Cast refractory base segments and modular fiber seal system for single-stack annealing furnace

A set of components that are assemblable atop a base support structure of a single-stack annealing furnace to provide a rigid ceramic refractory base for extending in substantially concentric, annular relationship about a centrally located blower mount of the furnace, for underlying and extending perimetrically about charge support structure of the furnace that is of generally circular shape and that is configured to overlie the blower mount to centrally support a charge of metal that is to be annealed, and for defining a concentrically extending, relatively resilient annular inner seal that extends perimetrically about the charge support structure, atop which an inner enclosure of the furnace can be removably supported for defining a controlled environment treatment chamber within which a charge of metal that is positioned atop the charge support structure can be confined for treatment during an annealing process, comprising:

• a) inner cast ceramic refractory segment means for defining an annular inner portion of the rigid ceramic refractory base for extending substantially concentrically about a blower mount of a single-stack annealing furnace, for underlying and supporting a generally circular charge support structure of the furnace, and for defining a substantially continuous, radially outwardly facing surface that extends substantially concentrically with respect to the circular charge support structure near the periphery thereof;
• b) outer cast ceramic refractory segment means for defining an annular outer portion of the rigid ceramic refractory base for extending substantially concentrically about said annular inner portion, and for defining a substantially continuous, radially inwardly facing surface that extends substantially concentrically with respect to said radially outwardly facing surface so as to cooperate with said radially outwardly facing surface to define opposite, radially spaced sides of an inner seal positioning trough that extends circumferentially about the circular charge support structure;
• c) inner seal means for being positioned in said inner seal positioning trough atop the base support structure of the furnace for defining an inner seal that extends in a substantially uninterrupted manner about said periphery of the circular charge support structure, that is capable of supporting the weight of an open-bottom inner enclosure of the furnace when bottom rim portions of the inner enclosure are seated atop the inner seal, and that is sufficiently resilient to cooperate with said seated bottom rim portions to form a gas impervious seal between the inner segment means and the inner enclosure;
• d) wherein the inner seal means includes a plurality of ceramic fiber blocks for being arranged serially in a circumferentially extending, endless array within the confines of said inner seal positioning trough, with the array also including a plurality of relatively thin, perforated metal members for being interspersed among the ceramic fiber blocks to extend substantially radially at circumferentially spaced intervals within the confines of said trough, with said blocks having radially extending widths that are sufficient to extend substantially the full radially-measured distance between said radially outwardly facing surface and said radially outwardly facing surface at such locations within said trough as are to be occupied by said blocks, and with said blocks being sufficient in number and in size to require that said blocks be compressed in directions extending circumferentially with respect to said trough in order for all of said blocks to be inserted serially into said trough to form said array.