GAS RAPID COOLING CELL

Abstract

The present description refers to a gas cooling cell, comprising: a chamber; at least one opening in the chamber, providing access to a treatment space internal to the chamber; at least one door for closing the opening; and a system (4), internal to the chamber, comprising at least one wall (42) movable between a first position where this wall forms a screen between the opening and the treatment space, and a second position where said wall clears access to the treatment space from the opening.

Description

GAS RAPID COOLING CELL CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This patent application claims the benefit of priority of French patent application FR19 / 11902, which is incorporated herein by reference. FIELD OF INVENTION

[01] This disclosure generally refers to metal or glass parts treatment facilities, and more particularly to gas rapid cooling cells. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[02] Gas rapid quenching cells are particularly widespread in industry for treating parts made of metal or a metal-based alloy, or even glass. This treatment of solid-state parts is generally a rapid quenching heat treatment.

[03] A rapid cooling cell generally consists of a sealed chamber with a circulating cooling gas (or rapid cooling gas) for the parts to be treated, which are arranged within the chamber. This circulation determines the quality of the treatment and the performance of the installation. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[04] One modality overcomes all or some of the known disadvantages of fast-cooling cells.

[05] One modality provides a fast cooling cell with improved circulation of fast cooling gases.

[06] One embodiment provides a gas cooling cell, comprising: a chamber of generally cylindrical shape; at least one opening in the chamber, providing access to an internal treatment space within the chamber; at least one door to close the opening; and a system, internal to the chamber, comprising at least one movable wall, in a direction parallel to the axis of the cylindrical chamber, between a first position where this wall forms a screen between the opening and the treatment space, and a second position where said wall clears access to the treatment space from the opening.

[07] According to one modality, the movable wall participates in channeling the gas flow into the treatment space.

[08] According to one modality, the cell comprises a plurality of access openings to the treatment space, said system comprising a movable wall between each opening and the treatment space.

[09] According to one modality, the chamber comprises two access openings to the treatment space.

[010] According to one modality, said system comprises four walls arranged to form a ML / t / ZUZZ / UÓ frame around the treatment space.

[011] According to one modality, the frame is intended, when in the first position, to surround a load accommodated in the treatment space.

[012] According to one modality, the circulation of gas in the chamber is carried out in a closed circuit, in a first direction in the central portion of the chamber that includes the treatment space and in a second direction in the periphery of the chamber.

[013] According to one modality, the wall(s) is / are equipped with deflector elements at the level of its lower edges.

[014] According to one modality, the wall(s) is / are vertically movable in translation.

[015] According to one modality, the cell further comprises a mechanism for controlling a displacement of the system with movable wall(s) from one position to the other.

[016] According to one modality, said mechanism comprises:

[017] a rotating bar along an axis perpendicular to the direction of movement of the moving wall(s); and

[018] at least one arm to convert a rotational movement of the bar into a translational movement of the movable wall(s).

[019] According to one modality, the rotation of the bar is caused from outside the chamber by means of a connecting rod mechanism that converts a translational movement of a cylinder into a rotational movement of the bar.

[020] According to one modality, the treatment space comprises a load-bearing support, which is intended to receive a load.

[021] According to one embodiment, the cell comprises a turbine arranged vertically in line with the load support, the turbine comprising:

[022] a fan, internal to the chamber; and

[023] an actuator, external to the camera.

[024] According to one modality, the fan is inside a duct to guide the gas to the treatment space.

[025] According to one modality, the wall(s), in its first position, continues the entirety or part of the walls of the duct. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[026] The above features and advantages, as well as others, will be described in detail in the following description of specific modalities provided by way of illustration and not limitation with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[027] Figure 1 is an external perspective view of one type of cooling cell ΜΛ / t / ZUZZ / UÓ l¿Ί or fast.

[028] Figure 2A-2B shows partial perspective cross-sectional views Fig.2A and Fig.2B of one modality of a rapid cooling cell.

[029] Figure 3 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a system with movable walls for a rapid cooling cell.

[030] Figure 4 is a perspective cross-section of one modality of a moving wall system and its drive mechanism, integrated into a rapid cooling cell. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[031] Similar features have been designated by similar references in the different figures. In particular, structural and / or functional features that are common among the different modalities may have the same references and may have identical structural, dimensional, and material properties.

[032] For the sake of clarity, only the steps and elements useful for understanding the methods described in this document have been illustrated and described in detail. In particular, the effects of different rapid cooling gases on the parts to be treated, according to the flow rates, volumes, temperatures, and pressures of these gases, are known and will not be detailed. The methods described are compatible with standard treatments and parameters (flow rates, volumes, pressures, temperatures, etc.).

[033] Unless otherwise stated, when reference is made to two elements connected together, this means a direct connection without intermediate elements other than conductors, and when reference is made to two elements coupled together, this means that these two elements can be connected or coupled by means of one or more other elements.

[034] In the following description, when reference is made to terms qualifying absolute positions, such as “front”, “back”, “top”, “bottom”, “left”, “right”, etc., or relative positions, such as “above”, “below”, “higher”, “lower”, etc., or terms qualifying directions, such as “horizontal”, “vertical”, etc., unless otherwise specified, it refers to the orientation of the drawings or to a rapid cooling cell in a normal use position.

[035] Unless otherwise specified, the expressions “around”, “approximately”, “substantially”, and “on the order of” mean within 10%, and preferably within 5%.

[036] Figure 1 is a perspective view of one modality of a rapid cooling cell or rapid cooling cell 1.

[037] Generally, such cell 1 is part of an installation or line for treating parts made of metal, a metal alloy, or glass, comprising other parts manufacturing and treatment stations.

[038] The gas rapid cooling cell 1 comprises a chamber 3, for example, generally cylindrical in shape. The chamber 3 has a main vertical or horizontal direction (main gas circulation direction). ML / t / ZUZZ / UÓ / ZI ó

[039] In the preferred example shown in Figure 1, chamber 3 is a cylindrical chamber having a vertical axis. Chamber 3 rests on supports 5 or legs.

[040] Chamber 3 comprises two openings (not shown in Figure 1) providing access to a treatment space within the chamber. The two openings are preferably opposite each other. These two openings are used, particularly in an in-line installation, respectively for the introduction or loading of parts to be treated and for the unloading of treated parts, i.e., for load transfer. As an alternative, depending on the arrangement of the cell in the treatment installation, the chamber comprises a single opening used for loading and unloading parts. Each opening is associated with a door 9, external to chamber 3. The door(s) 9 is / are, for example, sliding doors mounted between guide rails 11, e.g., horizontal rails, and are moved by means of motors 13.The door(s) 9 ensure a hermetic seal of cell 1, the interior of chamber 3 of the rapid cooling cell 1, being, in operation, at pressures generally in the range of 1 to 20 bar.

[041] In the example shown, one of the openings is associated with elements 15 to connect cell 1 to a module, not shown, of the rest of the installation comprising cell 1. This is, for example, a heating cell or a transfer chamber. This connection allows for the automatic transfer, without placing them back in the open air, of parts to be treated between this treatment module and the rapid cooling cell. Each of the two openings can be associated with a module external to the cell.

[042] The gas rapid cooling cell 1 further comprises an internal heat exchanger (not shown in Figure 1) for cooling the gas(ies) during rapid cooling. The heat exchanger is supplied with refrigerant, for example, water, by means of ducts 17.

[043] The gases are introduced, in the example of the cell in Figure 1, by means of a duct 19 located in the upper portion of chamber 3. As an example, the gases used for rapid cooling in cell 1 are nitrogen, helium, and / or argon.

[044] Figure 2A-2B shows, in partial perspective cross-section views Fig.2A and Fig.2B, one modality of a rapid cooling cell.

[045] Figure 2A shows cell 1 during the rapid cooling cycle, with the cell doors 9 closed. Figure 2B shows cell 1 with the doors 9 open, for example, during a loading phase of parts to be treated or unloading of treated parts.

[046] Cell 1 comprises, within chamber 3, at the level of a treatment space 39, a support 21 intended to receive a load 23 to be treated. The load support 21 is selected to allow a load 23 to be accommodated within chamber 3, such that the load is centered in the horizontal plane of chamber 3 and aligned with the opening(s) 25 (Figure 2B).

[047] Load 23 is illustrated schematically in Figure 2A-2B by means of a cuboid, which represents the volume occupied by the load in the chamber. In practice, the load comprises a plurality of parts to be treated, accommodated in one or a plurality of open work baskets and / or an open work plate.

[048] Cell 1 further comprises a turbine vertically in line with the load support 21. The turbine comprises a fan 27, internal to chamber 3, and a drive motor 29, external to the chamber. A bar 31 crosses an upper portion of chamber 3 and couples the motor 29 to the fan 27.

[049] The fan 27 is accommodated within a duct 32 to guide the gases towards the load support 21. The fan 27 is preferably located within the upper end of the duct 32. The duct 32 preferably has a circular cross-section in its upper portion, comprising the fan, and a square or rectangular cross-section at its other end, adapted to the shape within which the load to be treated is inscribed.

[050] During the rapid cooling of a load 23, the rapid cooling gas is generally circulated in chamber 3 of cell 1 in a closed loop. The fan 27 drives the gas in duct 32 downwards, in other words, towards the support 21, and thus the load 23 to be treated. The rapid cooling gas passes through the load 23 placed in the treatment space 39 before returning upwards in the chamber through a peripheral space 32 and the walls of chamber 3.

[051] The gas circulation accelerated by the fan allows for faster cooling. By faster is meant a cooling rate, for metal parts, in the range of approximately 5 degrees per second to approximately 10 degrees per second.

[052] A heat exchanger 33 is located in this peripheral space, preferably in the upper portion at the level of the fan 27. The heat exchanger 33 has the function of cooling the gas before it is pumped back to the load 23 in the closed-loop circulation.

[053] To facilitate the circulation of gas flow in the lower portion of the chamber and, more particularly, to redirect the gas from the central portion to the periphery of the chamber, an upward-facing conical structure 35 is accommodated under the load support 21. The tip of the cone 35 is approximately coaxial with the axis of the fan 27.

[054] A similar downward-facing conical structure 35' is provided in the upper portion of the chamber to return the gas flow, cooled by the heat exchanger, from the peripheral circulation space to the center of the chamber. The tip of the cone of structure 35' is approximately coaxial with the fan axis.

[055] The conical structures 35 and 35' facilitate gas circulation in the center of the chamber from top to bottom and the periphery of the chamber from bottom to top.

[056] Preferably, a grid 37 used to homogenize the gas flow arriving at the load is accommodated inside the duct 32, preferably at the level of its lower end. The function of the grid 37 is to make the gas flow laminar at the level of the load 23.

[057] The quality of the treatment and the performance of the Installation depend on the homogeneity of the gas circulation in chamber 3. The described modalities originate from a novel analysis of gas flows in a treatment chamber. It appears from this analysis that the presence of the doors 9, and more particularly the openings 25 and their corresponding door frames, tends to create vortices that interfere with the laminar flow of gases in the chamber. This affects not only the upward peripheral flow of gases, but especially the MA / t / ZUZZ / UÓ l¿Ί or homogeneity of the gas flow downwards at the level of the load and in the load from top down to the level of the portions of the load located in front of the openings 25. This phenomenon is improved in the case of a cylindrical chamber, which corresponds to most cases.

[058] To overcome this phenomenon, a movable wall system 42 is provided in cell 1, which is associated with each opening 25 of chamber 3. This movable wall 42 is internal to the chamber and movable in the axial direction of the cylindrical chamber, with the opening 25 located on the periphery of the chamber and not at an axial end. In other words, the opening 25 and wall(s) 42 are in planes parallel to the axis of the chamber.

[059] The function of the walls 42 is to form a screen between the openings 25 and the treatment space 39, more particularly between the openings 25 and at least the portions of the load 23 in front of these openings. To prevent hindering the loading of cell 1 with parts to be treated and its unloading of treated parts, the walls 42 are movable at least between a first (low) position, illustrated in Figure 2A, where they form a screen between the load 23 and the corresponding opening 25, and a second (high) position, illustrated in Figure 2B, where they clear access to the load support 21, and therefore to the treatment space 39.

[060] The view in Figure 2A illustrates one position of the walls 42 during a rapid cooling cycle. Each movable wall 42 is positioned as a continuation of the walls of the duct 32. In this position, the movable walls 42 protect the downward flow through the load 23 from possible disturbances of the upward flow in chamber 3, generated by the openings 25. In the example shown, the movable walls 42 are also used to guide the downward flow to the load, continuing the duct 32 downward.

[061] The view in Figure 2B illustrates a position of the walls 42 outside the rapid cooling cycle, for example, when the doors 9 of cell 1 are open. The movable walls 42 are then positioned to clear access to the openings 25, and conversely, to the treatment space 39 and thus to the load. Preferably, in this position, the movable walls 42 are raised, for example, on either side of the duct 32.

[062] The number of movable walls 42 can vary and depends, for example, on the shape of the chamber 3 and the internal elements of the chamber. In the described embodiments, the chamber is generally cylindrical, and the wall(s) is / are movable in a direction parallel to the chamber axis. For example, a chamber with a single opening 25 can be provided with a single movable wall. According to a preferred embodiment, four movable walls are provided. This allows the treatment space 39, and therefore the load 23, to be surrounded, thus improving the function of the gas flow guide through it.

[063] The flow guidance operated by the walls 42 isolates the downward gas flow from the upward gas flow after it has passed through the load. Therefore, the downward gas flow (for load treatment) is less disturbed, or no longer disturbed, by potential gas swirling effects at the level of the door frames 25 9. This homogenizes the treatment flow and thus improves the quality of the treated parts.

[064] Figure 3 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a system 4 with movable walls 42 for a rapid cooling cell.

[065] According to this modality, system 4 comprises four walls 42 arranged to form MA / t / ZUZZ / UÓ lZ I or a frame 44, or pipe or chimney, for example, cuboid. The frame 44 is movable, parallel to the axis of the cylindrical chamber, between a high position (see Figure 2B) and a low position (see Figure 2A). For example, the frame 44 comprises, in the upper portion of two opposing walls 42, tabs 46 intended to engage (be suspended) on a control mechanism 5 adapted to move the frame 44 between the two positions.

[066] For example, the mechanism 5 comprises a horizontal bar 54 having first ends of curved arms 52 coupled thereto. The second ends of the arms 52 comprise ports or slots 56 that follow, in a vertical plane, an arc of a circle. Each port 56 slideably receives a horizontal pin 48 from one of the vertical tabs 46 for suspending the frame 44.

[067] The function of mechanism 5 is to transform a rotational movement of bar 54 about its X-axis into a vertical translational movement of the frame 44 between its high and low positions, the pins 48 sliding in the ports 56 to move from one position to the other with the vertical pivoting of the arms 52 under the effect of the rotation of bar 54. The X-axis of bar 54 is therefore perpendicular to the direction of movement of the walls 42.

[068] Bar 54 is preferably positioned laterally offset from frame 44, so that it is outside the channel 32 and does not disturb the gas flow.

[069] One advantage of providing such motion conversion is that it facilitates the control of the vertical translation of the system 4 with movable walls 42 from outside the chamber while preserving the airtightness of cell 3. For example, the bar 54 crosses the chamber 3 horizontally while supported by airtight connections and its rotation is controlled from the outside by means of a mechanism 6 by means of a connecting rod 64 that transformed a translational motion, for example, vertical, of a cylinder 66 into a rotational motion of the bar 54.

[070] In the lowered position, the frame 44 of the walls 42 surrounds the load and thus protects it from the gas flow rising along the periphery of the chamber. Therefore, the load is not affected by any laminar disturbances generated by the openings 25 of chamber 3.

[071] One advantage of a system surrounding the load as illustrated in Figure 3 is that in the low position, the walls 42 continue the duct 32, and therefore favor laminar gas flow from the top of the chamber to the treatment space 39.

[072] Preferably, the walls 42 comprise, in their lower portion, rounded baffles 425 to attenuate the effects of the lower edges of the walls 42 on gas circulation, particularly at the level of reversal of the circulation direction from downwards to upwards.

[073] Figure 4 is a partial perspective view of a vertical cross-section of one modality of a rapid cooling cell 1 equipped with a system 4 as described in relation to Figure 3.

[074] There you can find the different elements described in relation to Figures 2A-2B and 3. In view of Figure 4, frame 44 is in the lower position. The lower portion of the cell is not shown in Figure 4.

[075] Figure 4 highlights the off-center position of bar 54 to prevent disruption of gas circulation with respect to a mechanism that would be located below the fan. The fact that bar 54 is not ML / t / ZUZZ / UÓ / ZI or placed in line with the fan also justifies the shape of the arms due to the off-center rotational movement.

[076] Figure 4 also shows a clamping 67 of the mechanism 6 to the camera and an actuator 68 of the cylinder 66.

[077] Different modalities and variants have been described. Those experienced in the subject will understand that certain features of these different modalities can be combined, and those experienced in the subject will devise other variants. In particular, adapting system 4 with movable walls 42 and its wall-positioning mechanism 5 to the shape of chamber 3 and taking into account the restrictions linked to this shape are within the capabilities of those experienced in the subject based on the above disclosure.

[078] Finally, the practical implementation of the described modalities and variants is within the capabilities of those experienced in the subject matter based on the functional indications provided above, particularly for their adaptation to the rapid cooling cell in question and more generally to the treatment facility.

Claims

1. A rapid gas cooling cell (1), comprising: a generally cylindrical chamber (3); at least one opening (25) in the chamber (3), providing access to a treatment space (39) internal to the chamber; at least one door (9) for closing the opening; and a system (4), internal to the chamber (3), comprising at least one movable wall (42), in a direction parallel to the axis of the cylindrical chamber, between a first position where this wall forms a screen between the opening and the treatment space, and a second position where said wall clears access to the treatment space from the opening.

2. The cell according to claim 1, wherein the movable wall (42) participates in channeling the gas flow towards the treatment space (39).

3. The cell according to claim 1 or 2, comprising a plurality of openings (25) for access to the treatment space (39), said system (4) comprising a movable wall (42) between each opening (25) and the treatment space (39).

4. The cell according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the chamber (3) comprises two openings (25) for access to the treatment space (39).

5. The cell according to any of claims 1 to 4, wherein said system (4) comprises four walls (42) arranged to form a frame (44) around the treatment space (39).

6. The cell according to claim 5, wherein the frame (44) is intended, when in the first position, to surround a load (23) accommodated in the treatment space (39).

7. The cell according to any of claims 1 to 6, wherein the gas circulation in the chamber (3) is carried out in a closed circuit, in a first direction in the central portion of the chamber that includes the treatment space (39) and in a second direction in the periphery of the chamber.

8. The cell according to any of claims 1 to 7, wherein the wall(s) (42) is / are equipped with deflector elements (425) at the level of its lower edges.

9. The cell according to any of claims 1 to 8, wherein the wall(s) (42) is / are vertically movable in translation.

10. The cell according to any of claims 1 to 9, further comprising a mechanism (5) for controlling a displacement of the system (4) with movable wall(s) from one position to the other.

11. The cell according to claim 10, wherein said mechanism (5) comprises: a rotating bar (54) about an axis (X) perpendicular to the direction of movement of the movable wall(s); and at least one arm (52) for converting a rotational movement of the bar into a translational movement of the movable wall(s) (42). ML / t / ZUZZ / UÓ l Z1 ó 12. The cell according to claim 11, wherein the rotation of the bar (54) is caused from outside the chamber (3) by means of a connecting rod mechanism (6) that converts a translational movement of a cylinder (66) into a rotational movement of the bar (54).

13. The cell according to any of claims 1 to 12, wherein the treatment space 5 (39) comprises a load support (21), which is intended to receive a load (23).

14. The cell according to claim 13, comprising a turbine arranged vertically in line with the load support (21), the turbine comprising: a fan (27), internal to the chamber (3); and an actuator (29), external to the chamber. 10 15. The cell according to claim 14, wherein the fan (27) is inside a duct (32) to guide the gas to the treatment space (39).

16. The cell according to claim 15, wherein the wall(s) (42), in their first position, continue(s) all or part of the walls of the duct (32).

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