Abstract: A multiple beam furnace in which the beams can be selectively interconnected for removal as a single unit from the furnace and for replacement into the furnace as a single unit. The movable beams can be raised to a higher position above their normal operating height for engagement of an intermediately disposed fixed beam such that the engaged beams are laterally removable as a single unit from the furnace.

Abstract: A high temperature coil heater which is supported throughout its length in a manner to achieve substantial exposure of the coil to the product. A helically wound coil of resistance wire is supported continuously along its length by an anchor of electrically insulative high strength high thermal conductivity material and which in turn is bonded to a support member of electrically insulative low thermal conductivity low density material. The anchor embeds only a small segment of each coil turn and a major segment of the coil turns is disposed above the support member for efficient direct radiation to the product. Undesirable heat flow rearward of the coil is restricted by the low conductivity support member.

Abstract: A high temperature electrical resistance heater for use within a high temperature furnace. The heater is composed of an elongated tubular element having first and second tubular sections contiguous with one another, the first section being of a high resistivity silicon carbide and disposable within a furnace chamber, the second section being of a low resistivity silicon carbide and disposable external to the furnace chamber. An elongated rod of silicon carbide of low resistivity is disposed coaxially within the tubular element and in electrical connection with an end of the first tubular section. The coaxial ends of the second tubular section and of the rod include contact areas for electrical connection to an external power source. The high resistivity tubular section provides efficient heating, while the low resistivity tubular section and coaxial rod provide a conductive electrical path to the heating section while minimizing the heating thereof.

Abstract: A door seal especially adapted to for use in a high temperature furnace wherein a sealing gas is controllably introduced between confronting surfaces of the door and the furnace to establish a gas barrier against leakage of cover gas from within the furnace chamber and leakage of air into the furnace chamber.

Abstract: A heat processing system in which a product is efficiently conveyed through a high temperature furnace and in which the product can be stored within a section of the furnace at a temperature less than the critical temperature to which product exposure must be limited. The furnace includes multiple sections each of a respective operating temperature, one of the sections being of high temperature to which a product can be exposed for only a limited time. A supply of product carriers is contained within the furnace onto which a product is supplied for transport forwardly through the furnace for unloading at an opposite end thereof, the carriers being returned rearwardly through the furnace back to a loading area. During an emergency mode of operation, loading of the product is discontinued and the product already within the furnace is transferred from the critical heat section to an adjacent section for storage at a lower temperature less than the high critical temperature.

Abstract: A generally rectangular, self-supporting, unitary high temperature electrical resistance heater adapted for generally horizontal suspension within a high temperature furnace in which the heating element is composed of a flat resistor ribbon folded to form a series of continuous and substantially parallel beam-like heater segments disposed in grate-like fashion. The ribbon heater segments are retained in their parallel configuration by a plurality of refractory insulators disposed between and supported solely by the beam-like segments. The resulting furnace heater offers advantages of light weight, high radiation efficiency and minimum thermal inertia.

Abstract: A high temperature unitary electrical resistance heater which is mechanically supported throughout its active length but spaced from a refractory base with the heating element being substantially free of the supporting structure to provide an efficient heater having relatively low thermal inertia while being rigidly supported for high temperature operation. A flat continuous electrical resistor ribbon is disposed in a multiple loop configuration having a plurality of spaced heater segments with flat confronting surfaces and a plurality of legs outwardly extending from an edge of the ribbon and secured within a refractory base to support the ribbon in spaced relation to the refractory base.

Abstract: A high temperature unitary electrical resistance heater which is mechanically supported throughout its active length but spaced from a refractory base with the heating element being substantially free of the supporting structure to provide an efficient heater having relatively low thermal inertia while being rigidly supported for high temperature operation. A flat continuous electrical resistor ribbon is folded in a multiple loop helix-like configuration formed of a plurality of straight segments and a repetitive array of folded, overlapped corner portions. A strut is interposed within each folded corner and welded therein, outwardly extending end portions of each strut being rigidly secured in a refractory base structure with the resistor ribbon being spaced along its active length from the base structure.