening.

Abstract: PCT No. PCT/US79/00792 Sec. 371 Date Sept. 27, 1979 Sec. 102(e) Date Sept. 27, 1979 PCT Filed Sept. 27, 1979Parts (12) to be treated are placed in grid bottomed tubs (14a,14b,14c) and the tubs (14a,14b,14c) are stacked one upon the other. A flow of treating gas is directed exteriorly about and internally through the tubs (14a,14b,14c) from an entrance end (26) to an exit end (28). If the parts (12) in the entrance tub or tubs (14a,14b) are sufficiently but not overly treated, it has been found that the parts (12) near the exit end (28) of tub or tubs (14b,14c) are not sufficiently treated. If the parts (12) near the exit end (28) tub or tubs (14b,14c) are sufficiently treated, then the parts (12) in the entrance end (26) of tub or tubs (14a,14b) are over treated.

Abstract: Method and apparatus comprising a fine particle bed for encompassing an object, means for fluidizing the bed, while heat treating the bed if desired, and defluidizing of the bed so as to hold the object at a desirably aligned position with an exposed portion above the bed surface for a subsequent operation. Magnetic means may be used for manipulating the object to a desired orientation and vacuum means may be provided to draw unwanted products of the subsequent operation down into the bed.

Abstract: Individual charges of silicon steel are passed through a tunnel type furnace provided with charge and discharge vestibules. The annealing takes place in a hydrogen atmosphere and the vestibules are purged with nitrogen and then with hydrogen. The hydrogen used for purging is taken from the hydrogen in the annealing atmosphere and additional new hydrogen is added to the annealing atmosphere at the same time to maintain the pressure constant.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating a workpiece at elevated temperatures and pressures comprising an elongate cylindrical pressure vessel. Within the pressure vessel a hearth sits upon a pedestal. Surrounding the pedestal and the workspace immediately thereabove is an insulated furnace enclosure. A cavity near the base of the pedestal defines an impeller chamber. An impeller is positioned in the chamber and has a downwardly extending drive shaft. The impeller circulates the pressurized atmosphere. A remotely actuated gate directs the circulating atmosphere to either circulate totally within the furnace enclosure or partially within the furnace enclosure and partially along the interior wall of the pressure vessel.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for recirculation of atmosphere in a vacuum furnace which comprises a recirculation loop in which there is a low pressure line from the furnace chamber leading to a recirculation pump which pumps the recycled gas at a higher pressure to a high pressure line back into the furnace chamber. A means to analyze the furnace atmosphere is in communication with the high pressure line and signals its measurements of the atmosphere analysis to a valve on an enriching line. The enriching line passes enriched gas into either the high pressure line or the furnace chamber as the valve opens or closes. A means is provided to withdraw the gas from the furnace chamber in order to maintain the desired furnace chamber pressure as enriching gas is added.

Abstract: The invention provides means for processing novel heat treated parts, eliminating danger of contamination of the parts from contaminating ambient or other air and gases. The invention further assures uniform, maximum efficiency in achieving the special hardening and other characteristics of the parts, without contamination thereof, thus obviating the necessity for any supplementary procedures for elimination of warping and other defects which might otherwise occur. The invention automatically and economically achieves the above recited and other objectives, thus assuring uniformity of desired characteristics, qualities and properties in heat treatment procedures, the operations being performed at or above atmospheric pressure thus preventing vaporization of certain alloying elements in the work and container metals.

Abstract: Individual charges of silicon steel are passed through a tunnel type furnace provided with charge and discharge vestibules. The annealing takes place in a hydrogen atmosphere and the vestibules are purged with nitrogen and then with hydrogen. The hydrogen used for purging is taken from the hydrogen in the annealing atmosphere and additional new hydrogen is added to the annealing atmosphere at the same time to maintain the pressure constant.

Abstract: Disclosed is a continuous atmosphere controlled furnace for aluminum brazing and other purposes. A plurality of pots are suspended from a circular roof rotatable in a horizontal plane and arranged in a circle having a center on the axis of rotation of the roof. Each pot comprises a body having an open top and a cover capable of closing the open top of the body. The open top of each pot projects above the roof and that portion of each pot which contains the material to be heated extends downwardly below the roof. The material to be heated is supported on a hanger depending from the cover of each pot and the cover is lowered to place the material in the pot and close the pot. The furnace further includes an atmosphere gas distributor having its center on the axis of rotation of the roof and connected to the pots by gas supply and exhaust ducts. A method of supplying atmosphere gas through the pots is also described.

Abstract: A process for heating one or more bodies in a furnace in which heated gas is introduced into the furnace chamber through one or more injectors and are conveyed to the bodies in a manner involving appreciable resistance to gas flow to generate an air cushion for supporting the bodies. In a preferred arrangement a continuous metal strip is conveyed through the furnace on a gaseous support cushion, the gas being introduced into the furnace under pressure through injectors which communicate with the lower portion of the furnace. The injectors and the furnace internal wall structure generate a substantial recirculation of gas within the furnace.

Abstract: A furnace for firing refractory ware including a vertically movable bell adapted to enclose a car of refractory ware. Means is provided to seal the enclosure defined by the bell, to evacuate air from the sealed bell enclosure, and to deliver a fluidized, chemically inert, non-combustible, high thermal absorption material to the evacuated bell. A plurality of lasers are provided on the bell facing spaced locations therein and are adapted to be fired sequentially. When fired, the light and heat energy from each laser beam is diffused and absorbed by the inert material and is then re-radiated throughout the bell enclosure to fire the refractory ware therein.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for carburizing and carbonitriding ferrous metal work in a continuous furnace having aligned heating, carburizing and diffusing zones. Each zone is provided with fan means in at least one side wall of the furnace, with both the inlet and the outlet of the fan at a level below the work trays which are conveyed through the furnace so that the gas atmosphere is pulled downwardly through the work at one or more pier positions within a processing zone and pushed upwardly through the work at the remaining pier positions within the zone. By proper refractory design and fan locations a more uniform and controllable flow pattern is provided throughout the length and width of each processing zone.

Abstract: A furnace for heating one or more bodies in which heated gas is introduced into the furnace chamber through one or more injectors and are conveyed to the bodies in a manner involving appreciable resistance to gas flow. In a preferred arrangement a continuous metal strip is conveyed through the furnace on a gaseous support cushion, the gas being introduced into the furnace under pressure through injectors which communicate with the lower portion of the furnace. The injectors generate a substantial recirculation of gas within the furnace.

Abstract: Apparatus for the rapid removal of burrs from workpieces by the application of transient thermal energy in a closed chamber. The chamber comprises a downwardly open upper closure fixedly supported above a vertically movable lower closure, both closures being water-cooled. Means are provided for alternately moving work supporting platens into position above the retracted lower closure. After being raised by a yieldable motor, the lower closure is drawn into sealing contact with the upper closure by a plurality of screws mounted around the upper closure and supporting a clamping ring. Pressure tightness is achieved by an uncompensated seal which does not require excessive clamping forces. Combustible gases are metered to the chamber and at the same time to charging cylinders, the gases in the charged cylinders then being forced into the chamber to obtain the maximum gas charge.

Abstract: A work piece in a hot gas isostatic bonding furnace is cooled by increasing convection within the furnace prior to depressurizing. The convection may be wholly due to thermal gradients or may be supplemented by a compressor. The cooling jacket for the furnace walls may supply the entire cooling or may be supplemental heat exchanger. The quenching takes place within the furnace without changing the atmosphere.

Abstract: A metal cooling wall surrounds a conveyor carrying solids such as steel slabs at high temperature through the chamber defined by the cooling wall and the wall receives heat from the slabs by radiation. A liquid such as water flowing under pressure within passages within the cooling wall removes heat from the cooling wall with the control of coolant temperature controlling the cooling speed of the solids. A gas such as water vapor or carbon dioxide gas having the absorbing ability of the radiation fills the space between the slabs and the cooling wall to further control the cooling speed of the steel billets.