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US 8,871,042 B2Granted
Heat treatment apparatus and a method of using such apparatus
AssigneeROLLS-ROYCE plc
InventorRichard Gordon Milburn
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A heat treatment apparatus 10 for heat treating metals or metallic components includes a fluidized bed furnace 20 and a removable insert 30 which is accommodated within the fluidized bed 50 of the furnace 20. The removable insert 30 enables the geometry of the fluidized bed 50 to be optimized with respect to the size and shape of a component 70 which is to be heated.
Claims14
A heat treatment apparatus comprising:
- a fluidised bed furnace;
- a removable insert receivable within the furnace;
- and
- a distribution plate having a plurality of apertures;
- wherein when positioned within the furnace the insert defines a space which accommodates a fluidised bed, and the distribution plate is located in a base portion of the furnace and supports the insert and fluidized bed.
2 more elements
A heat treatment system comprising:
- a fluidised bed furnace for the heat treatment of metals or metal articles, wherein an upper surface of the fluidised bed is covered by a gas permeable membrane;
- and
- a plurality of removable inserts, each of the plurality of removable inserts configured for removable insertion in the fluidised bed furnace, wherein one or more of the removable inserts are insertable in the fluidised bed furnace to heat differently sized components received therein.
A method of using a heat treatment apparatus comprising a fluidised bed furnace and a removable insert receivable within the furnace, the method comprising:
- placing an article to be heat treated in the furnace;
- selecting an insert such that a pre-determined clearance is defined between the article and the insert;
- placing the insert in the furnace;
- filling the space defined between the article and the insert with a fluidised bed medium;
- and
- carrying out a pre-defined heat treatment process.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.