Abstract: The specification discloses an extrusion billet quenching system which directs a continuous circular curtain of water onto a billet to be quenched. The water delivery system is a spray ring defining a continuous opening about its entire circumference. The opening is defined by a pair of plates. Push and pull screws enable the width of the opening to be carefully adjusted. A reciprocating billet pusher assembly includes opposite cantilevered heads for pushing billets through the ring in either of two opposite directions.

Abstract: The specification discloses an extrusion billet quenching system which directs a continuous circular curtain of water onto a billet to be quenched. The water delivery system is a spray ring defining a continuous opening about its entire circumference. The opening is defined by a pair of plates. Push and pull screws enable the width of the opening to be carefully adjusted. A reciprocating billet pusher assembly includes opposite cantilevered heads for pushing billets through the ring in either of two opposite directions.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for conditioning an aluminum billet for extrusion from an extrusion press. The billet is first heated above the solutionizing temperature for the MgSi phases in the aluminum matrix, then the billet is cooled below the solutionizing temperature to an adequate hot working temperature. Preferably, a temperature gradient is created along the length of the billet wherein one end of the billet is at or above the hot working temperature and the other end of the billet is cooled to a temperature below the hot working temperature. Thereafter, the billet is placed into the extrusion die, the hot end adjacent the die and the cool end adjacent the ram of the extrusion press. The billet is then extruded producing an extruded product with uniform properties along the length of the product with minimal defects such as tearing or hot shorting.

Abstract: A temperature controlled probe assembly (58) for measuring log temperatures in a furnace (10) for heating metal logs (20) includes a carriage (88) selectively movable by a pneumatically controlled air cylinder (64). The carriage (88) includes a barrel (92) having an air chamber (102), a pair of thermocouple probe rods (40, 42) extending through the barrel (92), and cooling air channels (126) opening into the air chamber (102) for supplying air to cool the probes (40, 42). Another thermocouple (94) measures the temperature of the environment surrounding the thermocouple probe rods (40, 42) and a cooling air regulator (160) is selectively actuated when the temperature of the probe environment is greater than a predetermined temperature. The regulator (160) varies the amount of cooling air supplied to the probe rods (40, 42) in accordance with the amount of combustion air being used by the furnace (10).

Abstract: An extrusion run-out table for aluminum extrusions and the like has an extrusion support table for supporting extruded profiles as they are extruded from an extrusion press along an extrusion path and a conveyor for moving the extruded shapes from the extrusion support table to a cooling area and to a further processing area. The extrusion support table includes a set of elongated heat-resistant bars mounted perpendicular to the extrusion path, with the bars extending laterally of the extrusion path into the cooling area a distance sufficient to position one or more of the extended shapes in laterally spaced relationship to the extrusion path. The extruded shapes are cooled through an air manifold above the extrusion path and through a series of air jet nozzles which project cooling air against the extruded shapes as they are extruded.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for heating metal logs of a predetermined length in which the logs are cut into billets for an extrusion press. A furnace has an elongated heating chamber with an entrance opening and an exit opening. A pusher table is mounted adjacent the entrance opening of the furnace and a conveyor extends along the pusher table, through the entrance opening of the furnace, through the furnace heating chamber and through the exit opening thereof. A log dispenser is mounted adjacent the pusher table for dispensing logs seriatim onto the conveyor at the pusher table. An insert log has a length substantially less than the given length of the logs in the log train and is selectively positioned in the log train between the pusher and the lagging log in the log train to increase the effective length of the log train prior to adding a new log to the log train.

Abstract: A temperature control system (50) for use in a furnace (10) for heating metal logs (13) as the logs (13) move through a furnace heating chamber (12) includes thermocouples (52a-52e) adapted to sense log temperatures by direct contact during intermittent time intervals when the logs (13) are stationary. Radiation sensors (64a-64 e) continuously sense radiant energy emitted from the logs (13) and a temperature compensation circuit (62) compares signals representative of log temperatures as measured by thermocouples (52a-52e) and the radition sensors (64a-64e). The difference between the signals is utilized during time intervals when the logs (13) are moving as a compensation factor for the continuous signals representative of log temperatures based on sensed radiation. The compensated signals and signals representative of desired set point temperatures are applied to log temperature controllers (80a-80e) to regulate the thermal energy applied to the logs (13).

Abstract: A rotary heat exchanger (10) for a furnace or incinerator has a gap face seal structure which is adjustable during operation of the heat exchanger. A rotary wheel (40) is disposed between adjacent face seals (32, 34) in a housing (15). The face seals (32, 34) are spaced from adjacent side surfaces of the wheel (40) by a predetermined gap. The wheel (40) is carried on a shaft journalled in bearings (48, 54) mounted to a first section (11) of the housing (15). The bearings (48, 54) are coupled to the shaft (41) to permit axial displacement of the shaft (41) relative to the housing (15). The first section (11) of the housing is joined to a second section (12) by an adjustable coupling (26) to permit relative displacement therebetween. In this way, the gaps between the wheel (40) and the face seals (32, 34) can be adjusted while the wheel is hot to maintain the gaps at a minimum to reduce the thermal gradients across the wheel which may induce stresses and cracks in the wheel.

Abstract: A furnace (10) has a preheater zone (12) into which exhaust gases of a combustion chamber (14) are recycled for preheating of articles passing through the furnace. The exhaust gases are supplied to the preheater zone (12) through jet pipes (18) which create a turbulent flow about the articles in the furnace (10). The exhaust gases are withdrawn by a fan (30) which is disposed in a duct (34) adjacent to the furnace entrance (13). To prevent the introduction of ambient air into the furnace (10), a pressure chamber (56), which is maintained at an elevated pressure relative to the ambient air, is provided within the preheater zone (12), with the chamber (56) pressurized by gases supplied by the jet pipes (18). A sealing arrangement defined by the pressure chamber (56) and the articles passing through the furnace prevents the introduction of cool air through the preheater zone (12).

Abstract: An incinerator for combustible fumes in a mixture of such fumes and air wherein the fumes are raised to incineration temperature by combustion of a normally liquid fuel such as oil. The fumes and air mixture is first heated, preferably by heat exchange with the combustion chamber, to the vaporization temperature of the liquid fuel which is injected in atomized form into the heated fume and air mixture. The fume and air mixture along with the vaporized liquid fuel is then drawn through a fan which substantially homogeneously disperses the vaporized liquid fuel in the fume and air mixture and passes the homogeneous mixture to a combustion zone having a flame grid through which the liquid fuel-containing mixture passes. The liquid fuel in the mixture is ignited at the flame grid to form a flame curtain which raises the temperature of the fume and air mixture to incineration or oxidation temperature of the fumes. The fumes are thus oxidized and can thereafter be exhausted to the atmosphere.

Abstract: A fume incinerator having a rotary heat exchanger with a novel seal structure therefor. A rotating rotary heat exchanger wheel is positioned in the mouth of a tubular incinerator having a closed end wall opposite to the rotary heat exchanger. A baffle extends from the heat exchanger wheel to a point spaced from the closed end of the incinerator so that the fume and air mixture, after passing through one side of the heat exchanger wheel, is passed through one side of the incinerator wherein it is heated to a temperature sufficient to oxidize the fumes in the mixture, passes around the end of the baffle to the other side of the incinerator and through the other side of the heat exchanger wheel. The fume and air mixture is preheated from the heat of combustion as it passes through the heat exchanger wheel. The heat exchanger wheel is axially tapered and a seal member surrounding the heat exchanger is likewise tapered in a complementary manner.

Abstract: An industrial heating furnace wherein heat in exhaust gases is transferred to combustion air for burners in the furnace through a rotary ceramic heat exchanger. In one embodiment, turbulating air pipes are positioned in the furnace and the heated combustion air is supplied to the turbulating air pipes as well. The turbulating air pipes may be juxtaposed to and positioned across an elongated heating chamber. Liquid fuel in atomized form can be injected into the heated combustion air upstream of the burner.

Abstract: An incinerator for combustible fumes in a mixture of such fumes and air wherein the fumes are raised to incineration temperature by combustion of a normally liquid fuel such as oil. The fumes and air mixture is first heated, preferably by heat exchange with the combustion chamber, to the vaporization temperature of the liquid fuel which is injected in atomized form into the heated fume and air mixture. The fume and air mixture along with the vaporized liquid fuel is then drawn through a fan which substantially homogeneously disperses the vaporized liquid fuel in the fume and air mixture and passes the homogeneous mixture to a combustion zone having a flame grid through which the liquid fuel-containing mixture passes. The liquid fuel in the mixture is ignited at the flame grid to form a flame curtain which raises the temperature of the fume and air mixture to incineration or oxidation temperature of the fumes. The fumes are thus oxidized and can thereafter be exhausted to the atmosphere.

Abstract: A fume incinerator having a rotary heat exchanger with a novel seal structure therefor. A rotating rotary heat exchanger wheel is positioned in the mouth of a tubular incinerator having a closed end wall opposite to the rotary heat exchanger. A baffle extends from the heat exchanger wheel to a point spaced from the closed end of the incinerator so that the fume and air mixture, after passing through one side of the heat exchanger wheel, is passed through one side of the incinerator wherein it is heated to a temperature sufficient to oxidize the fumes in the mixture, passes around the end of the baffle to the other side of the incinerator and through the other side of the heat exchanger wheel. The fume and air mixture is preheated from the heat of combustion as it passes through the heat exchanger wheel. The heat exchanger wheel is axially tapered and a seal member surrounding the heat exchanger is likewise tapered in a complementary manner.