Abstract: An industrial furnace (1) into which protective gas is admitted for the heat treatment of batches (5) of metal workpieces is described. The heat treating furnace includes an entrance lock (2) which can be sealed with respect to the surrounding environment by means of a first gas-tight closure device (2.2.1). The heat treating furnace also includes a third gas-tight closure device (3.1) disposed between a heat treatment chamber (3) of the furnace and a quenching facility (4) at the exit of the heat treatment chamber. With the foregoing arrangement a pressure of the protective gas admitted into the heat treatment chamber (3) can be maintained during loading and unloading of a batch of metal workpieces (5). The entrance lock may be configured as a dual-chamber vertical arrangement or as a single chamber horizontal arrangement.

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.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a method for annealing strand wires or strips in a fluidized bed reactor having an atmosphere of fluidized gases flowing through fluidized particles. The method provides for stratifying the atmosphere of fluidized gases by passing a reducing gas through the fluidized particles in the fluidized bed. The wires are passed between the fluidized particles at a location near the bottom of the fluidized bed. Finally, an amount of oxygen-containing gas is injected on top of said fluidized bed reactor.

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: An upper line comprises three furnaces 1, 2, 3 and a washing machine 4, in straight side-by-side arrangement. A lower line comprises movable treatment elements 7, 8, 9 movable on conveyor track 5, and fixed vat 17. Car 6 permits feeding all the elements of the upper line, as well as materials handling equipment 11, from entry station 20. Elements 7, 8, 9 and 17 can be fed either directly from the furnaces 1, 2, 3 via the materials handling equipment 11.

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: A method of processing steel slabs in which the slabs are continuously routed through a furnace to a slabbing mill the slabs being sequentially charged through the bottom of the furnace by a reciprocating mechanism whereby on the upward stroke the slab charged engages and lifts the slabs piled above it and is then securely held (via jaws) until engaged itself in the next cycle by the succeeding slab. The top slab is discharged during each cycle whereby the number of slabs in the pile in consistent and all are heated on their exposed surfaces during their period in the furnace.This invention maximises the use of the residual heat from the cast slab where `sizing` is to be performed.

Abstract: A retractable, roller hearth for use in an industrial heat treat furnace is disclosed whereby the alloy rollers are retracted from their load bearing position when the furnace heat treat processes are underway thus maintaining the rated load capacity of the furnace. A plurality of guided rail support posts and guided, sealed lift posts accurately assure straight line vertical motion of the refractory base enabling contact between fibrous rope seals to seal the hearth from the cooler, lower portions of the furnace when the hearth is in a raised position.

Abstract: A continuous electric furnace for chemical heat treatment of steel parts comprises a parts heating chamber, a parts vertical supply chamber and a cooling chamber, all arranged in line. The parts vertical supply chamber is connected to a processing chamber wherein a hearth is equipped with a vacuum seal serving to separate the processing chamber from the other chambers in the process of chemical heat treatment of parts. The heating and cooling chambers comprise extension stops and heat screens located on the side of the parts vertical supply chamber, and the hearths movable reciprocally in a horizontal direction.

Abstract: Apparatus for treating a metal charge comprises a box furnace and a container containing material for treating the charge. The box furnace is mounted on props whose length is sufficient to permit the container to be positioned under the furnace. The furnace has a shroud within which the charge is heated. Means are provided for introducing the charge into the furnace. The shroud and the container are provided with alignable openings through which the heated charge can be transferred, by charge-transfer means, from the furnace to the container. Pressurized gas is supplied to the interiors of the shroud and the container. The charge-transfer means comprises a carrier supported within the container by a support positioned outside the container. Vertical movement of the support relative to the container causes vertical movement of the carrier.

Abstract: A method of heating metal workpieces so as to minimize scale formation and decarburization using an electroinduction heater, comprises placing the workpiece in the vicinity of the induction heater, reducing the air present in the vicinity of the workpiece to provide a reduced air atmosphere, and heating the metal by an electroinduction heater in the reduced air atmosphere. The air is advantageously displaced by a protective gas and this is done before the workpiece is heated to a temperature of 350.degree. C. A device for carrying out the heating, comprises a thermally insulated hood which has an interior heating cavity which opens downwardly and which is made gas-proof at its sides and top. A thermally insulated bottom fits into the opening of the hood and substantially fills the cavity and it is provided with a support area for the workpiece which, when the bottom is inserted, is positioned alongside the electroinduction heater.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for closing bottom-entry slab furnaces in which a door is pivotably connected to the slab elevator by a horizontally arranged hinge. The door is provided with a cam follower that cooperates with a cam apparatus to controllably swing the door between closed and open positions as the door is moved vertically past the cam apparatus.

Abstract: Apparatus for automatically heat treating a plurality of elongated articles, wherein only a portion of the articles are subjected to the heat treating operation, the remaining portion thereof being enveloped and prevented from reaching a temperature during the heat treating operation that produces a hardening action thereon. The articles are transferred from a magazine assembly to a pick-up station, wherein the portions thereof that are protected from the heat treating operation are clamped between a jaw assembly, the jaw assembly being elevated to locate the exposed portion of the articles in vertical position within an elevated heating chamber. Thereafter the articles are lowered from the heating chamber to a cooling station and after a predetermined cooling period are deposited on a belt by the jaw assembly for removal to a collection station.

Abstract: A kiln has a bottom opening for loading the objects to be fired into the firing chamber. The door for closing the firing chamber provides the hearth of the kiln and supports the objects to be fired. A parallel linkage mechanism maintains the door in a horizontal orientation as it is moved from the closed position wherein the objects to be fired are in the kiln, to the open position wherein the objects are supported in front of the kiln.

Abstract: A pressure furnace for treating products at high temperature and high pressure includes a high pressure chamber formed of a vertical high pressure cylinder with end closures projecting into the cylinder and a press stand with a window aperture which is somewhat larger than the height of the high pressure chamber when the end closures are fully inserted for enclosing the high pressure chamber during the pressing operation. A support member is provided which holds the pressure chamber in such a position that gaps are formed between the press stand and the end closures when the latter are moved into their innermost positions in the chamber. The lower end closure is at least in part removable and includes a bottom portion provided with cooling channels, with a stationary and a movable connection unit for connecting the bottom portion to a coolant source. The movable unit is displaceable between a connected position in contact with the stationary connection unit and a release position.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for automated mass production of precision transparent silica glass products in accordance with a unique process in which slip-cast fused silica articles are rapidly heated and sintered in a vacuum or in a helium or hydrogen atmosphere at high temperatures, such as 2950.degree. to 3150.degree.F. A heated graphite susceptor shaped to conform to the outer surface of the fused silica article is automatically moved between a cooling zone and an induction furnace chamber which is opened momentarily to admit the article. The furnace and the graphite susceptor are designed to cause the trapped gases in the article to move radially outwardly and to effect rapid heating so as to avoid substantial devitrification during sintering.