Abstract: A method of lining the hot face of the wall of a heated enclosure, such as a furnace, boiler or the like, comprising the steps of compressing a plurality of substantially cylindrical modules of ceramic fiber material inwardly from the perimeter thereof; attaching the individual, compressed modules to the hot face of the wall in predetermined relationship whereby to define certain openings therebetween, inspecting the attaching means by virtue of the access thereto provided by the openings; filling the openings with a plug of ceramic fiber material; and then releasing the compression upon the modules to permit radial expansion thereof in all directions whereby to create a lining over the entire wall.

Abstract: The brackets connecting the furnace roof support beams to the buckstays of an open hearth furnace sidewall are reversible to provide for vertical shifting of the furnace roof support structure. The support brackets comprise a pair of symmetrical bracket pieces each having two generally vertically aligned sidewall connection points, and a support beam connection point vertically offset from the centerpoint defined by the sidewall connection points, such that the elevation of the support beam connection point is shifted when the vertical orientation of the sidewall connection points is reversed. The elevation of the roof support structure is thereby easily shifted, and refractory blocks of differing longitudinal lengths may therefore readily be incorporated into the furnace roof structure.

Abstract: Hanger and expansion plate structure for use with refractory brick employed in electric furnace roofs is disclosed which is designed for accommodating the variable, heat-induced expansion of such furnace bricks. The structure includes respective metallic plates having transverse, brick-engaging ribs with channels therebetween; the width of the ribs is greatest adjacent the hot face of the bricks so that the plates collapse or yield at the hot face under lateral brick expansion while remaining substantially intact adjacent the cold brick face. Thus, the variable expansion of the brick is accommodated without sacrifice of the overall integrity of the roof construction. Certain of the plates have oblique flanges which are received within complemental recesses in the bricks for supporting the latter.

Abstract: A refractory brick unit is disclosed which is resistant to heat induced expansion spalling by virtue of the provision of a metallic sleeve member around four sides of the brick body with the metallic envelope being constructed in a manner such that two adjacent side sections thereof are spaced from proximal side walls of the brick and supported in such disposition by elongated tabs integral with the sleeve member side sections and slidably received in complemental elongated depressions therefor in the opposed sidewall of the brick body. When the brick units are laid in side-by-side relationship with one side of a corresponding metallic side section abutting the side section of a proximal brick unit, the sleeve members as well as the brick units are able to undergo heat induced expansion without placing compression loads on the bricks which could cause spalling of the brick bodies.