Apparatus and method for protective atmosphere induction brazing of complex geometries

Abstract

Apparatus for controlled-atmosphere brazing of parts or components having cross-sectional dimensions of up to twenty-four inches. The apparatus maintains the components or parts at a uniform temperature during the brazing cycle. The apparatus includes a susceptor having a physical boundary that separates an interior of the susceptor from its exterior. While there is no limitation upon the length of the parts or components that can be brazed, the wall of the susceptor formed as a physical boundary has an internal diameter that limits the maximum cross-sectional dimension of the parts or components that are to be brazed, so that the parts or components reside within the interior of the susceptor. A heating source for heating the susceptor is provided. The heating source is capable of heating the susceptor sufficiently so that the interior of the susceptor can reach a temperature sufficient to braze the components inside the susceptor. The susceptor containing the parts to be brazed and heating source are placed within a chamber that can provide a desired protective environment, such as a vacuum, an inert gas atmosphere, a reducing gas or nitrogen. The susceptor conducts and radiates the heat across its physical boundary so that a uniform temperature is attained and maintained within the interior of the susceptor during the brazing cycle. The susceptor is desirably comprised of graphite or a refractory metal.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.