Heating – Work chamber having heating means – Having means by which work is progressed or moved mechanically
Reexamination Certificate
1999-07-26
2001-04-03
Wilson, Gregory (Department: 3749)
Heating
Work chamber having heating means
Having means by which work is progressed or moved mechanically
C432S121000, C432S126000, C432S143000, C414S152000, C414S172000, C414S796800
Reexamination Certificate
active
06210156
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates to heat treatment of small parts and, more particularly, to a material handling unit for sequentially processing individual parts through a heat treatment system.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
It is customary in heat treating small parts to treat them in batches by placing a batch of such parts in a heat treatment basket and immersing in a furnace. This method of handling parts often encounters problems of consistency in the heat treatment of all parts, with some being over- or under-heat treated due to the inconsistent distribution of parts throughout the batch and resulting unequal exposure to a constant temperature and process conditions.
It would be desirable to provide a material handling unit which enables parts to be individually and consistently heat treated.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of this invention to provide a material handling unit which enables parts to be individually and consistently heat treated.
In one aspect, this invention features a method for sequentially processing a plurality of parts individually through a heat treatment process at a predetermined rate, whereby each part is heat treated for a predetermined time so that all parts are heat treated equally, comprising the steps of arranging a plurality of parts in a vertical stack in a heat treatment furnace, and sequentially removing and inserting parts at the ends of the stack at predetermined intervals so that each part progresses from one end of the stack to the other.
Preferably, the method includes the steps of lifting the stack to facilitate removing and inserting parts, removing a part from one of the top or bottom end of the stack, and inserting a part into the other of the top or bottom of the stack.
In another aspect, this invention features a material handling unit for sequentially processing a plurality of parts individually through a heat treatment process at a predetermined rate, whereby each part is heat treated for a predetermined time so that all parts are heat treated equally. A vertical guide holds a plurality of parts in a vertical stack. Slides with movable jaws are provided at the top and bottom of the stack for sequentially removing and inserting parts at the ends of the stack so that each part progresses from one end of the stack to the other, and a blocking bar is inserted to immobilize the stack during removal and insertion of parts. A rod lifts the stack to facilitate removing and inserting parts.
Preferably, the material handling unit includes a pallet supporting each part. The slides move between a position aligning the pallet with the stack and a position moving the pallet outside the stack. The vertical guide maintains alignment of the stack of parts and can be a vertical tube or three or more spaced vertical rods.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3790336 (1974-02-01), Brede, III et al.
patent: 3982888 (1976-09-01), Moussou et al.
patent: 4664359 (1987-05-01), Hertwich
General Motors Corporation
Grove George A.
Wilson Gregory
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