By Contact With Gas Patents (Class 266/251)
  • Patent number: 11686647
    Abstract: A leak check method includes: performing a first inspection of measuring a pressure in an internal space formed by a seal of the substrate holder, while evacuating the internal space, and detecting that the pressure reaches a first pressure threshold value within a predetermined first inspection time; performing a second inspection of closing the internal space that has been evacuated, measuring the pressure in the closed internal space, and detecting that the pressure in the closed internal space does not exceed a second pressure threshold value within a predetermined second inspection time; and performing a third inspection of measuring a pressure difference between the pressure in the closed internal space and a vacuum pressure in a master container, and detecting that an amount of increase in the pressure difference within a predetermined third inspection time is kept equal to or below a pressure difference threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: EBARA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kiyoshi Suzuki, Jumpei Fujikata
  • Patent number: 11578921
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a continuous furnace system for heat treating a metal component, in particular an aluminium strip. The continuous furnace system has a first heating unit, in which the metal component is heatable for solution annealing up to a first temperature in the range of from 350° C. to 700° C., a cooling unit, in which the metal component is coolable from 300° C. to 750° C. down to 70° C. to 250° C., and a second heating unit, in which the metal component is heatable up to from 150° C. to 290° C. The first heating unit, the cooling unit, and the second heating unit both have a common support structure, on which the first heating unit, the cooling unit, and the second heating unit are fixed together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: Ebner Industrieofenbau GmbH
    Inventors: Robert Ebner, Ulrich Pschebezin, Alexander Pocherdorfer, Günther Fröhlich, Manoj Kumar
  • Patent number: 11385125
    Abstract: A leak check method includes: performing a first inspection of measuring a pressure in an internal space formed by a seal of the substrate holder, while evacuating the internal space, and detecting that the pressure reaches a first pressure threshold value within a predetermined first inspection time; performing a second inspection of closing the internal space that has been evacuated, measuring the pressure in the closed internal space, and detecting that the pressure in the closed internal space does not exceed a second pressure threshold value within a predetermined second inspection time; and performing a third inspection of measuring a pressure difference between the pressure in the closed internal space and a vacuum pressure in a master container, and detecting that an amount of increase in the pressure difference within a predetermined third inspection time is kept equal to or below a pressure difference threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: EBARA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kiyoshi Suzuki, Jumpei Fujikata
  • Patent number: 10927426
    Abstract: Cooling equipment comprising: a plurality of injection units in a continuous annealing furnace including heating zone, soaking zone, and cooling zone through which strip-shaped steel sheet is sequentially fed, the injection units arranged in cooling zone in row along feed direction of steel sheet and injecting, from injection nozzles, cooling gas containing hydrogen, onto steel sheet; and hydrogen concentration adjustment unit adjusts hydrogen concentration of cooling gas such that hydrogen concentration distribution is formed in which, in a space of the cooling zone where plurality of injection units are disposed, hydrogen concentration at upstream region is higher than hydrogen concentration at downstream region; plurality of injection nozzles arranged along feed direction of steel sheet, and each of injection nozzles extending toward steel sheet; and injection nozzles positioned at both sides in array direction inclined to slope toward a center of the array direction on progression toward tips of injection
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: NIPPON STEEL CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hirohisa Kawamura
  • Patent number: 10746467
    Abstract: A rotary bed-type electric furnace includes a rotary bed configured to carry material, and a rotator configured to rotate the rotary bed so that material carried on the rotary bed passes through peripheral zones of the rotary bed-type electric furnace. The peripheral zones include a feeding zone configured to receive material on the rotary bed, a drying zone configured to dry and heat material by means of electrical energy, a heating zone configured to heat material by means of electrical energy, a cooling zone configured to lower the temperature of the material and configured to release gases from the material, and a discharging zone configured to discharge material from the rotary bed of the furnace.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: OUTOTEC (FINLAND) OY
    Inventors: Jari Halkola, Seija Kurki, Kristian Lillkung
  • Patent number: 9751795
    Abstract: A method for producing a vial with low alkali elution by removing a deteriorated region caused by processing on an internal surface of a vial is disclosed. The method involves forming vials from borosilicate glass tubes including a first step of forming a borosilicate glass tube into a cup-shaped body by formation of a bottom of a vial, and a second step of forming the cup-shaped body into the vial by formation of a mouth of the cup-shaped body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: NIPRO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hideo Kuwabara, Hideki Yamauchi, Yoshitaka Ishimi, Shinichiro Senga
  • Patent number: 9555474
    Abstract: A system comprises a furnace, a fluidized bed assembly and a powder bed. The fluidized bed assembly is positioned in the furnace and comprises an outer chamber having an outer chamber inlet for receiving gas, an inner chamber positioned inside of the outer chamber. The inner chamber comprises an inner chamber inlet in fluid communication with the outer chamber, and an outlet through which the gas may exit the inner chamber and the outer chamber. The powder bed is disposed in the inner chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Ying She, Aaron T. Nardi, Michael A. Klecka
  • Patent number: 9441649
    Abstract: A device for blowing gas on a face of traveling strip material has at least one hollow box having its wall fitted with a plurality of blow orifices enabling gas to be directed towards the face of the strip material. The hollow box is also fitted laterally on at least one side thereof relative to a midplane (Q) perpendicular to the plane in the strip with a movable shutter member having the function of selectively shutting some of the blow orifices in order to adapt the width of the blow zone to the width of the corresponding strip material. The movable shutter member has an edge adjacent to the inside surface of the wall fitted with the blow orifices, and an edge adjacent to a side wall of the hollow box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: COCKERILL MAINTENANCE & INGENIERIE SA
    Inventors: Stephane Langevin, Patrick Dubois
  • Patent number: 9321104
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device (10) and a method for sintering sinter products, such as oxidation-prone materials, in particular metallic sintered goods (46), in particular a dental framework, comprising a tray (18), which accommodates the sinter product and is arranged on a base plate (14), a pot-shaped cover (16), which surrounds the tray, with a rim (36) that is sealed towards the base plate, as well as supply and discharge openings (38) for protective gas connected to the interior chamber (30) that is surrounded by the pot-shaped cover. In order to facilitate sintering even at temperatures above 1200° C. without any problems, it is suggested that the tray (18) be covered by a capping element (20), whereby when the tray is covered by the capping element, the interior chamber (34) of the tray is connected in a gas-flow-allowing manner to the interior chamber of the cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: DEGUDENT GMBH
    Inventors: Joerg Hachenberg, Rudi Steinke, Peter Popp, Irmgard Wissel
  • Publication number: 20140367898
    Abstract: Systems and methods for cooling a heat-treated metallic part include a plurality of atomization nozzles disposed on a stage and radially disposed about the part to be cooled; and a fluid in fluid communication with the atomization nozzles. The fluid may gas, liquid, or a combination thereof, e.g., water and gas. During use, the atomization nozzles are generally configured to rapidly cool the thicker sections of the part relative to the thinner section since the thicker sections are generally slower to cool. In some embodiments, the stage can be configured to rotate about the part during cooling. Methods are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2014
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Inventors: David Hebert, Michael Friedman, Renee Sullivan, Mark Zurosky, Richard Clay
  • Publication number: 20140333015
    Abstract: A furnace for a heat treating of annealing stock, wherein the furnace comprises a closeable first furnace chamber which is designed for receiving and for heat treating of annealing stock by means of thermally interacting the annealing stock with a heatable or coolable first annealing gas in the first furnace chamber, and a removable first protective hood by means of which the first furnace chamber can be closed. Further, a first heat exchange device which is at least partially located in the interior of the first furnace chamber closed by means of the first protective hood is provided for heat exchanging with the first annealing gas within the first protective hood. The heat exchange device is arranged in such a manner relative to a first annealing gas ventilator for driving the annealing gas that, in each operating state of the furnace, the annealing gas driven by the first annealing gas ventilator blows against the heat exchange device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2012
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Inventors: Robert Ebner, Heribert Lochner
  • Publication number: 20140284851
    Abstract: A cell for quenching a charge under an atmosphere of gas comprises a centrifugal or helicon-centrifugal impeller comprising a gas intake opening and gas discharge openings. The impeller is rotated by a motor to cause a flow of the gas between the charge and a heat exchanger. The quenching cell comprises first and second mobile half-scrolls. In a first position, the first half-scroll guides the gas discharged by a first part of the discharge openings and the second half-scroll closes off a first portion of the intake opening. In a second position, the second half-scroll guides the gas discharged by a second part, different from the first part, of the discharge openings and the first half-scroll shuts off a second portion of the intake opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2012
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Applicant: ECM TECHNOLOGIES
    Inventor: Gerard Tissot
  • Patent number: 8771588
    Abstract: A device for blowing gas on a face of traveling strip material, comprising at least one hollow box having its wall fitted with a plurality of blow orifices, thereby enabling gas to be directed towards said face of the strip material. The hollow box is also fitted laterally on at least one side thereof relative to a midplane (Q) perpendicular to the plane in the strip with a movable shutter member having the function of selectively shutting some of the blow orifices. In order to adapt the width of the blow zone to the width of the corresponding strip material, said movable shutter member has an edge adjacent to the inside surface of the wall fitted with the blow orifices, and an edge adjacent to a side wall of the hollow box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: CMI SA
    Inventors: Stéphane Langevin, Patrick Dubois
  • Patent number: 8734714
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for recovering rare earth particulate material from an assembly comprising a rare earth magnet and comprises the steps of exposing the assembly to hydrogen gas to effect hydrogen decrepitation of the rare earth magnet to produce a rare earth particulate material, and separating the rare earth particulate material from the rest of the assembly. The invention also resides in an apparatus for separating rare earth particulate material from an assembly comprising a rare earth magnet. The apparatus comprises a reaction vessel having an opening which can be closed to form a gas-tight seal, a separation means for separating the rare earth particulate material from the assembly, and a collection means for collecting the rare earth particulate material. The reaction vessel is connected to a vacuum pump and a gas control system, and the gas control system controls the supply of hydrogen gas to the reaction vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: The University of Birmingham
    Inventors: Ivor Rex Harris, Andrew Williams, Allan Walton, John Speight
  • Patent number: 8696977
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for the thermal deburring of workpieces, having at least one deburring chamber and one feeding device for introducing a fuel gas mixture into the deburring chamber. A supplementary gas supply is provided for at least the deburring chamber or for the feeding device such that the fuel gas mixture located at least in the deburring chamber or in the feeding device can be mixed at least partially with supplementary gas. Further, a method for the rapid ventilation of a device for the thermal deburring of workpieces is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Kennametal Inc.
    Inventor: Patrick Matt
  • Patent number: 8617460
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for heat treating an article by delivering a heating flow of fluid to a localized region of the article, and simultaneously delivering a cooling flow of fluid to a further region of the article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce PLC
    Inventors: Ian Edward Mitchell, Daniel Clark, Stephen John Tuppen
  • Patent number: 8480949
    Abstract: A gas-jet cooling apparatus for a continuous annealing furnace apparatus includes a plurality of tubular pressure headers extending in a width direction of a steel strip and having a length that is larger than a width of the steel strip, wherein the pressure headers are arranged to face each of front and back surfaces of the steel strip along a longitudinal direction of the steel strip at a pitch L; and a plurality of nozzles protruding from the pressure headers, wherein the nozzles are arranged along the width direction of the steel strip at a pitch W and arranged along the longitudinal direction of the steel strip in a staggered manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: JFE Steel Corporation
    Inventors: Hirokazu Kobayashi, Gentarou Takeda, Hideyuki Takahashi, Masato Sasaki
  • Publication number: 20130127097
    Abstract: Disclosed is a deoxidation apparatus for preparing low-oxygen titanium powders. The deoxidation apparatus includes a lower container having an open upper portion and storing an deoxidizer representing an oxygen degree higher than an oxygen degree of titanium and a melting temperature lower than a melting temperature of titanium, and an upper container coupled with the lower container on the lower container and storing titanium base powders. The upper container is provided at a lower surface thereof with a sieve, and allows the deoxidizer, which is evaporated due to heating, to make contact with the titanium base powders so that the titanium base powders are deoxidized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2012
    Publication date: May 23, 2013
    Inventors: Jae-Won LIM, Jung-Min OH, Back-Kyu LEE, Chang-Youl SUH, Sung-Wook CHO
  • Patent number: 8425225
    Abstract: Method of reducing the formation of folds on metal strips (1) exposed to rapid heating in continuous heat-treatment lines, in which lines said strips are caused to pass through heating sections (2) comprising successive and separate heating means (5; 5a; 5b; 5c; 5d), wherein the average slope of the increase in temperature of the strip between the inlet and the outlet of a heating means decreases from one heating means to the following heating means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Fives Stein
    Inventors: Catherine Pasquinet, Frédéric Marmonier
  • Patent number: 8287803
    Abstract: A novel blaster nozzle used for assisting in the pneumatic removal of cloggings and cakings during the transport of particulate matter through an enclosure housing is set such that it can be removed and replaced from outside the enclosure housing. The blaster nozzle includes a nozzle head having an orifice for the conduction of high-pressure fluid, wherein the nozzle head is composed of a refractory concrete having from about 4-20% by volume metal fibers therein. The blaster nozzle also includes a flange member connected to the nozzle head and a connection tube extends from the flange member for connecting the blaster nozzle to an air cannon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Wahl Refractory Solutions, LLC
    Inventor: M. David Moore
  • Patent number: 8262984
    Abstract: Disclosed is a mixing, milling, and aeration apparatus for the digestion of metal ore with bacteria. It includes a tank and a center post therein. At least one mixing blade extends radially from the center post. At least one roller is supported by a mixing blade, where each roller is configured to roll about the center of the tank while applying a crushing force to solids within the tank. At least one gas distributor, supported by a mixing blade, defines a plurality of holes through which gas is distributed to encourage mixing of the contents of the tank, to encourage distribution of oxygen through the contents, and to discourage fouling of the bottom of the tank and the rollers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Western American Mining Company
    Inventor: Bart Levine
  • Publication number: 20120205842
    Abstract: A gas jet cooling apparatus for a continuous annealing furnace apparatus includes a plurality of tubular pressure headers extending in a width direction of a steel strip and having a length that is larger than a width of the steel strip, wherein the pressure headers are arranged to face each of front and back surfaces of the steel strip along a longitudinal direction of the steel strip at a pitch L; and a plurality of nozzles protruding from the pressure headers, wherein the nozzles are arranged along the width direction of the steel strip at a pitch W and arranged along the longitudinal direction of the steel strip in a staggered manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2010
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Applicant: JFE STEEL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hirokazu Kobayashi, Gentarou Takeda, Hideyuki Takahashi, Masato Sasaki
  • Patent number: 8182739
    Abstract: A concentric-circular-gradient functional material for biogenic use is produced using first, second, third and forth cylindrical partitions, and a cylindrical dice which are concentrically stood on a supporting stand. Ti powder (A) fills the first cylindrical partition. A first mixed powder including Ti powder (A) and biogenic material powder (B) fills between the first and second cylindrical partitions. A second mixed powder including a smaller amount of Ti powder (A) than the first mixed powder fills between the second and third cylindrical partitions. A third mixed powder including a smaller amount of Ti powder (A) than the second mixed powder fills between the third and fourth cylindrical partitions. The biogenic material powder (B) fills between the fourth cylindrical partition and the dice. The first to fourth partitions are pulled out. The dice is capped using a punch. The powders are sintered using a discharge plasma sintering machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Nihon University
    Inventors: Michiharu Okano, Hiroshi Izui
  • Publication number: 20120067467
    Abstract: A quenching device is described that includes at least one chamber that can be filled with quenching gas and that has a blower wheel for circulating quenching gas, in particular a quenching chamber and/or a flow channel, a drive motor, situated outside the chamber, for driving the blower being allocated to the blower wheel. The drive motor is coupled to the blower wheel so as to transmit torque via a coupling that operates in contactless fashion. Also described is a related quenching method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2009
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Inventors: Bernhard Mueller, Michael Loercher
  • Patent number: 8109283
    Abstract: An apparatus and process for the dry removal of the scale from the surface of a metal product comprising at least one heating area that does not reduce the specific surface of the material to be treated and does not cause oxidation, at least one reducing area for performing the reaction between a specific reducing gas (normally hydrogen) and at least the scale, at least one cooling area for cooling the metal product, means for heating the metal product, means for heating the reducing gas, means for controlling the fluid dynamics of the boundary layer produced by the flow of said reducing gas over the surface of the metal product, means for removing the reaction products front the reducing gas after the reaction, means for cooling the metal product, and means for removing the reaction products from the treated surface of the metal product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Danieli & C. Officine Meccaniche S.p.A.
    Inventors: Milorad Pavlicevic, Alfredo Poloni, Alessandra Primavera, Fabio Guastini, Alejandro Sanz Lara, Fabio Vecchiet
  • Patent number: 8101120
    Abstract: A method and device for the heat treatment of a profile, in particular an extruded profile for aircraft. The profile may be formed by one or more different, in particular curable, aluminium alloys. The method provides that at least two regions of a profile are subjected to a different heat treatment. The device includes a first chamber that encloses a first region of a profile and a second chamber that encloses a second region of the profile, wherein different temperatures can be set in the first and second chambers. The profile has at least two regions that each have different material properties and are formed by differential heat treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Airbus Deutschland GmbH
    Inventor: Knut Juhl
  • Publication number: 20120013056
    Abstract: A charging frame for accommodating a batch of parts to be quenched, e.g., metal workpieces, has a circumferentially closed peripheral wall which surrounds the batch and thereby forms a flow channel which prevents bypass flows. The charging frame is a part of a quenching device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2009
    Publication date: January 19, 2012
    Applicant: Robert Bosch GMBH
    Inventor: Bernhard Mueller
  • Patent number: 8025745
    Abstract: A device for the thermal deburring of workpieces. The abstract of the disclosure is submitted herewith as required by 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b). As stated in 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b): A brief abstract of the technical disclosure in the specification must commence on a separate sheet, preferably following the claims, under the heading “Abstract of the Disclosure.” The purpose of the abstract is to enable the Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and gist of the technical disclosure. The abstract shall not be used for interpreting the scope of the claims. Therefore, any statements made relating to the abstract are not intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: Kennametal Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick Matt, Axel Kieser
  • Patent number: 7968046
    Abstract: An apparatus is described for cooling a metal strip (1), comprising at least two nozzle fields which are disposed opposite of each other with respect to the metal strip (1) conveyed continuously in its longitudinal direction and which comprise nozzles facing towards the respective strip surface and being attached to blowing boxes (3) for a cooling gas, and flow conduits (5) provided between the nozzles for discharging the cooling gas flows from the nozzles which are deflected on the surface of the strip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: Ebner Industrieofenbau Ges.m.b.H
    Inventors: Peter Ebner, Gerald Eckertsberger
  • Patent number: 7967920
    Abstract: A method and measurement system for the control of an active charge surface in a low pressure carburizing process can avoid formation of by-products and achieve regular carburized layers. This can be achieved through sampling of outlet gas at a specified time and comparison with experimentally set model characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignees: Seco/Warwick S.A., Politechnika Lodzka
    Inventors: Piotr Kula, Józef Olejnik
  • Patent number: 7968047
    Abstract: A novel blaster nozzle (10) used for assisting in the pneumatic removal of cloggings and cakings during the transport of particulate matter through an enclosure housing is set such that it can be removed and replaced from outside the enclosure housing. The blaster nozzle includes a nozzle head (12) having an orifice for the conduction of high-pressure fluid, wherein the nozzle head is composed of a refractory concrete having from about 4-20% by volume metal fibers therein. The blaster nozzle also includes a flange member (14) connected to the nozzle head and a connection tube (18) extends from the flange member for connecting the blaster nozzle to an air cannon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: Wahl Refractory Solutions, LLC
    Inventor: M. David Moore
  • Patent number: 7947218
    Abstract: A cooling device including an air source, preferably a fan, that provides air flow and a shroud for directing air flow from the air source at an object, particularly a coil of material, preferably a metal or metal alloy having a temperature greater than the ambient room temperature. The cooling device provides cooling efficiency by directing the air from the air source at an increased velocity to a desirable area or areas on an end surface of the object, thereby increasing heat transfer from the object. The cooling device shroud includes an air directing surface that influences the direction of air flow across the object in a desired pattern. Methods for preparing cooling devices and for cooling objects are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: Novelis Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen D. Simpson, Jean-Francois Ruta
  • Patent number: 7842230
    Abstract: A continuous carburizing furnace includes a furnace having a carburizing zone for performing a carburizing process on a workpiece while the workpiece is conveyed; and a plurality of regions disposed successively in a direction of conveyance upstream from the carburizing zone, the carburizing zone being provided with an intermediate door being opened and closed between the carburizing zone and the upstream side therefrom. Also included is at least a single lift mechanism for lowering the workpiece in a region other than a region of the most upstream side among the plurality of regions; and a plurality of pushers for pushing the workpiece at each of the plurality of regions to regions downstream therefrom or to the carburizing zone, the plurality of pushers being disposed so as to push the workpiece at successively lowered levels of height one after another in the direction of conveyance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: Koyo Thermo Systems Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasunori Tanaka, Masanori Minamiguchi
  • Publication number: 20100236669
    Abstract: The invention relates according to a first aspect to a method for the heat treatment of a batch of castings, in which an air quench is applied to the castings of the batch that are arranged in a single layer. The invention also extends to a system for the heat treatment of a batch of castings that includes a ventilation system in order to cause a flow of cooling air, characterized in that it includes means for placing the castings of the batch in a single layer and means for bringing the single layer of castings beneath the ventilation system so as to apply an air quench to the single layer comprising the castings of the batch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2008
    Publication date: September 23, 2010
    Applicant: MONTUPET S.A.
    Inventor: Philippe Meyer
  • Patent number: 7678326
    Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing fine particles includes a reactor; a first inlet part including at least one port introducing a reactive gas flow containing a fine particle source material; a second inlet part including at least one port introducing a diluting gas flow; a heater exciting the fine particle source material in the reactive gas flow; a first plate including through-holes which substantially equalize a flow rate of the reactive gas flow with respect to a cross section of a flow channel; a second plate including through-holes which substantially equalize a flow rate of the diluting gas flow with respect to a cross section of a flow channel; a gas exhaust port provided in a merging region where the reactive gas flow passed through the first plate and the diluting gas flow passed through the second plate are merged; and a collector which collects fine particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Isao Matsui
  • Patent number: 7632453
    Abstract: The invention relates to a gas quenching method of the type that makes use of (i) a quenching cell (V1) which is intended to receive objects to be quenched with a quenching gas and (ii) a buffer capacity (V2) which is designed to contain the quenching gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide-Societe Anonyme a Directoire et Conseil de Surveillance pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventors: Florent Chaffotte, Nicolas Blanchard, Olivier Delobel, Linda Lefevre
  • Publication number: 20090266453
    Abstract: The invention concerns in particular a method for purifying an input mixture comprising carbon dioxide (CO<SUB>2</SUB>) and carbon monoxide (CO), to eliminate the carbon monoxide contained in said mixture, which consists in contacting, at a temperature higher than room temperature, the input mixture with a purifying material comprising at least one metal oxide, so as to bring about the reduction of the purifying material by the input mixture, leading to oxidization of at least part of the CO of the input mixture into CO<SUB>2</SUB>. The invention also concerns a gaseous chilling method and installation integrating such a purifying operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2005
    Publication date: October 29, 2009
    Inventors: Daniel Gary, Florent Chaffotte, Florence Gouhinec, Martina Ridlova
  • Patent number: 7547410
    Abstract: A metal heat treatment method includes quenching a workpiece by blowing an inert gas onto the workpiece, adjusting the temperature of the inert gas to approximately an isothermal holding temperature of the workpiece for transformation of the workpiece, holding the isothermal holding temperature within a margin of error of approximately plus or minus five degrees Celsius for a given period, and performing a metal heat treatment with the isothermal holding temperature kept statically or dynamically by varying the temperature of the hot-gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2009
    Inventor: Hirohisa Taniguchi
  • Publication number: 20090039573
    Abstract: A distributor bottom, particularly a nozzle-type distributor bottom, for steadily introducing process gas, especially process gas loaded with solid particles, into a process chamber, optionally to create a fluidized bed. The process chamber is disposed above the distributor bottom and is formed by walls of a reactor used for metallurgically, particularly thermally, treating feedstock. The distributor bottom is provided with a plurality of holes. Holes are arranged near the walls to prevent substances from attaching to the reactor walls. Special arrangements relate to nozzles and ducts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2006
    Publication date: February 12, 2009
    Inventors: Franz Hauzenberger, Karl Zehetbauer, Jun Hyuk Lee, Myoung Kyun Shin, Won Namkung, Minyoung Cho, Sun-Kwang Jeong, Nag Joon Choi, Hang Goo Kim
  • Publication number: 20080260565
    Abstract: A concentric-circular-gradient functional material for biogenic use is produced using first, second, third and forth cylindrical partitions, and a cylindrical dice which are concentrically stood on a supporting stand. Ti powder (A) fills the first cylindrical partition. A first mixed powder including Ti powder (A) and biogenic material powder (B) fills between the first and second cylindrical partitions. A second mixed powder including a smaller amount of Ti powder (A) than the first mixed powder fills between the second and third cylindrical partitions. A third mixed powder including a smaller amount of Ti powder (A) than the second mixed powder fills between the third and fourth cylindrical partitions. The biogenic material powder (B) fills between the fourth cylindrical partition and the dice. The first to fourth partitions are pulled out. The dice is capped using a punch. The powders are sintered using a discharge plasma sintering machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2008
    Publication date: October 23, 2008
    Applicant: NIHON UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Michiharu Okano, Hiroshi Izui
  • Patent number: 7438119
    Abstract: A system for reclaiming sand from a casting process includes a chamber having an inlet, an outlet, and a plurality of baffles defining a circuitous path for the sand therebetween, a heating element for providing heat to the chamber, and a fluidizing distributor for directing the sand through the chamber. A method of reclaiming waste sand also is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Consolidated Engineering Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul M. Crafton, James L. Lewis, Jr., Ian French, Shanker Subramanian, James R. Garrett
  • Patent number: 7427375
    Abstract: A diffuser (24) for an annealing furnace has a plurality of radially extending generally and vertically oriented vanes (40) for radially directing furnace gases. The vanes have top edges (42) defining a generally planar support and the top edges of the vanes have a notch (38) therein for receiving a conduit (34) preferably ring shaped that extend substantially around a center portion of the diffuser plate. The conduit (34) is connected to an inlet (32) for receiving enriching gases and exit ports (50) circumferentially space about said conduit (34) passing the enriching gases into the diffuser (24) to be mixed with ambient furnace gases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2008
    Assignee: MNP Corporation
    Inventor: Floyd Cushman
  • Publication number: 20080197546
    Abstract: A metal heat treatment method includes quenching a workpiece by blowing an inert gas onto the workpiece, adjusting the temperature of the inert gas to approximately an isothermal holding temperature of the workpiece for transformation of the workpiece, holding the isothermal holding temperature within a margin of error of approximately plus or minus five degrees Celsius for a given period, and performing a metal heat treatment with the isothermal holding temperature kept statically or dynamically by varying the temperature of the hot-gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2008
    Publication date: August 21, 2008
    Inventor: Hirohisa Taniguchi
  • Patent number: 7255829
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for the thermal treatment of metallic workpieces with which gas quenching can be obtained that is low in distortion, even for workpieces with an undulating shape or workpieces that are projectingly stackable are provided. In accordance with the method, after being heated the workpieces are cooled in a quenching chamber with a quenching gas, whereby the quenching gas is intentionally caused to flow around the workpieces by means of guide channels that have a closed lateral surface and that enclose the workpieces along the direction of flow of the quenching gas. The apparatus comprises a quenching chamber in which the workpieces can be cooled with a quenching gas, and wherein guide channels are provided to ensure that the quenching gas flows around the workpieces, the guide channels having a closed lateral surface and enclosing the workpieces along the direction of flow of the quenching gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: Ipsen International GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Peter, Bernd Edenhofer, Jan-Willem Bouwman
  • Patent number: 6991767
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for the debonding and sand core removal of sand cores from cast parts, the heat treating of metal parts and the removal of organic contamination from metal parts, which is utilizing a fluid bed furnace having an improved fluidizing gas distributor which discharges fluidized gas in a downward direction away from the parts in the fluidized bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: Procedyne Corp.
    Inventors: H. Kenneth Staffin, Edward P. Traina, Giovanni Rubino
  • Publication number: 20040182484
    Abstract: Small hot metal objects such as engineering components are quenched in gas by tumbling them in an upward flow of gas distributed uniformly from a multiplicity of openings 18 in the horizontal floor 4 of a quenching chamber 2. The tumbling is performed for a sufficient period of time for the objects to be quenched to a desired temperature. The quenching chamber 2 has a lower region 8 through which the flow of quenching gas is at an uniform velocity and an upper region 10 in which the velocity of the quenching gas is decreased.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2004
    Publication date: September 23, 2004
    Applicant: The BOC Group plc
    Inventor: Paul Stratton
  • Publication number: 20040164467
    Abstract: The present invention provides an inflator thermal treatment equipment which can prevent an accidental damage to the equipment. A partition means 25 comprising an iron grating is fixed between a thermally treating tower 10 and an exhaust gas tube 16. When the interior of the thermally treating tower 10 is heated to an ignition temperature of gas generating materials inside inflators 30 or more to burn the gas generating materials, such an event may occur that the inflators 30 jump up due to pressures at combustion. At that time, the inflators 30 jumped up are prevented from colliding against the exhaust gas tube 16 by the partition means 25.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2003
    Publication date: August 26, 2004
    Inventors: Keishi Aoyama, Yuji Nakazawa
  • Publication number: 20040007292
    Abstract: A nitriding method includes the steps of nitriding an object held under a nitriding gas atmosphere in a sealed furnace and applying vibration energy to one or both of the nitriding gas and the object W to facilitate nitriding. A nitriding apparatus includes a nitriding furnace for holding an object W to be nitrided in a sealed manner, means 30 for supplying a nitriding gas to the furnace, and means 2 for applying vibration to the atmosphere gas in the furnace 1 to faciliate nitriding. According to the method or apparatus, nitriding-resistant or complex-shaped materials can be nitrided at high efficiency and a nitrided layer can be formed at a lower temperature for a shorter time as compared with conventional processes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2003
    Publication date: January 15, 2004
    Inventors: Hideto Fujita, Yoshiyuki Fujita, Ryoji Fujino, Yasutaka Ogawa
  • Publication number: 20040000356
    Abstract: An apparatus for subjecting a rare earth alloy block to a hydrogenation process includes a casing, gas inlet and outlet ports, a member arranged to produce a gaseous flow, and a windbreak plate. The casing defines an inner space for receiving a container. The container includes an upper opening and stores the rare earth alloy block therein. A hydrogen gas and an inert gas are introduced into the inner space through the gas inlet port, and are exhausted from the inner space through the gas outlet port. The gaseous flow is produced by a fan, for example, in the inner space. The windbreak plate is disposed upstream with respect to the gaseous flow that has been produced inside the inner space. Also, the windbreak plate reduces a flow rate of the gaseous flow that has been produced near the upper opening of the container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2003
    Publication date: January 1, 2004
    Inventors: Akihito Tsujimoto, Katsumi Okayama, Shinji Kidowaki, Tadayoshi Muneto
  • Publication number: 20030140989
    Abstract: A method for annealing and galvanizing wires which comprises induction heating the wires in a first chamber at a first higher temperature to anneal the wires, cooling the wires to a second lower temperature in a second chamber and galvanizing the wires in a third chamber. The chambers are in serial communication and the heating, cooling and galvanizing steps are effected in an oxygen free atmosphere.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2002
    Publication date: July 31, 2003
    Inventor: James M. Knott