US1749143A - Sheet-metal heating furnace - Google Patents

Description

March 4, 1930. w. A. LACKE 1,749,143

SHEET METAL HEATING FURNACE Original Filed m 2. 1921 I Mo 4 48 @9454940 I Q 1 W4 6 ?atented Man a, 1g?

D STATES PATENT SHEET-METAL HEATING FURNACE original application filed may 2, 1921, Serial No. 466,184.- Divided and this application filed November 29, 1922. Serial No. 603,939.

This is a division of application Serial Number 466,184, filed May 2, 1921.

My invention relates to furnaces for heating variously shaped metal articles prepara- 5 tory totsubsequent treatment wherein such preliminary heating is an important factor, and it is especially adapted for use in heating relatively thin flat metal sheets. My improved heating furnace is especially applicable to and has been successfully used with great saving in the art of stamping freight car end plates with suitable configurations or corrugations well known in the freight car art, such end plates being of large area and very difiicult to handle with the apparatus and methods heretofore used.

One object of my invention is to provide a furnace in which heating of metal articles, flat plates and the like, can be carried out more economically, expeditiously, and effectively than in furnaces of the type heretofore in use.

A further object of my invention is to provide means whereby the products of combustion may circulate freely around the articles within the furnace, thereby insuring complete heating of the articles under treatment and in a minimum s ace of time and with marked economy in t e amount of heat re- 39 quired.

A further object of my invention is to provide small, isolated supports, projectin upwardly from the bottom or hearth 0 the,

furnace, suitably spaced throughout the area of the same and upon which the articles being heated may rest.

' A further object of my invention is to provide means for moving the plates into and through the furnace by a step-by-step mo- 40 tion.

A further object of my invention is to operate such feeding mechanism so that the lates or other articles being heated will first e lifted vertically from their supports; then a v 4 moved horizontally, and then lowered upon such supports in a fresh position in the furnace; such action avoiding all moving contact with such supports.

A furtherobject of my invention is to ro- 5 vide feeding means of a type that will a 0rd ample support for thin sheet metal plates, or other articles undergoing treatment.

A further object of my invention is to provlde feeding means of a type that will offer a m nimum surface to interrupt or interfere with the passage of the flame and the products of combustion within the heating chamber of the furnace.

A further object of my invention is to maintain the feeding means wholly out of contact with any portion of the heating chamber; such feeding means being supported clear of the hearth at all times and having its plateengaging portions clear of the plate supports carried by the hearth.

A further object of my invention is to provide a feeding mechanism including hollow members through which a cooling medium may be circulated, and a still further object of my invention is to provide means whereby such feeding mechanism may be readily operated externally of the furnace.

These and other features'of my invention are more particularly described hereinafter; reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure l is a plan view of a furnace within the scope of my invention arranged for continuously heating a plurality of plates.

Figure 2 is a side elevation, largely in sec tion on the line 22, Figure 1, of the heating furnace shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a sectional detail view on the line 33 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a diagram illustrating the movement of a given point in the operation of the plate feeding mechanism.

In the accompanying drawings, 18 represents a suitable furnace it containing plate handling or feeding mec anism, more particularly described hereinafter, and dis osed substantially midway of such furnace pit and bridging the same, is a heating furnace 25 having the features forming one part of my invention. In this furnace 25 are a plurality of article supporting blocks ,or columns 26 extending upward from the bottom or hearth of the furnace so that when a metal article,

such as a plate 12, is placed on these blocks in any of the positions indicated at B, C or D, hot blast delivered from any suitable source through nozzles 27 can pass freely around below as. well as over the plates or other articles and heat them.

The blocks 26 are in sutficient numbers to properly support the hot plates or other articles passing through the furnace, and they may be spaced approximately equal distances apart overthe bottom or hearth of the heating chamben, While the supports are, for the purposes of ready description, illustrated in the drawing as arranged in groups, it will be understood that such grouping is not essential in the construction or operation of my improved heating furnace, since the plates passing through the furnace will automatically select their position onsuch supports, depending upon the dimensions of the same. At the same time, these supports are made small enou h to readily heat up to the temperature-o the products of combustion introduced into the heating chamber, so that they do not prevent proper heating of the articles supported by the same.

For the purpose of effecting movement of the plates through the heating furnace, I have provided a special type of feeding means; such means being of a character designed to lift a series of plates or other articles and when in the elevated osition to carry a fresh plate or other article mto the furnace and simultaneously with such movement to shift the plates or other articles within the furnace and discharge one of the same. In the specific embodiment of thebroad invention here shown, I have provided a frame comprising a plurality, in the particular case here illustrated three, parallel longitudinal pipes 28 having vertical portions '29 connected to and passing through the longitudinal members of a suitable .support 30; such structure being mounted on a car 32, and arranged to move both longitudinally and vertically of the furnace in accordance with the diagram illustrated in Figure 4. These pipes 28 are cooled by being supplied with water from any suitable source to pipe connections 34 at one end and are adapted to deliver the heated water through discharge pipe 36 emptying int-o the'pit l8 enclosing the car 32.

The water so discharged may run out of the pit through a suitable pipe 42 to a waste pipe or sewer 44. The car 32 is adapted to run on rails 40 suitably disposed 'at the bottom of the pit, and this car 32 carries air cylinders 48, having pistons 49 within the same, with rods 49 connected at their opposite ends to the frame 30; such cylinders being suitably supplied with compressed air or other fluid pressure through pipes 50 so arranged that the operator may cause the pipes 28 to move vertically from full linetodotted line position of Figures 2 and 3, and vice versa, atwi-ll. The length of such vertical movement is such that when the pipes are'in the full line posidotted line position, the plates are lifted offthe supports and can be carried by the pipes 28 along through the furnace, usually but not necessarily from right to left as viewed in Figure 2.

The car 32 is horizontally reciprocable on the rails'40, from its full line to its dotted line position and vice versa. This movement may be effected by any suitable means, as for instance an air cylinder 52 supplied with air from any suitable source to operate a piston therein whereby its piston rod 54 may be reciprocated to move the car 32 along the rails 40 in either direction.

The result of thisconstruction is that the normal movement of a point on a pipe 28 to carry a plate 12 step-by-step into and through the furnace from right to left is as shown diagrammatically in Figure 4. Assuming that a given point on a pipe 28 starts at the level of corner 58 in said figure; the first movement carries it up line 59, the second movement carries it along line 60, the third movement is along line 61, and the final movement is back to original position along line 62. If it is desired to carry plates in the opposite direction, the cylinders 48 and 52 are merely operatedin reverse order to cause a point on the pipe to traverse the path illustrated by the diagram of Figure 4 in the opposite direction.

In the operation of my improved heating furnace, the plates 12 may be delivered to the pipes 28 of the frame of the feeding mechanism, outside the furnace at position A, as indicated in full lines, Figure 2. The operator then admits pressure to cylinders 48 to raise the frame and the plate with it from the full line to the dotted line position of Figure 3; The operator admits pressure to the cylindcr 52 to carry the feeding mechanism to the left (in the particular arrangement disclosed) through the furnace,- until such initially placed plate has been brought to the position B in such. furnace. The frame is then lowered by exhausting air from cylinder 48 and as the frame lowers, it leaves the plate on certain of the supports 26, in said position B. In the present instance, such pomechanism automatically transfers the first means mentioned plate 12 from position B to position C, and places new plate 12 in position B. The operation is again repeated, thus adding a new plate in the furnace and filling the positions B, C and 1). With each movement of the feeding mechanism, a given plate goes further along the furnace and becomes hotter and the next operation of the feeding mechanism, after the furnace has been filled, carries the original plate, now in position D, out through furnace opening 53 to the dotted line position E, where it rests outside the furnace on supports 55 in alignment with rails 56 leading away from the side of the furnace.

Having thus described my invention, what claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is: 1. In mechanism of the class described, a'

plate heating furnace, internally provided with a multiplicity ofsupports, a plurality of said supports so sustaining one plate of a plurality of plates side by side through. the furnace that gas may pass above and below the plate, automatic means manipulatable from outside the furnace for carrying a plate step by step into the furnace, on to a plurality of said support, and finally out of the furnace, for the purposes set forth.

2. ln mechanism of the class described, a plate heating furnace internally provided with a multiplicity of supports, a plurality of said supports so sustaining one plate of a plu rality of plates side by side through the furnace that gas may pass above and below the plate, automatic means manipulatable from outside the furnace for carrying a plate step by step into the furnace, on to a plurality of said supports, and finally out of the furnace; said plate carrying means including hollow pipes which operatively engage the'plates, and means for circulating a cooling medium through the pipes of the plate transporting mechanism.

3. In mechanism of the class described, a furnace open at opposite ends, a plurality of plate supports in the furnace between the openings at its ends, holding a plate placed thereon clear of the furnace bottom so gas may pass below it as well as overit, a mechanism by means of which a plurality of plates are moved into the said furnace, one at a time, and placed in a single layer side by side on said supports, all plates on said supports being simultaneously moved from one position on a plurality of said supports to another position on a plurality of said supports, so that when the furnace is in full operation there is a continuous line of plates moving by a step by step motion through the furnace.

l. in a mechanism of the class described, a furnace having a plurality of plate supports, arranged in groups of approximately equally spaced supports, each adapted to sustain one plate, means for carrying a plurality of plates, one at a time by a step by step movement through the furnace from one group of said supports to the next group, for the purposes set forth.

5. ln mechanism of the class described, a furnace chamber, a plurality of relatively small spaced supports leading from one end of the furnace to the other, and adapted to sustain plates clear of the furnace bottom, vertically reciprocable andhorizontallyreciprocable pipes located between said supports, means for moving said pipes in a rectangular path whereby the plates carried by said pipes are moved through the furnace by a step by step movement resting first on one set of supports and then on another until the plates are finally delivered out of the furnace.

6. ln mechanism of the class described, a furnace pit, an open ended furnace mounted above the pit and intermediate of its ends, a car in the pit reciprocable lengthwise of the furnace, a platform on the car reciprocable vertically of the car, means for causing each such reciprocation of the car and platform, plate carrying pipes supported by the platform entering the furnace at each end and plate supports in the furnace having their tops at points intermediate between the extreme positions of movement of the pipes as the platform reciprocates vertically, and clearing the path of travel of the pipes, as the car reciprocates, for the purposes set forth.

7. In mechanism of the class described, a furnace pit, an open ended furnace mounted above the pit and intermediate of its ends, a car in the pit reciprocable lengthwise of the furnace, a platform on the car reciprocable vertically of the car, means for causing each such reciprocation of the car and platform,

plate carrying pipes supported by the plat- 1 form entering the furnace at each end and plate supports in the furnace having their tops at points intermediate between the extreme positions of movement of the pipes as the platform reciprocates vertically, clearing the. path of travel of the pipes, as the car reciprocates, and means for water cooling said pipes in all positions of movement of the car, for the purposes set forth.

8. In mechanism of the class described, a plate heating furnace, internally provided with a multiplicity of groups of supports, each group so sustaining one plate of a plurality of plates sideby side through the furnace that gas may pass above andbelow the 1 plate, and automatic means manipulatable from outside the furnace selectively operatable for carrying a plate in either direction step by step into the furnace, on to each successive group of said supports, and finally out of-the furnace, for the purposes set forth.

9. ln mechanism of the class described, a plate heating furnace, internally provided with a multiplicity of groups of supports, each group so sustaining one plate of a plurality of plates side by side through the furnace that gas may pass above and below the plate, and automatic means manipulatable from outside. the furnace selectively operatable for carrying a plate in either direction step by step into the furnace, onto each successive group of said supports, and finally out of the furnace, the carrying mechanism being so proportioned and arranged that each of its step movements carries the plate a distance at least equal to its width, for the purposes set forth.

1(). In mechanism of the class described, an open-ended furnace having a closed bottom, a frame, one of whose sides is an elongated plate-carrying member, extending through the furnace, and whose remaining sides are outside the furnace, plate supporting devices beside the plate carrier side of the frame adapted to normally hold alplate in the furnace above and clear of the plate carrier,

and operating means engaging the frame outside the f'urnace for giving the frame a rectangular motionby virtue of which the plate carrier lifts a plate from one position with respect to said supporting devices, moves it'a certain distance lengthwise of the furnace, and replaces it in another position with respect to said supporting devices.

11. in mechanism of the class described, an openended furnace having a closed bottom, a frame, one of whose sides is an elon ated plate carrier member extending throug the furnace, and whose remaining sides are outside the furnace, of such a length that it can be moved lengthwise of the furnace at least the distance which a plate is at one movement to be moved lengthwise of'the furnace, plate supporting devices beside the plate carrier side of the frameeadapted to normally hold a plate in the furnace above and clear of the plate-carrier, and operating means engaging the frame outside thefurnace for giving the frame a rectangular ,motion by virtue of which the plat carrier lifts a plate from one position with respect to said supporting devices, moves it a certain distance lengthwise of the furnace, and replaces it in another position with respect to saidsupporting devices.

ill"

a 12. in mechanism of the class described, an open-ended furnace having a closed bottom,

a rectangular frame, one of whose sides is a' water-cooled pipe plate-carrying member extending through the furnace, and whose remaining sides are outside the furnace, plate supporting -devices beside the pipe side of the frame adapted to normally hold a plate in the furnace above and clear of the pipe, and

operating means engaging the frame outside the furnace for giving the frame a rectangular motion by virtue of which the pipe lifts a plate from one position with respect to said supporting devices, moves it a certain distance lengthwise of the furnace, and replaces it in another position with respect to said supporting devices.

13. In mechanism of the class described, an open-ended furnace having a closed bottom, is a water-cooledpipe plate-carrying member extending through the furnace, and whose remaining sides are outside the furnace, of such a length that it can be moved len thwise of the furnace at least the distance w ich a plate is to at one movement be moved len hwise of the furnace, plate supporting devices beside the pipe side of the frame adapted to normally hold a plate in the furnace above and'clear of the pipe, and operating means engaging the frame outside the furnace forgiving the frame a rectangular motion by virtue of which the pipe lifts a plate from one position with respect to said supporting devices, moves it aLcertain distance lengthwise of the furnace, and replaces it in another position with respect to said supporting devices.

14. In mechanism of the class described, an open-ended furnace, an'article carrier extending into the furnace and out of contact a rectangular frame, one of whose sides ed to hold an article above and clear of the carrier, a traveling car disposed outside the furnace and to which said carrier is attached, and means for, giving said carrier a rectangular motion by virtue of which it is brought into contact with an article to lift the same off said supports, move it a distance lengthwise of the furnace and replace it on said supports; comprising mechanism for reciprocating said car longitudinally of the furnace and'vertically movable means for the carrier supported by and reciprocable with the car.

15. In'mechanism of the class described, an open-ended furnace, a water cooled article carrying pipe extendin into the furnace and out of contact 'therewit supports within the furnace adapted to hold an article above and clear of said carrying pipe, a traveling car disposed outside the furnace and to which said carrying pipe is attached, and means for giving said article carryin lar motion by virtue of w ich it is brought into contact with an article to lift the same ofl'said supports, move it a distance lengthwise of the furnace and replace it on said supports; comprising mechanism for reciprocating said car longitudinally of the fur nace, vertically movable means for the car-= rying pipe supported by and reciprocable with the car, and mechanism for operating said vertically movable means while the car 1s occupying any'position-with respect to its range of longitudinal movement.

16. in mechanism of the class described, an open-ended furnace, an article carrier extending into the furnace, supports within the furnace adapted to hold an article above and clear of the carrier, a travelin car disposed outside the furnace, and means or giving said carrier a rectangular motion by virtue of which it is brought into contact with an article to lift the same ofl said supports, move it a distance lengthwise of the furnace and replace it on said supports; comprisin fluid pressure means for reciprocating sald car longitudinally of the furnace and vertically movable means operated by fluid pressure supported by and reciprocable with the car.

17. In combination with a furnace having a longitudinally slotted floor, mechanism for moving bodies intermittently through the furnace comprising a carrier consisting of longitudinal pipes disposed in said floor slots and transverse members supporting the ends of the longitudinal pipes, fluid operated means for raising said transverse members, and means for imparting longitudinal movements to the carrier comprising a fluid pressure cylinder and piston.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name.

WILLIAM A LAGKE.

Images