Abstract: A control valve for adjusting the cross-sectional area of flow in at least one pipe, in particular for highly dynamic control of the coolant volume for cooling sections in rolling mills, includes a valve body, at least one valve seat and a positioning actuator configured for modifying the position of the valve body. The positioning actuator includes a linear electric motor in order to achieve reproducible response behavior, short response times and high positioning precision of the control valve.

Abstract: A sample of a chemical compound is contained within a pressure controlled atmospheric chamber that is set to a predetermined atmospheric pressure. The sample includes a parent material and one or more diffusive atomic or molecular constituents or interstitials. The sample is in thermal contact with a heat source having a first temperature and a heat sink having a second temperature. The sample is annealed until an equilibrium gradient distribution of the diffusive atomic or molecular constituents or interstitials occurs along the sample.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a pressing arrangement for treatment of articles by hot pressing and in particular to a pressing arrangement for hot isostatic pressing of containers holding substances. The method comprises: placing containers including the substance in a load compartment in the furnace and loading a pressure medium into the pressure vessel and substantially all pressure medium flowing out from the furnace chamber (18) passes at least one substance capturing module, which may include the walls of the guiding passage, at least one condensation element (35) in the guiding passage, filters (41, 43) arranged in the guiding passage, before making contact with the pressure vessel including the top and bottom closures (8, 9).

Abstract: A chamber apparatus including a chamber which accommodates a substrate having a coating film formed thereon; a first heating part which is accommodated in the chamber and disposed on a first face side of the substrate; a second heating part which is accommodated in the chamber and disposed on a second face side of the substrate opposite to the first face; and a pressure control part which is capable of pressurizing and depressurizing inside of the chamber in a heated state.

Abstract: A pressing arrangement for treatment of articles by hot pressing includes a pressure vessel including a furnace chamber and a furnace to hold the articles. A fan circulates a pressure medium within the furnace chamber, and enhances an inner convection loop at a load compartment. The inner convection loop pressure medium has an upward flow through the load compartment, and a downward flow along a peripheral portion of the furnace chamber. A flow generator generates a flow of pressure medium into the load compartment downstream the fan to enhance the inner convection loop. The flow is generated by transporting the pressure medium upwards from a space below a bottom insulating portion and above a bottom end portion, and by injecting the pressure medium into the load compartment downstream the fan to enhance the inner convection loop.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for monitoring an operating status of an anode furnace, wherein the anode furnace is formed from a plurality of heating ducts (12) and furnace chambers, wherein the furnace chambers serve for receiving anodes and the heating ducts serve for controlling the temperature of the furnace chambers, wherein the anode furnace comprises at least one furnace unit (11) having a heating zone (18), a firing zone (19) and a cooling zone (20), wherein a suction device (15) is arranged in the heating zone and a burner device (16) is arranged in the firing zone, wherein, by means of the burner device, combustion air is heated up in the heating ducts of the firing zone, wherein, by means of the suction device, hot air is sucked out of the heating ducts of the heating zone, wherein a suction output of the suction device is determined, and wherein a pressure in the heating duct is measured, wherein a volumetric flow in the heating duct is determined from a ratio of suction output and pressure.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to semiconductor wafer fabrication and more particularly but not exclusively to advanced process control methodologies for controlling oxide formation using pressure. The present invention, in one or more implementations, includes a pressure stabilization system to dynamically adjust scavenger pressure in a furnace during wafer fabrication in relation to a pressure formation range, value, or one or more pressure indicators in a wafer fabrication process.

Abstract: A flexible pipe body and methods of producing a flexible pipe body are disclosed. The method may include providing a tubular length of polymeric material for forming a polymeric layer of flexible pipe body; providing a strength layer radially outwards of the polymeric layer; and treating the polymeric layer with a non-ambient temperature and pressure.

Abstract: A method for increasing temperature homogeneity in a pit furnace wherein at least two ingots to be heated lean against a respective one of first and second opposite inner walls of the pit furnace to form an elongated space having a V-shaped cross-section between them includes arranging at least one lance for an oxidant with an oxygen content of at least 85 percent by weight and at least one lance for fuel in a furnace wall with their orifices opening into the furnace at a distance from each other for supplying the oxidant and fuel to said V-shaped space to be combustible therein, wherein the orifice of the oxidant lance is arranged above the orifice of the fuel lance and is directed for the oxidant to flow obliquely downwards and along a longitudinal direction of said V-shaped space.

Abstract: An apparatus for performing reactive thermal treatment of thin film photovoltaic devices includes a furnace having a tubular body surrounded by heaters and cooling devices. The apparatus includes cooled doors at ends of the furnace separated from a central portion of the furnace by baffles. The cooled doors facilitate increased convection within the furnace and improve temperature uniformity.

Abstract: Pyrolysis methods for disassociating an organic mass, or coating from an article, by placing the article in an air tight processing chamber, circulating a gaseous mixture of ambient air and at least 40% water vapor from an opening, through the processing chamber and out of an exhaust port, and maintaining the processing chamber at a temperature above 650 degrees Fahrenheit for a sufficient time to disassociate the organic material. A batch oven and a continuous processing oven including entrance and exit air closures that utilize the pyrolysis methods are described.

Abstract: A heat treatment apparatus and control method enabling the apparatus to settle down the internal temperature of a treating vessel to a target temperature accurately and quickly. The apparatus includes a furnace body with a heater on an inner circumferential surface thereof, a treating vessel disposed inside the furnace body, a cooling medium supply blower and cooling medium release blower connected to the furnace body, and a temperature sensor provided inside the treating vessel. A signal from the temperature sensor is sent to a heater output computing unit of a controller. The computing unit determines a heater output level to be obtained during temperature regulation with the heater only, the heater output level being based on a preset temperature that has been determined by a temperature determining unit and temperature detected by the temperature sensor. A blower output computing unit activates blower output based on the heater output level.

Abstract: This shaft seal structure has at a fitting portion between a container wall of a pressurized container in which high pressure gas is enclosed and a rotating shaft that passes through the container wall: O-rings that are disposed at least two locations in the axial direction of the rotating shaft; and grease that is pressurized.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to semiconductor wafer fabrication and more particularly but not exclusively to advanced process control methodologies for controlling oxide formation using pressure. The present invention, in one or more implementations, includes a pressure stabilization system to dynamically adjust scavenger pressure in a furnace during wafer fabrication in relation to a pressure formation range, value, or one or more pressure indicators in a wafer fabrication process.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for speeding workpiece thoughput in low pressure, high temperature semiconductor processing reactor. The system includes apparatus for loading a workpiece into a chamber at atmospheric pressure, bringing the chamber down to an intermediate pressure, and heating the wafer while under the intermediate pressure. The chamber is then pumped down to the operating pressure. The preferred embodiments involve single wafer plasma ashers, where a wafer is loaded onto lift pins at a position above a wafer chuck, the pressure is rapidly pumped down to about 40 Torr by rapidly opening and closing an isolation valve, and the wafer is simultaneously lowered to the heated chuck. Alternatively, the wafer can be pre-processed to remove an implanted photoresist crust at a first temperature and the chamber then backfilled to about 40 Torr for further heating to close to the chuck temperature.

Abstract: The method of preparing an oxide superconducting wire comprises steps of preparing a wire by coating raw material powder for a Bi—Pb—Sr—Ca—Cu—O based oxide superconductor including a 2223 phase with a metal and heat treating the wire in a pressurized atmosphere containing oxygen in a prescribed partial pressure, and the total pressure of the pressurized atmosphere is at least 0.5 MPa. The pressure heat treatment apparatus comprises a pressure furnace storing and heat treating a target in a pressurized atmosphere, a pressure regulator for measuring the total pressure in the pressure furnace, an oxygen concentration meter for measuring the oxygen concentration in the pressure furnace and a controller for controlling the oxygen partial pressure in the pressure furnace in response to the total pressure measured by the pressure regulator and the oxygen concentration measured by the oxygen concentration meter.

Abstract: A method for management of an anode furnace, from which an adjustable volume of flue gas is directed into a flue system, comprises the steps of measuring the actual flue gas temperatures in flues of each section as actual temperatures, taking related set temperatures from a set temperature schedule, calculating a time integral of deviation between actual and set temperatures, modifying the actual temperature during a baking process such that the time integral is reduced to zero at the end of the process, registering at least one of the oxygen content and the fuel load in each flue, and setting burner capacity according to the set temperature and to the available oxygen content in the flue.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for speeding workpiece thoughput in low pressure, high temperature semiconductor processing reactor. The method includes loading a workpiece into a chamber at atmospheric pressure, bringing the chamber down to an intermediate pressure, and heating the wafer while under the intermediate pressure. The chamber is then pumped down to the operating pressure. The preferred embodiments involve single wafer plasma ashers, where a wafer is loaded onto lift pins at a position above a wafer chuck, the pressure is rapidly pumped down to about 40 Torr by rapidly opening and closing an isolation valve, and the wafer is simultaneously lowered to the heated chuck. Alternatively, the wafer can be pre-processed to remove an implanted photoresist crust at a first temperature and the chamber then backfilled to about 40 Torr for further heating to close to the chuck temperature. At 40 Torr, the heat transfer from the chuck to the wafer is relatively fast, but still slow enough to avoid thermal shock.

Abstract: This invention is a method of determining set temperature trajectories for a heat treatment system that conducts a first heat treatment process and a second heat treatment process to an object to be processed. The method comprises the steps of: conducting the first heat treatment process to a first test object to be processed, by using a temporary first set temperature trajectory; measuring a result of the first heat treatment process produced on the first test object to be processed; and determining a first set temperature trajectory for the first heat treatment process by correcting the temporary first set temperature trajectory on the basis of the measured result of the first heat treatment process.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for speeding workpiece thoughput in low pressure, high temperature semiconductor processing reactor. The method includes loading a workpiece into a chamber at atmospheric pressure, bringing the chamber down to an intermediate pressure, and heating the wafer while under the intermediate pressure. The chamber is then pumped down to the operating pressure. The preferred embodiments involve single wafer plasma ashers, where a wafer is loaded onto lift pins at a position above a wafer chuck, the pressure is rapidly pumped down to about 40 Torr by rapidly opening and closing an isolation valve, and the wafer is simultaneously lowered to the heated chuck. Alternatively, the wafer can be pre-processed to remove an implanted photoresist crust at a first temperature and the chamber then backfilled to about 40 Torr for further heating to close to the chuck temperature. At 40 Torr, the heat transfer from the chuck to the wafer is relatively fast, but still slow enough to avoid thermal shock.

Abstract: A method for controlling kiln pressure for a shuttle kiln having an exhaust gas fan and an exhaust gas damper in an exhaust gas passage includes the steps of performing a control operation for controlling the number of revolution of the exhaust gas fan to control flow rate of the exhaust gas to maintain the kiln pressure at a predetermined pressure, and performing a control operation for adjusting opening of the exhaust gas damper based on the number of revolution of the exhaust gas fan. The method can expand the control range of exhaust gas flow, and operation with energy saving efficiency can be performed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for heating metal billets or other separate pieces of metal in a continuous furnace using two different burner systems. The primary burner system provides the majority of available heat at relatively high flame temperatures. The secondary high velocity burner system extrains how furnace products of combustion that impinge around on the load. Thus, heat transfer and temperature uniformity is improved by forcing hot gases between the metal pieces.

Abstract: In order to create a regenerative, energy-saving fuel firing for an industrial furnace, particularly for a metal smelting furnace, that can flexibly take all possible time and space operating conditions and demands of the furnace to be heated as well as the thermic conditions of the respectively employed, heat-storing regenerators exactly into consideration, it is inventively proposed that at least two regenerator/burner modules (3) are switchable from burner mode (7) into regenerator mode (7r) (exhaust gas extraction mode) or, respectively, vice versa independently of one another proceeding from the process controller of the industrial furnace (1), namely with employment of reverse valves (11) or reversible ventilators or, respectively, two-stream ventilators.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the operation of a plurality of burners of a cupola. The method includes the steps of separately supplying air and fuel to each burner of the cupola, measuring the flow rates of air and fuel supplied to each burner, controlling either the flow rate of air or flow rate of fuel supplied to each burner as a function of a desired heat energy output of the burners and controlling the other of the flow rate supplied to each burner as a function of the measured flow rate of air or fuel supplied to each burner and a preselected ratio of flow rate of air supplied to each burner and of flow rate of fuel supplied to each burner.

Abstract: A kiln and method of firing kilns or the like in which high firing rate gas streams are introduced into the ware treating chamber in the form of pulsed jets and a continuous low firing rate gas stream is also introduced into the ware treating chamber for maintaining uniformity of temperature and atmosphere within the ware treating chamber. The time interval between the pulsed jets is controlled in accordance with the difference between a set predetermined temperature and the actual temperature in the ware treating chamber. Also disclosed is a burner for the kiln including coaxial primary and secondary nozzles for burning fuel. The primary nozzle burns fuel at a high rate and is pulsed intermittently while the secondary nozzle burns constantly at a low rate.

Abstract: Materials containing vaporizable substances are exposed successively in at least two treatment chambers (10, 13, 14), which can be closed off with respect to each other, to a series of decreasing pressures and increasing temperatures. The vaporizable substances are exhausted separately from each treatment chamber (10, 13, 14) and at least partially condensed and collected. The solid materials are discharged from the last treatment chamber (14). The treatment chambers (10, 13, 14) can be closed off against each other, against the atmosphere, and against any other units which may be connected to them downline (17, 18) by vacuum valves (11, 12, 115, 16) and are connected to vacuum lines (10a, 13a, 14a) in which condensers (10b, 13b, 14b) and vacuum pumps (10c, 13c, 14c) are installed.

Abstract: A method for sintering industrial waste into environment conserving stones. The process mixes waste industrial earth and industrial waste in a predetermined ratio, and forms sterile environment protecting stones with high strength by the following processes: vacuum ejection, drying, breaking, screening, separating, sintering, and vibrating screening. The stones can be uses in the construction of civil engineering projects, or used as stone additives in asphalt pavement.

Abstract: A method for controlling temperature in a heating kiln is able to maintain the temperature uniformly at a set temperature of the kiln. Output of each burner provided in the kiln is controlled on the basis of temperatures at plural positions affected by plural burners to make the temperature in the kiln substantially equal to a set temperature of the kiln. Mean values of temperatures at the plural positions are calculated and the burners are controlled to bring the mean values into coincidence with the set temperature. Alternatively, contribution rates .alpha.1 and .alpha.2 are determined which correspond to the influence of one burner on the temperature of the thermocouple for the other burner. Handicap temperatures TH1 and TH2 are then calculated by substituting temperatures T1 and T2 of the one and the other burners in equations TH1=T1+(T2-T1) .alpha.1 and TH2=T2+(T1-T2) .alpha.2. The burners are then controlled to make the handicap temperatures coincide with the set temperature.

Abstract: A burner block for mounting a burner within a furnace containing a melt to be heated by the burner. The burner block comprises a body having a passageway terminating in a divergent opening. The passageway is configured to receive the burner so that the burner is recessed within the divergent opening and a flame produced by the burner is directed out of the divergent opening and over the melt. The divergent opening has a lower section angled in a downward direction and the lower section has a reversed step to produce a primary recirculation zone beneath the flame, thereby to draw the flame in a downward direction toward the melt. The reversed step is positioned within the divergent opening so that when the burner is in use, a secondary recirculation zone forms between the opening and the melt and further draws the flame in the downward direction toward the melt.

Abstract: The temperature of articles in an "environmental" chamber is stabilized by evacuation of the "environmental" chamber, after having stabilized the temperature of such an article to approximate that of a controlled-temperature member spaced from the article by a small gap, to a pressure just sufficient to provide viscous gas behavior, adjusting the temperature of the article to closely match that of the member by gas conduction heat transfer across the gap, and evacuating the chamber to high vacuum.

Abstract: A furnace refractory extraction system and method includes a selectively removable bottom portion which is attached to a refractory extraction device associated with a container for drawing the refractory lining of a coreless induction furnace into the container. A plug portion in the furnace bottom is selectively removable to provide access to a bottom wall of the refractory lining. An opening is made in the bottom wall of the lining through which an extractor shaft is inserted and then attached to the removable bottom portion of the furnace bottom. The other end of the shaft is attached to a piston and cylinder assembly associated with the container at the open end of the furnace. When the piston and cylinder assembly is powered, the lining is drawn into the container.

Abstract: A vertical heat treatment apparatus has a reaction furnace, gas-introducing mechanism, a gas-exhausting mechanism, and temperature-sensing means. The reaction furnace is made up of a reaction tube and a heating mechanism. The reaction tube contains a plurality of objects which are to be treated and which are arranged at predetermined intervals. The heating mechanism is arranged outside of the reaction tube. The gas-introducing means introduces a gas into the reaction tube, and the gas-exhausting mechanism exhausts the gas from the reaction tube. The temperature-sensing mechanism includes a guide pipe which passes through the side wall of the reaction tube and which extends along the inner wall of the reaction tube in the longitudinal direction of the reaction tube. One end of the guide pipe is closed and is located inside the reaction tube, while the other end thereof is open and is located outside of the reaction tube. A bendable temperature-measuring device is inserted in the guide pipe.

Abstract: The operation of a combustible atmosphere furnace is controlled by monitoring the temperature of the combustible atmosphere, and the rate-of-change thereof. The measured rate-of-change is compared to a previously determined safe rate-of-change so as to anticipate and discourage incipient internal ignition.

Abstract: A method for providing uniform temperature in a furnace, such as a soaking pit or a reheat furnace is disclosed. Temperatures at a front wall and a burner wall within the heating chamber are constantly monitored by a computer, and the computer operates a direct-fired burner, or for example, a pair of regenerative burners, in one of two modes to place heat either at the front wall or the burner wall. The burner is oversized in relation to a maximum firing rate required by the heating chamber design. To heat the front wall, an impulse firing mode is initiated by the computer wherein the burner is fired at its full, overrated capacity for a time proportionally less than a normal firing cycle. To heat the burner wall, the computer initiates a proportional firing mode wherein the burner is fired for the full normal cycle, but at a rate which is equivalent to the actual firing rate demand calculated by the computer.

Abstract: The invention discloses an apparatus and process for destroying pathogens and dehydrating streams of waste in one, continous process. More particularly, the invention contains an auger with specially modified, variably angled blades which agitates a stream of waste. Also, contained in tandem with the auger, a series of variably angled infrared radiate elements are positioned above the augar exposing the moving stream of waste to radiation. Thus, as the waste stream is transported along, the auger blades continually expose the waste stream to the radiation, thereby killing the entrapped pathogens and evaporating the insitu water. Further, the auger and infrared radiation heater elements are encased in a sealed trough, thus sealing in the heat being generated by this process. By sealing the trough, the heat provides excess energy to aid in destroying pathogens and evaporating the insitu water contained in the waste stream, until the water content is less than or equal to five per cent (5%) by unit volume.

Abstract: A gas burner assembly for a baking furnace is described. It includes a burner tube having an open outer end and an open inner end, with the inner end being arranged to extend through an opening in a furnace wall. A connector is provided for connecting the burner tube to a fuel supply and an infra-red pyrometer is mounted at the outer end of the tube. The pyrometer is axially aligned with the burner tube such that in use the pyrometer is sighted axially through the burner tube and onto an internal furnace wall. This gas burner assembly is particularly useful for heating the flue of a ring furnace used in the production of carbon anodes in the aluminum industry.

Abstract: A temperature control apparatus of a learning type for a furnace which runs repetitively with a certain operating pattern of temperature change with time. The apparatus has a dual system model with respect to an enlarged system consisting of the furnace and its controller. For each cycle of the repetition of the certain operating pattern, adjustment input (r) is calculated by using the dual system model and the error between the preset temperature values (r) for the pattern and the actual inside temperatures (y) of the furnace, which adjustment input (r) is applied to the enlarged system to cause the inside temperatures (y) to track the preset temperature values (r). After each cycle of operation, the adjustment input (r) is renewed using the latest value of the above error.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of controlling the temperature of a joining area between two different strip materials in a continuous strip processing line. In the case where a strip material after the joining area requires a nozzle pressure greater than that of a preceding strip material, the opening of a damper is initially gradually throttled, at a timing before the joining area passes through a predetermined location in a treating furnace, by an amount required for changing the nozzle pressure so that an optimum pressure of the preceding strip material is changed so that of the following strip material. The rotational speed of a recirculation fan is then raised to keep the nozzle pressure substantially constant, and the damper is rapidly opened to the opening before the throttling at a time the joining area passes through the predetermined location.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for vacuum purging bell type furnaces is provided. A vacuum shell unit is provided which is removably emplacible over the inner cover of the furnce and has a vacuum tight seal to the base. A vacuum is pulled both within the inner cover and within the vacuum shell to remove the ambient gas. Nitrogen is then introduced into the inner cover and within the vacuum shell. The vacuum shell is then removed and purging continues within the inner cover either with nitrogen or other desired atmosphere gas, and finally furnace is emplaced over the inner cover to heat treat the work in a conventional manner.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to a method for controlling the preheating zone of a tunnel kiln which includes firing and cooling zones. The method comprises forcedly blowing air from the entire ceiling portion of the preheating zone in the downward direction to diffuse hot combustion gas present in the upper portion and to reducing a difference in temperature between the upper and lower portions of the preheating zone. Air may be blown into the preheating zone at a flow rate determined from the quantity of the combustion gas within the preheating zone.

Abstract: To facilitate a smooth and quick start-up of a rotary kiln, a Fuzzy Logic Control system is proposed, the principal feature of which is to mandate control actions to decrease the specific heat consumption along a straight line from an initial high value to a steady-state value established for the kiln, and then to switch over to an existing steady-state fuzzy logic control mode. In the start-up phase, further process variables are preferably measured and monitored against reference values to mandate concurrent control actions influencing the Fuzzy Logic Control system in a weighted manner.

Abstract: A plurality of burners are provided for burning a combustible gas mixture. A conduit extends to each of the burners for supplying a combustible gas mixture thereto. A mixing device is coupled between the conduit and a source of air and a source of combustible gas for mixing combustible gas and air for flow to the conduit. An air valve is coupled between the source of air and the mixing device for controlling the flow of air to the mixing device. First and second gas valves are coupled between the source of combustible gas and the mixing device. A control circuit is provided which is adapted to be operated in a flame intensity cycle of high/low flame or in a burner on/off cycle. In the flame intensity cycle, flow of air through the air valve is cyclically increased and decreased and gas flows continuously through the second gas valve for cyclically increasing and decreasing the flame intensity at each of the burners.

Abstract: A manufacturing method and apparatus is provided for making building and other types of brick. The apparatus requires a minimum of excess (or surge) production, utilizes automated equipment which is highly dependable and which is easily operated and controlled. The apparatus comprises an automated low profile dryer and kiln in conjunction with an automated brick handling system including specially designed lighweight kiln cars.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for maintaining the lining of a furnace shell (1) comprising a bottom and a side wall and supported by a floor (2). The shell (1) is composed of two parts adapted to be separated and constituting respectively a bottom (11) and a cooled side wall (12). The side wall (12) is supported directly on a work floor (2) and the bottom (11) on a support (5) movable vertically between an upper operating position of the bottom (11), in line with the side wall (12), and a lower position. After the bottom (11) has been lowered into the lower position, it is moved out of the axis (10) of the furnace to a maintenance station, from which a new bottom (11') is then brought into the lower position, in the axis (10) of the furnace, in order finally to be raised to the upper operating position. The invention applies particularly to arc melting furnaces for steel production.

Abstract: Radioactive organic wastes, such as granular or powdered ion exchange resins and organic filter aids, are treated by oxidation decomposition using hydrogen peroxide in the presence of iron ions in an aqueous medium under refluxing an effluent which is condensed from evaporated components during the oxidation. Condensed water containing a very small amount of organic matter is obtained.

Abstract: A heat treating apparatus which comprises a core tube for containing a material to be treated, a heating furnace surrounding the core tube, core tube gas supply means for supplying gas into the core tube, furnace gas supply means for supplying gas into a furnace body of the furnace, differential pressure detecting means for detecting the differential pressure between the pressure in the core tube and the gas pressure in the body, and differential pressure regulating means for regulating the differential pressure between the gas pressure in the core tube and the gas pressure in the body on the basis of a differential pressure signal from the detecting means. The apparatus is operated by regulating the gas pressure in the core tube so that the differential pressure between the gas pressure in the core tube and the gas pressure in the body fall within a tolerable range, thereby preventing the core tube from deforming.

Abstract: A glass sheet tempering method and system (10) disclosed utilizes a heating chamber (22) and a quenching chamber (26) which contain ambients at superatmospheric pressure during both the heating and quenching. Forced convection heating is preferably performed in an improved furnace (14"). In one embodiment, heated gas flow is provided by centrifugal blowers which blow air across a plurality of spaced heat tubes. The heated gas flow is directed toward a glass sheet positioned within the heating chamber to provide rapid heating of the glass sheet. In a second embodiment, the heated gas flow is provided by upper and lower sets of opposed gas jet pumps connected to a gas supply. A pressure gas supply including a compressor maintains the superatmospheric pressure of the heating and quenching chambers (22,26). A recirculating gas supply (32) feeds compressed quenching gas to opposed blastheads (28,30) to perform the tempering.

Abstract: A heat treatment method in which a heating furnace is preliminarily heated before carrying an object to be heat-treated in the furnace and an unit heating process is repeated at least twice according to an output program for controlling an output of a heating light source which is stored in a memory so that the heat treatment is uniformly applied to every object to be heat treated.

Abstract: A method and a device for scrap preheating by means of hot steel furnace exhaust gases. A scrap bucket permits passage of gaseous medium therethrough and is closed by a cover with an exterior waterseal by providing an intermediate annular space having a controlled inlet for a purging medium which is connected to a pressure sensing means in the intermediate space. Purging medium is supplied to the intermediate space at a pressure not substantially less than the pressure in the inlet space in the bucket, so that all leakage is primarily the purging medium which flows outwardly to an outlet space. In a preferred embodiment the purging medium is recycled from the outlet space.

Abstract: A manufacturing method and apparatus is provided for making building and other types of brick. The apparatus requires a minimum of excess (or surge) production, utilizes automated equipment which is highly dependable and which is easily operated and controlled. The apparatus comprises an automated low profile dryer and kiln in conjunction with an automated brick handling system including specially designed lighweight kiln cars.