THERMAL GRADIENT EXCHANGE MATERIALS PROCESSING METHOD

摘要

A method of thermal processing a work piece using another work piece which includes providing a chamber having a plurality of temperature zones, disposing a first work piece within a first temperature zone of the chamber, allowing a temperature of the first work piece to thermally equilibrate with the first temperature zone, moving the first work piece to a second temperature zone and disposing a second work piece within the second temperature zone of the chamber, in fluid communication with the first work piece, wherein a thermal exchange occurs between the first and second work pieces.

主权项

1. A method of thermally processing work pieces comprising:
providing a vertical chamber having an upper end, a lower end, and an interior; creating a thermal gradient in the interior of the chamber; disposing at least two work pieces within the interior of the chamber; providing a means for movement of the at least two work pieces wherein one work piece is lowered from the upper end of the chamber to the lower end of the chamber while a second work piece is moved countercurrently in the opposing direction; and providing a path for each work piece wherein each work piece is first lowered from the upper end of the chamber to the lower end of the chamber and returned to the upper end of the chamber for removal; and