Abstract: A sintering apparatus for silver clay wherein a silver clay composition can be readily and easily sintered by exposing a silver clay composition obtained by molding to a flame of a solid alcohol fuel.

Abstract: A convection braze furnace for brazing aluminum heat exchangers in an inert gas rich atmosphere includes entrance and exit vestibules forming atmosphere barriers of suspended stainless steel strips. The interior of the braze furnace is divided into multiple zones for progressively heating the heat exchangers to a brazing temperature and then cooling the heat exchangers in the final zone. An impeller circulates the heated intent gas atmosphere within each zone to accelerate heat transfer. A chain type conveyor supports the heat exchangers as they are moved through the braze furnace. An isolated return tube surrounds the lower return side of the conveyor chain as it passes through the braze furnace. The braze furnace housing is comprised of inner and outer shells having an inert gas pressurized interstitial cavity therebetween. The inner shell includes a plurality of expansion strips having generally ellipsoidal corner expansion joints.

Abstract: A vacuum furnace for heating dental reconstructionproducts using sintered powder metal that includes a sealed vacuum tube made of a material having a relatively low thermal shock resistance characteristic. The vacuum tube is desirably relatively short. The vacuum tube chamber has a heating chamber and end seals for the vacuum tube have a maximum use temperature of less than 200.degree. C. Insulation is positioned around and connected to the tube proximate the ends of the tube, and heating elements are placed around the heating chamber in an annular insulation chamber formed in the insulation between the insulation and the vacuum tube. Opposed annular clearances extending to positions proximately spaced from the ends of the tube and opening to the central annular insulation chamber are formed between the insulation means and the vacuum tube. The insulation prevents heat from passing to the ends of the tube and overheating the seals there.

Abstract: Disclosed is an infrared dryer which comprises (1) at least one infrared heater in a heating chamber, (2) a pair of mutually parallel air troughs which guide ambient air from an intake end of the dryer, along the top of the dryer, and empty air into a collector box of the air plenum at the downstream end of the dryer, (3) a header disposed above the heating chamber and ported to permit air from the header to be directed onto objects in the heating chamber, and (4) means for recirculating air from the heating chamber into the header.

Abstract: A partition of high thermal conductivity is provided to separate a furnace heating zone from a furnace reaction zone, the reaction zone being at least partially heated by radiant heat from the heating zone. In a preferred embodiment, the partition means comprises a plurality of individual panels which are arranged in horizontally extending rows across the furnace. A ceramic seal plate is secured over the longitudinal interface between the adjacent panels in the same horizontal row. The seal plates in one horizontal row which extend across the width of the furnace are slightly offset from the seal plates in adjacent rows to compensate for thermal expansion forces which may tend to move the panels and sealed expansion spaces are provided between adjacent panels in the width-wise and longitudinal direction.

Abstract: A portable grain drying apparatus comprising a wheeled frame having a cylindrical housing mounted thereon and extending upwardly therefrom. The housing is provided with a perforated wall portion to permit the escape of air therethrough. An inverted conical-shaped perforated lower floor is provided in the housing above the lower end thereof. The lower floor is provided with a plurality of diamond-shaped air passageways positioned thereon around a centrally disposed grain discharge opening formed in the lower floor. The air passageways also define radially extending grain passageways therebetween to facilitate the even flow of the grain on the lower floor towards the grain discharge opening.

Abstract: A tangentially gas fired muffle comprises a hinged annular housing defining inner and outer annular chambers divided by a ring of heat resistant perforate or expanded material. The outer annular chamber has inlets in the form of immersion tubes each locating an atmospheric burner, and outlet ports for discharging the products of the previous burner or burners. The perforate or expanded metal ring contains the combustion process in the outer annular chamber and also acts as a radiant for dissipating heat on a circumferential weld of two pipe sections. The gas burners are connected to a control console for supplying the burners continuously with gas at respective high and low flow rates. Solenoid valves, connected to temperature controllers, provide the burners continuously with gas at respective high and low flow rates. Energy regulators control the rate of heating.

Abstract: A radiant heater is provided with a fuel-fired radiant housed in a combustion chamber having a wall with a radiation-transmissive panel. A plenum adjacent the combustion chamber is provided with air under pressure greater than that in the combustion chamber. Air from the plenum is employed as primary combustion air for the fuel-fired radiant, and air from the plenum also is caused to flow cocurrently into the combustion chamber and to provide adjacent the inner surface of the radiation-transmissive panel a constantly replenished pool or cushion of cool air cooling the panel and providing a buffer layer to prevent impingement of hot combustion product gases thereon. The orientation of the heater within a space to be heated may be varied within limits without adversely affecting its operation, and the heater may be made of small size.

Abstract: A furnace for treating glass sheet material and the like in a glass tempering system. The furnace includes an upper glass treating zone and a lower gas treating and distributing zone for homogenizing gases of different temperatures to minimize exposure of the sheet being treated in the treating zone to uneven temperatures. Diametrically opposed inlets and outlets are provided in the side walls controlled by doors, and a slot in the top wall extends between the inlets and outlets to permit movement of a material carrier through the furnace. A pressure chamber communicates with the slot to cool conveyor elements at the top of the furnace, and also to provide a pressure barrier resisting the escape of gases from the furnace through the slots. Air curtains impinge on the tops of the doors in their closed positions to reduce leakage at the top of the doors.

Abstract: A furnace for heat treating glass sheet material including a circular enclosure having top, bottom and side walls of refractory material. Inlet and outlet openings are formed in the side walls. The side walls have an outer insulating layer and an inner layer of material having a low coefficient of thermal expansion, the inner layer having spaced end portions projecting beyond the outer layers and the periphery of the side walls to define said inlet and outlet openings. Each opening is controlled by doors, and each door includes an elongated support bar with a plurality of blocks of refractory material supported on the bar in end-to-end relationship. The blocks are adjustably secured to the bar to accommodate irregularities in the openings.