EP0806485A1 - Heat treatment installation - Google Patents

Heat treatment installation Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0806485A1
EP0806485A1 EP96107095A EP96107095A EP0806485A1 EP 0806485 A1 EP0806485 A1 EP 0806485A1 EP 96107095 A EP96107095 A EP 96107095A EP 96107095 A EP96107095 A EP 96107095A EP 0806485 A1 EP0806485 A1 EP 0806485A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
oven
opening
plug
ovens
installation according
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP96107095A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Inventor
Thierry Spérisen
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Patherm SA
Original Assignee
Patherm SA
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Patherm SA filed Critical Patherm SA
Priority to EP96107095A priority Critical patent/EP0806485A1/en
Publication of EP0806485A1 publication Critical patent/EP0806485A1/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C21—METALLURGY OF IRON
    • C21D—MODIFYING THE PHYSICAL STRUCTURE OF FERROUS METALS; GENERAL DEVICES FOR HEAT TREATMENT OF FERROUS OR NON-FERROUS METALS OR ALLOYS; MAKING METAL MALLEABLE, e.g. BY DECARBURISATION OR TEMPERING
    • C21D9/00—Heat treatment, e.g. annealing, hardening, quenching or tempering, adapted for particular articles; Furnaces therefor
    • C21D9/0006—Details, accessories not peculiar to any of the following furnaces
    • C21D9/0018—Details, accessories not peculiar to any of the following furnaces for charging, discharging or manipulation of charge
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C21—METALLURGY OF IRON
    • C21D—MODIFYING THE PHYSICAL STRUCTURE OF FERROUS METALS; GENERAL DEVICES FOR HEAT TREATMENT OF FERROUS OR NON-FERROUS METALS OR ALLOYS; MAKING METAL MALLEABLE, e.g. BY DECARBURISATION OR TEMPERING
    • C21D1/00—General methods or devices for heat treatment, e.g. annealing, hardening, quenching or tempering
    • C21D1/62—Quenching devices
    • C21D1/63—Quenching devices for bath quenching
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C21—METALLURGY OF IRON
    • C21D—MODIFYING THE PHYSICAL STRUCTURE OF FERROUS METALS; GENERAL DEVICES FOR HEAT TREATMENT OF FERROUS OR NON-FERROUS METALS OR ALLOYS; MAKING METAL MALLEABLE, e.g. BY DECARBURISATION OR TEMPERING
    • C21D9/00—Heat treatment, e.g. annealing, hardening, quenching or tempering, adapted for particular articles; Furnaces therefor
    • C21D9/0062—Heat-treating apparatus with a cooling or quenching zone

Definitions

  • the invention generally relates to thermal treatment installations.
  • the invention relates to an installation for heat treatment of loads to be treated such as metal parts, comprising at least one oven having an opening downwards, the oven comprising a plug which can be locked on the oven to close the opening. of the oven during the processing of the loads and which can be unlocked and released from the opening of the oven during the operation of loading and unloading of the loads in the oven, and means for loading and unloading the oven.
  • a heat treatment installation as defined above and comprising at least one oven open at the bottom, generally designated bell furnace, and provided with a closure plug is already known for example from document EP-A-0 296 102 .
  • the plug is articulated on a rear wall of the furnace and pivots about an axis parallel to said rear wall to open or close the furnace, the pivoting of the plug being ensured by a jack.
  • the oven is opened, for example to transfer a charge at high temperature to an appropriate treatment medium, the plug is released from the oven opening by pivoting downwards until it reaches a substantially vertical.
  • the opening of the oven is generally carried out while it is at its processing temperature (generally of the order of 850 ° C. or more), the plug is also at a temperature close to that of the oven and radiates very violently by exposing operators in the vicinity to the risk of serious burns. It is therefore understandable that, given the increasing requirements in terms of personnel security, such installations will soon no longer be possible.
  • the type of installation described above has the drawback of having to use one or more fans for extracting the vapors of quenching and other vapors produced during the operation of the installation.
  • legislation on environmental releases is tending to become more and more restrictive and will soon no longer be sufficient to simply dilute harmful emissions before discharging them into the atmosphere, the pollution measurements then being made taking account for the dilution of the fumes in the suction air.
  • the main purpose of the invention is to remedy the drawbacks of the above-mentioned prior art by providing a thermal treatment installation equipped with a handling device and an oven plug offering all the guarantees of safety for the personnel during the release of the plug from the oven opening.
  • Another object of this invention is to allow easy manipulation of the oven plug.
  • Another object of the invention is to provide an installation which is of a simple and economical design.
  • Yet another object of this invention is to provide an installation which allows efficient treatment of fumes produced during its use, before their release into the atmosphere.
  • the subject of the invention is an installation for heat treatment of loads to be treated such as metal parts, comprising at least one oven having an opening downwards, the oven comprising a plug which can be locked on the oven to close the opening of the oven during the treatment of the loads and which can be unlocked and released from the opening of the oven during operations of loading and unloading of the loads in the oven, and means for loading and unloading of the oven, characterized in what it further comprises a handling device capable of being placed under the oven by a relative movement of the oven relative to said handling device or vice versa so that it can come opposite the opening of the oven, said handling device comprising handling means, or vice versa for engaging said plug in the opening of the oven and removing it, and means for receiving the bo uchon which confine at least laterally the radiation emitted by the cap.
  • the part of the plug located in the oven and therefore having a high temperature, penetrates into the receiving means as soon as the oven is opened, so that the thermal radiation emitted by the plug during the opening is hidden from people working near the oven. This eliminates any direct influence of the radiation from the plug on the operators of the installation, which could endanger these people.
  • the handling means are vertically movable between a first position, in which they support the plug to allow it to be locked and unlocked, and a second position in which they place the plug in said receiving means.
  • the movements of engagement of the plug in the opening of the furnace and of disengagement thereof are simple.
  • the installation according to the invention also makes it possible to remove any plug and actuation structure of the latter which is integral with the oven, such as that of document EP-A-0 296 102, which makes the installation of the simpler and more economical invention.
  • the subject of the invention is an installation for heat treatment of charges, comprising at least two ovens each having a downward opening, the ovens each comprising a plug which can be locked on the oven to close the opening of the oven during the processing of the loads and which can be unlocked and released from the opening of the oven during the loading and unloading operation of the loads in the oven, and the means for loading and unloading the ovens, characterized in that said installation further comprises an airlock common to said ovens, said airlock being in communication on the one hand with the ovens by their opening and on the other hand with the outside by an access hatch associated with each opening of the ovens and arranged in view of the opening of the oven with which it is associated, each access hatch being provided with a closing flap, and a device for handling the plugs comprising means for manipulating tion to engage said plugs in the openings of the ovens and release them while maintaining them inside the airlock.
  • Such a heat treatment installation allows, in addition to safe handling of the plug when it is at high temperature by handling it inside the airlock, a concentration and easy collection of the gas fumes present in the ovens.
  • the installation further comprises at least one cooling tank open upwards, the ovens and the tank being able to be brought into superimposed position by a relative movement of one by compared to each other so that the opening of the ovens can come opposite the access hatches of the airlock and establish a sealed communication between the cooling tank on the one hand and the ovens and the airlock on the other hand, and means of loading and unloading bin and ovens.
  • the vapors produced during quenching in the cooling tank do not escape into the surrounding atmosphere but are concentrated in the airlock without the need to use air extractors above the installation, which dilute the fumes.
  • the fumes, in particular those produced during quenching can be simply evacuated by the overpressure present in the airlock.
  • the installation 1 comprises a bell furnace 2, that is to say an oven open downwards inside which can be introduced, via an opening 4 and by a vertical displacement, a load 6 formed by a part or a set of parts to be treated arranged on a support plate 8 produced for example under the shape of a rigid flat honeycomb grid.
  • the oven 1 comprises a sealed enclosure 10, the opening 4 being closed by a plug 12, the detailed structure of which will be described below.
  • heating means 14 such as gas burners, making it possible to raise the temperature inside the enclosure to a desired value.
  • any other heating means can be provided, such as for example electrical resistance ramps.
  • the oven 1 also includes, in its upper part, means for stirring 16 of the atmosphere present in the enclosure.
  • These means 16 conventionally comprise a motor 18, placed outside the oven on its upper wall 20, the shaft 22 of which enables a fan located inside the enclosure 10 to be actuated.
  • retaining studs 24 In the lower part of the enclosure 10 are provided retaining studs 24 (only two of which are visible in FIG. 1) which project from the inner wall 26 of the enclosure 10. These retaining studs 24 are intended to support the support plate 8 provided with the load 6 between the processing operations when the oven 1 is open (FIG. 2). In fact, when the oven is closed by the plug 12, the support plate is raised above the retaining studs 24 by support feet 28 integral with the plug 12 (FIG. 1) in order to avoid the creep of the studs 24 under load 6.
  • the plug 12 comprises a plate 30 closing the opening 4.
  • the plate 30 comprises, in the region of its edge, a peripheral groove 32 receiving a seal 34.
  • This seal 34 which can be made of polymer, refractory cord, sand or the like, is applied to a seal surface 36, preferably cooled, provided on the lower edge of the enclosure 8.
  • the surface 36 comprises for example a duct or a sealed box in which circulates a cooling fluid.
  • the plug 12 also comprises a layer of material 38 forming thermal insulation on the face of the plate 30 directed towards the interior of the enclosure 10.
  • the insulating layer 38 is traversed by the support feet 28 integral with the plate shutter 30.
  • the plug 12 comprises locking means 39 by which it is kept closed on the furnace.
  • the locking means 39 are secured to the plug 12 and are controlled by an external actuator 40 secured to a base 42 for supporting the plug, forming part of a device for handling the plug 44 which will be described in more detail below.
  • the locking means 39 comprise one or more locking members 46 intended to be hooked onto complementary means 48 provided on the inner wall 50 of the base 52 of the oven.
  • the locking member 46 is made in the form of a cross with four branches ( Figure 5), mounted in rotation, for example by means of a ball bearing 54 (shown symbolically in Figures 1, 2, 4 and 5) on the face of the plate 30, directed towards the outside of the enclosure 10.
  • the external actuator 40 is shaped to be temporarily connected to one of the branches 46 to rotate the cross around a central axis perpendicular to its plane.
  • the actuator 40 consists of a hydraulic control member, such as a jack, but it and of course it could provide the same function by being made of a member of similar type without output from the part of the invention.
  • the actuator 40 is controlled by a conventional power supply (not shown) and is fixed to the support base 42 by a fixed end while it comprises at its other end a movable finger 56 projecting vertically towards the furnace.
  • the finger 56 can engage in an opening 58 provided for this purpose in one of the branches of the cross 46.
  • the finger 56 can angularly move the cross around its axis of rotation by a first angular position (shown in broken lines in FIG. 5) in which the plug can be introduced vertically into the opening 4 of the furnace by lifting means, which will be described below, so that the end of the branches 46 comes substantially above the level of the complementary retaining means 48, towards a second angular position (shown in strong lines) in Figure 5) in which the ends of the branches can be superimposed on the complementary retaining means 48 and rest by simple support thereon (Figure 4).
  • the thermal treatment installation comprises the device for handling the plug 44 which is also shown in top view in FIG. 3.
  • This handling device 44 is capable of being placed under the oven 2 so that the device can come next to the opening 4 of the oven to engage the plug 12 in this opening or release it.
  • the device 44 comprises handling means 60 and means 62 for receiving the plug 12 confining at least laterally the radiation emitted by the latter when it is released from the opening of the oven at high temperature.
  • the device 44 comprises a support frame or carriage 64 mounted on rollers 66 and on which is mounted, raised by support legs 68, for example three in number a receptacle 70 open upwards.
  • This receptacle made, for example of sheet steel, forms the receiving means 62.
  • the bottom 72 of the receptacle 70 is crossed by lifting means 74, such as a hydraulic cylinder, having a fixed end fixed to the support frame 64 and its other movable end connected to the support base 42 intended to carry the plug 12.
  • lifting means 74 provided with the support base 42 form the handling means 60.
  • the actuator is fixed on the upper face 76 of the support base 42 and that three support studs 78 protrude from this face 76.
  • These studs 78 regularly distributed around the periphery of face 76, are intended to receive and support the plug 12 via the plate 30 while allowing actuation of the locking means 46.
  • the support base 42 is therefore movable vertically and can be moved between a first position in which it comes to be placed under the plate 30 to raise the plug from a height such that the locking member no longer rests on the complementary means. retainer 48, (FIG. 1), and a second position in which it brings the plug 12 into the receptacle 70 while disengaging it completely from the opening 4 (FIG. 2), the actuator 40 integral with the support base 42 having previously acts on the locking member 46 so that the latter is released relative to the complementary retaining means 48.
  • the receptacle 70 has dimensions such that when the device 44 is placed under the oven, it comes as far as possible flush with the lower surface 80 of the oven. Furthermore, the receptacle 70 and the stroke of the lifting means 74 are provided so that the side walls of the receptacle form a screen for confining the radiation emitted by the plug 12 whatever the position of the support base 42 in the receptacle 70 when the plug 12 is supported by the support base 42.
  • the installation comprises conventional means for loading and unloading the oven, which can be produced by a robot manipulator 90, shown diagrammatically in FIG. 1, which moves for example on a track parallel to that on which the plug handling device 44.
  • This robot 90 comprises a lower platform 92 resting on the ground by means of rollers 94.
  • This platform 92 carries a guide column 94 provided with a base 96 which can be moved along this column by lifting means (not shown) such as a hydraulic cylinder.
  • a plate 98 is also movably mounted on the base 96, for example on rails of these, this plate 98 can be moved in a plane parallel to the plane of the platform 92, by means of an actuator (not shown) to be placed below the oven 4, opposite the opening 4 of the latter.
  • the base 96 is mounted on the column so that it can rotate at least 180 ° C around it.
  • FIG 6 there is shown an alternative embodiment of the locking means of the plug 12 on the opening 4 of the oven.
  • the locking is effected by means of several locking jacks 100, (for example three in number) distributed regularly at the periphery of the opening 4 of the furnace and fixed directly to the bottom wall of the oven.
  • the jacks 100 can be controlled so that their rod 102 projection opposite the opening and that the plug 12 can come to rest on the rods 102, for example by means of the plate 30.
  • the upper face of the latter comprises, in this embodiment, centering studs 104 which cooperate with corresponding recesses 106 formed in the plate 30.
  • FIG. 7 to 9 there is shown a heat treatment installation designated by general reference 110 according to another aspect of the invention and in which the elements identical to those described in connection with Figures 1 to 6 are designated by the same reference numerals.
  • the airlock 112 is in communication on the one hand with the interior of the ovens 2 by their opening 4 and on the other hand with the exterior by an access hatch 124 associated with each opening 4 of the ovens 2 and arranged opposite the opening of the oven with which it is associated.
  • Each hatch 124 is provided with a closing flap 126 which closes the airlock 112 in a sealed manner.
  • the flap 126 generally moves in a plane parallel to the access hatch, by means of rollers 128, along parallel rails 130 located on either side of the access hatch. 124 and is actuated by a jack 132. It will be noted in this connection that such a closure system has the advantage of having a small overall height.
  • the movement mechanism of the flap 126 further comprises means 134 for applying the flap 126 against a seal 136, formed on a surface 138 extending at the periphery of the access hatch 124 inside the airlock 112, when the flap 126 is in the closed position.
  • Such means 134 are well known to those skilled in the art and can for example comprise a toggle system each formed from two rods 140, 142 articulated respectively on the flap and on the rollers 128, the flap 126 being applied against the joint 136 when it reaches a stop 144 which allows the knee pads to deploy and lock, as shown diagrammatically in FIG. 7.
  • a toggle system each formed from two rods 140, 142 articulated respectively on the flap and on the rollers 128, the flap 126 being applied against the joint 136 when it reaches a stop 144 which allows the knee pads to deploy and lock, as shown diagrammatically in FIG. 7.
  • any other suitable system such as cam, wedge or similar systems can be considered.
  • the plug handling device 114 comprises handling means which are described below and allow the plugs 12 to be engaged in the respective openings 4 of the ovens 1. These handling means also allow the release of plugs from openings 4 of the ovens to release the openings of the ovens and to be able to load and unload them respectively while maintaining the plugs 12 inside the airlock 112 and thus protecting the operators working around the installation from the radiation of the plugs which are located at high temperature when removed from the ovens.
  • the access hatches 124 will in principle be closed outside of the load transfer operations to the ovens or coming from the ovens to the outside.
  • the handling means comprise, for each oven, a movable handling arm 146 which extends substantially parallel to the plane of the opening of the oven with which it is associated.
  • This arm 146 is connected by one end to the end of an actuator 148 secured to an upper wall 150 of the airlock 112 and which comprises at its opposite end a support base 152 comprising a plate capable of supporting the plug 12.
  • the manipulation arm 146 is in the form of a beam having for example an I-section, having a high rigidity taking into account its cantilever fixing and the weight of the plug which 'it supports at its free end.
  • the actuator 148 is produced in the form of a hydraulic cylinder whose cylinder 154 extends outside the airlock 112 and whose rod 156 extends through the upper wall 150 inside the airlock, the cylinder extending substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the arm 146.
  • the cylinder 148 can be controlled in rotation about its longitudinal axis L and in translation along its longitudinal axis respectively according to the arrows R and T in the drawing. Consequently, the plug handling device is partially arranged in the airlock. It goes without saying that, according to a variant, the handling device could be entirely housed inside the airlock.
  • the latter can, during a first phase, be moved vertically by the appropriate control of the actuator 148, in an intermediate position II (FIG. 7) in which it supports the plug 12 while completely disengaging it from the opening 4.
  • the plug 12 is then below and the opening of the oven and above the access door 124 to this oven.
  • the manipulation arm 146 is actuated in rotation by the jack 148 so that it moves angularly to come into a second position III (FIG. 7 and POS III FIG. 8).
  • the structure of the handling means ensures the maintenance and locking of the plug in the opening of the oven and thus makes it possible to dispense with the use of locking means for the plug 12 such as those described in conjunction with Figures 1 to 6.
  • the cooling tank 116 is open upwards and mounted on rollers 160 so that it can be brought into a superposed position under the access hatches 124 and therefore under the ovens, so that the opening 122 of the tank can come exactly opposite these.
  • the container can be fixed and the assembly comprising the ovens and the airlock can be mobile, or the container and this assembly can both be mobile.
  • the installation comprises means 120 which make it possible to establish sealed communication between the cooling tank 116 on the one hand and the ovens 2 and the airlock 112 on the other hand, once the tray 116 has been brought into a position in which its opening 122 is opposite an access hatch 124 to the airlock (FIG. 7).
  • these means 120 essentially comprise a lifting device 164 secured to the tank 116 and formed in its lower part and sealing means 166 arranged at the periphery of the opening 122 of the tank.
  • the lifting device 164 allows vertical movement (according to arrow F in the drawing) of the tank 116 and is formed for example of a conventional hydraulic scissor mechanism (shown diagrammatically in FIG. 7), integral with the bottom of the tank and s extending between this bottom 168 and the ground on which the tank circulates.
  • the lifting device 164 not integral with the tank 116, but for example a plurality of lifting devices installed in pits provided for this purpose in the ground in line with the ovens.
  • the sealing means 166 comprise for example a seal of the "O-ring" type 170 disposed in an annular housing 172 and intended to cooperate with an associated bearing 174 formed on the airlock opposite the housing, the bearing 174 extending around from the access hatch.
  • the scissor mechanism when the lifting device 164 is actuated, the scissor mechanism is deployed, during a first phase, to come into contact with the ground and bear on it, by means of pads provided in the part bottom of the mechanism, then continues its deployment during a second phase, to raise the tank 116 until applying the seal 170 against the bearing surface 174 and establishing sealed communication of the tank 116 with the airlock 112.
  • the lifting device 120 can be replaced by bellows means, either integral with a lower wall of the airlock and extending outside of it around the access hatch, either secured to an upper wall of the container and extending outside of it around the opening of the container.
  • the airlock 112 further comprises means 180 for evacuating gas fumes produced during use, by overpressure inside the airlock towards a processing unit 182 (FIG. 9).
  • the means of evacuation by overpressure can be formed by a non-return valve, by a pressure switch or the like, while the treatment unit can be formed by a burner associated with a filter, by a washing column. or the like.

Abstract

An installation for the heat treatment of charges, comprising at least one furnace (2) having an opening (4) towards the bottom and a stopper (12) which may be locked on the furnace for closing the opening (4) in the furnace during the treatment of the charges (6) and which may be unlocked and disengaged from the opening during the operations of charging and discharging the charges (6) in the furnace and some means (90) for charging and discharging the charges (6) in the furnace. It also incorporates a manipulation device (44) able to be placed under the furnace (2) by a movement relative to the furnace (2) with respect to the manipulation device or reciprocally, in a manner that it may come to be opposite the opening (4) in the furnace. The manipulation device (44) includes a manipulation mechanism (60) for engaging the stopper (12) in the opening (4) in the furnace (2) and for disengaging it from the opening (4) and some means (62) for receiving the stopper (12) that confines at least laterally the radiation emitted by the stopper (12). Advantageously the means of manipulation (60) are vertically mobile between a first position, in which it supports the stopper (12) in order to allow its locking and unlocking, and a second position in which it places the stopper in the receiving means (62).

Description

L'invention concerne généralement les installations de traitement thermique.The invention generally relates to thermal treatment installations.

Plus particulièrement, l'invention concerne une installation de traitement thermique de charges à traiter telles que pièces métalliques, comportant au moins un four ayant une ouverture vers le bas, le four comprenant un bouchon qui peut être verrouillé sur le four pour fermer l'ouverture du four lors du traitement des charges et qui peut être déverrouillé et dégagé de l'ouverture du four lors d'opération de chargement et de déchargement des charges dans le four, et des moyens de chargement et de déchargement du four.More particularly, the invention relates to an installation for heat treatment of loads to be treated such as metal parts, comprising at least one oven having an opening downwards, the oven comprising a plug which can be locked on the oven to close the opening. of the oven during the processing of the loads and which can be unlocked and released from the opening of the oven during the operation of loading and unloading of the loads in the oven, and means for loading and unloading the oven.

Une installation de traitement thermique telle que définie ci-dessus et comportant au moins un four ouvert vers le bas, désigné généralement four à cloche, et pourvu d'un bouchon de fermeture est déjà connue par exemple du document EP-A-0 296 102.A heat treatment installation as defined above and comprising at least one oven open at the bottom, generally designated bell furnace, and provided with a closure plug is already known for example from document EP-A-0 296 102 .

Dans ce document, le bouchon est articulé sur une paroi arrière du four et pivote autour d'un axe parallèle à ladite paroi arrière pour ouvrir ou fermer le four, le pivotement du bouchon étant assuré par un vérin. Lors de l'ouverture du four, par exemple pour effectuer le transfert d'une charge à haute température vers un milieu de traitement approprié, le bouchon est dégagé de l'ouverture du four par pivotement vers le bas jusqu'à atteindre une position sensiblement verticale. Comme l'ouverture du four s'effectue généralement alors que celui-ci est à sa température de traitement (généralement de l'ordre de 850°C ou plus), le bouchon est lui aussi à une température voisine de celle du four et rayonne très violemment en exposant les opérateurs se trouvant aux alentours à des risques de brûlures graves. On comprend donc que, compte tenu des exigences croissantes en matière de sécurité du personnel, de telles installations ne seront bientôt plus envisageables.In this document, the plug is articulated on a rear wall of the furnace and pivots about an axis parallel to said rear wall to open or close the furnace, the pivoting of the plug being ensured by a jack. When the oven is opened, for example to transfer a charge at high temperature to an appropriate treatment medium, the plug is released from the oven opening by pivoting downwards until it reaches a substantially vertical. As the opening of the oven is generally carried out while it is at its processing temperature (generally of the order of 850 ° C. or more), the plug is also at a temperature close to that of the oven and radiates very violently by exposing operators in the vicinity to the risk of serious burns. It is therefore understandable that, given the increasing requirements in terms of personnel security, such installations will soon no longer be possible.

Cet inconvénient est d'autant plus important que l'industrie tend à intégrer de plus en plus les opérations de traitement thermique aux lignes de fabrication, par exemple au côté de centres d'usinage.This drawback is all the more important as the industry tends to integrate heat treatment operations more and more into production lines, for example alongside machining centers.

Par ailleurs, le type d'installation décrit ci-dessus présente l'inconvénient de devoir utiliser un ou plusieurs ventilateurs d'extraction des émanations de vapeurs de trempe et autres produites au cours de l'exploitation de l'installation. Or pour un traitement efficace de ces émanations avec des ventilateurs d'extraction, il est nécessaire d'utiliser des ventilateurs permettant le traitement de débits d'air plusieurs milliers de fois supérieurs aux volumes des émanations effectivement dégagées par l'installation, ce qui a pour conséquence la mise en oeuvre de dispositifs d'extraction lourds et coûteux. De plus, les législations en matière de rejets dans l'environnement tendent à devenir de plus en plus restrictives et ne permettront bientôt plus simplement de diluer les émanations nocives avant de les rejeter dans l'atmosphère, les mesures de pollution étant alors faites en tenant compte de la dilution des émanations dans l'air d'aspiration.Furthermore, the type of installation described above has the drawback of having to use one or more fans for extracting the vapors of quenching and other vapors produced during the operation of the installation. However, for an effective treatment of these fumes with exhaust fans, it is necessary to use fans allowing the treatment of air flow rates several thousand times greater than the volumes of the fumes actually released by the installation, which has consequently the implementation of heavy and expensive extraction devices. In addition, legislation on environmental releases is tending to become more and more restrictive and will soon no longer be sufficient to simply dilute harmful emissions before discharging them into the atmosphere, the pollution measurements then being made taking account for the dilution of the fumes in the suction air.

Ainsi, l'invention a pour but principal de remédier aux inconvénients de l'art antérieur susmentionné en fournissant une installation de traitement thermique équipée d'un dispositif de manipulation et d'un bouchon de four offrant toute les garanties de sécurité pour le personnel lors du dégagement du bouchon de l'ouverture du four.Thus, the main purpose of the invention is to remedy the drawbacks of the above-mentioned prior art by providing a thermal treatment installation equipped with a handling device and an oven plug offering all the guarantees of safety for the personnel during the release of the plug from the oven opening.

Un autre but de cette invention est de permettre une manipulation aisée du bouchon du four.Another object of this invention is to allow easy manipulation of the oven plug.

Un autre but de invention est de fournir une installation qui soit d'une conception simple et économique.Another object of the invention is to provide an installation which is of a simple and economical design.

Encore un autre but de cette invention est de fournir une installation qui permette un traitement efficace des émanations produites lors de son utilisation, avant leur rejet dans l'atmosphère.Yet another object of this invention is to provide an installation which allows efficient treatment of fumes produced during its use, before their release into the atmosphere.

A cet effet l'invention a pour objet une installation de traitement thermique de charges à traiter telles que pièces métalliques, comportant au moins un four ayant une ouverture vers le bas, le four comprenant un bouchon qui peut être verrouillé sur le four pour fermer l'ouverture du four lors du traitement des charges et qui peut être déverrouillé et dégagé de l'ouverture du four lors d'opérations de chargement et de déchargement des charges dans le four, et des moyens de chargement et de déchargement du four, caractérisée en ce qu'elle comprend en outre un dispositif de manipulation susceptible d'être placé sous le four par un mouvement relatif du four par rapport audit dispositif de manipulation ou réciproquement de sorte qu'il puisse venir en regard de l'ouverture du four, ledit dispositif de manipulation comprenant des moyens de manipulation, ou réciproquement pour engager ledit bouchon dans l'ouverture du four et l'en dégager, et des moyens de réception du bouchon qui confinent au moins latéralement le rayonnement émis par le bouchon.To this end, the subject of the invention is an installation for heat treatment of loads to be treated such as metal parts, comprising at least one oven having an opening downwards, the oven comprising a plug which can be locked on the oven to close the opening of the oven during the treatment of the loads and which can be unlocked and released from the opening of the oven during operations of loading and unloading of the loads in the oven, and means for loading and unloading of the oven, characterized in what it further comprises a handling device capable of being placed under the oven by a relative movement of the oven relative to said handling device or vice versa so that it can come opposite the opening of the oven, said handling device comprising handling means, or vice versa for engaging said plug in the opening of the oven and removing it, and means for receiving the bo uchon which confine at least laterally the radiation emitted by the cap.

Grâce à ces caractéristiques, la partie du bouchon se trouvant dans le four, et donc ayant une température élevée, pénètre dans les moyens de réception dès l'ouverture du four ,de sorte que le rayonnement thermique émis par le bouchon lors de l'ouverture est masqué en direction des personnes travaillant à proximité du four. On élimine ainsi toute influence directe du rayonnement du bouchon sur les opérateurs de l'installation, qui pourrait mettre en danger ces personnes.Thanks to these characteristics, the part of the plug located in the oven, and therefore having a high temperature, penetrates into the receiving means as soon as the oven is opened, so that the thermal radiation emitted by the plug during the opening is hidden from people working near the oven. This eliminates any direct influence of the radiation from the plug on the operators of the installation, which could endanger these people.

Selon une caractéristique avantageuse de l'invention, les moyens de manipulation sont mobiles verticalement entre une première position, dans laquelle ils supportent le bouchon pour permettre son verrouillage et son déverrouillage, et une deuxième position dans laquelle ils placent le bouchon dans lesdits moyens de réception.According to an advantageous characteristic of the invention, the handling means are vertically movable between a first position, in which they support the plug to allow it to be locked and unlocked, and a second position in which they place the plug in said receiving means. .

Ainsi, les mouvements d'engagement du bouchon dans l'ouverture du four et de dégagement de celle-ci sont simples. On peut notamment prévoir une course de dégagement du bouchon de l'ouverture très courte. L'installation selon l'invention permet également de supprimer toute structure de bouchon et d'actionnement de ce dernier qui serait solidaire du four, telle que celle du document EP-A-0 296 102, ce qui rend l'installation de l'invention plus simple et plus économique.Thus, the movements of engagement of the plug in the opening of the furnace and of disengagement thereof are simple. One can in particular provide a stroke for releasing the plug from the very short opening. The installation according to the invention also makes it possible to remove any plug and actuation structure of the latter which is integral with the oven, such as that of document EP-A-0 296 102, which makes the installation of the simpler and more economical invention.

Selon un autre aspect, l'invention a pour objet une installation de traitement thermique de charges, comportant au moins deux fours ayant chacun une ouverture vers le bas, les fours comprenant chacun un bouchon qui peut être verrouillé sur le four pour fermer l'ouverture du four lors du traitement des charges et qui peut être déverrouillé et dégagé de l'ouverture du four lors d'opération de chargement et de déchargement des charges dans le four, et des moyens de chargement et de déchargement des fours, caractérisée en ce que ladite installation comprend en outre un sas commun auxdits fours, ledit sas étant en communication d'une part avec les fours par leur ouverture et d'autre part avec l'extérieur par une trappe d'accès associée à chaque ouverture des fours et ménagée en regard de l'ouverture du four auquel elle est associée, chaque trappe d'accès étant munie d'un volet de fermeture, et un dispositif de manipulation des bouchons comprenant des moyens de manipulation pour engager lesdits bouchons dans les ouvertures des fours et les en dégager tout en les maintenant à l'intérieur du sas.According to another aspect, the subject of the invention is an installation for heat treatment of charges, comprising at least two ovens each having a downward opening, the ovens each comprising a plug which can be locked on the oven to close the opening of the oven during the processing of the loads and which can be unlocked and released from the opening of the oven during the loading and unloading operation of the loads in the oven, and the means for loading and unloading the ovens, characterized in that said installation further comprises an airlock common to said ovens, said airlock being in communication on the one hand with the ovens by their opening and on the other hand with the outside by an access hatch associated with each opening of the ovens and arranged in view of the opening of the oven with which it is associated, each access hatch being provided with a closing flap, and a device for handling the plugs comprising means for manipulating tion to engage said plugs in the openings of the ovens and release them while maintaining them inside the airlock.

Une telle installation de traitement thermique permet, outre une manipulation sûre du bouchon lorsqu'il est à température élevée en le manipulant à l'intérieur du sas, une concentration et une collecte aisée des émanations de gaz présentes dans les fours.Such a heat treatment installation allows, in addition to safe handling of the plug when it is at high temperature by handling it inside the airlock, a concentration and easy collection of the gas fumes present in the ovens.

Selon un mode de réalisation de cet aspect de l'invention, l'installation comporte en outre au moins un bac de refroidissement ouvert vers le haut, les fours et le bac pouvant être amenés en position superposée par un mouvement relatif de l'un par rapport à l'autre de sorte que l'ouverture des fours puissent venir en regard des trappes d'accès du sas et établir une communication étanche entre le bac de refroidissement d'une part et les fours et le sas d'autre part, et des moyens de chargement et de déchargement du bac et des fours.According to one embodiment of this aspect of the invention, the installation further comprises at least one cooling tank open upwards, the ovens and the tank being able to be brought into superimposed position by a relative movement of one by compared to each other so that the opening of the ovens can come opposite the access hatches of the airlock and establish a sealed communication between the cooling tank on the one hand and the ovens and the airlock on the other hand, and means of loading and unloading bin and ovens.

De cette façon, les vapeurs produites au moment de la trempe dans le bac de refroidissement ne s'échappent pas dans l'atmosphère environnante mais sont concentrées dans le sas sans qu'il soit nécessaire de mettre en oeuvre des extracteurs d'air au-dessus de l'installation, qui diluent les émanations. En effet, grâce à ces caractéristiques les émanations, notamment celles produites au cours de la trempe, peuvent être simplement évacuées par la surpression présente dans le sas.In this way, the vapors produced during quenching in the cooling tank do not escape into the surrounding atmosphere but are concentrated in the airlock without the need to use air extractors above the installation, which dilute the fumes. In fact, thanks to these characteristics, the fumes, in particular those produced during quenching, can be simply evacuated by the overpressure present in the airlock.

D'autres caractéristiques et avantages de l'invention apparaîtront plus clairement à la lecture de la description suivante de modes de réalisation de l'invention donnés à titre purement illustratif et non limitatif, cette description étant faite en liaison avec les dessins dans lesquels :

  • la figure 1 est une vue en coupe de l'installation de traitement thermique selon l'invention, montrant un four fermé par un bouchon associé à un dispositif de manipulation du bouchon;
  • la figure 2 est une coupe similaire à la figure 1, le four étant ouvert et le bouchon étant supporté par un élément du dispositif de manipulation;
  • la figure 3 est une vue de dessus du dispositif de manipulation du bouchon;
  • la figure 4 est une vue en coupe partielle de la partie inférieure du four fermé par son bouchon et d'une partie du dispositif de manipulation, montrant également un premier mode de réalisation des moyens de verrouillage du bouchon sur le four;
  • la figure 5 est une vue en coupe selon la ligne V-V de la figure 4, montrant les moyens de verrouillage du bouchon respectivement en position verrouillée et déverrouillée;
  • la figure 6 est une vue similaire à la figure 4, montrant un deuxième mode de réalisation des moyens de verrouillage du bouchon sur le four;
  • la figure 7 représente une vue d'une installation de traitement thermique selon un autre aspect de l'invention en coupe selon la ligne VII-VII de la figure 8;
  • la figure 8 est une vue en coupe selon la ligne VIII-VIII de la figure 7, et
  • la figure 9 est une vue schématique partielle de dessus montrant une partie du sas associé à un four avec les moyens de manipulation du bouchon dans deux positions différentes.
Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear more clearly on reading the following description of embodiments of the invention given purely by way of non-limiting illustration, this description being made in conjunction with the drawings in which:
  • Figure 1 is a sectional view of the thermal treatment installation according to the invention, showing an oven closed by a plug associated with a device for handling the plug;
  • Figure 2 is a section similar to Figure 1, the oven being open and the plug being supported by an element of the handling device;
  • Figure 3 is a top view of the plug handling device;
  • Figure 4 is a partial sectional view of the lower part of the oven closed by its plug and a part of the handling device, also showing a first embodiment of the locking means of the plug on the oven;
  • Figure 5 is a sectional view along the line VV of Figure 4, showing the plug locking means respectively in the locked and unlocked position;
  • Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 4 showing a second embodiment of the plug locking means on the oven;
  • FIG. 7 represents a view of a thermal treatment installation according to another aspect of the invention in section along line VII-VII of FIG. 8;
  • FIG. 8 is a sectional view along line VIII-VIII of FIG. 7, and
  • Figure 9 is a partial schematic view from above showing part of the airlock associated with an oven with the plug handling means in two different positions.

En se référant tout d'abord aux figures 1 et 2, on voit une installation de traitement thermique selon l'invention, désignée par la référence numérique générale 1. L'installation 1 comprend un four cloche 2, c'est-à-dire un four ouvert vers le bas à l'intérieur duquel peut être introduite, via une ouverture 4 et par un déplacement vertical, une charge 6 formée par une pièce ou un ensemble de pièces à traiter disposées sur un plateau-support 8 réalisé par exemple sous la forme d'une grille rigide plane alvéolée. Le four 1 comprend une enceinte étanche 10, l'ouverture 4 étant fermée par un bouchon 12 dont la structure détaillée sera décrite ci-après.Referring firstly to Figures 1 and 2, there is shown a heat treatment installation according to the invention, designated by the general reference numeral 1. The installation 1 comprises a bell furnace 2, that is to say an oven open downwards inside which can be introduced, via an opening 4 and by a vertical displacement, a load 6 formed by a part or a set of parts to be treated arranged on a support plate 8 produced for example under the shape of a rigid flat honeycomb grid. The oven 1 comprises a sealed enclosure 10, the opening 4 being closed by a plug 12, the detailed structure of which will be described below.

A l'extérieur de l'enceinte 10 sont disposés des moyens de chauffage 14, tels que des brûleurs à gaz, permettant d'élever la température à l'intérieur de l'enceinte à une valeur désirée. Bien entendu, tout autre moyen de chauffage peut être prévu, tel que par exemple des rampes de résistances électriques.Outside the enclosure 10 are arranged heating means 14, such as gas burners, making it possible to raise the temperature inside the enclosure to a desired value. Of course, any other heating means can be provided, such as for example electrical resistance ramps.

Le four 1 comprend aussi dans sa partie supérieure des moyens de brassage 16 de l'atmosphère présente dans l'enceinte. Ces moyens 16 comprennent de façon classique un moteur 18, disposé à l'extérieur du four sur sa paroi supérieure 20, dont l'arbre 22 permet d'actionner un ventilateur situé à l'intérieur de l'enceinte 10.The oven 1 also includes, in its upper part, means for stirring 16 of the atmosphere present in the enclosure. These means 16 conventionally comprise a motor 18, placed outside the oven on its upper wall 20, the shaft 22 of which enables a fan located inside the enclosure 10 to be actuated.

Dans la partie inférieure de l'enceinte 10 sont prévus des plots de retenue 24 (dont deux seuls sont visibles à la figure 1) qui font saillie depuis la paroi intérieure 26 de l'enceinte 10. Ces plots de retenue 24 sont destinés à supporter le plateau-support 8 muni de la charge 6 entre les opérations de traitement lorsque le four 1 est ouvert (figure 2). En effet, lorsque le four est fermé par le bouchon 12, le plateau-support est soulevé au-dessus des plots de retenue 24 par des pieds de support 28 solidaires du bouchon 12 (figure 1) afin d'éviter le fluage des plots 24 sous la charge 6.In the lower part of the enclosure 10 are provided retaining studs 24 (only two of which are visible in FIG. 1) which project from the inner wall 26 of the enclosure 10. These retaining studs 24 are intended to support the support plate 8 provided with the load 6 between the processing operations when the oven 1 is open (FIG. 2). In fact, when the oven is closed by the plug 12, the support plate is raised above the retaining studs 24 by support feet 28 integral with the plug 12 (FIG. 1) in order to avoid the creep of the studs 24 under load 6.

En se référant également aux figures 4 et 5, on voit que le bouchon 12 comporte une plaque 30 obturant l'ouverture 4. La plaque 30 comporte, dans la région de son bord, une rainure périphérique 32 recevant un joint d'étanchéité 34. Ce joint 34, qui peut être réalisé en polymère, en corde réfractaire, en sable ou analogue, est appliqué sur une portée de joint 36, de préférence refroidie, prévue sur le bord inférieur de l'enceinte 8. La portée 36 comprend par exemple un conduit ou une boîte étanche dans lequel circule un fluide de refroidissement. Le bouchon 12 comprend aussi une couche de matière 38 formant une isolation thermique sur la face de la plaque 30 dirigée vers l'intérieur de l'enceinte 10. La couche d'isolation 38 est traversée par les pieds de support 28 solidaires de la plaque d'obturation 30.Referring also to FIGS. 4 and 5, it can be seen that the plug 12 comprises a plate 30 closing the opening 4. The plate 30 comprises, in the region of its edge, a peripheral groove 32 receiving a seal 34. This seal 34, which can be made of polymer, refractory cord, sand or the like, is applied to a seal surface 36, preferably cooled, provided on the lower edge of the enclosure 8. The surface 36 comprises for example a duct or a sealed box in which circulates a cooling fluid. The plug 12 also comprises a layer of material 38 forming thermal insulation on the face of the plate 30 directed towards the interior of the enclosure 10. The insulating layer 38 is traversed by the support feet 28 integral with the plate shutter 30.

Le bouchon 12 comprend des moyens de verrouillage 39 par lesquels il est maintenu fermé sur le four. Selon un premier mode de réalisation, les moyens de verrouillage 39 sont solidaires du bouchon 12 et sont commandés par un actionneur extérieur 40 solidaire d'un socle 42 de support du bouchon, faisant partie d'un dispositif de manipulation du bouchon 44 qui sera décrit plus en détail ci-après.The plug 12 comprises locking means 39 by which it is kept closed on the furnace. According to a first embodiment, the locking means 39 are secured to the plug 12 and are controlled by an external actuator 40 secured to a base 42 for supporting the plug, forming part of a device for handling the plug 44 which will be described in more detail below.

Les moyens de verrouillage 39 comprennent un ou plusieurs organes de verrouillage 46 destinés à venir s'accrocher sur des moyens complémentaires 48 prévus sur la paroi intérieure 50 de l'embase 52 du four. Dans l'exemple illustré, l'organe de verrouillage 46 est réalisé sous la forme d'une croix à quatre branches (figure 5), montée à rotation, par exemple par l'intermédiaire d'une butée à billes 54 (représentée de façon symbolique aux figures 1, 2, 4 et 5) sur la face de la plaque 30, dirigée vers l'extérieur de l'enceinte 10. L'actionneur extérieur 40 est conformé pour être relié temporairement à une des branches 46 pour faire pivoter la croix autour d'un axe central perpendiculaire à son plan.The locking means 39 comprise one or more locking members 46 intended to be hooked onto complementary means 48 provided on the inner wall 50 of the base 52 of the oven. In the example illustrated, the locking member 46 is made in the form of a cross with four branches (Figure 5), mounted in rotation, for example by means of a ball bearing 54 (shown symbolically in Figures 1, 2, 4 and 5) on the face of the plate 30, directed towards the outside of the enclosure 10. The external actuator 40 is shaped to be temporarily connected to one of the branches 46 to rotate the cross around a central axis perpendicular to its plane.

Dans l'exemple illustré, l'actionneur 40 est constitué d'un organe de commande hydraulique, tel qu'un vérin, mais il et bien entendu qu'il pourrait fournir la même fonction en étant constitué un organe de type analogue sans sortie du cadre de l'invention. L'actionneur 40 est piloté par une alimentation classique (non représentée) et est fixé au socle-support 42 par une extrémité fixe tandis qu'il comporte à son autre extrémité un doigt mobile 56 faisant saillie verticalement en direction du four. Le doigt 56 peut s'engager dans une ouverture 58 prévue à cet effet dans une des branches de la croix 46.In the example illustrated, the actuator 40 consists of a hydraulic control member, such as a jack, but it and of course it could provide the same function by being made of a member of similar type without output from the part of the invention. The actuator 40 is controlled by a conventional power supply (not shown) and is fixed to the support base 42 by a fixed end while it comprises at its other end a movable finger 56 projecting vertically towards the furnace. The finger 56 can engage in an opening 58 provided for this purpose in one of the branches of the cross 46.

Ainsi, sous la commande de l'actionneur, le doigt 56 peut déplacer angulairement la croix autour de son axe de rotation d'une première position angulaire (représentée en trait interrompu à la figure 5) dans laquelle le bouchon peut être introduit verticalement dans l'ouverture 4 du four par des moyens élévateurs, qui seront décrits ci-après, de sorte que l'extrémité des branches 46 vienne sensiblement au-dessus du niveau des moyens complémentaires de retenue 48, vers une deuxième position angulaire (représentée en trait fort à la figure 5) dans laquelle les extrémités des branches peuvent venir se superposer aux moyens complémentaires de retenue 48 et se reposer en appui simple sur ceux-ci (figure 4).Thus, under the control of the actuator, the finger 56 can angularly move the cross around its axis of rotation by a first angular position (shown in broken lines in FIG. 5) in which the plug can be introduced vertically into the opening 4 of the furnace by lifting means, which will be described below, so that the end of the branches 46 comes substantially above the level of the complementary retaining means 48, towards a second angular position (shown in strong lines) in Figure 5) in which the ends of the branches can be superimposed on the complementary retaining means 48 and rest by simple support thereon (Figure 4).

L'installation de traitement thermique selon l'invention comprend le dispositif de manipulation du bouchon 44 qui est montré également en vue de dessus à la figure 3. Ce dispositif de manipulation 44 est susceptible d'être placé sous le four 2 de sorte que le dispositif puisse venir en regard de l'ouverture 4 du four pour engager le bouchon 12 dans cette ouverture ou l'en dégager. A cet effet, le dispositif 44 comprend des moyens de manipulation 60 et des moyens de réception 62 du bouchon 12 confinant au moins latéralement le rayonnement émis par celui-ci lorsqu'il est dégagé de l'ouverture du four à haute température.The thermal treatment installation according to the invention comprises the device for handling the plug 44 which is also shown in top view in FIG. 3. This handling device 44 is capable of being placed under the oven 2 so that the device can come next to the opening 4 of the oven to engage the plug 12 in this opening or release it. To this end, the device 44 comprises handling means 60 and means 62 for receiving the plug 12 confining at least laterally the radiation emitted by the latter when it is released from the opening of the oven at high temperature.

Dans l'exemple illustré, le dispositif 44 comprend un châssis de support ou chariot 64 monté sur des roulettes 66 et sur lequel est monté, surélevé par des pieds de support 68, par exemple au nombre de trois un réceptacle 70 ouvert vers le haut. Ce réceptacle réalisé, par exemple en tôle d'acier, forme les moyens de réception 62. Le fond 72 du réceptacle 70 est traversé par des moyens élévateurs 74, tels qu'un vérin hydraulique, ayant une extrémité fixe fixée sur le châssis de support 64 et son autre extrémité mobile reliée au socle-support 42 destiné à porter le bouchon 12. Ces moyens élévateurs 74 munis du socle-support 42 forment les moyens de manipulation 60. On notera que l'actionneur est fixé sur la face supérieure 76 du socle de support 42 et que trois plots de support 78 font saillie à partir de cette face 76. Ces plots 78, répartis régulièrement à la périphérie de la face 76, sont destinés à recevoir et à supporter le bouchon 12 par l'intermédiaire de la plaque 30 tout en permettant l'actionnement des moyens de verrouillage 46.In the example illustrated, the device 44 comprises a support frame or carriage 64 mounted on rollers 66 and on which is mounted, raised by support legs 68, for example three in number a receptacle 70 open upwards. This receptacle made, for example of sheet steel, forms the receiving means 62. The bottom 72 of the receptacle 70 is crossed by lifting means 74, such as a hydraulic cylinder, having a fixed end fixed to the support frame 64 and its other movable end connected to the support base 42 intended to carry the plug 12. These lifting means 74 provided with the support base 42 form the handling means 60. It will be noted that the actuator is fixed on the upper face 76 of the support base 42 and that three support studs 78 protrude from this face 76. These studs 78, regularly distributed around the periphery of face 76, are intended to receive and support the plug 12 via the plate 30 while allowing actuation of the locking means 46.

Le socle-support 42 est donc mobile verticalement et peut être déplacé entre une première position dans laquelle il vient se placer sous la plaque 30 pour soulever le bouchon d'une hauteur telle que l'organe de verrouillage ne repose plus sur les moyens de complémentaires de retenue 48, (figure 1), et une deuxième position dans laquelle il amène le bouchon 12 dans le réceptacle 70 en le dégageant complètement de l'ouverture 4 (figure 2), l'actionneur 40 solidaire du socle-support 42 ayant préalablement agit sur l'organe de verrouillage 46 afin que ce dernier soit dégagé par rapport aux moyens complémentaires de retenue 48.The support base 42 is therefore movable vertically and can be moved between a first position in which it comes to be placed under the plate 30 to raise the plug from a height such that the locking member no longer rests on the complementary means. retainer 48, (FIG. 1), and a second position in which it brings the plug 12 into the receptacle 70 while disengaging it completely from the opening 4 (FIG. 2), the actuator 40 integral with the support base 42 having previously acts on the locking member 46 so that the latter is released relative to the complementary retaining means 48.

Le réceptacle 70 a des dimensions telles que lorsque le dispositif 44 est placé sous le four, il vient dans la mesure du possible à fleur de la surface inférieure 80 du four. Par ailleurs, le réceptacle 70 et la course des moyens élévateurs 74 sont prévus pour que les parois latérales du réceptacle forment écran de confinement du rayonnement émis par le bouchon 12 quelle que soit la position du socle-support 42 dans le réceptacle 70 lorsque le bouchon 12 est supporté par le socle-support 42.The receptacle 70 has dimensions such that when the device 44 is placed under the oven, it comes as far as possible flush with the lower surface 80 of the oven. Furthermore, the receptacle 70 and the stroke of the lifting means 74 are provided so that the side walls of the receptacle form a screen for confining the radiation emitted by the plug 12 whatever the position of the support base 42 in the receptacle 70 when the plug 12 is supported by the support base 42.

Enfin, l'installation comprend des moyens classiques de chargement et de déchargement du four, qui peuvent être réalisés par un robot manipulateur 90, représenté schématiquement à la figure 1, qui se déplace par exemple sur une voie parallèle à celle sur laquelle se déplace le dispositif de manipulation du bouchon 44. Ce robot 90 comprend une plate-forme inférieure 92 reposant sur le sol par l'intermédiaire de roulettes 94. Cette plate-forme 92 porte une colonne de guidage 94 munie d'une embase 96 qui peut être déplacée le long de cette colonne par des moyens élévateurs (non représentés) tels qu'un vérin hydraulique. Un plateau 98 est également monté mobile sur l'embase 96, par exemple sur des rails de celles-ci, ce plateau 98 pouvant être déplacé dans un plan parallèle au plan de la plate-forme 92, au moyen d'un actionneur (non représenté) pour venir se placer en dessous du four 4, en regard de l'ouverture 4 de ce dernier. Par ailleurs, l'embase 96 est montée sur la colonne de manière à pouvoir tourner d'au moins 180°C autour de celle-ci.Finally, the installation comprises conventional means for loading and unloading the oven, which can be produced by a robot manipulator 90, shown diagrammatically in FIG. 1, which moves for example on a track parallel to that on which the plug handling device 44. This robot 90 comprises a lower platform 92 resting on the ground by means of rollers 94. This platform 92 carries a guide column 94 provided with a base 96 which can be moved along this column by lifting means (not shown) such as a hydraulic cylinder. A plate 98 is also movably mounted on the base 96, for example on rails of these, this plate 98 can be moved in a plane parallel to the plane of the platform 92, by means of an actuator (not shown) to be placed below the oven 4, opposite the opening 4 of the latter. Furthermore, the base 96 is mounted on the column so that it can rotate at least 180 ° C around it.

A la figure 6, on a représenté une variante de réalisation des moyens de verrouillage du bouchon 12 sur l'ouverture 4 du four. Selon ce mode de réalisation, le verrouillage s'opère à l'aide de plusieurs vérins de verrouillage 100, (par exemple au nombre de trois) répartis régulièrement à la périphérie de l'ouverture 4 du four et fixés directement sur la paroi inférieure du four. Une fois le bouchon 12 mis en place dans l'ouverture 4 l'aide des moyens de manipulation 60, les vérins 100 peuvent être commandés pour que leur tige 102 fasse saillie en regard de l'ouverture et que le bouchon 12 puisse venir reposer sur les tiges 102, par exemple par l'intermédiaire de la plaque 30. On notera que pour faciliter le positionnement du bouchon 12 vis-à-vis du support 42, la face supérieure de ce dernier comprend dans ce mode de réalisation des plots de centrage 104 qui coopèrent avec des évidements 106 correspondants ménagés dans la plaque 30.In Figure 6, there is shown an alternative embodiment of the locking means of the plug 12 on the opening 4 of the oven. According to this embodiment, the locking is effected by means of several locking jacks 100, (for example three in number) distributed regularly at the periphery of the opening 4 of the furnace and fixed directly to the bottom wall of the oven. Once the plug 12 is placed in the opening 4 using the handling means 60, the jacks 100 can be controlled so that their rod 102 projection opposite the opening and that the plug 12 can come to rest on the rods 102, for example by means of the plate 30. It will be noted that to facilitate positioning of the plug 12 with respect to the support 42, the upper face of the latter comprises, in this embodiment, centering studs 104 which cooperate with corresponding recesses 106 formed in the plate 30.

En se référant maintenant aux figures 7 à 9, on voit une installation de traitement thermique désignée par la référence numérique générale 110 selon un autre aspect de l'invention et dans lequel les éléments identiques à ceux décrits en liaison avec les figures 1 à 6 sont désignés par les mêmes références numériques.Referring now to Figures 7 to 9, there is shown a heat treatment installation designated by general reference 110 according to another aspect of the invention and in which the elements identical to those described in connection with Figures 1 to 6 are designated by the same reference numerals.

Dans le mode de réalisation représenté aux figures 7 à 9, l'installation de traitement 110 comprend essentiellement :

  • deux fours 2 juxtaposés;
  • un sas 112 commun aux deux fours 2, comprenant un dispositif de manipulation de bouchons 114 qui sera décrit plus en détail ci-après;
  • un bac de refroidissement 116 dans lequel la charge 6 est destinée à être trempée, comprenant des moyens de transfert autonomes 118 de la charge entre les fours 2 et le bac 116;
  • des moyens 120 permettant d'obturer de manière étanche l'espace ménagé entre l'ouverture 122 du bac et le sas 112, par exemple par un déplacement vertical relatif du four 2 et du bac de refroidissement 116, et
  • des moyens de chargement et de déchargement des fours identiques au robot 90 décrit en liaison avec la figure 1.
In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 7 to 9, the treatment installation 110 essentially comprises:
  • two ovens 2 juxtaposed;
  • an airlock 112 common to the two ovens 2, comprising a plug handling device 114 which will be described in more detail below;
  • a cooling tank 116 in which the load 6 is intended to be quenched, comprising autonomous transfer means 118 of the load between the ovens 2 and the tank 116;
  • means 120 making it possible to seal the space formed between the opening 122 of the tank and the airlock 112, for example by a relative vertical displacement of the oven 2 and the cooling tank 116, and
  • means for loading and unloading ovens identical to the robot 90 described in connection with FIG. 1.

On notera que les éléments du bac de refroidissement 116 qui ne sont pas liés directement à la présente invention ne seront pas décrits en détail et, pour plus de détails de réalisation le concernant, l'homme de métier se référera à la demande de brevet EP-A-0 671 476, dont le contenu complet est incorporé ici par référence.It will be noted that the elements of the cooling tank 116 which are not directly linked to the present invention will not be described in detail and, for more details of embodiment concerning it, the person skilled in the art will refer to the patent application EP -A-0 671 476, the full content of which is incorporated herein by reference.

Selon une caractéristique importante de l'invention, le sas 112 est en communication d'une part avec l'intérieur des fours 2 par leur ouverture 4 et d'autre part avec l'extérieur par une trappe d'accès 124 associée à chaque ouverture 4 des fours 2 et ménagée en regard de l'ouverture du four auquel elle est associée. Chaque trappe 124 est munie d'un volet de fermeture 126 qui ferme le sas 112 de façon étanche.According to an important characteristic of the invention, the airlock 112 is in communication on the one hand with the interior of the ovens 2 by their opening 4 and on the other hand with the exterior by an access hatch 124 associated with each opening 4 of the ovens 2 and arranged opposite the opening of the oven with which it is associated. Each hatch 124 is provided with a closing flap 126 which closes the airlock 112 in a sealed manner.

Dans l'exemple illustré, le volet 126 se déplace généralement dans un plan parallèle à la trappe d'accès, par l'intermédiaire de galets 128, le long de rails parallèles 130 situés de part et d'autre de la trappe d'accès 124 et est actionné par un vérin 132. On notera à ce propos qu'un tel système de fermeture présente l'avantage d'avoir un faible encombrement en hauteur.In the example illustrated, the flap 126 generally moves in a plane parallel to the access hatch, by means of rollers 128, along parallel rails 130 located on either side of the access hatch. 124 and is actuated by a jack 132. It will be noted in this connection that such a closure system has the advantage of having a small overall height.

Pour assurer une étanchéité appropriée, le mécanisme de déplacement du volet 126 comprend en outre des moyens 134 pour venir appliquer le volet 126 contre un joint d'étanchéité 136, ménagé sur une portée 138 s'étendant à la périphérie de la trappe d'accès 124 à l'intérieur du sas 112, lorsque le volet 126 se trouve en position de fermeture.To ensure proper sealing, the movement mechanism of the flap 126 further comprises means 134 for applying the flap 126 against a seal 136, formed on a surface 138 extending at the periphery of the access hatch 124 inside the airlock 112, when the flap 126 is in the closed position.

De tels moyens 134 sont bien connus de l'homme de métier et peuvent par exemple comprendre un système à genouillères formées chacune de deux biellettes 140, 142 articulées respectivement sur le volet et sur les galets 128, le volet 126 venant s'appliquer contre le joint 136 lorsqu'il atteint une butée 144 qui permet aux genouillères de se déployer et se bloquer, comme cela est représenté schématiquement à la figure 7. Bien entendu, tout autre système approprié tel que des systèmes à came, à coin ou analogues peuvent être envisagés.Such means 134 are well known to those skilled in the art and can for example comprise a toggle system each formed from two rods 140, 142 articulated respectively on the flap and on the rollers 128, the flap 126 being applied against the joint 136 when it reaches a stop 144 which allows the knee pads to deploy and lock, as shown diagrammatically in FIG. 7. Of course, any other suitable system such as cam, wedge or similar systems can be considered.

Selon un aspect de l'invention, le dispositif de manipulation des bouchons 114 comprend des moyens de manipulation qui sont décrits ci-dessous et permettent l'engagement des bouchons 12 dans les ouvertures 4 respectives des fours 1. Ces moyens de manipulation permettent également le dégagement des bouchons des ouvertures 4 des fours pour libérer les ouvertures des fours et pouvoir les charger respectivement les décharger tout en maintenant les bouchons 12 à l'intérieur du sas 112 et en protégeant ainsi les opérateurs travaillant aux alentours de l'installation du rayonnement des bouchons qui se trouvent à température élevée lorsqu'ils sont dégagés des fours.According to one aspect of the invention, the plug handling device 114 comprises handling means which are described below and allow the plugs 12 to be engaged in the respective openings 4 of the ovens 1. These handling means also allow the release of plugs from openings 4 of the ovens to release the openings of the ovens and to be able to load and unload them respectively while maintaining the plugs 12 inside the airlock 112 and thus protecting the operators working around the installation from the radiation of the plugs which are located at high temperature when removed from the ovens.

Bien entendu, pour réduire au minimum l'échappement des émanations polluantes vers l'extérieur du sas, les trappes d'accès 124 seront en principe fermées en dehors des opérations de transfert des charges vers les fours ou provenant des fours vers l'extérieur.Of course, to minimize the escape of polluting fumes to the outside of the airlock, the access hatches 124 will in principle be closed outside of the load transfer operations to the ovens or coming from the ovens to the outside.

Les moyens de manipulation comprennent, pour chaque four, un bras de manipulation mobile 146 qui s étend sensiblement parallèlement au plan de l'ouverture du four auquel il est associe. Ce bras 146 est relié par une extrémité à l'extrémité d'un actionneur 148 solidaire d'une paroi supérieure 150 du sas 112 et qui comprend à son extrémité opposée un socle-support 152 comportant un plateau capable de supporter le bouchon 12.The handling means comprise, for each oven, a movable handling arm 146 which extends substantially parallel to the plane of the opening of the oven with which it is associated. This arm 146 is connected by one end to the end of an actuator 148 secured to an upper wall 150 of the airlock 112 and which comprises at its opposite end a support base 152 comprising a plate capable of supporting the plug 12.

Dans le mode de réalisation illustré, le bras de manipulation 146 se présente sous la forme d'une poutre ayant par exemple une section en I, présentant une grande rigidité compte tenu de sa fixation en porte-à-faux et du poids du bouchon qu'il supporte à son extrémité libre.In the illustrated embodiment, the manipulation arm 146 is in the form of a beam having for example an I-section, having a high rigidity taking into account its cantilever fixing and the weight of the plug which 'it supports at its free end.

L'actionneur 148 est réalisé sous la forme d'un vérin hydraulique dont le cylindre 154 s'étend à l'extérieur du sas 112 et dont la tige 156 s'étend à travers la paroi supérieure 150 à l'intérieur du sas, le vérin s'étendant sensiblement perpendiculairement à l'axe longitudinal du bras 146. Le vérin 148 peut être commandé en rotation autour de son axe longitudinal L et en translation le long de son axe longitudinal respectivement selon les flèches R et T au dessin. En conséquence le dispositif de manipulation des bouchons est disposé partiellement dans le sas. Il va de soit que selon une variante, le dispositif de manipulation pourrait être entièrement logé à l'intérieur du sas.The actuator 148 is produced in the form of a hydraulic cylinder whose cylinder 154 extends outside the airlock 112 and whose rod 156 extends through the upper wall 150 inside the airlock, the cylinder extending substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the arm 146. The cylinder 148 can be controlled in rotation about its longitudinal axis L and in translation along its longitudinal axis respectively according to the arrows R and T in the drawing. Consequently, the plug handling device is partially arranged in the airlock. It goes without saying that, according to a variant, the handling device could be entirely housed inside the airlock.

En partant de la position I (figure 7 et POS I figure 8) dans laquelle le bouchon 12 est maintenu dans l'ouverture 4 du four par le bras de manipulation 146, ce dernier peut, au cours d'une première phase, être déplacé verticalement par la commande appropriée du vérin 148, dans une position intermédiaire II (figure 7) dans laquelle il supporte le bouchon 12 tout en le dégageant entièrement de l'ouverture 4. Le bouchon 12 se trouve alors au-dessous et l'ouverture du four et au-dessus de la trappe d'accès 124 à ce four. Au cours d'une deuxième phase le bras de manipulation 146 est actionné en rotation par le vérin 148 de sorte qu'il se déplace angulairement pour venir dans une deuxième position III (figure 7 et POS III figure 8). Ce déplacement s'effectue sur d'une distance suffisante pour libérer l'espace s'étendant entre l'ouverture du four 4 et la trappe d'accès 124. Le bouchon et le bras ont donc été dégagés latéralement dans le sas 112, ce qui permet ainsi d'effectuer les opérations de transfert de charge vers le four ou à partir de ce dernier sans entrer en conflit avec le dispositif de manipulation.Starting from position I (FIG. 7 and POS I FIG. 8) in which the plug 12 is held in the opening 4 of the oven by the handling arm 146, the latter can, during a first phase, be moved vertically by the appropriate control of the actuator 148, in an intermediate position II (FIG. 7) in which it supports the plug 12 while completely disengaging it from the opening 4. The plug 12 is then below and the opening of the oven and above the access door 124 to this oven. During a second phase the manipulation arm 146 is actuated in rotation by the jack 148 so that it moves angularly to come into a second position III (FIG. 7 and POS III FIG. 8). This movement takes place over a sufficient distance to free the space extending between the opening of the oven 4 and the access hatch 124. The plug and the arm have therefore been released laterally in the airlock 112, this which thus makes it possible to carry out load transfer operations towards or from the oven without entering into conflict with the handling device.

On notera également que dans ce mode de réalisation la structure des moyens de manipulation assure le maintien et le verrouillage du bouchon dans l'ouverture du four et permette ainsi de s'affranchir de l'utilisation de moyens de verrouillage du bouchon 12 tels que ceux décrits en liaison avec les figures 1 à 6.It will also be noted that in this embodiment the structure of the handling means ensures the maintenance and locking of the plug in the opening of the oven and thus makes it possible to dispense with the use of locking means for the plug 12 such as those described in conjunction with Figures 1 to 6.

Selon une variante de réalisation non représentée et pour diminuer davantage l'encombrement du dispositif de manipulation, on pourrait bien entendu prévoir de n'utiliser qu'un vérin à double effet classique pour assurer l'engagement du bouchon dans l'ouverture du four, son dégagement de celle-ci et le maintien en position dans celle-ci, et de remplacer la poutre formant le bras de manipulation par un système à parallélogrammes déformables dont la déformation peut être commandée par un deuxième vérin.According to an alternative embodiment not shown and to further reduce the size of the handling device, it could of course be provided to use only a conventional double-acting cylinder to ensure the engagement of the plug in the opening of the oven, its release therefrom and keeping it in position therein, and replacing the beam forming the manipulation arm with a system with deformable parallelograms, the deformation of which can be controlled by a second cylinder.

On voit également à la figure 7 que le bac de refroidissement 116, dont la structure n'est pas décrite ici en détail pour les raisons mentionnées plus haut, est ouvert vers le haut et monté sur des roulettes 160 de façon à pouvoir être amené en position superposée sous les trappes d'accès 124 et par conséquent sous les fours, de sorte que l'ouverture 122 du bac puisse venir exactement en regard de celles-ci. Il va de soi que selon une variante de réalisation le bac peut être fixe et l'ensemble comprenant les fours et le sas peut être mobile, ou encore le bac et cet ensemble peuvent être tous deux mobiles.It can also be seen in FIG. 7 that the cooling tank 116, the structure of which is not described here in detail for the reasons mentioned above, is open upwards and mounted on rollers 160 so that it can be brought into a superposed position under the access hatches 124 and therefore under the ovens, so that the opening 122 of the tank can come exactly opposite these. It goes without saying that, according to an alternative embodiment, the container can be fixed and the assembly comprising the ovens and the airlock can be mobile, or the container and this assembly can both be mobile.

Selon une caractéristique de l'invention, l'installation comprend des moyens 120 qui permettent d'établir une communication étanche entre le bac de refroidissement 116 d'une part et les fours 2 et le sas 112 d'autre part, une fois que le bac 116 a été amené dans une position dans laquelle son ouverture 122 est en regard d'une trappe d'accès 124 au sas (figure 7).According to a characteristic of the invention, the installation comprises means 120 which make it possible to establish sealed communication between the cooling tank 116 on the one hand and the ovens 2 and the airlock 112 on the other hand, once the tray 116 has been brought into a position in which its opening 122 is opposite an access hatch 124 to the airlock (FIG. 7).

Dans l'exemple illustré, ces moyens 120 comprennent essentiellement un dispositif élévateur 164 solidaire du bac 116 et ménagé dans sa partie inférieure et des moyens d'étanchéité 166 disposés à la périphérie de l'ouverture 122 du bac.In the example illustrated, these means 120 essentially comprise a lifting device 164 secured to the tank 116 and formed in its lower part and sealing means 166 arranged at the periphery of the opening 122 of the tank.

Le dispositif élévateur 164 permet un déplacement vertical (selon la flèche F au dessin) du bac 116 et est formé par exemple d'un mécanisme à ciseaux hydrauliques classiques (représenté de façon schématique à la figure 7), solidaire du fond du bac et s'étendant entre ce fond 168 et le sol sur lequel le bac circule.The lifting device 164 allows vertical movement (according to arrow F in the drawing) of the tank 116 and is formed for example of a conventional hydraulic scissor mechanism (shown diagrammatically in FIG. 7), integral with the bottom of the tank and s extending between this bottom 168 and the ground on which the tank circulates.

Selon une variante non représentée, on pourrait bien entendu prévoir d'installer le dispositif élévateur 164 non pas solidaire du bac 116, mais par exemple une pluralité de dispositifs élévateurs installés dans des fosses prévues à cet effet dans le sol au droit des fours.According to a variant not shown, it could of course be provided to install the lifting device 164 not integral with the tank 116, but for example a plurality of lifting devices installed in pits provided for this purpose in the ground in line with the ovens.

Les moyens d'étanchéité 166 comprennent par exemple un joint du type "O-ring" 170 disposé dans un logement annulaire 172 et destiné à coopérer avec une portée associée 174 ménagée sur le sas en regard du logement, la portée 174 s'étendant autour de la trappe d'accès.The sealing means 166 comprise for example a seal of the "O-ring" type 170 disposed in an annular housing 172 and intended to cooperate with an associated bearing 174 formed on the airlock opposite the housing, the bearing 174 extending around from the access hatch.

Ainsi, lorsque le dispositif élévateur 164 est actionné, le mécanisme à ciseaux se déploie, au cours d'une première phase, pour venir en contact avec le sol et prendre appui sur celui-ci, par l'intermédiaire de patins prévus dans la partie inférieure du mécanisme, puis poursuit son déploiement au cours d'une deuxième phase, pour élever le bac 116 jusqu'à appliquer le joint 170 contre la portée 174 et établir une communication étanche du bac 116 avec le sas 112.Thus, when the lifting device 164 is actuated, the scissor mechanism is deployed, during a first phase, to come into contact with the ground and bear on it, by means of pads provided in the part bottom of the mechanism, then continues its deployment during a second phase, to raise the tank 116 until applying the seal 170 against the bearing surface 174 and establishing sealed communication of the tank 116 with the airlock 112.

Selon une variante de réalisation non représentée, le dispositif élévateur 120 peut être remplacé par des moyens à soufflet, soit solidaires d'une paroi inférieure du sas et s'étendant à l'extérieur de celui-ci autour de la trappe d'accès, soit solidaires d'une paroi supérieure du bac et s'étendant à l'extérieur de celui-ci autour de l'ouverture du bac.According to a variant embodiment not shown, the lifting device 120 can be replaced by bellows means, either integral with a lower wall of the airlock and extending outside of it around the access hatch, either secured to an upper wall of the container and extending outside of it around the opening of the container.

Le sas 112 comprend en outre des moyens 180 pour évacuer des émanations de gaz produites au cours de l'utilisation, par surpression à l'intérieur du sas vers une unité de traitement 182 (figure 9). Les moyens d'évacuation par surpression peuvent être formés d'un clapet anti-retour, d'un pressostat ou analogue, tandis que l'unité de traitement peut être formée d'un brûleur associé à un filtre, d'une colonne de lavage ou analogue.The airlock 112 further comprises means 180 for evacuating gas fumes produced during use, by overpressure inside the airlock towards a processing unit 182 (FIG. 9). The means of evacuation by overpressure can be formed by a non-return valve, by a pressure switch or the like, while the treatment unit can be formed by a burner associated with a filter, by a washing column. or the like.

Claims (20)

Installation de traitement thermique de charges, comportant au moins un four (2) ayant une ouverture (4) vers le bas, le four (2) comprenant un bouchon (12) qui peut être verrouillé sur le four (2) pour fermer l'ouverture (4) du four lors du traitement des charges (6) et qui peut être déverrouillé et dégagé de l'ouverture du four lors d'opérations de chargement et de déchargement des charges dans le four, et des moyens de chargement et de déchargement du four (90), caractérisée en ce qu'elle comprend en outre un dispositif de manipulation (44) susceptible d'être placé sous le four (2) par un mouvement relatif du four par rapport audit dispositif de manipulation ou réciproquement, de sorte qu'il puisse venir en regard de l'ouverture du four, ledit dispositif de manipulation comprenant des moyens de manipulation (60) pour engager ledit bouchon (12) dans l'ouverture du four et l'en dégager, et des moyens de réception (62) du bouchon qui confinent au moins latéralement le rayonnement émis par le bouchon.Installation for heat treatment of charges, comprising at least one oven (2) having an opening (4) downwards, the oven (2) comprising a plug (12) which can be locked on the oven (2) to close the opening (4) of the oven during the treatment of the loads (6) and which can be unlocked and released from the opening of the oven during operations of loading and unloading of loads in the oven, and means of loading and unloading of the oven (90), characterized in that it further comprises a handling device (44) capable of being placed under the oven (2) by a relative movement of the oven relative to said handling device or vice versa, so that it can come opposite the opening of the oven, said handling device comprising handling means (60) for engaging said plug (12) in the opening of the oven and releasing it, and receiving means (62) of the plug which at least laterally confine the radiation emitted by the plug. Installation selon la revendication 1, caractérisée en ce que lesdits moyens de manipulation (60) sont mobiles verticalement entre une première position, dans laquelle ils supportent le bouchon (12) pour permettre son verrouillage et son déverrouillage et une deuxième position dans laquelle ils placent le bouchon dans lesdits moyens de réception (62).Installation according to claim 1, characterized in that said handling means (60) are vertically movable between a first position, in which they support the plug (12) to allow its locking and unlocking and a second position in which they place the plug in said receiving means (62). Installation selon la revendication 2, caractérisée en ce que lesdits moyens de manipulation (60) comprennent des moyens élévateurs (74) munis d'un socle de support (42) destiné à porter le bouchon (12) et en ce que les moyens de réception (62) comportent un écran (70) de confinement de rayonnement s'étendant autour dudit socle de support (42) lorsque ce dernier est dans sa première et dans sa deuxième position.Installation according to claim 2, characterized in that said handling means (60) comprise lifting means (74) provided with a support base (42) intended to carry the plug (12) and in that the receiving means (62) comprise a radiation confinement screen (70) extending around said support base (42) when the latter is in its first and in its second position. Installation selon la revendication 3, caractérisée en ce que ledit écran (70) de confinement est fixe par rapport audit socle de support (42).Installation according to claim 3, characterized in that said containment screen (70) is fixed relative to said support base (42). Installation selon la revendication 3 ou 4, caractérisée en ce que ledit écran de confinement a la configuration d'un réceptacle dont le fond (72) est traversé par les moyens élévateurs (74).Installation according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that said confinement screen has the configuration of a receptacle whose bottom (72) is crossed by the lifting means (74). Installation selon l'une des revendications 3 à 5 caractérisée en ce que ledit écran de confinement (70) est réalisé en acier.Installation according to one of claims 3 to 5 characterized in that said containment screen (70) is made of steel. Installation selon l'une des revendications 2 à 6 caractérisée en ce que les moyens de manipulation comprennent des moyens d'actionnement d'organes (39) de verrouillage et de déverrouillage du bouchon (12) sur le four (2).Installation according to one of claims 2 to 6 characterized in that the handling means comprise means for actuating members (39) for locking and unlocking the plug (12) on the oven (2). Installation selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisée en ce que le dispositif de manipulation est monté dans un chariot (64) mobile en dessous du four (2).Installation according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the handling device is mounted in a carriage (64) movable below the oven (2). Installation selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisée en ce qu'elle comprend en outre au moins un bac de refroidissement (116) ouvert vers le haut, le four (2) et le bac pouvant être amenés en position superposée par un mouvement relatif de l'un par rapport à l'autre de sorte que l'ouverture du four (4) puisse venir en regard de l'ouverture du bac, et des moyens de transfert (118) des charges entre le four et le bac.Installation according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it further comprises at least one cooling tank (116) open upwards, the oven (2) and the tank being able to be brought into position superimposed by a movement relative from one to the other so that the opening of the oven (4) can come opposite the opening of the tank, and means for transferring (118) the loads between the oven and the tank. Installation selon la revendication 9, caractérisée en ce qu'elle comprend une pluralité de fours (2) et de bacs de refroidissement (118) alignés, les fours et les bacs étant mobiles les uns par rapport aux autres.Installation according to claim 9, characterized in that it comprises a plurality of ovens (2) and cooling tanks (118) aligned, the ovens and the tanks being movable relative to each other. Installation de traitement thermique de charges, comportant au moins deux fours (2) ayant chacune une ouverture vers le bas, les fours comprenant chacun un bouchon (12) qui peut être verrouillé sur le four pour fermer l'ouverture du four lors du traitement des charges (6) et qui peut être déverrouillé et dégagé de l'ouverture du four lors d'opération de chargement et de déchargement des charges dans le four, et des moyens de chargement et de déchargement des fours (90), caractérisée en ce que ladite installation comprend en outre un sas (112) commun auxdits fours, ledit sas (112) étant en communication d'une part avec lesdits fours par leur ouverture (4) et d'autre part avec l'extérieur par une trappe d'accès (124) associée à chaque ouverture des fours et ménagée en regard de l'ouverture du four auquel elle est associée, chaque trappe d'accès (124) étant munie d'un volet de fermeture (126), et un dispositif de manipulation des bouchons comprenant des moyens de manipulation (114) pour engager lesdits bouchons (12) dans les ouvertures des fours et les en dégager tout en les maintenant à l'intérieur du sas (112).Installation for heat treatment of charges, comprising at least two ovens (2) each having an opening downwards, the ovens each comprising a plug (12) which can be locked on the oven to close the opening of the oven during the treatment of loads (6) and which can be unlocked and released from the opening of the oven during the loading and unloading operation of the charges in the oven, and of the means for loading and unloading the ovens (90), characterized in that said installation also comprises an airlock (112) common to said ovens, said airlock (112) being in communication on the one hand with said ovens by their opening (4) and on the other hand with the outside by an access hatch (124) associated with each opening of the ovens and arranged opposite the opening of the oven with which it is associated, each access hatch (124) being provided with a closing flap (126), and a device for handling the plugs comprising handling means (114) for engaging said plugs (12 ) in the openings of the ovens and remove them while keeping them inside the airlock (112). Installation selon la revendication 11, caractérisée en ce qu'elle comporte au moins un bac de refroidissement (116) ouvert vers le haut, les fours (2) et le bac (116) pouvant être amenés en position superposée par un mouvement relatif de l'un par rapport à l'autre de sorte que l'ouverture du bac puisse venir en regard des trappes d'accès (124) du sas et établir une communication étanche entre le bac de refroidissement (116) d'une part et les fours (2) et le sas (112) d'autre part, et des moyens de chargement et de déchargement du bac et des fours (90).Installation according to claim 11, characterized in that it comprises at least one cooling tank (116) open upwards, the ovens (2) and the tank (116) being able to be brought into superimposed position by a relative movement of the relative to each other so that the opening of the tank can come opposite the access hatches (124) of the airlock and establish a sealed communication between the cooling tank (116) on the one hand and the ovens (2) and the airlock (112) on the other hand, and means for loading and unloading the tank and the ovens (90). Installation selon la revendication 12, caractérisée en ce qu'elle comprend en outre des moyens élévateurs (120) qui, lorsque le bac de refroidissement (116) est disposé en regard d'une trappe d'accès (124), permettent la mise en communication étanche du bac (116) avec le sas (112) par un déplacement vertical relatif du bac ou des fours.Installation according to claim 12, characterized in that it further comprises lifting means (120) which, when the cooling tank (116) is disposed opposite an access hatch (124), allow setting sealed communication of the tank (116) with the airlock (112) by a relative vertical movement of the tank or the ovens. Installation selon la revendication 13, caractérisée en ce que les moyens élévateurs (120) sont associés au bac de refroidissement pour le déplacer verticalement.Installation according to claim 13, characterized in that the lifting means (120) are associated with the cooling tank to move it vertically. Installation selon l'une des revendications 11 à 14, caractérisée en ce que le dispositif de manipulation comprend des moyens de manipulation (114) associés à chaque bouchon (12).Installation according to one of claims 11 to 14, characterized in that the handling device comprises handling means (114) associated with each plug (12). Installation selon la revendication 15, caractérisée en ce que les moyens de manipulation (114) sont capables d'être déplacés, à partir d'une première position dans laquelle ils supportent les bouchons (12) et les maintiennent dans les ouvertures (4) du four (2) dans leur position fermée, verticalement jusqu'à une position intermédiaire dans laquelle ils supportent les bouchons et les dégagent entièrement desdites ouvertures, puis latéralement jusqu'à une deuxième position dans laquelle ils dégagent les bouchons dans le sas en dehors des zones s'étendant entre les ouverture des fours et les trappes d'accès, le verrouillage et le déverrouillage du bouchon sur le four étant assuré par les moyens de manipulation.Installation according to claim 15, characterized in that the handling means (114) are capable of being moved, from a first position in which they support the plugs (12) and hold them in the openings (4) of the oven (2) in their closed position, vertically to an intermediate position in which they support the plugs and completely release them from said openings, then laterally to a second position in which they release plugs in the airlock outside the zones extending between the openings of the ovens and the access hatches, the locking and unlocking of the plug on the oven being ensured by the handling means. Installation selon la revendication 15, caractérisée en ce que les moyens de manipulation (114) sont capables d'être déplacés entre une première position dans laquelle ils se trouvent sous un bouchon (12) et sont mobiles verticalement pour supporter le bouchon (12) et permettre son verrouillage et son déverrouillage à l'aide de moyens de verrouillage et de déverrouillage indépendant des moyens de manipulation (114), et une deuxième position dans laquelle ils dégagent le bouchon verticalement de l'ouverture du four puis latéralement dans le sas (112) et en dehors d'une zone s'étendant entre l'ouverture (4) des fours (2) et des trappes d'accès (124).Installation according to claim 15, characterized in that the handling means (114) are capable of being moved between a first position in which they are located under a plug (12) and are vertically movable to support the plug (12) and allow its locking and unlocking using locking and unlocking means independent of the handling means (114), and a second position in which they release the plug vertically from the opening of the oven and laterally in the airlock (112 ) and outside an area extending between the opening (4) of the ovens (2) and the access hatches (124). Installation selon la revendication 16 ou 17, caractérisée en ce que les moyens de manipulation comprennent un bras de manipulation (146) relié par une première extrémité à l'extrémité d'un actionneur (148) solidaire d'une paroi (150) du sas (112) en ce que ledit actionneur (148) peut être commandé en rotation autour d'un axe vertical et en translation le long de cet axe et en ce que ledit bras (146) comporte à une deuxième extrémité un socle de support (152) du bouchon.Installation according to claim 16 or 17, characterized in that the handling means comprise a handling arm (146) connected by a first end to the end of an actuator (148) integral with a wall (150) of the airlock (112) in that said actuator (148) can be controlled in rotation about a vertical axis and in translation along this axis and in that said arm (146) comprises at a second end a support base (152 ) from the plug. Installation selon l'une des revendications 11 à 18, caractérisée en ce que le sas (112) comprend des moyens d'évacuation (182) des émanations de gaz produites au cours de l'utilisation du four, par surpression à l'intérieur du sas vers une unité de traitement.Installation according to one of claims 11 to 18, characterized in that the airlock (112) comprises means of evacuation (182) of the gas emissions produced during the use of the oven, by overpressure inside the airlock to a processing unit. Installation selon la revendication 19, caractérisée en ce que lesdits moyens d'évacuation (182) sont associés à des moyens de traitement des émanations.Installation according to claim 19, characterized in that said evacuation means (182) are associated with means for treating the emanations.
EP96107095A 1996-05-06 1996-05-06 Heat treatment installation Withdrawn EP0806485A1 (en)

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EP96107095A EP0806485A1 (en) 1996-05-06 1996-05-06 Heat treatment installation

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Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0995805A1 (en) * 1998-10-23 2000-04-26 Pierre Beuret Heat treatment installation for a batch of metallic workpieces
EP1018562A1 (en) * 1999-01-08 2000-07-12 Patherm SA Device and method for opening and closing automatically the cover of a quenching tank
FR2845695A1 (en) * 2002-10-11 2004-04-16 Patherm Sa Heat treatment of a charge of metal components in a vertical furnace, combining thermochemical treatment and hardening operations, notable under pressure

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0023546A1 (en) * 1979-06-15 1981-02-11 Dr. Werner Herdieckerhoff, Nachfolger Industrieöfen - Apparatebau Process and device for finishing the structure and/or surface of metals
EP0070347A1 (en) * 1981-07-17 1983-01-26 Michel Spérisen, Equipements industriels Heat treating apparatus
US4647017A (en) * 1984-12-19 1987-03-03 Stainbrook Norbert E Vacuum heat treating furnace and quench system with drop transfer
EP0296102A1 (en) * 1987-06-03 1988-12-21 Pierre Beuret Device with several components for heat treatment
EP0533615A1 (en) * 1991-09-19 1993-03-24 Codere Sa Installation for the thermal treatment of successive charges

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0023546A1 (en) * 1979-06-15 1981-02-11 Dr. Werner Herdieckerhoff, Nachfolger Industrieöfen - Apparatebau Process and device for finishing the structure and/or surface of metals
EP0070347A1 (en) * 1981-07-17 1983-01-26 Michel Spérisen, Equipements industriels Heat treating apparatus
US4647017A (en) * 1984-12-19 1987-03-03 Stainbrook Norbert E Vacuum heat treating furnace and quench system with drop transfer
EP0296102A1 (en) * 1987-06-03 1988-12-21 Pierre Beuret Device with several components for heat treatment
EP0533615A1 (en) * 1991-09-19 1993-03-24 Codere Sa Installation for the thermal treatment of successive charges

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0995805A1 (en) * 1998-10-23 2000-04-26 Pierre Beuret Heat treatment installation for a batch of metallic workpieces
EP1018562A1 (en) * 1999-01-08 2000-07-12 Patherm SA Device and method for opening and closing automatically the cover of a quenching tank
FR2845695A1 (en) * 2002-10-11 2004-04-16 Patherm Sa Heat treatment of a charge of metal components in a vertical furnace, combining thermochemical treatment and hardening operations, notable under pressure
WO2004033731A1 (en) * 2002-10-11 2004-04-22 Patherm Sa Heat treatment method for metal parts

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