Abstract: A door assembly for semiconductor processing equipment used to treat semiconductor substrates, wafers, photomasks, data disks, and other units. The door assembly is mounted to the front wall of a semiconductor processor enclosure having an access opening by means of a pair of guide rods and corresponding sliding bushings connected to the door which encircle the rods to allow movement of the door along the guide rods. A magnetic rodless piston mounted in an actuator bushing block which is magnetically coupled to an actuator bushing block moves the door assembly along the guide rods. The door assembly telescopically moves toward and away from the access opening to allow units to be installed into and removed from the enclosure, and to close the access opening. A window including an expandable seal is secured to an extension piece of the telescoping door assembly to seal between the door assembly and the access opening.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for the semi-continuous melting of ceramic material by means of inductive melting in high-frequency and medium-frequency induction melting furnaces whose melting coil surrounds a sintering crust crucible and contains a run-out channel. In the method, melt is periodically run out and material to be melted is supplied to the crucible so as to replace the material removed preferably so as to maintain a constant level. An intensively cooled channel is used as a run-out device. For the melt broaching, the melt nose is grasped from below by way of an automatically controllable broaching lance of a broaching device and raised. The broaching lance is then advanced between the bottom of the channel and the solidified melt until the sintering crust is pierced. The method permits a reliable and economic management of the process and the maintenance of the quality of the melted products.

Abstract: A vertical heat treating apparatus comprises a casing having an opening through which articles to be processed are loaded and unloaded, a heat treating furnace provided in the casing, a loading and unloading mechanism provided under the heat treating furnace so as to load the articles to be processed in and unload the same from the heat treating furnace, and a clean air flow forming unit provided in a space which is formed in the casing and in which the loading and unloading mechanism is provided so as to form a clean air flow conducted from one side of the casing to the opposite side thereof.

Abstract: A tuckstone assembly (14) for an industrial type furnace (10) fills a space between a wall of the furnace and a supporting member (19) that supports the furnace superstructure. The tuckstone assembly (14) has a support block (26) having a sloped upper surface (27) and a nose block (37) having a mating sloped lower surface (38). The longitudinal profile of the tuckstone is reduced for insertion in the space of the furnace wall by sliding the nose block forwardly, and the enlarged nose portion (42) is made to cover the support plate (19) by sliding the nose block (37) back to where the ends of the support block and the nose block substantially coincide.

Abstract: A furnace lining is formed by a plurality of lining bricks. The bricks have surfaces defining an internal surface of the lining that is to face the interior of the furnace and to receive therefrom radiant heat. At least one depression is formed in the lining and opens onto the surface through an opening. The depression has internal wall surfaces that are geometrically configured to cause radiant heat from the furnace interior that impinges on a first internal wall surface to be reflected thereby and to impinge therefrom onto a second internal wall surface. Thus, the heat will be absorbed by the bricks of the lining, and such heat will be emitted thereby from the inner surface thereof.

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 inert 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 cavity interstitial therebetween. The inner shell includes a plurality of expansion strips having generally ellipsoidal corner expansion joints.

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 inert 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 cavity interstitial therebetween. The inner shell includes a plurality of expansion strips having generally ellipsoidal corner expansion joints.

Abstract: An improved furnace for heating or heat-treating of particulate materials, the furnace having an elongated body, preferably vertical, forming a triskele cylinder having a desired cross-sectional area defined by four (4) circles of identical diameter, a central circle, and three (3) tangential outer circles, the center of each tangential circle symmetrically placed 120 degrees about the central circle, each of said circles being connected by tangential arcs of about the same diameter as the circles. The furnace shell is a high performance corrosion resistant nickel-base alloy, including cobalt, chromium, and silicon, whereby the critical contents of cobalt and silicon provide improved sulfidation resistance.

Abstract: The invention provides a construction block useful in the construction of coke oven combustion chamber assemblies. The construction block is a rectangularly-shaped unit comprises:(a) an upper and lower wall surface, wherein the construction block's upper wall surface comprises at least one ridge or groove running along at least a portion of the longitudinal axis of the construction block's upper wall surface, and wherein the construction block's lower wall surface comprises at least one ridge or groove running along at least a portion of the longitudinal axis of the construction block's lower wall surface,(b) a left and right side wall surface, and(c) two end wall surfaces, wherein at least one of the two end wall surfaces is offset along the longitudinal axis of said construction block's upper and lower wall surfaces to define one-half of a horizontally-oriented, L-shaped lap joint.

Abstract: A furnace comprising a cylindrical heater and a cylindrical insulation around the heater, wherein the insulation has anisotropy in heat transfer and a direction along which the thermal conductivity of the insulation is small corresponds to a direction along which temperature gradient within the insulation is steep. The insulation is formed of plural anisotropic parts arranged such that the direction along which thermal conductivity is low of one part blocks heat transfer from a direction along which the thermal conductivity of another part is high.

Abstract: A melting furnace has a supporting structure of thermostable steel, and an internal shell of common steel, serving as a contact area for the refractory lining of the furnace.

Abstract: A rear module wall before a burn-in system that provides burn-in boards for electronic components to permit passing connections through slots while maintaining a good heat seal. The module rear wall is a sandwich type construction of a plurality of layers with insulating silicon rubber sandwiched between slotted backing sheets to provide for double insulation for the boards as then are slid through the slots from the interior of the oven into a tempered zone or to the exterior where they are connected to driver receiver boards and other connections.

Abstract: A lining element for heat treatment furnaces comprises lining material consisting of insulating material, an elongate supporting element for transversely piercing the lining material, and elongate fastening members for attachment of the element to the interior furnace wall provided at both ends of the supporting element. The free ends of the fastening members are provided with projections extending transversely to the longitudinal direction of the fastening members at the height of a planar interior surface of the element, which surface will be closest to the interior furnace wall.

Abstract: A roof structure has a plurality of layers of heat resistant material, at least a first of the layers including a first brick layer, at least a second of the layers above the first of the layers including a heat resistant compound, and the heat resistant compound being unshaped when initially installed above the first of the layers. A method of forming a roof structure in an opening between side walls of a chamber includes the steps of installing at least one layer of bricks in the opening directly above the chamber, applying at least one layer of a first concrete in an unshaped form in the opening over the at least one layer of the bricks, tamping the at least one layer of the first concrete at at least a first predetermined temperature, and allowing the at least one layer of the first concrete to harden.

Abstract: This invention relates to an apparatus and method for retaining the configuration of an aperture formed through a coil when the coil is supported on a saddle. The saddle has a pair of spaced apart upstanding legs. The apparatus includes a first and a second member, with the second member having a length sufficient to span the legs of the saddle. A pair of arms are pivotably attached to the first member and the arms are joined to the second member by a pair of links. The links enable the arms to move between a first position in which the arms are spaced inward and apart from the perimeter of the aperture when the second member is not in contact with the legs of the saddle and a second position in which the arms cooperate with the first member to support the weight of the coil when the second member is in contact with the legs of the saddle. The apparatus is particularly useful for supporting a coil during a heat treatment operation.

Abstract: A floor which comprises a plurality of structural elements (10) of elongated parallelepiped shape with their longitudinal axis disposed horizontally. The structural elements are disposed adjacent to each other to form a flat horizontal structure supported by two opposing vertical walls (23) and 24) of the kiln. Each structural element (10) comprises two internal beams (11) positioned to the axis of the element and a plurality of blocks (12) of thermally insulating material, each being provided with two through holes (13) by which they are mounted along the internal beams (11). The blocks (12) are slidable along the internal beams (11); means also being provided for acting on the ends of the row of said blocks (12) to compress the row in an axial direction, thereby pressing the blocks together. The internal beams (11) are stressed only partially by the weight of the blocks (12), which can therefore have a greater specific gravity or thickness to increase the insulating effect of the floor.

Abstract: A refractory clad lid for heating vessel is disclosed. The lid includes a plurality of refractory blocks supported from a hollow metal paney by an interlocking dovetailed joint configuration at the panel/block interface. Coolant is circulated through the panel to control lid temperature and reduce block water.

Abstract: An apparatus for the thermal decomposition of a fluid toxic substance contained in a gas comprises a cylindrical main combustion chamber and a secondary combustion chamber arranged thereabove. An inlet opening leads into the main combustion chamber at an angle to introduce a stream of the gas containing the toxic substance into the main combustion chamber with an angular momentum, a burner is arranged to direct a flame into the main combustion chamber above the inlet opening for subjecting the gas containing the toxic substance to combustion, and an annular gas stream retaining device is arranged above the burner.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a ceramic composite material having a high thermal conductivity. The ceramic composite material consists of a network of metal fibers embedded in a ceramic material and where the network of fibers on one side of the ceramic composite material extends out to the surface of ceramic composite material. A part of the metal fibers may be substituted by ceramic fibers and/or carbon fibers. Preferably, the area of the network of metal fibers occupies 60-95% of the total area of the surface wherein the network of metal fibers extends out to the surface of the ceramic composite material. The present invention further relates to a refractory lining for metallurgical smelting furnace wherein at least a part of the above described ceramic composite material is connected by a metallic bond to a cooled metallic part of the smelting furnace.

Abstract: A ring furnace having pits arranged in rows and sections with individual headwalls between adjacent pits in each row and flue sections separating adjacent pits in each section with the flue sections meeting end-to-end to provide a continuous flue on each side of a row of pits. The connection between adjacent flue section ends is adapted to provide for longitudinal expansion and contraction of each flue section, and is also adapted to provide a tight seal between connected flue ends without a need for using a sealing material at such connection.

Abstract: A seal arrangement is disclosed for use in a furnance which utilizes a thin, cylindrical imperforate shell member which is heated from an external source to heat work placed within the shell. An insulated arrangement within and outside of the shell extends a spaced distance from the shell's opening to sandwich the shell's wall therebetween. The arrangement prevents heat flux by radiation and convection from heating the sandwiched wall thus permitting graded cooling of the sandwiched shell wall by conduction to a temperature whereat a conventional elastomer seal can be employed to seal the shell member.

Abstract: Roof of a working tank or of a glass melting furnace having a basin containing molten glass and covered by the radiation roof of highly refractory firebrick material, in which the roof is constructed with horizontal supporting elements in the form of straight arches (3) bearing the load of the roof (1) and spanning the tank at intervals, and with horizontal slabs (4) covering the open intervals between the supporting elements (3) and laid crosswise between the supporting elements (3).

Abstract: An improved slot forge type furnace, including a front or workstation wall constituted of vacuum formed modules of fibrous insulating material; the wall in the form of an arch, is assembled of a number of elongated modules, sometimes referred to as logs, which are adhered together and compressively positioned abutting the interior side thermal lining and arched top of the furnace. As wear develops in the bottom edge of the front arch wall, which edge defines the top of the slot, the wall is removed, its bottom edge is cut back, and the wall is repositioned.

Abstract: A seal arrangement is disclosed for use in a furnace which utilizes a thin, cylindrical imperforate shell member which is heated from an external source to heat work placed within the shell. An insulated arrangement within and outside of the shell extends a spaced distance from the shell's opening to sandwich the shell's wall therebetween. The arrangement prevents heat flux by radiation and convection from heating the sandwiched wall thus permitting graded cooling of the sandwiched shell wall by conduction to a temperature whereat a conventional elastomer seal can be employed to seal the shell member.

Abstract: A spring heat treating furnace in which untreated springs are charged through a charging port in the body thereof, the springs being heat-treated while being conveyed along a conveyance passageway inside the body. The heat-treated springs are discharged from a discharge port in the furnace body, said conveyance passageway being formed into a spiral passageway capable of arranging said springs in the direction of conveyance. A passageway vibrating device is disposed at the lower portion of said conveyance passageway for vibrating the passageway to convey the springs in a discharging direction.

Abstract: An oven construction in which an elongated oven assembly is provided by manufacturing a plurality of oven modules at a factory location and then shipping the modules to the usage site where they are assembled together in end-to-end fashion to form the final oven assembly. Each oven module includes an outer shell and an inner shell mounted so as to be spaced apart for insulation therebetween. The shells are interconnected at one point along the length thereof, but are allowed to expand differentially along the remainder of their lengths. The outer shell is rigidly tied to a foundation but the inner shell, through any of various approaches, is allowed to slide or move relative to the foundation everywhere except the one point where it is secured to the outer shell. Each module has a bellows-type expansion joint around the periphery of one end to allow for interconnection of the modules, one to another.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a ceramic composite material having a high thermal conductivity. The ceramic composite material consists of a network of metal fibers embedded in a ceramic material and where the network of fibers on one side of the ceramic composite material extends out to the surface of ceramic composite material. A part of the metal fibers may be subtituted by ceramic fibers and/or carbon fibers.Preferably, the area of the network of metal fibers occupies 60-95% of the total area of the surface wherein the network of metal fibers extends out to the surface of the ceramic composite material.The present invention further relates to a refractory lining for metallurgical smelting furnace wherein at least a part of the above described ceramic composite material is connected by a metallic bond to a cooled metallic part of the smelting furnace.

Abstract: An oven wall straightener and a method for straightening an oven wall are disclosed. An angled beam (30) is mounted in such a way that rapid heat transfer from the oven wall (10) to the vertex (35) of the angled beam (30) causes the angled beam (30) to bow away from the oven wall (10). Beam straps (50) then pull the oven wall (10) toward the angled beam (30) restoring the oven wall (10) to a relatively straightened position.

Abstract: A furnace is now provided having a dual pressure damper control system. Such system provides for substantial flexibility of control over the flow of flue gases, and consequently leads to substantial flexibility in the economical treatment of work pieces from a relatively low to relatively high product throughput. Additionally, the furnace includes a lightweight, readily repairable and readily removable, cover member. Such provides for ease of repair of not only the cover member, but also the furnace generally. Dual dampers can be used in association with dual heat chambers and burners therefore providing additional operational efficiency.

Abstract: A vessel for holding high temperature bulk materials, such as a ladle for handling molten metal, includes a steel bucket containing a permanent outer layer of refractory material. Within the outer layer is an expendable layer which is made up from relatively rigid boards of compacted microporous thermal insulation material. Within the layer of microporous thermal insulation material is a further expendable layer of refractory material which covers the inner surface of the layer of microporous thermal insulation material. The thermal capacity of the expendable layer of refractory material is preferably less than the thermal capacity of the permanent outer layer of refractory material.

Abstract: An insulative panel prevents heat transfer from a molten metal melt. The panel comprises a reinforced refractory slab supported along its edges. An insulation layer is placed on top of the refractory slab, thereby creating a hot zone between the molten metal and the insulation layer and a cold zone in and above the insulation layer. Reinforcing members are placed in the cold zone on top or within the insulation layer vertically above reinforcing rods in the refractory slab. Hangers extending downwardly from the reinforcing members through the insulation layer and refractory slab are joined to the reinforcing rods for supporting the reinforcing rods in the hot zone by the reinforcing or support members in the cold zone.

Abstract: A structural element for more rapidly erecting a tiled stove comprises a quadrangular tile and a quadrangular separate element associated to this tile. The tile has a tile leaf, at the inner side of which a tile body is disposed being unitary with the tile leaf. Two adjacent tiles confine a vertical groove, preferably having a dove-tail cross section, which groove is completely filled by a protrusion of the separate element, which protrusion protrudes from the outer side of a plate of the separate element which plate covers substantially the half of the inner surface of two adjacent tiles each.

Abstract: A supporting structure for supporting the heat insulation elements of a steam generator of the type that is used in the primary circuit of nuclear power stations. The supporting structure utilizes hanging ties which are suspended from suspension pivots that are attached to the building which houses the steam generator. The hanging ties have the heat insulation elements attached thereto, and are integrated into the construction of the heat insulation elements. The steam generator consists of separate parts which are joined by weld seams that are subject to periodic inspection, and the heat insulation elements are made up of fixed parts which are suspended from the hanging ties and which form spaces therebetween for access to the weld seams, the spaces between the fixed insulating elements being sealed off by removable thermal insulating elements.

Abstract: The invention concerns the internal structure of a high temperature furnace. That structure includes a dome made of refractory bricks that are capable of withstanding the high temperature within a coal gasification generator. The structure also includes a supporting brick wall under the dome. And, it includes an inner wall made of refractory bricks. The latter is inside of the supporting wall. The inner wall shields the supporting wall from the highest temperature while it is free to expand without being subject to any compressive load from the dome.

Abstract: The region between the outermost firing shaft and the outer wall of a chamber type furnace for baking carbon blocks, in particular anodes for the fused salt electrolytic production of aluminum, comprises essentially at least one layer each of firebricks as the wall of the outermost firing shaft, insulating refractory foamed bricks and moler stone or calcium silicate bricks at the outer wall of the furnace. The layer of insulating, refractory foamed bricks is fixed to the outer wall without room for play. Sealing elements on a projection of the outer wall extending over but at a distance from the insulating layers and on the outermost firing shaft interlock with one another.

Abstract: In an apparatus for treating workpieces by means of the igniting of a gaseous mixture in a work chamber for receiving the workpiece, it is proposed that the work chamber and optionally the supply duct for the gaseous mixture, as well as a mixing block for preparing the gaseous mixture which precedes the supply duct, are provided at least in part with a lining of ceramic material in the form of aluminum oxide or zirconium dioxide, in order to intercept the corrosive action exerted by the ignition of the combustion gas-oxygen mixture upon these parts of the apparatus.

Abstract: A modular, block-shaped insulating unit for use in an insulating system for the interior of a high-temperature furnace or the like. The module comprises a plurality of short, ropelike lengths formed of braided strands, assembled in side-by-side relation to form a bundle. The strands are formed of twisted, generally parallel ceramic fibers spun into cords and assembled or braided into a rope, which is then cut into generally equal lengths. The lengths are retained in a tightly compacted condition whereby the ends of the fibers define a front planar face of the module, with the fibers being aligned in a generally perpendicular orientation relative to the front planar face.

Abstract: A portable gas forge. The forge is comprised of a housing having an insulated interior and an opening for insertion of the article to be heated such as a horseshoe or the like. The forge is resistant to blow-out by wind when used in the field and has a specially designed burner connected to the top of the housing. The burner is connected to a source of gas such as an LP gas cylinder. A gas orifice is connected to an enlarged burner pipe having a bell-shaped primary air inlet adjacent the gas orifice. A source of secondary air is located at the exterior pipe connection to the housing to provide an annular air passage through the housing to the burner outlet to obtain maximum flame concentration in the housing and inhibit burn back or back flaming. An internal restrictor adjacent the burner pipe outlet is employed to increase the burner gas velocity and aid in secondary air aspiration and combustion efficiency.

Abstract: A preheating furnace for elongated material, particularly bars, billets, and the like of light metal has a furnace tunnel (15) formed by furnace shells (14) for preheating the material (1). At least in their central range the furnace shells are covered by a heat insulation which comprises removably designed insulation members (54,56). The insulation members (54,56) are drawn upwardly above the furnace shells (14) forming an exhaust gas duct (32) in which the furnace tunnel is integrated. Thus a heat insulation for the preheating furnace is provided which is easy to assemble and disassemble and considerably improves the utilization of the heat energy.

Abstract: A furnace crown structure for furnaces used to fire ceramic materials at high temperature, which comprises silicon carbide beams.Each beam is laid crosswise to the longitudinal axis of the furnace, parallel to one another at constant pitch distances apart. The spaces between the beams one closed with satisfactory material plates.The furnace affords the possibility of forming a furnace crown from a light weight material which can provide for a rapidly achieved steady state operation and cooling down of the furnace.The furnace can reach temperatures in the 1600.degree. C. range.

Abstract: The specification discloses a window assembly for an analytical furnace enabling the window to be readily and easily removed and reinstalled to facilitate servicing of the window. The assembly includes a one-piece fused silica housing having concentric inner and outer tube portions. The outer tube portion defines a transverse slot through which a window is inserted to overlie an end of the inner tube. A spring is included to bias the window into engagement with the inner tube to reduce airflow and heat loss therebetween.

Abstract: An arrangement for heating and/or heat retaining of containers and their contents, for example ladles to be filled with molten metal, has a burner directed toward the container, a cover for a container opening, and a preheating device for combustion air which if formed as a component of the cover.

Abstract: This invention relates to high-temperature kilns such as those used for bng ceramic products. It relates more particularly to the design and construction of the roof of such kilns. According to this invention, the roof (1) is flat and is composed of bricks (4) placed side-by-side which are permanently pressed together by resilient means (16) resting against a rigid external structure (12). The roof bricks (4) are provided with narrow notches (5-9). The combined effect of these notches with the lateral thrust from the springs (16) gives rise within the roof (1) to an arcuate orientation of prestressing forces, so that the flat roof (1) offers a mechanical resistance which matches the resistance of an arched vault, without having the drawbacks of a conventional arched structure, in which the inner volume of the arch is practically useless and causes an uneven heat distribution.

Abstract: A blast heating apparatus includes an inner metal shell having therein a refractory lining. An outer metal shell surrounds at least a portion of the inner metal shell and defines therewith a double shell structure. Spacers are positioned between the outer and inner metal shells to define therebetween a gap. At least a portion of such gap is filled with a pourable dry material having a grain size of up to 8 mm and a heat conductivity of at least approximately 1.5 W/Km.

Abstract: A multiple hearth furnace chamber where each arched or conical hearth is independently supported by the outer metal shell. An expansion joint below each hearth allows for vertical movement of the interior refractory wall panels without significant vertical movement of the hearths. The expansion joint comprises an insulating refractory material which absorbs the expansion of the inner refractory (firebrick) wall panels without significant permanent deformation.

Abstract: A suspended nose construction for high temperature furnaces providing refractory replacement from the cold side of the refractory has a plurality of wedge-shaped refractories arranged to form a wedge row along the length of the nose adjacent, on at least one side, a plurality of rectangular-shaped refractories arranged to form a straight row along the length of the nose. The converging sides of the wedge-shaped refractories converge toward the cold side of the refractory. Both the wedge refractories and the rectangular refractories are suspended in pairs by suspension means from an exterior support structure, the suspension means and support structure providing space allowing removal of the refractories in pairs from the cold side of the nose construction. The suspended nose construction according to this invention provides for removal and replacement of a small number of refractories in the nose without disturbing the major portion of the nose construction.

Abstract: A blast heating apparatus includes an inner metal shell and an outer metal shell defining therebetween a gap filled with at least one pourable dry material, for example a mixture of SiC and graphite. To prevent excess pressure in the gap and to prevent condensate from entering the gap and attacking the outer shell, a piping system connects the gap to an area below the grate chamber of the blast heating apparatus.

Abstract: The inner wall of a combustion chamber is composed of a plurality of ceramic plates which are suspended from the outer wall of the chamber by being hooked over mounting portions of the outer wall; this eliminates the need for screws, bolts, welds or the like and facilitates mounting and dismounting of the plates. The plates define with the outer wall a clearance into which cold air is admitted; the upper and lower edges of adjacent plates define with one another respective air gaps communicating with this clearance so that air streams enter the combustion space through these gaps. These air streams prevent the deposition of ash and other contaminants on the inner surfaces of the plates.

Abstract: A smelting furnace, the refractory sole (3) of which is contained in a metallic casing (5) having expansion joints (6, 7, 7'), comprises means (18, 19) for cooling the expansion joints, these means enabling to solidify actually any liquid phase that might tend to infiltrate into the joints.

Abstract: An improved ceiling beam construction for a heating furnace in which ceiling beams having closed cross sections are adopted for utilizing the interior of the beams as ducts for passing gases through them so as to reduce spaces required for installing separate gas ducts, with a consequent decrease in the number of duct supporting fittings or fixtures.