Apparatus for protecting parts in heating and cooling processing cycles thereof

Claim 1

An apparatus for cooling heat treated work parts wherein the work contained therein, preheated at a heating station, is then transferred out of the heating station to a station wherein the work is cooled, said cooling apparatus comprising: (a) a cup-shaped work holder member, positioned in upwardly opening relation in said apparatus; (b) a cup-shaped inner hood member of smaller proportions than said work holder member, proportioned for positioning therein in downwardly opening telescopic relation in the work holder, (c) a cup-shaped outer hood member of larger proportions than the work holder, positioned in said apparatus in downwardly opening relation telescopically overlying the work holder and the inner hood member, (d) an outermost cup-shaped member of larger proportions than the other previously mentioned members, disposed in said apparatus in upwardly opening relation to and receiving said previously mentioned members therein, (e) said four cup-shaped members being formed of closely interfitting dimensions, (f) said cup-shaped members being positioned, on assembly, telescopically in alternately upwardly and downwardly opening relation, defining a continuous sinuous gas passageway therebetween, unobstructed and uninterrupted, and (g) means moving a gas under pressure into the work holder and over the work therein and thence unidirectionally through the continuous gas passageway defined by said so registered cup-shaped members and discharged therefrom, sweeping and discharging contaminating gases from said apparatus, into the ambient atmosphere.

Claim 2

An apparatus for cooling heat treated work parts wherein the work contained therein, preheated at a heating station, is then transferred out of the heating station to a station wherein the work is cooled, said cooling apparatus comprising: (a) a cup-shaped work holder member, positioned in upwardly opening relation in said apparatus; (b) a cup-shaped inner hood member of smaller proportions than said work holder member, proportioned for positioning therein in downwardly opening telescopic relation in the work holder, (c) a cup-shaped outer hood member of larger proportions than the work holder, positioned in said apparatus in downwardly opening relation telescopically overlying the work holder and the inner hood member, (d) an outermost cup-shaped member of larger proportions than the other previously mentioned members, disposed in said apparatus in upwardly opening relation to and receiving said previously mentioned members therein, (e) said four cup-shaped members being formed of closely interfitting dimensions, (f) said cup-shaped members being positioned, on assembly, telescopically in alternately upwardly and downwardly opening relation, defining a continuous sinuous gas passageway therebetween, unobstructed and uninterrupted, and (g) means moving a gas under pressure into the work holder and over the work therein and thence unidirectionally through the continuous gas passageway defined by said so registered cup-shaped members and discharged therefrom, sweeping and discharging contaminating gases from said apparatus, into the ambient atmosphere.

Claim 4

An apparatus for heat treatment, at a cooling station, of metallic and alloy work parts which have been preheated, at a heating station, and then transferred therefrom to said cooling station, comprising: (a) an upwardly opening, cup-shaped work holder member, receiving said work parts therein, (b) an outermost, upwardly opening cup-shaped member, of larger proportions than the work holder, receiving the work holder therein, (c) an inner cup-shaped hood member, of smaller proportions than the work holder and positioned therein in downwardly opening relation, (d) an outer, downwardly opening, cup-shaped hood member positioned intermediate the work holder and the outermost, upwardly opening cup-shaped member, (e) said inner hood, work holder, outer hood and outermost member, being proportioned of progressively greater dimensions to telescopically and readily movably interfit on registration and define therebetween a continuous unidirectional gas flow passageway, and (f) means moving work-sweeping gas under pressure into the inner hood and work holder and out therefrom, and over the work therein and thence unidirectionally through the continuous gas passageway defined by said so registered members defining therebetween a continuous gas flow passageway and discharged therefrom into the ambient atmosphere, maintaining the parts clean of contaminating air and gases.

Claim 5

An apparatus for heat treatment, at a cooling station, of metallic and alloy work parts which have been preheated, at a heating station, and then transferred therefrom to said cooling station, comprising: (a) an upwardly opening, cup-shaped work holder member, receiving said work parts therein, (b) an outermost, upwardly opening cup-shaped member, of larger proportions than the work holder, receiving the work holder therein, (c) an inner cup-shaped hood member, of smaller proportions than the work holder and positioned therein in downwardly opening relation, (d) an outer, downwardly opening, cup-shaped hood member positioned intermediate the work holder and the outermost, upwardly opening cup-shaped member, (e) said inner hood, work holder, outer hood and outermost member, being proportioned of progressively greater dimensions to telescopically and readily movably interfit on registration and define therebetween a continuous unidirectional gas flow passageway, and (f) means moving work-sweeping gas under pressure into the inner hood and work holder and out therefrom, and over the work therein and thence unidirectionally through the continuous gas passageway defined by said so registered members defining therebetween a continuous gas flow passageway and discharged therefrom into the ambient atmosphere, maintaining the parts clean of contaminating air and gases.