Board lined furnace with side immersion heating elements
AssigneeSPX Corporation
InventorsAndrew Wisdom, Robert Janney
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A holding furnace for holding a molten metal includes a housing having an interior chamber for holding the molten metal. An insulating board structure is placed into the chamber along at least a side portion of the housing. The insulating board structure contains heat within the housing for maintaining the metal in a molten state. A heater assembly is provided in a side of the furnace. The heater assembly is installed in the side of the furnace with a structural arrangement that protects against leakage of molten metal from the furnace interior to the furnace exterior.
Claims24
A holding furnace for holding a molten metal, said furnace comprising:
- a housing having an interior chamber for holding the molten metal and an opening into said chamber;
- an insulating board structure disposed within said chamber and in overlying relation to at least a side portion of said housing, said insulating board structure being constructed and arranged to contain heat within said housing for maintaining the metal in a molten state;
- a heater assembly extending through a side opening of said housing and through a side opening in said insulating board structure into said chamber, said heater assembly being constructed and arranged to be immersed in the molten metal and to transfer heat thereto;
- and
- a sealing device disposed in fluid sealing relation to said housing and to said insulating board structure, wherein said sealing device is arranged in said side openings in said housing and said insulating board structure and configured with a multiple step joint along an outer surface thereof to provide a fluid-tight seal, and wherein said sealing device is configured to support said heater assembly.
A holding furnace for holding a molten metal, said furnace comprising:
- a housing having an interior chamber for holding the molten metal and an opening into said chamber;
- an insulating board structure disposed within said chamber and in overlying relation to at least a side portion of said housing, said insulating board structure being constructed and arranged to contain heat within said housing for maintaining the metal in a molten state;
- a heater assembly extending through a side opening of said housing and through a side opening in said insulating board structure into said chamber, said heater assembly being constructed and arranged to be immersed in the molten metal and to transfer heat thereto;
- and
- a sealing means disposed in fluid sealing relation to said housing and to said insulating board structure, wherein said sealing means is arranged in said side openings in said housing and said insulating board structure and configured with a multiple step joint along an outer surface thereof to provide a fluid-tight seal, and wherein said sealing device is configured to support said heater assembly.
A method of heating a board lined furnace, said method comprising:
- heating an interior of the furnace with a heater assembly provided through a side wall of the furnace;
- and
- retaining the heat in interior of the furnace by surrounding the interior of the furnace with an insulating board structure.
A sealing device for sealing an opening provided in a side wall of a board lined holding furnace, comprising:
- a fluid sealing surface having a stepped portion configured to inhibit fluid flow along an exterior surface of the sealing device, and configured to be disposed in fluid sealing relation to a housing of the furnace;
- and
- a supporting portion having a tapered sealing surface configured to inhibit fluid flow along an interior surface of the sealing device, the supporting portion being configured to support a furnace heater arranged therein.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.