Patent ID: 7419566

Claim:
A plasma heat treatment reactor comprising a vacuum-tight container ( 10 ) adapted to be connected with a vacuum pump and including a process room ( 13 ) of an annular shape for receiving work ( 14 ), a voltage source ( 18 ) for applying a voltage to the work ( 14 ), a switchable radiation receiver ( 15 , 16 ;) in said process room ( 13 ) for controlling the temperature radiating from the work ( 14 ), said switchable radiation receiver ( 15 , 16 ;) including at least one cooling device ( 15 , 16 ) arranged in the container ( 10 ) and including at least four cooling elements ( 15 a , 15 b ; 16 a , 16 b ) for dissipating heat radiating from the work ( 14 ), the at least four cooling elements ( 15 a , 15 b ; 16 a , 16 b ) being cooling coils having windings which are interlaced with each other in respective pairs ( 15 a , 15 b and 16 a , 16 b ), a first interlaced pair ( 16 a , 16 b ) of the at least four cooling elements ( 15 a , 15 b ; 16 a , 16 b ) being surrounded by the annular process room ( 13 ); a remaining interlaced pair ( 15 a , 15 b ) of the at least four cooling elements ( 15 a , 15 b ; 16 a , 16 b ) being annularly arranged exteriorly to and about the process room ( 13 ), and heat sensor means for detecting the temperature of the interior of the reactor ( 10 ) whereby connecting or disconnecting the individual cooling elements ( 15 a , 15 b ; 16 a , 16 b ) can be effected.