Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
137 words
A furnace for treatment of materials at high temperatures and pressures comprising: housing means defining an internal pressure chamber for containing pressurized gas; gas impermeable wall means in said chamber dividing the latter into an inner material treatment space and an outer space; and passageway means defining a first passageway for establishing fluid communication between said inner space and a source of pressurized gas and a second passageway for establishing fluid communication between said outer space and a source of pressurized gas whereby said spaces may be pressurized separately to thereby minimize the amount of pressurized gas in contact with the material undergoing treatment in said inner space and to thereby limit contact between gas from said inner space which may have been contaminated by the material being treated and furnace components disposed in said outer space.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
137 words
A furnace for treatment of materials at high temperatures and pressures comprising: housing means defining an internal pressure chamber for containing pressurized gas; gas impermeable wall means in said chamber dividing the latter into an inner material treatment space and an outer space; and passageway means defining a first passageway for establishing fluid communication between said inner space and a source of pressurized gas and a second passageway for establishing fluid communication between said outer space and a source of pressurized gas whereby said spaces may be pressurized separately to thereby minimize the amount of pressurized gas in contact with the material undergoing treatment in said inner space and to thereby limit contact between gas from said inner space which may have been contaminated by the material being treated and furnace components disposed in said outer space.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
A furnace as set forth in claim 1 comprising means for controlling the relative pressures in said spaces.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
A furnace as set forth in claim 2 wherein said control means is operable to limit the pressure differential between said spaces.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
A furnace as set forth in claim 2 wherein said control means is operable to maintain a higher pressure in said outer space than in said inner space.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
A furnace as set forth in claim 3 wherein said control means is operable to maintain a higher pressure in said outer space than in said inner space.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
A furnace as set forth in claim 2 wherein said control means is operable to maintain the pressures in said spaces at substantially the same levels.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
63 words
A furnace as set forth in claim 2 wherein said control means comprises a sensor including a housing member having a hollow interior, a gas-tight mobile diaphragm dividing said interior into separated segments, and conduit means for intercommunicating each segment of the interior with a respective one of said spaces whereby any pressure differential existing between the spaces is exerted across the diaphragm.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
35 words
A furnace as set forth in claim 2 wherein said pressure control means includes an opening intercommunicating said spaces to facilitate the overflow of high pressure gas from said outer space to said inner space.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
45 words
A furnace as set forth in claim 8 wherein said pressure control means comprises a valve in said opening permitting flow of gas from said outer space and into said inner space only when the pressure differential existing between said spaces exceeds a predetermined level.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
A furnace as set forth in claim 8 wherein said pressure control means comprises means for sensing the direction of the flow of gas in said opening.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
37 words
A furnace as set forth in claim 10 wherein the gas in the inner space is generally at a higher temperature than the gas in the outer space and said sensing means comprises a temperature sensing element.