Abstract: An industrial oven uses bi-directional expansion joints to accommodate lateral and longitudinal movement intersecting support beams of the oven's structural framework resulting from expansion of the support beams, the supported beams, and/or other oven components. The intersecting support beams may, for instance, comprise either roof purlins 1) and underlying roof trusses or 2) floor support members and underlying oven base support beams. Each bi-directional expansion joint includes a bracket permitting relative longitudinal and lateral movement between the support beams and the associated supported beams. The brackets preferably comprise L-shaped brackets each having 1) a vertical leg connected to the associated supported beam(s), 2) a horizontal leg connect to the associated support beam, and 3) expansion slots permitting lateral movement between the support beam and the bracket and longitudinal movement between the supported beam(s) and the bracket.

Abstract: A conveyor oven is capable of heating precisely and uniformly an article to be baked as the article is conveyed through the oven at a designated speed. Precise and uniform heating is promoted by 1) a combination supply/return duct assembly positioned above the conveyor and configured to promote uniform airflow towards the upper surface of the conveyor, and 2) discharge orifices configured to further promote uniform airflow from the supply ducts without generating whistling or other unpleasant noises. The arrangement of this supply/return duct assembly, incorporating both supply and return ducts in the same plane, also promotes a low profile oven--an important consideration in applications in which minimizing space is a priority. The profile of the oven is reduced further by placing the heating element beneath the conveyor and by configuring supply and return passages to circulate air between the heat source and the supply/return duct assembly using minimal space.

Abstract: An industrial oven has at least one insulated wall including an inner shell connected to an outer shell by a plurality of pins extending through oversized holes in sheet metal plates forming the inner shell. The metal plates are simple metal sheets which can be easily sheared to size. The pins can compensate for significant misalignment between the inner and outer shells and do not require any modification of the insulation layers prior to mounting on the pins.

Abstract: An industrial oven has insulated walls and insulated doors each including an inner shell connected to an outer shell by a plurality of pins extending through oversized holes in sheet metal plates forming the inner shell. The metal plates are simple metal sheets which can be easily sheared to size. The pins can compensate for significant misalignment between the inner and outer shells and do not require any modification of the insulation layers prior to mounting on the pins. Measures are also taken to permit expansion of the floor and air distribution system without requiring complex interconnections of the floor plates or of the air distribution system to the oven walls. Elements which are exposed to both hot and cold temperatures are designed so as not to warp or buckle under the temperature differentials between the inner and outer shells of each oven wall.

Abstract: An industrial oven for heating products therein of the type having four insulated side walls, an insulated top, and also a bottom which together define an interior heating chamber. Each of the walls has an inner skin and an outer skin spaced apart from one another, and further has insulation material between those skins. A structural steel framework supports and is located between the skins, and the inner skin is of a generally vertically corrugated sheet metal. Means are provided between the skins for holding the insulation material against the inner skin and spaced from the outer skin to thereby provide an air space between the insulating material and the interior surface of the outer skin.