Patent ID: 7824495
Filing Date: 2010-11-02
Classification: B01J,D01F,D06M,H01J

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for continuously processing at least one carbon fiber tow comprising: a chamber adapted to maintain a selected atmosphere, said chamber having a first end with a first opening to allow said at least one carbon fiber tow to enter said chamber and a second end with a second opening to allow said at least one carbon fiber tow to exit said chamber, said first and second openings adapted to limit incidental gas flow into or out of said chamber; a system comprising at least one of pumps or ducts to supply process gas into said chamber; and a waveguide generator present at only the second end of the chamber, wherein the waveguide generator is the sole waveguide generator of said apparatus, wherein the wave guide generator provides a source of microwave power configured to provide a microwave power gradient within said chamber, wherein said microwave power gradient provides a plasma from the process gas at the second end of the chamber, and wherein the plasma is not present at the first end of the chamber and the microwave power gradient heats the at least one carbon fiber tow at where the plasma is not present.