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AssigneeLOI Thermprocess GmbH
InventorsFriedhelm Kühn, Horst Barth, Wolfgang Schalberger
Estimating the term…
The invention relates to a device for loading and unloading a heat treatment furnace and to a corresponding method. Heat treatment furnaces are normally loaded and unloaded by means of a so-called elevator. During unloading, a removed workpiece is usually lowered by means of the elevator into an oil bath, in which it is then removed from the elevator. Oil is then transferred into the furnace chamber via the oil-covered elevator. Such an application of oil is avoided by means of a device comprising a frame rack having a first and a second level, which are disposed parallel above each other, and are connected to each other by means of a plurality of frame braces, wherein the first and the second levels have a plurality of openings and the frame braces have guide means. The device further comprises a plurality of lifting braces that are connected by a lifting mechanism and are supported vertically movably in the guide means, wherein each lifting brace has carriers at a first and a second position, wherein the carriers are aligned on the lifting braces such that they can be moved in the associated levels in or through the openings upon a vertical movement of the lifting braces. The device further comprises a retaining means disposed on a frame brace, which limits the vertical movement of the corresponding lifting brace.
An apparatus for loading and unloading a heat treatment furnace including a frame structure with a first upper and a second lower plane, which are arranged parallel above one another and are connected together by a plurality of frame struts, wherein the first and the second planes each have a plurality of openings and wherein the frame struts have a plurality of guides, a plurality of lifting struts, which are connected to a lifting mechanism and are vertically movably mounted in the guides of the frame struts and extend vertically above the upper plane, wherein each lifting strut has a carrier at a first position associated with the upper plane and at a second position associated with the lower plane, wherein the carriers are so aligned on the lifting struts that they are movable into the openings in the associated planes, when a vertical movement of the lifting struts occurs, and at least one stop arranged on a frame strut, which limits the vertical movement of the corresponding lifting strut.
A method of loading and unloading a thermal treatment furnace with an apparatus and a quenching device arranged beneath the apparatus, comprising:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.