US 8,506,878 B2Granted

Rod or wire manufacturing system, related methods, and related products

AssigneeThermcraft, Inc.

InventorThomas W. Tyl

Life of this patent

Estimating the term…

Abstract

A cooling unit, a heating-cooling operation including a cooling unit, a rod or wire manufacturing system, a method for manufacturing a rod or wire, a method for heat treating of a rod or wire, a method for treating metal, a steel rod or steel wire, and a treated metal having an improved tensile strength are disclosed. The cooling unit includes at least one adaptable quenching zone and at least one adaptable soaking zone. The at least one adaptable quenching zone is capable of quenching to a soaking temperature. The at least one adaptable soaking zone is capable of maintaining substantially the soak temperature.

Claims27

Dependent claims

A cooling unit configured to be useable with a rod or wire manufacturing system including (a) at least one feed unit configured to be capable of continuously providing at least one rod or at least one wire;

(b) at least one heating unit configured to be capable of heating to a preselected temperature the at least one continuously provided rod or the at least one continuously provided wire;
and (c) at least one take-up unit configured to be capable of continuously gathering the at least one continuously provided rod or the at least one continuously provided wire, or at least one rod and at least one wire, the cooling unit comprising:
(1) a quenchant reservoir configured to be capable of containing a liquid quenchant;
and
(2) at least a first 2nd cell type configured to be capable of fluid communication with the quenchant reservoir and configured to be capable of fluid communication with a gaseous media supply;
and
(3) (a) at least a first 1st cell type and a second 1st cell type downstream from the first 2nd cell type, each of the first 1st cell type and second 1st cell type each configured to be capable of fluid communication with the quenchant reservoir and configured to be capable of fluid communication with a gaseous media supply, and the second 1st cell type downstream from the first 1st cell type;
or
(b) at least a second 2nd cell type and a first 1st cell types downstream from the first 2nd cell type, the second 2nd cell type and the first 1st cell type each configured to be capable of fluid communication with the quenchant reservoir and configured to be capable of fluid communication with a gaseous media supply, and the first 1st cell type downstream from the second 2nd cell type or the second 2nd cell type downstream from the first 1st cell type;
or
(c) at least a second 2nd cell type and a third 2nd cell type downstream from the first 2nd cell type, the second 2nd cell type and the third 2nd cell type each configured to be capable of fluid communication with the quenchant reservoir and configured to be capable of fluid communication with a gaseous media supply, and the second 2nd cell type downstream from the third 2nd cell type, wherein:
(i) the first 2nd cell type comprises a diffuser configured to be capable of providing a liquid quenchant when the liquid quenchant is communicated to the diffuser to thereby comprise an adaptable quenching zone having a selectively tailorable heat transfer coefficient configured to be capable of quenching the at least one continuously provided rod or the at least one continuously provided wire substantially to a preselected soak temperature;
and
(ii) 1. the first 1st cell type, which has the second 1st cell type downstream, comprises a diffuser configured to be capable of providing a gaseous quenchant to thereby comprise an adaptable soaking zone having a selectively tailorable heat transfer coefficient configured to be capable substantially maintaining the at least one continuously provided rod or the at least one continuously provided wire at the preselected soak temperature;
or
2. the first 1st cell type, which has the second 2nd cell type downstream, comprises a diffuser configured to be capable of providing a gaseous quenchant to thereby comprise an adaptable soaking zone having a selectively tailorable heat transfer coefficient configured to be capable of substantially maintaining the at least one continuously provided rod or the at least one continuously provided wire at the preselected soak temperature;
or
3. the second 2nd cell type, which has the first 1st cell type downstream, comprises a diffuser configured to be capable of providing a gaseous quenchant to thereby comprise an adaptable soaking zone having a selectively tailorable heat transfer coefficient configured to be capable of substantially maintaining the at least one continuously provided rod or the at least one continuously provided wire at the preselected soak temperature;
or
4. the second 2nd cell type, which has the third 2nd cell type downstream, comprises a diffuser configured to be capable of providing a gaseous quenchant to thereby comprise an adaptable soaking zone having a selectively tailorable heat transfer coefficient configured to be capable of substantially maintaining the at least one continuously provided rod or the at least one continuously provided wire at the preselected soak temperature;
(iii) 1. the second 1st cell type, which is downstream of the first 1st cell type, comprises a diffuser configured to be capable of providing a foaming liquid quenchant when the liquid quenchant and a gaseous media are communicated to the diffuser to thereby comprise an adaptable soaking zone having a selectively tailorable heat transfer coefficient configured to be capable of (a.) substantially maintaining the at least one continuously provided rod or the at least one continuously provided wire at the preselected soak temperature or (b.) substantially completing a heat treatment of the at least one continuously provided rod or the at least one continuously provided wire;
or
2. the second 2nd cell type, which is downstream of the first 1st cell type, comprises a diffuser configured to be capable of providing a foaming liquid quenchant when the liquid quenchant and a gaseous media are communicated to the diffuser to thereby comprise an adaptable soaking zone having a selectively tailorable heat transfer coefficient configured to be capable of (a.) substantially maintaining the at least one continuously provided rod or the at least one continuously provided wire at the preselected soak temperature or (b.) substantially completing a heat treatment of the at least one continuously provided rod or the at least one continuously provided wire;
or
3. the first 1st cell type, which is downstream of the second 2nd cell type, comprises a diffuser configured to be capable of providing a foaming liquid quenchant when the liquid quenchant and a gaseous media are communicated to the diffuser to thereby comprise an adaptable soaking zone having a selectively tailorable heat transfer coefficient configured to be capable of (a.) substantially maintaining the at least one continuously provided rod or the at least one continuously provided wire at the preselected soak temperature or (b.) substantially completing a heat treatment of the at least one continuously provided rod or the at least one continuously provided wire;
or
4. the third 2nd cell type, which is downstream of the second 2nd cell type, comprises a diffuser configured to be capable of providing a foaming liquid quenchant when the liquid quenchant and a gaseous media are communicated to the diffuser to thereby comprise an adaptable soaking zone having a selectively tailorable heat transfer coefficient configured to be capable of (a.) substantially maintaining the at least one continuously provided rod or the at least one continuously provided wire at the preselected soak temperature or (b.) substantially completing a heat treatment of the at least one continuously provided rod or the at least one continuously provided wire.

24 more elements

(b) at least one heating unit configured to be capable of heating to a preselected temperature the at least one continuously provided rod or the at least one continuously provided wire;
and (c) at least one take-up unit configured to be capable of continuously gathering the at least one continuously provided rod or the at least one continuously provided wire, or at least one rod and at least one wire, the cooling unit comprising:
(1) a quenchant reservoir configured to be capable of containing a liquid quenchant;
and
(2) at least a first 2nd cell type configured to be capable of fluid communication with the quenchant reservoir and configured to be capable of fluid communication with a gaseous media supply;
and
(3) (a) at least one first 1st cell type downstream from the first 2nd cell type, the first 1st cell types configured to be to be capable of fluid communication with the quenchant reservoir and configured to be capable of fluid communication with gaseous media supply;
or
(b) at least a second 2nd cell type downstream from the first 2nd cell type, the second 2nd cell type configured to be to be capable of fluid communication with the quenchant reservoir and configured to be to be capable of fluid communication with a gaseous media supply, wherein:
(i) the first 2nd cell type comprises a diffuser configured to be capable of providing a foaming liquid quenchant when the liquid quenchant and a gaseous media are communicated to the diffuser to thereby comprise an adaptable quenching zone having a selectively tailorable heat transfer coefficient configured to be capable of quenching the at least one continuously provided rod or the at least one continuously provided wire substantially to a preselected soak temperature;
and
(ii) 1. the first 1st cell type, which is downstream from the first 2nd cell type, comprises a diffuser configured to be capable of providing a foaming liquid quenchant when the liquid quenchant and a gaseous media are communicated to the diffuser to thereby comprise an adaptable soaking zone having a selectively tailorable heat transfer coefficient configured to be capable of (a.) substantially maintaining the at least one continuously provided rod or the at least one continuously provided wire at the preselected soak temperature or (b.) substantially completing a heat treatment of the at least one continuously provided rod or the at least one continuously provided wire;
or
2. the second 2nd cell type, which is downstream from the first 2nd cell type, comprises a diffuser configured to be capable of providing a foaming liquid quenchant when the liquid quenchant and a gaseous media are communicated to the diffuser to thereby comprise an adaptable soaking zone having a selectively tailorable heat transfer coefficient configured to be capable of (a.) substantially maintaining the at least one continuously provided rod or the at least one continuously provided wire at the preselected soak temperature or (b.) substantially completing a heat treatment of the at least one continuously provided rod or the at least one continuously provided wire.

11 more elements

(b) at least one heating unit configured to be capable of heating to a preselected temperature the at least one continuously provided rod or the at least one continuously provided wire;
and (c) at least one take-up unit configured to be capable of continuously gathering the at least one continuously provided rod or the at least one continuously provided wire, or at least one rod and at least one wire, the cooling unit comprising:
(1) a quenchant reservoir configured to be capable of containing a liquid quenchant;
and
(2) (a) at least a first 2nd cell type configured to be capable of fluid communication with the quenchant reservoir and configured to be capable of fluid communication with a gaseous media supply;
or
(b) at least a first 1st cell type configured to be capable of fluid communication with the quenchant reservoir and configured to be capable of fluid communication with a gaseous media supply;
and
(3) (a) at least a second 2nd cell type and a third 2nd cell type downstream from the first 2nd cell type, the second 2nd cell type and the third 2nd cell type each configured to be in fluid communication with the quenchant reservoir and configured to be capable of fluid communication with a gaseous media supply, and the third 2nd cell type downstream from the second 2nd cell type;
or
(b) at least a second 2nd cell type and a first 1st cell type downstream from the first 2nd cell type, the second 2nd cell type and the first 1st cell type each configured to be in fluid communication with the quenchant reservoir and configured to be capable of fluid communication with a gaseous media supply, and the first 1st cell type downstream from the second 2nd cell type;
or
(c) at least a second 2nd cell type and a first 1st cell type downstream from the first 2nd cell type, the second 2nd cell type and the first 1st cell type each configured to be in fluid communication with the quenchant reservoir and configured to be capable of fluid communication with a gaseous media supply, and the second 2nd cell type downstream from first 1st cell type;
or
(d) at least a first 1st cell type and a second 1st cell type downstream from the first 2nd cell type, the first 1st cell type and the second 1st cell type each configured to be in fluid communication with the quenchant reservoir and configured to be capable of fluid communication with a gaseous media supply, and the second 1st cell type downstream from the first 1st cell type;
or
(e) at least a first 2nd cell type and a second 2nd cell type downstream from the first 1st cell type, the first 2nd cell type and the second 2nd cell type each configured to be in fluid communication with the quenchant reservoir and configured to be capable of fluid communication with a gaseous media supply, and the second 2nd cell type downstream from the first 2nd cell type;
or
(f) at least a second 1st cell type and a first 2nd cell type downstream from the first 1st cell type, the second 1st cell type and the first 2nd cell type each configured to be in fluid communication with the quenchant reservoir and configured to be capable of fluid communication with a gaseous media supply, and the second 1st cell type downstream from the first 2nd cell type;
or
(g) at least a first 2nd cell type and a second 1st cell type downstream from the first 1st cell type, the first 2nd cell type and the second 1st cell type each configured to be in fluid communication with the quenchant reservoir and configured to be capable of fluid communication with a gaseous media supply, and the first 2nd cell type downstream from the second 1st cell type;
or
(h) at least a second 1st cell type and a third 1st cell type downstream from the first 1st cell type, the second 1st cell type and the third 1st cell type each configured to be in fluid communication with the quenchant reservoir and configured to be capable of fluid communication with a gaseous media supply, and the third 1st cell type downstream from the second 1st cell type, wherein:
(i) 1. the first 2nd cell type comprises a diffuser configured to be capable of providing a foaming liquid quenchant when the liquid quenchant and a gaseous media are communicated to the diffuser to thereby comprise an adaptable quenching zone having a selectively tailorable heat transfer coefficient configured to be capable of quenching the at least one continuously provided rod or the at least one continuously provided wire substantially to a preselected soak temperature;
or
2. the first 1st cell type comprises a diffuser configured to be capable of providing a foaming liquid quenchant when the liquid quenchant and a gaseous media are communicated to the diffuser to thereby comprise an adaptable quenching zone having a selectively tailorable heat transfer coefficient configured to be capable of quenching the at least one continuously provided rod or the at least one continuously provided wire substantially to a preselected soak temperature;
and
(ii) 1. the second 2nd cell type, which is downstream from the first 2nd cell type and has the third 2nd cell type downstream, comprises a diffuser configured to be capable of providing a foaming liquid quenchant when the liquid quenchant and a gaseous media are communicated to the diffuser to thereby comprise an adaptable soaking zone having a selectively tailorable heat transfer coefficient configured to be capable of substantially maintaining the at least one continuously provided rod or the at least one continuously provided wire at the preselected soak temperature;
or
2. the second 2nd cell type, which is downstream from the first 2nd cell type and has the first 1st cell type downstream, comprises a diffuser configured to be capable of providing a foaming liquid quenchant when the liquid quenchant and a gaseous media are communicated to the diffuser to thereby comprise an adaptable soaking zone having a selectively tailorable heat transfer coefficient configured to be capable of substantially maintaining the at least one continuously provided rod or the at least one continuously provided wire at the preselected soak temperature;
or
3. the first 1st cell type, which is downstream from the first 2nd cell type and has the second2nd cell type downstream, comprises a diffuser configured to be capable of providing a foaming liquid quenchant when the liquid quenchant and a gaseous media are communicated to the diffuser to thereby comprise an adaptable soaking zone having a selectively tailorable heat transfer coefficient configured to be capable of substantially maintaining the at least one continuously provided rod or the at least one continuously provided wire at the preselected soak temperature;
or
4. the a first 1st cell type, which is downstream from the first 2nd cell type and has the second 2nd cell type downstream, comprises a diffuser configured to be capable of providing a foaming liquid quenchant when the liquid quenchant and a gaseous media are communicated to the diffuser to thereby comprise an adaptable soaking zone having a selectively tailorable heat transfer coefficient configured to be capable of substantially maintaining the at least one continuously provided rod or the at least one continuously provided wire at the preselected soak temperature;
or
5. the first 2nd cell type, which is downstream from the first 1st cell type and has the second 2nd cell type downstream, comprises a diffuser configured to be capable of providing a foaming liquid quenchant when the liquid quenchant and a gaseous media are communicated to the diffuser to thereby comprise an adaptable soaking zone having a selectively tailorable heat transfer coefficient configured to be capable of substantially maintaining the at least one continuously provided rod or the at least one continuously provided wire at the preselected soak temperature;
or
6. the first 2nd cell type, which is downstream from the first 1st cell type and has the second 2st cell type downstream, comprises a diffuser configured to be capable of providing a foaming liquid quenchant when the liquid quenchant and a gaseous media are communicated to the diffuser to thereby comprise an adaptable soaking zone having a selectively tailorable heat transfer coefficient configured to be capable of substantially maintaining the at least one continuously provided rod or the at least one continuously provided wire at the preselected soak temperature;
or
7. the second 1st cell type, which is downstream from the first 1st cell type and has the second 2st cell type downstream, comprises a diffuser configured to be capable of providing a foaming liquid quenchant when the liquid quenchant and a gaseous media are communicated to the diffuser to thereby comprise an adaptable soaking zone having a selectively tailorable heat transfer coefficient configured to be capable of substantially maintaining the at least one continuously provided rod or the at least one continuously provided wire at the preselected soak temperature;
or
8. the second 1st cell type, which is downstream from the first 1st cell type and has a third 1st cell type downstream, comprises a diffuser configured to be capable of providing a foaming liquid quenchant when the liquid quenchant and a gaseous media are communicated to the diffuser to thereby comprise an adaptable soaking zone having a selectively tailorable heat transfer coefficient configured to be capable of substantially maintaining the at least one continuously provided rod or the at least one continuously provided wire at the preselected soak temperature;
and
(iii) 1. the third 2nd cell type, which is downstream from the second 2nd cell type that is downstream from the first 2nd cell type, comprises a diffuser configured to be capable of providing a liquid quenchant when the liquid quenchant is communicated to the diffuser to thereby comprise an adaptable soaking zone having a selectively tailorable heat transfer coefficient configured to be capable of (a.) substantially maintaining the at least one continuously provided rod or the at least one continuously provided wire at the preselected soak temperature or (b.) substantially completing a heat treatment of the at least one continuously provided rod or the at least one continuously provided wire;
or
2. the third 2nd cell type, which is downstream from the second 2nd cell type that is downstream from the first 2nd cell type, comprises a diffuser configured to be capable of providing a foaming liquid quenchant when the liquid quenchant and a gaseous media are communicated to the diffuser to thereby comprise an adaptable soaking zone having a selectively tailorable heat transfer coefficient configured to be capable of (a.) substantially maintaining the at least one continuously provided rod or the at least one continuously provided wire at the preselected soak temperature or (b.) substantially completing a heat treatment of the at least one continuously provided rod or the at least one continuously provided wire;
or
3. the third 2nd cell type, which is downstream from the second 2nd cell type that is downstream from the first 2nd cell type, comprises a diffuser configured to be capable of providing a gaseous quenchant to thereby comprise an adaptable soaking zone having a selectively tailorable heat transfer coefficient configured to be capable of (a.) substantially maintaining the at least one continuously provided rod or the at least one continuously provided wire at the preselected soak temperature or (b.) substantially completing a heat treatment of the at least one continuously provided rod or the at least one continuously provided wire;
or
4. the second 2nd cell type, which is downstream from the first 1st cell type that is downstream from the first 2nd cell type, comprises a diffuser configured to be capable of providing a liquid quenchant when the liquid quenchant is communicated to the diffuser to thereby comprise an adaptable soaking zone having a selectively tailorable heat transfer coefficient configured to be capable of (a.) substantially maintaining the at least one continuously provided rod or the at least one continuously provided wire at the preselected soak temperature or (b.) substantially completing a heat treatment of the at least one continuously provided rod or the at least one continuously provided wire;
or
5. the second 2nd cell type, which is downstream from the first 1st cell type that is downstream from the first 2nd cell type, comprises a diffuser configured to be capable of providing a foaming liquid quenchant when the liquid quenchant and a gaseous media are communicated to the diffuser to thereby comprise an adaptable soaking zone having a selectively tailorable heat transfer coefficient configured to be capable of (a.) substantially maintaining the at least one continuously provided rod or the at least one continuously provided wire at the preselected soak temperature or (b.) substantially completing a heat treatment of the at least one continuously provided rod or the at least one continuously provided wire;
or
6. the second 2nd cell type, which is downstream from the first 1st cell type that is downstream from the first 2nd cell type, comprises a diffuser configured to be capable of providing a gaseous quenchant to thereby comprise an adaptable soaking zone having a selectively tailorable heat transfer coefficient configured to be capable of (a.) substantially maintaining the at least one continuously provided rod or the at least one continuously provided wire at the preselected soak temperature or (b.) substantially completing a heat treatment of the at least one continuously provided rod or the at least one continuously provided wire;
or
7. the second 2nd cell type, which is downstream from the first 2nd cell type that is downstream from the first 1st cell type, comprises a diffuser configured to be capable of providing a liquid quenchant when the liquid quenchant is communicated to the diffuser to thereby comprise an adaptable soaking zone having a selectively tailorable heat transfer coefficient configured to be capable of (a.) substantially maintaining the at least one continuously provided rod or the at least one continuously provided wire at the preselected soak temperature or (b.) substantially completing a heat treatment of the at least one continuously provided rod or the at least one continuously provided wire;
or
8. the second 2nd cell type, which is downstream from the first 2nd cell type that is downstream from the first 1st cell type, comprises a diffuser configured to be capable of providing a foaming liquid quenchant when the liquid quenchant and a gaseous media are communicated to the diffuser to thereby comprise an adaptable soaking zone having a selectively tailorable heat transfer coefficient configured to be capable of (a.) substantially maintaining the at least one continuously provided rod or the at least one continuously provided wire at the preselected soak temperature or (b.) substantially completing a heat treatment of the at least one continuously provided rod or the at least one continuously provided wire;
or
9. the second 2nd cell type, which is downstream from the first 2nd cell type that is downstream from the first 1st cell type, comprises a diffuser configured to be capable of providing a gaseous quenchant to thereby comprise an adaptable soaking zone having a selectively tailorable heat transfer coefficient configured to be capable of (a.) substantially maintaining the at least one continuously provided rod or the at least one continuously provided wire at the preselected soak temperature or (b.) substantially completing a heat treatment of the at least one continuously provided rod or the at least one continuously provided wire;
or
10. the first 2nd cell type, which is downstream from the second 1st cell type that is downstream from the first 1st cell type, comprises a diffuser configured to be capable of providing a liquid quenchant when the liquid quenchant is communicated to the diffuser to thereby comprise an adaptable soaking zone having a selectively tailorable heat transfer coefficient configured to be capable of (a.) substantially maintaining the at least one continuously provided rod or the at least one continuously provided wire at the preselected soak temperature or (b.) substantially completing a heat treatment of the at least one continuously provided rod or the at least one continuously provided wire;
or
11. the first 2nd cell type, which is downstream from the second 1st cell type that is downstream from the first 1st cell type, comprises a diffuser configured to be capable of providing a foaming liquid quenchant when the liquid quenchant and a gaseous media are communicated to the diffuser to thereby comprise an adaptable soaking zone having a selectively tailorable heat transfer coefficient configured to be capable of (a.) substantially maintaining the at least one continuously provided rod or the at least one continuously provided wire at the preselected soak temperature or (b.) substantially completing a heat treatment of the at least one continuously provided rod or the at least one continuously provided wire;
or
12. the first 2nd cell type, which is downstream from the second 1st cell type that is downstream from the first 1st cell type, comprises a diffuser configured to be capable of providing a gaseous quenchant to thereby comprise an adaptable soaking zone having a selectively tailorable heat transfer coefficient configured to be capable of (a.) substantially maintaining the at least one continuously provided rod or the at least one continuously provided wire at the preselected soak temperature or (b.) substantially completing a heat treatment of the at least one continuously provided rod or the at least one continuously provided wire;
or
13. the first 1st cell type, which is downstream from the second 2nd cell type that is downstream from the first 2nd cell type, comprises a diffuser configured to be capable of providing a foaming liquid quenchant when the liquid quenchant and a gaseous media are communicated to the diffuser to thereby comprise an adaptable soaking zone having a selectively tailorable heat transfer coefficient configured to be capable of (a.) substantially maintaining the at least one continuously provided rod or the at least one continuously provided wire at the preselected soak temperature or (b.) substantially completing a heat treatment of the at least one continuously provided rod or the at least one continuously provided wire;
or
14. the first 1st cell type, which is downstream from the second 2nd cell type that is downstream from the first 2nd cell type, comprises a diffuser configured to be capable of providing a gaseous quenchant to thereby comprise an adaptable soaking zone having a selectively tailorable heat transfer coefficient configured to be capable of (a.) substantially maintaining the at least one continuously provided rod or the at least one continuously provided wire at the preselected soak temperature or (b.) substantially completing a heat treatment of the at least one continuously provided rod or the at least one continuously provided wire;
or
15. the second 1st cell type, which is downstream from the first 1st cell type that is downstream from the first 2nd cell type, comprises a diffuser configured to be capable of providing a foaming liquid quenchant when the liquid quenchant and a gaseous media are communicated to the diffuser to thereby comprise an adaptable soaking zone having a selectively tailorable heat transfer coefficient configured to be capable of (a.) substantially maintaining the at least one continuously provided rod or the at least one continuously provided wire at the preselected soak temperature or (b.) substantially completing a heat treatment of the at least one continuously provided rod or the at least one continuously provided wire;
or
16. the second 1st cell type, which is downstream from the first 1st cell type that is downstream from the first 2nd cell type, comprises a diffuser configured to be capable of providing a gaseous quenchant to thereby comprise an adaptable soaking zone having a selectively tailorable heat transfer coefficient configured to be capable of (a.) substantially maintaining the at least one continuously provided rod or the at least one continuously provided wire at the preselected soak temperature or (b.) substantially completing a heat treatment of the at least one continuously provided rod or the at least one continuously provided wire;
or
17. the second first cell type, which is downstream from the first 2nd cell type that is downstream from the first 1st cell type, comprises a diffuser configured to be capable of providing a foaming liquid quenchant when the liquid quenchant and a gaseous media are communicated to the diffuser to thereby comprise an adaptable soaking zone having a selectively tailorable heat transfer coefficient configured to be capable of (a.) substantially maintaining the at least one continuously provided rod or the at least one continuously provided wire at the preselected soak temperature or (b.) substantially completing a heat treatment of the at least one continuously provided rod or the at least one continuously provided wire;
or
18. the second 1st cell type, which is downstream from the first 2nd cell type that is downstream from the first 1st cell type, comprises a diffuser configured to be capable of providing a gaseous quenchant to thereby comprise an adaptable soaking zone having a selectively tailorable heat transfer coefficient configured to be capable of (a.) substantially maintaining the at least one continuously provided rod or the at least one continuously provided wire at the preselected soak temperature or (b.) substantially completing a heat treatment of the at least one continuously provided rod or the at least one continuously provided wire;
or
19. the third 1st cell type, which is downstream from the second 1st cell type that is downstream from the first 1st cell type, comprises a diffuser configured to be capable of providing a foaming liquid quenchant when the liquid quenchant and a gaseous media are communicated to the diffuser to thereby comprise an adaptable soaking zone having a selectively tailorable heat transfer coefficient configured to be capable of (a.) substantially maintaining the at least one continuously provided rod or the at least one continuously provided wire at the preselected soak temperature or (b.) substantially completing a heat treatment of the at least one continuously provided rod or the at least one continuously provided wire;
or
20. the third 1st cell type, which is downstream from the second 1st cell type that is downstream from the first 1st cell type, comprises a diffuser configured to be capable of providing a gaseous quenchant to thereby comprise an adaptable soaking zone having a selectively tailorable heat transfer coefficient configured to be capable of (a.) substantially maintaining the at least one continuously provided rod or the at least one continuously provided wire at the preselected soak temperature or (b.) substantially completing a heat treatment of the at least one continuously provided rod or the at least one continuously provided wire.

79 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 12/373,872Filed 14 Jul 2007 · continuation in part
Priority: 14 Jul 2006
Published: US 2009/0308503 A117 Dec 2009
Granted: 13 Aug 2013
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification10 codes

C21D 9/525
For wires; for strips ; for rods of unlimited length: for wire, for rods
C21D 1/63
Quenching devices: for bath quenching
C21D 1/64
For bath quenching: with circulating liquids
C21D 8/06
Modifying the physical properties of ferrous metals or ferrous alloys by deformation combined with, or followed by, heat treatment: during…

Family

Application11/487,044Parent of this continuation-in-part · filed 14 Jul 2006
US 2009/0308503 A1Pre-grant publication · published 17 Dec 2009
US 2008/0011394 A1Published application
US 8,506,878 B2This patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.

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Abstract

(b) at least one heating unit configured to be capable of heating to a preselected temperature the at least one continuously provided rod or the at least one continuously provided wire;
and (c) at least one take-up unit configured to be capable of continuously gathering the at least one continuously provided rod or the at least one continuously provided wire, or at least one rod and at least one wire, the cooling unit comprising:
(1) a quenchant reservoir configured to be capable of containing a liquid quenchant;
and
(2) at least a first 2nd cell type configured to be capable of fluid communication with the quenchant reservoir and configured to be capable of fluid communication with a gaseous media supply;
and
(3) (a) at least a first 1st cell type and a second 1st cell type downstream from the first 2nd cell type, each of the first 1st cell type and second 1st cell type each configured to be capable of fluid communication with the quenchant reservoir and configured to be capable of fluid communication with a gaseous media supply, and the second 1st cell type downstream from the first 1st cell type;
or
(b) at least a second 2nd cell type and a first 1st cell types downstream from the first 2nd cell type, the second 2nd cell type and the first 1st cell type each configured to be capable of fluid communication with the quenchant reservoir and configured to be capable of fluid communication with a gaseous media supply, and the first 1st cell type downstream from the second 2nd cell type or the second 2nd cell type downstream from the first 1st cell type;
or
(c) at least a second 2nd cell type and a third 2nd cell type downstream from the first 2nd cell type, the second 2nd cell type and the third 2nd cell type each configured to be capable of fluid communication with the quenchant reservoir and configured to be capable of fluid communication with a gaseous media supply, and the second 2nd cell type downstream from the third 2nd cell type, wherein:
(i) the first 2nd cell type comprises a diffuser configured to be capable of providing a liquid quenchant when the liquid quenchant is communicated to the diffuser to thereby comprise an adaptable quenching zone having a selectively tailorable heat transfer coefficient configured to be capable of quenching the at least one continuously provided rod or the at least one continuously provided wire substantially to a preselected soak temperature;
and
(ii) 1. the first 1st cell type, which has the second 1st cell type downstream, comprises a diffuser configured to be capable of providing a gaseous quenchant to thereby comprise an adaptable soaking zone having a selectively tailorable heat transfer coefficient configured to be capable substantially maintaining the at least one continuously provided rod or the at least one continuously provided wire at the preselected soak temperature;
or
2. the first 1st cell type, which has the second 2nd cell type downstream, comprises a diffuser configured to be capable of providing a gaseous quenchant to thereby comprise an adaptable soaking zone having a selectively tailorable heat transfer coefficient configured to be capable of substantially maintaining the at least one continuously provided rod or the at least one continuously provided wire at the preselected soak temperature;
or
3. the second 2nd cell type, which has the first 1st cell type downstream, comprises a diffuser configured to be capable of providing a gaseous quenchant to thereby comprise an adaptable soaking zone having a selectively tailorable heat transfer coefficient configured to be capable of substantially maintaining the at least one continuously provided rod or the at least one continuously provided wire at the preselected soak temperature;
or
4. the second 2nd cell type, which has the third 2nd cell type downstream, comprises a diffuser configured to be capable of providing a gaseous quenchant to thereby comprise an adaptable soaking zone having a selectively tailorable heat transfer coefficient configured to be capable of substantially maintaining the at least one continuously provided rod or the at least one continuously provided wire at the preselected soak temperature;
(iii) 1. the second 1st cell type, which is downstream of the first 1st cell type, comprises a diffuser configured to be capable of providing a foaming liquid quenchant when the liquid quenchant and a gaseous media are communicated to the diffuser to thereby comprise an adaptable soaking zone having a selectively tailorable heat transfer coefficient configured to be capable of (a.) substantially maintaining the at least one continuously provided rod or the at least one continuously provided wire at the preselected soak temperature or (b.) substantially completing a heat treatment of the at least one continuously provided rod or the at least one continuously provided wire;
or
2. the second 2nd cell type, which is downstream of the first 1st cell type, comprises a diffuser configured to be capable of providing a foaming liquid quenchant when the liquid quenchant and a gaseous media are communicated to the diffuser to thereby comprise an adaptable soaking zone having a selectively tailorable heat transfer coefficient configured to be capable of (a.) substantially maintaining the at least one continuously provided rod or the at least one continuously provided wire at the preselected soak temperature or (b.) substantially completing a heat treatment of the at least one continuously provided rod or the at least one continuously provided wire;
or
3. the first 1st cell type, which is downstream of the second 2nd cell type, comprises a diffuser configured to be capable of providing a foaming liquid quenchant when the liquid quenchant and a gaseous media are communicated to the diffuser to thereby comprise an adaptable soaking zone having a selectively tailorable heat transfer coefficient configured to be capable of (a.) substantially maintaining the at least one continuously provided rod or the at least one continuously provided wire at the preselected soak temperature or (b.) substantially completing a heat treatment of the at least one continuously provided rod or the at least one continuously provided wire;
or
4. the third 2nd cell type, which is downstream of the second 2nd cell type, comprises a diffuser configured to be capable of providing a foaming liquid quenchant when the liquid quenchant and a gaseous media are communicated to the diffuser to thereby comprise an adaptable soaking zone having a selectively tailorable heat transfer coefficient configured to be capable of (a.) substantially maintaining the at least one continuously provided rod or the at least one continuously provided wire at the preselected soak temperature or (b.) substantially completing a heat treatment of the at least one continuously provided rod or the at least one continuously provided wire.

24 more elements

Facts

Application

12/373,872Filed 14 Jul 2007 · continuation in part

Priority

14 Jul 2006

Published

US 2009/0308503 A117 Dec 2009

Granted

13 Aug 2013

Term ends

Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification10 codes

C21D 9/525
For wires; for strips ; for rods of unlimited length: for wire, for rods
C21D 1/63
Quenching devices: for bath quenching
C21D 1/64
For bath quenching: with circulating liquids
C21D 8/06
Modifying the physical properties of ferrous metals or ferrous alloys by deformation combined with, or followed by, heat treatment: during…