Apparatus and method for strengthening articles of manufacture through cryogenic thermal cycling

An apparatus for realigning a molecular structure of an article of manufacture by a cryogenic process, a source of cryogenic material connected to the apparatus, the apparatus comprising:

• a) a bottom portion having a plurality of insulating layers disposed between an outer and inner tank, the inner tank defining an inner cavity, the article of manufacture disposed within the inner cavity during the cryogenic process;
• b) a lid mating with the bottom portion for sealing the inner cavity from ambient air;
• c) an electrical connection to a power supply;
• d) a pair of bead members, one each mounted on the lid and the bottom portion, the pair of bead members preventing thermal conduction from the inner tank and inner cavity out to the ambient air through the outer tank and the lid;
• e) at least one cryogenic material deployment unit mounted within the inner cavity and coupled to the source of cryogenic material;
• f) at least one heater mounted within the inner cavity for ramping the temperature within the inner cavity upwards;
• g) at least one fan mounted within the inner cavity for providing airflow convention thereto;
• h) a controller unit electrically coupled to the apparatus for controlling a programmed cryogenic process profile;
• and
• i) means for evacuating ambient air from within the inner cavity when the lid seals the inner cavity.

A cryogenic process for strengthening a mass of an article of manufacture, the cryogenic process conducted in an apparatus having a submersion tank, a lid for sealing the submersion tank, a cryogenic material source supply means, an electrical power supply and a cryogenic process controller means, the apparatus connected to a source of cryogenic material, the cryogenic process comprising the steps of:

• a) placing the article within the apparatus submersion tank at ambient room temperature;
• b) shutting the apparatus lid to seal the submersion tank;
• c) introducing the cryogenic material into the submersion tank through the cryogenic material source supply means such that the submersion tank temperature ramps down to a first target temperature of at least −80° Fahrenheit at a first temperature ramp rate;
• d) permitting the article to soak at the first target temperature for a first period of time;
• e) ramping the temperature of the submersion tank up to a second target temperature not to exceed 0° Fahrenheit at a second temperature ramp rate;
• f) permitting the article to soak at the second target temperature for a second period of time;
• g) cycling the submersion tank temperature between the first and second target temperatures at least one additional time at the first and second temperature ramping rates and the first and second period of soak times;
• h) ramping the temperature of the submersion tank up to a third target temperature of at least ambient room temperature at a third temperature ramp rate;
• i) permitting the article to soak at the third target temperature for a third period of time;
• and
• j) permitting the article to return to ambient room temperature.

A method of strengthening a metal article of manufacture through a cryogenic process, the steps of the method comprising:

• a) subjecting the article to a cryogenic material such that the temperature of the article is ramped down from an ambient room temperature to a first target temperature of −280° Fahrenheit at a rate of 5° Fahrenheit per minute;
• b) soaking the article at the first target temperature for fifteen minutes;
• c) ramping the temperature of the article up to a second target temperature of −100° Fahrenheit at a rate of 5° Fahrenheit per minute;
• d) soaking the article at the second target temperature for fifteen minutes;
• e) cycling the article four more times between the first and second target temperatures at a rate of 5° Fahrenheit per minute and permitting the article to soak for fifteen minutes each time the article reaches either the first or second target temperature;
• f) ramping the temperature of the article back down to the first target temperature of −280° Fahrenheit at a rate of 5° Fahrenheit per minute;
• g) soaking the article at the first target temperature for fifteen minutes;
• h) ramping the temperature of the article up to a third target temperature of +350° Fahrenheit at a rate of 5° Fahrenheit per minute;
• i) soaking the article at the third target temperature for fifteen minutes;
• and
• j) permitting the article to return to ambient room temperature.