Electric furnace using vacuum or inert gas chamber - where resistance heating conductor consists of strip stretched between two contacts used as strip winding spools

摘要

The furnace includes an outer chamber, which surrounds a work chamber (2) contg. a flexible resistance heating conductor stretched between two contact elements; at least one element can be rotated, so it can be used as a winding spool for conductor. In the pref. furnace, elements are located inside and near the base of chamber (2), and each element consists of a two-pronged fork located on a common shaft. Inside, and near the top of chamber, are two rollers; and conductor rests on the rollers so it forms an inverted "U" profile in chamber. Conductor is e.g. a strip material stretched by being wound on the fork prongs. Conductor can be used directly from a roll of material, which is e.g. graphite-foil or -fabric; or a wire mesh or sheet made of W, Mo or Ta. With a graphite strip, a temp. of 3000 deg.C can be attained.