Cooling apparatus for diffusers
OwnerRobert L. Corbett, Jr.inventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A diffuser adapted for transmitting thermal energy by conduction across metallic members and by convection of a heat-treating gas in an annealing furnace is comprised of a base, a diffuser member having a plurality of radial gas passages, and an in-line cooling member disposed longitudinally within each of the radial passages; which cooling member includes a cooling fluid inlet, at least one radial cooling fluid leg having a longitudinal axis extending substantially in the direction of the gas flow through the radial passage, and a cooling fluid outlet.
Claims19
A diffuser, adapted for transmitting thermal energy by conduction across metallic members and convection of a heat-treating gas in an annealing furnace, comprising:
- (a) a diffuser member having a generally annular shape defined by inner and outer peripheries, said diffuser member comprising:
- (i) a plurality of vertical radial walls for supporting a load plate;
- (ii) a plurality of radial gas flow passages, each being bounded on opposite sides by one of said radial walls, for directing gas along a substantially radial path;
- (b) a cooling subassembly disposed in each of said radial passages, said subassembly comprising at least one radial cooling fluid leg extending substantially the length of each radial passage and having an upper and lower run, each of substantial length through the radial passage having a longitudinal axis extending in the direction of gas flow.
A diffuser, adapted for transmitting thermal energy by conduction across metallic members and by convection of a heat-treating gas in an annealing furnace, comprising:
- (a) a base for supporting a diffuser member;
- (b) a diffuser member having a generally annular shape defined by inner and outer peripheries, said diffuser member comprising:
- (i) a plurality of vertical radial walls for supporting a load plate;
- (ii) a plurality of radial gas flow passages, each being bounded on opposite sides by one of said radial walls, for directing gas along a substantially radial path;
- (c) an in-line cooling assembly disposed within each of said radial passages, comprising:
- (i) a cooling fluid inlet side leg;
- (ii) at least two radial cooling fluid legs, disposed within a given one of said radial passages, each leg extending substantially the length of each said radial passage and having longitudinal axes extending substantially in the direction of the gas flow throughout said radial passage;
- and,
- (iii) a cooling fluid outlet side leg.
A diffuser, adapted for transmitting thermal energy by conduction across metallic members and by convection of a heat-treating gas in an annealing furnace, comprising:
- (a) a base for supporting a diffuser member;
- (b) a diffuser member having a generally annular shape defined by inner and outer peripheries, said diffuser member comprising:
- (i) a plurality of vertical radial walls for supporting a load plate;
- (ii) a plurality of radial gas flow passages, each being bounded on opposite sides by one of said radial walls, for directing gas along a substantially radial path;
- (iii) a plurality of deflector plates disposed at the outer periphery of said diffuser member, proximate the discharge ends of said radial passages;
- (c) an in-line cooling assembly disposed within each of said radial passages, comprising:
- (i) a cooling fluid inlet side leg;
- (ii) at least two radial cooling fluid legs, disposed within a given one of said radial passages, each leg extending substantially the length of each said radial passage and having longitudinal axes extending substantially in the direction of the gas flow throughout said radial passage;
- and,
- (iii) a cooling fluid outlet side leg passing beyond the base.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.