摘要:
An apparatus and method for monitoring and/or controlling cryogenic cooling by measuring the opacity of the vapor cloud (113) generated from a cryogenic cooling device (112). The opacity is determined by measuring the reduction in intensity of a light beam (127) passed through the vapor cloud (113). The opacity measurements are used to control an operating parameter of the system, such as the cooling rate of the cryogenic cooling device (112). The opacity measurements may be normalized to compensate for variables, other than temperature of the workpiece (119) and cooling rate, which may affect the opacity of the vapor cloud (113).
摘要:
Described herein are a method, an apparatus, and a system for metal processing that improves one or more properties of a sintered metal part by controlling the process conditions of the cooling zone of a continuous furnace using one or more cryogenic fluids. In one aspect, there is provided a method comprising: providing a furnace wherein the metal part is passed therethough on a conveyor belt and comprises a hot zone and a cooling zone wherein the cooling zone has a first temperature; and introducing a cryogenic fluid into the cooling zone where the cryogenic fluid reduces the temperature of the cooling zone to a second temperature, wherein at least a portion of the cryogenic fluid provides a vapor within the cooling zone and cools the metal parts passing therethrough at an accelerated cooling rate.
摘要:
A nozzle and process are set forth for contacting a cryogenic liquid and a gas, and discharging the resulting fluid through the nozzle. In one embodiment, the ratio of the discharged fluid's liquid component to its gaseous component is controlled as a function of the gas pressure.
摘要:
Described herein is a method that can be used for heat treating a metal in at least one of the following processes: carburizing, carbonitriding, nitrocarburizing, and neutral carbon potential annealing operations that are used in a 1 atmosphere pressure furnace and in an atmosphere that is oxygen free and comprises nitrogen and at least one hydrocarbon.
摘要:
Use of a shrouding gas to combine with and protect a turbulent gas jet issuing from an orifice enables control of a gas jet stream composition downstream from the orifice. The natural aspiration rate of the gas jet is used to determine the flowrate of shrouding gas which is introduced around the gas jet in a soft gas cushion which does not disrupt the flow pattern of the gas jet but instead is entrained into the jet stream to the exclusion of ambient gases in the atmosphere. Preferably shrouding gas is replaced at least at the rate at which it is entrained. Apparatus for this process uses a porous shroud, preferably of metal foam, through which shrouding gas flows evenly around the gas jet as it issues from a nozzle orifice. Provision for tangential entry of shrouding gas into a manifold which feeds the porous shroud prevents the shrouding gas from impinging upon the porous shroud and causing uneven flow around the gas jet.
摘要:
Use of a shrouding gas to combine with and protect a turbulent gas jet issuing from an orifice enables control of a gas jet stream composition downstream from the orifice. The natural aspiration rate of the gas jet is used to determine the flowrate of shrouding gas which is introduced around the gas jet in a soft gas cushion which does not disrupt the flow pattern of the gas jet but instead is entrained into the jet stream to the exclusion of ambient gases in the atmosphere. Preferably shrouding gas is replaced at least at the rate at which it is entrained. Apparatus for this process uses a porous shroud, preferably of metal foam, through which shrouding gas flows evenly around the gas jet as it issues from a nozzle orifice. Provision for tangential entry of shrouding gas into a manifold which feeds the porous shroud prevents the shrouding gas from impinging upon the porous shroud and causing uneven flow around the gas jet.
摘要:
A method of quenching a material by injecting a cryogenic fluid into a cooling stream and simultaneously venting gas from the cooling stream, in order to maintain a desired target pressure in a chamber containing the material. In a examplary application of the method, the quenching is a step in the heat-treatment of a metal and the chamber is part of a vacuum furnace. Also disclosed is a method of supplying a cryogenic fluid to a process in which the amount of cryogenic fluid necessary to perform the process is transferred from a storage vessel to a supply vessel via a supply line, after which the supply line is closed. An elevated pressure is maintained by vaporization of a relatively small amount of the cryogenic fluid that is allowed to build in a pressure vessel that is in fluid communication with the supply vessel.
摘要:
A cryogenic fluid jet is used in an apparatus and a method for remote cooling of a cutting tool engaged in machining a workpiece under high-energy conditions, such as high-speed machining, hard-turning, cutting of difficult to machine materials, and combinations thereof. The apparatus and method use a stabilized, free-expanding cryogenic fluid jet having a pulse cycle time less than or equal to about 10 seconds. The apparatus and method increase the cleanliness of machined parts and chips and machining productivity of hard but brittle tools, including but not limited to tools which should not be cooled with conventional cooling fluids.
摘要:
A method and apparatus for improving the surface finish and/or surface integrity of a workpiece formed or shaped with a tool increase the surface hardness of the workpiece during forming or shaping of the workpiece. A method and apparatus for forming or shaping a workpiece also increase the surface hardness of the workpiece during forming or shaping of the workpiece with a tool, as do a method and apparatus for manufacturing a finished part or product from a workpiece. In some embodiments, an expanding jet of cryogen may be jetted to a surface of a workpiece and a tool from a nozzle, wherein the cryogen is at least partially separated into a condensed phase portion and a vapor portion within a downstream portion of the nozzle.
摘要:
Method of processing a workpiece comprising (a) providing a tool and a workpiece, wherein the workpiece has an initial shape; (b) placing the workpiece and the tool in contact to form an interface, applying force to the tool and/or the workpiece, and moving the tool and/or the workpiece to effect a change in the initial shape of the workpiece; (c) applying a lubricant to any area on a surface of the tool and/or to any area on a surface of the workpiece while the workpiece and the tool are in contact; and (d) applying a cryogenic fluid to any area on the surface of the tool and/or to any area on the surface of the workpiece while the workpiece and the tool are in contact.