Center heating element for a vacuum heat treating furnace
US9891000B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 11, 2014 |
| Grant date | Feb 13, 2018 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 22, 2036 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T29/49117
- WIPO fieldThermal processes and apparatus
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A vacuum heat treating furnace for the heat treatment of metal parts includes a pressure vessel and a hot zone enclosure that defines a hot zone therein. A heating element array inside the hot zone enclosure includes a first heating element, a second heating element, and a center heating element. The first and second heating elements are suspended on opposing sides of the hot zone enclosure. The center heating element is suspended vertically from the hot zone enclosure between the first and second heating elements. The center heating element is adapted to be connected to the first and second heating elements to form a continuous circuit therewith. The center heating element may be connected to the first and second heating elements with removable/reusable fasteners to provide for reconfiguration of the hot zone to accommodate different size workloads.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.