Abstract: The refractory lining of a high temperature chamber such as a coke oven chamber is inspected after a coke pushing operation and before coal is charged into the chamber by using a pusher ram to move a television camera located within an enclosure having water cooling pipes in the side walls thereof to provide a thermally-protective environment for the camera. The lens for the camera which projects from a side wall of the enclosure is air-cooled. The enclosure for the camera is rotatably positioned and vertically displaced relative to an L-shaped bracket used to support the enclsoure upon the coke engaging end of the pusher ram. In addition to displaying the video signal produced by the camera on a monitor, the video signal is also recorded to evaluate the surface condition of the refractory lining at a later period of time.

Abstract: A method for controlling the temperature of a formed workpiece is provided. The method utilizes an apparatus in the form of a multi-tier rotary preheat, quench and heat recovery tunnel which provides for transfer of heat between tiers from workpieces to be cooled to workpieces to be heated, thereby conserving heat energy. Transfer of heat is accomplished by means of fans interconnected with the tier levels of the tunnel. A control system ensures proper temperature of air, passing through a hot-air fan, which is removed from a second level and transferred to a first level. Means are provided for loading slugs to be preheated prior to forming onto a first annular tray on the first level and for removing same after it has completed a single rotation about the cooling tunnel. After being further heated in an induction furnace, the slug is warm formed in a press to a desired configuration. The shaped workpiece is then transferred to the tunnel and loaded onto a second tier on a second level, below the first level.

Abstract: A heat transfer apparatus for controlling the temperature of a formed workpiece is provided. The apparatus is in the form of a multi-tier rotary preheat, quench and heat recovery tunnel which provides for transfer of heat between tiers from workpieces to be cooled to workpieces to be heated, thereby conserving heat energy. Transfer of heat is accomplished by means of fans interconnected with the tier levels of the tunnel. A control system ensures proper temperature of air, passing through a hot-air fan, which is removed from a second level and transferred to a first level. Means are provided for loading slugs to be preheated prior to forming onto a first annular tray on the first level and for removing same after it has completed a single rotation about the cooling tunnel. After being further heated in an induction furnace, the slug is warm formed in a press to a desired configuration.

Abstract: A hearth cleaning apparatus includes a wheeled car movable along a floor at the side wall of a reheat furnace wherein metallic workpieces are heated while they are advanced along the furnace hearth. The car is latched to the side wall of the furnace at any one of the normally-closed openings therein. An inverted U-shaped spacer slab is passed through the furnace between two workpieces for access to the hearth. An elongated digging bar which may be cooled by the internal flow of water is supported by the car and advanced through an opening in the side wall of the furnace to engage and loosen slag or other materials adhered to the soaking hearth while exposed by the spacer slab. The car includes a vernier elevation adjustment for the digging bar at the point of support adjacent the furnace and a course elevation adjustment for the digging bar at the opposite end of the car. The digging bar is propelled along the furnace hearth by a pair of pinch rolls.