Abstract: An apparatus or system for cooling the interior of an autoclave furnace vessel after it has been pressurized with a gas and heated. The system comprises a heat conducting conduit opening at one end to the furnace interior and at the other end to a shut-off valve exterior to the vessel. Intermediate the two ends of the conduit is a coil portion comprising a heat exchanger positioned at a location in the furnace where hot vessel gases may be forced through or past the coil. Furnace gases are forced into the conduit and therefore through the coiled portion where they are heated prior to being exhausted. According to a preferred embodiment of this invention, there is a Joule-Thomson valve before the coiled portion of the conduit to reduce the temperature of the exhausting gases prior to arriving at the coiled portion.

Abstract: The high pressure furnace comprises a cylindrical pressure vessel with front and rear pressure closures. An electrical heating element is supported within the interior of the pressure furnace. The front closure supports a relatively thin-walled inner container opening only to an aperture in the front closure. A small closure plugs the aperture. A reaction frame secures the various closures. Blanket gases are introduced into the furnace chamber and process gases into the process chamber defined by the interior of the inner container. Means are provided for minimizing the pressure difference across the inner container to enable it to maintain its original shape.

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: Gases are stored by combining with a bed of capturing solids at elevated temperatures and pressures. The solids are placed in canisters which are then placed in an autoclave. The gases to be stored are fed directly to the canister via a conduit passing through the autoclave wall.

Abstract: A hanging reaction frame assembly for moving a reaction frame to and from a pressure vessel. The reaction frame is hung from a carriage that moves on tracks spanning a well. The pressure vessel is supported by a scaffold within the well and has a platform that passes through the reaction frame.

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. 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 which is magnetically driven from outside the pressure vessel.

Abstract: This invention relates to an electric furnace and, in particular an electric furnace having graphite rod heating elements electrically connected into more than one series circuit. In this way, the heating elements can be arranged to provide individually controllable heating zones.

Abstract: A high pressure magnetic drive for autoclaves and the like having a novel structure including magnetic thrust bearings. The magnetic drive comprises a tubular nonmagnetic housing securable at an open end to an opening in a pressurizable vessel. A sheave or sleeve coaxial with the housing is mounted rotatably thereto. A driven shaft is journaled in the housing. Circumferentially magnetized rare earth cobalt magnets are mounted in the sheave. The driven shaft has circumferentially magnetized rare earth cobalt magnets secured thereto. The magnets on the sheave and circumferentially magnetized magnets on the driven shaft enable the magnetic transfer of torque. At least one annular rare earth cobalt magnet being axially polarized is secured to the driven shaft. The nonmagnetic tubular housing has at least one annular rare earth cobalt magnet being axially polarized associated therewith to cooperate with the axially polarized magnet on the driven shaft to maintain the axial position of the shaft.

Abstract: An apparatus for transporting and dispensing fine materials comprising a rotating conduit with a nonrotating coil spring therein.

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 gas pressure bonding furnace having a convection shield with (1) monolithic tubular refractory insulation having its upper end surrounding the work receiving hot zone of the furnace and its lower end depending to a cool zone, (2) an impervious tubular metal shell surrounding the tubular insulation and holding it under compression by differential thermal expansion, (3) a cover closing the top of the shell by a gas tight gasket seal and (4) a piston actuated by the gas working pressure to hold the cover closed. In a preferred form, the insulation is cast in the shell and the composition is an alumina cement with embedded alumina balloons.