Heat treatment device having uniform cooling function

Abstract

The present invention relates to the technical field of heat treatment, and a heat treatment device having a uniform cooling function, comprising an industrial personal computer, a smelting furnace, cooling gas piping systems and gas guide pipes; each gas guide pipe is composed of a straight pipe and an arc-shaped pipe, the straight pipe is connected to the middle of the arc-shaped pipe, and two pipe openings of the arc-shaped pipe face a workpiece to be processed; connecting pipes are fixed to gas guide ports of the cooling gas piping systems, the straight pipes are fitted over the connecting pipes, and first gears are fitted over the straight pipes; a coupler penetrates through a furnace body of the smelting furnace, the end of the coupler located on the outer side of the furnace body is connected to a motor rotating shaft of a driving motor, the end of the coupler located on the inner side of the furnace body is connected to a driving shaft, and a second gear is fitted over the driving shaft, and meshes with the first gear; and the industrial personal computer is connected to the driving motor. The present invention not only achieves accurate cooling, but also avoids damage to metal properties caused by sudden temperature drop, thereby accurately ensuring the performance of a workpiece to be processed.

Description

A heat treatment device with uniform cooling Technical Field

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

[0002] Existing heat treatment equipment typically introduces cold gas into the furnace through gas inlets to cool the workpiece during the cooling phase of heat treatment. This method generally suffers from the following problems: 1. The fixed position of the gas inlets results in a rapid cooling rate at the point directly opposite the inlet, making the workpiece prone to cracking; 2. The limited number of gas inlets, while increasing the number can improve temperature uniformity within the furnace, sacrifices the furnace's strength and insulation; 3. Directly introducing low-temperature gas into the furnace causes sudden temperature changes, making the processed parts susceptible to cracking. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The purpose of this invention is to provide a heat treatment apparatus for uniform cooling, so as to solve at least the above-mentioned technical problems.

[0004] The technical problem solved by this invention can be achieved by the following technical solutions:

[0005] A heat treatment device for uniform cooling includes an industrial control computer, a furnace, and a cooling gas pipeline. The cooling gas pipeline includes a gas supply pipe disposed outside the furnace and a gas inlet opened on the side wall of the furnace. The gas supply pipe is connected to the gas inlet through an electrically controlled valve. The industrial control computer controls and connects to the electrically controlled valve.

[0006] The furnace is equipped with a Y-shaped gas guide pipe, which consists of a straight pipe and an arc-shaped pipe. The straight pipe is connected to the middle of the arc-shaped pipe, and the two openings of the arc-shaped pipe face the workpiece.

[0007] A connecting pipe is fixed to the air inlet, and a straight pipe is sleeved on the connecting pipe. A first gear is sleeved on the straight pipe.

[0008] A coupling runs through the furnace body. The outer end of the coupling is connected to the motor shaft of the drive motor, and the inner end of the coupling is connected to the drive shaft. A second gear is fitted on the drive shaft, and the second gear meshes with the first gear.

[0009] One of the control signal output ports of the industrial control computer is connected to the drive motor;

[0010] The industrial control computer controls the drive motor to rotate, so that the motor shaft of the drive motor drives the second gear to rotate through the coupling. The second gear drives the first gear to rotate, and the first gear drives the straight tube to rotate, thereby changing the position of the two openings of the arc-shaped tube.

[0011] Innovations: 1. The position of the cold air outlet in this invention continuously changes with the rotation of the drive motor. Compared to the existing design where the cold air outlet position remains constant, this effectively drives the gas flow within the furnace, resulting in a more uniform temperature. Furthermore, it avoids the problem of rapid localized cooling and cracking caused by prolonged exposure of the workpiece to the cold air outlet. 2. Because the position of the cold air outlet is constantly changing, the area directly reached by the cold air is larger, allowing for a reduction in the number of air inlets, thus ensuring the structural strength of the furnace. 3. Because the position of the cold air outlet is adjustable, the cooling rate of localized areas within the furnace can be adjusted by changing the position of the cold air outlet.

[0012] Preferably, both the first gear and the second gear are bevel gears. The central axis of the first gear is parallel to the central axis of the second gear. The outer diameter of the conical surface of the first gear is larger as it gets closer to the furnace body, while the outer diameter of the conical surface of the second gear is smaller as it gets closer to the furnace body. The conical surface of the second gear presses the conical surface of the first gear against the furnace body.

[0013] Innovation: In existing technologies, the central axes of the two bevel gears are mostly perpendicular to each other, and their purpose is to change the direction of the gear shaft. However, the central axes of the bevel gears in this invention are parallel, and their purpose is to use the second gear to restrict the position of the first gear, thereby preventing the air guide tube from detaching from the connecting pipe and eliminating the need for a separate limiting mechanism between the connecting pipe and the air guide tube. Therefore, this invention differs from existing technologies in its purpose, position, and effect of using bevel gears, representing a novel application of bevel gears and overcoming the technical biases of existing technologies.

[0014] Preferably, it also includes a gas storage tank disposed outside the furnace, the gas storage tank being connected to the gas supply pipe, and a temperature sensor system being disposed on the gas storage tank and connected to the industrial control computer;

[0015] It also includes a heat exchanger installed outside the furnace, the heat exchanger having heating pipes, the furnace exhaust port being connected to the heating pipes, the heat exchange fins of the heat exchanger being installed in a gas storage tank, and the gas inlet of the heating pipe being equipped with an electric valve, which is controlled by an industrial control computer.

[0016] The residual heat from the furnace exhaust port is used to heat the gas in the gas storage tank.

[0017] The industrial control computer controls the gas temperature in the gas storage tank through a temperature sensor system and electric valves, keeping the temperature in the gas storage tank between one-fiftieth and one-tenth of the temperature inside the furnace.

[0018] Innovation: This invention does not directly introduce cooling gas, but uses the residual heat of the gas in the furnace to adjust the temperature of the cooling gas before introducing it. Therefore, there will be no sudden drop in temperature in the furnace, which can effectively solve the problem of cracking of the workpiece caused by sudden temperature drop.

[0019] Preferably, it also includes an infrared temperature imager, and the signal input port of the industrial control computer is connected to the infrared temperature imager;

[0020] The furnace body has an observation window, which is inlaid with quartz glass; the infrared temperature imager is located outside the furnace body, and the infrared temperature imager has an imaging lens. A light-transmitting tube with a tube wall blocking light is fitted in front of the imaging lens, and the viewing window of the light-transmitting tube faces the quartz glass of the observation window.

[0021] During the cooling process of the workpiece, the industrial control computer analyzes and determines the location of the high-temperature area based on the temperature image of the workpiece captured by the infrared temperature imager. The high-temperature area refers to the area that is more than 5 degrees Celsius higher than the average temperature of the workpiece in a temperature image.

[0022] First, the industrial control computer controls the drive motor to rotate the arc tube, so that one end of the arc tube faces or approaches the high-temperature area of ​​the workpiece. Then, the industrial control computer increases the air flow of the electrically controlled valve corresponding to the arc tube until the temperature difference between the high-temperature area and the average temperature of the workpiece is no more than 5 degrees Celsius.

[0023] Innovation: Existing technologies mostly rely on temperature sensors to detect temperature changes within the furnace. When using temperature sensors, they are typically fixed to the furnace sidewall. However, the thermal conductivity of the furnace sidewall differs from that of the air inside the furnace. Furthermore, the temperatures of the furnace sidewall and the air inside the furnace also differ, leading to untimely and inaccurate measurement results. More importantly, it cannot 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] Beneficial effects: This invention achieves precise cooling while avoiding damage to metal properties caused by sudden temperature drops, thus accurately ensuring the performance of the processed parts. Attached Figure Description

[0025] 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:

[0026] Figure 1 is a partial structural schematic diagram of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 2 is a top view of the structure in Figure 1;

[0028] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a structure at the air duct;

[0029] Figure 4 shows another structural diagram of the air duct. Detailed Implementation

[0030] 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.

[0031] Referring to Figures 1, 2, 3, and 4, a heat treatment device for uniform cooling includes an industrial control computer, a furnace, a cold gas pipeline, an infrared temperature imager, a gas storage tank, and a heat exchanger. The heat treatment device for uniform cooling includes a furnace 1 and a cold gas pipeline. The cold gas pipeline includes a gas supply pipe 5 located outside the furnace 1 and a gas inlet located on the side wall of the furnace 1. The gas supply pipe 5 is connected to the gas inlet via an electrically controlled valve 4. The industrial control computer controls the electrically controlled valve.

[0032] The furnace contains a Y-shaped gas guide pipe, which consists of a straight pipe and an arc-shaped pipe 6. The straight pipe is connected to the middle of the arc-shaped pipe 6, with the two openings of the arc-shaped pipe 6 facing the workpiece. A connecting pipe is fixed to the gas guide opening, and a straight pipe is fitted over the connecting pipe. A first gear 7 is fitted over the straight pipe. A coupling runs through the furnace body. The outer end of the coupling is connected to the motor shaft of the drive motor 9, and the inner end is connected to the drive shaft. A second gear 8 is fitted on the drive shaft, and the second gear 8 meshes with the first gear 7. A control signal output port of the industrial control computer is connected to the drive motor 9. The industrial control computer controls the drive motor 9 to rotate, causing the motor shaft of the drive motor 9 to drive the second gear 8 to rotate through the coupling. The second gear 8 drives the first gear 7 to rotate, and the first gear 7 drives the straight pipe to rotate, thereby changing the position of the two openings of the arc-shaped pipe 6. Instructions for use: The industrial control computer controls the drive motor 9 to rotate, so that the motor shaft of the drive motor 9 drives the second gear 8 to rotate through the coupling. The second gear 8 drives the first gear 7 to rotate, and the first gear 7 drives the straight pipe to rotate, thereby changing the position of the two pipe openings (cooling gas outlets, referred to as cold air outlets) of the arc-shaped pipe 6.

[0033] The arc-shaped tube 6 is preferably a circular arc tube, and the radius of the circle containing the arc is smaller than the radius of the circle containing the inner wall of the furnace, but larger than two-thirds of the radius of the inner wall of the furnace. This allows the arc-shaped tube 6 to rotate smoothly while covering a larger area and maintaining a distance from the workpiece. Preferably, the distance between the opening of the arc-shaped tube 6 and the workpiece is 20-50 cm. This avoids gas impact while allowing for gas diffusion. It provides the aerospace workpiece with a gradual temperature transition space, preventing damage to metal properties caused by sudden local temperature drops and precisely ensuring the performance of the aerospace workpiece.

[0034] The first gear 7 and the second gear 8 can be ordinary gears, as shown in Figure 3. However, preferably, both the first gear 7 and the second gear 8 are bevel gears, as shown in Figure 4. The central axis of the first gear 7 is parallel to the central axis of the second gear 8. The outer diameter of the conical surface of the first gear 7 is larger as it gets closer to the furnace body, while the outer diameter of the conical surface of the second gear 8 is smaller as it gets closer to the furnace body. The conical surface of the second gear 8 presses the conical surface of the first gear 7 against the furnace body.

[0035] The number of cold air ducts can be set according to requirements, preferably more than three. Figures 1 and 2 show nine ducts, representing the preferred configuration. The nine ducts are divided into three groups of three. These three groups of ducts are located at three different heights on the furnace 1. Ducts within the same group are evenly spaced, while those in different groups are staggered vertically. In Configuration 1, each gas pipe 5 extends vertically downwards from the duct, eventually surrounding the furnace 1 at equal intervals, as shown in Figure 1. In Configuration 2, the gas pipes 5 connected to the uppermost group of ducts spirally around the furnace body, spiraling downwards from the duct; the gas pipes 5 connected to the middle group of ducts spirally around the furnace body, spiraling downwards from the duct; and the gas pipes 5 connected to the lowermost group of ducts spirally around the furnace body, spiraling upwards from the duct. Option 2 increases the length of the gas supply pipe outside the furnace body by using a spiral winding method. The furnace body temperature can be used to heat the gas supply pipe, thereby heating the cooling gas inside. Simultaneously, the gas supply pipe cools the furnace body, thus cooling the workpiece inside and mitigating sudden temperature drops. Furthermore, Option 2 optimizes the winding direction of the gas supply pipe 5. Compared to the conventional method of winding in one direction, it effectively increases the uniformity of the gas supply pipe distribution outside the furnace body, avoiding situations where there is no gas supply pipe at the top when all the pipes are wound downwards.

[0036] There are three observation windows 3, all located above the middle set of air inlets. This provides a wider field of view, allowing for a more comprehensive acquisition of the temperature image of the workpiece surface. Furthermore, the air supply pipe 5 forms an enclosing structure around the infrared temperature imager, which is beneficial for cooling the infrared temperature imager and the pan-tilt unit.

[0037] Gas storage tank 2 is connected to gas supply pipe 5. The heat exchanger has heating pipes, and the exhaust port of furnace 1 is connected to these pipes. The heat exchanger fins are located within gas storage tank 2. Gas storage tank 2 is also equipped with a temperature sensor system connected to an industrial control computer. An electric valve is installed at the inlet of the heating pipe, and the industrial control computer controls this valve. Waste heat from the exhaust port of furnace 1 heats the gas inside gas storage tank 2. The industrial control computer, through the temperature sensor system and the electric valve, controls the gas temperature inside gas storage tank 2, maintaining it between one-fiftieth and one-tenth of the temperature inside furnace 1. This ensures that the temperature of the gas ejected from the nozzle is not too low, achieving precise cooling while avoiding damage to the metal properties caused by sudden temperature drops, thus accurately guaranteeing the performance of the processed parts.

[0038] The number of infrared temperature imagers can be set as needed, preferably three. In Figure 1, three observation windows 3 are opened on the furnace body of furnace 1, and quartz glass is embedded in the observation windows 3. The number of infrared temperature imagers is the same as the number of observation windows 3, and they correspond one-to-one. The infrared temperature imagers are located outside the furnace body and have imaging lenses. A light-transmitting tube with a tube wall blocking 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 3. The length of the light-transmitting tube is 2cm-6cm, and the area of ​​the observation window 3 is at least three times the area of ​​the tube opening. A pan-tilt unit can also be installed outside the furnace 1. The number of pan-tilt units is the same as the number of infrared temperature imagers, and the infrared imagers are fixed on the pan-tilt units one-to-one. The control signal output port of the industrial control computer is connected to the pan-tilt unit. The pan-tilt unit drives the orientation angle of the light-transmitting tube to change by a range of not less than 40 degrees vertically and not less than 20 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 body.

[0039] Usage: Connect the signal input port of the industrial control computer to the infrared temperature imager. During the cooling process of the workpiece, the industrial control computer analyzes and determines the location of the high-temperature area based on the temperature image of the workpiece captured by the infrared temperature imager. The high-temperature area is defined as an area in a temperature image that is more than 5 degrees Celsius higher than the average temperature of the workpiece. First, the industrial control computer controls the drive motor 9 to rotate the arc-shaped tube 6, so that one end of the arc-shaped tube faces or approaches the high-temperature area of ​​the workpiece. Then, the industrial control computer increases the air flow of the electrically controlled valve corresponding to the arc-shaped tube until the temperature difference between the high-temperature area and the average temperature of the workpiece is no more than 5 degrees Celsius. When the industrial control computer determines that there is no high-temperature area based on the temperature image of the workpiece captured by the infrared temperature imager, or when the temperature of the workpiece in the furnace cannot be known, the industrial control computer controls the drive motor 9 to rotate the arc-shaped tube at a constant speed. In this way, while releasing cold air, the position of the arc-shaped tube is continuously adjusted.

[0040] Preferably, the shaft of the coupling is mounted on the furnace body via a labyrinth-type sealed bearing; the labyrinth-type sealed bearing includes an outer ring, an inner ring, and a labyrinth-type sealing layer; the outer ring passes through the furnace body and is fixed to the furnace body; the shaft of the coupling passes through the inner ring and is fixedly connected to the inner ring.

[0041] 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 for uniform cooling, comprising an industrial control computer, a furnace, and a cooling gas pipeline, wherein the cooling gas pipeline includes a gas supply pipe disposed outside the furnace and a gas inlet opened on the side wall of the furnace, the gas supply pipe being connected to the gas inlet via an electrically controlled valve; the industrial control computer controls and connects to the electrically controlled valve; characterized in that: The furnace is equipped with a "Y"-shaped gas guide pipe, which consists of a straight pipe and an arc-shaped pipe. The straight pipe is connected to the middle of the arc-shaped pipe, and the two openings of the arc-shaped pipe face the workpiece. A connecting pipe is fixed to the air inlet, and a straight pipe is sleeved on the connecting pipe. A first gear is sleeved on the straight pipe. A coupling runs through the furnace body. The outer end of the coupling is connected to the motor shaft of the drive motor, and the inner end of the coupling is connected to the drive shaft. A second gear is fitted on the drive shaft, and the second gear meshes with the first gear. One of the control signal output ports of the industrial control computer is connected to the drive motor; The industrial control computer controls the drive motor to rotate, so that the motor shaft of the drive motor drives the second gear to rotate through the coupling. The second gear drives the first gear to rotate, and the first gear drives the straight tube to rotate, thereby changing the position of the two openings of the arc-shaped tube.

2. The heat treatment apparatus for uniform cooling according to claim 1, characterized in that, Both the first gear and the second gear are bevel gears. The central axis of the first gear is parallel to the central axis of the second gear. The outer diameter of the conical surface of the first gear is larger as it gets closer to the furnace body, while the outer diameter of the conical surface of the second gear is smaller as it gets closer to the furnace body. The conical surface of the second gear presses the conical surface of the first gear against the furnace body.

3. The heat treatment apparatus for uniform cooling according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a gas storage tank located outside the furnace, the gas storage tank being connected to the gas supply pipe, and a temperature sensor system being installed on the gas storage tank and connected to the industrial control computer; It also includes a heat exchanger installed outside the furnace, the heat exchanger having heating pipes, the furnace exhaust port being connected to the heating pipes, the heat exchange fins of the heat exchanger being installed in a gas storage tank, and the gas inlet of the heating pipe being equipped with an electric valve, which is controlled by an industrial control computer. The residual heat from the furnace exhaust port is used to heat the gas in the gas storage tank. The industrial control computer controls the gas temperature in the gas storage tank through a temperature sensor system and electric valves, keeping the temperature in the gas storage tank between one-fiftieth and one-tenth of the temperature inside the furnace.

4. The heat treatment apparatus for uniform cooling according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes an infrared temperature imager, and the signal input port of the industrial control computer is connected to the infrared temperature imager; The furnace body has an observation window, which is inlaid with quartz glass; the infrared temperature imager is located outside the furnace body, and the infrared temperature imager has an imaging lens. A light-transmitting tube with a tube wall blocking light is fitted in front of the imaging lens, and the viewing window of the light-transmitting tube faces the quartz glass of the observation window. During the cooling process of the workpiece, the industrial control computer analyzes and determines the location of the high-temperature area based on the temperature image of the workpiece captured by the infrared temperature imager. The high-temperature area refers to the area that is more than 5 degrees Celsius higher than the average temperature of the workpiece in a temperature image. First, the industrial control computer controls the drive motor to rotate the arc tube, so that one end of the arc tube faces or approaches the high-temperature area of ​​the workpiece. Then, the industrial control computer increases the air flow of the electrically controlled valve corresponding to the arc tube until the temperature difference between the high-temperature area and the average temperature of the workpiece is no more than 5 degrees Celsius.

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