Abstract: A method of manufacturing a stabilized fiber bundle is described, which includes subjecting an acrylic fiber bundle aligned, to a heat treatment in an oxidizing atmosphere, with the acrylic fiber bundle being turned around by a guide roller placed on each of both ends outside a hot air heating-type oxidation oven, wherein an air velocity Vm of first hot air sent through a supply nozzle(s) disposed above and/or under a fiber bundle travelled in the oxidation oven, in a substantially horizontal direction to a travelling direction of the fiber bundle, and an air velocity Vf of second hot air flowing in a fiber bundle passing a flow channel in which the fiber bundle is travelled that satisfies expression 1) 0.2?Vf/Vm?2.0??1) to produce a high-quality stabilized fiber bundle and a high-quality carbon fiber bundle at high efficiencies without any process troubles.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for the thermal or thermo-chemical treatment, more particularly calcination, of material (12), more particularly battery cathode material (14), comprising a housing (16), in which a process space (20) is located. The material (12), or carrying structures (40) loaded with the material (12), can be conveyed in a conveying direction (30) into or through the process space (20) by means of a conveying system (28). A process space atmosphere (50) prevailing in the process space (20) can be heated by means of a heating system (48). There is a process gas system (64), by means of which a process gas (66) can be fed to the process space (20), said process gas being required for the thermal treatment of the material (12).

Abstract: Embodiments may relate to a method of forming a microelectronic package with an integrated heat spreader (IHS). The method may include placing a solder thermal interface material (STIM) layer on a face of a die that is coupled with a package substrate; coupling the IHS with the STIM layer and the package substrate such that the STIM is between the IHS and the die; performing formic acid fluxing of the IHS, STIM layer, and die; and dispensing, subsequent to the formic acid fluxing, sealant on the package substrate around a periphery of the IHS.

Abstract: The biosafety cabinet has a frame, which defines an enclosed work area and a front access opening, and a work surface along the bottom of the work area. One or more intake openings are positioned along the front access opening adjacent the work surface, a recirculation duct is in fluid flow communication with the intake holes, a supply filter is in fluid flow communication with the recirculation duct, and a supply blower is positioned upstream from the supply filter in fluid flow communication with the recirculation duct. One or more exhaust openings extend along the work surface, wherein at least one exhaust opening is positioned adjacent the front access opening rearward of the intake holes. The exhaust openings are in fluid flow communication with an exhaust duct, an exhaust filter, and an integral exhaust blower.

Abstract: The current invention discloses a novel spray booth containing a plurality of spacers disposed on the walls or ceiling, and a plurality of fans attached to the spacers. A spacer allows a fan to be disposed at an angle and at a certain distance away from the wall or ceiling, allowing sufficient airflow for spraying or curing an object within the housing. Having fans emit airflow toward both the top and the sides of an object allows optimal coating and heating of the object. A ceiling fan may also be disposed within a plenum in the ceiling of the spray booth.

Abstract: An oven assembly for baking coatings applied to an object includes a housing with a header receiving pressurized air from a ventilator disposed outside the oven. A heater provides heat to the pressurized air received from the ventilator raising the temperature of the pressurized air to between about two and four times curing temperature in Fahrenheit degrees of the coatings applied to the object. The header extends from the heater into the housing. The header has nozzles disposed at spaced locations directing pressurized air at the temperature being between about two and four times the curing temperature in Fahrenheit degrees of the coating applied to the object toward predetermined locations on the object.

Abstract: Provided is an oven that includes an oven chamber through which a product passes to be treated. An oven wall defines apertures through which the product passes to repeatedly enter and exit the oven chamber during treatment. A vestibule chamber is disposed adjacent to the oven wall and encloses a return air duct that draws in ambient air entering the vestibule chamber and the process gas entering the vestibule chamber from the oven chamber through at least one of the apertures in the oven wall. A nozzle is provided externally of the vestibule chamber and oven chamber in fluid communication with the return air duct. The nozzle receives gas drawn in by the return air duct and directs the combination generally toward at least one aperture formed in the vestibule chamber through which ambient air can enter the vestibule chamber to form an air curtain adjacent to the at least one aperture.

Abstract: A superheated steam generator includes an introduction section for introducing saturated steam into hollow pipe members arranged as steam flow passages and acting as inductively heated elements, and a discharge section for discharging superheated steam from the flow passages, wherein a turbulence generator is disposed in each of the steam flow passages to accelerate heat transfer to the steam in the pipe members, wherein the turbulence generator is a zigzag bent member disposed in the steam flow passage, and a zigzag bending pitch of the bent member changes from rough to minute from the introduction section to the discharge section.

Abstract: A furnace of controlled heating and treatment of material using infrared radiation. The furnace is capable of continuous infrared treating of material with consistent radiation being applied to the material, ease of access to the furnace for maintenance cleaning and repair, excellent control of radiant cooling of the material to be treated, and ease of maintenance of a volatile component condenser.

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.

Abstract: A gas seal protects the material inlet openings and material outlet openings of reactors for treating strands of material and strips of material. The openings are sealed by gas curtains. These curtains are generated by gas streams that leave gas outlet openings or nozzles and that are directed at an angle into the interior of the furnace. According to the invention, gas guide bodies, which extend adjacent the strands of material or strips of material substantially parallel to the surfaces of these strands of material and strips of material in the direction of the interior of the reactor, are mounted at the gas outlet openings. The gases leaving the gas outlet openings are guided in the gas guide spaces that are formed between the gas guide bodies and the strands or strips of material, in a targeted manner and under a slightly raised pressure in the direction of the interior of the reactor and thereby effect a significantly improved gas seal.

Abstract: An insulating curtain assembly for a continuous furnace, having an extremely durable woven metal-wire covering protecting a thermal insulating fabric which lacks durability. A plurality of horizontally oriented hinges enable the curtain to closely follow a top surface of products having varying thicknesses when those products are entering or exiting the furnace.

Abstract: An insulating curtain assembly for a continuous furnace, having an extremely durable woven metal-wire covering protecting a thermal insulating fabric which lacks durability. A plurality of horizontally oriented hinges enable the curtain to closely follow a top surface of products having varying thicknesses when those products are entering or exiting the furnace.

Abstract: The invention concerns a climatic cabinet, in particular, a climatic cooling cabinet, whose interior is loaded or unloaded with specimen slides, with the aid of a transporting device. The loading and unloading take place through a loading opening which can be closed with a door, which opening is adapted, in its size, to the dimensions of the specimen slides and is located in a sidewall of the climatic cabinet. The climatic cabinet also has a gas supply device, whose at least one gas exhaust opening is situated in such a way that the cross-section of the loading opening is covered by a gas curtain, in the area of the gas exhaust openings when gas is supplied.

Abstract: An apparatus for cooling thermally processed media exiting from a thermal processor comprising: a heat conductive member which has first and second opposite sides which is positioned to receive media from a thermal processor, and which removes heat from the heated media as it passes over the first side of the member; and means for removing heat from the member by passing air in contact with and past the second side of the member to remove heat from the member.

Abstract: An oxidation oven for use in the production of carbon fibers from a polyacrylonitrile precursor fiber. The oven has an oven chamber formed by sides and ends. At least one of the ends has a first opening and a second opening. The product passes through the openings for treatment in the oven chamber. The oven is also provided with a first nozzle adjacent the first opening, a second nozzle adjacent the second opening, and respective first and second diffusers adjacent the first and second openings. The diffusers cooperate with the first and second nozzles respectively to provide first and second inductors. Each nozzle is effective for discharging air from an air flow pathway into the throat of the associate diffuser to thereby induce a positive pressure inducted air flow of ambient air toward the opening to which it is adjacent.

Abstract: A gate arrangement for closure of a passageway between rooms with markedly different temperatures, such as the passageway of a freezer-room. Two door curtains are arranged parallel to one another, with each being capable of closing the passageway independently of the other. The door curtains have an abutting insulating air buffer between them, wherein at least one of the door curtains can be motor-driven at such a speed that it is suitable as a temporary high-speed closure between successive passages or transits therethrough. The two door curtains together with the insulating air buffer develop the insulation effect required to maintain the desired cooling temperature. Thus, frequent stocking of the room is possible while compromise of the climate in such rooms during stocking operations is kept to the minimum possible.

Abstract: A substantially transparent thermal barrier for use in an opening between a refrigerated area and an adjacent area having a significantly higher temperature is suspended by its upper margin from a header. The barrier is formed of a plurality of strips positioned adjacent to each other, each strip including at least two sheets of substantially transparent material fixed to each other so as to define a plurality of channels extending from the upper end to the lower end of each strip, with at least the upper ends of the channels being open. The header directs a flow of warmed and/or dried air into the upper end of the plurality of channels, the air preferably being taken from the colder of the two adjacent areas separated by the curtain. The air is warmed to a temperature about midway between the temperatures of the two areas separated by the curtain.

Abstract: A substantially transparent thermal barrier for use in an opening between a refrigerated area and an adjacent area having a significantly higher temperature is suspended by its upper margin from a header. The barrier is formed of a plurality of strips positioned adjacent to each other, each strip including at least two sheets of substantially transparent material fixed to each other so as to define a plurality of channels extending from the upper end to the lower end of each strip, with at least the upper ends of the channels being open. The header directs a flow of warmed and/or dried air into the upper end of the plurality of channels, the air preferably being taken from the colder of the two adjacent areas separated by the curtain. The air is warmed to a temperature about midway between the temperatures of the two areas separated by the curtain.

Abstract: A purge chamber for providing a controlled atmosphere for the treatment of materials comprises a housing within which materials to be treated may be passed through and subjected to a cross-flow of purging gas entering and exiting through a multiplicity of inlets and outlets positioned along the length of the housing. Exiting gas may be recycled and re-entered in combination with fresh gas. In practice, materials to be treated may be conveyed through the chamber while the atmosphere surrounding the materials is continuously exchanged. Flapper doors, spanning the width of the chamber, are positioned along the path of travel of the materials being treated to direct the cross-flow of purging gas and prevent the entry of unwanted gases.

Abstract: An oxidation oven for use in the production of carbon fibers from a polyacrylonitrile precursor fiber. The oven has an oven chamber formed by sides and ends. At least one of the ends has a first opening and a second opening. The product passes through the openings for treatment in the oven chamber. The oven is also provided with a first nozzle adjacent the first opening and a second nozzle adjacent the second opening. Each nozzle is effective for discharging air from an air flow pathway into the oven chamber and forming an air curtain at the opening to which it is adjacent. An air bar defines the air flow pathway.

Abstract: An atmosphere controlled workpiece heating chamber includes a spaced apart multiple gas flow means combination which avoids contamination of the atmosphere within the chamber from ambient atmosphere such as air. In one form, the chamber includes a gas diffuser as one flow means, and a heating means, both of which are readily removable, and easily and accurately replaceable.

Abstract: An industrial oven for heat treating a series of articles by transporting the articles through a heated tunnel in an enclosure, the enclosure having air barrier closures at the entrance and exit of the tunnel, the air barrier closure at the entrance of the tunnel having a blower with an inlet for receiving a gaseous medium and a nozzle for expelling the gaseous medium in a flow and directing the medium flow across the tunnel, the blower having a heater adapted to raise the temperature of the gaseous medium expelled through the nozzle above the temperature within the tunnel, the enclosure also having an exhaust port between the air barrier closures and an exhaust blower for removing a portion of the gaseous medium from within the tunnel and reducing the pressure of the gaseous medium within the tunnel to a pressure below that of the ambient atmosphere.

Abstract: A method and system for providing a controlled gaseous environment at the opening to a receiver and around a free liquid stream downwardly entering the receiver opening. The method comprises laminarly emitting at least two gas flows to extend and intersect over the receiver opening thereby forming an upward plume enveloping the free liquid stream.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of reflow soldering electronic components, preferably to printed circuit boards, in an inert atmosphere to reduce solder defects and the need for flux or cleaning wherein the inert atmosphere is provided from a source of inert gas through several distribution lines which parallel the conveyor belt of a reflow solder furnace and supply each end of porous sintered metal diffuser tubes situated above the conveyor belt, as well as gas knives situated in baffle compartments at the inlet and outlet of the reflow solder furnace to strip barrier layers of oxygen atmosphere from the electronic components and preclude ingress of oxygen atmosphere into the reflow solder furnace.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing a selected atmosphere at and within an opening to the interior volume of a furnace. Two or more paralleled diffusers adjacent to the furnace opening laminarly emit different fluids and provide a multilayer fluid curtain over the opening. The curtain has a composite modified Froude number from 0.05 to 10, and a thickness at emission of at least 5% of its extent in the flow direction. Partially covering the outside of the curtain is an optional, substantially flat, outer shield with an aperture coinciding with the furnace opening, which reduces the necessary flow rates of fluids. Optional side shields around the sides of the curtain also reduce the necessary fluid flow. A preferred diffuser comprises a porous tube in a housing with an outlet directed to emit fluid across the furnace opening. The outlet is covered with a screen to disperse the fluid flow and to protect the porous tube.

Abstract: A discharge opening for a reheat furnace is shielded with a pair of metal woven wire mesh curtains each secured above the discharge opening and hanging to the bottom of the opening. Each curtain preferably is formed from multiple parallel coplanar ribbons, each extending from above the discharge opening to the bottom of the discharge opening. The mesh curtains are fabricated from a sag resistant metal alloy. Embodiments are described for accommodating slots which receive discharge lifter members for removing heated metal workpieces from the furnace. A preferred mounting apparatus employs one or more fibrous thermal insulation strips above the discharge opening. A counterweight mounting apparatus urges the fibrous thermal insulating strips against the outer wall of the furnace.

Abstract: A preheater for a wave soldering machine has high volume convection heating permitting components on circuit boards to be heated to more uniform temperatures throughout the assembly and more rapidly without damage to the components, the assemblies or both. The machine comprises a conveyor for circuit assembly boards, a housing through which the conveyor passes having an entrance and an exit, and a plurality of heating zones in the housing extending along the conveyor. Dividers are provided between heating zones and apertured heating panels are disposed in each of the zones with a space behind each of the panels and a recirculating gap around each of the panels. A fan is positioned in the space behind each of the panels for recirculating gas, either air or inert gas through the panels and the recirculating gap.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing a selected atmosphere at and within an opening to the interior volume of a furnace. Two or more paralleled diffusers adjacent to the furnace opening laminarly emit different fluids and provide a multi-layer fluid curtain over the opening. The curtain has a composite modified Froude number from 0.05 to 10, and a thickness at emission of at least 5% of its extent in the flow direction. Partially covering the outside of the curtain is an optional, substantially flat, outer shield with an aperture coinciding with the furnace opening, which reduces the necessary flow rates of fluids. Optional side shields around the sides of the curtain also reduce the necessary fluid flow.A preferred diffuser comprises a porous tube in a housing with an outlet directed to emit fluid across the furnace opening. The outlet is covered with a screen to disperse the fluid flow and to protect the porous tube.

Abstract: A reactor (100) is provided which comprises an enclosure (1,2,3) which has along its longitudinal axis (4--4') a hot zone (1), a cold zone (2) and between the hot and the cold zone an intermediate zone (3) and which has at least one gas inlet tube (12,32). The reactor further comprises a heat-insulating plug (30) for being positioned in the intermediate zone (3) to prevent a gas-flow from the hot zone (1) to the cold zone (2) of the enclosure (1,2,3) and coupling means (13,102;33,36) for transmitting gas from the gas inlet tube (12;32) into the hot zone (1). The use of the heat insulating plug (30) prevents deposition of unwanted material on the walls of the cold zone (2) of the reactor.

Abstract: An infrared soldering machine has an inert gas atmosphere to prevent oxidation of the solder. Heaters positioned within the machine housing above a conveyor have through apertures and fans direct inert gas down through the heaters onto the conveyor. The forced convection assists in maintaining uniform temperature across the conveyor. In order to prevent leakage of ambient air into the housing where the fan shafts protrude for connection to electric motors, a gas seal is provided at each fan shaft. The seal extends between two spaced bearings rotatably securing the fan shaft. Each electric motor is mounted away from the heat of the machine and is connected to the respective fan shaft by means of a belt drive. A novel gas curtain, which may be clamped at different angles, improves the gas seal at entry and exit locations of the conveyor.

Abstract: A tunnel enclosure has a fluid barrier curtain at an entry and an exit and provides an apparatus for soldering an element. The fluid barrier curtains permit an additive, such as a soldering aid or the like to be included with the fluid at the curtain. More than one zone permits different temperatures or gas atmospheres and elements are passed from zone to zone with fluid barrier curtains between. A process for soldering comprises conveying an element into an enclosed zone through an entry containing at least one fluid barrier curtain, with an additive added to fluid in the curtain, heating and soldering the element in the zone, and conveying the element from the enclosed zone through an exit containing at least one fluid barrier curtain.

Abstract: An air curtain conveyor protection system that prevents airborne particles from entering a slot through which the product support members extend from the conveyor mechanism housing into the product treatment booth. A continuous stream or curtain of high velocity air flows across the slot in the conveyor housing, exiting from an outlet or supply nozzle formed by a plenum on one side of the slot and entering into a suction nozzle formed on the opposite side of the slot by a second plenum. A fan or blower is associated with each plenum to force ambient air through the supply nozzle and to draw air through the suction nozzle. Ambient air flowing between the nozzles forms an air curtain across the slot to prevent ingress of the deleterious atmosphere in the product treatment booth into the conveyor housing.

Abstract: A scrap loader for a molten metal furnace. A loader housing, to be positioned beside a molten metal furance, includes a chamber having an inlet portion for receiving metal scrap and an outlet port through which the metal scrap is to be fed into the furnace. Metal is fed to the chamber along a path. A ram assembly in the housing comprises a leg unit pivoted with respect to the housing, a ram fixed on the leg unit and pivotable therewith along a wall of the chamber past the inlet port and toward the outlet port, and a device actuable for pivotally advancing and retracting the ram along the chamber wall and therewith for driving metal scrap along the wall and through the outlet port into the furnace.

Abstract: A fluid barrier curtain at an aperture in a wall within a duct, as at the entrance to a furnace, is disclosed that maintains separation of fluids on opposite sides of said barrier curtain while permitting passage of objects therethrough. The barrier curtain comprises aperture zone defining means, means for shaping a fluid flow into a laminar sheet pattern and forcing said fluid across said aperture zone, receiving means having thin-edged vanes located opposite said fluid flow shaping means for receiving the resulting flow, so as to remain laminar, and a fluid supply to said fluid flow shaping means.

Abstract: A brazing oven includes an arrangement employing a gas curtain or barrier to cover the port or opening of the oven whenever the door is opened. The curtain or barrier is formed by a region of flowing conditioned air directed across the opening. The flowing air curtain or barrier prevents gas from exiting the oven interior when the door is opened, and it also serves to replace or replenish any conditioned air which happens to escape from the oven interior. The air curtain or barrier is generated by a ported manifold and supply located either on the oven housing exterior adjacent the opening or inside the oven housing adjacent the opening.

Abstract: An apparatus for contactless sealing of an opening against emerging or entering gas employs at least one barrier gas jet which is divided in the vicinity of its longitudinal axis. In the two sub-jets adjoining the dividing plane two different gases flow out, the concentration of the two gases changes abruptly at said dividing and separating plane so that a very reliable sealing is achieved.

Abstract: A rectangular cross-section housing is provided for an apparatus generating hot gas to shrink a plastic film. A burner is located close to the upper small end of this housing while an outlet nozzle is provided at the lower small end and the gas flows at an obtuse angle from the burner to the outlet. The burner is flanked by lamellae and a venturi action draws cool air between the lamellae and the burner, additional cool air passing between the lamellae and the vertical housing walls. Cold-air nozzles are provided within the housing as well.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing the amount of an external fluid which travels through an opening into an enclosed area. Also, a method and apparatus for protecting a surface area or plane from contact with or intermixing with an external fluid. The method, in general, comprises causing a fluid to flow, in laminar form, in proximity to or directly across an opening, a surface or an area plane to be protected. The depth or thickness of the flowing laminar fluid layer at its source of origin is at least about 0.05 times the distance across the opening, surface area or plane to be protected, in the principal direction of flow of the fluid at its source of origin. The width of fluid flow at its source of origin and transverse the direction of fluid flow is at least about as great as the maximum width of the opening, surface or area plane to be protected, transverse the direction of fluid flow. The Force Number of the fluid must range between about 0.

Abstract: A low velocity oven seal for use with an elongated oven complex of the type in which articles to be processed are moved longitudinally through the oven. The seal includes an air seal compartment adapted to be aligned with the entry end of the oven complex to form a prefix to the oven complex. In one form of the invention, a blower assembly is mounted on the roof of the air seal compartment adjacent the exit end of the comparment and functions to withdrawn air from the upper region of the air seal compartment adjacent the exit end thereof for delivery to a pair of plenum chambers disposed at either side of the air seal compartment. The air delivered to the plenum chamber is introduced into the lower region of the air seal compartment generally below the path of the articles being processed within the oven complex and this air in turn moves upwardly and toward the exit of the air seal compartment where it is received by the inlet to the blower assembly to complete the air cycle.

Abstract: A muffle furnace burnout section includes dual parallel spargers each having parallel first and second sparger sections. The region between the first and second sparger sections includes a thermal and gas barrier transition section secured to the spargers. The transition section is removable from the muffle with the sparger assembly as an integral unit. The transition section is adjustable and mates with a transition barrier plate secured within the muffle at the transition region.

Abstract: The process comprises creating a screen of non-reactive or inert gas at least at one of the two ends of the heat treating zone or cooling zone of a furnace, the screen being substantially homogeneous and laminar throughout its height. The use of this process permits, on the one hand, a reduction in the flows of gas necessary for the heat treating and, on the other hand, the division of the heat treating furnace into precise zones. The invention is particularly applicable to heat treating furnaces.

Abstract: A fluid barrier curtain at an aperture in a wall within a duct, as at the entrance to a furnace, is disclosed that maintains separation of fluids on opposite sides of said barrier curtain while permitting passage of objects therethrough. The barrier curtain comprises aperture zone defining means, means for shaping a fluid flow into a laminar sheet pattern and forcing said fluid across said aperture zone, receiving means having thin-edged vanes located opposite said fluid flow shaping means for receiving the resulting flow, so as to remain laminar, and a fluid supply to said fluid flow shaping means.

Abstract: Apparatus for heating a plastic pipe 18 or the like comprises a body portion having inner and outer parts 1,2 defining therebetween an annular cavity 3 which receives the end of the pipe. In use of the apparatus, hot fluid is pumped through the cavity 3 via flow passages 7-11 whereby to heat the pipe 18 sufficiently e.g. for moulding purposes. The fluid is prevented from escaping from the open end of the cavity 3 by means of compressed air supplied via ports 15.

Abstract: The volume of atmosphere needed to inhibit the ingress of ambient oxygen into the furnace chamber (3) of a continuous heat treatment furnace (1) can be reduced by introducing a gas containing free oxygen (e.g. air) into the entrance section (2) and/or exit section (4) adjacent the roof thereof. Thus a relatively inexpensive gas may often be used in combination with an expensive atmosphere thereby significantly reducing overall process cost. Continuous heat treatment furnaces can readily be converted to perform the method by simply inserting adjacent the roof of the entrance and/or exit section a tube (3) having a slot and/or a plurality of downwardly facing holes (9) and connecting the tube to a supply of the requisite gas. The invention is applicable to both double open ended furnaces and continuous furnaces in which the exit section is filled with a liquid, e.g. oil or molten salt. In these latter cases the gas is introduced in the entrance section (2).

Abstract: An infrared furnace has a housing with insulated walls defining an elongated straight tunnel disposed on a longitudinal axis between an entrance and an exit. A conveyor continuously moves through the tunnel along the longitudinal axis between the entrance and the exit. A first plurality of elongated tubular infrared heating elements are disposed in the tunnel above the conveyor in spaced apart parallel relationship transverse to the longitudinal axis. A second plurality of tubular elongated infrared heating elements are disposed in the tunnel below the conveyor in spaced apart parallel relationship transverse to the longitudinal axis. The housing has insulated walls each comprising a porous insulative inner panel and a non-porous outer panel. At least one of the outer panels is spaced from its associated inner panel to form a plenum chamber therebetween. The insulated walls define an elongated tunnel in which a source of infrared radiation is disposed.

Abstract: An infrared furnace has a firing chamber in which a source of infrared energy is disposed and an elongated envelope transparent to the infrared energy extending through the firing chamber. The envelope has first and second open ends outside the firing chamber. First and second baffle chambers surround the respective first and second ends of the envelope. A product conveyor travels through the furnace via the baffle chambers and the envelope. Gas flow is prevented from the exterior of the furnace into the baffle chambers and from the firing chamber into the baffle chambers. Non-atmospheric gas is supplied to the baffle chambers so as to create therein a superatmospheric pressure which prevents gas flow into the baffle chambers from the exterior of the furnace. The non-atmospheric gas is exhausted from one of the baffle chambers, thereby inducing flow of the non-atmospheric gas from the other baffle chamber through the envelope.

Abstract: A discharge door assembly for a reheat pusher furnace having a drop out slope includes a refractory lined main frame, a hood extending out from the main frame, a fluid plenum extending substantially the length of the door beneath the hood and a plurality of fluid jets spaced along and extending from the plenum to direct a stream of fluid such as air parallel or convergent with the drop out slope.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for substantially reducing the backmixing or backflow of gases into metal heat treating furnaces by the use of a particular gas jet and a defined flow rate.

Abstract: A solids-gas contact vessel, having two vertically disposed distinct reaction zones, includes a dynamic seal passing solids from an upper to a lower zone and maintaining a gas seal against the transfer of the separate treating gases from one zone to the other, and including a stream of sealing fluid at the seal.