Abstract: A furnace includes a jacket (1) which is removably mounted to a bottom plate construction (2) so that the jacket can be mounted on any one of a number of the bottom plate constructions. A cap (3) is removably secured on an upper part of the jacket by latches (4), and electric resistance elements (16, 22) are mounted adjacent to an inner surface of the jacket by a plurality of strips (14) having pins (15) thereon. Since the jacket is removably mounted on the bottom plate construction, after a burning process has been completed, the jacket can be removed from the bottom plate construction and placed on another similar bottom plate construction to initiate another burning process while the products which have been previously burned are allowed to cool. In the event that quick cooling of the products is not desirable, the cap may be removed and replaced by a simple, intermediate cap so that the products are allowed to cool more slowly.

Abstract: A heater which includes: at least two electrically conductive heating element units having generally a self-standing cylindrical shape and stacked one on another to define a series of at least two cylindrical heating zones, the heating element units each including of a grid-like structure alternately having a vertically disposed portion and a horizontally extending bridge portion; insulator blocks fitted on the ends of stacked upper and lower cylindrical heating element units which meet and which are made of a material having a sufficient electric resistance that will not conduct electric current at a maximum operating temperature of the heating element units; and an annular shaped connector conforming with the ends of the upper and lower heating element units which meet and which is interposed between the insulating blocks on the ends which meet to provide a mechanical connection between the stacked upper and lower heating element units.

Abstract: The specification discloses an analyzer having a furnace defining a furnace chamber and including a floor with an aperture communicating with the chamber. A sample-supporting platform is provided and movable between an analyzing position within said furnace chamber and a loading position below the level of, and out from under, the furnace. A plurality of heating elements extend into the furnace chamber and are insulatively sealed therein by a pair of slotted members which cooperate to reduce airflow along the elements.

Abstract: This invention relates to a new type of electric kiln suitable for the firing of pottery in small batches as is customarily carried out by hobbyists. In its preferred form the invention comprises an upright cylindrical wall of ceramic fibre thermal insulation mounted on a thermally insulating base and fitted with a lid of similar insulating material. Located within the cylindrical wall is a heating element which is a single multiturn helix of resistance wire of helix diameter slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the cylindrical wall. The diameter of the resistance wire may be substantially greater (and the electrical resistance less) than is normally used in electric kilns of similar size thus permitting a greater tolerance to corrosion.The heating element is carried in a set of equispaced ceramic pillars which permit changes in the diameter of the helix while maintaining the separation of the turns of the helix.

Abstract: A suspension system for an electric heating element array of a furnace comprises first and second suspension arms with a hanger element support member extended therebetween. The suspension arms are pivotally mounted to a support rod passing through the insulation module and linked to the furnace wall via the module attachment system. Upon affixation of the insulation module to the furnace wall the suspension arms are pivoted until the support member contiguously transverses the hot face of the module. A plurality of hanger elements are suspended from the support member with the heating elements then hung therefrom.

Abstract: An electrical resistance furnace which includes a number of electrical resistance heating elements arranged around the sides and surrounding a space containing a crucible or similar container to be heated, the elements being supported at least at their ends by fire-brick material and being surrounded by heat insulation, wherein both ends of each resistance element extend through apertures in the fire-brick material so that by removing part of the heat insulation access may be gained to both ends of the element from the exterior of the furnace to permit removal and repair or replacement of the element.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to graphite shields (or shields of other materials which may react chemically or be oxidized in a vacuum furnace but which when condensed do not readily conduct electricity) or graphite shield liners used to protect electrical insulating devices from having electrical shorting path means develop thereon.

Abstract: A furnace producing a precisely controlled temperature gradient within a central bore by a plurality of heating elements sandwiched between respective insulating layers with each heating element loosely thermally coupled to a thermally conductive ring extending concentrically outward from the furnace bore. Thermal sensors at each layer provide data to data processing equipment which controls and moves temperature gradients within the furnace by program.

Abstract: This invention relates to an electrical element support system that utilizes a series of ceramic hanger elements of generally rectangular cross-section which are adapted to be inserted into a clip which is attached by welding or bolting to the furnace wall. The clip provides bearing surfaces which match surfaces on the hanger element to provide support for the electrical element which is carried at the end of the support. The outer end of the hanger element generally has a hook or other device which is adapted to hold a particular electrical heating element.

Abstract: A high temperature melting furnace including a fibrous refractory cylindrical shell with a fibrous refractory top and a bottom composed of similar material. Heating is provided by molybdenum disilicide resistance wire loops hanging inside the shell. The furnace top has a removable closure plug for access to the furnace when in operation and the furnace bottom has a verticle charging hole with a removable pedestal insertable therein.

Abstract: A thermal-insulating panel for use in an electric furnace. A refractory fiber mat is formed of discrete refractory fibers bonded together by an inorganic bonding agent having a hot face, a cold face and a plurality of side faces. A plurality of individual ceramic supports are partially embedded in said mat and protrude outward from the hot face. The embedded portions are shaped so as to be firmly anchored within the mat, and the protruding portions are shaped to support an electrical resistance heating ribbon in the interior of the furnace.The modules are preferably formed in a felting box where the ceramic supports extend horizontally from cavities in the front wall. The layers of fibers build up upon the bottom screen in planes perpendicular to the hot face of the module.

Abstract: Disclosed is a support system for an electrical resistance heating element, such element being adapted to be mounted on ceramic fiber insulation covering the inner surfaces of furnace shells or the like. The support comprises a pin for insertion into the ceramic fiber module; and a clip or retaining wire which is held within an opening in the pin and is adapted to surround the resistance element, thereby to retain it in position; means are provided for securely anchoring the pin within the module.

Abstract: An apparatus replaceably carries an electrical resistance element for a furnace. The electrical element is of serpentine configuration having a plurality of U-shaped portions. At least one plate-shaped carrying element is mechanically fastened in a block of ceramic fibrous material. The carrying element includes a plurality of through-passages into which the U-shaped portions of the electrical element are inserted. The through-passages each include side walls and transverse walls which restrain movement of the electrical element in all directions except a direction in which the electrical element is inserted and removed. The carrying element is spaced from the adjacent curved segments of the U-shaped portions. The electrical element terminates in elongated terminals which are carried by a plug of fibrous ceramic material. The electrical element is situated within a recess of the ceramic block.

Abstract: A furnace wall lining is formed of ceramic fiber modules or batts arranged in stacks or layers between more rigid layers of insulating material to which are connected hangers for supporting electrical resistance heating elements. The more rigid insulating layers are preferably a dense fiber board insulating material having openings into which may be hooked one end of an elongated hanger which lies in a groove across the top face of the rigid insulating layer. An end of the hanger projects inwardly into the furnace chamber from the inner face of the furnace lining and supports the heating element. The rigid layers may be used to compress a stack of soft wall batts therebetween.

Abstract: An improved electrical heating element is constructed to increase the amount of electrical wire per unit space available for plug-type convection heating units. The heating element includes a metal frame structure with a plurality of spaced support elements and a plurality of spaced removable cross bars connected thereto. A plurality of ceramic heater support blocks, each of T-shape in plan, with spaced end faces are arranged end to end and have undercut grooves which receive a cross bar and are interposed between the support elements. A continuous electric resistance heating wire has a series of parallel spaced inverted U-shaped wire sections. The wire sections are arranged in groups. Each block has a support boss of reduced width adjacent one end face adapted to extend between the strands of a section of the heating wire. Each block has a pair of spaced bosses adjacent to its other end face which extend laterally outward of the support boss.