Gas quenching cell

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a gas cooling cell, the cell comprising a chamber, one or more openings within the chamber for accessing a processing space within the chamber, one or more doors for closing the openings, and a system (4) within the chamber comprising one or more movable walls (42), wherein the wall is movable between a first position in which it forms a barrier between the opening and the processing space and a second position in which it allows access from the opening to the processing space.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] This patent application claims priority to French patent application FR19 / 11902 incorporated herein by reference. Background Technology

[0002] This specification generally relates to a metal or glass part processing device, and more specifically to a gas quenching cell.

[0003] Gas quenching cells are particularly widespread in industries that process parts made of metal, metal-based alloys, or even glass. This treatment of solid-state parts is generally a rapid cooling (quenching) heat treatment.

[0004] A quenching cell is typically formed as an airtight chamber placed in a chamber and having a circulation of gas (or gas for quenching) to cool the part to be processed prepared therein. This circulation controls the quality of processing and the performance of the device. The problem to be solved

[0005] One embodiment overcomes all or part of the disadvantages of the known quenching cell.

[0006] One embodiment provides a quenching cell having improved quenching gas circulation. means of solving the problem

[0007] One embodiment provides a gas cooling cell, and the gas cooling cell is,

[0008] Generally, a cylindrical chamber and,

[0009] One or more openings in the chamber for accessing a processing space inside the chamber, and

[0010] One or more doors that close the opening, and

[0011] A system located inside a chamber, comprising one or more movable walls, wherein the walls are movable in a direction parallel to the axis of a cylindrical chamber between a first position in which the walls form a barrier between an opening and a processing space and a second position in which the walls allow access from the opening to the processing space.

[0012] Equipped with

[0013] According to one embodiment, the movable wall participates in sending the gas flow toward the processing space.

[0014] According to one embodiment, the cell has a plurality of openings for access to a processing space, and the system has a movable wall between each opening and the processing space.

[0015] According to one embodiment, the chamber has two openings for access to the processing space.

[0016] According to one embodiment, the system has four walls arranged to form a frame around the processing space.

[0017] According to one embodiment, the frame is intended to surround a load placed in a processing space when in a first position.

[0018] According to one embodiment, gas circulation within the chamber is carried out in a closed circulation from a first direction in the central part of the chamber containing the processing space to a second direction in the periphery of the chamber.

[0019] According to one embodiment, the wall(s) are equipped with a deflector component at the level of the lower edge.

[0020] According to one embodiment, the wall(s) can move vertically in translation.

[0021] According to one embodiment, the cell further comprises a mechanism for controlling displacement from one position to another in a system having movable wall(s).

[0022] According to one embodiment, the above mechanism is,

[0023] A rotating shaft along an axis orthogonal to the direction of motion of the movable wall(s), and

[0024] It is equipped with one or more arms that convert the rotational motion of the shaft into the translational motion of the movable wall(s).

[0025] According to one embodiment, rotation of the shaft is generated from outside the chamber by a connecting rod mechanism that converts the translational motion of the cylinder into the rotational motion of the shaft.

[0026] According to one embodiment, the processing space is equipped with a load support for accommodating a load.

[0027] According to one embodiment, the cell is provided with a turbine vertically arranged in line with a load support, and the turbine

[0028] Inside the chamber, a fan and,

[0029] Actuator outside the chamber

[0030] It is equipped with.

[0031] According to one embodiment, the fan is located inside a duct to guide the gas into the processing space.

[0032] According to one embodiment, the wall(s) extend all or part of the walls of the duct at a first location. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0033] The features and advantages of the tactics, as well as other features and advantages, will be described in detail in the following description of specific embodiments provided as examples, with reference to the attached drawings, but not limited thereto. FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of one embodiment of a quenching cell. FIG. 2 shows partial perspective cross-sectional views A and B of one embodiment of a quenching cell. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a system having a movable wall for a quenching cell. FIG. 4 is a perspective cross-sectional view of one embodiment of a movable wall system and its operating mechanism included in a quenching cell. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0034] Identical features are designated by the same reference numeral in each drawing. In particular, structural and / or functional features common across multiple embodiments may have the same reference numeral and may be endowed with the same structural, dimensional, and material properties.

[0035] For clarity, only steps and components useful for understanding the embodiments described herein are illustrated and described in detail. In particular, the effect of each quenching gas on the part to be processed according to the flow rate, volume, temperature, and pressure of each quenching gas is known and will not be described in detail, and the described embodiments may be compatible with general processing and parameters (flow rate, volume, pressure, temperature, etc.).

[0036] Unless otherwise specified, if it is stated that two components are connected to each other, this means a direct connection without any intermediate components other than the conductor, and if it is stated that two components are joined to each other, this means that these two components can be connected to each other or joined through one or more other components.

[0037] In the following description, when terms limiting absolute positions such as "front," "back," "upper surface," "lower surface," "left," "right," etc., terms limiting relative positions such as "up," "down," "upper side," "lower side," etc., or terms limiting direction such as "horizontal," "vertical," etc. are mentioned, they indicate the orientation of the quenching cell or drawing in a general usage position unless otherwise specified.

[0038] Unless otherwise noted, expressions “about,” “approximately,” “substantially,” and “of an extent” mean within 10%, preferably within 5%.

[0039] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a rapid cooling cell or quenching cell (1).

[0040] Such a cell (1) generally forms part of a device or line for processing parts made of metal, metal alloy, or glass, and is equipped with other parts manufacturing and processing stations.

[0041] The gas quenching cell (1) is provided with, for example, a chamber (3) that is generally cylindrical in shape. The chamber (3) has a vertical or horizontal main direction (main gas circulation direction).

[0042] In the preferred example illustrated in FIG. 1, the chamber (3) is a cylindrical chamber having a vertical axis. The chamber (3) is placed on a support (5) or a leg.

[0043] The chamber (3) is provided with two openings (not shown in FIG. 1) for accessing the processing space inside the chamber. The two openings are preferably located in front of each other. These two openings are used, particularly in an inline device, to introduce or load parts to be processed and to remove processed parts, i.e., for transporting loads. As a variation, depending on the arrangement of the cells within the processing device, the chamber is provided with a single opening used for loading and removing parts. Each opening is connected to a door (9) located outside the chamber (3). The door (9) is moved by a motor (13), for example, as a door assembled to slide between horizontal guide rails (11). The door (9) ensures a hermetic closure of the cell (1), and the interior of the chamber (3) of the quenching cell (1) is, during operation, generally under a pressure in the range of 1 to 20 bars.

[0044] In the illustrated example, one of the openings is connected to a component (15) for connecting the cell (1) to the remaining module (not illustrated) of the device having the cell (1). For example, a heating cell or a transfer chamber. This connection can facilitate the automatic transfer of the part to be processed between this processing module and the quenching cell without placing it outside. The two openings can each be connected to a module outside the cell.

[0045] The gas quenching cell (1) further includes an exchanger inside the chamber for cooling the gas during quenching. Cooling water, for example, water, is supplied to the exchanger by a duct (17).

[0046] Gas is introduced by a duct (19) located in the upper part of the chamber (3) in the example of the cell of FIG. 1. For example, the gas used for quenching in the cell (1) is nitrogen, helium, and / or argon.

[0047] FIG. 2 shows one embodiment of a quenching cell in partial perspective cross-sectional views A and B.

[0048] Drawing A of FIG. 2 shows a cell (1) during a quenching cycle, with the cell door (9) closed. Drawing B of FIG. 2 shows a cell (1) with the door (9) open, for example, during the step of loading parts to be processed or removing processed parts.

[0049] The cell (1) is provided with a support (21) for receiving a load (23) to be processed, at the height of the processing space (39) inside the chamber (3). The load support (21) is selected so as to allow the load to be placed inside the chamber (3), such that the load is centered in the horizontal plane of the chamber (3) and aligned with the opening (25) (Fig. 2B).

[0050] The load (23) is schematically illustrated in FIG. 2 as a rectangular prism representing the volume occupied by the load in the chamber. In particular, this load comprises a plurality of parts to be processed, placed in one or more open-work baskets and / or open-work plates.

[0051] The cell (1) further comprises a turbine vertically aligned with the load support (21). The turbine is equipped with a fan (27) inside the chamber (3) and a drive motor (29) outside the chamber. A shaft (31) crosses the upper portion of the chamber (3) to connect the motor (29) to the fan (27).

[0052] A fan (27) is positioned inside a duct (32) to guide gas toward a load support (21). The fan (27) is preferably located inside the upper end of the duct (32). The duct (32) preferably has a circular cross-section in the upper part where the fan is provided, and at the other end, has a square or rectangular cross-section suitable for the shape in which the load to be processed is inscribed.

[0053] When quenching a load (23), the circulation of the quenching gas within the chamber (3) of the cell (1) is generally carried out in a closed circulation. A fan (27) drives the gas within the duct (32) downward, that is, toward the support (21), and thus toward the load (23) to be processed. The quenching gas passes through the load (23) placed in the processing space (39) before rising back up from the chamber through the surrounding space between the duct (32) and the wall of the chamber (3).

[0054] Gas circulation accelerated by a fan enables more rapid cooling. Due to the rapid flow, the cooling rate for metal parts is in the range of approximately 5 degrees per second to approximately 10 degrees per second.

[0055] The heat exchanger (33) is located in the surrounding space, preferably in the upper part at the level of the fan (27). The exchanger (33) has the function of cooling the gas before driving it back toward the load (23) in a closed circulation.

[0056] In order to facilitate the circulation of gas flow in the lower part of the chamber, and more specifically to return the gas from the central part to the periphery of the chamber, an upwardly oriented conical structure (35) is placed under the loading support (21). The tip of the cone (35) is approximately coaxial with the axis of the fan (27).

[0057] A downward-facing, similar conical structure (35') is provided in the upper part of the chamber to bring the gas flow cooled by the exchanger back from the surrounding circulation space to the center of the chamber. The tip of the cone of the structure (35') is approximately coaxial with the axis of the fan.

[0058] The conical structure (35 and 35') facilitates gas circulation from the top surface to the bottom surface in the center of the chamber and from the bottom surface to the top surface around the periphery of the chamber.

[0059] Preferably, a grid (37) used to homogenize the gas flow reaching the load is placed inside the duct (32), preferably at the level of the lower end. The function of the grid (37) is to create a laminar gas flow at the level of the load (23).

[0060] The quality of the processing and the performance of the device depend on the homogeneity of the gas circulation within the chamber (3). The described embodiment is derived from a new analysis of the gas flow in the processing chamber. From this analysis, it is shown that the presence of the door (9), particularly the opening (25) and the corresponding door frame, tends to generate vortices that hinder the laminar flow of gas within the chamber. This hinders the homogeneity of the downward gas flow, particularly at the level of the load, as well as the upward flow of the surrounding gas, and the homogeneity of the downward gas flow in the load from the top surface to the bottom surface at the level of the load portion located in front of the opening (25). This phenomenon is amplified in the case of a cylindrical chamber, which corresponds to most cases.

[0061] To overcome this phenomenon, the cell (1) is provided with a movable wall system (42) connected to each opening (25) of the chamber (3), the movable wall (42) is movable axially within the chamber and the opening (25) is located around the chamber but not at the axial end. That is, the opening (25) and the wall (42) are in planes parallel to the axis of the chamber.

[0062] The function of the wall (42) is to form a barrier between the opening (25) and the processing space (39), more specifically between the opening and at least the portion of the load (23) in front of the opening. In order to avoid obstruction in loading the parts to be processed into the cell (1) and removing the processed parts, the wall (42) is movable between at least a first position (lower) shown in FIG. 2A, which forms a barrier between the load (23) and the corresponding opening (25), and a second position (higher) shown in FIG. 2B, which allows access to the load support (21), and thus access to the processing space (39).

[0063] Drawing A of FIG. 2 shows the position of the wall (42) during the quenching cycle. Each movable wall (42) is positioned as a continuation of the wall of the duct (32). In this position, the movable wall (42) protects the downward flow through the load (23) from possible disturbance of the upward flow within the chamber (3) caused by the opening (25). In the illustrated example, the movable wall (42) is also used to guide the downward flow toward the load by continuing the duct (32) downward.

[0064] Drawing B of FIG. 2 shows the position of the wall (42) when, for example, the door (9) of the cell (1) is open, in addition to the quenching cycle. The movable wall (42) is positioned to allow access to the opening (25) at this time, and conversely, access to the load in the processing space (39). Preferably, at this position, the movable wall (42) is raised, for example, on both sides of the duct (32).

[0065] The number of movable walls (42) may vary, for example, depending on the shape of the chamber (3) and the components inside the chamber. In the described embodiment, the chamber generally has a cylindrical shape, and the walls are movable in a direction parallel to the axis of the chamber. For example, a chamber having a single opening (25) may be provided with a single movable wall. According to a preferred embodiment, four movable walls are provided. This can surround the processing space (39), and thus the load (23), thereby improving the function of the gas flow guided through it.

[0066] The flow guidance controlled by the wall (42) can separate the downward gas flow from the upward gas flow after passing through the load. Thus, the downward gas flow (gas flow for processing the load) is hardly or no longer obstructed by possible gas vortex effects at the level of the frame (25) of the door (9). This can homogenize the processing flow, thereby improving the quality of the processed parts.

[0067] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a system (4) having a movable wall (42) for a quenching cell.

[0068] According to this embodiment, the system (4) comprises a frame (44) or a sleeve or chimney, for example, four walls (42) arranged to form a rectangular prism. The frame (44) is movable parallel to the axis of the cylindrical chamber between a high position (Figure B of FIG. 2) and a low position (Figure B of FIG. 2). For example, the frame (44) is provided with a tab (46) on the upper portion of the two opposing walls (42) for attaching (suspending) to a control mechanism suitable for moving the frame (44) between the two positions.

[0069] For example, the mechanism (5) has a horizontal shaft (54) to which a first end of a bent arm (52) is attached. A second end of the arm (52) has a port or slot that follows a circular arc in a vertical plane. Each port (56) easily accommodates a horizontal pin (48) of one of the vertical tabs (46) for suspending the frame (44).

[0070] The function of the mechanism (5) is to convert the rotational motion of the shaft (54) about axis X into the vertical translational motion of the frame (44) between a high position and a low position, and the pin (48) slides within the port (56) to move from one position to another with the vertical pivoting of the arm (52) under the influence of the rotation of the shaft (54). The axis X of the shaft (54) is therefore orthogonal to the direction of movement of the wall (42).

[0071] The shaft (54) is preferably positioned laterally offset from the frame (44) so ​​as to be outside the duct (32) and not to obstruct gas circulation.

[0072] The advantage of providing such motion conversion is that it facilitates the control of vertical translation of the system (4) having a movable wall (42) from the outside of the chamber while maintaining the airtightness of the cell (3). For example, a shaft (54) is supported by a rigid connection and runs horizontally across the chamber (3), and its rotation is controlled from the outside by a mechanism (6) via a connection rod (64) that converts the translational motion of the cylinder (66), for example, vertical motion, into the rotational motion of the shaft (54).

[0073] At a lower position, the frame (44) of the wall (42) surrounds the load and thus protects it from the gas flow rising along the periphery of the chamber. The load is therefore not affected by possible laminar flow obstruction caused by the opening (25) of the chamber (3).

[0074] As shown in FIG. 3, the advantage of the system surrounding the load is that the wall (42) extends the duct (32) at a low position, which can help the laminar gas flow from the upper surface of the chamber to the processing space (39).

[0075] Preferably, the wall (42) is provided with a round deflector (425) in the lower portion to attenuate the effect of the lower edge of the wall (42) during gas circulation, particularly at the level of reversal of the circulation direction from lower to upper.

[0076] FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view of a vertical cross-section of one embodiment of a quenching cell (1) equipped with a system (4) as described in relation to FIG. 3.

[0077] Other components described in relation to FIGS. 2 and FIGS. 3 can be found therein. In FIG. 4, the frame (44) is in a low position. The lower part of the cell is not shown in FIG. 4.

[0078] FIG. 4 highlights the position of the shaft (54) off-center to avoid obstructing gas circulation to the mechanism located below the fan. The fact that the shaft (54) is not positioned parallel to the fan also defines the shape of the arm due to off-center rotational movement.

[0079] FIG. 4 also shows the fixed part (67) of the mechanism (6) for the chamber and the actuator (68) of the cylinder (66).

[0080] Various embodiments and variations are described. Those skilled in the art will understand that some features of these various embodiments and variations may be combined, and that other variations may be made by those skilled in the art. In particular, it is within the ability of those skilled in the art, based on the above description, to apply the system (4) having a movable wall (42) and the wall displacement mechanism (5) to the form of the chamber (3) and to consider restraining means connected to this form.

[0081] Finally, the actual realization of the described embodiments and variations is within the capability of those skilled in the art, based on the functional instructions provided above, particularly the functional instructions for application to the related quenching cell and, more generally, to the processing device.

Claims

Claim 1 A gas cooling cell having a system (4) Claim 2 In claim 1, the movable walls (42) are gas cooling cells that guide gas flow toward the processing space (39). Claim 3 A gas cooling cell according to claim 1 or 2, comprising a plurality of openings (25) for access to the processing space (39), wherein the system (4) comprises one of the movable walls of the system between each opening (25) and the processing space (39). Claim 4 In claim 1, the chamber (3) is a gas cooling cell having two openings (25) for access to the processing space (39). Claim 5 delete Claim 6 In claim 1, the frame (44) is a gas cooling cell that surrounds a load (23) within the processing space (39) when the frame (44) is in the first position. Claim 7 In claim 1, the gas circulation within the chamber (3) is a gas cooling cell that runs in a closed-circuit, in a first direction in the central part of the chamber including the processing space (39) and in a second direction around the periphery of the chamber. Claim 8 In paragraph 1, the walls (42) are a gas cooling cell in which a deflector component (425) is mounted at the level of the lower edge. Claim 9 In claim 1, the walls (42) are vertically movable together gas cooling cells. Claim 10 A gas cooling cell according to claim 1, further comprising a mechanism (5) for controlling displacement from one position to another of the system (4) having the movable walls (42). Claim 11 In claim 10, the above mechanism (5) is a gas cooling cell comprising a rotating shaft (54) along an axis (X) orthogonal to the direction of movement of the movable walls (42), and one or more arms (52) that convert the rotational movement of the shaft into the translational movement of the movable walls (42). Claim 12 In claim 11, the rotation of the shaft (54) is a gas cooling cell generated from outside the chamber (3) by means of a connecting rod mechanism (6) that converts the translational motion of the cylinder (66) into the rotational motion of the shaft (54). Claim 13 In claim 1, the processing space (39) is a gas cooling cell having a load support (21) for accommodating a load (23). Claim 14 In claim 13, a gas cooling cell having a turbine vertically arranged in line with the load support (21), wherein the turbine has a fan (27) inside the chamber (3) and an actuator (29) outside the chamber. Claim 15 In paragraph 14, the fan (27) is a gas cooling cell located inside a duct (32) for guiding the gas to the processing space (39). Claim 16 In paragraph 15, the walls (42) are gas cooling cells that extend all or part of the walls of the duct (32) at a first position.

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