Abstract: A machine parts protecting system for protecting those parts of a machine that may be in close proximity to high temperature flames. This system is for a machine used for processing workpieces and has a plurality of workpiece holding members which are indexed in a stop-and-go fashion through a number of operating stations. The protecting system includes a photo-detector to detect that a workpiece is not being held by one of the workpiece holding members and to send a first signal to a memory circuit which retains that information until a predetermined time when the empty workpiece holding member arrives at an operating station with high temperature flames. At that time the memory circuit initiates a second signal opening a solenoid valve, thereby permitting an air jet to blow the high temperature flames away from the empty workpiece holding member.

Abstract: An industrial oven in which articles to be heat treated are carried by a conveyor through a heated tunnel space in a tunnel structure which has end walls with access openings, such oven comprising a nozzle directed downwardly into the tunnel space at an inclined angle across at least one access opening, an exhaust opening communicating with the tunnel space in the vicinity of the upper portion of such access opening, and air handling means for withdrawing hot air from the tunnel space through said exhaust opening while blowing hot air into the tunnel space through said nozzle for minimizing the escape of hot air through such access opening. The air handling means may take the form of a recirculating blower connected between the exhaust opening and the nozzle. The oven may have an air heating and recirculating system which withdraws air from the tunnel space.

Abstract: An arc furnace enclosure has front, side and rear walls and a roof. A front opening in the enclosure allows a charging bucket to be moved into the enclosure and there is a roof opening for access to the furnace electrodes. A door assembly is movable into and out of a closed position to cover the front and top openings except for a gap which permits the charging bucket support hooks to extend from the enclosure so that the door assembly may be closed during charging. An air curtain seals the roof gaps and a vent withdraws gases and smoke from the enclosure.

Abstract: A furnace for heat treating vertically depending sheet material moving through an enclosed heating chamber, the furnace having entrance and exit openings in opposed end walls and a slot in the roof extending between the openings. The depending sheet material moves through the heating chamber suspended from a trolley supported above the slot, which trolley has hanger rods projecting through the slot. The entrance and exit openings are closed by doors, and an air curtain directed across the slot provides a pressure barrier which, together with the doors, prevents the flow of heated gases from and within the heating chamber.

Abstract: An air barrier device for an opening in a wall including air flow generating members arranged at opposite boundary edges of the opening on both sides of the opening and arranged to direct individual curtains of air obliquely towards each other and into the spaces separated by the wall to thereby define a closed air volume. Air flow sensing members are positioned at the opening and are operable to modify the operation of the air flow generating members in response to the detection of a net flow of air through the opening to stop the net air flow.

Abstract: A gas shielding method for a fuel exchange pool in which, in order to shield radioactive gas generated in said fuel exchange pool by forming a gas curtain flowing in one direction above the fuel pool, both a ratio between a blown-out quantity and a sucked quantity of the gas flow and a temperature difference between the gas and the water in the fuel pool are suitably selected.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for attachment adjacent an open end of a rotary furnace, having a first effluent furnace gas exhaust duct projecting into the furnace and a dust collecting hood adjacent the furnace opening. A pressurized air duct plenum having a plurality of air jet holes directs a curtain of air across the furnace open end, and a receiving air duct plenum having a plurality of openings collects the air curtain for exhausting via a filter system. The hot effluent furnace gas is passed through a gas to gas heat exchanger and to the aforementioned filter system.

Abstract: A furnace for treating glass sheet material and the like in a glass tempering system. The furnace includes an upper glass treating zone and a lower gas treating and distributing zone for homogenizing gases of different temperatures to minimize exposure of the sheet being treated in the treating zone to uneven temperatures. Diametrically opposed inlets and outlets are provided in the side walls controlled by doors, and a slot in the top wall extends between the inlets and outlets to permit movement of a material carrier through the furnace. A pressure chamber communicates with the slot to cool conveyor elements at the top of the furnace, and also to provide a pressure barrier resisting the escape of gases from the furnace through the slots. Air curtains impinge on the tops of the doors in their closed positions to reduce leakage at the top of the doors.

Abstract: Apparatus adapted to reduce emissions from the doors of coke ovens and the like includes a separate fume collecting hood positioned above each oven door, manifolds connected therewith and with a suction fan and gas cleaner, a valve in each hood, a series of nozzles for an aspirating fluid spaced along each oven door jamb, supply pipes therefore and a supply main, valves in the supply pipes, a closed coke guide adapted to be positioned against an oven being pushed, and spring-urged means carried by the end of the coke guide adapted to seal the guide to the oven.