Abstract: An apparatus for rapidly quenching substantially flat metal workpieces which have been heated during a heat treatment process is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a substantially flat plate having a plurality of vapor relief apertures therein, a wick element which overlies the plate so that it substantially covers the apertures, and means for supplying a coolant such as water, to the wick element so that the coolant is substantially evenly dispersed therein. The apparatus is operable for urging a heated workpiece into face to face engagement with the wick element to effect intimate contact between the workpiece and the coolant in the wick element. As soon as the workpiece contacts the coolant in the wick element, at least a portion of the coolant is substantially instantaneously vaporized to effect rapid cooling of the workpiece, the vaporized portion of the coolant escaping from the wick element through the relief apertures in the plate so that it does not impede the quenching process.

Abstract: A vacuum furnace having a heating chamber for heat treating work parts under vacuum therein, and a cooling chamber located adjacent to the heating chamber for receiving the heat treated work parts for the rapid cooling thereof, the work parts being rapidly cooled in the cooling chamber by the circulation of a cooling gas therein, a high-velocity fan being provided in the cooling chamber for the rapid circulation of the cooling gas over the work parts, heat transfer means located in the cooling chamber and over which the cooling gas is circulated for withdrawing heat therefrom after the passage of the gas over the work parts, and a unique door arrangement being located in the cooling chamber to insure the sealing of the cooling chamber both during the evacuation thereof upon transfer of the work parts thereto and during the cooling cycle therein, whereby in the cooling cycle the pressurized cooling gas within the cooling chamber acts to seal an inner door so that the use of exterior clamps and/or locks for sea

Abstract: A vacuum furnace in which work loads are periodically introduced and processed therein without breaking the vacuum within the furnace heating chamber and including spaced door assemblies between which chambers are defined for effectively isolating the work loads during the introduction and discharge therefrom, the apparatus further including transfer mechanisms that are sequentially operated in timed relation with the door assemblies and in accordance with the heat treating cycle of the furnace for moving work loads through the various stations in the furnace.

Abstract: Apparatus for automatically heat treating a plurality of elongated articles, wherein only a portion of the articles are subjected to the heat treating operation, the remaining portion thereof being enveloped and prevented from reaching a temperature during the heat treating operation that produces a hardening action thereon. The articles are transferred from a magazine assembly to a pick-up station, wherein the portions thereof that are protected from the heat treating operation are clamped between a jaw assembly, the jaw assembly being elevated to locate the exposed portion of the articles in vertical position within an elevated heating chamber. Thereafter the articles are lowered from the heating chamber to a cooling station and after a predetermined cooling period are deposited on a belt by the jaw assembly for removal to a collection station.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of vacuum carburizing by changing the surface chemistry of a metal article through absorption and thermal diffusion of carbon, wherein oxidizing gases and other impurities are initially removed from the chamber in which the metal article is treated by evacuation and the temperature in the chamber is maintained at a level above normal carburizing temperatures, but at a point that is compatible with the physical characteristics of the chamber and the article; whereafter a source of carbon is introduced into the evacuated chamber in accordance with a preselected cycle and at a concentration that is controlled by the absolute pressure of the carbon in the chamber, so that the carbon is absorbed and diffused into the metal article at a controlled rate.