With Heating Means Patents (Class 266/103)
  • Patent number: 6309482
    Abstract: The in-line combination of a reversing rolling mill (Steckel mill) and its coiler furnaces with accelerated controlled cooling apparatus immediately downstream thereof and associated method permits steel to be sequentially reversingly rolled to achieve an overall reduction of at least about 3:1, imparted by a first reduction while the steel is kept at a temperature above the Tnr by the coiler furnaces so as to preserve an optimum opportunity for controlled recrystallization of the steel after each rolling pass, and a second reduction while the temperature of the steel drops from about the Tnr to about the Ar3. The second reduction is preferably of the order of 2:1 as a result of which the steel reaches a final plate thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2001
    Inventors: Jonathan Dorricott, William R. Frank
  • Patent number: 6280542
    Abstract: Method for the manufacture of a steel strip, wherein molten steel is cast into a slab, conveyed through a furnace, roughed in a roughing apparatus and finish-rolled in a finishing apparatus. The method comprises an endless or semi-endless process having either step a or step b, wherein a and b respectively comprise (a) manufacturing a ferritically rolled steel strip, wherein the slab is rolled in the roughing apparatus in the austenitic range and then cooled to a ferritic structure, and wherein the strip is rolled in the finishing apparatus at speeds essentially corresponding to the entry speed into the finishing apparatus, and (b) manufacturing an austenitically rolled steel strip, wherein the strip leaving the roughing apparatus is heated to the austenitic range and is rolled in the finishing apparatus and then cooled down to the ferritic range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2001
    Assignee: Corus Technology BV
    Inventors: Marcus Cornelis Maria Cornelissen, Aldricus Maria Groot, Huibert Willem Den Hartog
  • Patent number: 6264769
    Abstract: Apparatus for the production and heat treatment of coiled elongated metal product of relatively small cross section, such as rods, bars and wire-rod material, is described. The elements required for the conduct of a variety of heat treatments can be performed on coiled product in a substantially continuous manner through the use of a ring conveyor with which the coilers of various process lines and a heat treating furnace communicate. Methods for performing various heat treatments using the described apparatus are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2001
    Assignee: Danieli Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Gianpietro Benedetti
  • Patent number: 6259071
    Abstract: A single-point temperature control system is used with a multi-section furnace to control the exit temperature of a metal workpiece discharged from the furnace. The furnace consists of at least first, second and third sections. The temperature is sensed at the single temperature set point in the second section and compared with a desired set point temperature. The power to the second section is adjusted in order to maintain the desired set point temperature so that the metal workpiece exits the furnace at the required temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2001
    Assignee: Bricmont, Inc.
    Inventors: Victor B. Demidovitch, Eric Blake, Robert P. Churchill
  • Patent number: 6200397
    Abstract: A novel method and apparatus to apply a corrosion protection in the form of a zinc (or other sacrificial anodic material) tape to a tubular member such as pipe or coiled tubing to used as an underground or underwater pipeline or flow line is disclosed. The zinc tape is applied with sufficient heat and pressure to form a metallurgical bond between the zinc tape and underlying metal pipe. This allows the zinc tape to act simultaneously as a continuous protective metal barrier to the normal scrapes and nicks the pipe experiences during installation and as a sacrificial anode. The novel apparatus preheats the zinc tape with a nozzle containing heated gas such as nitrogen as it approaches the pipe surface. At the point of contact with the pipe surface, the nozzle continues heating the tape and pipe surface while a plurality of pressure rollers exert sufficient force on the zinc tape to form a metallurgical bond between the zinc tape and the pipe surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2001
    Inventor: John R. Allen
  • Patent number: 6126895
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a method of converting green particles to form finished particles. The apparatus used for sintering incorporates an elongate hollow tube, an insulative sleeve there about to define an elevated temperature zone, and a microwave generator coupled through a wave guide into a microwave cavity incorporated the tube. The particles are moved through the tube at a controlled rate to assure adequate exposure to the microwave radiation. Another form sintered a solid part in a cavity or mold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2000
    Assignees: The Pennsylvania State Research Foundation, Dennis Tool Company
    Inventors: Mahlon Denton Dennis, Dinesh Agrawal, Rustum Roy, Jiping Cheng, Paul D. Gigl
  • Patent number: 6120625
    Abstract: There are provided a continuous frictional extrusion process for continuously producing a deformed fine grain solid metal composition suitable for semi-solid forming. The process is featured by a large range of produce dimension and by precise control of the process parameter, such as total deformation, extrusion temperature and speed. The total deformation is controlled to be larger than a Mises effective strain of 2.3 to obtain a deformed fine grain structure with enough distortion energy stored, having a grain size less than 30 .mu.m and a subgrain size less than 2 .mu.m. A method combining the continuous extrusion process of preparing semi-solid raw material with semi-solid forming of shaped articles is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2000
    Inventors: Youdong Zhou, Jian Lu, Navtej Singh Saluja, Alfredo Riviere V.
  • Patent number: 6031206
    Abstract: A tower furnace for the heat treatment of metal strips comprises a muffle (3) extending over the entire furnace height, through which muffle passes the strip (6). At the top of the muffle (3) an insulated stopper (1) with an electric heater (2) has been inserted into the muffle (3). Below this stopper (1) a gas-heated preheating space (4) is provided in the muffle (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 29, 2000
    Inventors: Peter Ebner, Heribert Lochner
  • Patent number: 6015526
    Abstract: The vertical annealing furnace for the continuous bright annealing of a metal strip guided through the furnace comprises: a vertically disposed muffle having a strip entry side and a strip exit side, the muffle having the freedom to expand in a longitudinal direction, and the muffle being disposed such that the strip entry side is situated at a top side of the muffle and the strip exit side is situated at an underside of the muffle; heating structure for externally heating the muffle; bearing structure for fixedly supporting the underside of the muffle such that it is delimited downwards in the longitudinal direction; an expansion section being provided on the top side of the muffle for taking up thermal expansion in the longitudinal direction of generally the entire muffle; and vertically movable support structure for exerting an upwardly directed support force on the muffle, the vertically movable support structure being connected to an upper part of the muffle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2000
    Assignee: Thermtec B.V.
    Inventor: Leo Antonius Ruiter
  • Patent number: 6007761
    Abstract: A continuous heat treating furnace in which heat is efficiently recovered from the combustion exhaust gas from the heating section of a continuous annealing furnace. The continuous annealing furnace of the metal strip is a heating furnace or a heating device provided with plural burners for heating to a predetermined temperature a steel material or a continuously supplied metal strip by means of combustion of the burners; a regenerative heat exchanger for collecting a sensible heat of a combustion exhaust gas of the burners, reserving the heat in a regenerator and supplying a predetermined gas to the regenerator to recover the heat to the predetermined gas; and a preheating section for blowing the predetermined gas from the regenerative heat exchanger to the metal strip for preheating. The heat exchanger body is divided into at least three sections, each section having a regenerator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1999
    Assignee: Kawasaki Steel Corporation
    Inventors: Tsuguhiko Nakagawa, Kenta Karube, Hiroshi Okamoto, Toshiyuki Iwatani, Sakae Mochizuki, Yoshiharu Fujiwara
  • Patent number: 5916388
    Abstract: The invention includes an apparatus and associated method of increasing the pump-out efficiency of H.sub.2 O by, for example, reducing the staying time or the probability of sticking of H.sub.2 O or analogous molecules on a stainless steel surface. The method for the vacuum treatment of stainless steel surfaces includes an annealing treatment carried out under conditions of at least 500.degree. C. while maintaining an H.sub.2 O partial pressure of not more than 1.times.10.sup.-5 torr, or at least 400.degree. C. while maintaining an H.sub.2 partial pressure of at least ten times the H.sub.2 O partial pressure, or at least 300.degree. C. while maintaining an H.sub.2 partial pressure at least the same as the H.sub.2 O partial pressure and activating the H.sub.2. Furthermore, during the interval after the annealing treatment and before use, the surface is stored in an environment such that the product of the relative humidity and the number of days is not more than 500.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1999
    Assignee: Anelva Corporation
    Inventor: Yoshiro Shiokawa
  • Patent number: 5904204
    Abstract: An apparatus for the production of a stainless steel strip comprising the following devices provided in sequence: a twin-drum continuous casting machine; an atmosphere control cover having in its interior a bridle roll or a pinch roll; a hot-rolling machine; a heat-treating furnace comprising direct fire burners connected to header pipes juxtaposed to one another in the widthwise direction of the furnace over the longitudinal direction of the furnace; a cooler; and a coiler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1999
    Assignee: Nippon Steel Corporation
    Inventors: Shinichi Teraoka, Toshiyuki Suehiro, Eiichirou Ishimaru, Tetsurou Takeshita, Shunji Shoda, Takashi Arai, Hideki Oka, Yoshikatsu Nohara
  • Patent number: 5868996
    Abstract: The objects are a reliable and economical method of and device for manufacturing helical springs that are curved when unstressed from sections of wire or rod heated to coiling temperature. The spring is coiled straight and then curved it to its final shape. The device consists of a hot-coiling production line comprising a kiln (1), a series of rollers (2), a coiling bench (4), and a quenching tub (6). A tool (5) for curving helical springs (10 or 14) is integrated into the production line between the coiling bench and the quenching tub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1999
    Assignee: Fried. Krupp AG Hoesch-Krupp
    Inventors: Hans Vondracek, Heinz Krober
  • Patent number: 5866064
    Abstract: Elastic rotation rolls can be installed easily at optimal positions, and stable sealing performance can be attained for an extended period of time. Seal discs 47 are disposed at both ends of the roll shaft 46 of each elastic rotation roll 44 in the axial direction thereof. The outer peripheral surface of the seal disc 47 is closely contacted with the arc-shaped contact surface 52 of a sealing side wall 49 to attain sealing performance at each end face of the roll. Even if the seal disc 47 is displaced with respect to the sealing side wall 49, the sealing performance can be maintained. In this way, the structure of the sealing apparatus can be simplified and the elastic rotation rolls can be installed easily.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1999
    Assignee: Nisshin Steel Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Nakamura Teruhisa
  • Patent number: 5833455
    Abstract: A dry furnace roll design operates at a high temperature environment of a metal heating furnace by arranging weld metal joining a roll sleeve to roll bells at opposite ends in cavities formed in the sidewalls of the furnace. A dense filling of ceramic fiber material is held in each roll bell underlying the weld connection with the roll sleeve by discs. Ceramic fiber material is put into the cavity of the sidewall and held in place by a keeper plate. The masses of weld metal joining the roll sleeve to the roll bells are comprised of TIG weld metal formed in an inert gas. Multi-pass welding is performed while supporting the roll assembly during the welding operation at an angled relation to the horizontal. The roll is rotated in the angled relation to allow the deposition of weld metal in multiple passes and in an accurately controllable manner preferably by the use of a microprocessor to control the positioning of weld electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1998
    Assignee: Bricmont, Inc.
    Inventor: Hugh B. Carr
  • Patent number: 5833778
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for manufacture of DR (Double Rolled) steel strip in which a continuous annealing furnace is arranged for annealing of cold-reduced steel strip passing continuously through said furnace, and a rolling mill for cold-rolling of steel strip is arranged to receive in-line the output of annealed steel strip from said furnace. The mill has at least one roll stand having a pair of work rolls of which only one is driven externally. Rolling fluid, preferably free of mineral oil, is supplied to the strip being rolled in the rolling mill, and is removed from the strip prior to entry of the strip to downstream tension-applying means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1998
    Assignee: Hoogovens Groep B.V.
    Inventors: Herman C. P. van Kuijeren, Jacobus W. M. van der Lee, Klaas Vink
  • Patent number: 5820704
    Abstract: Process for continuously producing on a production line a rolled stainless steel sheet product having an improved surface state, characterized in that the hot produced sheet is subjected to a treatment comprising at least:a primary pickling for removing scale,cold rolling in at the most three rolling passes,a final annealing,a final pickling, anda cold rolling of the "skin pass" type.There is optionally effected, before the primary pickling, a stretcher levelling which produces a residual elongation of 1 to 5% for cracking the layer of oxide and rendering the sheet planar. Apparatus for carrying out the invention process is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1998
    Assignee: Usinor Sacilor
    Inventors: Jean Veyer, Jean-Pierre Malingriaux, Michel Ternisien, Henri Giraud, Joel Tagalian, Bernard Vialatte, Bernard Tetu
  • Patent number: 5785772
    Abstract: A method for controlling operation of a galvanneal induction furnace includes the steps of providing a steel strip having a molten zinc coating applied thereto and transporting the strip to an induction furnace in which the strip and coating are to be alloyed. The temperature which the strip is estimated to attain just prior to entering the furnace is then calculated. A temperature which the strip should achieve during the alloying reaction is then selected. The power which must be applied to the furnace to elevate the strip temperature from the estimated temperature to the alloying temperature is then calculated. Power is then supplied to the furnace.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1998
    Assignee: Bethlehem Steel Corporation
    Inventor: Mitrajyoti Deka
  • Patent number: 5700424
    Abstract: A system for heat treating a rolled strip of Al--Mg--Si alloy includes a primary heating zone for solution treating the strip at 480.degree. C. or higher, a first cooling zone for cooling the strip at a rate of at least 100.degree. C./min. to 100.degree. C. or lower, a secondary heating zone for heating the strip to 120.degree.-250.degree. C. within 10 minutes for thereby adjusting a proof stress of 70-120 N/mm.sup.2 directly or after holding for 10 minutes or less, a coiler for winding the strip into a coil at 140.degree. C. or lower, and a unit for holding the coil at 50.degree.-140.degree. C. for at least 3 hours. The process from solution treatment to winding is continuous as well as from winding to stabilizing treatment. The strip has improved formability and bake hardenability and a minimized secular change at room temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 23, 1997
    Assignee: Sky Aluminium Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mamoru Matsuo, Zhu Yan
  • Patent number: 5700423
    Abstract: A hearth roll with a cermet thermal spray coating on the roll surface which is composed of a heat resistant MCrA1Y (M: Fe, Ni, Co) alloy where the amount of A1 is below 10 at. % and the combined (Al+Cr) amount is between 13-31 at. % and at least one oxide ceramic from the group consisting of MgO, MgAl.sub.2 O.sub.4, and Y.sub.2 O.sub.3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 23, 1997
    Assignee: Praxair S.T. Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Yang Gao
  • Patent number: 5693287
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for manufacture of DR (Double Reduced) steel strip in which a continuous annealing furnace is arranged for annealing of cold-reduced steel strip passing continuously through said furnace, and a rolling mill for cold-rolling of steel strip is arranged to receive in-line the output of annealed steel strip from said furnace. The mill has at least one roll stand having a pair of work rolls of which only one is driven externally. Rolling fluid, preferably free of mineral oil, is supplied to the strip being rolled in the rolling mill, and is removed from the strip prior to entry of the strip to downstream tension-applying means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 2, 1997
    Assignee: Hoogovens Staal BV
    Inventors: Herman C. P. Van Kuijeren, Jacobus W. M. van der Lee, Klaas Vink
  • Patent number: 5693288
    Abstract: A seal assembly (3) located at an entrance and/or exit of a heat treatment furnace for heat treating a metallic strip (S) with no formation of oxide films on the surface thereof, using an atmospheric gas containing hydrogen gas and including an elastic rotating roll (6) being pressedly engaged with an elastic pad (5) fixed on the surface of a seal plate (4) and the metallic strip (S) to seal the inside of the furnace against the outside air, wherein elastic members (9) being provided in through-holes (2b) formed through a side plate (2a) of a furnace wall (2) at positions corresponding to both side edges of the elastic pad (5), and elastic member-moving mechanisms (10) being provided for pressedly engaging the elastic members (9) with the sides of the elastic pad (5); at least two closely-set slip disks (7) arranged in an axial direction of the side of a roll body (6c) and an elastic disk (8) being fitted over a roll shaft (6a) between the side plate (2a) of the furnace wall (2), on which the elastic rotating
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 2, 1997
    Assignee: Nisshin Steel Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Teruhisa Nakamura
  • Patent number: 5658527
    Abstract: A seal device is provided in each comparted entrance and exit of a furnace for continuous thermal treatment of a metallic strip using a flammable atmospheric gas. The seal device is provided with seal members for sandwiching the metallic strip to seal the flammable atmospheric gas, seal hardwares each being fixed to a furnace body and pressed by the seal member, and seal mechanisms for sealing the flammable atmospheric gas from the seal member at an urgent time. A differential distribution detector having heat-receiving portions formed of a metallic pipe filled with air is placed over the whole width outside the seal member. When a leaked atmospheric gas is ignited outside the seal member, a rapid temperature increase in the heat-receiving portions is detected to give a signal, whereby running of the metallic strip is stopped, and the seal mechanism is operated to shut off the seal device from the inside of the furnace body. Then, a nitrogen gas is fed into the seal device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 19, 1997
    Assignee: Nisshin Steel Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Teruhisa Nakamura
  • Patent number: 5616295
    Abstract: In the furnace a plurality of floaters are arranged in series in a direction in which the metal strip is transferred. The strip is fed through the furnace, floated by these floaters. A test floater is installed along the strip transfer pathway. The height of the strip floated by the test floater is detected by a float sensor. The gas pressure of the test floater detected when the test floater floats the strip to an appropriate height is reflected on the gas pressures of the in-furnace floaters. As a result, the in-furnace floaters float the strip to the appropriate height.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 1, 1997
    Assignee: Daidotokushuko Kabushikikaisha
    Inventors: Hiroshi Tawara, Mineyuki Hiramatsu, Jun Maeda
  • Patent number: 5582790
    Abstract: An induction heating device for continuously moving metal strip (22) for heat treatment or coating purposes comprises a flattened, spirally wound coil having the turns interlinked by an oblique connection on a small side of the coil, and surrounding the continuously moving metal strip (22). Means (24-26) are provided for suppressing the transverse component of the magnetic field created by the said coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1996
    Assignee: Electricite de France--Service National
    Inventors: Georges C. Ferry, Jean-Louis B. Peureux, Philippe Roehr, Jean Delassus
  • Patent number: 5554235
    Abstract: A method and process line for producing cold-rolled stainless-steel or titanium-alloy strip from hot-rolled strip descales the hot-rolled strip by shot-blasting and/or brush-polishing and then cold-rolls the descaled strip. The cold-rolled strip, at its final thickness, is annealed and then pickled, all in a single continuous line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1996
    Assignee: BWG Bergwerk-Und Walzwerk-Machinenbau GmbH
    Inventors: Rolf Noe, Andreas Noe, Dieter Baukloh
  • Patent number: 5551670
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1996
    Assignee: BGK Finishing Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: James E. Heath, Scott L. Angell
  • Patent number: 5547524
    Abstract: A planar sheet of structurally hardened aluminum alloy, having, after quenching and aging, mechanical strength which varies continuously in a particularly defined direction of the planar sheet. The planar sheet is produced in a process comprising quenching and final aging, where the final aging comprises heating for a defined period of time a first portion of the plate or sheet including a first edge to a first temperature T and a second portion of the plate or sheet including an opposite edge to a second temperature t<T.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1996
    Inventors: Pierre Sainfort, Herve Vichery, Benoit Commet
  • Patent number: 5535990
    Abstract: An apparatus for magnetic annealing of amorphous metal alloy cores. The apparatus includes a fluidized bed for heating the core, a conveyor for transporting the core and immersing the core in the fluidized bed and at least one winding for applying a magnetic field to the core. The apparatus can include a chill bath and/or a second fluidized bed for cooling the core. A chamber can be provided between the two fluidized beds for slow cooling the core by convection and radiation prior to cooling the core at a faster rate in the second fluidized bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1996
    Assignee: Cooper Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Lawrence M. Burrage, John F. Baranowski, Lawrence G. Wilson, Gary L. Goedde, James V. White
  • Patent number: 5494264
    Abstract: A device for the alternate winding-up and unwinding of strip-shaped material, particularly strand-cast thin slabs in furnace pairs, consisting of two furnaces that are located one above the other and have horizontal winding axles, in which the furnaces can be swung from a winding-up position in an unwinding position and the winding-up and unwinding take place at different speeds. To permit winding-up in one of the two furnaces and unwinding in the other furnace to occur simultaneously and in different directions, each furnace of a furnace pair is pivotable around a vertical axis independent of the other furnace.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 27, 1996
    Assignee: Mannesmann Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Hartmut Wolff, Herbert Quambusch
  • Patent number: 5472528
    Abstract: Method of continuous heat-treatment of metal strips, wherein the strip which is to be heat-treated passes through a furnace which is thermally isolated and in a protective atmosphere, consisting of heating, holding and cooling sections; the said strip is guided by a plurality of return rolls situated in the upper and lower parts of the said sections and thus forms a plurality of lengths and they pass in front of cooling and traditional heating (generally produced by a radiation source or using naked flames), and induction means, the latter are placed upstream of at least one traditional heating section and are used combined and simultaneously with the other heating means in order to compensate for the variations in the heat-treatment parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 5, 1995
    Assignee: Stein Heurtey
    Inventor: Michel Boyer
  • Patent number: 5433420
    Abstract: A device (100) for the heat treatment of at least one metal wire (1), chaterized by passing the wire (1) within at least one pair of thermal transfer plates (2, 2a, 2b) between two grooves (8, 8a, 8b) made in the two plates (2, 2a, 2b) of each of said pairs, the distance (E) between the plates being variable, the wire (1) being directly in contact with a gas (11) which is practically without forced ventilation and is disposed between the grooves (8, 8a, 8b).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 18, 1995
    Assignee: Compagnie Generale des Etablissements Michelin - Michelin & Cie
    Inventors: Andre Reiniche, Christian Chanet
  • Patent number: 5405122
    Abstract: A method of heat treating an amorphous metal alloy by immersing the alloy in a fluidized bed to heat the alloy to a temperature below its recrystallization temperature. The alloy is maintained in the fluidized bed for a time sufficient to reduce internal stresses While minimizing crystal growth and nucleation of crystallites in the alloy. Then, the alloy is removed from the fluidized bed and cooled. A magnetic field can be applied to the alloy before, during or after heating the alloy in the fluidized bed. The magnetic field is applied for a time sufficient to achieve substantial magnetic domain alignment while minimizing crystal growth and nucleation of crystallites in the alloy. The cooling step is effective to maintain the magnetic domain alignment in the alloy. The cooling step can be performed with a chill bath or a fluidized bed which is cooled by a circulating gas such as nitrogen or air. The alloy can be slowly cooled by convection and radiation after it is removed from the first fluidized bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 11, 1995
    Assignee: Cooper Power Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Lawrence M. Burrage, John F. Baranowski, Lawrence G. Wilson, Gary L. Goedde, James V. White
  • Patent number: 5360202
    Abstract: A blackening treating furnace includes a soot generation burner for blowing an incomplete combustion flame toward a surface of a cold-rolled stainless steel strip moving continuously through the furnace. A pair of secondary air nozzles installed at positions enclosing the incomplete combustion flame blow secondary air toward the surface of the stainless steel strip in directions perpendicular thereto or in directions slightly inclined toward the middle of the incomplete combustion flame. A flame guide air nozzle is installed between the pair of secondary air nozzles and an exhaust duct for drawing and discharging the combustion reaction flame of the incomplete combustion flame and secondary air along the direction of movement of the stainless steel strip. The flame guide air nozzle injects flame guide air toward the combustion reaction flame in a direction perpendicular to the direction of movement of the stainless steel strip or in a direction inclined thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 1, 1994
    Assignees: Chugai Ro Co., Ltd., Nisshin Steel Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takakatsu Adachi
  • Patent number: 5328158
    Abstract: An apparatus for continuous heat treating advancing continuously formed pipe in a restricted space with minimal deformation of the pipe during the heat treatment comprising a pipe feeder; curved rollers for receiving the pipe and advancing the pipe there around. A heat chamber for housing the curved rollers. A heat source for providing heat to the heat chamber and the pipe. A first deforming element for deforming the pipe into a curve for following the curve rollers and for directing the pipe to transverse across the rollers as the pipe is advanced around the rollers. A second deforming means for receiving and deforming the said pipe as it exists from the rollers into a substantial straight line and a take-up roller for receiving the pipe as it comes through the second deforming means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 12, 1994
    Assignee: Southwestern Pipe, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip C. Lewis, William M. Zernick
  • Patent number: 5320329
    Abstract: An improved pressure pad is provided for stably floating thin metal strip while heat treating the strip. The pressure pad includes an oval pad housing which is slitted adjacent the strip. An elliptical plenum chamber is disposed within the pad housing with a portion thereof spanning the slit and forming with the slit margins a leading and a trailing slot jet nozzle. Opposing jet streams of gaseous medium exit the slot jet nozzles and collide with one another to provide a zone of pressure which stably supports the strip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 14, 1994
    Assignee: Surface Combustion, Inc.
    Inventors: Max Hoetzl, James E. Schmidt
  • Patent number: 5306140
    Abstract: Improved burner constructions for gas-fired infra-red generators having ceramic fiber matrix through the thickness of which gaseous combustion mixture is passed and as it emerges it is burned to heat emerging surface to incandescence. Burner matrix can be loaded with silicon carbide particles to improve its emissivity, can be made water repellent and its uniformity can be improved. Burner body can be casting, with sheet metal addition to form a baffle and air seal and to grip matrix edges. Combustion mixture plenum can have movable partition assembly separating it from air seals, to adjust portion of matrix at which incandescence is generated. Metal screen can be stretched in front of incandescent surface to assist with low-temperature operation. Large size matrix can have central support fitted and secured to back of burner body. Air seal can be provided by narrow curtain of air extending around internal faces of burner body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 26, 1994
    Inventor: Thomas M. Smith
  • Patent number: 5294095
    Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for heat treating a product. The apparatus includes a retort having a predetermined volume for receiving a bed of fluidizing particles at having a predetermined elevation within the volume and a plurality of electrically powered infrared radiation lamps. The lamps are submerged within the bed of fluidizing particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 15, 1994
    Assignee: BGK Finishing Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: James E. Heath, John R. Eppeland
  • Patent number: 5251881
    Abstract: Process and device (1) for the heat treatment of at least one metal wire using capstans (2, 3) characterized by the following features: (a) the wire (4) is brought around at least two capstans (2, 3) which conduct the heat and which include recesses (11). The wire (4) is reeved and crossed in said recesses (11), the width of the recesses (11) being slightly greater than that of the wire (4); (b) the capstans (2, 3) are heated or cooled by means of at least one gas (27), which passes between the capstans and a part which is in contact with a heat exchanging fluid; (c) the thickness of the gas layer is chosen according to the heat treatment to be applied. Installations for the heat treatment of metal wires (4) include at least one device (1), metal wires (4) treated by the process and/or the device (1), and/or the installations according to the invention, as well as items reinforced by said wires (4), in particular tire treads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1993
    Assignee: Compagnie Generale des Etablissements Michelin - Michelin & Cie
    Inventor: Andre Reiniche
  • Patent number: 5238229
    Abstract: Prior to annealing of cold rolled stainless steel strip, soot is deposited on the surface of the stainless steel strip by a soot generating burner, and thereby the heat absorption efficiency of the stainless steel strip in the annealing furnace is increased to enhance the heat treatment capability in the annealing furnace. This soot generating burner forms a flame by injecting a premixed gas at low air ratio of fuel gas and pure oxygen or high oxygen enriched air from the nozzle opening, and an air injection port for injecting air for guiding the flame is formed on the outer circumference of the nozzle opening. By this guide air, the flame is guided to form, so to speak, an air curtain, and it is therefore possible to direct the flame efficiently to the surface of the stainless steel strip, thereby preventing the soot from depositing near the nozzle opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1993
    Assignees: Nisshin Steel Co., Ltd., Chugai Ro Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takakatsu Adachi, Hitoshi Matsumura, Tetsuo Akiyama
  • Patent number: 5196156
    Abstract: Cooling system for use in a rod rolling mill having a laying reel and an elongated conveyor onto which the rod is deposited in a pattern of overlapping offset rings, the conveyor having a section consisting of spaced, parallel transverse shafts bearing radially-extending disks whose arcuate upper peripheries support the rings in driving relationship for movement of the rod along the conveyor and for introducing cooling air under the rings for flow in a confined space thereunder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1993
    Assignee: Engineered Production Increase, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles H. Gage, Alfred R. Leger
  • Patent number: 5189813
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1993
    Assignee: Samuel Strapping Systems Ltd.
    Inventors: James E. Heath, Scott L. Angell
  • Patent number: 5182074
    Abstract: An apparatus for continuously cooling a metal strip, which comprises: at least one cooling roll, which is freely rotatable and in contact with a metal strip continuously travelling in the longitudinal direction thereof, for continuously cooling the metal strip, a cooling liquid flowing through the interior of the cooling roll to continuously cool same, a contact area between the surface of the cooling roll and the surface of the metal strip being controllable; and a gas cooler, arranged on the exist side of the at least one cooling roll, for continuously cooling the metal strip by blowing a cooling gas onto the surface of the metal strip so as to achieve a uniform temperature distribution in the width direction of the metal strip after the final cooling thereof, the gas cooler comprising a plurality of mutually independent nozzle headers for blowing the cooling gas onto the surface of the metal strip, and the plurality of nozzle headers controlling at least one of a flow rate and a flow velocity of the coolin
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1993
    Assignee: NKK Corporation
    Inventors: Osami Yoshioka, Naoki Matsui, Hiroaki Sato, Kouji Omori, Masayuki Yamazaki, Masafumi Suzuki, Hitoshi Oishi, Naoto Kitagawa, Takaya Seike, Yasuhiro Araki
  • Patent number: 5156800
    Abstract: An installation for the thermal treatment of metallurgical products, such as, particularly, thin slabs, obtained from at least one continuous-casting line and to be subjected to a rolling operation, which comprises:an induction-heating furnace which is located at the exit of the continuous-casting line and the power of which is adjusted so as to increase the temperature of the slabs to a mean value determined by the rolling requirements, without correcting the local temperature heterogeneities of each slab and;an equalizing or homogenizing furnace or zone located at the exit of said heating furnace, in order to correct the thermal heterogeneities inherent in each slab.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1992
    Assignee: Stein-Heurtey
    Inventors: Philippe Buchet, Jean C. Mitais
  • Patent number: 5133533
    Abstract: A strand annealing furnace is provided with a tube assembly to shield or protect the strand being annealed from the hot furnace atmosphere. The tube assembly includes a long, outer, oxidation-resistant pipe and a shorter, inner easily removable, insert, protecting at least the entrance end of the tube, so that any residue from drawing lubricants will deposit within the insert rather than block and/or corrode the pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1992
    Assignee: Haynes International, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert B. Herchenroeder
  • Patent number: 5123529
    Abstract: Metallic card clothing is illustrated having sharp metallic points C at tips of teeth 32 formed by punching and thereafter exerting a mechanical force bending metal over at the tips of the teeth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1992
    Inventor: John D. Hollingsworth
  • Patent number: 5080326
    Abstract: A method is provided for improving the electrical characteristics of grain-oriented silicon steel sheet by heating the steel to temperatures above 1000.degree. F. and then deforming grooves to refine the magnetic domains, optionally, post heat treating to form fine recrystallized grains in the vicinity of the hot deformations, preferably using protrusions on a scribing roll as the sheet moves between a scribing roll and a back-up anvil roll at deforming pressures range up to 120,000 pounds per square inch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 14, 1992
    Assignee: Allegheny Ludlum Corporation
    Inventors: Leroy R. Price, Jeffrey M. Breznak
  • Patent number: 5009396
    Abstract: In the manufacture of formable steel strip having a thickness between 0.5 and 1.5 mm, the following process steps are performed sequentially in a continuous process:(a) in a continuous casting machine forming liquid steel into a hot slab having a thickness of less than 100 mm,(b) hot rolling the hot slab from step (a), in the austenitic region and below 1100.degree. C., to form strip having a thickness of between 2 and 5 mm,(c) cooling the strip from step (b) to a temperature between 300.degree. C. and the temperature T.sub.t at which 75% of the steel is converted to ferrite,(d) rolling the cooled strip from step (c) at said temperature between 300.degree. C. and T.sub.t with a thickness reduction of at least 25% at a rolling speed not more than 1000 m/min.,(e) coiling the rolled strip from step (d).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 23, 1991
    Assignee: Hoogovens Groep B.V.
    Inventors: Huibert den Hartog, Erik B. van Perlstein
  • Patent number: 4983227
    Abstract: Carbon steel wire, which has been maintained at a temperature above the Ac3 ransformation temperature, is heat-treated to obtain a fine pearlitic structure by passing it through a tube containing a gas practically without forced ventilation and surrounded by a heat-exchange fluid. Certain relationships between the diameter of the wire, the diameter of the tube and the conductivity of the gas are to be satisfied to ensure cooling of the wire to a temperature below the Acl transformation temperature in a time prior to the time of the pearlitic nose and to effect pearlitization to completion under a nearly isothermal state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 8, 1991
    Assignee: Compagnie Generale des Etablissements Michelin-Michelin & Cie
    Inventors: Andre Reiniche, Philippe Sauvage
  • Patent number: 4959107
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating preselected areas of metallic ladder rungs wherein such metallic spaced rungs are moved in a path substantially normal to the longitudinal axes of the rungs with preselected areas of the spaced rungs passing through a controlled longitudinally extending heating zone to heat such preselected areas to a desired annealing temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 25, 1990
    Assignee: Emerson Electric Co.
    Inventors: Claude R. Wallick, Jr., Thomas J. Schmitt, Bruce E. Bogart, John L. Krebs