Abstract: An insulative panel prevents heat transfer from a molten metal melt. The panel comprises a reinforced refractory slab supported along its edges. An insulation layer is placed on top of the refractory slab, thereby creating a hot zone between the molten metal and the insulation layer and a cold zone in and above the insulation layer. Reinforcing members are placed in the cold zone on top or within the insulation layer vertically above reinforcing rods in the refractory slab. Hangers extending downwardly from the reinforcing members through the insulation layer and refractory slab are joined to the reinforcing rods for supporting the reinforcing rods in the hot zone by the reinforcing or support members in the cold zone.

Abstract: A soft landing cantilever boat loader for loading semiconductor wafer carrying boats into a furnace process tube includes a loading station having one or more loading assemblies, an automatically controlled door associated with each loading assembly for selectively closing an end of the process tube and a microcomputer based control system for controlling and coordinating process operations. The loading assemblies are of a low profile configuration and each include a boat supporting, cantilevered paddle that is mounted by a quick release mechanism on a carriage which is driven along ways by a motor. A motor speed control circuit provides closed loop motor speed using a pulse width modulated motor drive. A door operating mechanism provides movement of the door along two transverse axes to assure tight sealing of the door against the tube.

Abstract: An improved exhaust port plug is provided for use in a baking furnace for the baking of anodes for use in an electrolytic reduction cell. The improved exhaust port plug comprises a cylindrical metal shell having a diameter approximating the diameter of the port, a cover member on the shell having a dimension exceeding the diameter of the port, a gasket means on the underside of the cover member surrounding the shell and adapted to sealingly engage an external portion of the furnace, a mat of packed ceramic fibers within the shell, and retaining means to retain the mat of ceramic fibers within the metal shell.

Abstract: Installation for preparing metal billets for extrusion, comprising a furnace (1) heating a metal bloom (4), having an elongate receptacle (10), means of heating the bloom and means (3) of pushing the bloom out of the receptacle along a longitudinal axis of movement, and a shear (2) cutting the bloom into billets of a length suitable for extrusion, comprising a pair of rear jaws (5) mounted in a fixed frame (21) and at least one front jaw (65) mounted so as to slide, transversely relative to the axis of movement of the bloom, along the rear jaws (5) and on the opposite site to the furnace (1) and associated with means (66) of controlling, as a result of sliding, the shearing of a specific length of the bloom (4).

Abstract: The specification discloses a door for a slab-heating furnace. A series of closure members are positioned in side-by-side relationship from one side of the opening to the other. Each closure member has one or more sections pivotally connected to an adjacent section.

Abstract: A structure such as a wall of a high temperature furnace door is lined with fibrous refractory insulation material which has structural fastening devices embedded therein or interleaved between planks thereof. In one embodiment, plank-like pieces of fibrous refractory material are arranged in a stack extending edgewise with respect to the wall, and sheets of expanded metal are positioned between the refractory planks and are anchored to the wall. The interleaved stack of refractory planks and expanded metal sheets are compressed such that the metal sheets become essentially embedded within the refractory material to securely grip large surface areas of the planks to hold the refractory planks in place. In preferred practice, rods extend through slots formed in the wall and connect with the expanded metal sheets to hold the sheets of expanded metal in place after the interleaved stack has been compressed.

Abstract: A lightweight cover provides heat insulation for a heated vessel such as a soaking pit. The cover can be readily assembled in a manner providing for ease of repair plus simplicity of maintenance. The cover has a pair of opposing frame members with ceramic fiber insulation positioned therebetween. The insulation is secured in movable engagement such as a free-floating and swinging engagement. In this mode, compression can be exerted against the insulation to most desirably reduce heat loss otherwise caused by heat induced ceramic fiber shrinkage. Moreover, with this structure a ceramic fiber heat seal can be achieved around edges of the soaking pit.

Abstract: A lightweight, refractory soaking pit cover is formed from a plurality of trapezoidally shaped modules, with adjacent modules positioned wide-face-up and wide-face-down, and contained within a periphery of higher density rim blocks. The rim blocks and wide-face-down modules are attached to a structural steel frame, while the wide-face-up modules rest by gravity on the edges of the rim blocks and wide-face-down modules. The modules are readily replaceable and provide a lightweight construction and good insulation properties.

Abstract: A cover for a top charged melting furnace includes an annular ring of downwardly extending blocks or modules of ceramic fiber insulating material. A plurality of T-bar anchors cooperate with the blocks to provide an anchor system for the annular ring. This anchor system allows the ring's attachment to the cover to be tightened in compensation for heat and compressionally related block size reductions. The anchoring system prevents the ring of blocks from sagging during cover elevation while not interfering with upward movement of the blocks during cover positioning on the furnace. The annular ring of blocks protects the main portion of the cover's insulation from damage and any damaged blocks in the ring are readily replaceable.

Abstract: A portable gas forge. The forge is comprised of a housing having an insulated interior and an opening for insertion of the article to be heated such as a horseshoe or the like. The forge is resistant to blow-out by wind when used in the field and has a specially designed burner connected to the top of the housing. The burner is connected to a source of gas such as an LP gas cylinder. A gas orifice is connected to an enlarged burner pipe having a bell-shaped primary air inlet adjacent the gas orifice. A source of secondary air is located at the exterior pipe connection to the housing to provide an annular air passage through the housing to the burner outlet to obtain maximum flame concentration in the housing and inhibit burn back or back flaming. An internal restrictor adjacent the burner pipe outlet is employed to increase the burner gas velocity and aid in secondary air aspiration and combustion efficiency.

Abstract: In a shaft furnace having a metal shell, a refractory furnace lining inside the shell and a taphole construction comprising a drilled taphole extending through a plug located in an aperture in the shell and a taphole brick structure forming part of said furnace lining, the taphole brick structure at least partly consists of at least one taphole brick of high thermal conductivity material selected from the group comprising graphite, semi-graphite and material of equivalent heat conductivity, there further being screening means comprising material of substantially lower heat conductivity coefficient than graphite and semi-graphite located between said taphole brick and said furnace shell.

Abstract: A form for constructing a refractory roof for an electric arc furnace having a provision for selectively changing the electrode opening pattern and also forming a roof of different diameters.

Abstract: A lightweight cover provides heat insulation for a heated vessel such as a soaking pit. The cover can be readily assembled in a manner providing for ease of repair plus simplicity of maintenance. The cover has a pair of opposing frame members with ceramic fiber insulation positioned therebetween. The insulation is secured in movable engagement such as a draped and swinging engagement. In this mode, compression can be exerted against the insulation to most desirably reduce heat loss otherwise caused by heat induced ceramic fiber shrinkage. Moreover, with this structure a ceramic fiber heat seal can be achieved around edges of the soaking pit.

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 discharge door assembly for a reheat pusher furnace having a drop out slope includes a refractory lined main frame, a hood extending out from the main frame, a fluid plenum extending substantially the length of the door beneath the hood and a plurality of fluid jets spaced along and extending from the plenum to direct a stream of fluid such as air parallel or convergent with the drop out slope.

Abstract: A sealing frame of generally Z-shaped cross-section, extending all around a peripheral flange of a coke-oven door, has an inner rim hugging that flange and a cantilevered web resiliently bearing with a free knife edge upon a door frame of an associated coking chamber. The rim is held against the door flange by recessed clamping plates which are shiftable, together with the sealing flange, in a direction perpendicular to the door opening under pressure of cams on the inner surface of a multiplicity of retaining disks overhanging these plates with shafts rotatably lodged in the door flange.

Abstract: An electric furnace includes a lifting structure actuating a furnace cover and comprising a stationary supporting post. A lifting means is axially displaceably guided on the stationary supporting post by an upper and a lower bearing. The lifting column is liftable and lowerable by the lifting means and engageable with, and disengageable from, the furnace cover. In order to provide a lifting structure that enables either a lower construction height or substantially slighter forces in the bearings of the lifting column, the hollowly designed lifting column peripherally surrounds the stationary supporting post. The lifting means is articulately connected with a head plate closing the lifting column on its upper end and with a stationary part of the plant.

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: A closure and seal construction for a high-pressure oxidation furnace and the like having a quartz chamber and an integral quartz wall formed with an opening for receiving into the chamber material to be processed, the wall providing an annular surface surrounding the opening and being formed with an annular recess in the surface surrounding the opening; a combined cooling and sealing tube mounted in the recess and protruding slightly therefrom; a closure mounted for engagement with the tube and wall surface; and the tube having an elasticity responsive to a closing pressure to resiliently retract and provide simultaneous sealing engagement of the closure with the wall surface and tube.

Abstract: A heated chamber having at least one opening; closure means for closing said at least one opening, said closure means having at least a closed and open position; said closure means and said opening having surfaces disposed for coming into proximity of one another in said closed position, said surfaces forming a primary sealing means for said heated chamber in said closed position, there being a substance applied to at least one of said proximate surfaces, said substance having a property of expanding upon the application of heat thereby forming a secondary sealing means between said proximate surfaces in said closed position.

Abstract: The present invention consists of a forge for heating horseshoes or the like to enable a blacksmith to shape and form metal objects. The forge or oven includes a gas burner which is positioned to maximize the heating capabilities of the oven while utilizing a minimum of gas fuel.

Abstract: A flexible cover for a carbon bake pit has a flexible, expanded metal backing to which is attached a blanket of insulating ceramic fibers. This construction allows the cover to flex in order to conform to the surface of the material in the pit. Lifting means are attached to the expanded metal backing in a manner so as to permit this flexibility.

Abstract: In a coke oven of the type having a plurality of filling shafts with openings and caps therefor at the oven roof, in order to reduce the temperature gradient and heat losses at the roof of the coke oven, the caps of the filling shafts are each directly mounted on fire-resistant brickwork rather than a metallic frame; also, the associated caps are each made of ceramic material with optional reinforcement and include a metal insert which is heat insulated from the oven by a heat barrier. The metal insert facilitates magnetic hoisting of the cap during unloading and loading of the oven and is provided with an adjoining layer of fired clay and felt. The engaging surfaces of the cap body and the brickwork of the filling shaft opening are preferably conical and define an annular recess on the outside for pouring cement or the like to secure the cap in position and seal off the shaft.

Abstract: A vertical continuous annealing furnace has two furnace covers vertically spaced away from each other. Each furnace cover is laterally slidable with respect to the furnace proper and has two long narrow openings through which strip is passed. There is a relatively small pre-chamber between the first furnace cover above and the second furnace cover below. The space below the second furnace cover constitutes a heating chamber. A partition extends from the undersurface of the second furnace cover to near the bottom of the furnace, dividing the heating chamber into a heating zone and a soaking zone. In charging and discharging the strip, the two furnace covers are alternately opened and closed, thereby keeping the heating chamber out of exposure to the outside air.

Abstract: Apparatus for moving a vessel heater cover including upper linkage, lower linkage and a bell crank. The bell crank is pivotally secured to the upper and lower linkage. The lower linkage includes first and second pivot points. The first pivot point connects the lower linkage with the cover and the second pivot point connects the lower linkage with the connector link. A source of power is provided for effecting rotation of the connector link about the second pivot. Counterweights may be provided and be pivoted about the second pivot. The first pivot may include a gimbal providing two axes of rotation for the cover disposed generally perpendicular to each other. Compressible insulation in the cover may project downwardly to provide automatic sealing with the vessel cover. The mechanism provides automatic compensation for misalignment between the vessel rim and the cover.

Abstract: A method for reducing excessive air inleakage and fuel consumption in open ring-type carbon baking furnaces is disclosed. This method consists in covering the preheat sections of the fire with covers. Each cover is preferably mounted on legs and a flexible sealing skirt is located all around to accommodate the height variations across each furnace section. There are usually more than one preheat section and the covers are identical in construction and dimension to minimize movement of the covers when the fire progresses. To further reduce fuel consumption, covers can also be placed on some of the cooling sections behind the fuel-fired sections and air can be blown or sucked into these sections to force cool these sections and to provide preheated air for combustion in the fuel-fired sections.

Abstract: A continuous strip preheat furnace and method of operation is disclosed wherein the furnace is provided with fired and unfired sections, separate exhaust stacks operably secured to each section, and means to regulate the flue gases which pass through the separate exhaust stacks to improve the operating efficiency of the furnace. The fired and unfired sections may both be vertical or horizontal, or one may be vertical and the other horizontal.

Abstract: A pit cover for retaining heat in an open top, ring-shaped, carbon anode baking furnace comprises an insulating cement cast into the form of the cover, at least one metal beam embedded in the insulating cement, and a plurality of stainless steel needles interspersed substantially throughout the insulating cement for reinforcement purposes. The insulating cement has a K factor of approximately 2 to 4, a density of approximately 80 to 100 lb./ft..sup.3, a cold crushing strength in the range of 1,000 to 5,000 psi, and a low iron content, preferably, less than 2%.

Abstract: An improved furnace is provided for growing crystalline bodies from a melt. The improved furnace is characterized by a door assembly which is remotely controlled and is arranged so as to selectively shut off or permit communication between an access port in the furnace enclosure and a hot zone within that enclosure. The invention is especially adapted to facilitate use of crystal growing cartridges of the type disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,118,197.

Abstract: A heat-insulating construction comprising a sealed empty chamber in which the external lower surface consists of a reflective surface, and a refractory fiber layer connecting to the lower side of said chamber.

Abstract: In an apparatus for thermal treatment of semiconductors in a treating gas, a cylindrical plug extends into a treating tube so as to substantially fill the treating tube, as far as the cylindrical plug extends into the treating tube, except for a clearance provided around the cylindrical plug, between the cylindrical plug and the treating tube, whereby formation of convection currents in the treating gas is prevented. The cylindrical plug may be separate from a sealing closure, integral with the sealing closure, or integral with the treating tube. If integral with the treating tube, the cylindrical plug has a tubular portion and a bottom portion, which plugs the tubular portion but is removable.

Abstract: As used in an apparatus for thermal treatment of semiconductors, a treating tube has a flanged portion at one end, near an outlet for a treating gas, and a sealing closure has a cylindrical portion and a flanged portion. The flanged portion of the sealing closure is adapted to be interfitted with the flanged portion of the treating tube so as to seal said end. The sealing closure is removable so as to open said end. The cylindrical portion is adapted to be inserted into the treating tank through said end so as to substantially fill the treating tube, as far as the cylindrical portion extends into the tube, except for a clearance provided around the cylindrical portion, between the cylindrical portion and the treating tube, whereby formation of convection currents in the treating gas is prevented. The flanged portion of the treating tube, a hollow interior of the sealing closure, and the flanged portion of the sealing closure are open to an outer atmosphere when the flanged portions are interfitted.

Abstract: A high temperature car bottom furnace is provided with an improved seal on the mating closing surfaces. The side walls of the furnace chamber have tapered bottom surfaces sloping toward the end wall of the furnace chamber. The moving furnace floor is provided with complementary tapered sealing surfaces mating with the bottom surfaces of the side wall. A resilient compressible insulating layer is secured therebetween for sealing the chamber along each side wall. This arrangement not only reduces the abrasive contact between the moving surface and the compressible insulating layer but also facilitates non-abrasive closing action by the door wall of the furnace.

Abstract: A "no-heat" clothes dryer is provided herein. It includes a drying chamber having an access opening. An access door is hinged to the access opening, the door being adapted to close the access opening in an hermetically sealed manner. Means, which are conventional but which are adapted to be actuated only when the door is closed, are provided to subject the interior of the drying chamber to a vacuum. Means are provided which positively interrelate the breaking of the vacuum with the opening of the access door. Such means include a door handle having a lever which is pivotally mounted to move between a closed position, where it locks the door in a closed position, and an open position, where it simultaneously opens vents to the interior of the drying chamber and unlocks the door to enable opening thereof.

Abstract: A refractory brickwork wall having an opening therethrough has incorporated therein, at a position above the opening, a relief brickwork configuration in the form of a gable or roof. The relief brickwork includes a plurality of relief bricks each having an upper inclined surface, a lower inclined surface and a lower, generally horizontal step surface. The relief bricks are arranged one above the other in an inclined formation with the lower inclined surface of the upper relief brick of each pair of adjacent relief bricks resting on the upper inclined surface of the lower relief brick of such pair of adjacent relief bricks, and with the upper relief brick of each pair of adjacent relief bricks being partially offset in a horizontal direction from the lower relief brick of such pair of adjacent relief bricks.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for closing bottom-entry slab furnaces in which a door is pivotably connected to the slab elevator by a horizontally arranged hinge. The door is provided with a cam follower that cooperates with a cam apparatus to controllably swing the door between closed and open positions as the door is moved vertically past the cam apparatus.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to an improved fluid bed furnace which includes a new and improved cover assembly and which is of the type including a fluid bed including a material which fluidizes upon being subjected to a flow of a gas mixture therethrough and a burner for distributing a gas mixture at an elevated temperature through the fluid bed material for fluidizing and agitating the fluid bed material. The cover assembly provides both exhaustion of the heated gas mixture from the furnace fluid bed and confinement of the agitated fluid bed material within the fluid bed.

Abstract: Structure for an incinerator hearth is disclosed where the drop hole area of the hearth can be constructed entirely of standard shape, and thus readily available, fire brick rather than the special shapes previously necessary.

Abstract: A novel and improved cover structure is provided for a furnace, particularly a soaking pit cover. The cover comprises a one-piece cast ferrous metal shell or body having a shallow recess at one side, a plurality of anchor devices secured in spaced relation to the base surface of the recess, and an insulating refractory lining disposed in and filling the recess and retained by the anchor devices. Preferably, the anchor devices are in the form of C-shaped metal hangers affixed to the base surface of the recess and refractory ribbed anchor blocks mounted in the hangers. The refractory lining is preferably a monolithic layer of rammable plastic or castable refractory, particularly a light weight refractory having a bulk density not greater than about 80 lb/ft.sup.3 (1280 kg/m.sup.3).

Abstract: A heating apparatus having doors mounted on the inlet and outlet of a furnace body to cover them and at least one additional door disposed in an intermediate portion of the furnace body to divide it into compartment furnace chambers forming a preheating chamber, a heating chamber and/or a warmth-keeping chamber, from the inlet side to the outlet side. A hot air circulating device is disposed in each of the compartment furnace chambers in a manner such that areas close to each door are much heated. When a material to be heated is charged from the preheating chamber, outer air is shut off from the heating chamber, and when the material to be heated is delivered into the heating chamber, outer air is shut off from the preheating chamber. When the material is shifted from the heating chamber to the warmth-keeping chamber or is discharged to the outside from the warmth-keeping chamber, outer air is shut off in the same manner as above.

Abstract: A peripheral seal for a furnace, e.g. a soaking pit, comprising an elongate rectangular section fibre assembly mountable on the furnace roof or door such that a flat face of the assembly can bear on a mating face of the furnace wall, means being provided for advancing the assembly such that the flat face thereof can be maintained in contact with the wall face whereby to compensate for wear and erosion of the fibre assembly.

Abstract: A scrap preheating system in which scrap metal is preheated and contaminants such as grease removed therefrom by direct impingement of flames upon the scrap. The system includes a tunnel like preheater hood through which a conveyor passes conveying the scrap. The preheater hood includes parallel side walls positioned adjacent the conveyor and a roof assembly in which are positioned a plurality of burners for directing flames upon the scrap. The roof assembly of the preheater hood is formed into a plurality of substantially identical modular roof assemblies which are carried by the side walls and are positioned in side by side relationship along the side walls transverse to the longitudinal axis of the conveyor.

Abstract: A firing kiln, especially for use as a vacuum firing kiln for dental ceramic purposes, having a lower portion having a fixed firing platform, an upper portion raisable from the lower portion and in abutting relationship therewith, the lower portion having a hollow firing chamber in facing relationship with a fixed firing platform. The firing chamber includes means for emitting heat into the hollow chamber and toward the fixed firing platform, the surface of the fixed firing platform being at or above the level of the upper edge of the lower portion.

Abstract: A ceramic fiber module, suitable for lining furnaces, comprises a weldable (metallic or perforate refractory) backing and a number of ceramic fiber mats cemented to the backing by the edge of the mat, so as to leave a portion of the backing accessible between mats or on their perimeter, for welding. The weldable backing is welded to a metallic substrate, preferably by use of spherical attachments, to provide thermal protection to the metallic substrate.

Abstract: A slot furnace has a radiation resistant door which can easily be opened and closed as necessary during operation. The door is mounted on a pivot so that an end thereof covered with heat resistant insulation can be pivoted to open and close the slot when desired, to allow ease of feeding and removing materials from the furnace while preventing substantial radiational heat loss during normal operations.

Abstract: A flexible insulating blanket attached to a metal backing with adjustable panels about the backing is used to cover the opening of a carbon anode baking furnace to bring about sealing contact between the cover and the furnace walls so as to minimize thermal requirements and losses from the furnace.

Abstract: A kiln has a bottom opening for loading the objects to be fired into the firing chamber. The door for closing the firing chamber provides the hearth of the kiln and supports the objects to be fired. A parallel linkage mechanism maintains the door in a horizontal orientation as it is moved from the closed position wherein the objects to be fired are in the kiln, to the open position wherein the objects are supported in front of the kiln.

Abstract: A tunnel autoclave having guillotine doors at opposite ends has sections of rail fixed to the said doors so as to be aligned with guide rails extending through the said autoclave when the doors are in the open position.

Abstract: Prior to the present invention, there has not existed any equivalent to the present furnace door for a porcelain furnace in which door there is provided a lineal passage for alternate insertion of an opaque insulator insert and a viewing structure defining a lineal see-through channel having a transparent heat barrier at an outer end thereof utilizing air space within the channel extending to an interior-furnace end for insulating air, and an outer end of the passage defining female step(s) and the respective inserts each respectively including a male step(s) which mates flushly with the female step when inserted to provide an improved heat seal for the inserts each respectively.

Abstract: A combined kiln and lid prop in which the kiln has an upwardly opening lid pivotally mounted thereon, said prop being pivotally mounted on the kiln and having an upwardly extended propping position in which it is releasably retained by resting the lid thereon, an outward reclining position, and a center of gravity in the propping position outward of the pivotal mounting thereof so that the prop automatically pivots to the reclining position when the weight of the lid is removed therefrom allowing the lid fully to close.