公开(公告)号：WO2006028997A2

公开(公告)日：2006-03-16

申请号：PCT/US2005/031375

申请日：2005-09-01

Applicant: BTU INTERNATIONAL, INC.

Inventor： ORBECK, Gary ,  SECCOMBE, Donald, A., Jr.

IPC: F23C9/00

CPC classification number: F27B17/0083 ,  C21D1/767 ,  C21D9/0006 ,  F23C7/02 ,  F23C9/006 ,  F23C2900/09002 ,  F23L7/00 ,  F23M9/06 ,  F27B9/3005 ,  F27B9/3011 ,  F27D1/04 ,  F27D7/04

Abstract: In a system for thermally processing materials, at least one slot eductor is disposed in a wall or roof surface of the furnace chamber to provide circulation of gas within the furnace chamber.

Abstract translation: 在用于热处理材料的系统中，至少一个槽喷射器设置在炉室的壁或屋顶表面中以提供炉室内的气体的循环。

公开(公告)号：WO2004073037A2

公开(公告)日：2004-08-26

申请号：PCT/US2004/003934

申请日：2004-02-10

Applicant: BTU INTERNATIONAL, INC. ,  SECCOMBE, Donald, A., Jr. ,  ORBECK, Gary

Inventor： SECCOMBE, Donald, A., Jr. ,  ORBECK, Gary

IPC: H01L

CPC classification number: C04B35/64 ,  B28B11/241 ,  B28B11/243 ,  C04B35/638 ,  C04B2235/667 ,  C21D1/767 ,  F27B9/3011 ,  F27B9/36 ,  F27B9/40 ,  F27B17/0016 ,  F27B21/00 ,  F27D19/00 ,  F27D99/0006 ,  F27D2003/0065 ,  F27D2099/0028 ,  F27M2003/04 ,  H05B6/68

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for binder removal and sintering of materials such as ceramic materials and products, LTCC intervals, solid oxide fuel cells and powder metals. A combination of microwave and convection/radiation heating is employed for binder removal and sintering. Preferably, the microwave heating is accomplished using a variable or multi-frequency microwave source. A gas atmosphere is provided in the furnace chamber by one or more eductors which produces a high volume gas circulation in the furnace chamber to achieve a highly uniform gas environment and temperature. The process in accordance with the invention controls the heating cycle, the heat sources and thermal profile depending upon the composition of the particular material being processed. The thermal processing can be accomplished in a batch furnace in which a product is loaded for processing and unloaded after processing. The invention can also be practiced in a continuous process wherein the product is conveyed between furnace sections or chambers of a furnace.

Abstract translation: 本发明提供了用于粘合剂去除和烧结诸如陶瓷材料和产品，LTCC间隔，固体氧化物燃料电池和粉末金属的材料的系统和方法。 微波和对流/辐射加热的组合用于粘合剂去除和烧结。 优选地，使用可变或多频微波源实现微波加热。 在炉室中由一个或多个喷射器提供气体气氛，其在炉室中产生高体积的气体循环，以实现高度均匀的气体环境和温度。 根据本发明的方法根据所处理的特定材料的组成控制加热循环，热源和热分布。 热处理可以在批量炉中完成，其中产品被加载用于处理后的卸载。 本发明也可以在连续的方法中实施，其中产物在炉的炉段或室之间输送。

公开(公告)号：WO2003021176A1

公开(公告)日：2003-03-13

申请号：PCT/US2002/023619

申请日：2002-07-26

Applicant: BTU INTERNATIONAL, INC.

Inventor： ORBECK, Gary

IPC: F27D3/04

CPC classification number: F27D3/12 ,  F27B9/028 ,  F27B9/045 ,  F27B9/26 ,  F27B9/3005 ,  F27B2009/264 ,  F27B2009/3055 ,  F27D3/00 ,  F27D99/007 ,  F27D2003/124 ,  F27D2099/0078

Abstract: A continuous pusher furnace (10) includes a product carrier assembly (36) incorporating a traveling gas barrier (46). The product carrier assembly comprises a plate (38) disposed to receive product thereon and a gas barrier extending upwardly from the plate. The perimeter of the gas barrier is sized and configured to fit within a vestibule (22) between heating chambers in the furnace with a clearance gap (54) with the vestibule selected to increase a gas flow (56) velocity through the vestibule sufficient to overcome a gas diffusion velocity through the vestibule in a direction opposite to the gas flow. In this manner, gas is unable to diffuse into an upstream heating chamber (18). In an alternative embodiment, an exhaust outlet (60) may also be provided in the vestibule or chamber to exhaust gas from upstream and downstream heating chambers from the furnace.

Abstract translation: 连续推进炉（10）包括结合行进气体屏障（46）的产品载体组件（36）。 产品承载组件包括设置成在其上容纳产品的板（38）和从板向上延伸的气体屏障。 气体阻挡件的周边的尺寸和构造适于装配在炉内的加热室之间的前庭（22）中，具有间隙（54），其中前门被选择为增加通过前庭的气流（56）速度足以克服 通过与气流相反的方向通过前庭的气体扩散速度。 以这种方式，气体不能扩散到上游加热室（18）中。 在替代实施例中，还可以在前庭或室中设置排气出口（60），以从来自炉的上游和下游加热室排出气体。

公开(公告)号：WO2004029531A2

公开(公告)日：2004-04-08

申请号：PCT/US2003/022084

申请日：2003-07-15

Applicant: BTU INTERNATIONAL, INC.

Inventor： ORBECK, Gary ,  HONNORS, Robert ,  GIBBS, Wayne, L.

IPC: F27B

CPC classification number: F27B9/02 ,  B23K1/008 ,  B23K2201/42 ,  F27B9/10 ,  F27B9/20 ,  F27B9/243 ,  F27B9/36 ,  F27D9/00 ,  F27D19/00 ,  F27D2009/0005

Abstract: A multizone convection furnace is provided in which gas from a cooling chamber of the furnace is directed into one or more heat zones of the furnace for the purpose of providing a specified thermal profile. The gas introduced from the cooling chamber into the one or more heat zones is of the same type of gas present in the heat zones, and typically is nitrogen. In a preferred embodiment, the convection furnaces comprises a heating chamber composed of a plurality of adjacent heat zones and a cooling chamber at the exit end of the heating chamber. A conveyer extends through the furnace for movement of a product through the heat zones and cooling chamber of the furnace. The cooling chamber is coupled to one or more of the heat zones such that cooled gas from the cooling chamber can be introduced into selected heat zones. In one version, a cooled gas path is provided to all of the heat zones and cooled gas is introduced into intended zones by opening associated valves. Alternatively, cooled gas paths can be provided to only predetermined zones where cooled gas introduction is desired.

Abstract translation: 提供了一种多区域对流炉，其中来自炉的冷却室的气体被引导到炉的一个或多个加热区域中，以提供特定的热分布。 从冷却室引入到一个或多个加热区域的气体是存在于加热区域中的相同类型的气体，并且通常是氮气。 在优选实施例中，对流炉包括由多个相邻加热区组成的加热室和在加热室的出口端处的冷却室。 输送机延伸穿过炉子，使产品移动通过炉子的加热区域和冷却室。 冷却室联接到一个或多个加热区域，使得来自冷却室的冷却气体可以被引入选定的加热区域。 在一个版本中，向所有加热区域提供冷却的气体路径，并且通过打开相关的阀将冷却的气体引入到预期的区域中。 或者，可以将冷却的气体路径提供给仅需要冷却气体引入的预定区域。

公开(公告)号：WO2005027239A2

公开(公告)日：2005-03-24

申请号：PCT/US2004/029571

申请日：2004-09-10

Applicant: BTU INTERNATIONAL, INC. ,  TRUSTEES OF BOSTON UNIVERSITY

Inventor： SECCOMBE, Donald, A., Jr. ,  ORBECK, Gary ,  GOPALAN, Srikanth ,  PAL, Uday, B.

IPC: H01M

CPC classification number: H01M4/9033 ,  H01M4/8621 ,  H01M4/8657 ,  H01M4/8885 ,  H01M4/9016 ,  H01M4/9066 ,  H01M8/1213 ,  H01M8/1246 ,  H01M2300/0074 ,  H01M2300/0077 ,  H01M2300/0094 ,  Y02E60/525 ,  Y02P70/56

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for conveniently manufacturing a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) at a cost that is less than five-hundred dollars per kilowatt of electricity. The method comprises forming an electrode layer and depositing an electrolyte material on the surface of the electrode. The formed structure is an electrode-electrolyte bi-layer. A second electrode is deposited onto this bi-layer to form a multilayer fuel cell structure comprising an electrolyte positioned between two electrodes. This multilayer structure is then heated and fired in a single thermal cycle to remove any binder materials and sinter, respectively, the fuel cell. This thermal cycle can be performed in a furnace having one or more chambers. The chamber(s) preferably contains a variable or multiple frequency microwave source for heating the cell and removing binder materials in the electrolyte and electrode structures. The chamber(s) also preferably include a convection and/or radiation source for sintering the fuel cell. In addition, the method of the invention harmonizes and minimizes the deviation among the thermophysical properties of the electrolyte and electrode structures. This harmonization reduces and minimizes the temperature gradient within the cell such that the structure can be uniformly heated and fired during the thermal cycle. The multilayer structure is also unlikely to distort and fracture by minimizing the temperature gradient in the cell. An SOFC can also be manufactured by the present method in an order of magnitude less time than standard processes.

Abstract translation: 本发明提供一种方便地制造固体氧化物燃料电池（SOFC）的方法，其成本低于每千瓦电力500美元。 该方法包括形成电极层并在电极的表面上沉积电解质材料。 所形成的结构是电极 - 电解质双层。 第二电极沉积到该双层上以形成包含位于两个电极之间的电解质的多层燃料电池结构。 然后将该多层结构在单个热循环中加热和烧制以除去任何粘合剂材料并分别烧结燃料电池。 该热循环可以在具有一个或多个室的炉中进行。 腔室优选地包含用于加热电池并去除电解质和电极结构中的粘合剂材料的可变或多频微波源。 该室还优选地包括用于烧结燃料电池的对流和/或辐射源。 此外，本发明的方法协调和最小化电解质和电极结构的热物理性质之间的偏差。 这种协调减小并最小化了电池内的温度梯度，使得结构可以在热循环期间被均匀地加热和烧制。 多层结构也不太可能通过使电池中的温度梯度最小化来扭曲和断裂。 SOFC也可以通过本方法制造的时间比标准工艺要低一个数量级。