Abstract: A roof assemblage for use in a furnace includes a refractory panel dimensioned to span refractory furnace walls and a wall bearing roof truss from which the refractory roof panel is suspended. The refractory roof panel is suspended by means of hangers which are connected to a bottom chord of the truss and to suspension bars which extend transversely of the roof panel. The truss is arranged intermediate of the width of the refractory roof panel and the bottom chord is situated on bearing anchors which connect the bottom chord at opposite ends thereof to the top of the refractory wall panels. Lifting hooks are provided on the top chord of the truss so that the truss-panel roof assemblage may be lifted as a unit onto and from the furnace walls.

Abstract: A roller bearing assembly for reducing friction between a relatively rotatable shaft member and support member wherein the support member has a circular hole formed therein through which a portion of the shaft extends. The bearing assembly includes an elongate length of roller chain having pivotally interconnected links with rollers rotatably mounted therein. The rollers are of a diameter smaller than the difference in radii between the shaft and opening. The link side plates at opposite sides of the rollers in the chain have a width greater than the roller diameters. The roller chain is shorter than the circumference of the shaft and may be secured adjacent one of its ends to the rotating member in the assembly.

Abstract: A dump grate for use in a furnace is rotatably mounted therein and includes fluid coolant tubes sinuously arranged within refractory material comprising a grate plate for circulating coolant fluid. The grate plate is shiftable from a first substantially horizontal fuel supporting position to a nonhorizontal fuel dumping position. A rotatable conduit is arranged beneath the grate plate secured thereto for receiving coolant fluid inlet and discharge tubes for supplying coolant fluid and discharging same from the grate plate coolant tubes. Removable grate bars are arranged on portions of the surface of the grate plate, with the spacing provided between permitting selective varying of airflow through the grate plate for additional cooling purposes.

Abstract: A recirculating furnace-dryer combination including a combustion chamber, a housing surrounding the combustion chamber for maintaining a greater than atmospheric pressure within the combustion chamber, a dryer in which a greater than atmospheric pressure may be maintained, and a feed conduit through which heated gases may be supplied from the combustion chamber to the dryer. Return conduits receive exhaust gases from the veneer dryer and recirculate them through a fan for repressurization into the housing, from which they are recirculated into the combustion chamber. A fuel feed, including an air lock, is operable to feed fuel into the combustion chamber, with an air lock maintaining a pressurized condition in the combustion chamber. Temperature sensing devices in the dryer are connected to controls to operate dampers in the feed conduits to maintain a preselected temperature range within the veneer dryer.

Abstract: A damper for controlling the passage of combustion gases through a conduit in a furnace. The damper is a mass of formed refractory material shiftable through an opening in the side of the conduit between an operative position extending into the conduit and inoperative position spaced laterally of the conduit. The damper is mounted on an elongate hollow beam which has a coolant fluid flow passage extending therethrough and apertures through which coolant fluid may pass to cool the exterior of the damper and support. A housing extends laterally of the conduit and has side and end walls positioned to receive and enclose portions of the damper and damper support retracted from the conduit. The damper support is enclosed and shielded by the housing walls throughout operation of the apparatus. A coolant fluid supply is operable to inject coolant fluid under pressure into the damper support so that such fluid may flow outwardly therefrom to cool the damper support and surfaces of the damper.