Abstract: A resistance heating element of the ribbon type for use in a high temperature electric furnace. The element has the same curved cross-sectional configuration throughout its entire length to give it strength and stiffness and permits the element to be bent into various patterns without any overlapping portions at the bends. The curved cross-section permits the element to be supported at the bends without the element sagging reducing the amount of heat absorption by the supports and allowing greater exposure of the element.

Abstract: An improved ceramic heater support and spacer block, for use in an electrical heating element, is constructed to increase the amount of electrical wire per unit space available for plug-type conventional heating units. The ceramic heater support block, T-shape in plan, has spaced end faces and a groove in its under surface extending between and perpendicular to the end faces which receives a crossbar interposed between support elements. Each block has a support boss of a width adapted to extend between the strands of a section of heating wire. Each block has a pair of spacer bosses, adjacent to its other end face, which extend laterally outward of the support boss. Each heating wire section of a group is mounted upon the support boss of each block, upon a crossbar, with the spacer bosses extending between and outward of adjacent sections. The one strand of adjacent heating wire sections is transversely interconnected below a row of support blocks mounted upon an adjacent crossbar.

Abstract: An improved electrical heating element is constructed to increase the amount of electrical wire per unit space available for plug-type convection heating units. The heating element includes a metal frame structure with a plurality of spaced support elements and a plurality of spaced removable cross bars connected thereto. A plurality of ceramic heater support blocks, each of T-shape in plan, with spaced end faces are arranged end to end and have undercut grooves which receive a cross bar and are interposed between the support elements. A continuous electric resistance heating wire has a series of parallel spaced inverted U-shaped wire sections. The wire sections are arranged in groups. Each block has a support boss of reduced width adjacent one end face adapted to extend between the strands of a section of the heating wire. Each block has a pair of spaced bosses adjacent to its other end face which extend laterally outward of the support boss.

Abstract: An improved electrical heating element is constructed in such a manner as to increase the amount of electrical wire per unit space available for plug-type convection heating units. The plug uses a rectangular-shaped frame which has a plurality of spool covered rods evenly spaced along the length of the frames and extending across the width. The spools are slidably attached over the rods and have an insulated spacer on each side of the spool. The heating wire has alternate coiled and straight sections and is wound over and held to each spool by a retention wire and a groove in the spool. The rods are spaced at such a distance from each other that there is a straight section of heating wire at each spool with the coiled sections located between adjacent rods.

Abstract: An improved electrical heating element for a high-temperature furnace including a support structure and an electrical-heating assembly. The support structure includes a plurality of thin, flat, non-conductive plates each having a plurality of spaced apertures therethrough and a plurality of non-conductive spacers smaller than the plates with one spacer interposed between each pair of adjacent plates. The electrical-heating assembly includes a plurality of elongated electrical conductors, preferably U-shaped, each leg extending through one aperture in each plate radially outwardly of the spacers. The conductors are supported by and extend between the plates and the ends of the conductors are interconnected so that the conductors as interconnected define a single tortuous electrical path radially outwardly of the spacers. The interconnection between the conductors maintain the support structure in assembly.

Abstract: An improved electrical heating element for a high-temperature furnace including a support structure and an electrical-heating assembly. The support structure includes a plurality of thin, flat, non-conductive plates each having a plurality of spaced apertures therethrough and a plurality of non-conductive spacers smaller than the plates with one spacer interposed between each pair of adjacent plates. The electrical-heating assembly includes a plurality of elongated electrical conductors, preferably U-shaped, each leg extending through one aperture in each plate radially outwardly of the spacers. The conductors are supported by and extend between the plates and the ends of the conductors are interconnected so that the conductors as interconnected define a single tortuous electrical path radially outwardly of the spacers. The .[.interconnection.]. .Iadd.interconnections .Iaddend.between the conductors maintain the support structure in assembly.