Abstract: An annealing installation for the continuous annealing of metal strip guided through the installation, includes an entrance chute 2, a first top roller chamber 3, a heating station 4, 5, 6, a cooling station 7, 8, a second top roller chamber 9 and a discharge chute 10 together delimiting an M-shaped meandering tunnel with four legs connected with each other via the two top roller chambers and a lower turning section. The entrance chute extends along the first one of the legs, the heating and the cooling stations extend along the second one of the legs, the lower turning section and the third one of the legs, and the discharge chute extends along the fourth one of the legs. Strip feeding and discharging means are provided for continuously guiding the strip as a free-hanging loop between the two top roller chambers through the heating and cooling stations during a process of annealing.

Abstract: Strip guiding device for guiding hot metal strip, comprising a frame, a support construction which is accommodated in the frame in such a manner that it can rotate about an axis, drive means for the stepwise rotation of the support construction in the frame, at least two supporting rolls which are rotatably and removably arranged in the support construction, insulating means which are connected to the support construction and are positioned between the supporting rolls, and cooling means for cooling each supporting roll, in which device the cooling means for each supporting roll comprise a cooling body which is connected to the support construction, each cooling body extending in the longitudinal direction of the associated supporting roll, externally delimiting this roll over part of the circumference, and being positioned at a distance from the support roll, each cooling body cooling the associated supporting roll as a result of direct radiation from the said roll.

Abstract: The vertical annealing furnace for the continuous bright annealing of a metal strip guided through the furnace comprises: a vertically disposed muffle having a strip entry side and a strip exit side, the muffle having the freedom to expand in a longitudinal direction, and the muffle being disposed such that the strip entry side is situated at a top side of the muffle and the strip exit side is situated at an underside of the muffle; heating structure for externally heating the muffle; bearing structure for fixedly supporting the underside of the muffle such that it is delimited downwards in the longitudinal direction; an expansion section being provided on the top side of the muffle for taking up thermal expansion in the longitudinal direction of generally the entire muffle; and vertically movable support structure for exerting an upwardly directed support force on the muffle, the vertically movable support structure being connected to an upper part of the muffle.

Abstract: A suction sieve has a cylindrical sieve body made up of several annular, modular cassette elements that are axially spaced apart and coupled to one another. The cassette elements surround a central suction chamber and are clamped together between an end plate that covers the suction chamber and a flange for connection to a suction line of a cooling water pump. Each cassette unit is formed of two annular, perforated side wall sections and several perforated wall segments that are circumferentially spaced apart and arranged between the side wall sections. The perforated wall segments and the side wall sections form sieve pockets that essentially extend in the radial direction and open toward the outer periphery of the sieve body so that water can flow through the sieve pockets in all directions. Discharge gaps extend in an essentially radial direction, open into the suction chamber, and are formed between the sieve pockets and between the cassette units.

Abstract: The valve comprises a first pressure chamber (2), an outlet chamber (6) and a valve body (8), cooperating with a first valve seat (12), and also a second pressure chamber (13) delimited by the valve body. The valve body (8) comprises a control piston (22) which cooperates with a second valve seat (26) and is movable between a closing position and an open position. The control piston delimits in a valve chamber (17) a first sub-chamber, which faces away from the second valve seat (26) and communicates with the first pressure chamber (2), a second sub-chamber, which faces the second valve seat (26) and communicates with the outlet chamber (6), and a middle sub-chamber, which surrounds the cylindrical surface of the control piston and communicates with the second pressure chamber (13). The control piston (22) establishes in the closing position transfer communication between the first and the middle sub-chamber, and in the open position transfer communication between the second and the middle sub-chamber.

Abstract: Performance of a high temperature diffusion furnace is enhanced by an improved multi-furnace module design. The furnace is constructed of materials suitable for clean room environments with an adjustable leveling frame assembly. A slide out assembly and heating element alignment mechanism of individual furnace tube modules with a heating element hoist mechanism allows for enhanced maintainability. Heat treatment performance is improved by a sealed heating element with individual furnace module cooling system. Improved thermocouple positioning and composition has also enhanced heat treatment process control and heating element maintainability.

Abstract: Performance of a high temperature diffusion furnace is enhanced by an improved multi-furnace module design. The furnace is constructed of materials suitable for clean room environments with an adjustable leveling frame assembly. A slide out assembly and heating element alignment mechanism of individual furnace tube modules with a heating element hoist mechanism allows for enhanced maintainability. Heat treatment performance is improved by a sealed heating element with individual furnace module cooling system. Improved thermocouple positioning and composition has also enhanced heat treatment process control and heating element maintainability.

Abstract: Performance of a high temperature diffusion furnace is enhanced by an improved multi-furnace module design. The furnace is constructed of materials suitable for clean room environments with an adjustable leveling frame assembly. A slide out assembly and heating element alignment mechanism of individual furnace tube modules with a heating element hoist mechanism allows for enhanced maintainability. Heat treatment performance is improved by a sealed heating element with individual furnace module cooling system. Improved thermocouple positioning and composition has also enhanced heat treatment process control and heating element maintainability.

Abstract: Performance of a high temperature diffusion furnace is enhanced by an improved multi-furnace module design. The furnace is constructed of materials suitable for clean room environments with an adjustable leveling frame assembly. A slide out assembly and heating element alignment mechanism of individual furnace tube modules with a heating element hoist mechanism allows for enhanced maintainability. Heat treatment performance is improved by a sealed heating element with individual furnace module cooling system. Improved thermocouple positioning and composition has also enhanced heat treatment process control and heating element maintainability.

Abstract: Performance of a high temperature diffusion furnace is enhanced by an improved multi-furnace module design. The furnace is constructed of materials suitable for clean room environments with an adjustable leveling frame assembly. A slide out assembly and heating element alignment mechanism of individual furnace tube modules with a heating element hoist mechanism allows for enhanced maintainability. Heat treatment performance is improved by a sealed heating element with individual furnace module cooling system. Improved thermocouple positioning and composition has also enhanced heat treatment process control and heating element maintainability.

Abstract: The apparatus is provided with a line (1) connected to the containment for feeding air to a water bath (5). The line (1) is connected to plurality of nozzles (4) disposed in the water bath (5) having at least one perforate baffle plate (27) disposed above said nozzles. A set (6) of static mixing elements (30, 31, 32) surrounded by a jacket (7) is disposed above said baffle plate (27). A dry separating stage is disposed above the water bath (5) and the set (6) and consists of an entry separator (8) and an agglomerator (9) which are in the form of annular discs. Air emerging from the set successfully flows through the entry separator (8) and the agglomerator (9) in opposite directions. The entry separator (8) and the agglomerator (9) consist of static mixing elements.

Abstract: The reactor pressure vessel comprises a pipe socket (2) connected to a feed-water supply line (3), in which is disposed a coaxial protective sleeve (5) (thermal sleeve) which expands with changes in temperature. With its outer end the protective sleeve (5) slidably abuts the pipe socket (2) and with its inner end it is connected to a feed-water distributing ring situated in the vessel. A pipe section (10), in which bellows (15) are disposed, is inserted between the outer end of the pipe socket (2) and the feed-water supply line (3). With one end the bellows (15) are tightly connected to the outer end of the protective sleeve (5) and with their other end they are tightly connected to the pipe section (10).

Abstract: The furnace 70 includes a heating element 72 which is restrained from growth during operation of the furnace 70 by retaining spacers 84 which provide a yoke 88 around the individual coils 102 of the heating element 72 and which spacers 84 are interlocked with each other. A high alumina fiber insulation 180 is applied to insulate the heating element 72. This high alumina fiber insulation 180 has enhanced properties with respect to shrinkage and devitrification.

Abstract: The furnace 70 includes a heating element 72 which is restrained from growth during operation of the furnace 70 by retaining spacers 84 which provide a yoke 88 around the individual coils 102 of the heating element 72 and which spacers 84 are interlocked with each other. A high alumina fiber insulation 180 is applied to insulate the heating element 72. This high alumina fiber insulation 180 has enhanced properties with respect to shrinkage and devitrification.

Abstract: An energy efficient heating element (10) is set forth which includes a resistance wire (15). The wire (15) has a diameter at 20.degree. C., d, and has a generally sinuated configuration defining a plurality of loops (30). The wire (15) is bent backwards centrally (32) to form first (34) and second (36) generally parallel sections with the loops defining alternately inwardly facing (38a) and outwardly facing (38b) concavities (38a,38b) which have respective interior sections (40a,40b) and mouths (42a, 42b). The interior sections (40a,40b) generally have diameters of at least about 3d at 20.degree. C. The mouths (42a,42b) have dimensions of less than the diameters of the interior sections (40a,40b) but at least about 2d at actual operating temperature. The closest approaching portions of loops (30) are separated by at least 2d at operating temperature. The wire (15) defines a generally continuous body (44) of thickness, d, at 20.degree. C.