Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for heat treating a product. The apparatus includes a plurality of lamp assemblies. Each of the assemblies has an infrared lamp disposed within a quartz conduit. The quartz conduit is formed of material which is generally transparent to infrared radiation. A cooling quartz is admitted into the lamp conduit. A frame is provided defining the heat treatment. The frame supports the lamp assemblies with the assemblies opposing the heat treatment area. Reflective refractory materials surrounds the lamps and the heat treatment area.

Abstract: An improved fluid bed furnace is disclosed which is useful in heat treating products or particles which are to undergo a change due to exposure to high temperatures. The bed is heated by lamps effectively buried in the bed radiating energy to the fluidized particles. In one embodiment, the lamps are protected by a ceramic tube with the lamps heating the tubes which in turn heat the fluid bed.

Abstract: A process for heat treating a coating applied to an automobile body is disclosed. The process is carried out with apparatus which includes radiant heating elements for generating radiant heat in a predetermined path and convection heating elements for generating the flow of heated air. The method comprises the steps of positioning a freshly coated automobile body within the apparatus and heating the body with the radiant heat for a time sufficient to set the coating on Class A surfaces of the body. After the Class A surfaces are set, heated air is flowed around the body to heat the body and cure the coating on the Class A surfaces and the non-Class A surfaces.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for heat treating a coating applied to an automobile body. The process includes the steps of radiant heating of a coating prior to convection heating.

Abstract: An apparatus for heat treating a coating applied to an automobile body is disclosed. The apparatus includes radiant heating elements for generating radiant heat. Controls separately control zones of the elements in response to characteristics of the body to uniformly heat treat the body.