Abstract: A spark ignited burner that includes a fuel-oxidant pre-mixing chamber upstream of both an annular ignition spark discharge gap and a main fuel outlet. A continuous ignition discharge spark is established and maintained across the annular ignition spark discharge gap and used to ignite a pre-mixed fuel-oxidant mixture, which in turn is used to ignite the main burner flame.

Abstract: A quench chute for use in heat treating objects extends from one end of a furnace into a tank filled with quenching fluid. The chute has a passage therein through which heat treated objects fall from the furnace into the tank. Laminar sheets of quenching fluid are introduced into the chute above the quenching fluid level in the tank and a portion of the chute is constructed from a screen which allows quenching fluid to exit the chute and return to the quench tank. A portion of the chute below the quenching fluid level is curved and has a plurality of fluid manifolds disposed therealong for introducing high pressure jets of fluid into the chute. As the objects fall from the furnace into the chute, they first pass through the laminar sheets of quenching fluid. The objects then fall through the quenching fluid and glance off of the curved portion of the chute. The objects are decelerated by the glancing contact with the chute and by the jets of quenching fluid introduced into the chute by the manifold.

Abstract: A post-mix burner having electrical ignition means is particularly adapted for use with radiant tube furnaces. The burner provides two concentric tubes which define a central passage and an annular passage around the central passage. Fuel is introduced into the central passage and primary air through the annular passage. Mixing of the primary air and fuel commences at and near the end of the inner tube. The ignition system provides a spark gap in axial alignment with the end of the inner tube where the mixing of the primary air and fuel commences. The main combustion air is introduced into the burner through an annular pasage surrounding the aforementioned passages. When combustion having substantial length is desired, the fuel and air are introduced into the burner as laminar flow with each component having the same velocity.

Abstract: An improvement in negative pressure radiant tube type fuel burner systems is disclosed wherein a heat recuperator in the form of a concentric conduit arrangement for conveying air from the atmosphere to a burner unit extends inwardly into the exhaust leg of the radiant tube so that combustion air for the burner is diverted along generally parallel oppositely directed coaxial paths into and out of the radiant tube to transfer heat from exhaust gas to intake air. The recuperator is made to be free floating within the radiant tube so as to minimize the chance of structural damage due to thermal expansion and a series of radial pins may be employed in conjunction with the recuperator to support the conduit arrangement, and increase heat transfer to incoming air.

Abstract: An improvement in negative pressure radiant tube type fuel burner systems in disclosed wherein a heat recuperator in the form of a U-shaped conduit for conveying air from the atmosphere to a burner unit extends inwardly into the exhaust leg of the radiant tube so that combustion air for the burner is diverted along generally parallel oppositely directed paths into and out of the radiant tube to transfer heat from exhaust gas to intake air. The recuperator is made to be free floating within the radiant tube so as to minimize the chance of structural damage due to thermal expansion and a series of baffles may be employed in conjunction with the recuperator to both increase heat transfer to incoming air and to diminish radiant heat loss from the radiant tube.

Abstract: An apparatus for metallurgically heat treating workpieces, the apparatus comprises a rotatable retort having an elongated treating chamber. A workpiece conveyor is within the treating chamber whereby the workpieces can be moved from the entrance end to the exit end of the treating chamber. A plurality of partitions within the treating chamber cooperate with the conveyor and treating chamber to divide the treating chamber into a plurality of distinct atmospherically isolated chambers and to allow for the movement of the workpieces into and out of the chambers. A gas distributor is within the treating chamber. The gas distributor is operatively connected to a reactive gas source and has gas outlets in selected ones of the chambers.