Apparatus for microwave heat treatment of manufactured components
View Patent ↗An apparatus for heat treating manufactured components using microwave energy and microwave susceptor material. Heat treating medium such as eutectic salts may be employed. A fluidized bed introduces process gases which may include carburizing or nitriding gases. The process may be operated in a batch mode or continuous process mode. A microwave heating probe may be used to restart a frozen eutectic salt bath.
1. A heat treating system for components, the system comprising:
a microwave applicator chamber;
an insulating vessel placed within the microwave applicator chamber;
a gas supply for feeding process gas to the insulating vessel through a screen;
granular microwave susceptor material positioned to receive the process gas after it flows through the screen;
space for components positioned in the granular microwave susceptor material, the space being configured so that a substantial portion of the exterior surface of each component is in contact with the granular microwave susceptor material.
2. The heat treating system of claim 1 wherein the process gas includes a surface treatment gas.
3. The heat treating system of claim 2 wherein the surface treatment gas comprises a carburizing gas.
4. The heat treating system of claim 2 wherein the surface treatment gas comprises a nitriding gas.