Abstract:
An apparatus for subjecting articles of manufacture to a cryogenic thermal cycling process includes a bottom portion and a lid. The bottom portion comprises an outer and inner tank separated by a plurality of insulation layers. The inner tank defines an inner cavity wherein the articles are subjected to the cryogenic process. A thermal break is provided between the lid and bottom portion so that the temperature of the inner cavity does not conduct to the outer tank of the apparatus bottom portion. The process conducted in the apparatus is controlled by a pre-programmed profile inputted by a key controller or PC. Liquid nitrogen is the preferred cryogenic material to be employed. The novel process subjects the article to extreme negative temperatures thereafter cycling the article between a set of negative temperatures for a number of cycles. The process is completed by heating the article to an extreme positive temperature and then allowed to cool to ambient room temperature. The novel cryogenic thermal cycling process strengthens the article by realigning its molecular structure to eliminate micro-cracking and other manufacturing deforming characteristics.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates to an apparatus and method for strengthening articles of manufacture. More particularly, it relates to an apparatus employing an inert gas or a gas such as nitrogen in a cryogenic thermal cycling process for strengthening the entire mass of articles of manufacture. 
     2. Description of Prior Art 
     As energy is dissipated through an article of manufacture, it passes from molecule to molecule causing vibration in the article. Overtime, this vibration weakens the article resulting in premature wear and eventually destruction thereof. Depending on the article, especially those of a metal based molecular structure, and the force being exerted upon it, this premature vibration wear can be costly and in some instances dangerous. For example, if a saw blade is prematurely worn, it could splinter or explode and cause harm to any user or person in close proximity of the exploding blade. It is therefore advantageous to strengthen these articles through molecular transformation or the “bringing together” of the molecules. The concept is to strengthen the article of manufacture by bringing the molecules closer to one another to particulate the molecular structure into smaller micro-structures thereby reducing vibration by creating a more direct path for the dissipating energy. This is especially important in metal articles of manufacture. 
     Early advances in metal hardening involved heat/quench treatment wherein metal articles where brought to extreme high temperatures and then cooled rapidly. This concept showed some success in the early days of metal hardening but falls well short of the required results needed in today&#39;s advanced industry and technology. 
     Further advances in metal hardening contemplated a simple cryogenic process wherein dry ice was employed. The concept behind this process was that by “freezing” the article, the molecules would be brought closer together. Although the dry ice process showed some further advancement in metallurgical strengthening over that of heat/quenching processes, it is still not a preferred process, mainly due to the inability to have adequate control over temperature changes during the process. Also, at best, the lowest temperature that can be reached with a dry ice process is −180° F. The dry ice process has become known as a shallow cryogenic process. This process also appears to work best only on metal articles and not those of a non metal based molecular structure. 
     Further advances over the dry ice process were made in metal strengthening cryogenic processes. One example of an improved cryogenic process for strengthening metal articles is a process which employs either an inert gas or liquid nitrogen. This type of cryogenic process showed some improvements over the dry ice process and assisted in correcting newly discovered problems in metal article manufacture. 
     In addition to vibration problems, it became known that small stress cracks formed within a metal article during the manufacture of the article. By manipulating the temperature of the metal article with a gas it was determined that the article could be relieved of its internal stress cracks and much of the micro-cracking that occurred during manufacture of the article. In doing so, greater integrity would be provided to the metal article, further ensuring that the metal article would wear at a lower degradation rate as compared to those metal articles not subjected to such a process. The end result is a superior metal article of manufacture. Examples of superior metal articles include musical instruments whose tonal quality is improved, strengthened golf club heads which can exert greater force upon a golf ball when it is struck, vehicle components and cutting tools which wear at a slower vibration degradation rate, electronic components which conduct electricity more efficiently and superior machine components for use in satellite and related aerospace technologies which are subjected to extreme low temperatures during employment in space. It should be noted that since nitrogen is considered a safe element to release into the atmosphere, it has become widely used in cryogenic strengthening processes. However, inert gases, such as helium, argon or neon, can also be used. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,048,836 to Eddy et al., a forming and heat treating process, discloses a process wherein one of the numerous steps of the process calls for submersing an aluminum alloy article in a nitrogen atmosphere of −100° F.—a type of cryogenic process. However, this is the only cryogenic step where nitrogen is employed. Further, nowhere in the Eddy process does it contemplate cycling the aluminum alloy article in a nitrogen atmosphere or other cryogenic state at different temperatures for various periods of time. It is merely sub-cooled in the nitrogen atmosphere during a single submersion step. Further, the Eddy process merely contemplates heating the article to a positive Fahrenheit temperature, allowing it to cool in warm water, thereafter bringing the temperature down to −100° F. and then allowing it to return to room temperature. This type of process is representative of many prior art processes which merely raise the temperature of the article once, subsequently allow it to cool to ambient room temperature, thereafter sub-cool it to a negative Fahrenheit temperature and then allow it to finally warm to ambient room temperature—a type of hybrid heat/quench cryogenic process. 
     Other prior art processes work in an opposite manner to that of the Eddy process as set forth above. In particular, U.S. Pat. No. 4,482,005 to Voorhees discloses a process wherein an ambient room temperature article is first suspended above and secondly then immersed in a liquid cryogenic bath. The liquid cryogenic material is thereafter evacuated such that the article is exposed to a gas. The temperature of the article is brought down to −50° F. over a period of time. Thereafter, the article is brought back to ambient room temperature over a period of time and then brought up to a is permitted to cool back down to ambient room temperature. As disclosed, this process works to first cool the article, thereafter heat the article and then bring it back to ambient room temperature. Nowhere in the Voorhees process is contemplated to thermally cycle the article up and down between a range of temperatures over a period of time. 
     Recognizing that a process which thermally cycles an article between a range of temperatures provides a superior strength metal article, some inventors have improved upon known processes such as those seen in Eddy and Voorhees. U.S. Pat. No.4,662,955 to Dries et al. is an example of such. In this process, a graphite fiber reinforced aluminum alloy matrix composite panel is heated from an ambient room temperature to about 920-985° F. for about an hour. Thereafter, the panel is cooled with water back down to ambient room temperature. Next, the panel is again heated but to a lower temperature in the range of 300-340° F. for about eight to twenty four hours. The panels are again then allowed to cool to ambient room temperature. Next, the panels are cryogenically cooled to a, temperature of about −268° F. Finally, the panels are permitted to re-warmed to ambient room temperature utilizing ambient air. Although Dries does improved upon the then known processes of metal article strengthening, it falls short of making a major improvement in the art. The use of high temperatures over multiple steps requires extensive power requirements and therefore adds to the cost of employing the process. Further, the Dries invention is limited to a specific composite panel and does not contemplate use with all metal articles of manufacture let alone non-metal based articles. Nowhere in the Dries process is it disclosed to thermally cycling the article at negative Fahrenheit temperatures over various periods of time before heating it to a positive Fahrenheit temperature and then permitting it to cool to ambient room temperature. Further, nothing in Dries suggests running simultaneous processes at different temperatures and/or different time periods. 
     One of the major deficiencies in prior art processes is that they merely treat the outer surface of the metal article. In other words, these prior art processes fail to treat the entire molecular mass of the metal article. Accordingly, articles treated with the prior art processes cease to be affective after the surface of the metal article has worn away. An improved process is needed which treats the entire mass of the metal article. 
     The prior art also fails to teach or disclose an apparatus which employs an inert gas or liquid nitrogen cryogenic process which thermally cycles a metal article of manufacture over a wide range of negative Fahrenheit temperatures at different incremental time periods. Further, nowhere in the prior art is it disclosed that a thermal cycling apparatus can be divided by an insulating barrier so that smaller loads can be processed or two loads processed simultaneously at different temperatures and times. Still further, none of the disclosed processes teach a method of treating non-metal based articles of manufacture. 
     An apparatus and improved method for cryogenic thermal processing is needed which can overcome the deficiencies seen in the prior art. Such apparatus should be self-contained, relatively small is size and easy to operate. The apparatus should be operated by using a microcontroller processing unit, preferably adaptable to communicate with a PC. It would be advantageous for the apparatus to have a large submersion tank which can be divided into two smaller tanks to accommodate small loads or for operation of two simultaneous, yet independent processes. The apparatus should be able to permit the introduction of an in inert gas or liquid nitrogen, be further permitted to convert liquid nitrogen, if used, into a gaseous state and accommodate a wide range of extreme temperatures. Accordingly, proper insulation of the submersion tank is needed. The apparatus should also be able to introduce the inert gas or nitrogen in an efficient manner using an assembly, such as a sparger assembly. Finally, the apparatus should further be able to operate an improved cryogenic thermal cycling process which has not be seen heretofore. Such process should incorporate steps which thermally cycle articles of manufacture to extreme negative temperatures over numerous cycles and time periods and at graduating rates. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     I have invented an apparatus and an improved method for cryogenically treating articles of manufacture for the purpose of strengthening them. My apparatus uses a novel method of cryogenic thermal cycling which strengthens the articles and alleviates vibration (micro-cracking) therefrom. This is accomplished by thermally cycling the article through a series of negative temperature changes prior to ramping the article to a positive Fahrenheit temperature and eventually cooling the article back to ambient room temperature. My process treats the entire mass of the article and not just the surface area. The hardness of the treated article is unaffected so there is less tendency for the article to crack or chip as compared to those articles treated with processes of the prior art. My process realigns the molecules of the treated article such that dissipated energy passing through the article takes a direct path thereby reducing vibration to a non-critical level. My process can also accomplish particle and grain reinforcement and molecular dislocation modification. The results of my process provide an article having greater toughness, wear resistance and durability as well as providing greater fatigue strength and vibration dampening. 
     My process can treat a wide variety of materials, including but not limited to, ferrous and non-ferrous metals and alloys, carbides, nylons, polymers and ceramics. My process is computer controlled, therefore optimal thermal cycling can be achieved depending on the article being treated. 
     My apparatus includes an outer and inner tank separated by a void which is filled with a series of insulating layers. A set of sparger assemblies are enclosed within the inner tank and disposed at opposed ends for introducing a cryogenic material such as liquid nitrogen in a preferred embodiment. The inner tank can be separated by a barrier such that two independent loads can be simultaneously operated or for permitting a single small load to be treated. The outer tank rests upon a set of casters which permits the apparatus to be easily moved around a work environment. The casters have locking mechanisms for positioning the apparatus in a desired set position. A lid covers the two tanks and pivots on a continuous piano-type hinge. A set of brace members permit the lid to remain in an open position when desired. A set of adjustable clamps latch the lid to a bottom portion of the apparatus and permit the lid to expand slightly due to fluctuating temperatures during the process. 
     The cryogenic material is introduced through ports connected to a supply tank, such as a tank of liquid nitrogen. A set of fans are provided for evacuating the cryogenic material during the process and for purging all oxygen from the tank prior to initiating the process. Once an article is placed into the inner tank and the lid is shut and secured, the cryogenic material is introduced into the inner tank. The temperature of the introduced nitrogen can be lowered to −320° F. thereby turning the liquid nitrogen into a gaseous state. The apparatus cycles the temperature up and down for an average of six cycles. The last cycle ramps the temperature to about +400° F. Thereafter the nitrogen is evacuated by the fans into the ambient air through a set of exit ports. A controller electrically coupled to the apparatus can be pre-programmed to carry out the process and can manipulate the cycles, the temperature rate changes as well as the actual temperatures. The controller can be programmed by using its keys or by communicating with a PC. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention may be best understood by those having ordinary skill in the art by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a thermal cycling apparatus of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is second another perspective view of the thermal cycling apparatus; 
     FIG. 3 is a front side view of the thermal cycling apparatus; 
     FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the thermal cycling apparatus; 
     FIG. 5 is a left side elevational view of the thermal cycling apparatus; 
     FIG. 6 is a right side elevational view of the thermal cycling apparatus; 
     FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the thermal cycling apparatus taken along lines  7 — 7  of FIG. 4; 
     FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the thermal cycling apparatus taken along lines  8 — 8  of FIG. 4; 
     FIG. 9 is a detail view of a brace member used to support a lid portion of the thermal cycling apparatus; 
     FIG. 10 is a detail view taken from FIG. 8 illustrating a hinge mounted between the lid portion a main tank portion and a bead seal portion of the thermal cycling apparatus; 
     FIG. 11 is a top plan view of a controller housing used with the thermal cycling apparatus; 
     FIG. 12 is a detail view of a clasping mechanism used to secure the thermal cycling apparatus lid portion to the main tank; and 
     FIG. 13 is a close up detail of FIG. 7; 
     FIG. 14 is a graph illustrating the preferred cryogenic cycle used with the thermal cycling apparatus of the present: invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Throughout the following detailed description, the same reference numerals refer to the same elements in all figures. 
     Referring to FIG. 1, a cryogenic thermal cycling apparatus  10  of the present invention is shown. As shown in FIG. 7, apparatus  10  includes a bottom portion  11  which comprises an outer tank  12  and an inner tank  14  separated by an insulating void, which in a preferred embodiment is filled with a series of insulting material layers. The series of material layers include a blueboard layer  16  positioned upon a stainless steel shell  18  of outer tank  12 . Blueboard layer  16  can be built up from a plurality of blueboard layers or be comprised of a single blueboard layer. For instance, blueboard layer  16  could include two one″layers. Or, as shown in FIG. 7, a single two″layer can be employed. Next, a high density layer of foam  20  is positioned next to blueboard layer  16  providing a tight seal between inner and outer tanks  14  and  12  respectively of apparatus bottom portion  11 . Thereafter, a thin layer of aluminum tape  22  is laid upon foam layer  20 , providing a moisture barrier between foam layer  20  and inner tank  14 . Next, a fire proof insulation layer  24  is positioned upon aluminum tape layer  22 . In the preferred embodiment, kaowool (a ceramic-fiber insulator) is employed for fire-proof insulation layer  24 . Finally, a stainless steel shell  26  of inner tank  14  positions upon fire proof insulation layer  24 . In an alternate embodiment, the insulating void could be a vacuum jacket. 
     Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, apparatus  10  includes a lid  28  which seals an inner cavity  29  (see FIG. 7) of inner tank  14  when lid  28  lays upon apparatus bottom portion  11  and is secured shut. As shown in FIG. 7, lid  28  is constructed in the same manner as apparatus bottom portion  11 . As shown in FIGS. 4,  9  and  10 , lid  28  pivots upon a continuous metal hinge  30  which does not expand in response to extreme temperature changes, thereby precluding leaks between lid  28  and bottom portion  11  of apparatus  10  when lid  28  mates with bottom portion  11 . In the preferred embodiment, hinge  30  is a piano-type hinge. 
     With reference to FIGS. 9 and 10, a pair of bead members  32  are disposed upon both bottom portion  11  and lid  28  and provide a thermal break between lid  28  and bottom portion  11 . Bead member  32  is made from a pliable fiber such as those commonly used in the fabrication of robe. When lid  28  is shut, bead members  32  ensure that no heat conduction occurs between the stainless steel metal of bottom portion  11  and lid  28 . As seen in FIG. 10, with lid  28  shut, none of the metal of bottom portion  11  is in direct contact with the metal of lid  28 . As such, outer tank  12  remains at ambient room temperature regardless of the temperature within inner cavity  29  and that of inner tank  14 . 
     With reference now to FIG. 9, it is shown that lid  28  can be positioned in an open and locked state by the use of a pair of brace members  34  (each brace member  34  positioned at opposed ends of apparatus  10 ). As shown in FIG. 3, lid  28  further includes a pair of handles  36  for use in opening and closing lid  28  as it pivots about hinge  30 . As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a set of clamps  38  are used to secure lid  28  to bottom portion  11 . In the preferred embodiment, three clamps  38  are employed. Each clamp  38  is adjustable thereby permitting lid  28  to expand, in response to temperature variations, during operation of apparatus  10 . As shown in FIG. 12, each clamp  38  includes a plate member  40  having an upper and lower end  48  and  50  respectively. Plate member  40  pivots about a hinge portion  42  at upper end  48  and secures to a latch  44  at bottom end  50 . Latch  44  mounts along an outer front wall  46  of bottom portion  11  (see FIG.  1 - 3 ). 
     As shown in FIG. 7, apparatus  10  includes a pair of fans  52 , a pair of heaters  54  and a pair of sparger assemblies  62 , one each mounted within inner cavity  29  at opposed ends  56  and  58 . As shown in FIG. 8, a shroud  68  covers each fan  52  and heater  54  and mounts to a side wall  70  of bottom portion  11 . Also shown in FIG. 8, each fan  52  mounts above each heater  54  which in turns mounts above each sparger assembly  62  along side wall  70 . Each sparger assembly  62  however is mounted below and outside of each shroud  68 . With reference back to FIG. 7, it is shown that each sparger assembly  62  connects to a conduit  78  that inserts through inner and outer tanks  14  and  12  respectively. A threaded coupler  80  connects to the outer end of conduit  78  further coupling to a valve  82  and a power block  96 . Valve  82  connects to a liquid nitrogen (preferred) or inert gas source  84 . In the preferred embodiment, sparger assembly  62  is employed as the means for introducing the source of cryogenic material into inner cavity  29 . However, in an alternate embodiment, a heat exchanger could be employed. Further, as to introducing heat into inner cavity  29 , the use heaters  54  is the preferred means. However, evacuation of the cryogenic material or ambient air can be used as a means to ramp the temperature of inner cavity  29  upwards. 
     As shown in FIG. 7, a pair of fans  52 , heaters  54  and sparger assemblies  62  are employed since inner cavity  29  can be divided by an insulating barrier  60 . Barrier  60  permits apparatus  10  to process either a small load which does not require the use of the entire volume of inner cavity  29  or to operate two simultaneous processes independently of each other. If one single small load is to be processed, then the left side of inner cavity  29  is used. In the preferred embodiment, a TA301 insulator is employed which is capable of withstanding temperatures of −420° to +1000° F. without expanding. Heaters  54  can have a watt density of 5 watts psi to 45 watts psi. 
     With reference to FIG. 8, a first tank bracing member  64  is shown horizontally disposed within inner tank  14  at about a middle portion  66  of inner tank  14 . First tank bracing member  64  spans across the short length of inner tank  14  and ensures that inner tank  14  does not implode due to extreme temperature changes encountered during the cryogenic process. A second tank bracing member  74  spans across the long length of inner tank  14  and again ensures and that inner tank  14  does not implode due to extreme temperature changes encountered during the cryogenic process. In the preferred embodiment, first and second bracing members  64  and  74  are stitched welded within inner tank  14 . 
     With continuing reference to FIG. 8, a preliminary purge valve  86  is formed through each side wall  70  of inner tank  14  and is used to rapidly evacuate air from the inner cavity  29  to the surrounding ambient air outside of apparatus  10 . Disposed below each purge valve  86 , also formed through each side wall  70 , is a power inlet port  72  which provides a power supply connection to each heater  54  from outside of apparatus  10 . Each heater  54  is disposed within shroud  68 , however, a plurality of holes  76  are formed in shroud  68  directly in front each heater  54  which permits air to flow therethrough. 
     Referring to FIG. 1, a controller housing  88  is shown mounted along an outer left side  90  of apparatus bottom portion  11 . Controller housing  88  encloses controllers and circuitry used to operate apparatus  10  and will be discussed in further detail hereinafter. 
     Referring to FIG. 5, a power distribution box  92  is mounted along apparatus bottom portion outer left side  90 . Power distribution box  92  electrically couples to the power supply circuitry contained within controller housing  88 . A power supply  94  electrically couples to the controller circuitry and supplies all power to apparatus  10 . Power supply  94  can be either an AC or DC power source. Power distribution box  92  further electrically couples to the sparger assembly power block  96  mounted directly above valve  82 . Finally, power distribution box  92  electrically couples to fan  52  through a port  97  formed directly below fan  52  through inner and outer tanks  14  and  12  respectively. 
     Referring to FIG. 6, an identical power distribution scheme is provided for the opposed side of apparatus bottom portion  11 . In particular, a power distribution box  92  mounts along an outer right side  98  of apparatus bottom portion and is electrically coupled to the controller circuitry by means of a conduit  100  which runs from the power distribution box  92  mounted on apparatus bottom portion outer left side  90  underneath apparatus bottom portion  11  and up apparatus bottom portion outer right side  98  (see FIG.  7 ). Power is then distributed from right side power distribution box  92  to right side fan  52  through a right side port  97  and to right side sparger assembly through right side sparger assembly power block  96 . 
     Referring to FIG. 13, a novel insulation means is shown for insulating the power supply wiring from each power distribution box  92  to each heater  54 . In this novel scheme, a conduit  102  is inserted through outer and inner tanks  12  and  14  respectively. At its outer end, conduit  102  connects to power distribution box  92 . At its inner end, a threaded coupler  104  is inserted thereover. Coupler  104  then connects to a flex hose which in turn connects to fan  52 . Within conduit  102 , insulation is packed around the power supply wires to create a hepa-seal. Proximal to both the outer and inner ends of conduit  102  is a ceramic-mix insulator  106 . Disposed therebetween is a ceramic-fiber insulator  108 . In the preferred embodiment, kaowool is employed. This novel insulation packing scheme ensures that no gas leaks from inner cavity  29  out through port  97  during the process, a common problem encountered in the prior art. In the preferred embodiment, 50% kaowool  108  is used in the middle of conduit  102  with 25% ceramic-mix insulator  106  surrounding the kaowool  108  on each opposed side. 
     As shown in FIG. 13, preliminary purge valve  86  includes a conduit  110  inserted through inner and outer tanks  14  and  12  respectively. An outer end  112  is threaded and can be closed by a cap  137  if purge valve  86  is not to be used. However, in the preferred embodiment, purge valve  86  includes a vortex valve  114  inserted over threaded outer end  112  which is capable of being opened by an air source  138  of about 300 psi. Air source  138  is controlled by the apparatus controller which is to be more fully discussed hereinafter. 
     Referring to FIG. 1, a main power on/off switch  116  is provided along a side wall  118  of controller housing  88 . Power switch  116  interrupts all power to apparatus  10  when set to the off position. Mounted directly above power switch  116 , also along controller housing side wall  118 , is a parallel data port  120  for use in making connection to a PC (not shown). Enclosed within controller housing  88  is controller circuitry which operates apparatus  10 . Positioned along a slanted top side  122  of controller housing  88 , are a plurality of controls, as shown in FIG.  11 . The controls include, a key controller  124 , a temperature indicator  126 , an auto/purge switch  128 , a left/large/right switch  130 , a fan switch  132  and a pull start switch  134 . 
     In the preferred embodiment, a Watlow F4D dual zone controller is employed for key controller  124 . In a single zone apparatus, a Watlow F4S is employed for key controller  124 . Further to the preferred embodiment, temperature indicator  126  is an LCD display. Auto/purge switch  128  is a dual position rotary switch. However, switch  128  requires that the user hold the switch in the purge position when purging the system of ambient air. Releasing switch  128  causes it to fall back into the auto position. Switch  130  is a three position rotary switch and permits the user to operate apparatus  10  in three separate modes. In the left position, the left side of inner cavity  29  can be programmed to carry out a first cryogenic thermal cycling process. In the right position, the right side of inner cavity  29  can be programmed to carry out a second cryogenic thermal cycling process independent of the first process being carried out in the left side. Barrier  60  must be inserted within cavity  29  to carry out a left or right side process. However, the two processes can be run simultaneously. In the large position, the entire volume of inner cavity  29  is used to carry out a single cryogenic thermal cycling process. Switch  132  is a two position rotary switch which activates fans  52  to create convention airflow (both hot and cold) inside inner cavity  29 . Switch  134  is a pull knob switch and initiates a pre-programmed process of apparatus  10 . 
     Key controller  124  has a plurality of buttons and indicators which can be used during a cryogenic thermal cycling process of the present invention. Key controller  124  includes up and down keys which moves a cursor arrow position in a lower display through software in the direction of the arrow. Accordingly, values can be increased or decreased or letters changed in user nameable fields such as alarms, events and profile names. Key controller  124  further includes left and right keys which can move the lower display menus through various choices and also to an exit point. An information key provides information in the lower display about the cursor-selected parameter. A profile key summons a menu that allows the user to start, hold, resume or terminate a profile. The lower display shows information about the setup, operation and programming of key controller  124 . A profile indicator light operates as a run/hold status indicator. When lit, a ramping profile is running. When blinking, the profile is on hold. When not lit, key controller  124  operates as a static set point controller. A communication indicator light indicates communicator status and when lit (pulsating) indicates that key controller  124  is sending or receiving data. A pair of alarm indicators illuminate when key controller  124  is in an alarm state. A set of four active output indicator lights illuminate when the corresponding controller channel output is active. 
     As to the final structural components of apparatus  10 , FIGS.  3  and  5 - 8  show that apparatus  10  includes a set of wheels  136  which permit a user to move apparatus  10  around a work environment. In the preferred embodiment, four swivel locking castors are employed for wheels  136 . 
     Apparatus  10  operates a novel cryogenic thermal cycling process not seen heretofore. It is a computer controlled process that can subject articles placed within inner cavity  29  to temperatures below −330° F. and up to +500° F. Since the process is computer controlled, a precise processing profile can be achieved depending on the article being subjected to the cryogenic process. These profiles can be stored in memory for easy retrieval on key controller  124  or a PC (not shown) connected to parallel data port  120 . 
     Apparatus  10  can treat articles of varying molecular structure. Accordingly, the profile used in operation of the process employed in apparatus  10  may vary. It is most common to treat metal articles of manufacture for which a preferred cycle exists and will be fully described hereinbelow. However, apparatus  10  can treat a variety of articles as previously disclosed. And therefore, a plurality of methods exist which include different ranges of temperatures, soak times, and the number of ramping thermal cycles. 
     Typically, most articles begin the cryogenic process at ambient room temperature which is usually around 70-75° F. If the article is made of metal it is first wrapped in aluminum foil. With lid  28  open, the article(s) is placed into inner cavity  29  of apparatus  10 . Depending on the load size, switch  130  is either set to left, right or large. If the load is left or right, then barrier  60  is inserted into inner cavity  29 . All power connections are confirmed for proper connection. Power switch  116  is then turned to its on position thereby applying power to apparatus  10 . If a pre-programmed profile is to be used, it is brought up from memory either stored in key controller  124  or from a PC connected to data port  120 . If a new profile is to be used, it is programmed using the various buttons located on key controller  124  or by use of the PC. Next, lid  28  is shut but not yet secured closed using clamps  38 . Thereafter, the source of cryogenic material is connected to valve  82  and permitted to flow freely from its holding tank. Next, switch  128  is turned and held in the “purge” position to evacuate the ambient air (oxygen) present within inner cavity  29  while injecting the cryogenic material (nitrogen). The purging step, which could take up to two minutes, removes moisture from inner cavity  29  and ensures that the article will not rust (if treating a metal article). Once the ambient air is evacuated, clamps  38  are latched shut to completely secure lid  28  to bottom portion  11  of apparatus  10 . Since the programmed profile will control fans  52 , it is merely confirmed that fan switch  132  is in its “on” position. Finally, pull-start switch  134  is pulled outward initiating the process profile. 
     The article is first subjected to a negative Fahrenheit temperature which is typically brought down no lower than −320° F. (the temperature at which nitrogen transforms from a gaseous to a liquid state). The temperature however is at least brought down to a shallow cryogenic temperature of −80° F. It can be brought down at a rate of 0.1° to 100° F. per minute. Once reaching the target temperature, the article is soaked from 1 second to 24 hours. Thereafter, the temperature is increased (ramped upwards) but only to a level somewhere below 0° F. There, the article is allowed to soak for another 1 second to 24 hours. The rate of temperature change can again be between 0.1° to 100° F. per minute. The temperature is again brought back down to around −320° F. and allowed to soak for 1 second to 24 hours. This cycling process can be repeated indefinitely but does not require more than a first cycle. Since many of the soak times can be long however, it is unlikely that the cycling would exceed twenty-five cycles. After completely the last cycle, the temperature of inner cavity  29  is brought up to a positive Fahrenheit temperature somewhere between ambient room temperature to about +350° F. There, it is allowed to soak between 1 second and 24 hours. The temperature is again ramped at a rate of 0.1° to 100° F. Finally, the article temperature is brought back down to ambient room temperature and thereafter removed from inner cavity  29  of apparatus  10 . 
     In a preferred method, the article is placed into inner cavity  29  as described above. All preliminary steps, as set forth above, are carried out. The preferred profile is then chosen which practices the following steps. The article is brought down to −280° F. at a rate of 5° F. per minute and soaked for fifteen minutes. Thereafter, the temperature is ramped up to −100° F. at a rate of 5° F. per minute and soaked for fifteen minutes. A total of five cycles following this profile is carried out. After the fifth cycle, the temperature is ramped down to −280° F., soaked for fifteen minutes and then ramped up to +350° F. at a rate of 5° F. minute and held there for fifteen minutes. Finally, the article is allowed to cool to ambient room temperature by running fans  52  and or opening lid  28 . 
     Equivalent elements can be substituted for the ones set forth above such that they perform the same function in the same way for achieving the same result. Further, equivalent steps for the novel method of the present invention can be substituted for the ones set forth above such that the method performs the same function in the same way thereby achieving the same result.