Moldatherm insulated pacemaker furnace and method of manufacture

An insulated furnace assembly comprising:

• a plurality of interconnected modular panels of fibrous material comprising alumina and slica fibers having interconnecting highly gas permeable air pockets formed therein, said panels exclusively forming a furnance chamber;
• means for heating said furnace chamber to a temperature from 500.degree. F. to 2000.degree. F.;
• means for rapidly purging said furnace of residual air and water vapor wherein said purging means further comprises a furnace shell surrounding said fibrous material panels so as to form a space between said shell and said fibrous material panels;
• means for circulating a first gas within said furnace chamber;
• means for circulating a second gas within said space formed between said shell and said fibrous material panels such that said furnace chamber and said space are rapidly purged of said air and water vapor;
• means for forcing said air and water vapor through said fibrous material panels into said furnace chamber, wherein said forcing means further comprises means for pressurizing said first gas to a first pressure above atmospheric pressure and means for pressurizing said second gas to a second pressure equal to or greater than said first pressure such that any portion of said air and water vapor which has migrated from said furnace chamber toward said space is forced back toward said furnace chamber;
• frame means upon which said fibrous material panels are mounted;
• and
• means for interconnecting said fibrous material panels.