Articulating hold down mechanism for a furnace

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9377241-B2
Application number	US-201514739525-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jun 15, 2015
Priority date	May 29, 2012
Publication date	Jun 28, 2016
Grant date	Jun 28, 2016

Abstract

A hold down mechanism for releasably securing a refractory lining to a furnace. The hold down mechanism can comprise plate segments that form a composite plate. The plate segments can comprise a first plate segment structured to articulate relative to a second plate segment. Furthermore, a gap in the hold down mechanism can be structured to adjust in response to a thermal condition of the composite plate, such as thermal expansion or thermal contraction of at least one plate segment. The composite plate can also comprise an articulation plate pivotally coupled to at least one of the first plate segment and the second plate segment via a pivot and/or a slot and pin engagement. The composite plate can further comprise a third plate segment and a second articulation plate pivotally coupled to at least one of the second plate segment and the third plate segment.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An apparatus for releasably holding a lining relative to a furnace during active operation of the furnace, the apparatus comprising:
a plate, comprising:
a plurality of plate segments comprising a first plate segment and a second plate segment; and
a joint, wherein the first plate segment is configured to move relative to the second plate segment at the joint;

wherein the plate comprises an arced shape, a gap is defined in the plate, and the gap is configured to adjust in response to a thermal condition of the plate.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising an articulation plate pivotally coupled to at least one of the first plate segment and the second plate segment.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the joint comprises a pivot joint.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the plate further comprises a first end and a second end separated by the gap.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first plate segment comprises a first curvature, wherein the second plate segment comprises a second curvature, and wherein the first curvature substantially matches the second curvature.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the plate further comprises a plurality of reinforcing ribs.

7. A furnace, comprising:
a crucible;
a lining positioned at least partially within the crucible; and
a plate configured to hold the lining relative to the crucible during active operation of the furnace, wherein the plate comprises a plurality of plate segments and a gap, wherein the gap is configured to adjust in response to a thermal condition of the plate.

8. The furnace of claim 7 , wherein the furnace is an induction furnace.

9. The furnace of claim 7 , wherein fasteners releasably secure the plate to the furnace.

10. The furnace of claim 7 , wherein the lining comprises a rim, and wherein the plate abuts the rim when the fasteners secure the plate to the furnace.

11. The furnace of claim 7 , further comprising a spout, wherein the spout is configured to fit in the gap of the plate.

12. The furnace of claim 7 , wherein the plate further comprises an articulation plate positioned intermediate two of the plate segments.

13. The furnace of claim 7 , wherein the plate comprises an arced shape.

14. An apparatus for releasably holding a lining relative to a furnace during active operation of the furnace, the apparatus comprising:
a plate, comprising:
a plurality of plate segments comprising a first plate segment and a second plate segment; and
a joint, wherein the first plate segment is configured to move relative to the second plate segment at the joint;

wherein the joint comprises a pivot joint, a gap is defined in the plate, and the gap is configured to adjust in response to a thermal condition of the plate.

15. The apparatus of claim 14 , further comprising an articulation plate pivotally coupled to at least one of the first plate segment and the second plate segment.

16. The apparatus of claim 14 , wherein the plate further comprises a first end and a second end separated by the gap.

17. The apparatus of claim 14 , wherein the first plate segment comprises a first curvature, wherein the second plate segment comprises a second curvature, and wherein the first curvature substantially matches the second curvature.

18. The apparatus of claim 14 , wherein the plate further comprises a plurality of reinforcing ribs.

Assignees

• Ati Properties Inc

Inventors

• Kosol Edward A
• Perez Joseph F

Classifications

• F27B14/08 Primary

  Details specially adapted for crucible or pot furnaces · CPC title

• F23M5/04 Primary

  Supports for linings · CPC title

• F27D1/1621

  Making linings by using shaped elements, e.g. bricks · CPC title

• F27D1/145

  Assembling elements · CPC title

• F27B2014/104

  Crucible linings · CPC title