Method of operating a controlled atmosphere furnace

US4579523A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Ruhrgas Aktiengesellschaft · DE

Inventors

• Sahibzada S. R. Laiquddin · Dorsten, DE
• Gunter Stemmer · Essen, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Apr 5, 1985
• Grant date: Apr 1, 1986
• Expiry date: Apr 5, 2005

Classification

• Technology area (CPC F): Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
• CPC primary: F27B9/047
• WIPO field: Thermal processes and apparatus
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A method of operating a controlled atmosphere furnace. To prevent the entry of oxygen into the controlled atmosphere in the chamber of the furnace, which has a furnace door for the receipt and removal of parts by means of a feeding and removal device, the device is designed to seal a vestibule located immediately in front of the furnace door when the device approaches the furnace door. The oxygen-containing ambient air thus trapped in the vestibule is then removed therefrom. The furnace door is opened, and the feeding and removal device, while still sealing the vestibule from the ambient air, then moves into the furnace chamber for feeding or removing the part which is to be heat treated.