Coke oven assemblies, doors therefor, and methods

A coke oven door includes a mainframe, a diaphragm assembly coupled with the mainframe, and a plurality of load-exerting assemblies attached to the mainframe. The diaphragm assembly includes a pan and a sealing edge structure attached to the pan. The sealing edge structure includes a load-receiving surface, a door-sealing surface spaced from the load-receiving surface, and a plurality of scallops spaced from one another. Each of the load-exerting assemblies is positioned and configured to selectively, operably apply a load to the load-receiving surface of the sealing edge structure. The scallops are configured and positioned to facilitate deflection of the sealing edge structure, in response to loads applied to the load-receiving surface, such that the door-sealing surface is configured to be positioned in contacting, and at least substantially sealing, engagement with a door jamb of a coke oven body.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to coke oven assemblies, and more particularly, to doors of coke oven assemblies.

BACKGROUND

Coke oven assemblies are known that include an oven body, which defines an interior chamber, and a door releasably attached to the oven body. Coal is heated within the interior chamber, to a sufficiently high temperature to force volatiles out of the coal, leaving lightweight coke.

SUMMARY

According to one embodiment, a coke oven assembly includes an oven body defining an interior chamber configured to receive a product to be heated. The oven body includes a wall structure and a door jamb attached to the wall structure. The door jamb defines an opening in communication with the interior chamber. The coke oven assembly also includes a door. The door includes a diaphragm assembly that includes a pan and a sealing edge structure. The sealing edge structure is attached to the pan about a perimeter of the pan. The sealing edge structure includes a load-receiving surface, a door-sealing surface spaced from the load-receiving surface, and a plurality of scallops that are spaced from one another. The door also includes a mainframe releasably secured to the door jamb. The diaphragm assembly is coupled with the mainframe. The door also includes a plurality of load-exerting assemblies attached to the mainframe. Each of the load-exerting assemblies is positioned and configured to selectively, operably apply a load to the load-receiving surface of the sealing edge structure. The scallops are configured and positioned to facilitate deflection of the sealing edge structure, in response to loads applied to the load-receiving surface of the sealing edge structure, such that the door-sealing surface is positioned in contacting, and at least substantially sealing, engagement with the door jamb.

According to another embodiment, a coke oven door includes a diaphragm assembly that includes a pan and a sealing edge structure attached to the pan about a perimeter of the pan. The sealing edge structure includes a load-receiving surface, a door-sealing surface spaced from the load-receiving surface, and plurality of scallops that are spaced from one another. The coke oven door also includes a mainframe. The diaphragm assembly is coupled with the mainframe. The coke oven door also includes a plurality of load-exerting assemblies attached to the mainframe. The load-exerting assemblies are spaced from one another, and each of the load-exerting assemblies is positioned and configured to selectively, operably apply a load to the load-receiving surface of the sealing edge structure. The scallops are configured and positioned to facilitate deflection of the sealing edge structure, in response to loads applied to the load-receiving surface of the sealing edge structure, such that the door-sealing surface is configured to be positioned in contacting, and at least substantially sealing, engagement with a door jamb of a coke oven.

According to yet another embodiment, a diaphragm assembly for a coke oven door includes a pan and a sealing edge structure attached to the pan. The sealing edge structure includes a load-receiving surface and a door-sealing surface spaced from the load-receiving surface. The sealing edge structure also includes means for facilitating deflection of the sealing edge structure in response to loads applied to the load-receiving surface of the sealing edge structure, such that the door-sealing surface is configured to be positioned in contacting, and at least substantially sealing, engagement with a door jamb of a coke oven.

According to another embodiment, a method of manufacturing a coke oven door is provided. The coke oven door includes a diaphragm assembly, a mainframe, and a plurality of load-exerting assemblies. The diaphragm assembly includes a sealing edge structure and a pan attached to the sealing edge structure. The sealing edge structure includes a load-receiving surface and a door-sealing surface spaced from the load-receiving surface. The diaphragm assembly is coupled with the mainframe. The plurality of load-exerting assemblies are attached to the mainframe and spaced from one another. Each of the load-exerting assemblies is positioned and configured to selectively, operably apply a load to the load-receiving surface of the sealing edge structure. The method includes assembling at least a portion of at least one of the load-exerting assemblies. The method also includes forming a plurality of scallops in the sealing edge structure to be spaced from one another. The scallops are configured and positioned to facilitate deflection of the sealing edge structure, in response to loads applied to the load-receiving surface of the sealing edge structure, such that the door-sealing surface is configured to be positioned in contacting, and at least substantially sealing, engagement with a door jamb of a coke oven.

According to another embodiment, a method of sealing an interior chamber of a coke oven assembly is provided. The coke oven assembly includes a door jamb that defines, and surrounds, an opening communicating with the interior chamber. The method includes inserting a refractory of a coke oven door into the interior chamber of the coke oven. The method also includes forcing a door-sealing surface of a sealing edge structure of the coke oven door into contacting, and at least substantially sealing, engagement with the door jamb. The door-sealing surface is spaced from a load-receiving surface of the sealing edge structure. The method also includes releasably securing a mainframe of the coke oven door to the door jamb. The forcing includes selectively applying loads to the load-receiving surface at a plurality of locations. At least some of the locations are positioned between respective pairs of a plurality of scallops of the sealing edge structure. The scallops are spaced from one another.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Selected embodiments are hereinafter described in detail in connection with the views and examples ofFIGS. 1-17,18A and18B. Coke ovens are industrial devices that convert coal to coke. Coke is used as a heat source in blast furnaces which produce the molten iron needed for steel making. Some coke ovens are chambers that are 2′ wide by 14′ tall and 70′ long, and are arranged side by side in numbers of 76 to 100 ovens. The composite arrangement of all the ovens together is called a battery. The coal is heated within the coke oven chambers, e.g., to approximately 2000 degrees F. or more, sufficient to force the volatiles out of the coal leaving a lightweight coke, the desired product. During this heating process, the coal is protected from incoming oxygen to prevent it from burning into an undesirable ash. Protection from oxygen contamination is achieved by slightly pressurizing the oven. Pressurization of the oven requires that it be sealed from the atmosphere to the extent possible, not only for the depletion of oxygen, but more significantly to prevent volatiles from escaping into the atmosphere.

Each end of each oven has a door, in some cases approximately 2′ wide by 14′ tall. In order to remove the coke from the ovens, both doors of an oven are removed, and devices are used to push the coke from one side of the oven and then capture it outside the other side of the oven. After the removal of the coke, the doors are replaced, the oven is recharged with coal (e.g., from ports in the top), and the coking process begins another cycle.

Each door has a sealing edge around its perimeter that contacts the frame or jamb. Any loss of contact of this sealing edge against the frame can result in gasses and volatiles escaping into the atmosphere. The frames are exposed to extreme temperatures, resulting in warping over time. Sealing springs are therefore conventionally provided to urge the door's sealing edge against the frame, and are routinely adjusted to vary the amount of spring force provided by the door's sealing edge against the frame in the area of the leak. The conventional door sealing arrangement thus involves a balance of all of the sealing springs used to force the sealing edge against the frame, and a latching device (also containing springs) that holds the door in position.

For example, in one conventional configuration, a ⅜″ thick bar of 304 stainless steel, 2¼″ wide, provides the sealing edge. This bar is part of a fabrication called a “pan” that is secured between the door's mainframe and the door's protective refractory. The sealing springs are mounted on the mainframe around the perimeter of the door, and arranged so that they contact the top edge of the sealing edge around the door. These springs are used to adjust the pressure of the sealing edge against the frame through an assembly of adjustment components. In another conventional configuration, flat carbon steel backing plates are provided to force an Inconel knife edge against the frame of the oven under force of adjustable sealing springs.

As a frame ages, it can warp beyond the capabilities of adjustment of the conventional door's sealing edge and springs. As the sealing springs are adjusted to compensate for a warped oven frame, they may reach the point that they bottom out in an attempt to deform the sealing edge to match the contour of the frame. This can be caused by extreme rigidity of a stainless steel bar used to form the sealing edge. When the adjusting springs bottom out, they can upset the mounting balance of the entire door assembly, which can cause other areas of the sealing edge to leak gasses into the atmosphere. A similar problem can also occur with the configuration that uses backing plates with an Inconel sealing edge. This latter design also has an additional problem, in that it is much wider and therefore more vulnerable to mechanical damage.

The most significant warping of the frames can occur at the top and bottom portions of the frames, and less significantly in the middle portions. However, conventional doors are configured to provide for equal adjustment of the sealing edge along the entire perimeter, which can allow for severe leaks to occur at the top and/or bottom of a door that engages a severely warped frame. Conventionally, when sealing springs are incapable of facilitating a seal between a sealing edge and a frame, an operator can apply spray sealing agents to provide a temporary patch. However, spray sealing agents can reduce the door's ability to dissipate heat, and can accordingly be detrimental to the useful life of the door.

The door ofFIGS. 1-17,18A and18B include an improved sealing edge structure that has greater flexibility at its four corners, which can reduce or eliminate the above-described sealing problem(s).FIG. 1illustrates a portion of a battery10of coke oven assemblies12, with four of the coke oven assemblies12being depicted. Each of the coke oven assemblies12can include an oven body14. Each of the coke oven assemblies12can also include two doors16, according to one embodiment. One of the doors16can be releasably secured to each end of a respective oven body14. One end of each of three of the coke oven assemblies12depicted inFIG. 1are shown with one of the doors16releasably secured to a respective oven body14.FIG. 1also illustrates one of the coke oven assemblies with a respective door removed. The oven body14of each coke oven assembly12can define an interior chamber18. The interior chamber18can be configured to receive a product to be heated, for example coal. Hot gasses within the interior chamber18can heat the coal to approximately 2000 degrees F., or more, which can be sufficient to force the volatiles out of the coal, leaving a lightweight coke, indicated generally at20in the interior chamber18.

The oven body14of each of the coke oven assemblies12can include a wall structure22and a door jamb24(FIG. 3) attached to the wall structure22. The door jamb24can define an opening26that can communicate with the interior chamber18. Each of the coke oven assemblies12can also include a plurality of door attachment members28(FIGS. 2 and 3), which can be attached to the wall structure22and/or the door jamb24, and can cooperate with the door16to releasably secure the door16to the oven body14, as subsequently discussed. In one embodiment, the wall structure22can be formed from brick or other refracting material, and the door jamb24can be formed from steel.

Referring toFIGS. 4-8, each door16can include a refractory structure30that can be positioned, at least substantially, within the interior chamber18of a respective oven body14. The refractory structure30can include a refractory32and a front reinforcement plate34, as shown inFIG. 8. Refractory32can include a top end36and a bottom end38, as shown inFIG. 6. Refractory32can include a plurality of sections, with each section being made of any suitable refractory material, for example, high temperature concrete. In one embodiment, the refractory32can include four sections, designated32a,32b,32c, and32dinFIG. 6. In other embodiments, the refractory can include five sections, or other numbers of sections. Adjacent sections of the refractory32can be pressed together from one end (36,38) toward the other end (36,38) for example using a hydraulic press, with a suitable material, such as insulating board positioned between each adjacent section of the refractory32, which can facilitate sealing the interface between each adjacent pair of sections of the refractory32. Alternatively, sections can be formed integrally. In other embodiments, for example when an oven door is used on the “pusher” side of the oven body14, a top one of the sections of refractory can be replaced with a window or a refractory structure door that can be opened, such as to allow a leveling bar to be inserted through the refractory structure door, and into the interior chamber18to level the top of newly installed coal. In yet other embodiments an oven door can include any of a variety of other suitable arrangements of refractory sections or a different type of refractory structure.

In one embodiment, the front reinforcement plate34can include four plate sections, which are designated34a,34b,34cand34dinFIG. 6. Each of the plate sections34a,34b,34cand34dcan be secured to a respective section of refractory32. For example, plate sections34a,34b,34cand34dcan be secured to the refractory sections32a,32b,32cand32d, respectively. The front reinforcement plate34can be secured in any suitable manner to the refractory32, for example using a plurality of reinforcing rods that can have various shapes. In one embodiment, a plurality of hangers35(one shown inFIG. 6), which can have curved, generally “ram horn” shapes, can be welded to the front reinforcement plate34and can be embedded the refractory32, as shown inFIG. 6with regard to one of the hangers35, front reinforcement plate34cand refractory section32c. The refractory structure30can also include one or more end reinforcement plates. For example, in one embodiment, the refractory structure30can include a bottom end reinforcement plate39, which can be secured to the section32dof refractory32, for example using one or more hangers (e.g., similar to35). Plate sections, for example sections34a,34b,34cand34d, can be formed separately or integrally as a unitary structure.

The refractory structure30can also include male fasteners, which can be used in conjunction with mating female fasteners of door16, to interconnect the components of door16. In one embodiment, the refractory structure30can include a plurality of bolts40, which can be fixed to the plate section34a, which is a top portion of the reinforcement plate34. In one embodiment, each bolt40can pass through a respective aperture in the plate section34a, and a head of each bolt40can be fixed, for example tack-welded, to the “refractory side” of plate section34a. While four of the bolts40are shown inFIG. 6, other embodiments can include different numbers and/or arrangements of the bolts40. The refractory structure30can also include a plurality of bolts41. The heads of the bolts41can be fixed (e.g., tack-welded) to the “refractory side” of each of the plate sections34a,34b,34cand34d, as shown inFIG. 6. In one embodiment, two of the bolts41can be fixed to the plate section34a, and four of the bolts41can be fixed to each of the plate sections34b,34cand34d, for a total of fourteen of the bolts41. In one embodiment, half of the bolts41can be positioned adjacent a first side37of the refractory structure30, and half of the bolts41can be positioned adjacent a second side43of the refractory structure30. In other embodiments, different numbers of the bolts41can be used, and/or the bolts41can be arranged differently, for example if a different number of refractory sections and plate sections are used, such as five refractory sections and five plate sections.

The door16can also include a diaphragm assembly42. The diaphragm assembly42(FIG. 10) can include a sealing edge structure44and a pan46, which can define a plurality of apertures47. In one embodiment, the number of apertures47can be equal to the total of the number of bolts40plus the number of bolts41, as shown inFIG. 10, such that each of the apertures47can receive a respective one of the bolts40,41. The sealing edge structure44can be attached to the pan46about a perimeter P (FIG. 5), as subsequently discussed further in conjunction withFIGS. 12,13,16and17. The diaphragm assembly42can also include a gasket48, which can be interposed between the refractory structure30and the pan46. The gasket48(FIG. 5) can define a plurality of apertures49. The number of apertures49can be the same as the number of apertures47defined by the pan46, and each of the apertures49can be aligned with a respective one of the apertures47.

The door16can also include a gasket50, which can be positioned in contact with a front surface51(FIGS. 5 and 10) of the pan46. The gasket50can define a plurality of apertures52, of a like number as the number of apertures47defined by the pan46. Each of the apertures52can be aligned with one of the apertures47. The door16can also include one or more rails, or plates, which can be positioned in contact with the gasket50. As shown inFIGS. 5,7and8, the door16can include two rails53, spaced from one another. Each of the rails53can define a plurality of apertures54. The total number of apertures54can be the same as the number of apertures52defined by gasket50and the number of apertures47defined by pan46. Each of the apertures54can be aligned with a respective one of the apertures52and a respective one of the apertures47.

The door16can also include a mainframe56, which can include a perimeter flange58and a plurality of cross-members59, which can have various configurations and can extend between opposite sides, or opposite ends, of the perimeter flange58. In one embodiment, the refractory structure30and the diaphragm assembly42can each be coupled with the mainframe56, using bolts40, bolts41, a plurality of nuts60, a plurality of clamps62and a plurality of nuts64. Each of the bolts40can extend through respective and aligned ones of the apertures49,47,52, and54, defined by the gasket48, pan46, gasket50, and rails53, respectively. Each one of the bolts40can also extend through a respective aperture61(FIG. 7) defined by the mainframe56, and can be secured, by threaded engagement, to a respective one of the nuts60.

Each of the bolts41can also extend through respective and aligned ones of the apertures49,47,52and54. Each of the bolts41can also extend through an aperture63defined by a respective one of the clamps62, and can be secured using a respective one of the nuts64, by threaded engagement, which can force a body portion66(FIG. 8) of each clamp62against a respective one of the rails53. The clamps62can be sized and configured such that an arm portion67(FIG. 8) of each clamp62can be spaced from the mainframe56by a relatively small gap, for example about 0.005 inches in one embodiment, when the body portion66is in contacting engagement with the respective rail53. This configuration can permit the rails53, gaskets48and50, diaphragm assembly42and refractory structure30to slide relative to the mainframe56, from the respective top end portions secured to mainframe56by bolts40and nuts60, to accommodate thermal growth of the refractory structure30relative to the mainframe56, due to the very high temperature within the interior chamber18.

The mainframe56can include one or more latches68(FIGS. 2,4, and5), which can be rotatably coupled with one of the cross-members59, for example via a respective post69. In one embodiment, each of the doors16can include two of the latches68, as shown inFIG. 2, with respect to one of the doors16. Each latch68can engage an aligned pair of the attachment members28of the coke oven assembly12, as shown inFIG. 2. Each latch68can be rotated about an axis defined by the respective post69as required to exert a desired force against the wall structure22of coke oven body14, to releasably secure the door16to the coke oven body14.

The door16can further include a plurality of load-exerting assemblies70, which can be attached to the mainframe56as shown inFIG. 4. Each of the load-exerting assemblies70can include a casing72and a load-exerting member74, which can be movable relative to the casing72. In one embodiment, the casing72of each of the load-exerting assemblies70can be attached, for example welded, to the perimeter flange58of the mainframe56.

Referring toFIG. 9, the sealing edge structure44of the diaphragm assembly42can include a first end portion80, a second end portion82spaced from the first end portion80, a first side portion84, and a second side portion86spaced from the first side portion84. Each of the first side portion84and the second side portion86can extend between the first end portion80and the second end portion82. In one embodiment, the first end portion80, the second end portion82, the first side portion84, and the second side portion86can be integrally formed as a unitary structure from any suitable material, for example stainless steel. The sealing edge structure44can also include a load-receiving surface88and a door-sealing surface90spaced from the load-receiving surface88. The door-sealing surface90can extend continuously around the sealing edge structure44, throughout each of the first end portion80, the second end portion82, the first side portion84and the second side portion86, as shown inFIG. 9.

A lateral centerline axis91(FIGS. 9 and 10) can be positioned midway, or about midway, between the first end portion80and the second portion82of the sealing edge structure44. In one embodiment, the lateral centerline axis91can bisect the sealing edge structure44into first and second halves that are generally identical in shape, size and configuration, as shown inFIG. 9.

The sealing edge structure44can include a plurality of scallops. In one embodiment, the sealing edge structure44can include fourteen scallops, as shown inFIGS. 9 and 10. More particularly, the first end portion80of the sealing edge structure44can include a single scallop (e.g.,92), which can be positioned about midway between the first side portion84and the second side portion86of the sealing edge structure44. The second end portion82of the sealing edge structure44can also include a single scallop (e.g.,94), which can also be positioned about midway between the first side portion84and the second side portion86. The first side portion84of the sealing edge structure44can include scallops96,98,100,102,104and106. As shown inFIGS. 9 and 10, the scallops96,98and100can be positioned between the lateral centerline axis91and the first end portion80. The scallops102,104and106can be positioned between the lateral centerline axis91and the second end portion82. The second side portion86of the sealing edge structure44can include scallops108,110,112,114,116and118. The scallops108,110and112can be positioned between the lateral centerline axis91and the first end portion80. The scallops114,116, and118can be positioned between the lateral centerline axis91and the second end portion82.

Each of the scallops92,94,96,98,100,102,104,106,108,110,112,114,116, and118can be spaced from the door-sealing surface90, and can extend from the load-receiving surface88toward the door-sealing surface90, such that the load-receiving surface88extends discontinuously in each of the first end portion80, the second end portion82, the first side portion84, and the second side portion86, of the sealing edge structure44. For example, the scallop92of the first end portion80can be positioned between portions88aand88bof the load-receiving surface88, and the scallop94of the second end portion82can be positioned between portions88cand88dof the load-receiving surface88. Similarly, each of the scallops96,98,100,102,104,106,108,110,112,114,116and118can be positioned between two respective portions of the load-receiving surface88. For example, the scallop96of the first side portion84of the sealing edge structure44can be positioned between portions88eand88fof the load-receiving surface88, and scallop108of the second side portion86of the sealing edge structure44can be positioned between portions88gand88hof the load-receiving surface88.

Referring toFIGS. 11 and 14, the scallop102can include a concave surface130and a first arcuate transition surface132that can extend between the concave surface130and the load-receiving surface88of the sealing edge structure44. Scallop102can also include a second arcuate transition surface134that can also extend between the concave surface130and the load-receiving surface88. The concave surface130can have a radius of curvature R. In one embodiment, the radius of curvature R can be between about 3 inches and about 6 inches. In another embodiment, the radius of curvature R can between about 4.0 inches and about 4.5 inches. In yet another embodiment, the radius of curvature R can be about 4.25 inches. In other embodiments, the radius of curvature R can have different magnitudes. Each of the other scallops92,94,96,98,100,104,106,108,110,112,114,116, and118can have the same, or substantially the same, configuration.

The sealing edge structure44can include an outer surface136and an inner surface138. As shown inFIGS. 12,13,16and17, the pan46can be attached, for example, welded, to the inner surface138of the sealing edge structure44. The pan46can include a pair of flanges140(one shown inFIGS. 12 and 13), which can extend along a respective one of the first side portion84and the second side portion86of the sealing edge structure44. Each of the flanges140can be welded to the respective one of the first side portion84and the second side portion86, for example as indicated at142inFIGS. 12 and 13with respect to one of the flanges140and the first side portion84. Each of the first end portion80and the second end portion82can be welded to the pan46, between the first side portion84and the second side portion86, as indicated at144inFIGS. 16 and 17with respect to the pan46and the first end portion80. In one embodiment, as shown inFIGS. 13 and 17, the sealing edge structure44can include a tip146, which can include the door-sealing surface90, and which can extend all around the sealing edge structure44through each of the first end portion80, the second end portion82, the first side portion84and the second side portion86. The tip146can be made from any suitable wear-resistant material, such as any suitable hardfacing alloy. In one embodiment, the tip146can be made from a cobalt alloy, for example STELLITE®.

As shown inFIGS. 12 and 14, when sealing edge structure44is attached to pan46, each scallop can have a scallop depth d1(shown for one of the scallops), which is a maximum distance from the load-receiving surface88to the concave surface130, as measured in a direction parallel to the inner surface138of the sealing edge structure44. The pan46can include a pan depth d2, which is a maximum distance from the load-receiving surface88to the front surface51of the pan46. The pan depth d2can be greater than the scallop depth d1.

Referring toFIGS. 4,5,18A and18B, each of the load-exerting assemblies70can be positioned and configured to selectively, operably apply a load, or force, to the load-receiving surface88of the sealing edge structure44. As shown inFIGS. 4,7and8, a portion of the diaphragm assembly42, as indicated generally at99, can extend beyond, or overhang, the refractory structure30about a perimeter of the diaphragm assembly42. This portion can flex relative to a perimeter of the refractory structure30when loads are applied by the load-exerting assemblies70to the load-receiving surface88of the sealing edge structure44.

The casing72can be hollow, and the load-exerting member74can extend through the casing72. A distal end150(FIG. 18A) of the load-exerting member74can extend beyond the casing72, proximate the load-receiving surface88of the sealing edge structure44. A proximal end152(FIG. 18A) of the load-exerting member74can extend beyond an opposite end of the casing72, and can be threaded. A coil spring154can be positioned in surrounding relationship with the load-exerting member74, and one end of the coil spring154can contact the distal end150of the load-exerting member74. A nut156can surround a portion of the load-exerting member74, including a portion of the proximal end152(FIG. 18A) of the load-exerting member74, and can be threaded into the casing72. A distal end of the nut156can contact the coil spring154. A nut158can be threaded onto the proximal end152of the load exerting member74, to maintain an assembled configuration of the load-exerting assembly70.

FIGS. 18A and 18Billustrate three of the load-exerting assemblies70, in association with a portion of the first side portion84of the sealing edge structure44, and a portion of the door jamb24, with the door16releasably secured to the oven body14of one of the coke oven assemblies12. As shown inFIGS. 18A and 18B, the door jamb24can have a warped profile, as indicated generally at160, which can result from its prolonged exposure to the high temperature within the interior chamber18defined by the oven body14. As shown inFIG. 18A, with the sealing edge structure44in a relaxed configuration, and the load-exerting assemblies70spaced from the sealing edge structure44, gaps can exist between the door-sealing surface90and the door jamb24, which can permit gases to escape from the interior chamber18to atmosphere, which is undesirable. The load-exerting assemblies70can be used to selectively, and individually, apply loads, or forces, to respective portions of the load-receiving surface88of the sealing edge structure44, so that the door-sealing surface90of the sealing edge structure44is caused to deflect as required to conform with the warped profile160of the door jamb24, as shown inFIG. 18B. In this configuration, the door-sealing surface90can be in contacting, and at least substantially sealing (i.e., entirely sealing or substantially entirely sealing), engagement with the door jamb24.

Torquing the nut156in one direction can cause the coil spring154to compress and exert an increased force on the load-deflecting member74and the load-receiving surface88of the sealing edge structure44, while torquing the nut156in the opposite direction can allow the coil spring154to expand, resulting in a decreased force being exerted on the load-exerting member74and the load-receiving surface88of the sealing edge structure44.

The sealing edge structure44of door16can have significantly more (e.g., approximately twice) flexibility as compared with conventional sealing edges as a result of the included scallops, for example scallops92,94,96,98,100,102,104,106,108,110,112,114,116, and118, thus providing enhanced conformance of the door-sealing surface90of the sealing edge structure44with the profile (e.g.,160) of severely warped door jambs of coke ovens, as compared to that achieved with conventional sealing edges of coke oven doors. In one embodiment, the increased flexibility can be concentrated at the top and bottom ends of the sealing edge structure44, specifically at the four corners.

The increased flexibility of the sealing edge structure44can be achieved by providing scallops (e.g.,92,94, etc.) in the sealing edge structure44at specific locations between the load-exerting assemblies70, which reduces the profile, or cross-sectional area of the sealing edge structure44within the scallops, as will be appreciated with reference toFIGS. 1-18B. The reduced profile of the sealing edge structure44at the locations of the scallops can allow greater flexibility of the sealing edge structure44in specific locations with reduced force applied to the sealing edge structure by the load-exerting members74of the individual load-exerting assemblies70. Increased flexibility of the sealing edge structure44with less applied force can reduce or eliminate mounting imbalance of the door16, and can reduce or eliminate seal leaks. It will be appreciated that scallops can be provided in a sealing edge structure of a door of a coke oven assembly in any of a variety of other suitable configurations.

The foregoing description of embodiments and examples has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or limiting to the forms described. Numerous modifications are possible in light of the above teachings. Some of those modifications have been discussed, and others will be understood by those skilled in the art. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best illustrate principles of various embodiments as are suited to particular uses contemplated. The scope is, of course, not limited to the examples set forth herein, but can be employed in any number of applications and equivalent devices by those of ordinary skill in the art.