Apparatus for Microwave Heat Treatment Of Manufactured Components

Abstract

An apparatus for heat treating manufactured components using microwave energy and microwave susceptor material. Heat treating medium such as eutectic salts may be employed. A fluidized bed introduces process gases which may include carburizing or nitriding gases. The process may be operated in a batch mode or continuous process mode. A microwave heating probe may be used to restart a frozen eutectic salt bath.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further advantages are apparent by reference to the detailed description when considered in conjunction with the figures, which are not to scale so as to more clearly show the details, wherein like reference numbers indicate like elements throughout the several views, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a cutaway schematic illustration of a component heat treatment assembly.

FIG. 2A is a schematic illustration of a component heat treating system.

FIG. 2B is a schematic illustration of an alternative embodiment of a component heat treating system.

FIG. 3 schematically illustrates a component processing system.

FIG. 4A presents a cross sectional schematic illustration of a microwave heating probe.

FIG. 4B presents a cross sectional schematic illustration of an alternative heating probe.

FIG. 5 depicts a component heat treating assembly, illustrated schematically in cross section.

FIG. 6 portrays a schematic cross section of a fluidized bed system according to the invention.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart of a method for heat treating a component.

FIG. 8 is flow chart of a different method for heat treating a component.

Claims

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11. A heat treating system, the system comprising an insulating vessel placed within a microwave applicator chamber, the insulating vessel being thermally insulating and substantially transparent to microwave energy, wherein the insulating vessel holds at least one component for heat treating, each component having an exterior surface, and wherein the insulating vessel further holds moderating material selected from the group consisting of (a) microwave susceptor material, and(b) a mixture of microwave susceptor material and microwave transparent material,where the moderating material is positioned inside the insulating vessel so that a substantial portion of the exterior surface of each component for heat treating is in contact with the moderating material.

12. The heat treating system of claim 11 wherein the microwave susceptor material comprises glassy carbon particles.

13. The heat treating system of claim 12 further comprising a conveyor apparatus for moving each component through the microwave applicator chamber.

14. The heat treating system of claim 11 further comprising a conveyor apparatus for moving each component through the microwave applicator chamber.

15. A heat treating system for components, the system comprising: a microwave applicator chamber;an insulating vessel placed within the microwave applicator chamber;a gas supply for feeding process gas to the insulating vessel through a screen;granular microwave susceptor material positioned to receive the process gas after it flows through the screen;space for components positioned in the granular microwave susceptor material, the space being configured so that a substantial portion of the exterior surface of each component is in contact with the granular microwave susceptor material.

16. The heat treating system of claim 15 wherein the process gas includes a surface treatment gas.

17. The heat treating system of claim 16 wherein the surface treatment gas comprises a carburizing gas.

18. The heat treating system of claim 16 wherein the surface treatment gas comprises a nitriding gas.

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