Gravity flow discrete article gas flow isolated thermal treatment device
OwnerEverett Howard Andrusinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Small articles such as springs are heat treated as they flow downward by gravity through a straight cylindrical tube. The tube need not be cylindrical or straight and means to assist gravity may be provided. The articles are heated by hot air or other gas introduced to said tube through apertures in its walls and which flows through portions of the tube at high velocity. Hot air thus introduced is withdrawn through other apertures in the walls of the tube in a manner to prevent heat loss by exhaust of the hot air at either end of the tube or by introduction into the tube of ambient cool air at either end of the tube.
Claims8
In a device for heat treating discrete metal articles the combination of:
- a tubular member having an inlet end and an outlet end,
- said tubular member devoid of closure means at said ends,
- blower means and heater means to provide heated gas having an elevated temperature and a substantial pressure and velocity,
- a first group of apertures in the wall of said tubular member provided with duct means to introduce said heated gas into the interior of said tubular member,
- said duct means to introduce said heated gas to the interior of said tubular member comprising a first plenum chamber,
- all apertures through which said heated gas is introduced into said tubular member communicating with the interior of said first plenum chamber,
- a second group of apertures in the wall of said tubular member provided with duct means to withdraw heated gas from the interior of said tubular member to said blower means,
- said second group of apertures spaced longitudinally in said tubular member with respect to said first group of apertures,
- said duct means to withdraw heated gas from the interior of said tubular member comprising a second plenum chamber,
- all apertures through which heated gas is withdrawn from said tubular member communicating with the interior of said second plenum chamber,
- a third group of apertures in the wall of said tubular member provided with duct means to introduce said heated gas into the interior of said tubular member from said first plenum chamber,
- said third group of apertures spaced longitudinally in said tubular member with respect to said second group of apertures,
- a fourth group of apertures in the wall of said tubular member provided with duct means to withdraw heated gas from the interior of said tubular member to said blower means through said second plenum chamber,
- said fourth group of apertures spaced longitudinally in said tubular member with respect to said third group of apertures.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.