Claims
- 1. A method for creating a continuous tin coating over carbon particles, said method comprising:
providing carbon particles for a closed and sealed retort rotating around its horizontal axis at a speed which causes the particles to be in a semi-continuous fluidized state, the size of substantially all the carbon particles being less than about 40 mesh and greater than about 270 mesh; providing means to control the temperature of said retort and said carbon particles therein; controlling the atmosphere within said retort; placing tin in approximate ratio of three pounds by weight tin to one pound by weight carbon into said retort; raising the temperature of said retort to a temperature range around 440K to 480K; and maintaining temperature at said temperature range for a period of one to four hours while continuously fluidizing the mixture of the carbon and tin.
- 2. In a metal processing system including an enclosed retort mounted about a generally horizontal axle for rotation, said retort having walls containing an initial metal particulate material selected from a group consisting of iron, titanium or nickel which is fluidized upon rotation of said retort, said axle having within itself an inlet conduit connecting to said retort at one end and to a swivel connection at its other end, means to control pressure and atmosphere within said conduit and said retort, and means to heat or cool said retort at a predetermined rate; a method for combining said initial metal particulate material with aluminum to form an aluminide, said method comprising:
placing said initial particulate material in said retort rotating said retort at a predetermined rate forfluidizing said initial particulate material within said retort to transfer heat rapidly between particles of said initial particulate material and between said initial particulate material and the walls of said retort; heating said retort to a predetermined temperature; injecting aluminum powder into said retort containing said initial particulate material to effect a reaction between aluminum and said initial particulate material for the generation or release of heat; controlling the rate of injection of said aluminum powder to provide a desired rate of reaction; and controlling the addition or release of heat from said retort to maintain said predetermined temperature at a uniform level.
- 3. In a metal processing system including an enclosed retort mounted about a generally horizontal axle for rotation, said retort containing a base particulate material which is fluid ized upon rotation of said retort, said axle having within itself an inlet conduit connecting to said retort at one end and to a swivel connection at its other end, means to control pressure and atmosphere within said conduit and said retort, and means to heat or cool said retort at a predetermined rate; a method for combining said base particulate material with a second material to form an external surface which is different from said base material comprising:
placing said base particulate material in said retort; rotating said retort at a predetermined rate for fluidizing said base particulate material within said retort to transfer heat rapidly between particles of said base particulate material and between said base particulate material and the walls of said retort; heating said retort to a predetermined temperature; injecting a second particulate material into said retort containing said base particulate material to effect a reaction between said second material and said base particulate material; controlling the rate of injection of said second particulate material to provide a desired rate of reaction.
- 4. In a metal processing system as set forth in claim 3 further comprising the step of controlling the addition or release of heat from said retort to maintain said predetermined temperature at a uniform level.
- 5. In a metal processing system including an enclosed retort mounted about a generally horizontal axle for rotation, said retort having walls for containing a particulate material containing hydrogen and selected from the group consisting of titanium, hafnium, zirconium, tantalum, and niobium, said axle having a conduit connecting to said retort at one end and to a swivel connection at its other end, said system having means to control pressure and atmosphere within said conduit and means to heat or cool said retort at a predetermined rate; a method for removing hydrogen from said particulate material comprising:
placing said particulate material containing hydrogen in said retort rotating said retort at a predetermined rate for fluidizing said particulate material within said retort to transfer heat rapidly between particles of said particulate material and between said particulate material and the walls of said retort; heating said retort to a temperature of at least 800K; and drawing a vacuum on said retort greater than 0.01 Torr.
- 6. The process as set forth in claim 5 wherein said particulate material is mixed with a supplemental powder having a minimum size at least greater than the maximum size of said particulate material.
- 7. A metal processing system including a substantially horizontally disposed enclosed retort mounted on an axle for rotation about a horizontal axis and containing a particulate material, a pair of conduits within said axle for the supply and exhaust of gas from the interior of said retort, swivel means located adjacent an end of the axle outside the retort so that a portion of said conduits rotates with said retort and a second portion is fixed, means to heat or cool said retort, and means to inject additional gases into said retort while said retort is simultaneously rotated and heated or cooled; the improvement comprising:
a pair of filters for said conduits in contact with said particulate material within said retort so that gas entering and leaving said retort passes through said filters; and valve means associated with said conduits to cause said gas flow into said retort through a predetermined filter and to exit said retort through another of said filters, said valve means effective to reverse the flow of gas in said conduits into and out of said retort.
- 8. The metal processing system as set forth in claim 7 wherein:
said valve means is positioned between said retort and said swivel means and rotates with said axle.
- 9. Apparatus for treating powder comprising:
a substantially horizontally disposed enclosed retort mounted on an axle for rotation about a horizontal axis and containing a metal powder, a conduit within said axle for the supply and exhaust of gas for the interior of said retort for mixing of said metal powder upon rotation of said retort; means to heat or cool said retort; means to inject additional gases into said retort while the retort is simultaneously rotated and heated or cooled; and means to vary the absolute pressure in said retort so that gas enters said retort and disperses throughout said retort prior to said gas exiting said retort.
- 10. Apparatus as described in claim 9 wherein said means to vary the absolute pressure in said retort comprises a valve located to control the flow of said gas as it exits said retort from said conduits.
- 11. Apparatus for treating powder comprising:
an enclosed retort mounted on an axle for rotation and containing a metallic powder; fluid passage means for the supply and exhaust of gas for said retort for fluidizing of said powder upon rotation of said retort; means to heat or cool said retort; means to inject additional gases into said retort while said retort is simultaneously rotated and heated or cooled; and separate injection means to inject additional powder into said retort while the retort is simultaneously rotated and heated or cooled.
- 12. Apparatus as set forth in claim 11 wherein:
said separate injection means comprises an enclosed cylinder containing powder and having a discharge port; and a piston within said cylinder for pressurizing said additional powder for discharge from said port for supply to said retort.
- 13. Apparatus as set forth in claim 12 wherein:
gas injection means are provided to inject gas into said cylinder for movement of said powder through said discharge port to said retort.
- 14. Apparatus as set forth in claim 13 wherein:
said piston is formed of a gas permeable material to permit the flow of gas therethrough while preventing the flow of powder therethrough; and: a gas entrance chamber for said cylinder is provided between said piston and an end of said cylinder opposite said port to receive a supply of pressurized gases.
- 15. Apparatus for treating particulate material comprising:
an enclosed generally cylindrical enclosed retort having particulate material therein; a separate axle supporting each end of said generally cylindrical retort for rotation about a longitudinal axis; a gas conduit in one axle permitting the flow of gas into said retort; a solid particle conduit in the other axle permitting the flow of particulate material into said retort; means to heat or cool said retort; and means to inject gas into said retort through said gas conduit while said retort is simultaneously rotated and heated or cooled.
- 16. Apparatus as set forth in claim 15 wherein:
said retort has a wall defining a permeable membrane and a plenum chamber.
- 17. Apparatus as set forth in claim 15 wherein:
valve means associated with said solid particle conduit is mounted for rotation with the other axle and permits the flow of particulate material within said retort and the exhaust of particulate material from said retort.
- 18. Apparatus as set forth in claim 17 wherein:
a sample device is removably connected to said solid particle conduit to remove a predetermined sample of particulate material from said retort.
- 19. Apparatus as set forth in claim 17 wherein:
a solid particle injection device is removably connected to said solid particle conduit to inject a predetermined amount of particulate material within said retort during rotation of said retort.
- 20. Apparatus as set forth in claim 19 wherein said solid particle injection device includes a cylinder to receive the particulate material therein; and
a manually operated piston to force the particulate material from the cylinder into said particle conduit for said retort.
- 21. In a processing system including an enclosed retort mounted about a generally horizontal axis for rotation and having walls containing solid workpieces and an initial particulate material which is fluidized upon rotation of said retort, means to control pressure and atmosphere within said retort at a predetermined rate, and means to heat or cool said retort at a controlled rate; a process for rapidly changing the temperature of the solid workpieces within the retort, said process comprising:
heating said retort with the workpieces and particulate material therein to a predetermined high temperature over about 750 C. while rotating the retort; removing said particulate material from said retort with said workpieces remaining in said retort; then injecting powders of a predetermined temperature less than about 550C within said retort about said workpieces; and continuing the rotation of said retort to quickly transfer heat from said workpieces to said powders whereby the temperature of said workpieces within said retort is quickly reduced.
- 22. A method of cleaning solid workpieces comprising the following steps:
providing a retort mounted about a generally horizontal axis for rotation; placing solid workpieces within said retort along with particulate material less that 100 micron average size sufficient to fill about 40% to 80% of the volume of said retort; rotating said retort about said horizontal axis at a rotational speed adequate to fluidize the particulate material surrounding the solid workpieces for effecting a scrubbing action against said workpieces; and drawing a vacuum on said retort sufficient to remove volatile material from said solid workpieces aided by the scrubbing action of said particulate material.
- 23. A processing system including a substantially horizontally disposed enclosed retort mounted on an axle for rotation about a generally horizontal axis and containing a particulate material; and means to heat or cool said retort; the improvement comprising:
a flow device on an end of the retort having a pair of flow passages with one flow passage being inside the other flow passage; one of said flow passages being arranged for flow in one direction and the otherflow passage being engaged forflow in an opposite direction to provide simultaneous flow into and out of said retort.
- 24. The processing system as set forth in claim 23 wherein said axle is hollow and said flow device includes a tube mounted within said axle defining an annulus between said tube and said axle, said tube forming one flow passage and said annulus forming the other flow passage.
- 25. The processing system as set forth in claim 24 wherein said tube defines an inlet flow passage for particulate material and said annulus defines an outlet flow passage for gas.
- 26. The processing system as set forth in claim 24 wherein a helical support is positioned in said annulus between said tube and said axle.
- 27. A processing system comprising:
a substantially horizontally disposed enclosed retort mounted on an axle for rotation about a generally horizontal axis and containing particulate material; means to rotate said retort at a rate that mechanically fluidizes said particulate material within said retort, said retort having an opening in axial alignment with said axis of rotation; a transparent closure device for said opening and being removable for loading and unloading said retort, said closure device being microwave transparent and sealing said retort from the atmosphere; and microwave energy means injecting power through said transparent closure device into the interior of said retort.
- 28. The processing system as set forth in claim 27 wherein a microwave tube is mounted within said opening and said transparent closure device is mounted within said microwave tube; and a microwave energy source is operatively connected to said tube.
- 29. The processing system as set forth in claim 27 wherein said retort is formed of a metallic material and reflects microwave energy.
- 30. A processing system comprising:
a substantially horizontally disposed enclosed retort mounted on an axle for rotation about a generally horizontal axis and containing particulate material; means to rotate said retort at a rate that mechanically fluidizes said particulate material within said retort; a portion of said retort being transparent to microwave energy; and microwave energy means injecting power through said transparent portion of said retort.
- 31. The processing system as set forth in claim 30 wherein said retort is formed of a metallic material and reflects microwave energy.
- 32. A cooling method for cooling an inner rotary fluidized retort mounted for rotation within an outer insulated cover, the retort and cover housed within an outer substantially air tight room; said cooling method comprising the following steps:
providing an air inlet from an air source to supply air to an area between said rotary fluidized retort and said outer insulated cover; providing a first air outlet from said room; providing a second air outlet from the area between said retort and said outer insulated cover; supplying air through said air inlet to the area between said retort and outer insulated cover; and exhausting air from said room through said air outlet.
- 33. The cooling method as set forth in claim 32 further comprising the steps of supplying air to the area between said retort and said outer insulated cover;
exhausting air through said second air outlet from the area between said retort and outer cover into said room.
- 34. The cooling method as set forth in claim 33 further including the step of providing a scrubber for the air exhausted from the area between said retort and outer cover; and
exhausting air from said room through said first air outlet and through said scrubber for removing undesirable elements from the air exhausted from the area between said retort and said cover.
- 35. The cooling method as set forth in claim 33 further including the step of providing means to selectively block the flow of air through said second air outlet from the area between said retort an said outer insulated cover; and
closing said second air outlet during heating of said retort.
- 36. Cooling apparatus for cooling an inner heated retort within an outer substantially air tight cover, the retort and cover being housed within an outer substantially air tight room; said apparatus comprising:
inlet means to draw air within said room; outlet means to exhaust air from said room; means to selectively draw air within a space between said cover and said retort; exhaust means to selectively exhaust air from the space between said cover and said retort; and control means to control the supply of air to said space and the exhaust of air from said space.
- 37. Cooling apparatus as set forth in claim 36 further comprising means to selectively communicate said inlet means with said means to selectively draw air within said space.
- 38. Cooling apparatus as set forth in claim 36 further comprising a scrubber device in communication with said exhaust means to remove undesirable elements from the exhaust air.
- 39. In a substantially horizontally disposed enclosed retort mounted on an axle for rotation about a generally horizontal axis and containing a particulate material for fluidization, the improvement comprising:
a wall of said retort having an inner permeable surface and a plenum chamber between said wall and said permeable surface.
- 40. In a retort as set forth in claim 39 wherein means mount said retort for tilting to a generally vertical direction; and
means for injecting gas within said plenum chamber when said retort is tilted to a generally vertical direction.
- 41. In a retort as set forth in claim 39, said retort having a cylindrical body and an end wall closing an end of said body, said end wall having said inner permeable surface and said plenum chamber.
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a continuation in part of Ser. No. 09/089,296 filed Jun. 1, 1998; which is a continuation in part of application Ser. No. 08/616,590 filed Mar. 15, 1996, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,766,544 dated Jun. 16, 1998, and application Ser. No. 08/616,584 filed Mar. 15, 1996, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,759,483 dated Jun. 2, 1998.
Divisions (1)
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Number |
Date |
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Parent |
09395101 |
Sep 1999 |
US |
Child |
10117516 |
Apr 2002 |
US |
Continuation in Parts (3)
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Date |
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Parent |
09089296 |
Jun 1998 |
US |
Child |
09395101 |
Sep 1999 |
US |
Parent |
08616590 |
Mar 1996 |
US |
Child |
09089296 |
Jun 1998 |
US |
Parent |
08616584 |
Mar 1996 |
US |
Child |
09089296 |
Jun 1998 |
US |