GB2080927A - Tunnel heating apparatus - Google Patents

Tunnel heating apparatus Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2080927A
GB2080927A GB8118762A GB8118762A GB2080927A GB 2080927 A GB2080927 A GB 2080927A GB 8118762 A GB8118762 A GB 8118762A GB 8118762 A GB8118762 A GB 8118762A GB 2080927 A GB2080927 A GB 2080927A
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GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
enclosure
heating apparatus
tunnel
support surface
tunnel heating
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
GB8118762A
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GB2080927B (en
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Birks James Kiln Builder & Con
Original Assignee
Birks James Kiln Builder & Con
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Birks James Kiln Builder & Con filed Critical Birks James Kiln Builder & Con
Priority to GB8118762A priority Critical patent/GB2080927B/en
Publication of GB2080927A publication Critical patent/GB2080927A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of GB2080927B publication Critical patent/GB2080927B/en
Expired legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F27FURNACES; KILNS; OVENS; RETORTS
    • F27BFURNACES, KILNS, OVENS, OR RETORTS IN GENERAL; OPEN SINTERING OR LIKE APPARATUS
    • F27B9/00Furnaces through which the charge is moved mechanically, e.g. of tunnel type; Similar furnaces in which the charge moves by gravity
    • F27B9/14Furnaces through which the charge is moved mechanically, e.g. of tunnel type; Similar furnaces in which the charge moves by gravity characterised by the path of the charge during treatment; characterised by the means by which the charge is moved during treatment
    • F27B9/20Furnaces through which the charge is moved mechanically, e.g. of tunnel type; Similar furnaces in which the charge moves by gravity characterised by the path of the charge during treatment; characterised by the means by which the charge is moved during treatment the charge moving in a substantially straight path tunnel furnace
    • F27B9/24Furnaces through which the charge is moved mechanically, e.g. of tunnel type; Similar furnaces in which the charge moves by gravity characterised by the path of the charge during treatment; characterised by the means by which the charge is moved during treatment the charge moving in a substantially straight path tunnel furnace being carried by a conveyor
    • F27B9/243Endless-strand conveyor

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Tunnel Furnaces (AREA)

Abstract

A tunnel heating apparatus in accordance with this invention comprises a tunnel-like enclosure, electric or gas heaters (34) disposed in said enclosure, an endless conveyor incorporating a continuous support surface extending through the enclosure and composed of elements (14), carrier means (16) for said elements, each element when located in the enclosure comprising an upper portion (47) which includes part of said support surface and a lower portion having a different width to said upper portion, said part of said support surface comprising ceramic fibre material, side walls (46) of the enclosure being disposed in complimentary closely spaced relationship to said portions thereby to provide a thermal baffle and transporter means (18) of lesser width than said lower portion disposed below the latter. Preferably said lower portion has a greater width than said upper portion. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Tunnel heating apparatus This invention concerns tunnel heating apparatus,that is to say apparatus of generally elongated construction through which articles are progressed to be~ heated. There aremany industrial examples of such apparatus, as for example, kilns for heat-treating ceramic articles a'nd vens for baking edible products, and some of these incl'ude conveyor moans on which the articles or produdts are placed and are then con'eyed through the kiln or oven. Difficulties have been experienced, especially where quite high temperatures are involved, in connexion with the conveying means.In one such kiln the conveyor consists of a series of transverselydisposed articulated members which present a support surface for articles to be passed through the'kiln which'consists of ceramic fibres. However, because of the high temperatures involved it has proved necessary to incorporate an elaborate water-cooling system for parts of the conveyor structure.' ' It is an object of the present invention to provide a tunnel heating apparatus incorporating a conveyor structure, which is capable of operating at quite high temperatures and-in which elaborate cooling arrangements for the conveyor structure are not necessary.
According to the present invention a tunnel heating apparatus comprising a tunnel-like enclosure, heating means disposed in said enclosure, an endless conveyor incorporating a continuous support surface extending through the enclosure and composed of elements, carrier means for said elements each element when located in the enclosure comprising an upper portion which includes part of said support surface and a lower portion having a different width to said upper portion said part of said support surface comprising ceramic fibre material, side walls of the enclosure being disposed in complimentary closely spaced relationship to said portions thereby to provide a thermal baffle and transporter means of lesser width than said lower portion disposed below the latter. Preferably the width of the lower portion is greater than the width of the upper portion.
By high temperatures we mean in excess of 800"C.
The invention will now be described further, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a side elevation partly in section, of a tunnel kiln constructed in accordance with the present invention, and Fig. 2 is a sectional end view of the firing section of the kiln of Fig. 1.
Referring to'the figures, the tunnel kiln is of elongated construction. Its base 10 encloses a conveyor structure 12 which consists basically of ceramic fibre elements 14, carriers 1 6 therefor, and transporter means 18, together constituting an endless conveyor for articles to be conveyed through the kiln and heat-treated therein. Its sùperstnJcture 20 defines the upper region of a tunnel-22 having' a preheat section 24, a firing section 26 and a coolii'lg;section 28.
As more particularly illustrated in Fig. 2 the superstructure 20 has side walls and a iroof built up from suitable materials, basically an outer metal cladding 30 and inner layers 32 of heat resistant and heat insulating material, such as ceramic fibre material. Electrical heating elements 34 extend across the upper part of the firing section. Gas heating means may be alternatively employed. The preheat section 24 is of generally similar construction whilst the cooling section 28 does not require as much heat insulation. Beyond the exit end of the--enclosèd cooling section 28 the upper part of the convey' Or is subject to a flow of cooling air provided byb Lildv\ier system 36 +(Fig.1 1).
The endless conveyor and its relationship with the base 1 O will now be desc'ribed' in more detail.
Eac de'r'amid fibre elennertit '14'is made up of a number of~siices 47 cut from a blanket of ceramic fibres available cornirri'érciá-ily from various companies. For example one such suitable blanket is sold under the Registered Trade Mark SAFFIL by Imperial Chemical Industries Limited. Each slice is the thickness of the blanket for example 4 cms.
The slices 47 of each element 14 are disposed alongside each other and are arranged longitudinally with a narrow face upwards when passing through the furnace. The slices 47 may be secured directly to a carrier 16 which compresses and supports the slices. A suitable carrier may incorporate a wire cage or basket 48 in which the slices are securely supported. The slices may be disposed upon a layer of furnace bricks 49 which are in turn supported on the carrier 16 as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The slices of each element may be disposed in any convenient arrangement for example, longitudinally or latitudinally or in the form of a matrix.The assembly of slices secured on a carrier 1 6 forms one sector of the endless conveyor of the shape shown in Fig. 2 - that is with an upper portion which provides a support surface, and a wider lower portion which is held by the carrier 1 6. The sectors together form an articulated arrangement (see Fig. 1) by virtue of their mounting on transporter means 18 which consist of linked shafts 38 carried in carrier brackets 40 as having rollers 42 at each end which run in tracks 44, the whole being driven by an electric motor (not shown). The shafts 38 and their rollers 42 lie directly beneath the carriers 1 6 and ceramic fibre elements 14 and completely within the compass of the latter. The upper parts 46 of the walls of the base 10 are stepped so as closely to conform to the shape of the endless conveyor, so forming a heat baffle which protects from heat to a considerable extent parts of the conveyor structure, especially the transporter means 1 8. As a consequence no elaborate cooling arrangements for that structure (and in particular no water cooling arrangements) are necessary.
In use the kiln is heated to the appropriate high temperature and the endless conveyor started- up to run at an appropriate speed. Ceramic articles are then placed on the support surface of the .endless conveyor at the entrance end of the kiln, conveyed through the tunnel where they are fired, and removed from the conveyor at the exit end of the kiln.

Claims (8)

1. A tunnel heating apparatus comprising a tunnel-like enclosure, heating means disposed in said enclosure, an endless conveyor incorporating a -continuous support surface extending through the enclosure and composed of elements, carrier means for said elements, each element when located in the enclosure comprising an upper portion which includes part of said support surface and a lower portion having a different width to said upper portion said part of said support surface comprising ceramic fibre material, side walls of the enclosure being disposed in complimentary closely spaced relationship to said portions thereby to provide a thermal baffle and transporter means of lesser width than said lower portion disposed below the latter.
2. A tunnel heating apparatus as claimed in Claim 1, wherein said lower portion has a greater width than said upper potion.
3.'A tunnel heating apparatus accprding to any preceding claim, wherein each element comprises a plurality of ceramic fibres members supported upon insulating bricks the latter being, supported by the carrier means.
4. A tunnel heating apparatus ap;cording-to Claim 1 or 2, wherein'fhe ceramic fibre merObfrs are directly supported by the carrier means.,,
5. A tunnel heating apparntus'a,ccqrding to Claims 3 or 4 wherein said support surface comprises said members arranged longitudinally with respect to said surface.
6. A tunnel heating apparatus according to any preceding claim incorporating electrical heating means.
7. A tunnel heating apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 5 incorporating gas. heating means.
8. A tunnel heating apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with referenece to Figs. 1 -and 2 of the accompanying drawiiigs.
GB8118762A 1980-06-19 1981-06-18 Tunnel heating apparatus Expired GB2080927B (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB8118762A GB2080927B (en) 1980-06-19 1981-06-18 Tunnel heating apparatus

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB8020067 1980-06-19
GB8118762A GB2080927B (en) 1980-06-19 1981-06-18 Tunnel heating apparatus

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB2080927A true GB2080927A (en) 1982-02-10
GB2080927B GB2080927B (en) 1983-11-23

Family

ID=26275938

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB8118762A Expired GB2080927B (en) 1980-06-19 1981-06-18 Tunnel heating apparatus

Country Status (1)

Country Link
GB (1) GB2080927B (en)

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1997031233A1 (en) * 1996-02-22 1997-08-28 Consultant Gas Engineers Limited Tunnel kiln
GB2326463A (en) * 1996-02-22 1998-12-23 Consultant Gas Eng Ltd Tunnel klin
GB2332503A (en) * 1997-12-19 1999-06-23 Jack Beaumont Kilns Limited Tunnel kilns

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1997031233A1 (en) * 1996-02-22 1997-08-28 Consultant Gas Engineers Limited Tunnel kiln
GB2326463A (en) * 1996-02-22 1998-12-23 Consultant Gas Eng Ltd Tunnel klin
GB2332503A (en) * 1997-12-19 1999-06-23 Jack Beaumont Kilns Limited Tunnel kilns
GB2332503B (en) * 1997-12-19 2000-10-25 Jack Beaumont Kilns Limited Tunnel kiln

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB2080927B (en) 1983-11-23

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Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
732E Amendments to the register in respect of changes of name or changes affecting rights (sect. 32/1977)
PE20 Patent expired after termination of 20 years

Effective date: 20010617