Abstract: A process and apparatus is disclosed for removing volatile contaminants from scrap metal. The process is carried out in a furnace maintained at a relatively constant temperature having a first zone in which volatiles contained on the surface of the metal are vaporized and a second zone in which carbon contained on the surface of the metal is pyrolyzed. The furnace also has a vibrating conveyor for transporting metal therethrough at a specific speed. The process includes the step of vaporizing and fluidizing the volatiles to produce fumes containing unburned hydrocarbons without oxidizing the metal. The hydrocarbon fumes are then burned to produce hot gas which is recirculated to the furnace so as to contact new incoming scrap metal.

Abstract: A manufacturing method and apparatus is provided for making building and other types of brick. The apparatus requires a minimum of excess (or surge) production, utilizes automated equipment which is highly dependable and which is easily operated and controlled. The apparatus comprises an automated low profile dryer and kiln in conjunction with an automated brick handling system including specially designed lighweight kiln cars.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for heating metal logs of a predetermined length in which the logs are cut into billets for an extrusion press. A furnace has an elongated heating chamber with an entrance opening and an exit opening. A pusher table is mounted adjacent the entrance opening of the furnace and a conveyor extends along the pusher table, through the entrance opening of the furnace, through the furnace heating chamber and through the exit opening thereof. A log dispenser is mounted adjacent the pusher table for dispensing logs seriatim onto the conveyor at the pusher table. An insert log has a length substantially less than the given length of the logs in the log train and is selectively positioned in the log train between the pusher and the lagging log in the log train to increase the effective length of the log train prior to adding a new log to the log train.

Abstract: Bulk materials containing volatile constituents are calcined in a two-stage process comprising a first heating stage at de-volatilizing temperature but below calcining temperature during which the material is turned over and mixed to accelerate its bulk heating rate without substantially accelerating local heating rate. The first heating stage is followed by a second heating stage at calcining temperature. A rotary hearth furnace adapted for the above process is divided into outer and inner connecting annular heating zones and has rabble means for turning over and mixing the charge in the outer zone and rabble means for transporting the charge through both zones.

Abstract: A drying oven is disclosed including apparatus for transporting a shuttle (51) longitudinally in a drying conduit (5) arranged within an oven, characterized in that the transporting apparatus is at least partially contained within a housing (15) that hermetically seals one end of the drying conduit. The transporting apparatus includes a steel band (27) that is wound at one end of a disk (39) mounted for rotation within the housing, the other end of the band being releasably coupled with the shuttle by a pivotable latch (25).

Abstract: A reheating furnace has a row of heating chambers and a mobile roof whose sections can be moved relative to each other so as to expose the tops of selected chambers for admission or evacuation of slabs. The slabs are lowered into and lifted out of selected heating chambers by an elevator which is mounted on tracks at a level above the motors for carriages which shift the roof sections relative to the chambers. Each chamber can be heated by a set of burners independently of the other chambers. The elevator stacks the slabs in such a way that one marginal portion of each slab is exposed for pronounced heating by combustion products and the other marginal portion is nested between and is heated by the neighboring slabs.

Abstract: A horizontal furnace for processing semiconductor devices having a suspension cantilever which supports workpieces in the furnace tube to achieve particle or dust-free operation while still allowing the loading and unloading of workpieces to be heat-treated. The furnace tube consists of a heating chamber, a connecting chamber and a supporting chamber vertically connected to each other. The chambers correspond to an accommodating portion, a connecting portion and a supporting portion of the cantilever. The supporting chamber is kept at lower temperature than that of the heating chamber during heat processing to prevent deformation or creeping of the suspension cantilever.

Abstract: A method of flattening a stack of sheets of material by assembling the stack horizontally in an oven of clamshell like construction and applying pressure to the stack hydraulically from an external pressure source by means of pistons entering the oven from each end.

Abstract: A method of operating a controlled atmosphere furnace. To prevent the entry of oxygen into the controlled atmosphere in the chamber of the furnace, which has a furnace door for the receipt and removal of parts by means of a feeding and removal device, the device is designed to seal a vestibule located immediately in front of the furnace door when the device approaches the furnace door. The oxygen-containing ambient air thus trapped in the vestibule is then removed therefrom. The furnace door is opened, and the feeding and removal device, while still sealing the vestibule from the ambient air, then moves into the furnace chamber for feeding or removing the part which is to be heat treated.

Abstract: The operation of an open ring-type baking furnace for the production of shaped carbonaceous bodies and having at least partly grouped fire shafts is such that during the fire reversal phase the negative pressure is regulated in each fire shaft in the transverse walls near the fire reversal units. This regulation takes place, depending on the position of the pre-heating zone, at the transverse wall on the suction unit side or on the baking side of the furnace. In particular in combination with process control means the process leads to a uniform product quality independent of the position of the said body in the furnace.

Abstract: A spring clip (30) for holding chip carriers in place on a pallet (20) serves to urge a case (12) seated in each of a plurality of pallet cavities (22) against an underlying lid (14) therein during fabrication of the chip carrier (10). The spring clip (30) comprises a central shaft (32) which extends vertically through the center of a metal plate (31). The plate (31) has a plurality of radially outstretched resilient arms (36), each sloping downwardly from a separate side thereof and having an upturned end (37). The lower end (38) of the shaft (32) is sized for lockable engagement with a corresponding one of a plurality of receiving passages (24) in the pallet (20). Each passage (24) is surrounded by a group of pallet cavities (22). When the first end of each shaft (32) of the spring clip (30) is lockably engaged with the pallet (20), the chip carriers (10) are held on the pallet (20) by the ends (37) of the arms (36).

Abstract: A hollow lavatory setter (10, 10', 10", 10'") of recrystallized silicon carbide has a continuous wall of predetermined cross sectional size and shape including an outer wall portion (14, 14', 14", 14'") spaced from a bowl engaging inner wall portion (16, 16', 16", 16'") adjoining, extending around and defining the general configuration of a bowl receiving opening (18, 18', 18", 18'") and the peripheral mounting rim portion (R', R'") including a continuous mounting under surface of a rimless lavatory (L', L'"). Spaced upper (24, 24', 24", 24'") and lower (26, 26', 26", 26'") wall portions extend between the inner and outer wall portions and of which the upper wall (24, 24', 24", 24'") surface is adapted to supportingly engage and maintain the continuous mounting under surface of the peripheral mounting rim portion (R, R'") in a single plane during firing in a kiln and suitable for mounting on a counter top thereafter.

Abstract: The invention pertains to the manufacture of articles of thermosetting plastics and other materials. In a first stage, a solid article is formed from a particulate material by introducing such material into a first chamber defined partially by the backing surface of a backing member and partially by the opposed pressing surface of a pressing member. The backing member is frangible and is removably mounted on a support. The first chamber is then closed and the pressing member advanced toward the backing surface to contract the first chamber and compress the particulate material between the pressing and backing surfaces to form the solid article. The pressing member is then retracted, the first chamber is opened, and the backing member and solid article are removed from the support as a unit. Finally, the backing member is fractured and the fragments are removed from the solid article. In a second stage, the convoluted article, or any other similar body is supported in a chamber structure.

Abstract: In a wheeled carrier for transporting wafers of semiconductor material during processing, the wheels are non-rotatably mounted on axles and each pair of wheels has either central recesses on their outer faces accepting sub shafts in allignment with the axle, or central stub shafts projecting into recesses in a support structure, for rotation of the wheel/axle assemblies about opposing pairs of stub shafts. The stub shafts, and optionally the inner surfaces of the recesses, are highly polished and shaped to minimize resistance to motion caused by friction between the contact surfaces of the recess and stub shafts since the carrier is made of refractory material such as quartz having a high coefficient of resistance. To minimize accumulation of contaminating particles in the recesses in the wheels, passages are provided through the wheels between the recess and the inner face of each wheel for easier access to the bottom of the recesses.

Abstract: A heat treatment apparatus is disclosed, which includes a tube device having a tube axis in the horizontal direction for receiving therein an object to be treated so as to treat the same by heat, a holding member for holding thereon a plurality of objects to be treated, first and second supporting devices located at one end outside of the tube device, a first coupling member for coupling the first supporting device with the holding member, a first operating member for moving the holding member in the horizontal direction, a second coupling member attached to the second supporting device for holding a holding portion of the holding member by shaft-rotation, and a second operating member for moving the holding member in the horizontal and vertical directions.

Abstract: A method of treating, in a vertical grate furnace, raw materials in an iron reduction process is disclosed. The raw materials are fed onto a grate-containing section which is separated from at least one other section of the grate furnace. Subsequently, the grate-containing section is attached to the other section or sections by moving the other section or sections upwardly or downwardly so as to achieve and maintain gastight conditions between the grate-containing section and the other section(s). The raw materials then undergo preliminary heat treatment in the grate furnace. Finally, the grate is tilted to discharge the treated materials from the grate furnace through an outlet provided on the side wall of the furnace.

Abstract: Apparatus for firing ceramic greenware including a container and a plurality of independently movable granules disposed within the container so as to provide a readily levelable minimum friction support surface for supporting the ceramic greenware. During firing, those granules which contact the greenware move in correspondence with the shrinkage of the greenware so that friction related distortion of the greenware is reduced. The ceramic greenware is fired by a method which includes providing a sufficient depth of granules to permit relative movement of those granules in contact with the ceramic greenware, leveling the surface of the granules, placing the greenware on the level surface and firing the ceramic greenware.

Abstract: A processor apparatus is provided in which a blackbody radiator having a constant planar energy flux characteristic is placed in opposition to semiconductor material. The blackbody source produces a constant planar energy flux to uniformly heat the material. The source is heated to a sufficiently high temperature for a sufficient time to anneal or activate a semiconductor wafer or to epitaxially regrow a thin epitaxial film. The processor is operated by accomplishing the steps of presenting a blackbody radiator in opposition to semiconductor material to be thermally treated, radiatively heating the material to a sufficiently high temperature for a sufficient time to accomplish the desired process result, and cooling and removing the material. In the interval between presentation of successive samples of the material to the source, the source may be shuttered or idled to reduce energy consumption.

Abstract: In a semi-batch practice of the process, the logs are plasticized using hot, pressurized alkaline liquid in a closed chamber having a preceding charging chamber and a succeeding unloading chamber. The chambers are selectively flooded and emptied to facilitate operations. A ram is used at the charging end to advance the logs. Spacers are placed in opposed pairs between successive charges. The unloading trough is equipped with a sling to facilitate advancement of the conditioned logs to the lathe. Process may be program-controlled, with monitoring of processing temperature, pressure, time, pH, processing solution constituency, and heat input. Additional variables may be input to the automatic controller, such as species, ambient log temperature, length of time since log harvest, veneer end-product (e.g. thickness and whether decorative quality is needed), log weight and log diameter. The process may also be more simply conducted in batchwise fashion.

Abstract: A wafer processing boat is provided with parallel slots that support each wafer at a slight angle with respect to vertical so that the wafers lean by gravity in a uniform manner and are thereby arranged in spaced parallel relationship. This enables the tolerances within the slots to be quite large with respect to the width of the wafer edges thus facilitating insertion and removal of the wafers while minimizing wafer damage and increasing wafer processing uniformity.

Abstract: A furnace boat assembly for in furnace attachment of frames to ceramic integrated circuits and the like includes a pair of end rails spaced apart, with a plurality of spaced apart support rods extending between the rails and a plurality of guide and support members for guiding and supporting a plurality of lead frames formed in a generally U-shape, and for locating and supporting a plurality of ceramic base members with glass solder in position on the frames for movement through a furnace for heating the solder to a bonding or melting temperature, for allowing the bonding of the lead frames to the ceramic base member.

Abstract: The rate of melting glass batch to a liquid state is improved by providing sloped surfaces on the batch to enhance run-off of liquid. The slopes may be provided by feeding batch as shaped aggregates, contouring the surface of a batch layer, or by creating openings through a batch layer. The batch may be compressed or compacted into aggregates before they are deposited as a single layer onto a pool of molten glass contained within a glass melting furnace.

Abstract: An improved container used in baking furnaces for baking carbon products. The container has a porous base and porous walls connected to the base. A porous medium is disposed between the container and the carbon product. Volatiles and liquid tars released during the baking of the carbon products pass through the porous medium and through the porous container.

Abstract: A crucible for containing a melt and die for EFG growth of sapphire is supported by a pyrolytic graphite crucible support plate having the C axis of the pyrolytic graphite perpendicular to the bottom of the crucible which is supported by the plate. This thermally insulates the crucible from the pedestal which supports the support plate.

Abstract: A method of operating a reheating furnace in a hot rolling line and a heating furnace therefor in which the reheating furnace is positioned between a continuous casting apparatus and a rolling apparatus rolling workpieces at a higher speed than they are cast by the casting process, the furnace serving as a heating and buffer zone. The heating furnace is longitudinally divided into two heating sections which are changed over so as to receive workpieces for heating and the workpieces are charged into one of the two sections after the other of the two sections has been filled up. The furnace is operated to collectively forward the workpieces heated up to predetermined rolling temperatures to the rolling apparatus for efficient rolling.

Abstract: Apparatus for heating elements broken up in small pieces wherein the pieces are loaded into baskets with solid vertical walls and perforated or porous bases, and are pushed in a continuous line into a tunnel to there introduce a hot gas which passes vertically through each basket and its contents. A principal application is the preheating of products feeding a smelting or resmelting furnace, and in this case the hot gases used are fumes from the furnace.

Abstract: A method of heating a closed metal shell defining a tank having top and bottom portions, comprising positioning a substantially vertical metal tube to extend upwardly from about the bottom of the tank to an opening in the tank top, said tube having insulation for retarding heat flow from the tank interior space into the tube interior space, providing the tank top portion with a plurality of hot gas exhaust ports communicating with the tank upper interior space and the atmosphere, positioning a burner in the bottom portion of the tube, firing the burner with a fuel and directing the resulting flame and hot combustion gases from the burner away from the tube to heat the metal shell, and controllably venting hot gases from the tank through the exhaust ports to the atmosphere by a natural-draft stack-effect thereby reducing the pressure in the tube and inducing atmospheric air to flow downwardly into and through the tube to the burner to supply oxygen for combustion of the fuel.

Abstract: A machine for opening envelopes by heat process which have been previously treated with chemicals.

Abstract: An ultrasonic dip soldering process for bonding the tubular joints of a heat exchanger made up of tubular components joined together to form flow circuits within a fan coil. The joints are positioned adjacent to one of the tube sheets of the fan coil structure and the joints preheated by means of a remote heating process. The joints are then immersed in a molten bath of solder and treated to ultrasonic energy while in the bath.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the continuous baking of preheating, burning and cooling of carbonaceous moldings, which comprises burning fuels at the side and bottom portions of saggers which are charged with breeze and carbonaceous moldings to be baked; movably arranging a MOBAC [Mobile Baking Chamber] beneath a fixed ceiling having a combustion device and a gas recirculation system, in which MOBAC a baking chamber and a gas flue of refractory material are provided which pass combustion gas, heating gas or cooling gas; sealing the space between the fixed ceiling and the MOBAC and the upper contact surface of each MOBAC from atmospheric air; and connecting a number of said MOBAC in a row and moving them beneath the fixed ceiling.

Abstract: A process for heating the tubular joints of a heat exchanger assembly to facilitate the creation of a fluid-tight bond between the tubular elements. The joints are positioned adjacent to one or both of the heat exchanger tube sheets and a jet of flammable gas directed into the joint region generally perpendicular to the plane of the tube sheet. The velocity of the gas stream directed at the sheet is high enough to prevent the gas from mixing with ambient air and thus being ignited. Upon impacting the tube sheet, the gas stream is redirected along the sheet, reducing its speed and mixing the gas with surrounding air. A combustible blanket is thus established about the tube joints which is ignited to produce controlled heating thereof.

Abstract: A heat processing system in which a product is efficiently conveyed through a high temperature furnace and in which the product can be stored within a section of the furnace at a temperature less than the critical temperature to which product exposure must be limited. The furnace includes multiple sections each of a respective operating temperature, one of the sections being of high temperature to which a product can be exposed for only a limited time. A supply of product carriers is contained within the furnace onto which a product is supplied for transport forwardly through the furnace for unloading at an opposite end thereof, the carriers being returned rearwardly through the furnace back to a loading area. During an emergency mode of operation, loading of the product is discontinued and the product already within the furnace is transferred from the critical heat section to an adjacent section for storage at a lower temperature less than the high critical temperature.

Abstract: A metal preheating apparatus has a box-like structure including, a bottom, a top wall, a pair of sidewalls, and a pair of end walls forming an enclosed receptacle. Fluid channels are defined between the outer surfaces of a pair of inner walls spaced inwardly from the sidewalls and the inner surfaces of the sidewalls. The upper and lower edges of the inner walls terminate short of the top wall and short of the bottom to place the upper portion of the receptacle in fluid communication through the fluid channel with the lower portion of the receptacle. A horizontally, oriented, load supporting grate member is positioned intermediate these apertures and extends longitudinally between the end walls and transversely between the inner walls. The bottom of the structure is open. The top wall of the structure contains an upper door for charging scrap metal into the upper portion of the receptacle so that the scrap metal is supported by the grate member.

Abstract: A process for the firing and sintering of granular material in a gas or oil heated shaft furnace is disclosed in which the material, fed from the top of the furnace passes downwards successively through an entry zone, a preheating zone, a firing zone in which burners are disposed around the furnace wall, and a cooling zone, and in which the feeding of the material at the top of the furnace is so effected that a central depression is maintained in the upper surface of the material in the entry zone, said surface sloping downwardly from the periphery of the entry zone into the central depression, so that segregation of the material occurs automatically, the coarser pieces of material rolling into the central depression, whereby a column of the coarser material is maintained along the vertical axis of the furnace.

Abstract: A furnace for preparing test specimens, such as specimens of ceramic materials, is provided, such furnace including a furnace chamber having a heating zone; heating means for heating the heating zone; first specimen support means disposed in the heating zone supporting at least two test specimens to be subjected to heat treatment; heat sensing means disposed in the heating zone for sensing the degree of heat treatment of at least one of said test specimens; specimen outlet conveyor means for removing from the heating zone at least one test specimen subjected to a predetermined heat treatment; and specimen inlet conveyor means for feeding control or blank specimens into the heating zone to maintain constant the total number (total mass) of specimens subjected to heat treatment in the heating zone.

Abstract: A method for avoiding irregularities in the surface of heavy steel sheet when heating or heat-treating such sheet by exposing both flat sides thereof to heat in a furnace. The sheet is transported endwise in the furnace in a substantially horizontal direction in a plane inclined with respect to the vertical and transverse to the furnace by a sheet supporting device comprising a roller path engaging one flat side of the sheet to sustain only part of the weight of the sheet and a further supporting means engaging the lower edge of the sheet. The angle of inclination of the steel sheet is selected so that the pressure exerted by the sheet perpendicularly against the rollers of the roller path is at most equal to the pressure that would be exerted by a 12 to 15 mm thick steel sheet via one flat side thereof against a similar, although horizontally arranged roller path, thereby avoiding the agglomeration of scale on said one flat side of the inclined sheet and the rollers of the roller path.

Abstract: A method of baking aluminum reduction cell cathode blocks to achieve increased heating rates.

Abstract: Apparatus for incrementally moving a planar frame, such as a die support frame used in the manufacture of semiconductor components. The apparatus includes means for mounting a frame for movement in a vertical plane past a heater element, whereby portions of the frame can be successively heated by the heater element to permit bonding of die to leads terminating at the upper margin of the frame. The frame is incrementally moved by one or more horizontally reciprocal pawls, each pawl being receivable within an opening in the frame during a feed stroke of the pawl and being cammed out of such opening during a return stroke thereof. A first clamp releasably clamps the frame to the heater element during a die bonding operation and moves away from the heater element at the end of the return stroke and during the feed stroke.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for warming thermoplastic articles such as eyeglass frames quickly up to the softening temperature of the thermoplastic, but not exceeding the temperature at which degradation of the thermoplastic would take place by means of temperature controlled infrared radiators and also preferably using a body of heated air to blanket the thermoplastic article from ambient air.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for feeding polymeric material to processing and mixing equipment is disclosed which includes a hopper located radially from the axis of rotation of the processing equipment in the direction of rotation and with walls that are inclined at angles which direct the feed material toward the direction of rotation. In addition, a passage is provided within the apparatus for venting gases. The rate of egress of feed material from the hopper to the processing equipment is controlled in response to the need of the processing equipment.The disclosed apparatus includes a casing, a hopper inclined in the direction of rotation of the processing equipment, a control means acting as a gate for the introduction of new material and forming a passage in conjunction with the casing to provide a space for the escape and removal of volatile material from the processing equipment.The control means may be moved about a pivot in such a manner as to encourage the feed material into the processing equipment.