Abstract: The present invention provides for a calculation and pre-setting of even spring compression among the spring hangers of a vertical busway riser, by use of rigid elements in the hanger with the ability to retain the spring compression during construction of the busway, and the ability to release and load the spring hangers only after construction of the riser is completed.

Abstract: Melters for glass forming apparatuses and glass forming apparatuses comprising the same are disclosed. According to one embodiment, a melter for melting glass batch materials includes a base portion and a rigid exoskeleton rigidly attached to the base portion and comprising a plurality of upright members interconnected with a plurality of cross members defining an exoskeleton interior volume. Connection nodes formed at intersections of the plurality of cross members with upper ends of the plurality of upright members are constrained from movement relative to the base portion in a longitudinal direction, a transverse direction, and a vertical direction. A tank assembly is positioned on the base portion in the exoskeleton interior volume and coupled to the rigid exoskeleton. In some embodiments, the melter has a dynamic resistance greater than 0.3.

Abstract: A reversible jamb block for a furnace, oven or kiln, having an attachment side adapted to removably attach to the first side of a doorway for the furnace, oven or kiln, and adapted to removably attach to the second side of the doorway, such that one face of the jamb block is directed away from the furnace when the attachment side of the jamb block is attached to the first side of the doorway, and a second face opposite the first face, is directed away from the furnace when the attachment side of the jamb block is attached to the second side of the doorway.

Abstract: A protective collar for a kiln that has a rigid body portion and a shape and size substantially corresponding to the shape and size of at least a portion of the peripheral edge surface of the kiln sidewall. Depending on the kiln, the protective collar can be round, oval, faceted, or otherwise shaped. The collar can be a complete ring or just a portion thereof. A plurality of stops, which can be fixed or pivoting, spaced along the body portion of the protective collar can prevent dislocation of the collar when applied to the kiln. The stops can be adjustable in location to avoid obstructions on the kiln. A properly selected protective collar can enable a method for protecting the firebrick in a kiln where the protective collar is applied with the shapes of the protective collar and the peripheral edge surface of the kiln sidewall substantially aligned.

Abstract: A gasifier and gasifier system based on the gasifier, which contains as a major component, a novel feed system for feeding organic materials into the burn pile of the gasifier. The gasifier feed system is a horizontal auger driven feed system that feeds directly through a ceramic elbow into the furnace without having to auger the feed through significant vertical elevations.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to hermetically seal openings in an explosion suppression chamber. The present invention utilizes an air lock device to ensure that, in the event toxins are released from the primary explosion chamber opening closing means, the toxins are properly handled and are not inadvertently released into the atmosphere. The preferred embodiment of the present invention uses negative pressure to vacuum the entrained air within the airlock cavity subsequent to an explosion. An alternate embodiment of the present invention uses positive pressure within the air lock cavity to force air through integral filter membranes.

Abstract: A modular furnace is fabricated from at least one module having a frame, a removable cover mounted to the frame, exterior cover panels on the frame, and an insulated case fastened to the interior of the module. A conveyor assembly extends through the module. A plurality of process zones, such as heating and cooling zones, are disposed within the module. Field replaceable universal blower assemblies are associated with each process zone. The motor shaft in each blower assembly is provided with a sealed bearing in the motor housing. Insulation within each module is held in place by gas permeable fabric covering large vent openings in cover panels to allow oxygen to diffuse out of the insulation rapidly upon start up.

Abstract: A heat treatment apparatus having a heat treatment furnace into which a hydrocarbon gas and an oxidization gas are introduced, wherein an outlet opening of a valve through which a pusher for pushing a work to be heat treated in the heat treatment furnace is movable is hermetically connected to a pusher insertion port formed on a wall of the heat treatment furnace, and a seal box is connected hermetically to an inlet opening of the valve, the pusher being movable hermetically through the seal box. An elevator door for opening and closing the heat treatment furnace has a guide pin projected therefrom, and a jam having an upper hook surface for receiving the guide pin thereon, the jam being pivotally supported so that when the elevator door is lowered, the elevator door is moved by the jam toward a seal surface of the opening of the heat treatment furnace.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for actively controlling a combustion process such as a waste incinerator by means of a spatial and temporal synchronized injection of fuel. The improved method and apparatus employs an active control system which controls the intentional formation of large scale, coherent vortices and the synchronized injection of the fuel supply at various locations relative to the formation of the vortices. The preferred apparatus comprises an actuator or similar structure that is adapted for producing and stabilizing discrete, large scale vortices in a combustion device. In addition, another device controls or modulates the injection of the fuel into the vortices at the optimal location and timing relative to the vortex cycle. As applied to an incinerator, this method can be optimized to ensures that the fuel and waste are introduced into the highest temperature locations, were extended residence times are obtained by trapping the fuel and waste inside the vortices.

Abstract: A door assembly for an air lock of a waste processing system comprising a vertical sliding door member having a perimeter entirely supported when the sliding door member is in a closed position and is sealed by a selectively inflatable gasket assembly located along the perimeter. The sliding door member is supported by inner and outer panels separated by a rectangular spacer gasket, wherein the inner and outer panels each contain a rectangular opening having a perimeter for receiving the inflatable gasket assembly. The inflatable gasket assembly includes a retainer frame and a rectangular inflatable seal element. The door assembly is opened and closed by including a pair of vertical tracks located between the inner and outer panels for receiving vertically extending ribs from the sliding door member.

Abstract: A safety door for a furnace or like apparatus is operable to open under the force of a hydraulic cylinder when the pressure under the furnace exceeds a predetermined upper limit corresponding to an abnormally high pressure caused by an explosion within the furnace or like apparatus. The safety door thereby prevents the furnace from being permanently damaged by an explosion.

Abstract: Thermal insulation for crowns and other industrial furnace parts having a surface subject to insulation. A reinforcing lattice made up of sectors is formed on such surface, such sectors are filled by refractory material. An adhesive protection layer made of material which is hardenable under the affect of the heat radiated from the furnace is then applied over the sectors of the refractory insulation material.

Abstract: A closure arrangement for an incinerator or cremator in which the door and the opening in the incinerator are complementary wedge-shapes is described. The door can be automatically lowered by a hydraulic actuator to close the opening by a wedging action in the vertical direction. The seal is enhanced by a sealing strip fastened around the periphery of the door which is compressed between the door and the opening when the door is closed. A hinge is connected between the door and the actuator which allows it to move laterally as well as vertically so that it can fit snugly into the opening. The door can also be raised to close the opening. In the case of large heavy doors the hinge can be omitted and the door may be raised or lowered using guides.

Abstract: A cast ceramic hearth door and frame which provides a one-piece ceramic frame with provisions for a door to be slideably disposed within the one-piece frame.

Abstract: An incinerator having a generally cylindrical, horizontally disposed shell enclosed at its ends by vertical end plates and defining a combustion chamber. The upper sector of the shell is provided with a feed opening for introducing combustible waste into the housing and the opening extends continuously between the opposite end plates. Enclosing the feed opening is a generally curved door, the lower portion of which is hinged to the shell so that the door can be pivoted between a closed and open position. The gases of combustion are discharged from the combustion chamber through a stack and the upper portion of the shell bordering the stack can be formed with an enclosed heating jacket through which a heating medium can be circulated. Heat from the combustion of waste will act to heat the medium and the heated medium can be used for auxiliary heating purposes.