In order to achieve an increase in energy efficiency and a faster quenching of the workpieces, a device according to the invention is proposed for the treatment of metallic workpieces with cooling gas, comprising a horizontally arranged cylindrical housing (1) with at least one closable opening for the introduction and extraction of the workpieces to be treated, with a quenching chamber (2) located inside the housing (1) for receiving the workpieces to be treated, with two high-performance fans (5 and 6) arranged laterally and outside the quenching chamber (2) for guiding a cooling gas through the quenching chamber (2) and with two heat exchangers (11 and 12) for cooling the cooling gas, that heat exchanger (11 or 12) is respectively associated with a high-performance fan (5 or 6) and that closable guide devices (17 or 18) are arranged above and below the quenching chamber (2).
C21D 1/767 - Methods of treatment in inert gas, controlled atmosphere, vacuum or pulverulent material with forced gas circulationReheating thereof
C21D 1/613 - GasesLiquefied or solidified normally gaseous material
2.
Process gas preparation apparatus for an industrial furnace system and an industrial furnace system for gas carburizing and hardening of metal workpieces utilizing same
A process gas preparation device for an industrial furnace system is disclosed. The gas preparation device includes a preparation reactor having a catalyst. A gas feed line and a gas return line are connected between the industrial furnace and the preparation reactor to form a closed loop. A compressor is situated upstream from the preparation reactor in the feed line. The preparation reactor is also connected with supply lines for hydrocarbon gas and air to be supplied to the preparation reactor. The process gas preparation device also includes a control device with which process gas preparation and return can be regulated and controlled. The gas feed line also has a shut-off valve. The control device can check the functional state of the catalyst by measuring the pressure differential across the catalyst and can initiate a burn-out process therein to clear clogging of the catalyst.
09 - Scientific and electric apparatus and instruments
Goods & Services
Computer hardware and software system for monitoring physical and operational conditions of industrial heat treating equipment, analyzing data representing the physical and operational conditions, and providing notification when a condition requiring maintenance of the industrial heat treating equipment is predicted by the computer software.
09 - Scientific and electric apparatus and instruments
Goods & Services
computer hardware and software system for monitoring physical and operational conditions of industrial heat treating equipment, analyzing data representing the physical and operational conditions, and providing notification when a condition requiring maintenance of the industrial heat treating equipment is predicted by the computer software
5.
Center heating element for a vacuum heat treating furnace
A vacuum heat treating furnace for the heat treatment of metal parts includes a pressure vessel and a hot zone enclosure that defines a hot zone therein. A heating element array inside the hot zone enclosure includes a first heating element, a second heating element, and a center heating element. The first and second heating elements are suspended on opposing sides of the hot zone enclosure. The center heating element is suspended vertically from the hot zone enclosure between the first and second heating elements. The center heating element is adapted to be connected to the first and second heating elements to form a continuous circuit therewith. The center heating element may be connected to the first and second heating elements with removable/reusable fasteners to provide for reconfiguration of the hot zone to accommodate different size workloads.
An industrial furnace (1) into which protective gas is admitted for the heat treatment of batches (5) of metal workpieces is described. The heat treating furnace includes an entrance lock (2) which can be sealed with respect to the surrounding environment by means of a first gas-tight closure device (2.2.1). The heat treating furnace also includes a third gas-tight closure device (3.1) disposed between a heat treatment chamber (3) of the furnace and a quenching facility (4) at the exit of the heat treatment chamber. With the foregoing arrangement a pressure of the protective gas admitted into the heat treatment chamber (3) can be maintained during loading and unloading of a batch of metal workpieces (5). The entrance lock may be configured as a dual-chamber vertical arrangement or as a single chamber horizontal arrangement.
F27D 3/00 - ChargingDischargingManipulation of charge
F27B 9/04 - Furnaces through which the charge is moved mechanically, e.g. of tunnel type Similar furnaces in which the charge moves by gravity adapted for treating the charge in vacuum or special atmosphere
F27B 9/16 - Furnaces through which the charge is moved mechanically, e.g. of tunnel type Similar furnaces in which the charge moves by gravity characterised by the path of the charge during treatmentFurnaces through which the charge is moved mechanically, e.g. of tunnel type Similar furnaces in which the charge moves by gravity characterised by the means by which the charge is moved during treatment the charge moving in a circular or arcuate path
F27B 9/22 - Furnaces through which the charge is moved mechanically, e.g. of tunnel type Similar furnaces in which the charge moves by gravity characterised by the path of the charge during treatmentFurnaces through which the charge is moved mechanically, e.g. of tunnel type Similar furnaces in which the charge moves by gravity characterised by the means by which the charge is moved during treatment the charge moving in a substantially straight path under the action of scrapers or pushers
F27B 17/00 - Furnaces of a kind not covered by any of groups
F27D 7/06 - Forming or maintaining special atmospheres or vacuum within heating chambers
A process and apparatus for quenching a metal workload from an elevated heat treating temperature are disclosed. The process includes the step of flowing a vegetable oil quenchant over the metal workload to provide a cooling rate sufficient to transform the metal substantially completely to a desired second phase comprising martensite, bainite, pearlite, or a combination thereof within a preselected time period. The apparatus includes a quenching chamber that has a base, an upper housing, a door, and an associated actuator for opening and closing the quenching chamber. The apparatus also includes a vessel for holding a volume of a vegetable oil quenchant, means for conducting the vegetable oil quenchant from the vessel to the quenching chamber, and means disposed in the quenching chamber for flowing the vegetable oil quenchant over a metal workload disposed in the quenching chamber.
A lifting apparatus for a vertical vacuum furnace is disclosed. The apparatus includes first and second support modules arranged in spaced parallel alignment and first and second reversible lifting mechanisms mounted on respective ones of the first and second support modules. The apparatus also includes first and second motive means coupled to the first and second reversible lifting mechanisms for driving the reversible lifting mechanisms. First and second trolleys are operatively connected to the first and second reversible lifting mechanisms and adapted for engaging with a payload. The apparatus further includes a control system connected to the first and second motive means for controlling the operation of the first and second reversible lifting mechanisms whereby the first and second trolleys can be raised or lowered. A vertical vacuum furnace assembly including the lifting apparatus is also disclosed as well as a support module and a bottom head assembly for the lifting apparatus.
A load transport mechanism for moving a heat treating load in a multi-station heat treating system is disclosed. The transport mechanism has a compact construction that allows it to fit in a centrally located stationary transport chamber. The transport chamber is adapted to provide ready access to multiple treating chambers arrayed around the chamber. The transport mechanism includes a load translation mechanism for moving the load linearly and a load rotation mechanism for rotating the load within the transport chamber. A multi-station heat treating system having a centrally located quenching chamber that includes the load transport mechanism is also disclosed.
In a device for preparing process gases (3) for heat treatments of metallic materials/workpieces, the respective process gas (3) is to be fed into at least one treatment chamber (1.1) in an industrial furnace (1) having been practically fully prepared, homogenised and heated, and the method is to be carried out both with newly built and particularly with already existing installations of industrial furnaces (1) with the aid of the device, wherein the process gas (3) is prepared with compression at temperatures uncoupled from the temperature in the treatment chamber (1.1), in a process separate from the heat treatment process in the treatment chamber (1.1), and in a temperature range up to about 1250° C., and is rendered usable for economical and low-emission heat treatment (FIG. 3).
In order to increase energy efficiency in an industrial furnace (1) operated by heating gas and protective gas for thermally treating materials, a first burner (3.1) is actuated for heating with priority over a second burner (3.2), the second burner (3.2) is engaged additionally and operated when the output from the first burner (3.1) falls below the level necessary to heat the industrial furnace (1) up to a temperature setpoint, and the second burner (3.2) is switched off when the temperature setpoint has been reached.
F27B 3/22 - Arrangements of air or gas supply devices
F27B 3/04 - Hearth-type furnaces, e.g. of reverberatory typeElectric arc furnaces of multiple-hearth typeHearth-type furnaces, e.g. of reverberatory typeElectric arc furnaces of multiple-chamber typeCombinations of hearth-type furnaces
F27B 9/04 - Furnaces through which the charge is moved mechanically, e.g. of tunnel type Similar furnaces in which the charge moves by gravity adapted for treating the charge in vacuum or special atmosphere
F27D 17/00 - Arrangements for using waste heatArrangements for using, or disposing of, waste gases
C21D 1/74 - Methods of treatment in inert gas, controlled atmosphere, vacuum or pulverulent material
F27D 7/00 - Forming, maintaining or circulating atmospheres in heating chambers
12.
Quenching process and apparatus for practicing said process
A process for quenching heat treated metal parts using a liquid quenchant and high pressure is disclosed. In general, the process includes the steps of providing a load of heat treated metal parts in a pressure vessel wherein the load is at an elevated temperature after being heat treated. In a subsequent step, a liquid quenchant is injected into the pressure vessel such that a vapor of the liquid quenchant forms rapidly in the pressure vessel and cools the metal parts. The step of injecting the liquid quenchant into the pressure vessel is continued for a time sufficient to establish a desired peak vapor pressure in the pressure vessel. An apparatus for carrying out the disclosed process is also described.
For regulating process gases for heat treatments of metal materials/workpieces in industrial furnaces (1), which have at least one treatment chamber (2), at least one burnoff point (4) having at least one first valve (4.1), and a regulator (5) having pressure meter (5.1), the burnoff point (4) is only to be opened as a function of requirements related to the process gas. For this purpose, in a first step, with open first valve (4.1), a quantity of a flushing gas (6.1) of the gas mixture (6) of the respective process gas is supplied in a controlled manner to the industrial furnace (1) and then burned off, in a second step, the valve (4.1) is closed, the industrial furnace (1) is regulated to a preset furnace pressure and this is permanently detected via the pressure meter (5.1), in a third step, with the target pressure of the industrial furnace achieved, this pressure is detected via the pressure meter (5.1) and maintained, the first valve (4.1) further remaining closed. In a fourth step, the flushing gasification can be activated and adjusted. In the event of large pressure rise, in a fifth step, an overpressure flap (4.3) of the burnoff point (4) can be opened in a controlled manner via a fixed limiting value for pressure dissipation.
A furnace (1), which, for the heat treatment of metal workpieces, has a tubular metal retort (3) and a furnace housing (2) enclosing the retort (3), the retort (3) comprising a gastight closable treatment or batch space (10), which receives the protective and reactive gases, for the heat treatment of the workpieces and a receptacle framework (8) as a batch receptacle for the positioning thereof, the weight of the batch and the receptacle framework (8) is decoupled from the retort (3), the receptacle framework (8) is connected to means (5) for support on the furnace housing (2), and the means (5) are guided gastight in passages (6) of a wall (2.1) of the furnace housing (2) and a wall (3.1) of the retort (3).
A hot zone enclosure for a heat treating furnace, preferably a vacuum heat treating furnace, is disclosed. The hot zone enclosure includes a support frame constructed and arranged for surrounding a workload placed in the heat treating furnace. A plurality of louvers are mounted around the periphery of said support frame. The louvers are constructed and arranged to move from a closed position to an open position. The hot zone enclosure also includes an operating mechanism connected to the louvers for moving the louvers between the closed position and the open position. Motive means is operatively connected to the operating mechanism for moving the operating mechanism to effect opening or closing of the louvers.
In a method and with a device for preparing process gases (3) for heat treatments of metallic materials/workpieces, the respective process gas (3) is to be fed into at least one treatment chamber (1.1) in an industrial furnace (1) having been practically fully prepared, homogenised and heated, and the method is to be carried out both with newly built and particularly with already existing installations of industrial furnaces (1) with the aid of the device, wherein the process gas (3) is prepared with compression at temperatures uncoupled from the temperature in the treatment chamber (1.1), in a process separate from the heat treatment process in the treatment chamber (1.1), and in a temperature range up to about 1250° C., and is rendered usable for economical and low-emission heat treatment (FIG. 3).
An apparatus for sealing a fan drive shaft in a vacuum heat treating furnace is disclosed. The sealing apparatus includes a housing having an annular body and a central opening. An inflatable first seal surrounds the central opening of the annular body. A second seal surrounds the central opening and is adjacent to the inflatable first seal. The sealing apparatus also includes a channel formed in the annular body adjacent to the second seal for conducting a purging fluid into the central opening. A means for injecting the purging fluid into the central opening is operably connected to the channel. A vacuum heat treating furnace and a fan drive system incorporating the sealing apparatus are also described.
F27D 7/04 - Circulating atmospheres by mechanical means
F27D 7/06 - Forming or maintaining special atmospheres or vacuum within heating chambers
F27B 5/04 - Muffle furnacesRetort furnacesOther furnaces in which the charge is held completely isolated adapted for treating the charge in vacuum or special atmosphere
A furnace loading system for use with a heat treating furnace is disclosed. The furnace loading system includes a platform and a support structure mounted on the platform. First and second transport rails are mounted on the support structure. The furnace loading system also includes a transfer cart that is adapted for supporting a work load and for moving along the transport rails. A lift mechanism is operatively mounted on the transfer cart for vertically displacing a work load supported on the transfer cart. The furnace loading system also includes a drive mechanism mounted on the support structure and operatively connected to the transfer cart for displacing the cart along the rails. A traction device is operatively connected to the platform for moving the furnace loading system relative to a heat treating furnace.
40 - Treatment of materials; recycling, air and water treatment,
37 - Construction and mining; installation and repair services
Goods & Services
[washing machines for removing surface oils from industrial machinery parts; water and vacuum-based washing machines for cleaning industrial machine parts; furnace accessories, namely, power operated washers, loaders, unloaders, roller conveyors, automated material handlers] vacuum, atmosphere and batch furnaces for industrial use; aluminum plating system composed of an evaporation source, vacuum chamber, pump, power supply and racks for use therewith, sold as a unit [retrofitting and upgrading heat treating machinery to the order and specification of others] [maintenance and repair services in the field of industrial heat treating machinery]
