Deborah Anne Clark

US Patent:

58594043, Jan 12, 1999

Filed:

Oct 12, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/543860

Inventors:

Ronghua R. Wei - Calabasas CA
Jesse N. Matossian - Canoga Park CA
Peter Mikula - Sterling Heights MI
Deborah Clark - Saline MI

Assignee:

Hughes Electronics Corporation - El Segundo CA
General Motors Corporation - Detroit MI

International Classification:

B23K 1000
C23C 1500

US Classification:

21912143

Abstract:

A plasma heating apparatus for heating a workpiece includes a chamber of sufficient size to receive a workpiece therein and a source of a reduced gas pressure within the chamber of from about 0. 01 to about 100 millitorr. The plasma heating apparatus further includes a plasma source of an enveloping plasma. Optionally, a workpiece voltage may be applied between the workpiece and the wall of the chamber, and a source of a reactive gas can be provided to backfill the chamber, and radiant heaters can be provided to independently heat portions of the workpiece. In operation, the plasma source produces a plasma that surrounds and heats the workpiece. The plasma and the heating of the workpiece are tailored to achieve controllably uniform or nonuniform heat treatment and/or surface treatment of the workpiece. The apparatus can be used to heat treat the workpiece in vacuum, or a reactive gas such as a gaseous source of nitrogen, carbon, or boron can be backfilled into the chamber to alter the surface chemistry of the workpiece.

Address:

730 Is Vw Cir, Port Hueneme, CA 93041

VIN:

JHMFA36279S003737

Make:

HONDA

Model:

CIVIC

Year:

2009