Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
80 words
A method of annealing ferrous wire bearing lubricants under a nitrogen based atmosphere in a furnace comprising the steps of heating said wire to a soaking temperature of about 1320° F., subsequently cooling said wire in said furnace; and introducing an oxygen containing gas into the furnace and into contact with said wire when the wire temperature has declined to about 1050°-950° F. such that oxygen is reacted with residual lubricants and soot deposits without significant decarburization of said wire.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
80 words
A method of annealing ferrous wire bearing lubricants under a nitrogen based atmosphere in a furnace comprising the steps of heating said wire to a soaking temperature of about 1320° F., subsequently cooling said wire in said furnace; and introducing an oxygen containing gas into the furnace and into contact with said wire when the wire temperature has declined to about 1050°-950° F. such that oxygen is reacted with residual lubricants and soot deposits without significant decarburization of said wire.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method defined in claim 1 wherein said oxygen-containing gas contacts said wire when the temperature thereof has cooled to about 1000° F. to 950° F.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method defined in claim 1 wherein said oxygen-containing gas is air.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method defined in claim 3 wherein said furnace is a bell furnace having an inner cover under which said wire is annealed and said step of introducing air comprises raising said inner cover.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method defined in claim 4 wherein said step of raising said cover comprises raising the same to a height of about 2-3 feet for about 3-5 minutes.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method defined in claim 3 wherein said furnace is a bell furnace having an inner cover and said step of introducing air comprises injecting air directly under said inner cover at a flow rate of about 0.5 to 2.0 inner volume changes per hour.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method defined in claim 3 wherein said furnace is a batch furnace having a hot zone in which said wire is annealed and said step of introducing air comprises injecting air directly into said batch furnace.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method defined in claim 7 wherein said step of injecting air comprises injecting air at a flow rate of between about 0.5 to 2.0 inner volume changes per hour.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
62 words
The method defined in claim 3 additionally comprising the steps of introducing a hydrocarbon into said furnace, introducing a flow of nitrogen gas into said furnace, terminating said hydrocarbon flow, and continuing said nitrogen gas flow thereafter at a flow rate and duration such that at least 4 inner furnace volume changes are effected prior to introducing said air into the furnace.