Shuttle kiln with enhanced radiant heat retention
AssigneeCorning Incorporated
InventorsPeng Chen, Pravin Anant Rajeshirke, Mayur Vitthal Selokar
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A shuttle kiln according to certain aspects includes at least one flue channel and multiple flue risers in fluid communication with the flue channel, and at least one shuttle defining multiple exhaust shafts arranged above the multiple flue risers, wherein at least one radiation blockers is arranged above outlet ports of the at least one shuttle. Such a configuration blocks line-of-sight radiant heat transfer between (i) heated surfaces above the shuttle within the kiln housing and (ii) outlet ports of the exhaust shafts, thereby enhancing radiant heat retention and reducing temperature variability within a kiln cavity of the shuttle kiln.
Claims14
A shuttle kiln, comprising:
- a shuttle configured to be removably positioned within an interior of a kiln housing and comprising at least one exhaust shaft having an inlet port and an outlet port arranged below the inlet port, the at least one exhaust shaft configured to be positioned above and in fluid communication with at least one flue riser of the kiln housing, and the at least one exhaust shaft configured to be separated from the at least one flue riser to define an entrainment gap therebetween;
- and
- a radiation blocker positioned above the outlet port of the at least one exhaust shaft to block line-of-sight radiant heat transfer between (i) any heated surface above the shuttle within the kiln housing and (ii) the outlet port of the at least one exhaust shaft, and wherein the radiation blocker comprises at least one radiation shield positioned above the inlet port of the at least one exhaust shaft of the shuttle.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.