Abstract: A radiant gas-fired burner having a back plate for connection to a supply of air and gas which, together with a combined refractory fiber pad-metal support structure, defines a plenum for supply of a combustible air-gas mixture. A foraminous metallic member is embedded within a porous pad of refractory fibers and interlocked therewith. Lugs affixed to the rear surface of the metallic member afford connection to said back plate in a manner allowing easy detachment therefrom without dismounting said back plate from its operative position. The burner has a rectangular surface that is uniformly radiant which was formed by vacuum-forming a refractory fiber felt onto the foraminous member. Metal foil around the periphery of the pad prevents gas flow from escaping through the side edge.

Abstract: A thermal-insulating panel for use in an electric furnace. A refractory fiber mat is formed of discrete refractory fibers bonded together by an inorganic bonding agent having a hot face, a cold face and a plurality of side faces. A plurality of individual ceramic supports are partially embedded in said mat and protrude outward from the hot face. The embedded portions are shaped so as to be firmly anchored within the mat, and the protruding portions are shaped to support an electrical resistance heating ribbon in the interior of the furnace.The modules are preferably formed in a felting box where the ceramic supports extend horizontally from cavities in the front wall. The layers of fibers build up upon the bottom screen in planes perpendicular to the hot face of the module.

Abstract: A method of making a thermal-insulating panel for use in an electric furnace. A refractory fiber mat is formed in a felting box from a suspension of discrete refractory fibers plus an inorganic bonding agent. The modules have a hot face, a cold face and a plurality of side faces. A plurality of individual ceramic supports are partially embedded in said mat and protrude outward from the hot face. The embedded portions are shaped so as to be firmly anchored within the mat, and the protruding portions are shaped to support an electrical resistance heating ribbon in the interior of the furnace.The modules are preferably formed in a special felting box having a front wall that has a plurality of cavities from which the ceramic supports extend horizontally into the main portion of the box. The layers of fibers build up upon the bottom screen in planes perpendicular to the hot face of the module.

Abstract: A heat-insulating panel is made by disposing a metal supporting member adjacent a felting screen to lay down a wet refractory fiber mat from an aqueous, refractory fiber-colloidal silica mixture about the metal member. The member has a central base section and a pair of wings extending in opposite directions from opposite edges of the central section, with the wings being disposed at an angle of between about 130.degree. and about 80.degree. to each other and each containing a plurality of holes. After drying, the member is embedded within the mat with individual fibers extending through the holes and firmly anchoring the member. The member is located adjacent the rear surface of the heat-insulating panel, and its central section contains an aperture through which a support rod is passed to mount the panel.