Laser jet bell kiln

Abstract

A furnace for firing refractory ware including a vertically movable bell adapted to enclose a car of refractory ware. Means is provided to seal the enclosure defined by the bell, to evacuate air from the sealed bell enclosure, and to deliver a fluidized, chemically inert, non-combustible, high thermal absorption material to the evacuated bell. A plurality of lasers are provided on the bell facing spaced locations therein and are adapted to be fired sequentially. When fired, the light and heat energy from each laser beam is diffused and absorbed by the inert material and is then re-radiated throughout the bell enclosure to fire the refractory ware therein. Also disclosed is a method of firing refractory ware including the steps of positioning a bell having lasers thereon over refractory ware, sealing the enclosure defined by the bell and evacuating air therefrom, injecting a chemically inert, non-combustible, high thermal absorption material into the enclosure, and firing the lasers into the enclosure, heat and light from the laser beams being absorbed by the material and then re-radiated to heat the enclosures and fire the refractory ware.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.