[0001] The present invention relates to a method and furnace for heat treatment of a metal.
More specifically, it relates to a method and a furnace for heat treatment using hearth
rollers.
[0002] Conventional heat treating furnaces using an in-furnace rail have a configuration
shown in Fig. 5. Fig. 5 illustrates a charging platform 10, a heat treating chamber
11, an oil tank 12, an exit conveyer 13, and a work W (e.g., Japanese Patent No.
3103905).
[0003] Batch furnaces using the in-furnace rail when used in, for example, carburization
require a much time for temperature rise, temperature fall and soaking and have insufficient
production efficiency and thermal efficiency, since carburization (at 930°C to 1050°C)
and temperature-fall-soaking (at 830°C to 850°C) are repeated in the same chamber.
In addition, crossties of the in-furnace rail are bricks which are brittle and accumulate
a large quantity of heat, and thereby the furnaces require a long seasoning time.
[0004] Certain batch furnaces using hearth rollers have, for example, the configuration
shown in Fig. 6, in which the same components as in Fig. 5 have the same reference
numerals. Fig. 6 illustrates a series of hearth rollers 14 (e.g., Japanese Unexamined
Patent Application Publication No.
63-33552)
[0005] US 4,932,864 describes a continuous furnace in which different clutch and motor arrangements can
be selected to speed up the movement of the work as it passes from one chamber to
another.
US 4,966,547 describes a tunnel furnace partitioned into a plurality of zones for heat treatment,
the temperatures in the zones being independently controllable.
[0006] The batch furnaces using hearth rollers require a much time for temperature rise,
temperature fall and soaking and have insufficient production efficiency and thermal
efficiency, since carburization (at 930°C to 1050°C) and temperature-fall-soaking
(at 830°C to 850°C) are repeated in the same chamber, as in the batch furnaces using
the in-furnace rail. In addition, the furnaces of this type require a space for always
rotating the series of hearth rollers 14 forward and backward when the work W resides
therein, so as to prevent the series of hearth rollers 14 from deformation due to
elevated temperatures in the heat treating chamber. Furthermore, they show large thermal
radiation, since the both ends of the series of hearth rollers 14 penetrate the furnace
wall.
[0007] Accordingly, an object of at least the preferred embodiments of the present invention
is to solve the conventional problems in the batch furnaces using the in-furnace rail
or the hearth rollers having the configurations and to provide a means for heat treatment
which has enhanced production efficiency and thermal efficiency and high cost effectiveness.
[0008] Another object of the preferred embodiments of the present invention is to provide
a heat treating furnace which is compact in size and is economical.
[0009] According to a first aspect, the present invention provides a heat treating furnace
for carrying out continuously a heat treatment for workpieces, comprising a linear
furnace body including, in its inside, a preheating chamber, a heat treating chamber
and a soaking chamber, the chambers being partitioned by partitioning doors and having
series of independently-driven hearth rollers, respectively, wherein the series of
hearth rollers in the preheating chamber and the soaking chamber are so configured
as to be rotatable forward and backward, characterised in that the series of hearth
rollers in the heat treating chamber is so configured as to be rotatable and inchable
forward alone to sequentially move a workpiece within said heat treating chamber.
In use, the series of hearth rollers in the heat treating chamber is stopped during
heat treatment of the work.
[0010] This heat treating furnace enables accurate control of the atmosphere and temperature
in various heat treatments, since the inside of the furnace body is partitioned into
the preheating chamber, the heat treating chamber and the soaking chamber by the partitioning
doors.
[0011] In the conventional furnaces using hearth rollers, the series of hearth rollers is
rotated forward and backward in the heat treating chamber, so as to prevent the series
of hearth rollers from deformation caused by heating at high temperatures. In contrast,
in the heat treating furnace of the present invention, the series of hearth rollers
is not rotated backward, namely, is only rotated forward or inched in the heat treating
chamber.
[0012] This saves a space for the reciprocating motion of the work, reduces the sizes of
the heat treating chamber and the entire furnace body and increases agitation effectiveness
of an atmosphere gas by an agitating fan. More specifically, it has been confirmed
that the atmosphere gas has a more uniform distribution in its flow rate, and that
the soaking in the heat treating chamber becomes increased. The heat variation in
the conventional furnaces where the series of hearth rollers is rotated forward and
backward is ±7.5°C, but that in the down-sized furnace according to the present invention
is within ±6.0°C, indicating that the furnace according to the present invention enables
improvements in quality of the resulting work as compared with the conventional furnaces.
[0013] The down-sizing of the heat treating chamber yields significant advantages, since
the heat treating chamber stands at elevated temperatures during operation. Specifically,
the down-sizing saves heaters and burners for heating, reduces their energy consumption
and cost typically in electric power or gas and significantly reduces cost of, for
example, heat insulating materials.
[0014] The heat treating furnace of the present invention can also be used in a method for
carrying out continuously a heat treatment of workpieces in the heat treating furnace
described above, the method comprising the steps of rotating the series of hearth
rollers in the preheating chamber and the soaking chamber forward and backward to
thereby vibrate the work during preheating and soaking of the work and comprising
the step of inching the series of hearth rollers in the heat treating chamber during
heat treatment of the work to sequentially move a workpiece within said heat treating
chamber.
[0015] The heat treating method just mentioned above enables supply of a uniformly preheated
work to the heat treating chamber and enables accurate soaking of the work after heat
treatment in a heat treating method in which the series of hearth rollers in the heat
treating chamber is stopped during heat treatment of the work.
[0016] US 4627814 provides a heat treating furnace, a linear furnace body of which includes, in its
inside, a preheating chamber, a heat treating chamber and a soaking chamber, the chambers
being partitioned by partitioning doors and having series of independently-driven
hearth rollers, respectively. In the furnace, the series of hearth rollers in the
preheating chamber and the soaking chamber are so configured as to be rotatable forward
and backward. The invention is characterised in that the series of hearth rollers
in the heat treating chamber is so configured as to be inchable forward alone. Accordingly,
only forward rotation or inching of the series of hearth rollers is carried out in
the heat treating chamber.
[0017] The heat treating methods described above can easily carry out heat treatment by
using the heat treating furnace of the invention. In addition, the heat treating furnace
can reduce the sizes of the heat treating chamber and the entire furnace body, since
there is no need of a space for reciprocating motion of the work in the heat treating
chamber. The down-sizing of the heat treating chamber can significantly reduce cost.
[0018] The heat treating furnace does not require, in contrast to conventional equivalents,
the forward and backward rotation of the series of hearth rollers in the heat treating
chamber to prevent deformation thereof and can carry out heat treatment of the work
while inching the hearth roller. The furnace therefore does not require a space for
the reciprocating motion of the work and can have a reduced size. Preferably the series
of hearth rollers in the heat treating chamber is made from a material containing
a refractory steel, the refractory steel further containing trace amounts of tungsten,
cobalt and titanium so as to have improved creep properties.
[0019] Accordingly, the furnace can reduce heat radiation from the both ends of the series
of hearth rollers penetrating the furnace wall, since the series of hearth rollers
can have a reduced diameter.
[0020] In a preferred embodiment of the heat treating furnace of the present invention,
the wall of the furnace body includes a brick layer, a silica layer and a layer including
a compression-molded article derived from titanium oxide and an inorganic fiber. This
heat treating furnace can have reduced thermal diffusion and increased insulation
effectiveness of the furnace wall and can yield economical advantages due to reduced
heating energy. In addition, the furnace can have a reduced thickness in its wall
and a reduced length of the series of hearth rollers so as to further effectively
prevent the deformation of the hearth roller.
[0021] Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only,
and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
Fig. 1 is a schematic side view of a heat treating furnace according to the present
invention with an example of carburization process.
Fig. 2 is a schematic side view of the heat treating furnace according to the present
invention with an example of soft nitriding process.
Fig. 3 is a schematic side view of the heat treating furnace according to the present
invention with an example of thermal refining process.
Fig. 4 is a sectional view of furnace wall of the heat treating furnace according
to the present invention with an adiabatic temperature curve.
Fig. 5 is a schematic side view of a conventional batch furnace using a rail.
Fig. 6 is a schematic side view of a conventional batch furnace using a hearth roller.
[0022] A heat treating furnace 1 according to one of preferred embodiments of the present
invention comprises a linear furnace body which includes, in its inside, a preheating
chamber 3, a heat treating chamber 4 and a soaking chamber 5, which are partitioned
by partitioning doors 1 and 2 as shown in Figs. 1 to 3. The figures also illustrate
a charging platform 10, a heat treating chamber 11, an oil tank 12 and an exit conveyer
13. In the illustrated example, the ratio in size of the preheating chamber 3 to the
heat treating chamber 4 and that of the soaking chamber 5 to the heat treating chamber
4 are preferably set at 1:3. This can yield a production about three times as much
as that of conventional heat treating furnaces, although the total length of the furnace
is set being substantially equal to that of the conventional equivalents.
[0023] The preheating chamber 3, the heat treating chamber 4 and the soaking chamber 5 have
series of independently-driven hearth rollers 6, 7 and 8, respectively. In addition,
the series of hearth rollers 6 and 8 in the preheating chamber 3 and the soaking chamber
5 are so configured as to be rotated forward and backward, and the series of hearth
rollers 7 in the heat treating chamber 4 is so configured as only to be rotated forward
and inched.
[0024] The series of hearth rollers 7 in the heat treating chamber 4 of the heat treating
furnace 1 comprises a material containing a refractory steel. The refractory steel
further contains trace amounts of tungsten, cobalt and titanium and thereby has improved
creep properties. This eliminates the necessity of repeating the forward and backward
rotation of the series of hearth rollers 7 in the heat treating chamber 4 so as to
prevent its deformation, in contrast to the conventional equivalents. The furnace
therefore saves a space for the reciprocating motion of the work W in the heat treating
chamber 4, and the heat treating chamber and the entire heat treating furnace can
be down-sized. In addition, the furnace can reduce heat radiation from the both ends
of the series of hearth rollers penetrating the furnace wall, since the series of
hearth rollers can have a reduced diameter, such as 90 mm, as compared with a conventional
one, such as 104 mm.
[0025] The series of hearth rollers 6 and 8 in the preheating chamber 3 and the soaking
chamber 5 can comprise the same material as that of the series of hearth rollers 7
in the heat treating chamber 4.
[0026] The deformation, typically bent, of the series of hearth rollers is significantly
affected by the strength of the hearth roller, as well as by the difference between
the temperature of work W and the temperature inside the furnace (in-furnace temperature).
The difference between the temperature of work W and the in-furnace temperature is
large in the preheating chamber 3. Accordingly, the deformation of the series of hearth
rollers 7 can be minimized by allowing the series of hearth rollers 6 in preheating
chamber 3 to rotate forward and backward to thereby reduce the difference in temperature
and then feeding the work W to the heat treating chamber 4.
[0027] The deformation of conventional hearth rollers and that of the series of hearth rollers
according to this embodiment were compared in a heat treating chamber of a carburization
furnace. As a result, the conventional hearth rollers had a bent of 2 mm or less at
the time of setting but a bent of 5 mm or more after use for three months and must
be replaced. In contrast, the hearth rollers according to this embodiment had a bent
of 0.3 mm at the time of setting and a bent of 1 mm or less even after use for eight
months, and there was no need of replacing.
[0028] The bents were each determined by measuring the distances between the center point
and points 75 mm inside the flanges at the both ends of a sample hearth roller using
a dial gauge. The bent of the conventional hearth roller was measured before and after
repetitive forward and backward rotation, and that of the hearth roller according
to this embodiment was measured before and after inching (stopping and forward rotation)
alone.
[0029] Fig. 4 is a sectional view of furnace wall of the heat treating furnace according
to the present invention with an adiabatic temperature curve. More specifically, the
furnace wall comprises a brick layer 15 having a thickness of 115 mm, a silica layer
16 having a thickness of 85 mm, and a compressed molded article 17 of titanium oxide
and an inorganic fiber having a thickness of 50 mm, in this order from the inside
of furnace. The adiabatic temperature curve shows that the surface temperature of
furnace body is 50.2°C (atmospheric temperature: 20°C) while the in-furnace temperature
is held to 950°C, indicating that the furnace can be significantly reduced in its
wall thickness and can save energy.
[0030] The heat treating furnace 1 can be used in various heat treatments of metals. Fig.
1 shows an example of carburization. Specifically, a work W is fed onto the charging
platform 10, fed to the preheating chamber 3 via a charging door (not shown), and
the series of hearth rollers 6 in the preheating chamber 3 is rotated forward and
backward to thereby preheat the work W uniformly.
[0031] The partitioning door 1 between the preheating chamber 3 and the heat treating chamber
4 is then opened, the series of hearth rollers 6 and 7 are operated, and the work
W is conveyed to the heat treating chamber 4, followed by carburization at a set temperature
of 940°C in a set atmosphere at a carbon potential of 1.0% for a set time of 540 minutes.
The carburization in the heat treating chamber 4 of the heat treating furnace shown
in Figs. 1 to 3 is carried out while the series of hearth rollers 7 is not rotated
backward but is stopped. Specifically, the work W is subjected to carburization by
rotating forward or inching the series of hearth rollers 7 in the heat treating chamber
4 to thereby sequentially move the work W to a set position in the heat treating chamber
4. In this procedure, the series of hearth rollers 7 is not rotated backward.
[0032] More specifically, the series of hearth rollers 7 in the heat treating chamber 4
is rotated forward or inched so as to allow three blocks of the work W to reside in
the heat treating chamber 4 for 540 minutes for carburization, respectively. The three
blocks of the work W are capable of conveying to and charging in the heat treating
chamber 4. One block of the work W after the completion of carburization is conveyed
to the soaking chamber 5, and another block of the work W before carburization is
fed from the preheating chamber 3 to the heat treating chamber 4.
[0033] The partitioning door 2 between the heat treating chamber 4 and the soaking chamber
5 is opened, and the work W after the completion of carburization in the heat treating
chamber 4 is conveyed to the soaking chamber 5 by the action of the series of hearth
rollers 7 and 8. The work W undergoes temperature fall and soaking at a set soaking
temperature, for example, 850°C, while rotating the series of hearth rollers 8 in
the soaking chamber 5 forward and backward.
[0034] A door (not shown) between the soaking chamber 5 and the oil tank 12 is then opened,
followed by quenching of the work W. At the time when the quenching is completed,
an exit door (not shown) is opened and the work W is conveyed to the exit conveyer
13.
[0035] As is described above, charging into the preheating chamber 3, transfer from the
preheating chamber 3 to the heat treating chamber 4, transfer from the heat treating
chamber 4 to the soaking chamber 5, transfer from the soaking chamber 5 to the oil
tank 12, and export of the work W from the oil tank 12 to the exit conveyer 13 are
continuously carried out efficiently, resulting in an increased production efficiency.
[0036] Fig. 2 shows an example of soft nitriding using the heat treating furnace 1. Specifically,
a work W is fed onto the charging platform 10, fed to the preheating chamber 3 via
a charging door (not shown), and the series of hearth rollers 6 in the preheating
chamber 3 is rotated forward and backward to thereby preheat the work W uniformly.
The partitioning door 1 between the preheating chamber 3 and the heat treating chamber
4 is then opened, the series of hearth rollers 6 and 7 are operated, and the work
W is conveyed to the heat treating chamber 4, followed by soft nitriding, for example,
at a set temperature of 550°C in a set atmosphere of RX gas and ammonia gas for a
set time of 120 minutes.
[0037] After the completion of the soft nitriding for a set time in the heat treating chamber
4, the partitioning door 2 between the heat treating chamber 4 and the soaking chamber
5 is opened, and the work W is conveyed to the soaking chamber 5 by the action of
the series of hearth rollers 7 and 8. Then, a door (not shown) between the soaking
chamber 5 and the oil tank 12 is opened, and the work W without soaking is subjected
to quenching. At the time when the quenching is completed, an exit door (not shown)
is opened and the work W is conveyed to the exit conveyer 13.
[0038] Fig. 3 shows an example of thermal refining using the heat treating furnace 1. Specifically,
a work W is fed onto the charging platform 10, fed to the preheating chamber 3 via
a charging door (not shown), and the series of hearth rollers 6 in the preheating
chamber 3 is rotated forward and backward to thereby preheat the work W uniformly.
The partitioning door 1 between the preheating chamber 3 and the heat treating chamber
4 is then opened, the series of hearth rollers 6 and 7 are operated, and the work
W is conveyed to the heat treating chamber 4, followed by thermal refining, for example,
at a set temperature of 880°C in a set atmosphere at a carbon potential of 0.3% to
0.5% for a set time of 30 minutes.
[0039] The following processes are as in the soft nitriding, and the work W is subjected
to quenching without soaking process.
[0040] The present invention can provide a heat treatment furnace and method with increased
production efficiency and thermal efficiency, and a heat treating furnace having a
reduced size and economical efficiency.
1. A heat treating furnace for carrying out continuously a heat treatment for workpieces
(W), comprising a linear furnace body including, in its inside, a preheating chamber
(3), a heat treating chamber (4) and a soaking chamber (5), the chambers (3, 4 and
5) being partitioned by partitioning doors (1 and 2) and having series of independently-driven
hearth rollers (6, 7 and 8), respectively, wherein the series of hearth rollers (6
and 8) in the preheating chamber (3) and the soaking chamber (5) are so configured
as to be rotatable forward and backward, characterised in that the series of hearth rollers (7) in the heat treating chamber (4) is so configured
as to be rotatable and inchable forward alone to sequentially move a workpiece (W)
within said heat treating chamber (4).
2. The heat treating furnace as claimed in claim 1, wherein the ratio in size of the
preheating chamber (3) to the heat treating chamber (4) is set at 1:3 and the ratio
in size of the soaking chamber (5) to the heat treating chamber (4) is also set at
1:3.
3. The heat treating furnace according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the wall of the furnace
body comprises a brick layer (15), a silica layer (16), and a layer (17) comprising
a compression molded article derived from titanium oxide and an inorganic fiber.
4. A heat treating furnace as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the series of hearth
rollers (7) in the heat treating chamber (4) comprises a material containing a refractory
steel, the refractory steel further containing trace amounts of tungsten, cobalt and
titanium so as to have improved creep properties.
5. A method fcr carrying out continuously a heat treatment of workpieces (W) in the heat
treating furnace according to any preceding claim, the method comprising the steps
of rotating the series of hearth rollers (6 and 8) in the preheating chamber (3) and
the soaking chamber (5) forward and backward to thereby vibrate the work (W) during
preheating and soaking of the work (W) and comprising the step of inching the series
of hearth rollers (7) in the heat treating chamber (4) during heat treatment of the
work (W) to sequentially move a workpiece (W) within said heat treating chamber (4).
1. Wärmebehandlungsofen zum ununterbrochenen Ausführen einer Wärmebehandlung für Werkstücke
(W), mit einem geradlinigen Ofenkörper, der in seinem Innenraum eine Vorwärmkammer
(3), eine Wärmebehandlungskammer (4) und eine Durchwärmkammer bzw. Kammer zum Halten
einer Brenntemperatur (5) aufweist, wobei die Kammern (3, 4 und 5) durch Trenntüren
(1 und 2) unterteilt sind und jeweils eine Reihe unabhängig angetriebener Herdrollen
(6, 7 und 8) besitzen, wobei die Reihe von Herdrollen (6 und 8) in der Vorwärmkammer
(3) und in der Durchwärmkammer (5) so konfiguriert sind, dass sie vorwärts und rückwärts
drehbar sind, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Reihe von Herdrollen (7) in der Wärmebehandlungskammer (4) so konfiguriert ist,
dass sie allein drehbar und zoll- bzw. zentimeterweise vorwärts beweglich sind, um
ein Werkstück (W) in der Wärmebehandlungskammer (4) sequentiell zu bewegen.
2. Wärmebehandlungsofen nach Anspruch 1, wobei das Größenverhältnis der Vorwärmkammer
(3) zu der Wärmebehandlungskammer (4) auf 1:3 gesetzt ist und das Größenverhältnis
der Durchwärmkammer (5) zu der Wärmebehandlungskammer (4) ebenfalls auf 1:3 gesetzt
ist.
3. Wärmebehandlungsofen nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, wobei die Wand des Ofenkörpers eine Ziegelschicht
(15), eine Silciumoxidschicht (16) und eine Schicht (17), die einen aus Titanoxid
und einer anorganischen Faser abgeleiteten formgepressten Gegenstand enthält, aufweist.
4. Wärmebehandlungsofen nach Anspruch 1, 2 oder 3, wobei die Reihe von Herdrollen (7)
in der Wärmebehandlungskammer (4) ein Material enthält, das feuerfesten Stahl aufweist,
wobei der feuerfeste Stahl ferner Spurenmengen von Wolfram, Kobalt und Titan enthält,
damit er verbesserte Kriecheigenschaften besitzt.
5. Verfahren zum ununterbrochenen Ausführen einer Wärmebehandlung von Werkstücken (W)
in dem Wärmebehandlungsofen nach einem vorhergehenden Anspruch, wobei das Verfahren
die Schritte des Drehens der Reihe von Herdrollen (6 und 8) in der Vorwärmkammer (3)
und in der Durchwärmkammer (5) vorwärts und rückwärts, um dadurch das Werkstück (W) während des Vorwärmens und Durchwärmens des Werkstücks (W) vibrieren
zu lassen, umfasst und den Schritt des zollweisen Bewegens der Reihe von Herdrollen
(7) in der Wärmebehandlungskammer (4) während der Wärmebehandlung des Werkstücks (W),
um ein Werkstück (W) in der Wärmebehandlungskammer (4) sequentiell zu bewegen, umfasst.
1. Four de traitement thermique pour mettre en oeuvre un traitement thermique de pièces
(W) de manière continue, comportant un corps de four linéaire incluant, dans son espace
intérieur, une chambre de préchauffage (3), une chambre de traitement thermique (4)
et une chambre de trempe (5), les chambres (3, 4 et 5) étant séparées par des portes
de séparation (1 et 2) et ayant des séries de rouleaux de sole entraînés indépendamment
(6, 7 et 8), respectivement, dans lequel les séries de rouleaux de sole (6 et 8) dans
la chambre de préchauffage (3) et la chambre de trempe (5) sont configurées de manière
à pouvoir tourner vers l'avant et vers l'arrière, caractérisé en ce que la série de rouleaux de sole (7) dans la chambre de traitement thermique (4) est
configurée de manière à pouvoir tourner et être mise en mouvement par à-coups vers
l'avant, seule, pour déplacer séquentiellement une pièce (W) à l'intérieur de ladite
chambre de traitement thermique (4).
2. Four de traitement thermique tel que revendiqué dans la revendication 1, dans lequel
le rapport de taille de la chambre de préchauffage (3) sur la chambre de traitement
thermique (4) est fixé à 1:3, et le rapport de taille de la chambre de trempe (5)
sur la chambre de traitement thermique (4) est également fixé à 1:3.
3. Four de traitement thermique selon la revendication 1 ou 2, dans lequel la paroi du
corps de four comporte une couche de briques (15), une couche de silice (16) et une
couche (17) comportant un article moulé par compression obtenu à partir d'oxyde de
titane et d'une fibre inorganique.
4. Four de traitement thermique tel que revendiqué dans la revendication 1, 2 ou 3, dans
lequel la série de rouleaux de sole (7) dans la chambre de traitement thermique (4)
comporte un matériau contenant un acier réfractaire, l'acier réfractaire contenant
en outre d'infimes quantités de tungstène, de cobalt et de titane de manière à avoir
des propriétés de fluage améliorées.
5. Procédé pour mettre en oeuvre de manière continue un traitement thermique de pièces
(W) dans le four de traitement thermique selon l'une quelconque des revendications
précédentes, le procédé comportant les étapes consistant à faire tourner les séries
de rouleaux de sole (6 et 8) dans la chambre de préchauffage (3) et la chambre de
trempe (5) vers l'avant et vers l'arrière pour ainsi faire vibrer la pièce (W) pendant
le préchauffage et la trempe de la pièce (W), et comportant l'étape consistant à mettre
en mouvement par à-coups la série de rouleaux de sole (7) dans la chambre de traitement
thermique (4) pendant le traitement thermique de la pièce (W) pour déplacer séquentiellement
une pièce (W) à l'intérieur de ladite chambre de traitement thermique (4).