Howard J Obman

US Patent:

47567732, Jul 12, 1988

Filed:

Aug 21, 1986

Appl. No.:

6/898622

Inventors:

Howard J. Obman - Telford PA
Howard D. Brodbeck - Berwyn PA

Assignee:

MG Industries - Valley Forge PA

International Classification:

C21D 174

US Classification:

148 131

Abstract:

A vacuum furnace is cooled in a two-step process. In the first step, a noble gas is injected into the furnace to break the vacuum, and to provide initial cooling. In the second step, a non-noble, but relatively inert, gas is injected into the furnace to complete the cooling. The flow of the noble gas is cut off when the temperature in the furnace falls below the point at which the contents of the furnace will no longer react with the second gas. The invention also discloses apparatus for cooling the furnace. Temperature controllers monitor the temperature, and rate of temperature change, in the furnace, and direct controlled amounts of noble or non-noble gas into the furnace. At no time is a liquefied gas allowed to enter the furnace. The process allows the furnace to be cooled rapidly but safely, minimizing the danger of thermal shock to the internal furnace components.

US Patent:

52555259, Oct 26, 1993

Filed:

May 29, 1992

Appl. No.:

7/890226

Inventors:

Rolf H. Wieland - Norristown PA
Howard J. Obman - Souderton PA
Alan B. Davala - Florence NJ

Assignee:

MG Industries - Malvern PA

International Classification:

F17C 1100

US Classification:

62 461

Abstract:

The present invention produces a cold gas stream having a constant temperature and pressure. The gas stream is obtained from two initial streams, one being a liquefied gas and the other being a gas at ambient temperature. The liquefied gas stream is combined with the warm gas stream, causing the liquid to vaporize. The two streams are combined in proportions that yield a cold gas mixture having a desired temperature. The resulting cold gas mixture is directed into an insulated container having a volume significantly larger than the volume of the conduits through which the streams flow. The container therefore acts as a buffer to reduce pressure fluctuations in the stream. A temperature equalization coil is located in the interior of the container. The coil has one open end which communicates with the interior region of the container, the other end of the coil being connected to an outlet line. The cold gas in the coil remains within the coil for a relatively long time, and comes into thermal equilibrium with cold gas outside the coil.

US Patent:

46434011, Feb 17, 1987

Filed:

Aug 28, 1985

Appl. No.:

6/770074

Inventors:

Howard J. Obman - Telford PA
Howard D. Brodbeck - Berwyn PA

Assignee:

MG Industries - Valley Forge PA

International Classification:

C21N 1100

US Classification:

266 80

Abstract:

A vacuum furnace is cooled in a two-step process. In the first step, a noble gas is injected into the furnace to break the vacuum, and to provide initial cooling. In the second step, a non-noble, but relatively inert, gas is injected into the furnace to complete the cooling. The flow of the noble gas is cut off when the temperature in the furnace falls below the point at which the contents of the furnace will no longer react with the second gas. The invention also discloses apparatus for cooling the furnace. Temperature controllers monitor the temperature, and rate of temperature change, in the furnace, and direct controlled amounts of noble or non-noble gas into the furnace. At no time is a liquefied gas allowed to enter the furnace. The process allows the furnace to be cooled rapidly but safely, minimizing the danger of thermal shock to the internal furnace components.