Abstract: Metal workpieces are subjected to laser treatment in a liquefied gas, by passing the laser beam through a layer of liquid nitrogen in direct contact with the metal surface to be treated, thereby creating an amorphous state.

Abstract: The present automated system for carburizing a component decreases the energy used to manufacture the component. The operations of heating the component in a first heating apparatus, forging the component in a forge and transferring the hot forged component directly to a second heating apparatus having a controlled atmosphere, increasing the temperature of the component, absorbing carbon within the component to a predetermined surface carbon content and depth and directly transferring the component to a quenching chamber and quenching the component defining a heat treated component.

Abstract: An apparatus (20) for induction heat treating, restraint quenching, and straightening an associated carbon steel truck structural member (30), having a web (32) and at least one flange (34) substantially perpendicular thereto, comprises a heat treating apparatus (22) for induction heating and restraint quenching the associated structural member (30). The heat treating apparatus (22) is operatively connected to a cooling conveyor (50). The cooling conveyor (50) is adapted for receiving the associated structural member (30) from the heat treating apparatus (22). A testing apparatus (24) is included for hardness testing the heat treated associated structural member. The testing apparatus (24) is adapted for receiving the associated structural member (30) from the cooling conveyor (52). A conveyor (54) is adapted for receiving the associated structural member (30) from the testing apparatus (24). A roller straightener (26) is operatively connected to the conveyor (54).

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with an adjustable baffling system for uniformly cooling billet loads of metal. The baffles have been design to adjust automatically to the load of billets after insertion of a car containing the billets thereon in the chamber, thus reducing the chances of having billet loads of uneven compositions. The present system is particularly useful for uniform cooling of aluminum billets.

Abstract: A method for heat treating a metal component uses a first heating system having a first high intensity heating portion to rapidly heat the component to a desired temperature and a second heating portion to maintain the component temperature for solution heat treatment. The heating system is an indexing-type system which includes a plurality of individual heating stations to effect solution heat treatment of the component. Following quenching, a second heating system having a first high intensity heating portion to rapidly heat the component to a desired temperature and a second heating portion to maintain the component temperature artificially ages the component.

Abstract: An improved nozzle arrangement for use in a cooling zone of a rolling mill is formed completely of plastic, preferably ABS plastic, and includes an elongated, substantially cylindrical hollow body portion that defines an longitudinally extending conduit having a cooling fluid intake port that smoothly converges into an internal flow channel of an integrally formed head portion that is provided with a cooling fluid outlet port. An elongated baffle member is positioned within the cylindrical body portion and extends substantially the entire length thereof. The baffle member itself is formed of a unitary plastic member, also preferably ABS plastic, and has a X-shaped cross-section. Constructing the nozzle of plastic saves considerable replacement costs associated with the use of such nozzles in rolling mills and also enables the nozzles to be recycled. In addition, due to the specific construction of the nozzle, laminar flow is assured which enhances its cooling function.

Abstract: A constrained quenching apparatus is provided for hardening a workpiece such as an asymmetrical bar which has a notable tendency to warping when quenched, without warping the workpiece. The apparatus comprises a set of two or more dies having plural projections provided on the inner side thereof, the projections coinciding with the contour of the workpiece when the dies are closed so that their die faces in contact with one another, and having plural recesses therein defined by the projections. The recesses are provided with one or more cooling liquid blow holes. The apparatus does not exert pressure on the workpiece at the start of the quenching when the workpiece is soft, so the flattening of the hollow workpiece such as a pipe, can be prevented.

Abstract: A heat exchanger includes a long, thin-shelled heat transfer tube closed at one end and secured at the other end to a manifold collar which has an exhaust tube extending from the center thereof and a manifold housing extending from the collar side opposite that from which the heat transfer tube extends. A plurality of longitudinally extending distributor tubes extend from the heat transfer tube through the collar in fluid communication with a sealed manifold chamber and a plurality of orifices spaced at longitudinal increments along the length of each distributor tube permits the wind mass in the manifold chamber to exit the orifices as high speed, free-standing gas jets for impingement against the interior of the heat transfer tube so that the heat transfer tube acts either as a heat source or as a heat sink.

Abstract: For quenching heated metallic work pieces with a quenching intensity that lies in the region of H values from 0.2 to 4, which is typical for oil or water quenching, a cooling gas is used as the quenching medium in the form of discrete jet streams issuing from a nozzle field and impinging on the work piece surface to be cooled. With limiting of the blower power for the cooling gas serving a predetermined maximum limit of about 1000 kW per square meter of nozzle field the quenching intensity, with suitable selection of gas jet parameters, in particular the gas velocity w, the gas pressure p, the gas jet cross-section and the number of impinging jets per unit of surface is brought to an H value between 0.2 and 4.

Abstract: A method and press for uniformly quenching a heated annular workpiece while fixturing the workpiece to prevent distortion during quenching. The press has a conically shaped lower die for receiving a workpiece to be quenched thereon and a vertically reciprocable conically shaped upper die for clamping and fixturing a workpiece between them. The press has a generally cylindrical quench ring carried by the upper die for engaging against the lower die to form a chamber around the workpiece to immerse the workpiece in quenching fluid. The lower die has a plurality of spaced apart inlets for uniformly distributing quenching fluid around the workpiece and which are preferably angled relative to the center axis of the lower die for producing a swirling turbulent flow of fluid within the chamber to more rapidly and uniformly quench the workpiece.

Abstract: A method for producing a cast aluminum vehicle wheel uses a high intensity electric infrared heating system to heat treat the wheel. The infrared heating system is an indexing-type system which includes a plurality of individual heating stations. A first group of heating stations effects solution heat treating of the wheel, while a second group effects artificial aging. The infrared system enables the solution heat treating and aging to be completed in less than 15 minutes.

Abstract: A method for producing a cast aluminum vehicle wheel uses a high intensity electric infrared heating system to heat treat the wheel. The infrared heating system is an indexing-type system which includes a plurality of individual heating stations. A first group of heating stations effects solution heat treating of the wheel, while a second group effects artificial aging. The infrared system enables the solution heat treating and aging to be completed in less than 15 minutes.

Abstract: A method for heat treating an aluminum part is provided. The method includes heat treating the aluminum alloy part with direct radiation from a source of infrared energy until the part attains a desired state of heat treatment. The method and apparatus further include monitoring of the part and controlling the intensity of the radiation source through proportional control in response to the measured temperature.

Abstract: Apparatus and process are disclosed for providing, and continuously monitoring and controlling, a tapered temperature profile in solid metal first heated to a specified initial temperature. Temperatures are monitored at a plurality of locations along the length of the metal and are adjusted by successively withdrawing and returning a portion to a heating source through physical movementIn one aspect, apparatus and process continuously monitor and control a tapered temperature profile in a billet of aluminum alloy through a first step of rapid heating in a single-zone electric induction furnace to a temperature sufficient to bring the billet to its cold end set point while not exceeding its maximum skin temperature. The temperatures of the billet are monitored at its die end and its ram end and are adjusted by successively withdrawing and returning the billet to the induction furnace to reduce the heat in the ram end relative to the die end.

Abstract: Apparatus for cooling a metal extrusion, such as an aluminum extrusion, may include a carriage which houses the cooling liquid delivery system and is relatively movable with respect to the extrusion press in order to provide the desired amount of air cooling prior to quenching. The quenching apparatus may have a plurality of generally parallel cooling liquid delivery tubes, each having a plurality of nozzles which are preferably independently adjustable as to volume and spray pattern. The cooling liquid delivery tubes may be axially rotated and flow of the cooling liquid within each tube may be independently adjusted. The housing of the quenching unit may have an upper portion which is rotatable generally upwardly and is provided with a transparent window to facilitate viewing of the spraying action. A method of quenching an aluminum extrusion employing such apparatus is provided.

Abstract: A method for the rapid, direct cooling of a hot-rolled wire rod comprising the steps: transporting a hot-rolled and coiled wire rod on a conveyor, the wire rod being in a form of continuous series of loops; and blasting an air-water mist to the wire rod and simultaneously blasting air to the back side of the wire rod from below to cool the wire rod at a rate of 10.degree. to 100.degree. C./sec, while transporting the wire rod on the conveyor, the air-water mist providing 0.5 to 10 m.sup.3 /minute water and having an air to water ratio of 200 Nm.sup.3 /m.sup.3 or less.

Abstract: An integrated continuous/batch furnace system for heat treating metal parts combines a continuous furnace system and a batch furnace system. The continuous furnace system includes a preheat furnace, a rotary carburizing furnace, an equalize/diffusion furnace, an oil quench, a press quench chamber and a slow cooling chamber. The batch furnace system includes a temper furnace, a carburize/quench/slow cool furnace, and a washer. A parts tray system for holding parts to be heat treated includes a parts tray for transporting parts through the continuous furnace system, and a parts tray assembly for transporting parts through the batch furnace system. The parts tray assembly includes two parts trays detachably coupled together with rigid U-shaped alloy chips.A method for heat treating trays of parts in an integrated continuous/batch furnace system includes determining whether to heat treat the parts with the continuous furnace system or the batch furnace system.

Abstract: A heat treatment apparatus for thin spheroidal graphite cast iron products comprising a cast iron product remover for removing a thin spheroidal graphite cast iron product from a casting mold; a continuous furnace having an inlet positioned near the cast iron product remover, the continuous furnace comprising a uniform temperature zone kept at a temperature equal to or higher than an A.sub.3 transformation point of the thin spheroidal graphite cast iron product and a cooling zone downstream of the uniform temperature zone; a first conveying means for the thin cast iron product disposed between the cast iron product remover and the inlet of the continuous furnace; and a second conveying means for the thin cast iron product moving through the continuous furnace, the thin cast iron product being conveyed to the second conveying means by means of the first conveying means immediately after removed from the casting mold and introduced into the continuous furnace by means of the second conveying means.

Abstract: The present arrangement provides for having the plenum divided into at least two sections. One section dumps quench gas from a first direction into the hot zone chamber during a first period and the other section dumps quench gas into the hot zone from an opposite direction during a second period whereby the cooling is relatively uniform. During the quenching operation the quenching gas is drawn from the hot zone chamber through a heat exchange and is returned therefrom to a loop through the hot zone chamber in touch with the workpiece. Direction flow gates control the alternate use of the two plenum.

Abstract: A spray device is described in which the water spray from a water chamber is supplied to a spray head by cylindrical tubes inducing a head loss. The water from the tubes is guided by additional tubes into a water outlet channel forming a continuous slot. Water ejection mechanism are mounted on either side of the slot and in the air conduits. The water ejection mechanism are formed by vanes in which the flow of spray water is guided perpendicularly to the surface of the item to be treated. The vanes, which are segment shaped, are placed end to end along the length of the slot and form converging conduits for the air, ending in rectangular slot openings. A second embodiment is given for a vertical jet spray.

Abstract: A quench tank includes a reservoir located within a sump tank. Heated steel parts are dropped through a vertical tube in which a quenching liquid is flowing upwardly from the sump tank and into the reservoir under hydrostatic-induced pressure. Turbulent flow of liquid across the surfaces of the steel parts produces a rapid cooling and quenching action. The liquid upflow is produced by a hydrostatic liquid head communicating with the lower end of the tube. The flow rate of the liquid, measured across the transverse cross section of the tube, is relatively constant, such that the quenching action is relatively uniform across a given part and from one part to another part.

Abstract: A method for transporting a hot-rolled wire rod comprises changing directions of movements of the wire rod to the left and to the right relative to the center line of a conveyer at an interval of d/3 to 2d of a diameter of a ring of the wire rod and shifting the center of the ring of the wire rod from the center line of the conveyer by a length of 2d/100 to 30d/100 at its maximum.An apparatus for transporting hot-rolled wire rod comprises a conveyer for transporting a hot-rolled wire rod and guide means alternately arranged in an upper portion of the side of the conveyer to change the directions of movements of the wire rod to the left and to the right relative to the center line of the conveyer.

Abstract: An automatic installation for obtaining in large series circular pieces of small thickness, such as notably spring diaphragms, for the automobile industry, in forming, swaging, quenching, tempering and peripheral tempering stations, these various working treatment stations being placed one after the other so that the pieces to be worked be successively transferred from one station to another, characterized in that:it includes a machine allowing realizing automatically and in series a forming operation by hot swaging and quenching of spring diaphragms or circular pieces;each entirely automated working station includes a press provided with individual heating means, said working stations receiving the pieces one by one from said automatic machine, with the assistance of transfer means withdrawing one by one the pieces to be treated from the quenching stations of the automatic machine for transferring them successively thereafter and one by one to each of the working stations;means are provided for blowing into

Abstract: Disclosed is a part-handling apparatus for a heat-treating furnace system and its use in transferring parts such as bearing races into, through, and out of a quench tank while avoiding any part-to-part contact and thus preventing nicking of parts. The apparatus includes a charge elevator formed of closely-spaced rails divided into lanes and which lowers parts into a quench fluid. A walking beam system for moving parts along the tank has movable rails which mesh with stationary rails and with the rails of the charge and discharge elevators when the elevators are located in their lowermost positions and includes a frame which is movable vertically and longitudinally. A push-off device near the tank discharge end pushes parts from the discharge elevator either directly onto an in-line conveyor of a washer or tempering furnace or onto a rotatable arm which alters the travel path of the parts a selected angle such as 90 degrees before delivering the parts to the conveyor of the washer to temper furnace.

Abstract: A cooling device for a high pressure vessel which is simple in construction and high in safety and has a high cooling faculty without the necessity of changing a design of the high pressure vessel. The cooling device has a cylindrical cooling medium jacket having a cooling medium passage formed therein. The cooling medium jacket is removably disposed in a high pressure chamber of the high pressure vessel between the high pressure vessel and an insulation mantle surrounding a heater in the high pressure chamber such that a gap may be left between the high pressure vessel and the cooling medium jacket. The cooling medium jacket has a passage hole formed therein for establishing communication between the gap and the high pressure chamber to allow pressure medium to be introduced into the gap.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for cooling samples of hot rolled steel sections. A programmable controller directs a predetermined sequence of air and cooling water sprays against the sample while held in a closed container. The controlled cooling of the sample prevents dimensional distortion of the sample so that accurate measurements of the finished hot rolled steel section can be determined.

Abstract: Air quenching apparatus develops a pearlite microstructure in the head of a longitudinally travelling railroad rail as it travels under the apparatus. A primary air chamber at a controlled pressure provides air to the top and side surfaces of the rail heads. A secondary air chamber at a separately controlled pressure provides air to the shoulders of the rail heads. More than one quench unit may be used in series, in which case the pressures in the primary air chambers may progressively increase to increase the cooling rate.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing the inner and outer quenching of tubular metallic pieces and more particularly of steel tubes, characterized in that it includes successively in the direction of movement of said tubes:a series of primary quenching annuli through which progresses the tube to be quenched,a weir tank filled with quenching liquid and formed with an inlet orifice for the tube to be quenched, said orifice being provided with a tight closing shutter and at least on high pressure quenching annulus,a plurality of guiding cylinders and rollers placed in the weir tank for the rotating progress of the tube travelling through the tank,means for providing for the inner quenching under pressure of the tube travelling through the tank andmeans for the recovery of the quenching liquid discharged from the weir tank, its filtration, its return and new rises in pressure for, on the one hand feeding the tank and, on the other hand, feeding under a high pressure the quenching annuli and inner pressure quenching means.

Abstract: An inside-outside quench arrangement is disclosed for long steel pipe which utilizes a tangential quench arrangement to cool the pipe's outside surface and an axial flow nozzle to cool the pipe's inside surface at approximately the same cooling rate. The O.D. quench arrangement includes a manifold carrying jet nozzles circumscribing the pipe which can be pivoted apart to permit a four-bar linkage mechanism to smoothly and efficiently transfer the pipe into and out of the arrangement for quenching. A roller drive arrangement rotates the pipe in a longitudinally stationary position to minimize pipe bow and enhance pipe cooling.

Abstract: A high pressure sintering furnace is disclosed for the production of compacts from metal and/or nonmetal powders. By mounting a cooling device between the wall of the high pressure shell and the thermal insulation, relatively thin walls can be used for the high pressure shell. Shorter cooling times are also obtained.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for heat treating steel plates subject to longitudinal length distortion wherein the plate at a temperature of the critical temperature of the steel passes through leveling rolls to remove the length distortion and immediately thereafter through quenching rolls which maintain length uniformity during quenching of the plate.

Abstract: The process controls the cooling of a metal sheet so as to impart thereto a predetermined crystalline structure. The sheet to be cooled is passed through a case containing a mass of regularly renewed cooling fluid. The flow of the cooling fluid is controlled as a function of the inlet temperature of this fluid, in accordance with the thickness of the sheet to be cooled and the desired cooling rate.

Abstract: A method of gas carburizing and hardening a steel article and a continuous furnace therefor. The method includes the steps of carburizing the article in a carburizing atmosphere at atmospheric pressure, heating the article in a vacuum for a predetermined period of time, and hardening the article.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for quenching elongated steel pipe in a liquid cooling medium substantially improves the straightness of the finished product. After being heated to an initial temperature higher than the austenite transformation temperature, the pipe is positioned within an enclosure formed by mating semi-cylindrical shell members. Two streams of coolant are introduced to flow through the interior of the pipe, and over the exterior of the pipe, respectively, the relative volumes of flow of the two streams of coolant being regulated to ensure substantially uniform rates of cooling as between the interior and exterior surfaces of the pipe.

Abstract: Steel tubulars are deposited into an insulated container shortly after the steel tubulars are formed in a seamless hot rolling machine. The tubulars are covered by an insulating blanket and allowed to cool at a selected rate to form desired microstructure in the steel of the tubulars. No external energy supply or controls are necessary to achieve the desired microstructure. The side walls of the container taper outwardly and are made of a sandwiched structure, having spaced apart sheet metal members with a layer of insulation there between. The end walls are similarly constructed. The bottom of the container is lined with granular insulating material to cushion the shock of the tubulars being dropped into the container and to insulate the bottom of the container. Stainless steel mesh is used as a sling and embraces the tubulars to facilitate removing the tubulars from the container after the desired amount of cooling.

Abstract: Methods of, and equipment for, protecting selected parts of a component against overheating while the component is being thermally treated.

Abstract: A continuous carburizing furnace system is disclosed having at least two series-connected rotary furnaces. The rotary carburizing furnace, a rotary equalizing furnace, and a rotary diffusion furnace which may be included between the carburizing and equalizing furnaces, allow trays of parts to be discharged from any position at any time by suitable rotation of their hearths, thus allowing parts with different cycle times to be run simultaneously in each rotary furnace. Each donut-shaped rotary furnace includes one or more captive chain type pusher mechanisms mounted in vertical fashion within a central area or hole, and the rotary carburizing furnace is multi-zoned and includes wall-mounted fans for uniform circumferential control of the gaseous atmosphere within its annular chambers.

Abstract: A heat treatment apparatus for metals or metal articles has a fluidized-bed furnace for heating the metals and a cooling chamber disposed above the furnace so as to communicate with a heating chamber of the furnace through a partition capable of being opened and closed, so that the metals can be cooled immediately after heated. The apparatus further includes a circulating circuit arrangement with a heat-resisting fan for circulating together or separately heated furnace gas and cooling fluid. Flow rate of the circulating furnace gas and/or cooling fluid is controlled by a flow rate control device provided in the circulating circuit.

Abstract: Apparatus comprising one suction chamber opposite the upper surface of the sheet material and at least at the entry point and at the exit point. The spray bars (7 to 9) are arranged between two adjacent suction chambers (3, 4; 4, 5; 5, 6). The chambers are arranged above the droplet deflection zone which is limited by the flaps mounted on the edges of the chamber opening.Spray bars are also provided opposite the lower surface of the material.

Abstract: A method and vacuum furnace for heat-treating a charge. Pursuant to the method, after the charge is placed in the receiving vessel, the latter is evacuated and flooded with inert gas. Subsequently, the charge is heated to the maximum permissible operating temperature of the circulation device by heating and gas circulation. Thereafter, the charge is heated to the desired end temperature by static inert gas or under vacuum, and essentially by radiation heat. The vacuum furnace may include a steel vessel which can be closed off, and which contains an inner heating chamber for receiving the charge. A heating device is provided within the heating chamber, and a fan and a gas guiding arrangement are provided for producing a gas circulation through the heating chamber. In the second phase, in which the heating is effected by radiant heat, the heating chamber can be closed off, accompanied by disconnection of the fan. For this purpose, an opening is provided in the wall of the heating chamber.

Abstract: An industrial furnace for heat-treating metallic workpieces has separate heating and cooling chambers. The latter uses a circulating cooling gas, the flow of which against or past the workpieces produces cooling or gas-quenching. The furnace may have another chamber for oil-quenching lying below the gas-cooling chamber. In order to enable the gas cooling to operate quickly and efficiently, a cooling box fed with air by ventilator fans is provided in the shape of a tunnel, with internal surfaces above and at both sides of the effective cooling space constituted by interchangeable nozzle plates (or blank plates if no nozzle openings are desired at the top or at the sides). The workpieces to be cooled rest on a platform which may be raised or lowered to adjust the distance from the top nozzle plate or lowered into an oil bath. The nozzle plates provide a choice of nozzle patterns for different articles or groups of articles to be cooled after heat treatment.

Abstract: A device for cooling hot rolled flat products in such a way so to deliver to the product a relatively long, very thin, low turbulence blade of water which can be adjusted as to flow rate transversely of the product and so can adjust the cooling conditions of the product transversely of the product. The device comprises an elongated water delivery chamber having a linear slit that extends across the product to be cooled. The chamber is bounded longitudinally by guide walls that converge toward the slit and is divided transversely into a plurality of smaller chambers by a plurality of baffles transverse to the length of the chamber. Each of the smaller chambers is in communication with the water supply via at least one adjustable flow regulating device. The baffles are integral with the walls of the chamber and terminate toward the slit short of the outer edge of the slit.

Abstract: The invention concerns cooling apparatus for strip metal of the kind comprising a series of spaced cooling rolls around which the strip metal is passed such that it follows a serpentine path and is cooled by contact with the rolls, and elongate gas jet devices disposed widthwise of the strip opposite the outer surface parts of respective cooling rolls in contact with the strip.

Abstract: A method and oven equipment for cooling a charge after thermal treatment. The charge, which is located within a closed chamber, is cooled by blowing in cooling gas. The cooling occurs as a function of the actual conditions of the charge at a predetermined speed, and a uniform distribution of temperature within the charge is assured. For this purpose, the temperature distribution in the charge is measured by temperature sensors, and the intensity and/or direction of the flow of the cooling gas can be changed if deviations from the predetermined theoretical values occur. The wall of the closed treatment chamber of the oven equipment contains a plurality of gas passages which can either be closed off, or are permeable for gases yet impermeable for heat rays. Cooling gases are conducted through the chamber via control valves. The cooling gas is circulated with the aid of a blower unit along with a gas cooler.

Abstract: A cooling pipe arrangement (1) includes a pipe portion (2) in which two gripping elements (3) are arranged, with a coil spring (6) gripped between the gripping elements (3). The coil spring is surrounded by an annular space (15) into which opens a duct (16) for the coolant. The fluid which is supplied by way of the duct is conducted through the gap (19) between the turns of the coil spring, on to the rolled material which is conveyed through the cooling pipe arrangement. The width of the gap (19) may be varied by means of a setting ring (22).

Abstract: A method of heat treating metallic workpieces using a continuous-heating, sher-type, or gravity-discharge furnace having at least two treatment chambers through which the workpieces successively pass. The chambers, which are provided with doors, serve to respectively heat treat a plurality of workpieces charges, with individual ones of the charges being cyclically received by the respective chambers, being conveyed through the latter while heat treatment is undertaken, and subsequently being released by the chambers. Charges requiring different treatment and/or duration, especially different case-hardening depths during carburization in a two-stage process, can be simultaneously treated while fully utilizing the capacity of the furnace by irregularly conveying the charges in at least one of the treatment chambers in such a way that the charges are released by the chamber or chambers after varying retention times.

Abstract: An industrial furnace, especially a single chamber vacuum furnace, for thermally treating metal workpieces. The furnace has a heating chamber which is disposed in a furnace housing and receives a charge. The heating chamber can be heated via heating elements, and has at least one closable chamber opening through which is conveyed a cooling gas which can be circulated with the aid of a blower through a heat exchanger. To control the flow of cooling gas arriving through the cooling gas delivery pipe, a distribution device which is moved back and forth during a cooling process is pivotably mounted in the region of the chamber opening which is provided for the entry of the cooling gas. In order to make it possible for the cooling gas to flow uniformly over the surface of the charge, jet nozzles are provided as the distribution means. The cooling gas flows through these jet nozzles prior to striking the charge.

Abstract: Apparatus for the cooling of articles which have been subjected to an isostatic pressing process is provided. The apparatus includes an injector system which is connected with a fresh gas supply conduit, and with passages along which the gases are drawn from the interior of the apparatus by the injector system, all in such a manner that a circulation of gas can be maintained in the pressure chamber, primarily between the top and bottom regions of the apparatus.

Abstract: A "jet cooler" device for cooling and recirculating the gas forming the protective atmosphere in the cooling chambers of the furnaces for the continuous annealing of steel strips, comprises vertically arranged boxes (4) which extend in the furnace interior between successive vertically extending parallel strip sections, substantially over the whole length thereof, i.e., throughout the height of the furnace, and which have their walls (104) turned toward the facing adjacent strip sections provided with perforations (5). Associated to each vertically arranged perforated box (4) are a plurality of individual protective gas-cooling and recirculating units (6), which are distributed over the vertical extent of the respective box (4) and are attached to the outside of the furnace sidewalls (1).

Abstract: An apparatus and a process for the zone-annealing of a workpiece (1) consisting of a high-temperature material, in which the workpiece (1) is hung on a suspension device (2) actuated via a roller (3) driven by a drive motor (4) and is provided with a plate-shaped covering screen (10) having an orifice. For the dipping of the workpiece (1), there is underneath the latter a salt bath (5) which is enclosed in an insulating vessel (6) and is provided with a heating system (7) with centrally symmetrical guide plates (8) and which is closed off at the top by means of a floating insulating cover (9). The cooling of the part of the workpiece (1) which is not immersed is guaranteed by a cooling body (11) through which cooling air (14) flows and which has a central passage (12) and, at the lower end of the passage (12), a projecting edge (13) serving as a stop for the covering screen (10).