Abstract: An apparatus for the heat treatment of a continuously moved wire which loops in several turns round a drum arranged in a heat-treatment zone, has at least one tension roller which is assigned to the drum and around which each wire turn is looped in series with the drum, and the axle of which is displaceable in parallel and/or pivotable relative to the axle of the drum counter to the effect of a limited tension force exerted by a tensioning device, thereby preventing the wire from breaking in the event of an interruption in operation and the stopping of the drum.

Abstract: An image fixing apparatus includes a couple of rotatable rollers press-contacted to each other, for fixing a toner image by passing a toner image carrying material carrying the toner image, through a nip formed between the rotatable rollers, at least one of the rollers including a surface coating of anodized aluminum having fine pores filled with perfluoroalkyl compound material.

Abstract: To provide for energy-efficient non-polluting heat treatment of workpieces (W) which, during heat treatment, emit oxidizable or combustible substances, hot gases are generated in a hot gas generating chamber (2) by a jet burner (5) emitting a flame jet. The hot gas generating chamber (2) is connected through a hot gas outlet (7) with a processing chamber retaining the workpieces, and a recirculating inlet (8) to receive the gases from the processing chamber, after they have been contaminated or received polluting combustible components. The hot gas generating chamber is, additionally, in communication through a duct or gap (4) with an after-burner chamber (3).

Abstract: The invention relates to a process and a continuous furnace for the thermal treatment of substantially flat bodies of a ceramic material. Disposed in a continuous furnace having a roller table 5, between a heating zone 1 and a cooling zone 2, is a firing zone 3 which can be divided off by partitions 6, 7 from the heating zone 1 and the cooling zone 2, and in which the bodies to be fired are very rapidly heated to firing temperature, being horizontally reciprocated to prevent deformations. During firing, the conveying of the bodies in the cooling zone 2 continues, while conveying in the heating zone 1 is interrupted, the movement of the bodies being completely stopped or the bodies being horizontally reciprocated. During the dividing-off of the firing zone 3 the gases heated in the cooling zone 2 are conducted via a bypass 12 to the heating zone 1, to participate in the heating of the bodies.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are presented for removing filler from electrical cords during manufacture. The electrical cord is stripped of its outer jacket to expose the filler and conductors and thereafter positioned within a nozzle where the stripped end is subjected to microprocessor controlled heated and unheated air pulses to degradate and remove the filler along the stripped end portion prior to attaching the cord conductors to electrical appliances or the like.

Abstract: A method of providing an air circulation and exhaust control system for an oven (20) includes an oven enclosure (24) having a conveyor (40) mounted therein for transporting food products through the oven. A plurality of ribbon burners (100) are mounted within the oven interior (32) adjacent the path of the conveyor to heat the interior of the oven. Heated gases generated by operation of the ribbon burners are received through inlet plenums (140) under operation of a circulation fan (146) and are discharged through discharge tubes (154) extending adjacent portions of the conveyor (40) remote from the locations of the ribbon burners (100). Exhaust gases are removed from the oven interior through discharge ports (180) by exhaust blower assemblies (184) which are operated to remove exhaust gases from the oven interior at a rate proportional to the flow rate of combustion air and gaseous fuel into the ribbon burners.

Abstract: Continuous thermal treatment for the strengthening of metallic workpieces is carried out by placing a batch of at least two workpieces on a basket hinged on a continuously advancing conveyor chain; introducing said workpieces in said basket through a first instantaneously opening and closing gate into a uniformly heated first thermal treating step wherein the continuously advancing workpieces are heated at a temperature of about 560.degree. C.; introducing the heated workpieces in said basket through a second instantaneously opening and closing gate into a second thermal treatment step placed immediately after the end of the first step and in communication therewith, by lifting a vat containing a cooling fluid to immerse said workpieces in said basket into the cooling fluid of said vat to rapidly cooling said workpieces to a temperature of about 100.degree. C. and thereafter lowering said vat.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing orthopedic sleeping support without utilizing traditional box-spring or spring-in-mattress devices. A specially prepared (by prescription) fabric is stretched between rigid frame support members beyond moduli conventionally employed in the bedmaking industry, but short of the Young's Modulus for the particular composite fibres.

Abstract: The present invention relates to method and apparatus for heating a strip of metallic material in a continuous annealing furnace and more particularly to an improvement relating to a method and apparatus for heating a strip of metallic material in a continuous annealing furnace in which annealing of the strip is continuously carried out in such a manner that a gas, serving to adjust temperature of the strip, is blown toward the strip through a plurality of gas jet nozzles which are arranged on one side or both sides of the strip, wherein the temperature and flow rate of the strip are properly determined to a required level in response to the changing of the operating conditions such as the heat cycle, line speed, thickness of strip, width of strip and the like.

Abstract: A heating roller having a surface layer of Teflon and a pressing roller having a surface layer of an elastomeric material are held rotatably against each other for fixing a full-color toner image to a toner carrier therebetween. The ratio (1/V) between the nip width 1 of the heating and pressing rollers and the peripheral speed V of the rollers is selected to be at least 0.06, and the pressure of contact per unit area between the heating and pressing rollers at their nip region is selected to be at least 7 kg/cm.sup.2, for increasing a temperature range corresponding to the rubber range of toners used. The toners which have a small molecular weight and a small molecular weight distribution are prevented from being offset before the toners are fixed. Teflon with desirable features can therefore be used as the surface layer of the heating roller.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for heating fibers reinforced thermoplastic sheets is disclosed. The apparatus involves use of gas heating ovens adapted to allow several layers of material to be heated continuously, with the conveyors stacked are above the other. Stacking of the heated product can be provided at the oven exit. Provisions for cleaning and diffusing the gases over the work piece are also described.

Abstract: A low velocity oven seal for use with an elongated oven complex of the type in which articles to be processed are moved longitudinally through the oven. The seal includes an air seal compartment adapted to be aligned with the entry end of the oven complex to form a prefix to the oven complex. In one form of the invention, a blower assembly is mounted on the roof of the air seal compartment adjacent the exit end of the comparment and functions to withdrawn air from the upper region of the air seal compartment adjacent the exit end thereof for delivery to a pair of plenum chambers disposed at either side of the air seal compartment. The air delivered to the plenum chamber is introduced into the lower region of the air seal compartment generally below the path of the articles being processed within the oven complex and this air in turn moves upwardly and toward the exit of the air seal compartment where it is received by the inlet to the blower assembly to complete the air cycle.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for heating fibers reinforced thermoplastic sheets is disclosed. The apparatus involves use of gas heating ovens adapted to allow several layers of material to be heated continuously, with the conveyors stacked are above the other. Stacking of the heated product can be provided at the oven exit. Provisions for cleaning and diffusing the gases over the work piece are also described.

Abstract: The process comprises creating a screen of non-reactive or inert gas at least at one of the two ends of the heat treating zone or cooling zone of a furnace, the screen being substantially homogeneous and laminar throughout its height. The use of this process permits, on the one hand, a reduction in the flows of gas necessary for the heat treating and, on the other hand, the division of the heat treating furnace into precise zones. The invention is particularly applicable to heat treating furnaces.

Abstract: A continuous annealing furnace for a strip which is provided with a first treating furnace of horizontal type including at least a heating zone and a soaking zone, and a second treating furnace of vertical type disposed adjacent to the first treating furnace. The first treating furnace further includes a floating type transporting means which is composed of plural stages of floating type supporting devices for supporting the strip to be treated on them in a floating state, and a plurality of direction changing devices for transporting the strip from an upper stage towards a lower stage of the supporting devices, and the second treating furnace includes a plurality of rolls for transporting the material in a zigzag manner on vertically arranged multi-row passage.

Abstract: A high temperature fan plug for a jet heat recuperator includes inner and outer face plates spaced apart by tubular spacers extending between the plates to form a heat insulative cavity. A fastener bolt extends from one face plate through a tubular spacer and projects from the other face plate. A spring with washers at opposite ends thereof is compressed by nut members on the end of the bolt which projects from the face plate for clamping the outer and inner face plates against the spacers. A hub structure carried by the inner and outer face plates receives a seal. The face plate exposed to high temperatures in the recuperator extends between spaced apart rings that are secured to a rim that is in turn carried by the other of the face plates. The rings slidably engage the outer peripheral portion of the face plate exposed to the high temperature environment.

Abstract: A conveyor oven for cooking or heating food products and other items which utilizes a (preferably non-metallic) heat sink to absorb energy from an infrared heat source and then re-radiate the heat into the oven. Control over the degree and distribution of heat is exerted by bottom side vent holes and bottom sliding plates which control the size of the vent hole openings and top rotary flaps which deflect heat onto the food products. A method of cooking or heating food products and other items utilizing such a conveyor oven is also provided.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for removing volatile contaminants from scrap metal is disclosed. The process is carried out in a furnace maintained at a relatively constant temperature and having a first zone in which volatiles contained on the surface of the metal are vaporized and a second zone in which carbon contained on the surface of the metal is pyrolyzed. The furnace also has a conveyor for transporting metal therethrough at a specific speed to ensure complete vaporization and pyrolysis of the contaminants. The process includes the steps of sufficiently vaporizing the volatiles without oxidizing the metal, the vaporizing producing fumes containing unburned hydrocarbons. The hydrocarbon fumes are then burned to produce hot gas which is recirculated to the furnace. The hot gas contacts the incoming metal and vaporizes the volatiles contained thereon.

Abstract: An apparatus for continuously heating an elongated textile article comprises a box mounted within a heating chamber at its inlet and/or outlet so as to cover the same, and a pipe connected at one end to the box and leading to a point upstream of a heat source of a heated-air circulating system. The pipe draws the outside air entering into the box also the heated air leaking out of the heating chamber, and then discharges or releases the mixture upstream of the heat source. The thus discharged mixture of the outside air and the heated air is additionally heated as a recirculating heated air.

Abstract: An oven system for curing coated product is provided, where the oven line has at least one oven zone, with an entrance end, and a port through which coated product enters into the oven line. Means are provided for capturing substantially all of the indraft air, at least at the entrance end of the oven, near the port, and balance fan means are provided for circulating that indraft air at least in a first volume to a heat exchanger, and then back to the oven line. Solvent-rich air within the oven is withdrawn by an exhaust fan, and is delivered to an afterburner whose principal source of fuel is the volatile solvent which comes off the coated product within the oven as it is curing. A snout is provided, extending away from the entrance end of the oven in a direction towards the flow of coated product into the oven, and the snout has at least one hollow duct which is positioned near the flow path for the coated product, usually over the flow path.

Abstract: A heater is provided for heating an unwound portion of a web supported at a holder on a rotatable roll. A first pair of rollers between the holder and heater pull the web from the roll. A second pair of rollers advance the web after it passes through the heater.

Abstract: An indirect fired oven system for curing coated products, particularly metal product such as coiled sheet steel or coiled sheet aluminum, is provided. The oven line comprises at least one oven zone though usually at least two or three zones are present, through which the coated product travels, and the oven line is operated at elevated temperatures. An indraft is induced at the entrance and exit ends of the oven line by a balance air fan which captures the indraft air at both ends almost immediately that it enters the oven line, and feeds part of the indraft air to a heat exchanger and then back to the oven zones, and part of it unheated directly back to the oven zones. The temperature in the oven zones is controlled by the influx to each zone of heated air.

Abstract: A vapor processing system which has a vessel for containing a processing vapor generated by heating an electronic fluid contained within the vessel.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for flame treating a material web. A burner comprising a tube within a tube construction with the tubes spaced apart to form a heat sink chamber. The burner produces a continuous lean flame of relatively high velocity and is designed to minimize thermal bow along the length of the burner. The burner is mounted to a frame and is positioned to have a continuous flame extending therefrom toward the material web. The burner treats all the facing web surface while minimizing the uneven treatment of the web.

Abstract: A steel strip heating furnace has a movable wall which can be positioned closer or farther away from the transverse edges of the steel in order to adjust the heat radiation applied to the opposing edges of the steel. The movable wall extends parallel to the longitudinal axis of a course along which the steel is transported through the furnace. The movable wall constitutes part of a ceiling of a furnace body and can be shifted vertically toward and away from the transverse edges of the steel so as to adjust the high-temperature heat radiation transmission area about the opposing transverse edge and thus control the heat applied to the corresponding section of the steel. Also, it is especially advantageous to provide means for cooling the movable wall so as to adjust the heat radiation therefrom. Therefore, the heating furnace can control the heat applied to the transverse edges of the steel so that the entire surface of the steel can be heated uniformly.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for continuously annealing cold rolled steel strips successively passing through a preheating zone, a low temperature heating zone, a high temperature heating soaking zone, a primary cooling zone and a secondary cooling zone. In each zone, the steel strip is driven by hearth rolls alternately upward and downward in a serpentine path. According to the invention, in a high temperature zone such as the high temperature heating zone and the primary cooling zone where the steel strip is prone to heat buckling, the steel strip is caused to pass only once in a single direction without passing along the serpentine path, thereby preventing meandering and heat buckling of the steel strip.

Abstract: Disclosed is a roll-fusing apparatus comprising a heated fusing roller and a pressure roller which form a roller gap therebetween. The shape of the non-cylindrical roller core and the coating of the pressure roller makes it possible to fuse the toner images on copy supports which remain free of wrinkles after passing through the roller gap. In addition, duplication of the copy image does not occur up to DIN A1 size copies. The roller core and the coating of the pressure roller, comprising a silicone elastomer coating and a shrunk-on tubing have varying thicknesses over the length of the roller. As a result, the speed of passage of the copy support at the edges of the roller gap is modified, compared with the speed of passage obtained with a pressure roller having a cylindrical roller core and a cylindrical coating.

Abstract: Wires having an adherent coating of resin are passed through individual, segregated chambers in a convection oven where the resin is cured; if a wire fails to feed, heat to the chamber for that wire is discontinued and its chamber is cooled by a draft of forced air while the remaining wire-treating chambers continue in operation.

Abstract: A web dryer for use in the graphic arts industry or the like includes a dryer housing through which a printed web travels and which contains a plurality of nozzles, an air inlet, an air exhaust and a source of heat. The desired ventilation rate for purposes of maintaining the interior dryer environment at a required low percentage of the Lower Flammable Limit is designed to be dependent on the measured or calculated rate of ink application to the web. The ink application rate and information regarding the actual exhaust flow or ventilation rate is fed to a ventilation rate control and the exhaust flow or ventilation rate is then varied in response thereto, as by controlling a variable speed exhaust blower. At the same time, make-up air is provided to the dryer interior, preferably at a point remote from the exhaust discharge duct so that it thoroughly mixes with recirculating air within the dryer to reduce condensation problems.

Abstract: A device for drying textile material has a closed housing accommodating a conveying means comprising a sieve drum that is under a suction draft and that is covered to prevent flowthrough of gases in the zone not contacted by the textile material; a fan associated with an end face of the sieve drum for withdrawing the gaseous treatment medium from the sieve drum and for blowing the gaseous treatment medium back into a space around the sieve drum; and an annular gap provided between a fan intake connection, or duct, and a wall provided with the drum spider for supporting the sieve drum. The gap is surrounded by an annular duct open toward the gap into which terminates burners of a direct flame heating unit for heating said gaseous treatment medium.

Abstract: In the operation of a continuous-process annealing furnace for a steel strip of a continuous length which is guided through the high-temperature zones of the furnace by the upper and lower hearth rolls in an alternate up and down vertical movement, each of the hearth rolls having an end-tapered or crowned configuration to correct the meandering of the running strip, each of the hearth rolls is coupled with one or a plural number of straightly cylindrical auxiliary rolls in contact with the strip at a position close to the hearth roll. By virtue of the installation of the auxiliary rolls, the phenomenon of wrinkling or buckling in the steel strip can be effectively prevented without causing meandering and the effect is more remarkable when specific relationships are held among the values of the diameters of the hearth roll and auxiliary roll and the position of the auxiliary roll relative to the hearth roll.

Abstract: An apparatus for continuously producing continuous oxidized filaments which comprises an oxidizing furnace having a heated oxidizing gas atmosphere therein, into which continuous precursor filaments such as polyacrylaonitle filaments are continuously introduced, in which the precursor filaments are converted into oxidized filaments and from which the oxidized filaments are continuously drawn out, a first duct communicated with the furnace to provide a flow of an oxidizing gas such as heated air having a temperature in the range of from about 200.degree. C. to about 300.degree. C.

Abstract: A heating furnace for heating elongate materials has a cylindrical furnace body whose both ends are closed by first and second end walls. The furnace body has an exhaust port formed near the first end wall. A material to be heated is inserted into the furnace body through penetrating holes formed in the end walls. A plurality of furnace core tubes are arranged in the body at a prescribed distance from the inner peripheral surface of the body and along the axis of the body. A heating chamber is defined by the inner surfaces of the core tubes. An air-gas passage is defined between the inner peripheral surface of the furnace body and the outer peripheral surfaces of the core tubes. The air-gas passage communicates with the heating chamber through a communication passage formed in the core tube adjacent to the second end wall.

Abstract: An apparatus for continuously producing continuous oxidized filaments (1) including a series of lower guide rollers (3a, 3b, 3c . . . ) for guiding filaments provided at the outside of the furnace (2) and a series of gas suction seal chambers (8a, 8b, 8c . . . ) provided at the lower portion in the furnace. The gas suction seal chambers have a series of sub-partition plates (23a, 23b, 23c . . . ) which are arranged along the path of the filaments and are provided with gas passing means. The external air which tends to go into the furnace through the slits (10) formed in the bottom wall (20) of the furnace will be drawn into the gas suction seal chambers and prevented from entering the heated oxidizing atmosphere in the furnace. According to the sealing effect, the temperature variance in the furnace will be reduced and the quality of produced filaments will be improved.

Abstract: An improved floatation-type pressure pad is described as having lines of jet nozzles which are so arranged at the opposing ends of the pad that streams or jets of gas, emitting from the nozzles and striking a strip of material passing nearby, tend to stretch the material in a crosswise direction to flatten the strip and eliminate any crosswise distortions in the strip. Ancillary to this, is vertically offsetting pairs of adjacent pads to momentarily form in the strip of material, an inclination or wave in a lengthwise direction to help flatten the strip and eliminate such distortions in the strip.

Abstract: In a process for continuously pulling a web of tows of carbonizable material under tension through an oxidizing oven, the web is introduced into the oxidizing oven by initially feeding a leader in the form of a web of heat-resistant cloth through the oven and then heating the oven if the oven is not already hot. The trailing edge of the leader which remains outside of the oven is then spliced to the leading edge of the web of carbonizable tows, and the leader is used to pull the web of carbonizable tows into and through the hot oven. Use of the heat-resistant leader greatly minimizes wastage within the web of carbonizable tows. Splicing of the trailing edge of the lead to the leading edge of the web of carbonizable tows is accomplished by taping, stitching and folding the two edges to form loops therein into which elongated rods are inserted. The two edges are then secured within a splice bar, the opposite halves of which define slots for receiving the two edges and the included rods.

Abstract: A flame intensity controller for controlling the air/gas mixture introduced into a conveying and/or mixing tube. Plural heating arrays are transversely aligned to the direction of movement to dry the moving web. The controller selectively controls the heating intensity of each section of the heating arrays to thereby control the amount of drying experienced by each longitudinal section of the web. The controller may be a countercurrent air controller or a mechanical restrictor. The energy output of each section is controlled between adjustable upper and lower energy levels. However, the lower energy level is chosen to be sufficient to sustain combustion. The independent control of the dryer sections provides dramatic improvement in uniformity of the moisture "profile" across the web.

Abstract: Apparatus for preheating, drafting, and stabilizing in sequence a running yarn strand and including a heated shoe device, freely rotating idler rolls at each end of the heated shoe device and a fixed draw pin with the heated shoe device having two different temperature zones by which the running yarn strand is preheated prior to being drawn when passing over the fixed draw pin, and is thereafter heat stabilized.

Abstract: Temperature monitoring of electrically conductive wire during heating in which the current in the wire in the heating zone is measured and the voltage at the downstream end portion of the zone is measured, signals corresponding to the measured values then being combined to produce a resultant signal corresponding to the resistance of the wire at the downstream end portion of the heating zone. The resistance value corresponds to the temperature of the heated wire. Apparatus includes current and voltage measuring means located in the appropriate positions to enable temperature monitoring, and means to combine voltage signals which correspond to the measured values and to produce a combined signal representative of wire resistance after heating.

Abstract: Infra-red irradiation is combined with additional heating and/or drying to more effectively treat substrates. Irradiation from gas-fired infra-red radiators provides hot gaseous combustion products that can be directed to help heat and/or dry substrates. Width of irradiator can be made adjustable, as can its color temperature. Color temperatures as low as 950.degree. F. can be obtained without combustion catalysts such as platinum, by having a fine-mesh wire screen in front of ceramic fiber matrix burner face.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of storing a great length of continuously advancing elongate metallic material in a temperature controlled accumulator (40, 50) is disclosed to enable greater line speeds by exposing a greater length of material to the heat treatment. Several embodiments are disclosed in which heated cylindrical accumulator apparatus (40, 50) are used to store a multiplicity of wraps (45) around fixed or rotating cylinders (44, 51) which are maintained at the desired temperatures.

Abstract: An improved floatation-type pressure pad is described as having lines of jet nozzles which are so arranged at the opposing ends of the pad that streams or jets of gas, emitting from the nozzles and striking a strip of material passing nearby, tend to stretch the material in a crosswise direction to flatten the strip and eliminate any crosswise distortions in the strip. Ancillary to this, is vertically offsetting pairs of adjacent pads to momentarily form in the strip of material, an inclination or wave in a lengthwise direction to help flatten the strip and eliminate such distortions in the strip.

Abstract: A combined oven and fume incinerator having an enclosed housing. A combustion chamber serving as a heat source and fume incinerator is connected by a heat recovery air duct to a process zone which in turn opens into a cool air inlet passage leading to the combustion chamber and blower means are provided to circulate air through the housing, combustion chamber, heat recovery duct, process zone, cool air inlet passage and back to the combustion chamber. The heat recovery duct is in direct thermal contact with the cool air inlet passage. An exhaust fan is located in the cool air inlet passage at a point where there is the least pollution to exhaust a portion of the air in the passage to atmosphere.

Abstract: In the manufacture of tubing, and particularly finned tubing, for use by the heat transfer industry in the manufacture of heat exchangers, annealed ends and lands are desirable in certain applications to facilitate the assembly of the tubes to headers and baffles by expanding techniques. Such spot-annealed portions can be produced on a continuous basis by the described apparatus and method in which the moving tube is passed through a heating chamber which reciprocates on a carriage in the direction of tube movement. The heating chamber has a pair of power-actuated, current-carrying clamps which grip spaced portions of the tube so as to resistance-heat the tube portion between the clamps. The heating chamber and carriage move with the tube while it is clamped to provide sufficient heating time. The carriage then returns to its starting position. If desired, an inert gas can be supplied to the heating chamber to prevent oxidation and/or discoloration.

Abstract: In controlledly cooling steel strip in a continuous annealing line, the heat transfer rate needed for attaining the desired cooling rate is calculated from an equation including strip thickness, the cooling starting and finishing temperatures, and the desired cooling rate, and the obtained heat transfer rate is corrected according to the effect of natural cooling in idle-pass zones preceding and following the coolant spray zone. The flow rate of coolant is determined and set by using an equation expressing the predetermined relationship between the heat transfer rate and coolant flow rate. The length of the coolant spraying region extending in the direction of strip travel is calculated from the running speed of the strip, the cooling starting and finishing temperatures, and the desired cooling rate. The nozzles are set to turn on and off so that the coolant is sprayed from such a number of nozzles as correspond to the length of the spraying region thus calculated.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for heat treating and especially annealing of elongate metallic materials such as wire wherein the wire (24) given a longer length exposure to complete the heat treatment of the wire at higher line speeds. This is accomplished either by adding a heated storage chamber (41) holding a great length of wire (24) in sequence with conventional or modified annealing apparatus, or by substitution of a special apparatus (100) for the existing conventional annealing apparatus.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to an oxy-hydrogen torch (10) comprised of a nozzle plate (16) captured between first and second outer members (12 and 14). Each outer member has a plenum (18) which open towards, and is separated by, the plate (16). The nozzle plate (16) has a plurality of spaced grooves (32--32) in one major surface (34) which are arranged in an interleaved relationship with the spaced grooves (36--36) on the opposite surface (38). The grooves (32 and 36) extend from an edge of the plate (16) to the respective plenums (18--18) in the outer members (12 and 14). Oxygen is directed into one plenum (18) and hydrogen urged into the other plenum. The gases pass through the respective grooves (32 and 36) to the surface (46) of the torch (10) for surface mixing and ignition.

Abstract: A recirculating oven in which air and oxidized gases from a burner tube are directed to evaporation zone outlets at the bottom of the oven and curing zone outlets at the top and fed into a pair of wire work chambers, the gas streams mixing between the zones and return with volatile substances through a return duct to a burner mounted in the upper portion of the burner tube. The burner tube is mounted within a burner tube housing partitioned so that the volatile fumes returning to the burner are maintained separately from the oxidized gases and air exiting from the burner tube. The burner is electrically energized and has a cylindrical housing supporting a number of radial vanes supported between spaced baffle plates, the vanes imparting a vortex pattern to the gases entering holes in the housing periphery. A support plate on the top of the housing carries two high temperature ceramic igniter heater elements surrounded by a multiplicity of resistance type electrical heating elements.

Abstract: The cooling section of an annealing furnace is described as having the capabilities of maintaining, increasing, or decreasing the temperature of a strip of metal as it passes through the section. Moreover, special means are provided for forming around the cooling device, used in the cooling of the gas impinged against the traveling strip of metal, a cold sink which traps and prevents the backflow of cooled gas through the cooling device into the section, thereby eliminating the formation in the section of undesirable cold spots which adversely affect temperature uniformity in the section.

Abstract: The temperature of an open textile web is monitored by a sensing unit including an infrared pyrometer. The pyrometer is disposed at a viewing angle between about 5.degree.-25.degree. with respect to the horizontal. A housing mounts the pyrometer, a fan, a filter bag connection, and an exhaust tube. The exhaust tube extends through the wall of a textile-treating oven, with an air flow through the tube preventing pyrometer contamination.