Patents by Inventor Paul E. Hoernlein

Paul E. Hoernlein has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Method for controlling a nitriding furnace
    Patent number: 6024893
    Abstract: Dissociated ammonia carrier gas used as a reference gas is obtained from an ammonia dissociator which also provides dissociated ammonia carrier gas to a nitriding furnace whereby the source of ammonia supply gas is the same. An oxygen probe is used to regulate the nitriding potential of a nitriding furnace and atmosphere for process control and high quality nitrided parts. The method further includes correlating the probe mV output signal to a nitriding potential and adjusting the ratio of ammonia supply gas to dissociated ammonia carrier gas at the inlet of the nitriding furnace.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2000
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Gary D. Keil, Sheryl A. Tipton, Philip A. Newman, Paul E. Hoernlein