Abstract: Presented is a method, apparatus, and computer-readable medium for carburization. A method includes creating a vacuum within an interior of a chamber, the interior of the chamber including an item, the item having a first portion and a second portion, and providing an inert gas and a carbon product to the interior of the chamber. The method further including heating by induction the first portion of the item to induce carburization of the first portion of the item, and in response to the heating, cooling a second portion of the item such that the second portion of the item maintains its structural integrity.

Abstract: The invention includes a furnace having a rapid heating and cooling cycle. The rapid heating is achieved by any suitable process, such as induction heating. The cooling is achieved by recirculating a working fluid through a heat exchanger that is outside the furnace. The working fluid is moved using a high-vacuum compatible impellor assembly having a vacuum sealed housing and a motor outside the housing. A ferrofluidic feed-through transfers torque from the motor to the fan while maintaining the hermetic seal.

Abstract: An induction furnace, according to one embodiment of the invention, includes an induction heating system and a chamber that comprises a steel cylinder, a top and bottom covers for that seal the top and bottom ends of the cylinder, and coolant passages within the cylinder and the covers. The induction heating system includes a power supply and a coil. The coil surrounds the chamber and is hollow to allow flow of coolant therethrough. A susceptor in the chamber and that is susceptible to induction heating includes top and bottom pieces. A thermal insulator disposed between the susceptor and the inner walls of the chamber comprises a fused quartz cylinder within which the susceptor and the workpiece are contained. The thermal insulator can also include infrared reflectors and insulating members on the ends of the susceptor to reduce heat leakage to parts of the system outside of the susceptor.

Abstract: An induction furnace, according to one embodiment of the invention, includes an induction heating system and a chamber that comprises a quartz cylinder, a top cover for sealing the top end of the cylinder, and a bottom cover for sealing the bottom end of the cylinder. The induction heating system includes a power supply and a coil. The coil surrounds the chamber. Contained within the chamber is a susceptor that is susceptable to induction heating. Also contained in the chamber is a thermal insulator that is disposed between the susceptor and the inner walls of the chamber. The insulator includes a fused quartz container in which the susceptor and the workpiece are contained.

Abstract: An induction furnace, according to one embodiment of the invention, includes an induction heating system and a chamber that comprises a quartz cylinder, a top cover for sealing the top end of the cylinder, and a bottom cover for sealing the bottom end of the cylinder. The induction heating system includes a power supply and a coil. The coil surrounds the chamber. Contained within the chamber is a susceptor that is susceptable to induction heating. Also contained in the chamber is a thermal insulator that is disposed between the susceptor and the inner walls of the chamber. The insulator includes a fused quartz container in which the susceptor and the workpiece are contained.

Abstract: An induction heating system that can be used to braze metals and that overcomes many of the disadvantages of conventional brazing systems. The induction heating system improves quality and lowers production cost for many brazing requirements. The system is designed to quickly, accurately and cost effectively heat individual parts, and to replace flame brazing procedures and batch vacuum furnaces. Because the system can braze parts in an inert atmosphere or in no atmosphere (e.g., in a vacuum), no flux or acid cleaning bath is necessary and oxidation on the part is eliminated. Further, by including a gas quenching feature, the system prevents the annealing of parts and produces high quality brazed parts that meet desired hardness specifications.