Quenching apparatus and quenching method

Abstract

To perform blast quenching for a plurality of solution-treated workpieces in a uniform manner for a group of the workpieces to allow the group of the workpieces to have a uniform quality, there is provided a quenching apparatus configured to perform quenching treatment on a solution-treated workpiece unloaded from a solution treatment furnace. The solution treatment furnace includes a plurality of workpiece storage chambers arranged horizontally into an annular shape and stacked in a vertical direction and a plurality of workpiece unloading ports corresponding to the workpiece storage chambers. The quenching apparatus is provided so as to be movable in accordance with the positions of the workpiece unloading ports.

The invention claimed is: 
     
         1 . A quenching apparatus which performs quenching treatment on a solution-treated workpiece unloaded from a solution treatment furnace, the solution treatment furnace including a plurality of workpiece storage chambers and a plurality of workpiece unloading ports corresponding to the workpiece storage chambers, the quenching apparatus being provided so as to be movable in accordance with positions of the workpiece unloading ports. 
     
     
         2 . A quenching apparatus which performs quenching treatment on a solution-treated workpiece unloaded from a solution treatment furnace, the solution treatment furnace including a plurality of workpiece storage chambers arranged horizontally into an annular shape and stacked in a vertical direction and a plurality of workpiece unloading ports corresponding to the workpiece storage chambers, the quenching apparatus being provided so as to be movable in accordance with positions of the workpiece unloading ports. 
     
     
         3 . The quenching apparatus according to  claim 2 , comprising:
 a workpiece storage unit configured to store a workpiece unloaded from the workpiece unloading ports; and   an air-cooling fan configured to air-cool the workpiece stored in the workpiece storage unit.   
     
     
         4 . The quenching apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein
 the workpiece storage unit is provided with a shutter capable of opening and closing at a place where the workpiece is to be loaded and unloaded.   
     
     
         5 . The quenching apparatus according to  claim 3 , further comprising:
 a straightening plate configured to straighten an air flow generated by the air-cooling fan.   
     
     
         6 . The quenching apparatus according to  claim 2 , comprising:
 a plurality of the workpiece unloading ports provided in the vertical direction of the solution treatment furnace, wherein   the quenching apparatus is provided to be movable up and down in accordance with the positions of the workpiece unloading ports.   
     
     
         7 . A quenching method for performing a quenching treatment by using the quenching apparatus according to  claim 1 .