Abstract:
A pusher furnace includes a pusher assembly having first and second coordinated pushers for pushing load supports with loads to be heated thereon to provide continuous downstream movement of the load supports through a furnace section. A removal assembly includes a first removal mechanism which removes the load supports from the furnace section and a second removal mechanism which removes the loads from the first removal mechanism to facilitate the continuous downstream movement. The first removal mechanism preferably includes a parallelogram-type four-bar linkage for lifting the load supports and lowering them onto the second removal mechanism. Entry and exit plenums are connected to respective ends of the furnace section to provide a controlled atmosphere within the furnace section. The pusher and removal assemblies are timed with opening and closing of various gates of the plenums to maintain the controlled atmosphere.
Abstract:
Spaced-apart skid frames support workpieces in a reheat furnace. Each skid frame includes a plurality of spaced-apart rails arranged to extend along the path of travel of the workpieces in the furnace for engaging the underside faces of the workpieces. A tubular top cord member carries rail members. Two horizontally-spaced tubular lower cord members extend parallel and below the top cord member. Tubular web members extend angularly between joints which intersect with the top and lower cord members to form a lattice structure having triangular open spaces between the top cord member in each of the lower cord members for passage or radiation to heat the underside faces of workpieces along either side of the skid frames. Coolant is supplied to each of the top and lower cord members and the tubular web members to prevent overheating.
Abstract:
A grate is formed of a plurality of grate elements each in turn having a horizontal elongated support tube extending above and parallel to a supply tube. One end of the supply tube is connected via an upright connector tube or the corresponding end of the support tube and a plurality of posts extend vertically down from the support tube to the supply tube with their lower ends connected to the support tube. One end of the supply tube is fixed and the rest of the supply tube can move relative to its fixed end so when a heat-exchange fluid is passed through the supply tube, connector tube, and support tube the supply and support tubes will expand or contract thermally and displace the upper and lower ends of the connector tube and posts to the same extent.
Abstract:
An insulation covering for the protection of cylindrical bodies exposed to high thermal and mechanical stresses is provided by the assembly of flexible resilient ring shaped insulation elements, the elements being comprised of fibrous refractory materials such as aluminum silicate, silica, alumina or glass. The insulation elements are assembled in a stacked array and are then compressed between rigid, or adjustable metal bands, to give a firm body of insulation which surrounds and protects the enclosed cylindrical body. One side of the ring shaped insulation elements may be severed to allow opening the insulation elements for installation around the cylindrical body, this modification being employed when the insulation elements cannot be placed over one of the ends of the body.
Abstract:
A fibrous ceramic insulating blanket is wrapped around the water-cooled pipes in a steel processing reheating furnace. The resilient blanket, in sections, is pressed onto threaded anchor studs projecting from the pipes and is held in place by ceramic anchors placed over each stud and secured to the stud by a lock nut. A ceramic mortar covers the lock nut seated in a depression in the ceramic anchor. The assembly is then sprayed overall with a liquid rigidizer which upon hardening provides a relatively hard and erosion resistant outer layer over a resilient inner layer.
Abstract:
A walking beam furnace for heating a charge being advanced through the furnace by walking beams located in longitudinal opening in the hearth which is provided with longitudinally extending ridges on both sides of the openings for supporting the charge thereby forming a longitudinally extending area above the walking beams operating in the area. The ridges are provided with transverse channels connecting the longitudinal areas for the walking beams with the spaces outside the ridges, and these spaces are supplied with heat for introduction into the areas above the walking beams but below the charge.
Abstract:
In a furnace in which a workpiece is supported on hollow supporting members, a fluid heat transfer medium is circulated through a closed system which includes the hollow supporting members. The heat transfer medium which has a boiling point of at least 300* F. is introduced into the supporting member at a temperature of at least 300* F. and cooled when leaving the supporting members to a minimum temperature of 300* F. A pump is provided for circulating the heat transfer medium and a heat exchanger is provided between the exit side of the supporting members and the entry side of the pump. The medium in the closed system is preferably maintained at super-atmospheric pressures.
Abstract:
A load transport mechanism for moving a heat treating load in a multi-station heat treating system is disclosed. The transport mechanism has a compact construction that allows it to fit in a centrally located stationary transport chamber. The transport chamber is adapted to provide ready access to multiple treating chambers arrayed around the chamber. The transport mechanism includes a load translation mechanism for moving the load linearly and a load rotation mechanism for rotating the load within the transport chamber. A multi-station heat treating system having a centrally located quenching chamber that includes the load transport mechanism is also disclosed.