Abstract: A far-infrared radiation multi-stage type heating furnace for steel sheets for hot stamping, the furnace including far-infrared radiation heaters having flexibility that are prevented from deflecting even during heating at temperatures ranging from the Ac3 transformation temperature to 950° C. The furnace includes: multiple-staged heating units that accommodate steel sheets, each heating unit formed by thermal insulation materials disposed around the periphery; and far-infrared radiation heaters positioned above and below the heating units. A far-infrared radiation heater is received by first metal strips. The first metal strips are disposed so that their strong axis direction approximately corresponds to the direction of gravity and supported by support pieces so as to be expandable and contractible in a longitudinal direction by thermal expansion or thermal contraction. The support pieces are disposed outside the thermal insulation materials in the heating units and a ceiling unit.

Abstract: A high temperature furnace includes features that provide for multiple heating zones for heating a specimen extending at least partially through a heating chamber defined by the furnace. In one exemplary aspect, the furnace can include multiple heating elements extending at least partially through the heating chamber. Each heating element can be configured in a rod shape, which allows for multiple heating zone capability, better control over the temperature gradient, reduced current to achieve a desired temperature output, and a streamlined furnace shell.

Abstract: A hood-type annealing furnace for the thermal treatment of cold-rolled steel strip includes a base, a protective hood which can be placed on the latter and under which a protective gas heated by a gas burner is circulated by a blower, to heat the steel strip, rolled up particularly into a coil, under the protective hood to a temperature of at least 500° C. in a protective gas atmosphere. An electric heater fed by the public power network has a heating capacity correspondingly substantially to the heating capacity of the gas burner. The protective gas can be independently heated with the electric heater, alternatively to the gas burner, with the gas burner switched off, to a temperature above the recrystallization annealing temperature. A method for operating a hood-type annealing furnace is also provided.

Abstract: An oven configured for drying a container. The oven includes a housing defining an interior space including a supply chamber and a return chamber. A conveyor is configured for movement within a portion of the interior space of the housing defined by a plurality of semi-circular shaped duct sections connected at each end of the semi-circular shaped duct sections to a straight duct section. Each duct section includes two side walls coupled to a back wall defining a continuous U-shaped duct path through which the conveyor moves. The oven is further configured to provide a temperature difference between any two points within the interior space of the oven housing controlled to plus or minus two degrees Fahrenheit, by a uniform air flow throughout the oven. The uniform air flow is facilitated by the sizing and spacing of various circular orifices and slotted orifices in the continuous duct path.

Abstract: Provided herein are devices and methods for thawing frozen biological material.

Abstract: A device for heating a substrate according to a predetermined temperature profile for crystallizing a material on the substrate includes: a housing, at least a process chamber situated inside the housing and provided with a first and second opening for passing through a substrate, an inlet for introducing a process gas which includes the material in vapour phase into the chamber, at least two transport rollers attached to the housing for transporting the substrate into the chamber. The device further includes passage spaces for preventing the escape of process gas from the chamber to a space between the chamber and housing, which are situated near respective ends of the transport rollers in the chamber, the respective passage spaces having a first passage opening on an inner wall of the chamber, a second passage opening on an outer wall of the chamber and a first flange fixed around the transport roller.

Abstract: A method is described for preheating annealing goods in a hood-type annealing installation, comprising two annealing bases (1, 2) which accommodate the annealing goods (3, 4) under a protective cover (7, 8), with the annealing goods (3) to be subjected to a heat treatment under a protective cover (8) being preheated with the help of a gaseous heat carrier which is guided in a cycle between two protective covers (7, 8) and absorbs heat from annealing goods (4) which are heat-treated in a protective cover (7) and emits it to the annealing goods (3) to be preheated in the other protective cover (8). In order to avoid contaminations of the heat-treated annealing goods (4) it is proposed that the heat carrier flow guided in a cycle flows around the two protective covers (7, 8) on the outside, whereas a protective gas is circulated within the protective covers (7, 8).

Abstract: A heat treatment furnace, also referred to as a multi-chamber furnace, that includes a plurality of treatment chambers, each having heating and cooling dampers and being controllable to adjust a flow rate into the treatment chamber, the dampers of each treatment chamber being selectively and independently adjustable with respect to one another so as to allow simultaneous heat processing of a plurality of products in different treatment chambers at different respective heat treatment states depending on the amount of heating and cooling flow rates allowed to enter in each treatment chamber via the dampers.

Abstract: The present invention provides a preheat module, which comprises a heating chamber, a blower and a platform; the heating chamber comprises a heating device and a first inlet; the blower comprises a second inlet and a first outlet, and the second inlet is connected to the heating chamber; the platform comprises a third inlet and a second outlet, and the third inlet is connected to the first outlet; the first inlet and the second outlet are set in a same plane. An advantage of the present invention is that it can reduce the energy consumption also can satisfy the requirement of conserving electrical power and protecting the environment.

Abstract: A heating module for heating solid matter, such as balls, to a determined temperature. The module includes a heating pot including a crucible for receiving the matter to be heated, and a burner for heating the crucible and the matter to be heated; and a cover that is mounted in removable manner on the heating pot so as to close the crucible.

Abstract: A vertically stacked air impingement tunnel oven including a plurality of baking cases having vertically aligned food ports; an electronically controlled heater system connected to the baking cases, the heater system being adapted for heating selected groups of baking cases, the heater system including a plurality of on/off switches which are correspondingly electrically connected for actuating the heating of the selected baking cases; an exhaust hood and exhaust fan having an inlet over the food ports; and a first electronic motor drive system connected operatively to the exhaust fan, and being adapted for rotating the exhaust fan a rotation speed among a plurality of preset rotation speeds, the drive system including the plurality of on/off switches which are further electrically connected for simultaneously actuating the exhaust fan at rotation speeds corresponding with the selected baking case group.

Abstract: The subject innovation relates to a multi-deck chamber furnace for heating up workpieces comprising a furnace housing having at least two horizontal furnace chambers that are arranged vertically one above the other, whereby each furnace chamber has an opening in a furnace wall on one side, and said opening can be closed by a furnace door. The furnace is characterized in that the furnace doors are arranged in front of the openings of the appertaining furnace chambers in such a way that the transversal axes of the furnace doors enclose an angle ? with the furnace wall that is greater than 0° and smaller than 45°, whereby the transversal axis of a furnace door runs perpendicular to the horizontal axis of a furnace door. Furthermore, the furnace doors can be moved linearly along these transversal axes.

Abstract: An apparatus for refining an organic material includes an outer tube, a plurality of inner tubes in the outer tube and including at least one loading inner tube for loading an organic material to be refined and comprising a first loading boat and a second loading boat above the first loading boat in the loading inner tube, and at least one collecting inner tube for collecting refined organic material, a heating unit outside the outer tube, and a vacuum pump coupled to the outer tube for providing low pressure in the outer tube and the inner tubes.

Abstract: An oven apparatus 24 having a modular construction for curing paint on the surface of a vehicle body 26 using radiant and convection heat. The oven apparatus 24 includes a plurality of oven modules, each extending along an axis A along a length B. Each oven module 30 includes an interior shell 52, an outer shell 54 and a wall cavity 56 therebetween. A plurality of Z-shaped rails 84 are disposed in the cavity 56, wherein a rail leg 86 of each Z-shaped rail fixedly engages the outer shell 54. Further, a plurality of support clips 90 are disposed in the wall cavity 56 and fixedly engage the interior shell 52. The support clips 90 each have a clip cavity 96 for receiving a rail leg 88 of a Z-shaped rail 84 for allowing axial movement between the interior and outer shells 52, 54 while restricting transverse movement between the interior and outer shells 52, 54.

Abstract: The invention relates to an oven for heat treatment of a multiplicity of objects. The oven comprises a support stand, which is realized as a three-dimensional frame, an elongate heating chamber, which is arranged vertically or horizontally in a central region of the support stand, and a plurality of elongate combustion chambers, which are arranged vertically or horizontally inside the support stand. The oven additionally comprises a heating element, which is assigned to the heating chamber, and at least one fan for generating an air stream from the heating chamber to the combustion chambers. The combustion chambers are provided to receive the objects to be treated. The support stand is provided to support the heating chamber and the combustion chambers. The invention additionally relates to an oven installation having a multiplicity of such ovens.

Abstract: Contact lens curing systems and methods are described. A contact lens curing system includes an oven that has a plurality of curing zones, a mold advancement system for moving contact lens mold assemblies between the plurality of zones, and a controlled atmosphere in the curing zones that provides a substantially chemically inert environment in which contact lens precursor materials can be polymerized in contact mold assemblies located in the curing zones. Methods of producing contact lenses include curing contact lens precursor materials in contact lens mold assemblies in the lens curing system.

Abstract: The invention relates to an oven for heat treatment of a multiplicity of objects. The oven comprises a support stand, which is realized as a three-dimensional frame, an elongate heating chamber, which is arranged vertically or horizontally in a central region of the support stand, and a plurality of elongate combustion chambers, which are arranged vertically or horizontally inside the support stand. The oven additionally comprises a heating element, which is assigned to the heating chamber, and at least one fan for generating an air stream from the heating chamber to the combustion chambers. The combustion chambers are provided to receive the objects to be treated. The support stand is provided to support the heating chamber and the combustion chambers. The invention additionally relates to an oven installation having a multiplicity of such ovens.

Abstract: An object of this invention is to provide a mixing calciner that can separate and recover CO2 gas in a high concentration, which is generated when a to-be-calcined cement material is mixed with a superheated calcined portion and calcined, by employing a fluidized-bed type or a spouted-bed type. The invention provides a mixing calciner (12) which mixes the calcined cement material with the superheated calcined portion to cause a calcination reaction, wherein the mixing calciner is the fluidized-bed type or the spouted-bed type, and is provided with a plurality of feed lines (25) for feeding the to-be-calcined cement material. In addition, this invention provides a mixing calciner which easily fluidizes or spouts a cement material even when a heat medium has a particle diameter larger than that of the cement material, and can separate and recover CO2 gas generated in a cement-manufacturing facility in a high concentration.

Abstract: A heating apparatus for charge material includes a preheater having a housing with a combustion chamber therein constructed and arranged to receive the charge material, at least one oxy-fuel burner mounted to the housing for providing a combustion flame to the combustion chamber wherein a combustion atmosphere is created to provide heat sufficient to increase a temperature of the charge material, a fuel supply and an oxidant supply connected to the at least one oxy-fuel burner, an exhaust in communication with the combustion chamber for removing a portion of the combustion atmosphere from the combustion chamber; and a melter separate from the preheater for coaction therewith to receive the heated charge material for being melted in the melter.

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.

Abstract: An electric wire comprises a non-oxidized conductor of copper alloy having no outer coating and in direct contact with a PTFE-based sheath. It is fabricated as follows: providing a copper alloy conductor without an outer coating; forming a sheath of a PTFE-based material around the conductor; and heating the wire in order to evaporate the lubricant and sinter the sheath. In order to avoid oxidizing the copper during the heating step, the wire is heated mainly in an atmosphere having a low oxygen content. The lubricant evaporation and/or sintering line for stabilizing the sheath of the electric wire comprises one or more ovens, each having an enclosure in which an atmosphere having a low oxygen content is maintained.

Abstract: A curing oven, particularly for curing a continuous mat of mineral wool fibres mixed with binder has an air injecting system for injecting ambient air into at least one heating zone in circumstances in which there is a risk of inadequate ventilation.

Abstract: A device for heating objects and a method that has recourse to the device, particularly for heating and/or bending one or more glass panes positioned one on top of the other, covering each other. The device includes a furnace line, plural supports, particularly transport molds that transport and/or bend the objects, the objects being placed on the supports positioned on transport carriages, a drive device that progresses the transport carriages through the furnace line and plural heating elements provided above the objects in the furnace line. In the device the heating elements are positioned on the whole above the entire furnace line and the heating elements can be operated and regulated so as to form heating zones suited to dimensions of the objects.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for heat treatment of semiconductor wafers are disclosed herein. A method of heating a semiconductor wafer in accordance with one embodiment includes heating the wafer in a loading enclosure of a heat treatment system above an ambient temperature external to the loading enclosure. The method also includes moving the heated wafer from the loading enclosure into a processing enclosure of the heat treatment system. In particular embodiments, the method can further include heating a flow of purge gas above the ambient temperature and introducing the flow of heated purge gas into the loading enclosure while the wafer is in the loading enclosure. In still further embodiments, the method can include heating a flow of process gas to a processing temperature and introducing the heated flow of process gas into the processing enclosure while the wafer is in the processing enclosure.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing substrates is disclosed. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a housing and a plurality of stacked cell structures in the housing. An actuator is adapted to move the plurality of stacked cell structures inside of the housing while substrates in the stacked cell structures are being heated.

Abstract: A modular oven, such as a batch process oven, having a standardized set of self supporting, interconnectable panels which, when assembled, from a self-supporting heat containment shell, free of added structural support members. Also described are the self-supporting modular oven panels themselves having common roof, sidewall and end wall shell configuration and a method of assembling the panels such as in the expansion or conversion of a first modular oven assembly to a second assembly more conducive to current production requirements.

Abstract: A reflow apparatus includes at least one heating unit. Each of the at least one heating unit includes an air blower for circulating air; a partition for defining an air circulating path; at least a first slit heater and a second slit heater for heating a workpiece with the circulating air, the workpiece having a first surface and a second surface; and a furnace housing for accommodating the workpiece. The air blower includes a first fan for blowing the air toward the first surface of the workpiece, a second fan for blowing the air toward the second surface of the workpiece, and a motor for rotating the first fan and the second fan. The first fan and the second fan are provided in correspondence with the at least the first slit heater and the second slit heater.

Abstract: A single furnace system integrates, in combination, two or more distinct heating environments (which in the preferred embodiments include a conduction heating environment and a convection heating environment) integrated such that the multiple environments define a continuous heating chamber through which a moving workpiece (such as a casting) transitions from one heating environment to the other without being exposed to the atmosphere. In accordance with the preferred methods, the transitioning of the casting from one environment to the other is accomplished with no meaningful change in temperature.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and an apparatus are provided which can efficiently produce a functional material having a satisfactory level of photocatalytic activity. A photocatalyst coating composition comprising a photocatalytic metal oxide and/or a precursor of the photocatalytic metal oxide is coated on the surface of a substrate. The surface of the coated substrate is rapidly heated to fix the photocatalytic metal oxide onto the surface of the substrate. This rapid heating can realize the production of a functional material having a satisfactory level of photocatalytic activity in an efficient manner. The apparatus, which can continuously carry out the rapid heating immediately after the production of the substrate, can produce the functional material having photocatalytic activity in an efficient manner.

Abstract: A single furnace system integrates, in combination, two or more distinct heating environments (which in the preferred embodiments include a conduction heating environment and a convection heating environment) integrated such that the multiple environments define a continuous heating chamber through which a moving workpiece (such as a casting) transitions from one heating environment to the other without being exposed to the atmosphere. In accordance with the preferred methods, the transitioning of the casting from one environment to the other is accomplished with no meaningful change in temperature.

Abstract: A single furnace system integrates, in combination, two or more distinct heating environments (which in the preferred embodiments include a conduction heating environment and a convection heating environment) integrated such that the multiple environments define a continuous heating chamber through which a moving workpiece (such as a casting) transitions from one heating environment to the other without being exposed to the atmosphere. In accordance with the preferred methods, the transitioning of the casting from one environment to the other is accomplished with no meaningful change in temperature.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a chained thermal processing installation under rarefied atmosphere including several processing cells linked in a horizontal plane to a common air-tight chamber provided with handling means for transferring a load from one cell to another. The common chamber is a cylinder with a horizontal axis, at least one end of which is arranged to receive a module in the form of a cylindrical extension to which additional cells are connected.

Abstract: An improved process for producing a formed activated coke for simultaneous desulfurization and denitrification, which includes passing a ground coal through a tubular or cylindrical carbonization retort by using a hot gas stream, to subject the coal to preliminary carbonization to obtain a semi-coke, adding a caking agent to the semi-coke and forming the mixture, subjecting the formed material to carbonization to obtain a formed coke, and transferring the formed coke from the top to the bottom of a vertical multi-tubular retort of indirect heating and cooling (cooling is optional) type that includes a distribution section, a heating section, an activation section and a cooling section (the distribution section and the cooling section are optional) arranged in this order (the distribution section is at the top), to activate the formed coke.

Abstract: Process and device for the treatment of lumpy products using process media, the treatment including a predetermined sequence of process steps. A chain of treatment units is moved in a stepwise manner. The product to be treated remains within the same treatment unit for the duration of the sequence of the process steps. A supply unit supplies and removes process media in a stopping-station specific manner so that the process steps can proceed simultaneously in the treatment units.

Abstract: An apparatus for vitrifying a soot preform from which an optical fiber is produced by drawing, is composed of a main vacuum chamber 20 in which a muffle tube 70 for vitrifying the soot preform PF is located, and an auxiliary vacuum chamber 30 mounted on the main vacuum chamber 20 and communicated therewith through a passage, and a gate valve 60 for opening and closing the passage. The muffle tube 70 has a inner surface covered with silicon carbide layer 70a.

Abstract: A heat treating furnace has a hot zone enclosure with a substantially rectangular cross section. The floor of the hot zone enclosure is formed such that it is removable independently of the remainder of the hot zone enclosure. The heat treating furnace has a heating element with a novel support element that is readily mounted on and removed from the hot zone enclosure and which adjusts to accommodate a wide range of heating element thicknesses and insulation shield thicknesses. The electrically insulating components of the support element are formed to resist electrical shorting resulting from metallization and to resist cracking from thermally induced stress. The heat treating furnace further includes a cooling gas injection nozzle formed to reduce turbulence in the injected gas stream and to be readily attached to or removed from the hot zone enclosure.

Abstract: A dental furnace for heat treatment of dental materials and dental components, particularly for firing these at temperatures over 100.degree. C. comprises an insulated furnace space which can be closed off by a door. The furnace space has a housing which is suspended in an inner housing of metal; the inner housing is supported by a multi-part outer housing, and the door is pivotably fastened on the inner housing. In order to satisfy the requirements of firing at up to 400.degree. C., and to achieve a simple, cost-effective, and light construction, the furnance of the invention has a plastic outer housing, connected by securing elements to the inner housing; the plastic elements have a shell-shaped configuration, so that they define a hollow space surrounding the inner housing, at least adjacent the sidewalls of the outer housing. The hollow space serves as an insulator, minimizing the need for other insulating materials.

Abstract: An oven for the partial heat treatment of tools, for example, twist drills, omprises a first section, which contains the heating chamber that is constantly at the desired operating temperature. A second section for the loading and unloading and the quenching is provided. Between the two sections there is arranged a transport device for the charges of tools. The oven may be in the form of a one-chamber or three-chamber vacuum oven. The oven provides a high heat transfer rate, because the heating chamber is constantly at the desired operating temperature and the heat transfer by heat radiation under vacuum is started immediately when the charge is at its final position inside the heating chamber.

Abstract: The apparatus herein comprises a kettle for calcining particulate material and a surrounding furnace having a porous wall to pass heat of combustion into the kettle at one side and to permit evacuation of the products of combustion from an opposite side, and a control system to cycle the combustion and the evacuation of products of combustion between the opposite sides so that the side being evacuated becomes a heat sink to return the heat so retained therein upon the combustion cycle whereby the furnace structure is kept to a desirable level of temperature while the material in the kettle is at a significant higher temperature.

Abstract: Vertically oriented thermal processor, also known as a vertical diffusion furnace for the processing of silicon or gallium arsenide wafers or substrates including a vertically positionable furnace assembly, and a quartz bell-jar shaped element which positions coaxially over and about another quartz bell jar like vertically positionable process tube forming a dual wall contamination barrier. The furnace and the process tube bell jar can be moved up and down pneumatically as a unit or independently of one another during processing modes. Pneumatic cylinders provide for the lifting of the furnace element away from the wafers to ramp temperatures downwardly at an accelerated rate. An overhead track positions for accelerated removal of the furnace and process tube to the exterior of the cabinet without disconnection of electrical, pneumatic or gas connections for maintenance or component changeout.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating granular materials which require to be heated to drive off volatile constituents and which require to be cooled, for example foundry sand containing an organic binder. The method comprises the step of maintaining a mass of the material at a treatment temperature lying in the range 240.degree. C.-400.degree. C. for between four and thirty hours. The mass may be initially heated by virtue of a manufacturing process in which the mass has been previously used. Alternatively, the mass may be initially heated by a preheating step such as heating in a fluidized bed. Alternatively, the mass may be heated by being placed in heat transfer relationship with a second mass of the material which has been previously heated, for example, in a fluidized bed. Apparatus for performing the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A heating apparatus having doors mounted on the inlet and outlet of a furnace body to cover them and at least one additional door disposed in an intermediate portion of the furnace body to divide it into compartment furnace chambers forming a preheating chamber, a heating chamber and/or a warmth-keeping chamber, from the inlet side to the outlet side. A hot air circulating device is disposed in each of the compartment furnace chambers in a manner such that areas close to each door are much heated. When a material to be heated is charged from the preheating chamber, outer air is shut off from the heating chamber, and when the material to be heated is delivered into the heating chamber, outer air is shut off from the preheating chamber. When the material is shifted from the heating chamber to the warmth-keeping chamber or is discharged to the outside from the warmth-keeping chamber, outer air is shut off in the same manner as above.