Heat treatment device

Abstract

The present invention relates to the technical field of heat treatment. A heat treatment device, comprising a furnace, which has an observation window opened on the furnace body and quartz glass inlaid in the observation window; further comprising an industrial personal computer. The industrial personal computer is connected to an infrared temperature imager and a first pan-tilt unit; the first pan-tilt unit is arranged outside the furnace body, and the infrared temperature imager is mounted on the first pan-tilt unit, the infrared temperature imager facing the quartz glass. A light-transmitting window is opened on the furnace body of the furnace. The industrial personal computer is connected to a second pan-tilt unit and a carbon dioxide laser; the carbon dioxide laser is fixed on the second pan-tilt unit, a light outlet of the carbon dioxide laser facing the light-transmitting window. The industrial personal computer uses the infrared temperature imager to capture temperature imaging of a workpiece being processed, identifies a low-temperature region on said workpiece, adjusts the carbon dioxide laser to face the low-temperature region, and starts the carbon dioxide laser to provide supplementary heating.

Description

A heat treatment apparatus Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of heat treatment technology, and more specifically to heat treatment apparatus. Background Technology

[0002] During heat treatment, if the temperature inside the furnace is uneven, the workpieces being processed are prone to cracking during heating and cooling, especially thin-walled castings. Furthermore, due to differences in the volume and shape of the workpieces, localized high or low temperatures are inevitable within the furnace, and the location of these localized high and low temperatures varies depending on the workpiece. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The purpose of this section is to outline some aspects of the embodiments of the present invention and to briefly introduce some preferred embodiments. Some simplifications or omissions may be made in this section, as well as in the abstract and title of the present application, to avoid obscuring the purpose of this section, the abstract and title of the invention. Such simplifications or omissions shall not be used to limit the scope of the present invention.

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide a heat treatment apparatus to solve at least one of the above-mentioned technical problems.

[0005] The technical problem solved by this invention can be achieved by the following technical solutions:

[0006] A heat treatment apparatus includes a furnace, wherein an observation window is provided on the furnace body and the observation window is inlaid with quartz glass; and further includes an industrial control computer having at least three control signal output interfaces.

[0007] The video signal input interface of the industrial control computer is connected to an infrared temperature imager;

[0008] One of the control signal output interfaces of the industrial control computer is connected to the first gimbal, which is mounted outside the furnace body, and the infrared temperature imager is installed on the first gimbal.

[0009] The infrared temperature imager has an imaging lens, and a light-transmitting tube with a tube wall that blocks light is fitted in front of the imaging lens. The viewing window of the light-transmitting tube faces the quartz glass of the observation window. The length of the light-transmitting tube is 1cm-5cm, and the area of ​​the observation window is at least 5 times the area of ​​the opening of the light-transmitting tube.

[0010] The first gimbal drives the light-transmitting tube to change its orientation angle by a range of not less than 30 degrees vertically and not less than 30 degrees horizontally. Within this range of angle change, the viewing window of the light-transmitting tube always faces the quartz glass, ensuring that the infrared temperature imager continuously captures the temperature image of the workpiece inside the furnace.

[0011] The furnace body has a light-transmitting window, which is inlaid with quartz glass. The light-transmitting window is located below the observation window and is more than 5cm but less than 10cm away from it.

[0012] One of the control signal output interfaces of the industrial control computer is connected to the second pan-tilt unit;

[0013] One of the control signal output interfaces of the industrial control computer also controls a carbon dioxide laser.

[0014] A carbon dioxide laser is fixed on the second gimbal, with the laser's output port facing the light-transmitting window. A flexible light shield is installed between the laser's output port and the light-transmitting window to prevent infrared laser reflection from being emitted outwards.

[0015] The second gimbal drives the light output port of the carbon dioxide laser to change its orientation angle by no less than 30 degrees vertically and no less than 30 degrees horizontally. Within this range of angle change, the light output port always faces the light transmission window to ensure that the infrared laser continuously irradiates the workpiece inside the furnace.

[0016] The work process is as follows:

[0017] The furnace heats the workpiece. During the heating process, the industrial control computer controls the first gimbal to drive the infrared temperature imager to capture temperature images of the workpiece and find the low-temperature area of ​​the workpiece. The low-temperature area refers to the area in a temperature image that is lower than the average temperature of the workpiece.

[0018] The industrial control computer adjusts the second gimbal, causing the output port of the carbon dioxide laser to move, so that the emitted laser is directed towards the low-temperature region, and the carbon dioxide laser is activated for heat replenishment;

[0019] Then, the industrial control computer continues to control the first gimbal to drive the infrared temperature imager to capture temperature images of the workpiece being processed, and continues to search for low-temperature areas of the workpiece being processed.

[0020] After the industrial control computer finds a new low-temperature area, it readjusts the second gimbal to move the output port of the carbon dioxide laser, directing the emitted laser toward the new low-temperature area, and then starts the carbon dioxide laser for heat replenishment.

[0021] Innovation Point 1: Due to the size and shape of the aerospace parts being processed, uneven temperature distribution can occur during the heating process without temperature supplementation, affecting processing quality. This invention utilizes an infrared temperature imager to locate low-temperature areas in real time and uses a carbon dioxide laser to supplement the heat in these areas. This avoids the problem of uneven temperature distribution caused by the size and shape of the parts being processed, forming a pixel-level precise temperature supplementation technical solution with automatic feedback and processing, resulting in higher thermal consistency during the heat treatment process of the parts being processed.

[0022] Innovation Point 2: Aerospace components subjected to overall heating heat treatment have extremely high requirements for thermal consistency and crystal phase precision. This technology represents a significant technological advancement and holds important technical significance in the heat treatment of aerospace components.

[0023] Innovation Point 3: Existing technologies mostly rely on temperature sensors to detect temperature changes within the furnace. When using temperature sensors, they are typically fixed to the side wall of the furnace. However, the thermal conductivity of the furnace side wall differs from that of the air inside the furnace. Furthermore, the temperatures of the furnace side wall and the air inside the furnace also differ, leading to untimely and inaccurate measurement results. More importantly, it is impossible to measure the surface temperature of the casting. This invention uses an infrared temperature imager to detect temperature changes within the furnace, providing not only timely and accurate measurements but also the ability to measure the surface temperature of the casting.

[0024] Innovation Point 4: During the heating process, there is currently no solution for local temperature adjustment. This invention uses a carbon dioxide laser to adjust the local temperature, which not only adjusts the local temperature but also does so precisely.

[0025] Preferably, the furnace is provided with at least three gas supply pipes, and the side wall of the furnace is provided with at least three gas inlets. At least three ports of the at least three gas supply pipes are respectively connected to the at least three gas inlets through at least three electrically controlled valves.

[0026] At least three of the air inlets are provided with nozzles facing the workpiece;

[0027] At least three of the aforementioned air inlets are evenly arranged from top to bottom on the furnace body;

[0028] The industrial control computer controls and connects to the at least three electrically controlled valves respectively;

[0029] The work process is as follows:

[0030] During the cooling process of the workpiece, the industrial control computer controls the first gimbal to drive the infrared temperature imager to capture the temperature image of the workpiece and find the high temperature area of ​​the workpiece. The high temperature area refers to the area in a temperature image that is higher than the average temperature of the workpiece.

[0031] The industrial control computer pre-enters the cooling zones corresponding to the at least three electrically controlled valves;

[0032] The industrial computer determines the location of high-temperature areas by analyzing temperature images;

[0033] When the high-temperature area is located in the cooling zone corresponding to one of the electrically controlled valves, the industrial control computer opens the corresponding electrically controlled valve to introduce gas for cooling compensation.

[0034] Innovation Point 1: This solution can effectively avoid uneven temperature during the cooling process of the workpiece due to its size and shape, thus improving processing quality.

[0035] Innovation Point 2: This invention can not only heat up evenly, but also cool down evenly, which can effectively prevent the workpiece from cracking.

[0036] Preferably, the gas supply pipe is spirally coiled around the outside of the furnace. This provides protection for the furnace.

[0037] Preferably, the device also includes a three-way valve, wherein the first port of the three-way valve is connected to the gas supply pipe, the second port is connected to the liquid argon supply device, and the third port is connected to the vacuum pumping device; a first solenoid valve is provided between the three-way valve and the liquid argon supply device, and a second solenoid valve is provided between the three-way valve and the vacuum pumping device. This invention can control the opening and closing states of the first and second solenoid valves to allow liquid argon to be supplied into the furnace via part of the gas supply pipe while argon is drawn out of the furnace via another part, thereby preventing excessive pressure inside the furnace. Furthermore, the three-way valve can effectively reduce the number of gas inlets, ensuring the structural strength and manufacturing difficulty of the furnace. Attached Figure Description

[0038] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention, the accompanying drawings used in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort. Wherein:

[0039] Figure 1 is a partial structural schematic diagram of the present invention;

[0040] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the external structure of the furnace of the present invention;

[0041] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of the furnace of the present invention;

[0042] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the connection between the air duct and the air inlet. Detailed Implementation

[0043] To make the above-mentioned objectives, features and advantages of the present invention more readily understood, the specific embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0044] Many specific details are set forth in the following description in order to provide a full understanding of the invention. However, the invention may also be practiced in other ways different from those described herein, and those skilled in the art can make similar extensions without departing from the spirit of the invention. Therefore, the invention is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed below.

[0045] Secondly, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the schematic diagrams. When describing the embodiments of the present invention, for ease of explanation, the cross-sectional views illustrating the device structure will be partially enlarged, not according to the usual scale. Furthermore, the schematic diagrams are merely examples and should not limit the scope of protection of the present invention. In addition, actual fabrication should include the three-dimensional spatial dimensions of length, width, and depth.

[0046] Example 1: A heat treatment apparatus includes a furnace with an observation window on its body, the window being inlaid with quartz glass. The apparatus also includes an industrial control computer with at least three control signal output interfaces. The video signal input interface of the industrial control computer is connected to an infrared temperature imaging device. One of the control signal output interfaces of the industrial control computer is connected to a first pan-tilt unit, which is mounted outside the furnace body. An infrared temperature imager is mounted on the first pan-tilt unit. The infrared temperature imager has an imaging lens, with a light-transmitting tube shielded from light by a tube wall in front of the lens. The viewing window of the light-transmitting tube faces the quartz glass of the observation window. The length of the light-transmitting tube is 1cm-5cm, and the area of ​​the observation window is at least five times the area of ​​the tube opening. The first pan-tilt unit moves the light-transmitting tube at an angle of at least 30 degrees vertically and 30 degrees horizontally. Within this angle range, the viewing window of the light-transmitting tube always faces the quartz glass, ensuring that the infrared temperature imager continuously captures the temperature image of the workpiece inside the furnace. The furnace body has a light-transmitting window, which is inlaid with quartz glass. The window is located below the observation window and is more than 5cm but less than 10cm away. One of the control signal output interfaces of the industrial control computer is connected to a second pan-tilt unit. Another control signal output interface of the industrial control computer also controls a carbon dioxide laser. The carbon dioxide laser is fixed on the second pan-tilt unit, with its output port facing the light-transmitting window. A flexible light shield is installed between the output port and the light-transmitting window to prevent infrared laser reflection and outward emission. The second pan-tilt unit drives the carbon dioxide laser output port to change its orientation angle by no less than 30 degrees vertically and no less than 30 degrees horizontally. Within this angle range, the output port always faces the light-transmitting window, ensuring that the infrared laser continuously illuminates the workpiece inside the furnace.

[0047] The work process is as follows:

[0048] The furnace heats the workpiece. During heating, the industrial control computer (ICC) controls the first pan-tilt unit to move an infrared temperature imager to capture a temperature image of the workpiece, identifying low-temperature regions. A low-temperature region is defined as an area below the average temperature of the workpiece within a given temperature image. The ICC then adjusts the second pan-tilt unit, moving the output port of the carbon dioxide laser to direct the emitted laser towards the low-temperature region and activating the carbon dioxide laser for supplemental heating. The ICC continues to control the first pan-tilt unit to capture a temperature image of the workpiece, continuing to search for low-temperature regions. Once a new low-temperature region is found, the ICC again adjusts the second pan-tilt unit to move the output port of the carbon dioxide laser to direct the emitted laser towards the new low-temperature region and activates the carbon dioxide laser for supplemental heating.

[0049] Example 2, referring to Figures 1-4, is based on Example 1. The furnace 1 has at least three gas supply pipes 2 on its exterior, and at least three gas inlets 11 on its side wall. At least three ports of the at least three gas supply pipes are connected to the at least three gas inlets via at least three electrically controlled valves. Each of the at least three gas inlets has a nozzle facing the workpiece. The at least three gas inlets are evenly arranged from top to bottom on the furnace body. Besides being arranged vertically, the gas inlets 11 can also be arranged in a ring with equal intervals around the central axis of the furnace 1, as shown in Figure 1.

[0050] The industrial control computer controls at least three electrically controlled valves respectively.

[0051] The work process is as follows:

[0052] During the cooling process of the workpiece, the industrial control computer controls the first pan-tilt unit to drive the infrared temperature imager to capture temperature images of the workpiece and locate high-temperature areas. A high-temperature area is defined as a region in the temperature image that is higher than the average temperature of the workpiece. The industrial control computer pre-programs at least three electrically controlled valves corresponding to cooling areas. The computer analyzes the temperature images to determine the location of the high-temperature area. When the high-temperature area is located within the cooling area corresponding to one of the electrically controlled valves, the industrial control computer opens the corresponding valve to introduce gas for cooling compensation.

[0053] The gas supply pipe 2 of the present invention is coiled around the outside of the furnace 1, and the gas in the gas supply pipe 2 can make the temperature of the furnace 1 more uniform.

[0054] A three-way valve 3 is installed on the gas supply pipe 2. The gas supply pipe 2 is connected to the liquid argon supply device 4 and the vacuum device 5 through the three-way valve 3. A first solenoid valve is installed between the three-way valve 3 and the liquid argon supply device 4, and a second solenoid valve is installed between the three-way valve 3 and the vacuum device 5. The three-way valve 3 can effectively reduce the number of gas inlets 11, ensuring the structural strength and manufacturing difficulty of the furnace 1. This invention can control the opening and closing states of the first and second solenoid valves, so that while some gas supply pipes 2 supply liquid argon into the furnace 1, some gas supply pipes 2 draw argon out of the furnace 1, thereby avoiding excessive pressure inside the furnace 1. Preferably, each gas supply pipe is connected to a liquid argon supply device, so that the liquid argon flow rate at the gas inlet can be easily controlled by controlling the gas output of the liquid argon supply device.

[0055] The furnace 1 is equipped with a nozzle 6, which is arc-shaped. The first port of the nozzle 6 is connected to the gas inlet 11, and the second port of the nozzle 6 is located between the side wall and the central axis of the furnace 1. Thus, the nozzle 6 guides the airflow. In particular, when liquid argon is filled, the nozzle 6 causes the liquid argon to impact the melt in the furnace 1, causing the melt to move, thereby accelerating the cooling rate and making the temperature of the melt more uniform.

[0056] The lower part of the side wall of the furnace 1 has a discharge port and a return port, which are connected by a circulation pipe 7 located outside the furnace 1. The circulation pipe 7 can be used to accelerate the flow of the molten material inside the furnace 1. The external circulation pipe 7 can reduce the pressure and temperature fluctuations inside the furnace 1 and reduce safety hazards caused by overheating or excessive pressure. In use, first adjust the second port of the gas pipe 6 to a suitable height. Then, before the solution treatment, before evacuating the furnace 1, switch the three-way valve 3 to the vacuum device 5 and connect the gas pipe 6 through the gas supply pipe 2. Open the second solenoid valve, and the vacuum device 5 evacuates the furnace 1. After the vacuum is completed, close the second solenoid valve. Then, when the solution treatment reaches the cooling stage, switch the three-way valve 3 to the liquid argon supply device 4 and connect the gas pipe 6 through the gas supply pipe 2. Open the first solenoid valve, and the liquid argon supply device 4 cools the furnace 1 with argon gas to reduce the temperature of the furnace 1. Then, for the aging treatment, evacuate the furnace 1 in the same way before heating, and cool the furnace 1 with argon gas in the same way during cooling.

[0057] The light-transmitting opening can be located on the top of the furnace or at the gas inlet. When located on the top of the furnace, the observation window and the light-transmitting opening can be combined into one. Preferably, the first gimbal is disc-shaped, and the second gimbal is annular. The infrared temperature imager is connected to the center of the first gimbal and can rotate around the connection point. The carbon dioxide laser is fixed on the second gimbal, and can rotate not only around the connection point but also around the infrared temperature imager under the influence of the second gimbal. This structure has the following advantages: 1. Only one carbon dioxide laser and one infrared temperature imager are needed to cover a large area inside the furnace, thus reducing installation difficulty and equipment cost. 2. The space below the second gimbal can be used to supplement the field of view of the infrared temperature imager, thereby increasing its field of view. 3. The carbon dioxide laser can be rotated to a lower local temperature area, thus shortening the distance between the carbon dioxide laser and the heated area, thereby improving the heating effect. 4. The structure is simple and convenient for overall installation. At this point, the light-transmitting opening and the observation window are also combined, allowing for the selection of larger area high-temperature resistant glass. Furthermore, the increased area of ​​the high-temperature resistant glass facilitates improvements to its shape and structure.

[0058] The industrial control computer controls the liquid argon supply device 4 and the vacuum device 5. The control system judges the temperature distribution inside the furnace based on the image obtained by the infrared temperature imager, and then adjusts the operation of the liquid argon supply device 4 and the vacuum device 5 according to the temperature distribution, so as to make the furnace heat up and cool down more evenly, and ultimately effectively prevent the casting from cracking.

[0059] It should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention and are not intended to limit it. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications or equivalent substitutions can be made to the technical solutions of the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the present invention, and all such modifications or substitutions should be covered within the scope of the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A heat treatment apparatus, comprising a furnace, wherein an observation window is formed in the furnace body, and the observation window is inlaid with quartz glass; characterized in that, It also includes an industrial computer, which has at least three control signal output interfaces; The video signal input interface of the industrial control computer is connected to an infrared temperature imager; One of the control signal output interfaces of the industrial control computer is connected to the first gimbal, which is mounted outside the furnace body, and the infrared temperature imager is installed on the first gimbal. The infrared temperature imager has an imaging lens, and a light-transmitting tube with a tube wall that blocks light is fitted in front of the imaging lens. The viewing window of the light-transmitting tube faces the quartz glass of the observation window. The length of the light-transmitting tube is 1cm-5cm, and the area of ​​the observation window is at least 5 times the area of ​​the opening of the light-transmitting tube. The first gimbal drives the light-transmitting tube to change its orientation angle by a range of not less than 30 degrees vertically and not less than 30 degrees horizontally. Within this range of angle change, the viewing window of the light-transmitting tube always faces the quartz glass, ensuring that the infrared temperature imager continuously captures the temperature image of the workpiece inside the furnace. The furnace body has a light-transmitting window, which is inlaid with quartz glass. The light-transmitting window is located below the observation window and is more than 5cm but less than 10cm away from it. One of the control signal output interfaces of the industrial control computer is connected to the second pan-tilt unit; One of the control signal output interfaces of the industrial control computer also controls a carbon dioxide laser. A carbon dioxide laser is fixed on the second gimbal, with the laser's output port facing the light-transmitting window. A flexible light shield is installed between the laser's output port and the light-transmitting window to prevent infrared laser reflection from being emitted outwards. The second gimbal drives the light output port of the carbon dioxide laser to change its orientation angle by no less than 30 degrees vertically and no less than 30 degrees horizontally. Within this range of angle change, the light output port always faces the light transmission window to ensure that the infrared laser continuously irradiates the workpiece inside the furnace. The work process is as follows: The furnace heats the workpiece. During the heating process, the industrial control computer controls the first gimbal to drive the infrared temperature imager to capture temperature images of the workpiece and find the low-temperature area of ​​the workpiece. The low-temperature area refers to the area in a temperature image that is lower than the average temperature of the workpiece. The industrial control computer adjusts the second gimbal, causing the output port of the carbon dioxide laser to move, so that the emitted laser is directed towards the low-temperature region, and the carbon dioxide laser is activated for heat replenishment; Then, the industrial control computer continues to control the first gimbal to drive the infrared temperature imager to capture temperature images of the workpiece being processed, and continues to search for low-temperature areas of the workpiece being processed. After the industrial control computer finds a new low-temperature area, it readjusts the second gimbal to move the output port of the carbon dioxide laser, directing the emitted laser toward the new low-temperature area, and then starts the carbon dioxide laser for heat replenishment.

2. The heat treatment apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The furnace is provided with at least three gas supply pipes, and at least three gas inlets are opened on the side wall of the furnace. At least three ports of the at least three gas supply pipes are respectively connected to the at least three gas inlets through at least three electrically controlled valves. At least three of the air inlets are provided with nozzles facing the workpiece; At least three of the aforementioned air inlets are evenly arranged from top to bottom on the furnace body; The industrial control computer controls and connects to the at least three electrically controlled valves respectively; The work process is as follows: During the cooling process of the workpiece, the industrial control computer controls the first gimbal to drive the infrared temperature imager to capture the temperature image of the workpiece and find the high temperature area of ​​the workpiece. The high temperature area refers to the area in a temperature image that is higher than the average temperature of the workpiece. The industrial control computer pre-enters the cooling zones corresponding to the at least three electrically controlled valves; The industrial computer determines the location of high-temperature areas by analyzing temperature images; When the high-temperature area is located in the cooling zone corresponding to one of the electrically controlled valves, the industrial control computer opens the corresponding electrically controlled valve to introduce gas for cooling compensation.

3. The heat treatment apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that, The gas supply pipe is spirally coiled around the outside of the furnace.

4. The heat treatment apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that, It also includes a three-way valve, the first port of which is connected to the gas supply pipe, the second port of which is connected to the liquid argon supply device, and the third port of which is connected to the vacuum pumping device; a first solenoid valve is provided between the three-way valve and the liquid argon supply device, and a second solenoid valve is provided between the three-way valve and the vacuum pumping device.

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