Abstract: A normal pH sensitive glass electrode is deactivated by exposure to thermal treatments at relatively high temperatures of approximately 190.degree. C. for predetermined periods of time until the nominal electrode sensitivity is reduced to very low levels such that the output potentials of such deactivated glass electrode approach the characteristics desired for a theoretically perfect reference electrode.Additionally, a method of forming a deactivated pH glass electrode including the steps of exposing a normal pH or other ion sensitive glass electrode to high temperatures in the order of 190.degree. C. or higher for predetermined periods of time is disclosed.

Abstract: A low load burning burner comprising inner air flow nozzles, outer air flow nozzles and a fuel gas nozzle, and further having a motive air supply means, which is operated at the low load burning of a heating furnace, can maintain the furnace temperature uniform, and can heat materials arranged in the width direction of the furnace to a uniform temperature along the width direction of the furnace.

Abstract: A tunnel dryer and method for drying unfired bricks or similar objects in which the tunnel comprises exhaust means for exhausting heated gases within the tunnel, partition means disposed in the drying space of the tunnel consisting of at least one vertically adjustable partition positioned upstream of the exhaust means, and means for positioning the vertically adjustable partition at an intermediate level within the drying space of the tunnel to define an effective drying zone for the unfired bricks.

Abstract: Method for calcining carbonaceous blocks into carbonaceous bodies, in which either a continuous or intermittent operation furnace is used. After placing carbonaceous blocks to be calcined onto the loading platform of a cart, a containment structure or enclosure structure is formed around the carbonaceous blocks including a barrier, which is held away from and is adapted to completely enclose the carbonaceous blocks, with the optional exception of barrier formed on the surface of the loading platform on which the carbonaceous blocks rest. The barrier being effective to prevent seepage of air or gases therethrough during calcination.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for improved preheating and/or curing of the channel of an induction furnace wherein an elongated burner tube is provided with a combustion zone adjacent its forwardmost end and an air inlet is provided adjacent its opposite end outside of the furnace to provide high velocity and high volume air flow to cool the burner tube extending within the furnace and support combustion within the burner combustion zone.

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 for distributing, drying and heating a selected mix and weight of metals prior to melting in a furnace, including the steps of placing weights of selected metals in a feeder car according to a predetermined distribution, locating the feeder car beneath the hood of a heater, closing the hood over the car, heating the enclosed metal and transferring the preheated metal from the car to a charge bucket for a furnace. An apparatus is disclosed which includes a feeder car movable between a loading station and a heating and dumping station. A weigh hopper is used for measuring and distributing the selected weights and mix of metals which are then loaded in the feeder car. A hood is adapted to close over the feeder car and seal thereto after which a heater is provided to inject heat through the hood into the enclosed car. A vibratory conveyor is provided which moves the preheated metals from the feeder car into a charge bucket for a furnace.

Abstract: A method of polishing the surface of a glass article consists in exposing the surface of the said article to a flame produced by oxygen and by a fuel. In order to obtain a perfect surface quality, whatever the thickness and configuration of the article processed, while preventing any premature collapse of the article in question, use is made of a flame such that the thermal energy originating from the transfer of heat by convection exceeds the thermal energy originating from the transfer of heat by radiation, and preferably of a flame of the oxygen-hydrogen type.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for thermally conditioning an essentially tubular parison of polyethylene terephthalate material to a desired orientation temperature at which the polyethylene terephthalate material can be biaxially stretched. The method comprises the steps of heating the parison by applying heat to the exterior surface thereof until the surface reaches a maximum heating temperature less than the temperature at which the polyethylene terephthalate material begins to crystalize and then cooling the heated exterior surface of the parison to remove the heat therefrom while the heat within the wall of the parison diffuses therethrough to raise the temperature of the opposing interior surface toward the desired orientation temperature.

Abstract: In a furnace charge preheater, especially one for scrap metal, in the form of a bucket whose bottom contains at least two outswinging half-shells, the bucket bottom when in the closed state is formed of a central part and at least one ring while the inner margin of the ring overlaps the margin of the central part and the margin of the central part is situated at a distance below the inner margin of the ring thus forming an annular gap. In this manner a more uniform flow of the hot gas through the preheater is assured. Furthermore, if the annular gap between the bucket bottom and the bucket wall is sealed up, the chamber on which the charge preheater is placed when the charge is preheated, can be made smaller.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus and method for heating a vessel having a vessel bottom and at least one vessel side wall. The invention includes a furnace housing which is adapted to contain the vessel and which has a housing bottom and at least one housing side wall. A heater mechanism, located at the housing bottom and at the housing side wall, heats the vessel and is adapted to contact selected portions of the vessel bottom and vessel side wall. Thermal insulation is disposed about the housing for reducing heat loss therefrom, and an extendable temperature sensor is adapted to contact the vessel and monitor the temperature thereof.

Abstract: The circumferential wall of the godet drum is heated via air which is heated by a heating device within the chamber of the drum. Air circulation through a closed path is aided by means of fan blades which are mounted on an interior face of the drum.

Abstract: Several ladles (11-14) for receiving hot metals are preheated by applying a lid (40, 42) to the rim of each ladle and directing an open flame through the lid into the ladle. The hot exhaust gases move back through the lid and through a heat exchanger (35-38) to heat the oncoming combustion air, and the exhaust gases from the ladles being preheated are combined and directed through a lid (41) applied to a ladle at a drying station to dry the ladle.

Abstract: An article support rack (10) has at least one article support (12), such as a shelf, which is horizontally slidable in a first frame (18). A second frame (29) is mounted for vertical movement relative to the first frame (18). At least one weight (26) is supported by such second frame (29) at a certain distance above the article support (12) when the first and second frame are in a first position relative to each other. Articles (24) such as circuit boards are placed on the article support (12), and the vertical position of the first and second frames are shifted to a second position relative to each other wherein the upper surface of the circuit boards is pushed against the respective weight to lift the weight off its support such that the weight rests on the circuit boards.

Abstract: Apparatus for preheating scrap material, e.g. scrap metal, comprises heaters, such as air preheaters, scrap containers and air or gas conduits for conveying heated gas from the heaters to the scrap container(s) and back from the scrap container(s). The apparatus is characterized in that the conduit to the scrap container(s) is provided with valve means for diverting the flow of hot air or gas to the container(s), for example during replacement of container(s).

Abstract: An apparatus for removing solder bonded devices from a substrate which includes a hollow housing element having an open end with a seating portion adapted to engage the flat backside of a semiconductor device, an inlet for admitting heated gases to the interior of the housing, and an outlet for the heated gases, a baffle within the housing having an end portion recessed from the seating portion of the housing wherein the baffle directs heated gas downwardly against the backside of the device when in engagement with the seating portion of the housing, and a clamping means to secure a semiconductor device in seated relation on the seating portion.A rework method for removing a solder bonded semiconductor device from a ceramic substrate leaving only a coating of solder on the pad site sufficient to solder bond another device without the need for additional pad site preparation which includes the steps of preheating the substrate and solder bonded devices to a temperature not greater than 100.degree. C.

Abstract: Several ladles 11-14 for receiving hot metals are preheated by applying a lid 40, 42 to the rim of each ladle and directing an open flame through the lid into the ladle. The hot exhaust gases move back through the lid and through a heat exchanger 35-38 to heat the oncoming combustion air, and the exhaust gases from the ladles being preheated are combined and directed through a lid 41 applied to a ladle at a drying station to dry the ladle.

Abstract: A method for thermal treatment of horizontal wire rings with convective heat transfer by means of circulated furnace gases, characterized in that said wire rings, particularly for thermal treatment above temperatures of 650.degree. C. are acted upon in the resting state from two sides, from the top and the bottom, with a directed flow of furnace gases in order to generate a turbulent flow condition in the center of said ring. As a result of this method, it is proper to connect wire rings for uniform thermal treatment. An apparatus for carrying out the treatment is also disclosed.

Abstract: A preheating process for steel-making materials, in which the steel-making materials are preheated in a preheating furnace and transferred to a bucket in a clean state for charging them into the steel-making furnace by scattering any dust sticking to the materials by dumping them into the bucket and collecting the scattered dust.

Abstract: A quartz tube adapted for thermal processing of semiconductor substrates comprising a double-layered central tube having an external sintered crystalline quartz layer fused with a quartz layer of different quality, i.e. an internal transparent fused quartz layer. Both ends of the central tube are fused with the ends of two transparent fused quartz end tubes. The double-layered tube portion can be produced by compacting quartz particulates by means of centrifugal force within a mould and heating from the center with or without placing a fused quartz tube on its inner surface. Semiconductor substrates are processed using this quartz tube, thereby semiconductor devices having stabilized high qualities are produced at an increased yield as well as at a low cost.

Abstract: A method for preheating steel scrap by an exhaust gas from a steelmaking electric furnace, which comprises: directing, when manufacturing steel from steel scrap in an electric furnace, an exhaust gas produced in said electric furnace to an exhaust gas combustion chamber provided in the middle of a discharge duct of said exhaust gas to cause combustion of carbon monoxide contained in said exhaust gas to form a combustion exhaust gas; and selectively directing part of said combustion exhaust gas into at least one scrap preheating chamber provided in the middle of a branch duct branching off from said discharge duct to preheat steel scrap charged in said scrap preheating chamber to a prescribed temperature; said method being characterized by: feeding back all of said combustion exhaust gas after preheating said steel scrap charged in said scrap preheating chamber to said exhaust gas combustion chamber to cause combustion of an incomplete-combustion gas which is produced by the incomplete combustion of combustibl

Abstract: A ladle for receiving molten metal is heated by a direct flame, by applying a lid to the rim of the ladle and directing an air stream through a heat exchanger and through the lid to the ladle, mixing fuel with the air and igniting the mixture and directing the flame into the ladle chamber, and exhausting the gases of combustion from the ladle chamber back through the lid and heat exchanger. A heat shield is mounted adjacent the lid and is sized and shaped to telescopically receive the rim of the ladle, and a ring of air is moved between the heat shield and the rim of the ladle to an air pickup ring. The ring of air blocks the gases escaping from inside the ladle through any openings between the ladle rim and the lid, the heat shield blocks heat radiation from any such openings, and the ring of moving air cools the heat shield.

Abstract: Ceramic product is heated or cooled at its side to impart temperature gradient for causing sinter so as to in advance provide residual stress in inside, thereby to prevent thermal spalling which is generated by difference in temperature during using the ceramic product.

Abstract: Slabs can be uniformly heated by the use of a side-burner type heating furnace having flame length-variable type burners in the side walls, each burner consisting of an inner air flow nozzle, a fuel gas nozzle and an outer air flow nozzle arranged concentrically, and by adjusting the ratio of the flow rate of air passing through the inner air flow nozzle to the flow rate of air passing through the outer air flow nozzle depending upon the variation of the flow rate of fuel gas.

Abstract: Apparatus comprising a metal shell enclosing a spaced adapted to be heated, low heat retention, thermal shock resistant insulation on one substantially entire surface of the metal shell, a heater to heat the space enclosed by the metal shell, a vent for heated gases from the shell-enclosed space, a conduit and nozzle to supply atomized water into the shell-enclosed space to controllably cool the shell-enclosed space, and a vent for steam from the shell-enclosed space.A method comprising applying a low heat retention, thermal shock resistant insulation on one substantially entire surface of a metal shell enclosing a space, heating the space enclosed by the metal shell by means of hot gases with venting of the hot gases from the shell-enclosed space, supplying atomized water into the shell-enclosed heated space to controllably cool said space, and venting steam from the cooling shell-enclosed space.

Abstract: A system and method for heating thermoplastic material and forming elongated and involute thermoplastic articles from the thermoplastic material is disclosed. Means are provided for controllably heating a sheet of thermoplastic material to form preselected temperature gradients throughout the sheet of thermoplastic material. Means are further provided for planarly supporting the heated sheet of thermoplastic material allowing for transverse motion of the heated sheet of thermoplastic material at the center thereof and further allowing for controlled slippage of the heated sheet of thermoplastic material toward said center thereof relative to the planar support means. Means are also provided for transversely forming a heated sheet of thermoplastic material into the shape of an elongated or involute plastic article.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method of burning a ceramic shell mold for use in precision casting for curing the ceramic shell mold. The ceramic shell mold is positioned within a heating compartment while a mass of sand within the heating compartment is fluidized so as to submerge the ceramic shell mold thereinto. Thereafter, particles of the sand are heated to a predetermined curing temperature, which sand particles then heat the ceramic shell mold enveloped by the sand particles.

Abstract: A process for conveying thin-walled cup-shaped circular cylindrical articles on a cushion of fluid by positioning them between a plurality of longitudinally-extending members formed with opposing shape-conforming supporting surfaces and having ports therealong for discharging a pressurized fluid against the walls of the article. The magnitude of fluid discharged is controlled to effect an inward deflection of the walls of the article along its trailing open end, imparting a converging taper thereto and producing a force vector for propelling the article in the direction of intended travel along the members. The discharge of fluid from the opposed members is also controlled to produce a separating air cushion between the ends of adjacent articles, resisting impact therebetween during their conveyance along the members.

Abstract: Burners of an oven are operated to satisfy heat loads changeable between a high load and substantially smaller loads. At least under the smaller loads the burners are cyclically controlled in a cycle of time periods T-1 and T-2. During the periods T-1 the burners are steadily regulated to maintain a uniform temperature in the oven. For periods T-2 the burners are periodically controlled to admit one of two selected magnitudes of fuel flow to the oven. At least under the smallest loads the latter magnitudes are periodically controlled to be zero or close to zero.