EP4341628A1

EP4341628A1 - Arrangement for securing of a heating element

Info

Publication number: EP4341628A1
Application number: EP22727240.8A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Peter Schuster; Sebastian ZERL; Peter WEHRMEISTER; Bernhard VALENTINI; Markus PRILLER; Bernhard Mayr-Schmoelzer; Peter Mallaun; Peter Loidolt; Karl-Heinz LEITZ; Markus KLOCKER; Bernd Kleinpass; Dirk Handtrack
Original assignee: Plansee SE
Current assignee: Plansee SE
Priority date: 2021-05-19
Filing date: 2022-05-18
Publication date: 2024-03-27
Also published as: WO2022241497A1; EP4341627A1; WO2022241491A1; AT17549U1; CN117321368A

Abstract

A holding arrangement for securing of at least one heating element (400) for a high-temperature furnace, the holding arrangement (100) comprising at least one carrier element (230) made of a metallic material having a melting point of greater than 1200°C, at least one heater holder (110) made of a metallic material having a melting point of greater than 1200°C, wherein the heater holder (110) and/or the carrier element (230) includes at least one elastically deformable spring element (120), and the heater holder (110) and the carrier element (230) are designed to adopt a fixing position under force-fitting action or a locking position under form-fitting action relative to one another with at least temporary elastic deflection of the at least one spring element (120).

Description

ARRANGEMENT FOR FIXING A HEATING ELEMENT

The present invention relates to an arrangement for fastening at least one heating element for a high-temperature furnace according to the preamble of claim 1 and a heater holder.

In particular, the invention relates to an arrangement for fastening at least one heating element for a high-temperature furnace, in particular a metallic high-temperature furnace, to be heated electrically via heating elements.

A so-called hot zone of an electric high-temperature furnace essentially consists of components for

- reaching high temperatures, heating,

- Avoidance of heat loss, shielding,

- power supply, the power connection,

- Storage of a furnace load, the charge carrier,

- Supply of the plant with process or cooling gas, the gas system.

A heater essentially consists of a resistance heating element, which can be designed as a sheet metal, rod, wire, stranded wire, cable, fabric, braid or similar. This resistance heating element, which is referred to as a heating strip in the following example, is fixed by heating holders and power connections. Several heating strips can be arranged in the heating insert, so that it is then necessary to arrange heating holders several times in different directions, e.g. axial direction and also in the circumferential direction.

On the one hand, the heater holders ensure the support of the heating tapes used, on the other hand they also fulfill a supporting function for the shielding. This shielding consists of one or more layers of insulation material and/or metal sheets, each of which is separated from one another by a spacer device. In known arrangements, the heater holders are supported on the outside by a support frame. A known construction of a high-temperature furnace is evident, for example, from EP0303420 A1. According to the prior art, each heater holder is passed through the shield for attachment. This means that each heater holder affects the shielding performance and thus contributes to the thermal losses during the operation of the stove. In addition, heater holders are often fixed to the outer support frame by a welded connection, which is cost-intensive to manufacture and therefore a significant cost factor for the entire heating application.

A further shortcoming of the solutions known from the prior art is that heating holders adapted to different heating strip widths are required. This means that it is not possible to use a heating tape holder intended for a narrow tape with a wider tape. Due to the changing requirements for the width of the heating tape, cost-effective pre-production and warehousing to reduce set-up costs is not economically feasible.

Furthermore, due to the previously described welded connection of the heater holder, it is not possible to simply replace a holder if it is damaged or broken. If this is necessary, this leads to a very complex repair operation, which can only be carried out by specially trained personnel.

Another deficiency caused by a fixed connection of the heater holder to the support frame is the rigid arrangement or positioning of the heater holder inside the heater insert. In order to ensure the support function for the shielding, it is necessary to arrange the heater holders at limited distances from one another. A later change in the arrangement and thus a conversion to a different arrangement of the heating elements is not possible.

Another shortcoming of the solutions known from the prior art relates to the design of the heater holder itself: according to the prior art, a heater holder comprises at least partly a non-conductive ceramic, to electrically insulate the heating tape from the rest of the heating element components. If this ceramic component needs to be replaced, the heater holder must be dismantled without damaging other components of the heater insert, including the heating band or the welded shaft of the heater holder itself. This maintenance work can only be carried out by specially trained personnel.

A purely ceramic heater holder, as used according to the prior art, as described for example in US2006196866 (A1), does not have the necessary thermo-mechanical resistance at high operating temperatures to support the shielding and heating strip. Due to the high brittleness of ceramic materials, such a holder tends to catastrophic failure under excessive mechanical stress.

The object of the present invention is to specify an improved heater holder and an improved holding arrangement for fastening at least one heating element for a high-temperature furnace. in that the holding arrangement according to the invention for fastening at least one heating element comprises: at least one carrier element made of a metallic material with a melting point greater than 1200°C, at least one heater holder made of a metallic material with a melting point greater than 1200°C, the heater holder and/or the If the carrier element has at least one elastically deformable spring element, and the heater holder and the carrier element are designed to assume a fixing position with the effect of frictional locking or a locking position with the effect of positive locking with respect to one another, with at least temporary elastic deflection of the at least one spring element, several advantages over the prior art technique achieved: The heater holder and the carrier element are made of a metallic material and therefore have advantages over ceramic solutions solely with regard to the mechanical properties.

The heater holder and the carrier element are preferably formed from a high-temperature-resistant metallic material, in particular from a refractory metal or a refractory metal alloy. It would be conceivable that the heater holder and the carrier element consist of different materials. With regard to thermal expansion, among other things, it can be advantageous if both are made of the same material.

For clarification and to avoid errors in a translation, it should be noted that ceramic refractory material is referred to in English as "refractory / refractories". In German, on the other hand, "refractory" refers to a specific group of metals. In connection with this application, refractory metals are the metals of group 4 (titanium, zirconium and hafnium), group 5 (vanadium, niobium, tantalum) and group 6 (chromium, molybdenum, tungsten) of the periodic table, as well as rhenium and Alloys of the elements mentioned (refractory metal alloys) understood. By refractory metal alloys is meant alloys containing at least 50 at % (atomic percent) of the element in question.

The heater holder and carrier element are preferably made of molybdenum or tungsten or alloys thereof.

The carrier element is designed in particular as a rail, more preferably as a U-rail. This means that inexpensive semi-finished products can be used for the carrier element. Furthermore, as a profiled rail, the carrier element has a high degree of rigidity. Alternatively, a band or a curved metal sheet could also be used as the carrier element. A carrier element with a profiled cross-section is preferred for reasons of rigidity. A closed profile could also be replaced.

The heater holder and the carrier element are designed to assume a fixing position and/or locking position in an assembly. Fixing position means that the heater holder and carrier element are connected in a non-positive manner and are positioned relative to one another, without there necessarily also being a locking via a form fit. If there is a form fit, this is referred to as a locking position.

The heater element and the carrier element are connected with the at least one spring element being deflected at least temporarily.

In the connected arrangement of heater holder and carrier element, a spring force caused by the elastic deflection of the at least one spring element can be maintained. However, it can also be provided that in the connected arrangement the at least one spring element snaps back and thus no longer exerts any spring force.

The heater holder has a fastening section, via which the heater holder can be connected to the carrier element.

No further fastening means are preferably required for the connection of the heater holder and the carrier element.

This reduces the number of spare parts to be stocked and simplifies assembly.

In a first embodiment, the heater holder and the carrier element are designed to enter into a non-positive connection between the heater holder and the carrier element caused by elastic deformation of the spring element. In other words, in this first configuration, in the fixing position, there can be a purely non-positive clamping connection between the heater holder and the carrier element.

A non-positive clamping connection between the heater holder and the carrier element can be implemented in the simplest form in such a way that the heater holder has elastically deflectable legs as spring elements which, when the heater holder is pushed onto the carrier element, grip the latter externally and bring about a fixing position through the spring force of the elastic deflection. In a variant of this embodiment, spring elements are formed on the carrier element, which partially surround and clamp the heater holder. Because of a possible relaxation of the spring force due to operating temperatures, it can be useful to adapt the shape of the carrier element and the spring elements to one another in such a way that even if the spring force decreases, there is an inhibition against extension.

In a first preferred development, it is provided that a heater holder and/or a carrier element have at least one latching element, which latching element brings about a form-fitting connection between the heater holder and carrier element in a locking position. This describes a snap connection such that at least one form fit and thus a locking position is formed between the heater holder and the carrier element.

Even if the spring force decreases, there is an effective impediment to pulling it out.

The at least one latching element can be formed on the heater holder and/or the carrier element.

For example, the heater holder can have a spring element with a latching element which can engage in a corresponding recess in the carrier element, or conversely the spring element can have a recess which corresponds to a latching element on the carrier element.

It can preferably be provided that at least one spring element is formed on the heater holder and the support element has at least one recess opening for inserting the at least one spring element of the heater holder, the at least one spring element forming a positive connection with the recess opening of the support element when inserted. According to this development, the holding arrangement for fastening a heating element is implemented in such a way that a heating holder is inserted into the carrier element via its fastening section. This results in a particularly rigid connection. Through the positive locking is also guaranteed against being pulled out.

It is further preferred that the at least one spring element of the heater holder has a notch such that when the fastening section is inserted into the recess opening, the notch of a spring element forms a positive connection with the recess of the recess opening of the carrier element. In other words, the notch forms a hook with the recess of the recess opening.

For exemplary embodiments with spring elements on the heater holder, it is generally preferred that the heater holder has two opposing, elastically deflectable legs as spring elements. This enables a particularly simple manual deflection of the spring elements.

It is further preferred that the recess opening of the carrier element has at least two recesses offset by an angle. This allows the locking position between the heater holder and the carrier element to be assumed in different positions, depending on the angular offset of the recesses.

The heater holder preferably has a holding structure for accommodating a heating element. The holding structure can be formed in one piece with the heater holder, or preferably be releasably connected to it. The holding structure is preferably formed as a ceramic insert. More preferably, the holding structure is formed as a ceramic insert that can be clamped into the heater holder.

A preferred embodiment of the holding arrangement provides that the holding arrangement comprises two heater holders with holding structures, which holding structures have a mouth-shaped opening and the heater holders in the holding arrangement are oriented towards one another such that the mouth-shaped openings of the holding structures face one another. In the one defined here In a further development, holding structures of two heater holders point towards one another, as a result of which a particularly advantageous holding of strip-shaped heating elements is provided.

It should be made clear that a holding arrangement does not necessarily have to include several heater holders. With a corresponding configuration of the holding structures, one heater holder per holding arrangement can suffice.

The heating element itself is not part of the protected device. The naming of the heating element serves to clarify the suitability of the device for receiving and holding a heating element.

Protection is also sought for a heater holder on its own, which heater holder consists of a material with a melting point of greater than 1200°C, and the heater holder has a fastening section comprising at least one spring element, and the fastening section with at least temporary elastic deflection of the at least one spring element in a Carrier element can be inserted in order to enter into a non-positive and / or positive connection in an inserted position with the carrier element.

The heater holder is designed to assume a fixing position and/or locking position with at least temporary elastic deflection of the at least one spring element under the effect of force and/or positive locking to one another.

Fixing position means that the heater holder and a carrier element are connected in a non-positive manner and are positioned relative to one another, without there necessarily also being a locking via a form fit. Locking position means that in this locking position the heater holder is positively secured against being pulled out of the support element. In the locking position, there can also be a frictional connection.

In order to reach the locking position, the heater holder is inserted into the carrier element with elastic deformation of the spring element. In the locking position, the spring element springs back at least partially and blocks the heater holder against being pulled out of the support element.

In particular, there is a positive connection between the inserted section of the heater holder and the rail between a fastening section of the heater holder provided for this purpose and a correspondingly designed recess opening on the rail in the locking position. Pull-out protection via positive locking means that the section of the heater holder inserted into the rail corresponds to the recess opening on the rail in such a way that the inserted section geometrically blocks a pull-out in the locking position. As an alternative or in addition, it can be provided that the elastic forces exerted on the heater holder for the purpose of insertion bring about an inhibition against pulling out. In other words, the elastically deformed section of the heater holder together with the rail can develop a clamping force in relation to an extension, even without a form fit.

Securing against being pulled out means that the heater holder is not pulled out of the rail by normal operating loads. Common operating loads are, in particular, stresses due to thermal expansion and static loads due to the weight of the heater holder and the heating elements. The design specialist is familiar with the usual operating loads and/or can calculate them and/or determine them through tests. Thus, the necessary holding forces in the locking position against an undesired pull-out of the heater holder from the rail are accessible to a person skilled in the art.

The elastic forces or deformations to be applied to insert the heater holder are advantageously dimensioned in such a way that they can be applied without tools.

In this context, tool-free means that the spring element of the heater holder can be sufficiently deflected by finger force.

The spring elements of the heater holder are designed in particular as a pair of elastically deflectable legs. The legs are advantageously deformed in this way during the manufacture of the heater holder (e.g angled) so that they can only be inserted into the rail when elastic deformation is applied. To clarify, it should be added that only one spring element can be provided on the heater holder and the remaining fastening section is rigid. The connection made in the locking position between

Heater holder and rail is advantageously designed as detachable, in particular detachable without tools.

At this point, some advantages of the invention should be summarized:

- The holding arrangement according to the invention reduces thermal losses by reducing the number of bushings through the shielding. Each heater holder does not have to be routed individually through the shielding, but the heater holders are attached to a rail, so that fewer holding points are required overall.

- There is no direct heat conduction from the heating tape via the heating tape holder to the support frame / the outside of the heating insert, but only in a weakened form indirectly via the rail and the rail holder (console).

- Due to the smaller number of bushings, there is also a reduction in the required welded joints, which results in a cost advantage over the prior art.

- The heater holder is connected to the rail via a plug-in system, whereby the elastic deformation of the material is used during installation and it snaps into place at a previously defined position. Due to the approximately equal thermal expansion of the components involved in this connection, any positive locking is maintained even at the application temperature.

- By exchanging the carrier elements (rails) or a favorable hole pattern in the rail, it is always possible to easily reposition the heater holders without having to laboriously adapt the shielding. This allows a change in the heating configuration, for example by changing the number of heating strips or changing the width of the heating strips or changing the heating element geometry, possible. An irregular arrangement is also possible if this is desired.

The replacement of heater holders is possible by the layman without special knowledge and without special tools.

No additional consumables are required for replacement. In general, the number of individual parts is greatly reduced compared to the prior art. This significantly simplifies assembly, maintenance and replacement, and it is also possible to store the individual components economically.

The easy interchangeability also applies to the electrically insulating part (support structure) of the heater holder.

Compared to purely ceramic heater holders, the embodiment according to the invention has higher thermo-mechanical resistance.

The heater holder can be used for all widths and shapes of heating elements.

The arrangement can also be used to position measuring instruments such as thermocouples, pressure sensors, etc.

As a result, a corresponding sensor is plugged into the rail directly or by means of an adapter, analogous to the heating tape holder.

The solution presented is not limited to one furnace size, shape and heater configuration, but can be used in a variety of ways. The rails can not only be arranged axially, but also radially or on the front sides of the heating element. The holder of the heater holder can be freely rotated around its longitudinal axis, so that not only right angles are permitted. Accordingly, a meandering heating element with a complex shape can also be held by the solution presented. Further advantages and advantages of the invention result from the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the attached figures. From the figures show:

1a-1c: a heating insert for a high-temperature furnace according to the prior art in different views

Fig. 2: a holding arrangement according to the invention in a first embodiment

3: a holding arrangement according to the invention in an alternative representation

4a - 4c: a heating element for a high-temperature furnace with a holding arrangement according to the invention

Fig. 5a - 5c: Representations of the carrier element Fig. 8a - 8e: Representations of the heater holder or details thereof

example

8 examples of arrangements of holding arrangements

Fig. 9a - 9c Examples of arrangements of carrier elements Fig. 10a - 10c Examples of heater holders or details thereof

FIGS. 1a and 1b show a heating insert for a high-temperature furnace according to the prior art. FIG. 1a shows--schematically and in part--a typical shielding 300 of a metallic heating insert. The shield 300 is formed from a stack of spaced sheets. In particular, the sheets are formed from a refractory metal. As a rule, molybdenum and tungsten and alloys thereof are used. In the illustration shown, a process space continues to the left of the shield 300 and is insulated by the shield 300 from a cooled furnace jacket (to the right, not shown). A band-shaped heating element 400 here is carried by heater holders 11 DA. The heater holders 110A—not according to the invention—are designed as brackets that hold the heating element 400 in position.

FIG. 1b shows the conditions of FIG. 1a in a plan view.

A support structure 310 is guided through the shielding 300 . The support structure 310 can, for example, be a profile beam or a bolt or pipe. A support structure 310 supports each heater holder 110A. The support structure 310 is attached via a sleeve welded into the outside 510 of the heater insert.

FIG. 1c shows a further embodiment of an arrangement of a heater holder 110A with associated support structure 310 and shielding 300, which belongs to the prior art, in section. As can be seen, the heater holder 110A is designed differently than in FIGS. 1a and 1b in order to adapt the heater holder to the differently designed heating element 400.

The representations according to FIGS. 1a to 1c serve to illustrate the basic conditions in a metal high-temperature furnace.

Figure 2 shows a sectional view of a holding arrangement 100 according to the invention according to a first embodiment.

The support assembly 100 is configured to position and support at least one heating element 400 in a high temperature furnace.

The high-temperature furnace itself can be designed as explained for the prior art, in particular it is a metal high-temperature furnace with a radiation shield 300 made of sheet metal arranged at a distance.

The holding arrangement 100 shown here comprises a carrier element 230 and two heater holders 110.

The carrier element 230 is designed here as a U-rail. The carrier element 230 is carried via a console 270 guided through the shield 300 . The carrier element 230 preferably extends at a uniform distance from the shield 300 in a process space of the high-temperature furnace. The spatial arrangement can be seen, inter alia, from the fact that the heating element 400 is located in the process space. The shield 300 isolates the process space from a (cooled) furnace wall (not shown). The console 270 supporting the carrier element 230 is mounted on the shielding 300 and/or the furnace wall. The console 270 is preferably fixed via a screw connection. A heater holder 110 is connected to the support member 230 via a fixing portion 150 . In the present case, the heater holder 110 has two elastically deformable legs as spring elements 120 on the fastening section 150 .

The sectional plane of the representation is selected such that it runs centrally through the carrier element 230 and the heater holder 110 and parallel to the longitudinal extent of the carrier element 230 . So you can see the carrier element 230 designed as a U-rail and the heater holder 110 in half. The closed profile side of the U-rail points in the direction of the process room.

With reference to the auxiliary coordinate system shown, the section plane is parallel to the xy plane at a z-value marking the center of the support element 230 .

The spring elements 120 are inserted under elastic deflection into a corresponding recess opening 240 in the support element 230 (insertion direction illustrated by a block arrow) and form a positive connection with the support element 230 by springing back of the spring elements 120. In this locking position, the heater holder 110 is opposite to a pull-out secured from the support member 230. Extraction means an undesired detachment of the heater holder 110 against the direction of insertion.

To release the form-fitting connection with the carrier element 230, the spring elements 120 can be pressed together and the form-fitting connection can thus be eliminated.

It is additionally favorable if the spring elements 120 are designed in such a way that they pull the heater holder 110 against the carrier element 230 in the locking position. A play-free connection of heater holder 110 and carrier element 230 is thus provided.

The possibility of using additional securing elements such as cotter pins or bolts to secure the connection between heater holder 110 and carrier element 230 is unaffected. With regard to their dimensions and spring force, the spring elements 120 are designed in such a way that they can be deformed elastically by hand.

In a prototype, for example, the spring elements 120 were about 2 cm long and about 1 cm wide, and the sheet metal thickness was about 1 mm.

The heater holders 110 each have a holding structure 140 which is designed to hold a heating element 400 . In the present case, the holding structures 140 are formed as ceramic inserts.

In the present exemplary embodiment, the holding arrangement 100 comprises two heating holders 110 with holding structures 140 facing one another, which together hold the heating element 400 . In the exemplary embodiment shown, the heating element 400 is designed as a heating strip, for which a holder via two jaw-shaped holding structures 140 facing one another is particularly suitable. This configuration also facilitates assembly of the heating tape.

For the sake of clarity, it should be emphasized that the holding arrangement 100 does not necessarily have to include two heater holders 110 . The holding structure 140 itself can also be designed differently. If, for example, the heating element 400 is designed as a wire-shaped heating conductor, a closed ring or a sleeve can be advantageous for example as the holding structure 140 .

FIG. 3 shows the exemplary embodiment in a view along the x-axis shown in FIG. The carrier element 230 therefore appears to be projecting.

A repeated discussion of components that have already been introduced is dispensed with.

The heater holder 110 is inserted into and connected to the support member 230 along the attachment portion 150 . The spring elements 120 have notches 130 which, when the spring elements 120 are in the spring-back state, form a form fit with the recess opening 240 of the carrier element 230 . Details on this are explained below.

The smaller number of bushings also results in a reduction in the number of welded joints required, which results in a cost advantage over the prior art. FIG. 4a shows a heating insert for a high-temperature furnace in a detail representation of a side shield.

An associated high-temperature furnace (not shown) would be designed, for example, as a cylindrical furnace in a horizontal design. The cylindrical heating insert 500 of a high-temperature furnace is shown. In a completed assembly, caps with associated cap shields are attached to the end faces of the cylindrical shell.

Supported from the outside of the heating insert 510, consoles 270 (not visible) extend through the shielding 300 (optionally covered on the front side) and carry the support elements 230. The support elements 230, designed as U-rails, extend straight and parallel to an imaginary cylinder jacket surface of the heating insert 500 for a high temperature furnace. In this exemplary embodiment, four carrier elements 230 are arranged distributed around the circumference. Depending on the dimensions of the high-temperature furnace, more or fewer carrier elements 230 can be provided. Four to nine carrier elements 230 have proven to be sufficient for dimensions of one to two meters clear width of a heating insert 500 for a high-temperature furnace. However, the concept can also be transferred to heating inserts with other dimensions.

The number of consoles 270 (not visible) for supporting the carrier elements 230 depends, among other things, on the length of the high-temperature furnace. Spans of around 0.5 m have proven to be sufficient.

As already discussed in the introduction to the description, according to the state of the art, heater holders are individually supported from the outside of the heater insert and passed through the shield.

In contrast, the present holding arrangement 100 according to the invention offers the significant advantage that far fewer attachment points on the outside of the heating insert 510 and passages through the shielding 300 are required to attach at least the heating element 400 . Since every passage through the shielding 300 leads to thermal losses, the holding arrangement 100 according to the invention is solely based on energy advantageous from a point of view. The holding arrangement 100 according to the invention allows a plurality of heater holders 110 to be fastened to support elements 230.

In addition, the holding arrangement 100 according to the invention allows a modular construction of a hot zone with fewer individual parts and fewer or no spot welds on the outside of the heating insert 510.

The support elements 230 can be provided as semi-finished products and only need to be adapted to different sizes of heating inserts 500 for high-temperature furnaces.

Depending on a desired heat output and/or temperature distribution, heater holders 110 can be installed along the support elements 230 at variable distances.

The holding arrangement 100 according to the invention manages with far fewer individual components than devices for supporting heating elements from the prior art, as the comparison with FIGS. 1a to 1c clearly shows. The configuration of the holding arrangement 100 according to the invention, comprising the carrier element 230 and the heating holder 110, combines the advantages and functions of several components, resulting in a cost advantage.

FIG. 4b shows a front view of the heating insert 500 for a high-temperature furnace from FIG. 4a. It can be seen in this representation that four carrier elements 230 are formed along the circumference. The holding arrangements 100 including heater holders 110 are arranged along the carrier elements 230 .

FIG. 4c shows in detail the section—D—from FIG. 4a.

Shown in detail is a holding arrangement 100 comprising a carrier element 230 and two heater holders 110 which hold the band-shaped heating element 400 . As already mentioned, a holding arrangement 100 does not necessarily have to include two heater holders 110 . For storage of tape-shaped For heating elements 400, however, it has proven advantageous to hold the tape via two holding structures 140 facing one another.

A holding arrangement 100 according to the invention can also be used for other designs of high-temperature furnaces.

Figures 5a to 5f show different views of a carrier element 230.

In this exemplary embodiment, the carrier element 230 is designed as a straight U-rail, which corresponds to a preferred embodiment.

FIG. 5a shows the carrier element 230 in a side view.

FIG. 5b shows the carrier element 230 in a plan view of the closed side of the U-profile. As can be seen, recess openings 240 are provided on the carrier element 230 and are designed for the introduction of a fastening section of a heater holder 110 (heater holder not shown here).

FIG. 5c shows the carrier element 230 in a cross section.

Figure 5d shows the detail - D - from Figure 5b. A relief opening 240 is shown in detail. As can be seen, the recess opening 240 in this preferred embodiment has an essentially square basic shape, with a recess 250 being formed along each of the side edges.

In this example, the recesses 250 correspond to the notches 130 on the spring element 120 of the heater holder 110.

To insert the fastening section 150 of the heater holder 110 into the recess opening 240 of the carrier element 230, the spring elements 120 of the heater holder 110 are elastically deflected; in the locking position, the notches 130 coming to rest in the recesses 250 block the heater holder 110 against being pulled out of the carrier element 230. In the locking position, provision can be made for the spring elements 120 to snap back into a relaxed state after elastic deflection for insertion. However, it can also be provided that the spring elements 120 continue to be at least in the locking position have a residual elastic pretension which pulls the heater holder 110 onto the carrier element 230 .

To release the positive connection, the spring elements 120 can be pressed together and the heater holder 110 can be pulled out.

The configuration of the recess opening 240 and the recesses 250 allows a heater holder 110 to be inserted in positions offset by 90°. This makes the carrier element 230 designed in this way universally applicable.

The arrangement of the recesses 250 at the recess opening 240 could also be designed differently: for example, recesses 250 could be offset by an angle other than 90° in order to allow a heating element 400 to run at an angle.

The cut-out openings 240 are preferably axisymmetric, so that the heater holder 110 can be used in at least two different orientations. If a cut-out opening 240 is essentially square, as shown here, a heater holder 110 with a correspondingly designed fastening section 150 can be positioned in four different positions, each offset by 90° be introduced.

Figure 5f shows a carrier element 230 in an alternative embodiment in cross section,

Here, the carrier element 230 has latching elements 260 which bring about a form-fitting connection between the heater holder 110 and the carrier element 230 between correspondingly designed spring elements 120 of a heater holder 110 in the locking position. The locking elements 260 can be designed, for example, as locally applied knobs or continuous beads.

This enables the variant of a holding arrangement 100, according to which spring elements 120 are formed on the heater holder 110 so that they surround the carrier element 230 at least partially on the outside and with the Latching elements 260 can form a form fit in the locking position. For this purpose, the spring elements 120 are preferably shaped correspondingly, for example by recesses or grooves that can hook into the latching elements 260.

Figures 6a to 6d show views of heater holders 110 according to the invention according to an embodiment.

Figure 6a shows a perspective view of a heater holder 110.

FIG. 6b shows a plan view of the rear side of the heater holder 110 from FIG. 6a (viewed from the right with respect to FIG. 6a). Fastening section 150 includes spring elements 120. Notches 130 are present on spring elements 120, which, when connected to a carrier element 230, correspond to recesses 250 in recess opening 240 of carrier element 230, in order to block heater holder 110 against being pulled out of carrier element 230 in a locking position .

FIG. 6c shows an illustration that is slightly tilted compared to FIG. 6b in order to make both spring elements 120 visible.

FIG. 6d shows a perspective representation of the heater holder 110, a special holding structure 140 being formed here. In this example, the holding structure 140 is a ceramic insert in corresponding recesses in the wings facing away from the fastening section 150! of the heater holder 110 is realized. Forming the holding structure 140 as a ceramic insert is advantageous in order to electrically insulate the heater holder 110 from the heating element 400 to be accommodated (not shown here).

The holding structure 140 is here also designed as a mouth-shaped opening—particularly with regard to the geometry. This configuration is particularly suitable for carrying a strip-shaped heating element 400 together with a heating holder 110 of the same design. For this purpose, two heater holders 110 are fastened to a carrier element 230 with holding structures 140 facing them and thus form a holding arrangement 100, as shown in FIG. 2, for example. As previously discussed, the support structures 140 may be configured differently for alternative forms of heating elements 400 .

FIG. 8e shows, for example, an alternative form of a holding structure 140 as a ceramic sleeve. The heater holder 110 advantageously allows holding structures 140 of different designs to be accommodated.

The heater holder 110 is preferably made of sheet metal.

According to this particularly preferred embodiment, the heater holder 110 is manufactured in one piece from a single sheet metal blank.

The sheet metal blank is folded for this purpose. Advantageously - and as shown - the heater holder 110 shaped in this way allows a tool-free insertion of a ceramic insert as a holding structure 140.

This representation of the heater holder 110 is particularly economical.

The heater holder 110 according to the invention is preferably made of a refractory metal or a refractory metal alloy and preferably only has an electrically insulating partial area. Compared to all-ceramic solutions, this means that the thermo-mechanical resistance is higher and the applicable temperature range is significantly increased.

The holding structure 140 is preferably designed as a ceramic insert.

The ceramic insert can be easily exchanged without affecting the rest of the heater holder 110 or the heating element 400, which means that there is easy exchangeability that can also be carried out by a layperson.

The heater holder 110 according to the invention is designed not to pass through the shield itself, as a result of which the thermal losses during operation are significantly reduced.

By adapting the holding structure 140, the heater holder 110 according to the invention allows any desired cross-sectional geometries and configurations of heating elements 400 to be held. Thus, the same base body of a heater holder 110 could accommodate holding structures 140 of different design. The heater holder 110 according to the invention can be used universally: gas lines or measuring systems could also be routed with the heater holder 110 .

The fixation of the heater holder 110 via a snap connection facilitates assembly. Additional security components such as pins or cotter pins can be dispensed with.

Typical dimensions of the complete heater holder 110 are several centimeters, for example the heater holder 110 can measure between two and twenty centimeters in its longitudinal extent, the longitudinal extent being the y-direction of the coordinate system added as an aid to FIG. 6d.

In the sheet metal version, wall thicknesses in the range of 0.2 mm to 3 mm have proven to be sufficient.

The heater holder 110 is made from a material with a melting point greater than 1200°C. The heater holder 110 is particularly preferably made of refractory metal or a refractory metal alloy.

FIG. 7 shows a holding arrangement 100 comprising, in this example, two heater holders 110 which are connected to a carrier element 230 via the respective fastening section 150 . The heater holders 110 have holding structures 140, which in this embodiment are designed as ceramic inserts. The holding structures 140 are designed here as mouth-shaped openings.

In the configuration shown, the holding arrangement 100 is particularly suitable for holding a strip-shaped heating element 400 (not shown) via the holding structures 140 facing one another and each forming a receptacle. This form of holding band-shaped heating elements 400 is particularly advantageous. The assembly of the heating elements 400 is simple.

The heater holder 110 can be used for all widths and shapes of heating elements, in the simplest way because the heater holder 110 is spaced differently. FIG. 8 illustrates the multiplicity of possible configurations of holding arrangements 100 by designing the carrier element 230 and the recess openings 240. The carrier elements 230 are shown in a plan view. For the sake of clarity, no heater holders 110 are shown. The block arrows each show a possible orientation of holding structures 140 to one another.

In configuration “A”, for example, two heater holders 110 face each other. As already discussed, a strip-shaped heating element 400 (not shown) can be held particularly advantageously in this way.

In configuration “B”, two heater holders 110 on separate carrier elements 230 face each other. For example, a particularly wide band-shaped heating element 400 could be supported.

In the configuration “C”, two heater holders 110 on separate support elements 230 face each other, with the recess openings 240 being twisted with respect to a longitudinal axis of the support elements 230 .

For example, a particularly wide meandering heating element 400 could be supported.

Figures 9a - 9c show different options for arranging support elements 230.

Figure 9a shows a selection of possible arrangements of support elements 230 on flat shields 300.

FIG. 9b shows a selection of possible radial arrangements of support elements 230 for round shields 300, for example for cover shields.

Figure 9c shows axial arrangements of support elements 230 for cylindrical shields 300.

Figures 10a and 10b show exemplary and non-exhaustive configurations of heater holders 110 with regard to their holding structure 140. Figure 10b shows a heater holder 110 with two fastening sections 150 and a holding structure 140, in particular for accommodating a strip-shaped heating element 400.

Of course, the holding structure 140 shown in FIG. 10b can also be formed on a heater holder 110 with only one fastening section 150. Figure 10c uses block arrows to illustrate the compression of spring elements 120 of heater holder 110.

List of reference symbols used:

100 holding assembly

110 heater holder

120 spring element

130 notch 140 support structure

150 attachment section

230 carrier element, rail

240 recess opening on the support element

250 recess

260 detent element

270 console

300 shielding 310 support structure

400 heating element (heating tape, heating conductor)

500 heating insert for a high temperature furnace

Claims

Expectations

Holding arrangement for fastening at least one heating element (400) for a high-temperature furnace, the holding arrangement (100) comprising at least one carrier element (230) made of a metallic material with a melting point of greater than 1200° C., at least one heater holder (110) made of a metallic material with a Melting point of greater than 1200°C, the heater holder (110) and/or the carrier element (230) having at least one elastically deformable spring element (120), and the heater holder (110) and the carrier element (230) are designed to do so, at least temporarily elastic deflection of the at least one spring element (120) to assume a fixing position under the effect of frictional locking or a locking position under the effect of positive locking to one another.

Holding arrangement (1) according to Claim 1, in which the heater holder (110) and/or the carrier element (230) have at least one latching element (260), the latching element (260) bringing about a positive connection between the heater holder (110) and the carrier element (230). .

Holding arrangement (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein at least one spring element (120) is formed on the heater holder (110) and the carrier element (230) has at least one recess opening (240) for introducing the at least one spring element (120) of the heater holder (110) has, wherein the at least one spring element (120) in the inserted state forms a positive connection with the recess opening (240) of the carrier element (230).

Holding arrangement (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one spring element (120) of the heater holder (110) has a notch (130) such that in an inserted position of the spring element (120) the notch (130) of a spring element (120) With of the recess opening (240) of the carrier element (230) forms a positive connection.

5. Holding arrangement (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one spring element (120) of the heater holder (110).

notch (130) and the recess opening (240) of the carrier element (230) has a recess (250) such that in the inserted state the notch (130) of a spring element (120) with the recess (250) of the recess opening (240) forms a positive connection.

6. Holding arrangement (100) according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the recess opening (240) of the carrier element (230) has at least two angularly offset recesses (250).

7. Holding arrangement (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the holding arrangement (100) comprises two heater holders (110) with holding structures (140), wherein the holding structures (140) have a mouth-shaped opening and the heater holder (110) in the holding arrangement ( 100) are oriented to one another in such a way that the mouth-shaped openings of the holding structures (140) face one another.

8. Holding arrangement (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the heater holder (110) and / or the carrier element (230) are formed from a refractory metal or a refractory metal alloy.

9. heating insert for a high-temperature furnace with a holding arrangement (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, for fastening at least one heating element (400).

10. Heater holder (110) for holding at least one heating element (400) for a high-temperature furnace, the heater holder (110) consisting of a material with a melting point of greater than 1200° C., and the heater holder (110) comprising at least one fastening section (150). has a spring element (120), and the fastening section (150) is designed to be insertable into a carrier element (230) with at least temporary elastic deflection of the at least one spring element (120) in order to form a position with the carrier element (230) in an inserted position to enter into a force- and/or form-locking connection.

11. Heizbalter (110) according to claim 9, wherein the heater holder (110) comprises a ceramic support structure (140). 12. heater holder (110) according to claim 9 or 10, wherein at least one

The spring element (120) of the heating element (110) has a notch (130), which notch (130) is designed to form a form-fitting connection when the fastening section (150) is in an inserted position with a recess opening (240) of a carrier element (230). .