Method and apparatus for firing ceramic products
AssigneeThe Hepworth Iron Company Limited
InventorJohn F. Booth
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Clay pipes and the like (3) are fired in a kiln (1) through which they are conveyed by a pusher conveyer (2, 4) as individual articles, instead of being carried on cars or in containers. In the main firing zone of the kiln the pipes (3) roll along a surface (6) to maintain roundness and ensure uniform heating. In the preheating zone of the kiln the pipes are carried by carriers (5) of the conveyer without rotating. The pipes may also be carried without rotating in the final cooling zone of the kiln.
Claims9
A kiln for firing cylindrical ceramic articles comprising a tunnel provided with firing means;
- means for conveying the articles individually through the kiln, which conveying means comprise conveying members arranged to separate and control the translation of the individual articles along the kiln, carrying members for carrying the individual articles during translation thereof, and driving means for moving the conveying members and carrying members along the kiln;
- and a surface extending along a portion of the length of the kiln comprising at least that part of the kiln of greatest operating temperature and disposed in the path of the articles at a level higher than the carrying members whereby in said portion of said kiln the articles travelling through the kiln will roll on the surface and in a further portion of said kiln said articles are carried by said carrying members without rolling.
Plant for making ceramic pipes comprising apparatus for forming ceramic material into green pipe lengths;
- a drier, a kiln comprising a tunnel provided with firing means;
- means for conveying the articles individually through the kiln, which conveying means comprise conveying members arranged to separate and control the translation of the individual articles along the kiln, carrying members for carrying the individual articles during translation thereof, and driving means for moving the conveying members and carrying members along the kiln;
- and a surface extending along a portion of the length of the kiln comprising at least that part of the kiln of greatest operating temperature and disposed in the path of the articles at a level higher than the carrying members whereby in said portion of said kiln the articles travelling through the kiln will roll on the surface;
- and in a further portion of said kiln said articles are carried by said carrying members without rolling and conveying means arranged to transport the pipe lengths from the forming apparatus to the drier and from the drier to the kiln.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.