Patent ID: 6063715
Filing Date: 2000-05-16
Classification: F27B,F27D,Y10T

Abstract:
A unitary reinforced ceramic fiber enclosure for muffle furnaces defining an elongated cavity therewithin for receiving workpieces and heating elements, said enclosure being self-supporting and having an elongated peripheral wall of rectangular cross section with base wall, top wall, rear wall and side walls, said enclosure being open at its front end for the introduction of workpieces thereinto and comprising:(a) a sheet metal skeleton defining at least a portion of the peripheral wall of the enclosure and having front and rear ends, said skeleton extending substantially over the length of said base wall of said enclosure and having a pair of side walls and at least one transverse wall providing one or both of a top wall and base wall, said skeleton having perforations extending over substantially the entire area of said walls; and(b) ceramic fiber insulation encapsulating each of said walls of said skeleton with continuous layers of insulation on the inner and outer surfaces of said skeleton and with ceramic fibers of said insulation extending through all of the perforations in said walls of said skeleton to join said layers, the thickness of said insulation on the inner surface of said skeleton being at least about 1/4 the total thickness of said insulation.