Automatic installation for the heat treatment of workpieces in fluidized beds

An apparatus for heat treating articles in a fluidized bed of heated particles, said apparatus comprising:

• a fluidized bed of heated particles, and a vibrating conveyor for moving said articles through said bed, said conveyor including a cylindrical member, first helical ramp means coaxial with said cylindrical member for guiding the articles into said fluidized bed, second helical ramp means coaxial with said first ramp means and said cylindrical member for guiding the articles out of said fluidized bed, at least one of said first and second ramp means being connected with said cylindrical member, a platform at least partially closing one end of said cylindrical member for receiving articles from said first ramp means, moving said articles radially, and for thereafter transferring said articles to said second ramp means, said platform being formed of material having perforations smaller than the articles being heat treated and substantially larger than the heated particles, and means for vibrating said cylindrical member, said first and second ramp means, and said platform to cause said articles to advance along said first ramp means onto said platform, and onto said second ramp means to thereby move said articles into and out of said fluidized bed.