Abstract: High-temperature belt-type furnace apparatus utilizing a silicon carbide continuous belt design is disclosed.

Abstract: Furnace for storing, reheating and holding ferrometallurgical products, in which the products travel along a displacement path on members placed so as to connect, in the tranverse direction, a charging zone and a discharging zone, the reheating and holding zones including, on the one hand, product-supporting members and transporting members placed at a certain distance from the supporting members and being able to perform a rising movement with respect to these and a horizontal displacement movement making the product advance step by step.

Abstract: A two-step continuous annealing process is applied to an amorphous metal alloy ribbon. During the first annealing step, a saturating transverse magnetic field is applied, and the field is omitted during the second annealing step. After the two annealing steps, the material is cut into discrete strips suitable for use as active elements in pulsed-field magnetomechanical EAS markers. The resulting markers exhibit satisfactory total frequency shift and ring-down signal amplitude characteristics, without excessive sensitivity to bias field variations.

Abstract: A method for heat treating a metal component uses a first heating system having a first high intensity heating portion to rapidly heat the component to a desired temperature and a second heating portion to maintain the component temperature for solution heat treatment. The heating system is an indexing-type system which includes a plurality of individual heating stations to effect solution heat treatment of the component. Following quenching, a second heating system having a first high intensity heating portion to rapidly heat the component to a desired temperature and a second heating portion to maintain the component temperature artificially ages the component.

Abstract: A heat treat furnace system 20 for heat treating metal workpieces includes a rotary carburizing chamber 24 containing a carburizing atmosphere, a cooling chamber 40A or 40B adjacent the carburizing chamber 24, a gas barrier device 50 cooperating with the cooling chamber opening and the carburizing chamber outlet for impeding movement of atmosphere therethrough; and transfer mechanisms for operatively moving at least one selected workpiece from the carburizing chamber 24 to the cooling chamber 40A or 40B and vice versa, and from the cooling chamber 40B to the equalizing chamber 26 and vice versa. The carburizing chamber 24 has a circular rotatable hearth for supporting an array of workpieces, and an inlet for loading the workpieces into the carburizing chamber 24. The cooling chamber 40A or 40B also has means for providing a protective atmosphere within it.

Abstract: A method and press for uniformly quenching a heated annular workpiece while fixturing the workpiece to prevent distortion during quenching. The press has a conically shaped lower die for receiving a workpiece to be quenched thereon and a vertically reciprocable conically shaped upper die for clamping and fixturing a workpiece between them. The press has a generally cylindrical quench ring carried by the upper die for engaging against the lower die to form a chamber around the workpiece to immerse the workpiece in quenching fluid. The lower die has a plurality of spaced apart inlets for uniformly distributing quenching fluid around the workpiece and which are preferably angled relative to the center axis of the lower die for producing a swirling turbulent flow of fluid within the chamber to more rapidly and uniformly quench the workpiece.

Abstract: Similar to a paddle wheel, a rotary magazine for storing and conveying articles is mounted to turn about a horizontal axis and has radially extending vanes spaced around and fixed to the periphery of a central cylinder. At an accessible region an article is loaded axially into the space between an adjacent pair of vanes. It is kept from falling out by support from a cylindrical surface separate from the magazine and spaced slightly beyond the outermost tips of the vanes. The surface partially encircles the magazine from its lowermost region up to the level where the article will not fall out. A single ejector ejects in the axial direction each article in turn as rotation of the magazine carries it from the loading region to an ejection location.Optionally, an article can be treated, e.g. cooled, heated, irradiated, etc. in a treating chamber located on the path between loading region and ejection location.

Abstract: A zone controlled furnace for heat-treating of metallic and non-metallic stocks positions one or more modular metallic combustion burners in the furnace chamber and along the path of the stock to selectively control the heat supplied to any zone of the furnace chamber. The burners receive and ignite a high pressure premix of combustible gas and are illustrated by a porous fiber metallic sheet and a jet burner arrangement which discharge flames direct, and a jet nozzle which discharges heated combusted products. The high pressure/velocity flame and products of combustion ejecting from the burners will impinge on the workpieces and generate a very high convective heat transfer rate in a turbulent flow, as well as radiant heat, thereby resulting in uniform heating of non-uniform shaped pieces and maximizing overall heat transfer in the furnace. The apparatus can be controlled to act in a heating mode, or in only a cooling mode, or a combination of modes in any zone for precise temperature control.

Abstract: A pressure pad comprises a plenum chamber, adapted to be conneceted to a pressurized-fluid supply means, having a pair of parallel slit nozzles formed in a top wall, and the chamber is arranged underneath a path of a strip. The plenum chamber is provided with holes in the top wall and at least two obstructions on the top wall. The holes are arranged on imaginary lines that extend between the nozzles on both sides of the top wall and central portions thereof point to adjacent edges of the path. Each of the obstructions comprises at least one obstructing wall arranged on either side of one of the imaginary lines. The lines may have V-, Arch- or Bracket-shaped configurations.

Abstract: A method for producing a cast aluminum vehicle wheel uses a high intensity electric infrared heating system to heat treat the wheel. The infrared heating system is an indexing-type system which includes a plurality of individual heating stations. A first group of heating stations effects solution heat treating of the wheel, while a second group effects artificial aging. The infrared system enables the solution heat treating and aging to be completed in less than 15 minutes.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for heat treating a product. The apparatus includes an infrared lamp assembly having an infrared lamp disposed within the interior of a quartz conduit. Air is admitted to the interior of the conduit at a controlled rate to cool the conduit while minimizing adverse impact on the efficiency of the infrared lamp.

Abstract: A method for producing a cast aluminum vehicle wheel uses a high intensity electric infrared heating system to heat treat the wheel. The infrared heating system is an indexing-type system which includes a plurality of individual heating stations. A first group of heating stations effects solution heat treating of the wheel, while a second group effects artificial aging. The infrared system enables the solution heat treating and aging to be completed in less than 15 minutes.

Abstract: A method for heat treating an aluminum part is provided. The method includes heat treating the aluminum alloy part with direct radiation from a source of infrared energy until the part attains a desired state of heat treatment. The method and apparatus further include monitoring of the part and controlling the intensity of the radiation source through proportional control in response to the measured temperature.

Abstract: It is a metal oxidation treatment apparatus for carrying out the inactivation treatment of metal tubes used especially in a super high purity gas piping system and an apparatus of super high vacuum.The support part of a support member is made as a tubular form member, and a tapered part is provided on the outer periphery thereof, and further, since a spring is mounted to be displaceable, even if fluctuation is present in the internal diameter of stainless steel tubes, it is possible to let the stainless tubes easily be supported on the support part. Also, even fluctuation of the length is present in the stainless steel tubes, the support member is always pushed to the stainless steel tubes. Oxidative gas diffusing out of the tube to be treated to the outside thereof can be released to the outside of the oxidation treatment furnace without letting it contact to the tube to be treated.

Abstract: The loading car (25) transfers the batch and deposits it on the plug (10) of the furnace (1).The batch is introduced into the furnace (1) and the latter is closed by means of the lift (12) which is lowered after the treatment to an intermediate position, from which moment the furnace (1 ) can be displaced horizontally, the lower belt (4) pushing the grid at the bottom of the batch over the cover (17) and the platform (22) of the lift (18) being in the upper position. The cover (17) ensures the imperviousness of the furnace opening to the gases protecting the batch.This lift allows the batch to be introduced into the hardening vat then brought back into a drain position and deposited on the unloading car (38) which moves along the track (36, 37).

Abstract: A dual belt furnace for heat-treating of small parts includes enclosure having a base, a pair of side walls, a top wall, front wall, and a rear wall all being connected together to form at least one heating zone. A plurality of gas burners are positioned throughout the enclosure for delivering a hot gaseous medium. A plurality of fans are mounted in the top wall of the furnace for circulating the heated gas medium within the enclosures. A first conveyor belt is arranged completely within the at least one heating zone and extends substantially between the front wall and the rear wall of the enclosure for transporting the small parts to be heat treated through the at least one heating zone to a drop zone. The second conveyor belt extends beyond the at least one heating zone and overlays the first conveyor belt so as to be supported by the first conveyor belt within the at least one heating zone for carrying the small parts to be heat treated into the at least one heating zone.

Abstract: A plant for conductive electrical heating of elongated electrically conductive objects, e.g. steel blanks for further treatment in a roll mill. Said plant comprises a combination of the following features:at least two blanks (1) are provided in parallel and spaced from each other, and are connected with at least one current supply (2) by the aid of transmission contacts (3, 4), which are provided so as to be urged towards the ends (1a, 1b) of blanks (1). Blanks (1) with associated transmission contacts (3, 4) are provided in a heat insulated chamber (5), in which blank (1) and chamber (5) together constitute an electrical furnace, in which blanks (1) constitute the heating elements of the furnace. A conveyor or manipulator (7) is provided for insertion, and removal, respectively of blanks (1) in transmission contacts (3, 4) in chamber (5) through an opening (9) in the surrounding chamber wall in any order chosen.

Abstract: A method for induction heating and quench hardening of helical gears provides a hardness pattern uniformly distributed to a controlled depth across and between the teeth surfaces by means of axial scanning of the workpiece and uniform quenching. Uniform quenching is achieved by directing jets of quench fluid at the workpiece toothed surface at angles horizontally offset from the radial direction.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for heat treating a granular material. The apparatus includes a retort having a volume sized to receive a bed of fluidizing particles at a predetermined elevation within the volume and a plurality of electrically powered infrared radiation sources. The sources are submerged within the bed. The apparatus includes a deflector plate for deflecting granular material from an upper elevation of said bed to close proximity to said radiation sources.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for hardening the surface of workpieces of different lengths, having: two clamping heads and a rotary drive, for clamping and rotating the workpiece to be hardened; inductors for the electroinductive heating of the workpiece surface; and a quenching spray.The characterizing feature of the invention is that disposed on opposite sides of the workpiece with provision for displacement in relation to one another in the direction of the workpiece axis for adaptation to the particular workpiece length are two line inductors (1a, 1b), each having two parallel conductor portions (2a, 2b) and end portions (5, 6) which are bent at right angles and an end portion (6a, 6b) of each of which extends arcuately or polygonally, more particularly at right angles, over the workpiece (4).

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for improving properties of a solid material in a target (11) by providing shock waves therein. There are directed to the surface of the material (11) pulses of coherent radiation (12) having average energy fluence of at least about 10 Joules per square centimeter and rise time of not longer than about 5 nanoseconds within a fluorescence envelope lasting about 0.5 to 5 milliseconds, at a rate of about 1 radiation pulse per 100 to 200 microseconds.The leading edge of each pulse (12) is sharpened by providing in its path an aluminum film (18) about 150 to 5000 angstroms thick that is vaporized by the pulse and then is moved across the path so that a later pulse (12) strikes an area of the film (18) not already vaporized by an earlier pulse (12).The radiation (12) is amplified by an amplifier (23) comprising a rod of phosphate laser glass that was strengthened by an ion exchange process.

Abstract: A heat treatment apparatus for thin spheroidal graphite cast iron products comprising a cast iron product remover for removing a thin spheroidal graphite cast iron product from a casting mold; a continuous furnace having an inlet positioned near the cast iron product remover, the continuous furnace comprising a uniform temperature zone kept at a temperature equal to or higher than an A.sub.3 transformation point of the thin spheroidal graphite cast iron product and a cooling zone downstream of the uniform temperature zone; a first conveying means for the thin cast iron product disposed between the cast iron product remover and the inlet of the continuous furnace; and a second conveying means for the thin cast iron product moving through the continuous furnace, the thin cast iron product being conveyed to the second conveying means by means of the first conveying means immediately after removed from the casting mold and introduced into the continuous furnace by means of the second conveying means.

Abstract: An annealing apparatus is described which is designed, manufactured, preassembled and tested at a factory in equal-sized, longitudinal, self-contained segments. In a typical arrangement each segment is one-quarter of the total unit. Each segment includes a support frame, an arcuate heater shell covered with a plurality of heaters and thermocouples, heater and thermocouple connectors, a segmented upper flange, a utility flange and connectors for attaching adjacent segments. Each segment is transported to the nuclear reactor, fit through the equipment hatch of the containment building and assembled in the reactor vessel with the remaining segments using a crane in the building. Appropriate connections for the individual heaters and thermocouples of each segment are made by personnel introduced into the building and are led out the top of the annealing apparatus to a control station.

Abstract: This invention relates to a container for materials, preferably scrap iron for steel production and intended to be placed on a stand in a preheating station in order that the scrap iron shall be heated up to a high temperature. The container includes an essentially cylindrical upper part and a lower part comprising openable bottom halves. The upper part of the container (1) and each bottom half (4) comprise a gas-tight shell (2;15) and a load-carrying frame-work (5,6,7,8;10,11,12,13) positioned outside the shell (2;15) and functioning as a support for the gastight shell.

Abstract: A vertical-shaft furnace serves for heat-treating metallic workpieces. It comprises a furnace housing with a heating chamber arranged therein. The heating chamber is provided with a closed wall at its upper end, while its lower end can be opened in order to enable the workpieces, which are to be treated, to be loaded into the heating chamber from below. There are further provided heating means for heating the heating chamber, means for lifting a workpiece carrier from a first lower position below the lower end of the heating chamber into a second upper position inside the heating chamber, the workpiece carrier being suspended on at least one flexible element which is passed through the opening in the upper wall of the heating chamber and connected to a drive outside the heating chamber.

Abstract: Device to heat the leading end of aluminium ingots to be extruded when hot in extruder presses, with chambers containing the ingots arranged turret-wise with their axes parellel, the device being arranged in cooperation with the frontal end part of a chamber (12) which will cooperate with the extruder die, and in correspondence with the position for loading and readying an ingot (13), this position being located immediately upstream of the extrusion position.Method to heat the leading end (14) of a hot aluminium ingot (13) held in a chamber (12) located in a position to load and position an ingot immediately upstream of the extrusion position in a turret-type extrusion press, the leading end (14) being extracted from the chamber (12) and caused to protrude therefrom (12) and being then heated by induction and re-inserted thereafter in the chamber (12) immediately before the chamber (12) is placed in its extrusion position and the ingot (13) is extruded.

Abstract: A continuous dip-plating apparatus for a steel strip has a pot containing a metal melt which forms a plating bath, a device for causing the steel strip to run through the plating bath such that the steel strip makes a turn around a sink roll in the plating bath so as to be pulled upwardly above the surface of the plating bath, and a wiping device disposed above the pot and adapted for adjusting the amount of deposition of the metal melt to the steel strip. The apparatus further has a pair of flow regulating plates for suppressing deposition of dross to the steel strip. The flow regulating plates are arranged in parallel with and in the vicinity of the portion of the steel strip running upwardly through the plating bath with the upper ends of the flow regulating plates being disposed substantially at the same level as the plating bath.

Abstract: Apparatus for concentrating gold-containing particulate material includes a housing containing an endless conveyor belt the upper stretch of which is inclined in the direction of its movement. An infeed hopper adjacent the upper end of the belt functions to deposit gold-containing particulate material on the upwardly moving upper stretch of the belt, and said stretch is inclined sufficiently to cause the particulate material to move downwardly over the upwardly moving upper stretch in a manner to effectuate classification of the particulate material by gravity separation into a minor fraction of valuable particles of smaller size and heavier specific gravity, including fine and microfine gold particles, and a major fraction of tailings particles of larger size and lighter specific gravity.

Abstract: A reheating, accumulation and holding furnace for blooms comprises a first section in which the blooms are moved along a runway by a first pusher, and a second section in which said blooms are moved by the lift and shifting movement of longitudinal members parallel to the direction of movement of the blooms. Said longitudinal members are constructed with two different surface heights and are mobile at two different levels. At the lesser level only those blooms in a central position in the furnace are reached and moved, whereas at the greater level all the blooms present on the longitudinal members are reached and moved. The combination of bloom movements obtained by the pusher and the two different heights of the longitudinal members determines the passage, accumulation and de-accumulation of the blooms within the furnace.

Abstract: An improvement to continuous annealing furnaces allows three stacks of coils to be loaded on two trays, with one of the stacks straddling the trays. The modifications include an upender device adapted to place the stacks of coils appropriately on two side-by-side trays, a tray pusher device which ensures that the trays will remain in side-by-side alignment throughout their traverse of the furnace, and a downender device adapted to receive the three stacks of coils from the furnace after annealing, and rotate them to an axis-horizontal position from which they can be removed by a boom truck.

Abstract: A cooling device for a high pressure vessel which is simple in construction and high in safety and has a high cooling faculty without the necessity of changing a design of the high pressure vessel. The cooling device has a cylindrical cooling medium jacket having a cooling medium passage formed therein. The cooling medium jacket is removably disposed in a high pressure chamber of the high pressure vessel between the high pressure vessel and an insulation mantle surrounding a heater in the high pressure chamber such that a gap may be left between the high pressure vessel and the cooling medium jacket. The cooling medium jacket has a passage hole formed therein for establishing communication between the gap and the high pressure chamber to allow pressure medium to be introduced into the gap.

Abstract: A heating process, a carburizing process and a diffusion process are successively carried out in a continuous ion-carburizing and quenching system, which is provided with a rotary hearth type continuous ion-carburizing furnace and a continuous diffusion furnace disposed adjacent to the ion-carburizing furnace. The ion-carburizing furnace is provided with a charge vestibule and a discharge vestibule while the diffusion furnace is provided with a charge vestibule and a quenching chamber. The discharge vestibule of the ion-carburizing furnace is connected to the charge vestibule of the diffusion furnace by a transfer vestibule so that a material to be treated may be transferred from the ion-carburizing furnace towards the diffusion furnace through the transfer vestibule. An airtight door is disposed midway of the transfer vestibule for partitioning the discharge vestibule of the ion-carburizing furnace and the charge vestibule of the diffusion furnace from each other.

Abstract: Air quenching apparatus develops a pearlite microstructure in the head of a longitudinally travelling railroad rail as it travels under the apparatus. A primary air chamber at a controlled pressure provides air to the top and side surfaces of the rail heads. A secondary air chamber at a separately controlled pressure provides air to the shoulders of the rail heads. More than one quench unit may be used in series, in which case the pressures in the primary air chambers may progressively increase to increase the cooling rate.

Abstract: A continuous preheat charging method including the steps of transferring scrap from a receiving point to a discharge point, preheating scrap adjacent the discharge point prior to delivery of preheated scrap to one of a pair of melting furnaces, and alternately feeding preheated scrap to the pair of melting furnaces. A continuous preheat charging system is also disclosed which includes a scrap charge transfer conveyor having a scrap receiving end and a scrap discharge end together with a weigh feeder station at the scrap receiving end and a preheating station at the scrap discharge end. After scrap is weighed at the weigh feeder station and fed to the transfer conveyor, the scrap is preheated at the preheating station and delivered to a furnace feeder station to be fed on an alternating basis to one of a pair of melting furnaces.

Abstract: A rapid thermochemical treatment automatic installation for a charge constituted by parts, intended particularly for the mechanical industry, which includes a plurality of treatment modules such as an induction preheating module, thermochemical treatment modules, a quenching module, a device for carrying out the loading and unloading of the parts stacked in columns and a transfer device of the columns of parts between the various treatment modules.

Abstract: A bell furnace (2) and hardening vat (3) arrangement comprises charge (4) supporting means (14, resp. 29, 32, 33) connected to the bell and extending toward the center of the bell. It comprises means (18, 18', resp. 28) for imparting solely to the bell either a vertical and rotary movement or only solely a vertical movement, while the vat (3) is under the furnace (1), in such a way that the bell can be brought against the top plane of the vat, the bell/vat unit forming a tight enclosure at the time of hardening. A lift can introduce into the bell, and the means (18, 18;, resp. 31, 34, 37) co-operate at the same time in the release of the charge and in the placing of the latter on the supporting means (14).

Abstract: An apparatus for deburring workpieces by gas detonation comprises a bed (1) having mounted thereon a casing (2) open at one end (4), and an indexing table (6) with bottoms (7) arranged alternately in front of the open end (4) of the casing (2). There is also provided a drive (9) for moving the bottom (7) toward the open end (4) of the casing (2) to form during their connection a gas detonation chamber (10), and a system (13) for feeding gases thereto for forming an explosive mixture with a spark plug (15). Connection of the casing (2) to the bottom (7) is done by a bayonet joint (16) one element of which is kinematically linked with a drive (17) for turning it relative to the other element.

Abstract: An apparatus for the treatment of workpieces by means of temperature and pressure shocks through the ignition of a combustible gas mixture, particularly a thermal deburring system, is proposed whose workpiece treatment chamber (1, 21, 34) consists of an outer hollow member (3, 22, 35) and an inner hollow member (4, 29, 37) which are guided one into the other and are arranged so as to be movable relative to one another, the inner hollow member (4, 29, 37) having at least one combustion space (10, 31, 32, 39, 40) for receiving the workpieces, which combustion space (10, 31, 32, 39, 40) can be brought into the area of a wall (5, 23) of the outer hollow member closing the combustion space by means of a relative movement of the two hollow members.

Abstract: Two sets of heater support members angularly distributed around a central vertical member are radially extendable individually or in groups to position heater elements within a preset distance of the cylindrical walls of any one of a series of pressure vessels having a range of diameters. A convex bottom heater support member is provided for each diameter vessel and is axially telescoped into the central vertical member so that an additional set of heater support members can be installed between the first mentioned two sets of heater support members and the bottom heater support member to accommodate for varying depths of the vessels in the series. Thermocouples are extended from the annealing device by actuators which use a spring or pneumatic pressure to press the thermocouple against the vessel wall with a preset constant force for accurate temperature measurements.

Abstract: A crushed powder metal workpiece preform is enclosed in a shell or envelope of a ceramic liquid die material and is inductively heated through the ceramic material and then transferred to a pressure vessel wherein the liquid die material is pressurized to provide a rapid omnidirectional compaction of the powder metal preform and thus a fused powder metal workpiece.

Abstract: The process of operating a reheating furnace for slabs involves the transport of slabs through the heating chamber of the furnace and contacting the slabs with a hot gaseous fluid which is supplied by one or more channels at a level below the path for the slabs. The fluid is thereby cooled and the cooled fluid is withdrawn to be readmitted into the channels subsequent to mixing with hot combustion products which are furnished by burners. The temperature of the fluid which is a mixture of cooled fluid and combustion products matches or approximates the optimum temperature for rolling of the slabs. That portion of the heating chamber which is adjacent to its inlet constitutes a magazine for temporary storage of slabs and contains ways for a charging machine which delivers slabs into the range of a walking-beam conveyor in the heating chamber.

Abstract: A leading end portion (33) of a supply of cordge (31) is clamped to a mandrel (32) such that it is straight, after which a plurality of convolutions of the cordage are wound on the mandrel. The cordage is severed from the supply and a trailing end portion (34) of the wound cordage is clamped to the mandrel in a manner which causes it to be straight and hence suitable for termination with a modular plug (37). The coiled cordage is heated and cooled and is then removed from the mandrel while simultaneously the direction of the helices is reversed. Then the cordage is severed at a predetermined location to produce two retractile cords, for example, one including the leading end portion of the length of wound cordage and a newly formed straight trailing portion. The second cord includes a newly formed straight leading end portion and the initial trailing end portion. The newly formed end portion of each cord is caused to be held in a straight configuration and annealed to cause it to retain that configuration.

Abstract: Two sets of heater support members angularly distributed around a central vertical member are radially extendable individually or in groups to position heater elements within a preset distance of the cylindrical walls of any one of a series of pressure vessels having a range of diameters. A convex bottom heater support member is provided for each diameter vessel and is axially telescoped into the central vertical member so that an additional set of heater support members can be installed between the first mentioned two sets of heater support members and the bottom heater support member to accommodate for varying depths of the vessels in the series. Thermocouples are extended from the annealing device by actuators which use a spring or pneumatic pressure to press the thermocouple against the vessel wall with a preset constant force for accurate temperature measurements.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for pressing magnetic powder in a toroidal-shape we in a radial magnetic field. A magnetic flux is produced and carried by a die rod through the axial center of toroidally-shaped magnetic powder. An annular portion coaxially surrounding the die rod and magnetic powder is connected to a yoke member which carries the magnetic flux back to the magnetic flux producing means. This completes the magnetic circuit, and creates a radial magnetic field across the toroidally-shaped magnetic powder between the die rod and the annular portion. This radial magnetic field aligns the granules of the toroidally shaped magnetic powder during pressing.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for rapidly "pressure quenching" or reducing the pressure on samples from very high pressures at rates substantially in excess of 10.sup.6 up to 10.sup.10 bars, or atmospheres, per second, or more, while avoiding damage to the high pressure system. The high pressure system is comparable to that employed to make artificial diamonds, and includes optional arrangements for heating, cooling, and applying electric and magnetic fields to the pressure quenched sample. Special arrangements are provided for circulating cooling fluid in the vicinity of the metastable material to rapidly cool it, immediately prior to decompression.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus is provided for the manufacture of stampers in which the stampers are electroformed from a relatively hard metal in a flat configuration and then, either before or after shaping of the shaped inner and outer edges, but prior to the use in the pressing of records, the inner and/or outer edges are selectively annealed to increase the ductility of these portions while retaining hardness of the remainder of the stamper.

Abstract: A delivery system is provided for use in conjunction with the metallurgical furnace of the type having an elongated furnace chamber with an access door at one end for delivering a coffin containing parts into the interior of the furnace chamber. The delivery system comprises a plurality of rollers which are secured to the bottom of the furnace chamber so that axes of the rollers extend transversely with respect to the axis of the furnace chamber. In use, the rollers frictionally engage the bottom of the coffin and guide the coffin into the furnace chamber. Preferably, the coffin includes upwardly extending channels on its bottom, and which the rollers are positioned.

Abstract: Inside a furnace body a number of material-stay spaces are set along a predetermined circular locus of travel of materials to be treated. The furnace body is divided into a heating chamber and a cooling chamber, and some of the stay spaces are located in the former chamber while the others are in the latter. A material is placed into one of the stay spaces located in the heating chamber, and heated therein. Then the material is moved into and stopped at one of the stay spaces located in the cooling chamber, and cooled therein. This process of heating and cooling the material is repeated a predetermined number of times so as to treat the material as desired.

Abstract: A furnace system is described having a rotatable table with five stations, a loading station, a preheating station, a heating station, a cooling station and an unloading station. A furnace having three compartments, a preheating compartment, a heating compartment and a cooling compartment is vertically movable so that a steel charge to be annealed located on the rotatable table may be moved from one station to another when the furnace is lifted out of contact with the table. Air ducts are provided to transfer heated air from the cooling station to the preheating station. The system is very efficient for, when one charge is cooling a succeeding charge is being heated while the next succeeding charge is being preheated. At the same time a charge can be loaded and another charge can be unloaded. Thus, five steps of an annealing cycle can be accomplished simultaneously allowing an annealed charge to be completely cycled during each step.

Abstract: The furnace effects a partial heat-treatment of drills and similar tools having a clamping portion and a working portion and with respect to which it is important to subjecting only the working portion, to a heat treatment, particularly hardening. The physical properties of the clamping portion are, retained essentially in their original state during the heat treatment. The furnace is provided with a tool receiver that cooperates with hearth-bottom plates that are traversed by cooling fluid. The tool receiver assures that the drills or other similar tools are maintained in their clamping portion at substantially the same temperature level during the heat treatment while the working portion of the tools is freely exposed to the heating and quenching.