Patent ID: 8325779
Filing Date: 2012-12-04
Classification: F23M,F27B,F27D

Abstract:
1. A device for applying and maintaining compression of hearth brick in a furnace refractory so as to extend its campaign life, comprising: a plurality of thrust blocks with an inner face for contacting an outer circular perimeter of a bedding of hearth brick disposed in the dished bottom of a vertical cylindrical pyrometallergical furnace, and inside a non-segmented steel containment shell; a plurality of thrust rods that penetrate said containment shell and that provide for the transmission of an inwardly radial compression force to matching outer faces of corresponding ones of the plurality of thrust blocks; at least one of a plurality of load beams and a plurality of rocker arms in contact with corresponding ones of the plurality of thrust rods outside said containment shell; a plurality of springs arranged outside said non-segmented containment shell and each having a compressive contact with corresponding ones of the plurality of load beams or the plurality of rocker arms such that individual spring pressures are combined and directed as an inwardly radial compression force to matching outer faces of corresponding ones of the plurality of thrust blocks; wherein, the whole is arranged in a horizontal ring around the bottom of said containment shell adjacent to the outside circular perimeter of said bedding of hearth brick, and further comprising a solid shell wall with a hoop strength for leverage.