US 5,388,809 AGranted

Method and apparatus for batch coil annealing metal strip

AssigneeGas Research Institute

InventorKlaus H. Hemsath

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Abstract

Method and apparatus is disclosed for heat treating coiled, metal strip in bell shaped annealing furnaces employing an annealing stand upon which coils of strip are vertically stacked. An inner cover removably sealed to the stand surrounds the coil and an outer cover surrounds the inner cover. A vacuum is drawn within the inner cover while the work is being preheated to volatize oil on the coil into hydrocarbon vapors and permit the hydrocarbons to be drawn off prior to annealing so that carbon soot formation does not occur. A unique concentric, two seal arrangement is disclosed which provides for drawing a vacuum between the seals to positively seal the inner cover to the base while providing a fail safe mechanism for monitoring the process thus permitting a potentially explosive reducing atmosphere, such as pure hydrogen, to be used in the annealing furnace in a safe manner.

Claims13

Dependent claims

Batch coil annealing apparatus comprising:

a stationary base upon which coils of metal strip are stacked, said base having an annular seating surface circumscribing said coils and first and second circumscribing, generally concentric, sealing grooves formed within said seating surface;
a removable, thin-walled, cylindrical, inner cover receiving said coils, said inner cover having a closed axial end, an open axial end and an annular flange extending radially outwardly from said open end, said flange having first and second circumscribing, generally concentric sealing grooves, said first and second flange sealing grooves having the same diameter as said first and second base sealing grooves, respectively;
a removable outer cover surrounding said inner cover, means for removably sealing said outer cover to said base;
first and second elastomer seals, said fire, elastomer seal disposed in said first base groove and said first flange groove, and said second elastomer seal disposed in said second base groove and said second flange groove to define a sealing space therebetween;
and
means to draw a sealing vacuum in said annular seal space between said first and second elastomer seals.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.