US3660630A - High temperature heating - Google Patents

High temperature heating Download PDF

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Publication number
US3660630A
US3660630A US21936A US3660630DA US3660630A US 3660630 A US3660630 A US 3660630A US 21936 A US21936 A US 21936A US 3660630D A US3660630D A US 3660630DA US 3660630 A US3660630 A US 3660630A
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Prior art keywords
current
jets
cathodes
plasma
line
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Expired - Lifetime
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US21936A
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English (en)
Inventor
Jean A F Sunnen
Henry R P J Schoumaker
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LA SOUDURE ELECTRIQUE
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LA SOUDURE ELECTRIQUE
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    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H05H—PLASMA TECHNIQUE; PRODUCTION OF ACCELERATED ELECTRICALLY-CHARGED PARTICLES OR OF NEUTRONS; PRODUCTION OR ACCELERATION OF NEUTRAL MOLECULAR OR ATOMIC BEAMS
    • H05H1/00—Generating plasma; Handling plasma
    • H05H1/24—Generating plasma
    • H05H1/26—Plasma torches
    • H05H1/32—Plasma torches using an arc
    • H05H1/44—Plasma torches using an arc using more than one torch
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B23—MACHINE TOOLS; METAL-WORKING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B23K—SOLDERING OR UNSOLDERING; WELDING; CLADDING OR PLATING BY SOLDERING OR WELDING; CUTTING BY APPLYING HEAT LOCALLY, e.g. FLAME CUTTING; WORKING BY LASER BEAM
    • B23K10/00—Welding or cutting by means of a plasma

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to processes and apparatus for heating to high temperature objects having extended surfaces.
  • a plurality of separate plasmas are created and distributed so as to apply the heating over a wide area.
  • the multiplicity of plasmas are preferably created by a large current which is circulating between at least two cathodes and at least one anode provided with orifices or plasma constricting nozzles, each one of which cooperates with one of the cathodes.
  • the plasma jets are propelled from the orifices or nozzles by a suitable gas, desirably an inert gas such as argon, helium or nitrogen.
  • the single anode or multiple anode device preferably made of copper or silver, is vigorously cooled by a circulating fluid such as water, and the cathodes are also vigorously cooled.
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic front cross section of one embodiment of the invention. I
  • FIG. 2 is an end elevation of the device of FIG. 1, partly in section on the line II-II thereof.
  • FIGS. 3, 4, 5 and 6 are electric circuit diagrams including electrodes in section, showing variations in the procedure for controlling the current feeding a device of the invention.
  • FIG. 7 is a perspective of a twin embodiment of the invention.
  • FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic cross section of the device of FIG. 7 on the line VIII-VIII.
  • FIG. 9 is a diagrammatic perspective of another twin embodiment of the invention.
  • FIG. 10 is a perspective of a further device embodying the invention.
  • FIG. 11 is a radial section of the device illustrated in FIG. 10.
  • FIG. 12 is a cross section of a further variation in the device ofthe invention.
  • the device shown schematically in cross section in FIG. 1 consists of an elongated anode 1 which is preferably made of copper and provided with a plurality of aligned parallel orifices or nozzles 2.
  • Cathodes 3 are aligned along the axes of the nozzles 2.
  • the cathodes are preferably made of tungsten, and are cooled as well known.
  • the cathodes are mounted on a non-conductive common plate 5 and they pass through chambers 6 which communicate with the nozzles 2.
  • a propellant or plasmagene gas such'as argon, helium or nitrogen is supplied to the chambers 6 by channels 7 provided in the walls separating these chambers.
  • the channels 7 are connected to means for-supplying the gas and for rendering the output of each plasma separately adjustable.
  • the cathodes 3 are electrically insulated from the anode l by insulating plates 8.
  • the anode] is connected to one of the two terminals of a source 40f direct current by a conductor 9 and so forms a multiple anode if the connection is properly made to the positive terminals.
  • the anode is further provided with inlets 11 and outlets 12 for cooling water circulating between the nozzles 2, as shown in FIG. 2.
  • the cathodes 3 are connected in parallel to a conductor 10 which is connected to the other terminal of the power source 4, so that the current in each individual circuit can be independently adjusted for the individual cathode.
  • an individual source of direct current 14 can be used for each cathode as shown in FIG. 3, the source being connected at one side to the cathode and at the other side by a common connector 9 with the anode.
  • a single power source 15 FIG. 4 can be used with the addition of individual adjustable resistors 16 between the source 15 and each of the cathodes 3.
  • all the cathodes are at the same potential and the nozzles 2 of the multiple anode are electrically insulated from each other by insulating spaces 17 surrounding the nozzles.
  • Each of these anodes is separately connected to an individual source of direct current 14 as in FIG. 5 or to a single source 15 through individual resistors 16 as shown in FIG. 6.
  • the initial striking of the arcs can be caused by momentarily bringing the cathodes into contact with the respective anodes and then separating them. It is, however, preferred to use a high frequency pilot spark to start the arcs. If the high frequency generator is powerful enough, several arcs may be ignited simultaneously. However, a low power high frequency generator may be preferred to minimize radio interference, and it is connected successively between each cathode and the multiple anode in turn to ignite the arcs in a predetermined order. The electric current and the gas output may be adjusted for each nozzle to control the power generated by the arc and the temperature and the composition of the gas ejected by each nozzle.
  • the multiple anode may consist of a cooled bar of copper or silver pierced, for example, every 10 mm. by an orifice having a diameter of 2 to 8 mm., the power of each are being for instance lO to 20 kw. with enough room to locate I00 nozzles in 1 meter of length and so to generate 1,000 to 2,000 kw. in the form of parallel plasmas or flames, creating a current of plasma at very high temperature, arranged in multiple jets.
  • Such multiple plasma devices are useful, especially for high temperature heat treating, such as spraying refractory materials, nitriding, annealing, and quenching when the work is in motion and has a large area in contact with the plasma curtain.
  • Such panels By connecting several sets of plasma flames of this character in parallel, one can obtain panels which make it possible to spread enormous power, of the order of 50,000 to 100,000 kw. Such panels may be used as sources oflight radiation for radiant heaters or floodlight high power projectors.
  • FIG. 7 shows work 33 being treated by one of the installations under discussion.
  • two multiple twin anodes 18 and 19 are connected respectively to the terminals 20 and 21 of the secondary winding of a transformer 22 by conductors 23 and 24, and are arranged in two batteries with corresponding cathodes 25 and 26.
  • the cathodes 25 are connected electrically each to one terminal of an individual power source 27 of direct current, while the other terminals are connected to the common anode 18 by reason of a common conductor 29.
  • the cathodes 26 are connected each in a similar manner to one terminal of an individual power source 28 of direct current, while the second terminal is connected t0 the common anode 19 by a common conductor 30.
  • the cathodes 25 and the anode 18, on the one hand, and the cathodes 26 and the anode 19, on the other hand, are inclined one with respect to the other so that the edges of the flames or plasmas 13 which are expelled from the multiple anodes 18 and I9 meet along a single line of flame 31. If these flames are suffciently close together, the line of flame 31 may be continuous and may form a sort of plasma blade. If necessary, powder may be injected in the zone of convergence of the flames by a plurality of nozzles in a hopper 32 located within the angle separating the two groups of cathodes-anode and shown in dotted lines in FIG. 7 for the purpose of not interfering with the lower portion of the installation in this figure.
  • FIG. 8 illustrates in cross section the installation of FIG. 7 including the hopper 32.
  • the work 33 which may be metal if desired, may be moved in the direction of the arrow X.
  • the various arcs are struck at predetermined intervals of time, spaced for instance by one or several hundredths of a second and according to a predetermined sequence.
  • the various arcs can be extinguished according to a sequence and a predetermined program.
  • a device of this character may be used to provide successive tack welds.
  • the material being sprayed is preferably brought to each nozzle by one of two channels. In this case it may be desirable to adjust the delivery of powder to each nozzle.
  • Such devices make it possible to produce two or more plasma flames rather close together.
  • These devices can of course be combined with the process described in Sunnen U.S. Pat. No. 3,205,338, granted Sept. 7, 1965 and Sunnen U.S. Patent No. 3,248,513, granted Apr. 26, 1966, both for Equipment For Forming High Temperature Plasmas (Belgian Pat. No. 623,2]8) by which alternating current is superimposed on direct current for maintaining the arc.
  • FIG. 9 An example of a device of this character as shown in FIG. 9 can provide electric resistance heating of a strip 34 while in motion.
  • Two cathode-anode multiple devices 35 and 36 are located at some distance from one another. Each of these devices comprises multiple anodes 18 and 19, and two groups of cathodes 25 and 26, each of which is electrically connected to one terminal of a direct current power source as shown, while the other terminals of these power sources are connected collectively to the respective anodes 18 or 19. Furthermore, the two sets of anodes 18 and 19 are connected respectively to the terminals of the secondary 37 of a high power alternating current transformer 22.
  • the alternating current passes through each plasma flame emerging from each nozzle of one of the anodic groups, then across the strip 34 to be heated (moving in the direction of the arrow Y), returning to the transformer 22 by the corresponding plasma flames of the other anodic group.
  • the current which passes through the work is double, that is, the superimposing alternating current which passes by the path of least impedance, and the direct current. It is possible to determine in advance, and to vary the distribution of both currents by varying the direct current and the gas output for each anode, thereby adjusting the electric resistance of each plasma flame through which the alternating current must pass.
  • two sets of multiple anodes are used with their flames meeting at a distance of several millimeters from the anodes. Between the two sets of anodes, an alternating voltage is applied to create intense heating by the passage of the alternating current through the plasmas. The material to be sprayed is either brought into each nozzle, or between the two sets or anodes, or applied in both manners.
  • the arrangements of the nozzles may be different and one may use, for exam le, an annular multi le anode, in which the nozzles are paral el, as shown in FIG 10 and 11, all equidistant on a circumference in concentric fashion.
  • the installation shown by way of example in FIGS. 10 and 11 consists of three concentric rings 38, 39 and 40 attached together.
  • the upper ring 38 is of a highly conductive metal, such as copper, and carries a set of eight cathodes 41 which are equidistant and concentric with respect to the ring.
  • This ring is provided internally with channels 42 and 43 for circulation of cooling water.
  • the lower ring 40 comprises a set of eight nozzles 44 corresponding respectively to the eight cathodes 41. They are surrounded with a common cooling chamber 45 for water circulation.
  • a third ring 39 made of insulating material, such as asbestos-phenolformaldehyde (Bakelite) and it is pierced by eight holes at equal distances from each other to permit the eight cathodes to pass through. On the sides of these holes, channels 46 are provided to bring in plasmagene gas to the chambers surrounding the cathodes.
  • a device of the form shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 may be used to uniformly heat a mass to a very high temperature, such as when pulling monocrystals along the axis of the annular anode.
  • annular anode 62 is used, where the axes of the nozzles and of the corresponding cathodes are radial. Installations of this character are useful for heating a bar 63 while in motion as for zone melting purification. The bar passes between the flames 13 at their zone of convergence.
  • the thermal effect may be adjusted by modifying the shape of the nozzle, the output of gas through a particular nozzle, or the power applied to an individual are or group of arcs. Also, the spacing of the nozzles may be modified to obtain more or less energy density and in the case of multiple linear anodes, more energy can be applied at the center or at the ends if desired.
  • a process for treatment of an electrically conductive surface at high temperature which comprises generating a first group of plasma jets projected on the surface generally sideby-side and approximately parallel to each other and impinging along a line on the surface, generating a separate second group of plasma jets generally side by side and approximately parallel to each other and impinging along the same line on the surface, the two separate groups differing from each other in the direction ofimpingement of the group ofjets so that the respective groups of plasma jets converge at that line on the surface, and passing electric current into the impingement zone and out of the impingement zone entirely through the plasma jets in the two groups rather than having any of the current pass in or out any other way and heating the material by the current in between.
  • each group of plasma jets includes generating pilot arcs from a pilot direct current electrical current in each of the plasma jets, and the current passed through for heating is a main current.
  • a process of claim 1, for overlaying which comprises directing material for overlay of the surface to strike the surface along the line of impingement of the jets on the surface.
  • a process of claim 2, for overlaying which comprises directing material for overlay of the surface to strike the surface along the line of impingement of the jets on the surface.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Plasma & Fusion (AREA)
  • Spectroscopy & Molecular Physics (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Plasma Technology (AREA)
  • Nozzles (AREA)
  • Discharge Heating (AREA)
US21936A 1969-03-31 1970-03-23 High temperature heating Expired - Lifetime US3660630A (en)

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BE72146 1969-03-31

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US (1) US3660630A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
JP (1) JPS5011107B1 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
DE (1) DE2014592A1 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
FR (1) FR2039566A5 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)

Cited By (15)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3786306A (en) * 1971-03-03 1974-01-15 Soudure Electr Procedes Arcos Plasma curtain of two or more plasmas
US3838242A (en) * 1972-05-25 1974-09-24 Hogle Kearns Int Surgical instrument employing electrically neutral, d.c. induced cold plasma
US3902035A (en) * 1972-12-01 1975-08-26 Koninkl Mij De Schelde Nl19721 Apparatus and method for arc working work-pieces with a rotating arc
US4119828A (en) * 1977-02-08 1978-10-10 Vsesojuzny Nauchno-Issledovatelsky Proektno-Konstruktorsky I Tekhnologichesky Institut Elektrosvarochnogo Oborudovania Method of plasma multiarc welding by permanently burning direct-current arcs
US4143260A (en) * 1973-10-26 1979-03-06 Fagersta Aktiebolag Multi electrode torch
WO1979000989A1 (en) * 1978-04-26 1979-11-29 Ssab Svenskt Stal Ab A method of and an apparatus for marking metal objects
US4187409A (en) * 1976-02-23 1980-02-05 Everett Greer Apparatus for and method of plasma pre-weld and post-weld metal preparation
EP0324294A1 (en) * 1987-12-30 1989-07-19 L'air Liquide, Societe Anonyme Pour L'etude Et L'exploitation Des Procedes Georges Claude Process for heat treating metals or metal alloys in a thermal plasma flame
US5239161A (en) * 1991-03-26 1993-08-24 Agence Spatiale Europeenne Plasma flux spraying method of treating the surface of a substrate, for example, and apparatus for implementing the method
WO1997018693A1 (fr) * 1995-11-13 1997-05-22 Ist Instant Surface Technology S.A. Generateur de flux de plasma d'arc de configuration fermee
EP0985742A3 (en) * 1998-09-09 2002-08-21 Saint-Gobain Industrial Ceramics, Inc. Plasma jet chemical vapor deposition system having a plurality of distribution heads
US20040089632A1 (en) * 2002-11-07 2004-05-13 Heung-Sik Park Method for etching an object using a plasma and an object etched by a plasma
DE102007024090A1 (de) * 2007-05-22 2008-11-27 Diener, Christof, Dipl.-Ing. Plasmabehandlungsvorrichtung
EP1613133B1 (fr) * 2000-11-10 2013-01-16 Apit Corp. SA Procédé de traitement par plasma atmosphérique de matériaux conducteurs d'électricité et dispositif pour sa mise en oeuvre
US9576775B2 (en) 2012-05-04 2017-02-21 Epcos Ag Plasma generating device

Families Citing this family (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
HU172563B (hu) * 1975-01-27 1978-09-28 Villamos Ipari Kutato Intezet Sposob i plazmennyj generator dlja poverkhnostnogo rasplavlenija tvjordykh stroitel'nykh blokov
WO1990013392A1 (en) * 1989-05-05 1990-11-15 Tungsram Részvénytársaság Apparatus for machining by the means of a plasma beam a workpiece made of a material of high softening or melting point, especially quartz, glass or a metal
DE19958016B4 (de) * 1998-12-02 2013-07-18 Stefan Laure Plasmagenerator
DE10303402A1 (de) * 2003-01-24 2004-08-12 Pva Tepla Ag Vorrichtung zum Erzeugen eines breiten Aktivgasstrahls auf Basis eines Gasentladungsplasmas
DE102009010497A1 (de) * 2008-12-19 2010-08-05 J-Fiber Gmbh Mehrdüsiger rohrförmiger Plasma-Abscheidebrenner zur Herstellung von Vorformen als Halbzeuge für optische Fasern

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3050616A (en) * 1957-09-09 1962-08-21 Union Carbide Corp Arc process and apparatus
US3205338A (en) * 1961-10-06 1965-09-07 Soudure Electr Autogene Sa Equipment for forming high temperature plasmas
US3466487A (en) * 1967-06-16 1969-09-09 United Aircraft Corp Device for moving a beam of charged particles

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3050616A (en) * 1957-09-09 1962-08-21 Union Carbide Corp Arc process and apparatus
US3205338A (en) * 1961-10-06 1965-09-07 Soudure Electr Autogene Sa Equipment for forming high temperature plasmas
US3466487A (en) * 1967-06-16 1969-09-09 United Aircraft Corp Device for moving a beam of charged particles

Cited By (19)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3786306A (en) * 1971-03-03 1974-01-15 Soudure Electr Procedes Arcos Plasma curtain of two or more plasmas
US3838242A (en) * 1972-05-25 1974-09-24 Hogle Kearns Int Surgical instrument employing electrically neutral, d.c. induced cold plasma
US3902035A (en) * 1972-12-01 1975-08-26 Koninkl Mij De Schelde Nl19721 Apparatus and method for arc working work-pieces with a rotating arc
US4143260A (en) * 1973-10-26 1979-03-06 Fagersta Aktiebolag Multi electrode torch
US4187409A (en) * 1976-02-23 1980-02-05 Everett Greer Apparatus for and method of plasma pre-weld and post-weld metal preparation
US4119828A (en) * 1977-02-08 1978-10-10 Vsesojuzny Nauchno-Issledovatelsky Proektno-Konstruktorsky I Tekhnologichesky Institut Elektrosvarochnogo Oborudovania Method of plasma multiarc welding by permanently burning direct-current arcs
WO1979000989A1 (en) * 1978-04-26 1979-11-29 Ssab Svenskt Stal Ab A method of and an apparatus for marking metal objects
US4872926A (en) * 1987-12-30 1989-10-10 American Air Liquide Process for heat treating metals or metal alloys in a thermal plasma
EP0324294A1 (en) * 1987-12-30 1989-07-19 L'air Liquide, Societe Anonyme Pour L'etude Et L'exploitation Des Procedes Georges Claude Process for heat treating metals or metal alloys in a thermal plasma flame
US5239161A (en) * 1991-03-26 1993-08-24 Agence Spatiale Europeenne Plasma flux spraying method of treating the surface of a substrate, for example, and apparatus for implementing the method
WO1997018693A1 (fr) * 1995-11-13 1997-05-22 Ist Instant Surface Technology S.A. Generateur de flux de plasma d'arc de configuration fermee
EP0985742A3 (en) * 1998-09-09 2002-08-21 Saint-Gobain Industrial Ceramics, Inc. Plasma jet chemical vapor deposition system having a plurality of distribution heads
EP1460146A1 (en) * 1998-09-09 2004-09-22 Saint-Gobain Industrial Ceramics, Inc. Plasma jet chemical vapor deposition system having a plurality of distribution heads
EP1460147A1 (en) * 1998-09-09 2004-09-22 Saint-Gobain Industrial Ceramics, Inc. Plasma jet chemical vapor deposition system having a plurality of distribution heads
EP1613133B1 (fr) * 2000-11-10 2013-01-16 Apit Corp. SA Procédé de traitement par plasma atmosphérique de matériaux conducteurs d'électricité et dispositif pour sa mise en oeuvre
US20040089632A1 (en) * 2002-11-07 2004-05-13 Heung-Sik Park Method for etching an object using a plasma and an object etched by a plasma
US7491344B2 (en) * 2002-11-07 2009-02-17 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Method for etching an object using a plasma and an object etched by a plasma
DE102007024090A1 (de) * 2007-05-22 2008-11-27 Diener, Christof, Dipl.-Ing. Plasmabehandlungsvorrichtung
US9576775B2 (en) 2012-05-04 2017-02-21 Epcos Ag Plasma generating device

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE2014592A1 (de) 1970-10-08
FR2039566A5 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1971-01-15
JPS5011107B1 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1975-04-26

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