Caterpillar Inc.

Gregory S Holloway

Gary D Keil

Gary L Biltgen

Sheryl A Tipton

David R Gromer

A control system for heat-treating parts in a furnace structure is provided. A plurality of processing chambers, each having at least one part position, are adapted to simultaneously process a plurality of parts each for a respective predetermined processing time. A memory device stores first records representing processing times associated with each of the parts within each processing chamber, second records representing a desired processing path associated with each part through at least one processing chamber, and third records representing the number and location of occupied part positions within each processing chamber. A computerized control center calculates desired processing times associated with at least one processing chamber for a new part to be processed in the processing chamber. Additionally, the computerized control center determines an entrance time for the new part to enter the furnace structure, in response to the first, second, and third records, and to the calculated desired processing times.

Growing community of inventors

Metamora, IL, United States of America

Gregory S Holloway