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Method and apparatus for controlling article temperature during treatment in vacuum

  • US 4,528,208 A
  • Filed: 10/13/1983
  • Issued: 07/09/1985
  • Est. Priority Date: 10/13/1983
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A method of controlling the temperature of an article, the shape of which may vary, while exposing a selected portion of it to treatment under vacuum by an energetic beam,said method comprisingproviding, within a container, a heat conductive substance of selected depth having a solid rigid state under conditions of said treatment and having a molten state at a higher temperature below the minimum damage temperature of said article,said substance being chemically nonreactive, nonwetting and nonadhesive at said higher temperature with a first portion of said article,heating said heat conductive substance to said higher temperature to cause said substance to be in molten state,temporarily holding said article in selected position to submerge said first portion of said article substantially below the surface of said molten heat conductive substance while a second portion of said article to be treated protrudes above said surface,cooling said heat conductive substance to cause it to solidify about said immersed first portion of said article in intimate heat conducting and rigid supporting relationship therewith, with said second portion of said articles protruding above said surface, in position for exposure to said beam,subjecting said exposed second portion under vacuum to said energetic beam for said treatment while controlling the temperature of said article by heat transfer via said intimately engaged, rigid supporting substance, and, thereafter following said treatment,reheating said rigid substance to said higher temperature to cause said substance to be in molten state, andremoving the treated article therefrom.

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