Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
178 words
A method for controlling the carbon content of dewaxed carbide preforms in a carbon containing furnace comprising the steps of: placing the preforms in the carbon containing furnace, heating the furnace to a predetermined temperature range in which the chemical reaction, C solid +2H 2 ⃡CH 4 reaches equilibrium in a first time period at a selected pressure and in which the chemical reaction XC+2H.sub.2 ⃡X+CH.sub.4 where X is selected from the group of W, Ti, Ta, Hf and Mo, reaches equilibrium in a second time period at said selected pressure, said second time period being shorter in duration than said first time period or the resident time of the gaseous mixture is less than the second time period, introducing a mixture of H 2 and CH 4 into said furnace wherein the percentage of CH 4 is between 10% and 90% necessary to for equilibrium of the reaction C.sub.solid +2H.sub.2 ⃡CH.sub.4 at said selected pressure and said temperature range, and maintaining said furnace at said temperature range for a duration between said first and second time periods.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
178 words
A method for controlling the carbon content of dewaxed carbide preforms in a carbon containing furnace comprising the steps of: placing the preforms in the carbon containing furnace, heating the furnace to a predetermined temperature range in which the chemical reaction, C solid +2H 2 ⃡CH 4 reaches equilibrium in a first time period at a selected pressure and in which the chemical reaction XC+2H.sub.2 ⃡X+CH.sub.4 where X is selected from the group of W, Ti, Ta, Hf and Mo, reaches equilibrium in a second time period at said selected pressure, said second time period being shorter in duration than said first time period or the resident time of the gaseous mixture is less than the second time period, introducing a mixture of H 2 and CH 4 into said furnace wherein the percentage of CH 4 is between 10% and 90% necessary to for equilibrium of the reaction C.sub.solid +2H.sub.2 ⃡CH.sub.4 at said selected pressure and said temperature range, and maintaining said furnace at said temperature range for a duration between said first and second time periods.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method as defined in claim 1 wherein said introducing step comprises introducing a mixture of CH 4 and H 2 wherein the percentage of CH 4 is between 20% and 80% necessary for equilibrium of the reaction C.sub.solid +2H.sub.2 ⃡CH.sub.4.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method as defined in claim 1 wherein said introducing step comprises introducing a mixture of CH 4 and H 2 wherein the percentage of CH 4 is between 20% and 50% necessary for equilibrium of the reaction C.sub.solid +2H.sub.2 ⃡CH.sub.4.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said temperature range is between 800° C. and 1100° C.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said temperature range is between 900° C. and 1000°.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said second time period is between fifteen minutes and five hours.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
The invention as defined in claim 1 and further comprising the steps of: evacuating said furnace following said time duration, and sintering said preforms.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
187 words
A method for controlling the carbon content of dewaxed carbide preforms in a carbon containing furnace comprising the steps of: placing the preforms in the carbon containing furnace, heating the furnace to a predetermined temperature range in which the chemical reaction, C solid +SH 2 ⃡CH 4 reaches equilibrium in a first time period at a selected pressure and in which the chemical reaction XC+2H.sub.2 ⃡X+CH.sub.4 where X is selected from the group of W, Ti, Ta, Hf and Mo, reaches equilibrium in a second time period at said selected pressure, said second time period being shorter in duration than said first time period or the resident time of the gaseous mixture is less than the second time period, introducing H 2 into said furnace so that said H 2 reacts with carbon in the furnace to form CH 4 wherein the percentage of CH 4 is between 10% and 90% necessary to form equilibrium of the reaction C.sub.solid +2H.sub.2 ⃡CH.sub.4 at said selected pressue and said temperature range, and maintaining said furnace at said temperature range for a duration between said first and second time periods.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
187 words
A method for controlling the carbon content of dewaxed carbide preforms in a carbon containing furnace comprising the steps of: placing the preforms in the carbon containing furnace, heating the furnace to a predetermined temperature range in which the chemical reaction, C solid +SH 2 ⃡CH 4 reaches equilibrium in a first time period at a selected pressure and in which the chemical reaction XC+2H.sub.2 ⃡X+CH.sub.4 where X is selected from the group of W, Ti, Ta, Hf and Mo, reaches equilibrium in a second time period at said selected pressure, said second time period being shorter in duration than said first time period or the resident time of the gaseous mixture is less than the second time period, introducing H 2 into said furnace so that said H 2 reacts with carbon in the furnace to form CH 4 wherein the percentage of CH 4 is between 10% and 90% necessary to form equilibrium of the reaction C.sub.solid +2H.sub.2 ⃡CH.sub.4 at said selected pressue and said temperature range, and maintaining said furnace at said temperature range for a duration between said first and second time periods.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method as defined in claim 8 wherein the percentage of CH 4 is between 20% and 80% necessary for equilibrium of the reaction C.sub.solid +2H.sub.2 ⃡CH.sub.4.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method as defined in claim 8 wherein the percentage of CH 4 is between 20% and 50% necessary for equilibrium of the reaction C.sub.solid +2H.sub.2 ⃡CH.sub.4.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
The invention as defined in claim 8 wherein said temperature range is between 800° C. and 1100° C.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
16 words
The invention as defined in claim 8 wherein said temperature range is between 900° and 1000°.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
19 words
The invention as defined in claim 8 wherein said second time period is between fifteen minutes and five hours.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
24 words
The invention as defined in claim 8 and further comprising the steps of: evacuating said furnace following said time duration, and sintering said preforms.