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US 7,018,584 B2Granted
Method and apparatus for metal processing
AssigneeThe BOC Group, Inc.
InventorRaymond E. Serafini, Jr.
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method for metal processing is provided in which a cooling atmosphere comprising hydrogen is used for accelerated cooling of a processed metal part in a furnace, resulting in improved properties for the metal part. A sintering furnace is also provided and comprises a means for inhibiting gas flows between a heating zone and a cooling zone of the furnace.
Claims14
A sintering furnace, comprising:
- a heating zone for sintering a workpiece;
- a cooling zone downstream of the heating zone;
- at least one gas inlet disposed in at least one location within the heating zone or between the heating zone and the cooling zone, adapted to introduce a sintering feedgas into the heating zone and into the cooling zone;
- at least one cooling gas inlet disposed in at least one location within the cooling zone or downstream of the cooling zone, adapted to introduce at least a portion of cooling gas into the cooling zone to establish a cooling atmosphere in the cooling zone differing in concentration from the sintering feedgas;
- and,
- means for inhibiting gas flow from the cooling zone to the heating zone.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.