Patent ID: 6259071
Filing Date: 2001-07-10
Classification: G05D,H05B

Abstract:
A method for controlling the discharge temperature of a metal workpiece heated in a furnace, said method including the steps of:providing a tandem arrangement of first, second and third furnace sections having separate furnace controls for heating lengths metal workpieces having parameters of varying thicknesses or a change to the line speed of the workpieces advanced through such furnace sections;maintaining a substantially constant operating temperature in said first furnace section for heating the lengths of workpieces having said parameters to first furnace section delivery temperatures that vary in response to said parameters;establishing a single set point temperature at a unique workpiece temperature measurement site along a path of travel by a metal workpiece during heating in said second furnace section;rapidly adjusting heating of workpieces having said parameters to always maintain a predetermined constant workpiece temperature at said workpiece measuring site, the second furnace section heating workpieces having said parameters to differing delivery temperatures; andmaintaining a substantially constant operating temperature in said third furnace section for heating lengths of workpieces having said parameters to a third furnace section delivery temperature which is predetermined and substantially constant for workpieces having such parameters operating temperature.