Heating element support for an electric heat treating furnace

Abstract: A support (12) for an electric heating element (10) in a heat treating furnace comprising a support arm (14) having first and second end portions (16,18), a bracket (20) surrounding three sides of the first end portion (16) of the support arm, electrically insulating elements (28a-b, 32a-d) disposed between the support arm (14) and the bracket (20) so that the support arm (14) is electrically isolated from the bracket (20) and retaining means (34a-b, 40a-d) for retaining the bracket (20) on the support arm (14) and for retaining the electrically insulating elements (32a-d) between the support arm (14) and the bracket (20). The electrically insulating elements may comprise at least one ceramic sleeve (28a,28b) extending transversely through the support arm (14) and a pair of ceramic spacers (32a, 32b; 32c, 32d) disposed annularly on the or each sleeve (28a, 28b) on opposite sides of the support arm (14) to prevent contact between the support arm (14) and the bracket (20).

Description: Field of the Invention This invention relates to electric furnaces for the heat treating of metals, and in particular, to a support or hanger for the electric heating elements used in such furnaces. Background of the Invention Electric heat treating furnaces utilize electric heating elements formed of molybdenum or graphite as radiant heat sources. The electric heating elements are usually arrayed circumferentially around the hot zone of the furnace. U.S. Patent Nos. 5,502,742; 4,612,651; 4,559,631; and 3,812,276, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference, show and describe typical arrangements of heat treating furnaces having electric heating elements . In the known furnaces, the electric heating elements are supported from the furnace wall by hangers or support members which are attached to the furnace wall at one end and which include hardware for attaching the heating element thereto at their other end. Typically, the heating element support includes electrical insulating components so that the heating element is electrically isolated from the portion of the element support that is attached to the furnace wall. The electrical insulating components are usually formed of a ceramic material. Over time, during repeated operation of the furnace, the surface of the ceramic components becomes contaminated from materials that are dropped on them or by progressive metallization. Such contamination leads to electrical short circuits that interrupt furnace operation and can cause damage. In electric heat treating furnaces that include forced gas cooling systems, the ceramic insulating components are subject to high stress from thermal shock which can cause cracking and failure of the component. In the furnaces, the ceramic insulating components are in direct contact with the heating element and are subject to stresses when the heating element expands or contracts during heating and cooling cycles. Furthermore, during furnace operation or maintenance, heating element supports on the bottom or hot zone floor of a furnace can be struck by falling parts or tools, which cause the ceramic components to crack or break. Many of the known heating element supports include a support shaft that threads into the wall of the hot zone or furnace. Such a heating element support is subject to distortion and galling from thermal cycling in the furnace. That distortion and galling causes the threaded portion of the stand-off to seize, which makes the heating element support very difficult to remove when it must be repaired or replaced. Another drawback to the known heating element supports is that they must be specifically designed for either graphite or metal heating elements because a graphite heating element is significantly thicker than a metal heating element. In view of the foregoing, it would be highly desirable to have a support for an electric heating element in an electric heat treating furnace which overcomes the disadvantages of the known heating element supports. Summary of the Invention The disadvantages associated with the known furnace heating element supports are resolved to a large degree by a heating element support in accordance with the present invention. A support for an electric heating element according to this invention includes a support arm having first and second end portions. First and second ceramic sleeves extend transversely through the support arm and a bracket surrounds at least three sides of the support arm. The bracket is dimensioned and positioned to engage with, and thereby support, the electric heating element. The bracket has a transverse interior dimension that is greater than the lengths of the first and second ceramic sleeves, respectively. A pair of first ceramic spacers are disposed annularly on said first ceramic sleeve and a pair of second ceramic spacers are disposed annularly on said second ceramic sleeve. The ceramic spacers are positioned between the bracket and the support arm to prevent contact between the support arm and the bracket. A pin is disposed within each of the first and second ceramic sleeves. The pins extend through the bracket to support and retain the ceramic sleeves, the ceramic spacers, and the bracket on the support arm. Clips are provided for retaining the pins within the ceramic sleeves and the bracket. In this arrangement, the heating element bears on the metallic bracket and does not cause wear or damage to the ceramic elements. The bracket also provides a shield against contamination and metallization of the ceramic components. In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the heating element support includes a cap disposed over the first end portion of the support arm and a portion of the bracket adjacent thereto. The inboard retaining pin also extends through the cap for to support and retain the cap on the bracket and support arm. The cap provides a shield for the ceramic components, particularly those that are disposed along the floor or bottom of the furnace hot zone. In accordance with a further aspect of this invention the heating element support includes a socket adapted to be affixed to a wall of the heat treating furnace. The socket is formed for receiving and engaging with the second end portion of the support arm so that the heating element support can be mounted in the electric heat treating furnace. In this arrangement, the support arm has a notch formed transversely in the second end portion and the socket includes a pin or other means for engaging with the notch to retain the support arm in the socket. Engagement is accomplished by inserting and twisting the support arm in the socket. Brief Description of the Drawings The foregoing summary as well as the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein: Figure 1 is a perspective view of an electric heating element and a support therefor in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2 is a bottom plan view of the heating element support shown in Figure 1, as viewed along line 2-2 therein; Figure 3 is a side elevation view in partial section of the heating element support shown in Figure 2, as viewed along line 3-3 therein; and Figure 4 is a front elevation view of the heating element support shown in Figure 1. Detailed Description of the Invention Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference numerals refer to the same components across the several views, there is shown a portion of an electric heating element 10 of the type used in an electric heat treating furnace. The heating element 10 has an opening 11 formed therein for receiving a heater element support 12. The heater element support 12 includes an elongated bar member 14 which has an inboard end portion 16 and an outboard end portion 18. In the embodiment shown in the drawing figures, bar member 14 has a generally rectangular cross section. A U-shaped bracket 20 surrounds the inboard end portion of bar member 14 on at least three sides thereof. The U-shaped bracket 20 includes a pair of opposing sidewalls 21a and 21b, and a top portion 22 extending between the sidewalls. The opening 11 is oversized relative to the cross-sectional area of the bracket 20 to permit easy fit up when the heating element 10 is assembled to the support 12. The oversized nature of the opening 11 also allows for some expansion of bracket 20 during operation of the heat treating furnace at elevated temperature. A cap 23 having a U-shaped portion 24 and flange portions 26a and 26b is mounted on the inboard end of bar member 14. The U-shaped portion 24 overlaps a portion of bracket 20 adjacent the inboard end portion 16 of bar member 14 to close off the open end of bracket 20. The flange portions 26a and 26b of cap 23 are positioned and oriented to abut the electric heating element 10 on the inboard surface thereof. Ceramic sleeves 28a and 28b extend through holes formed in bar member 14. The length of the ceramic sleeves 28a, 28b is slightly less than the transverse internal dimension of bracket 20 so that they do not interfere with the assembly of the bracket 20 onto bar member 14. A pair of ceramic spacers 32a, 32b are disposed annularly on ceramic sleeve 28a on opposite sides of bar member 14. In like manner, ceramic spacers 32c and 32d are disposed annularly on ceramic sleeve 28b on opposite sides of bar member 14. The ceramic spacers 32a, 32b, 32c, and 32d are thus situated between bar member 14 and the sidewalls 21a and 21b of bracket 20 to prevent contact therebetween. A metallic pin 34a is disposed in ceramic sleeve 28a and extends outwardly through holes in the sidewalls of bracket 20 and in the U-shaped portion 24 of cap 23. In like manner, a second metallic pin 34b is disposed in ceramic sleeve 28b and extends through holes in the sidewalls of bracket 20. The ends of metallic pins 34a and 34b extend a distance beyond the sidewalls of bracket 20. In the case of pin 34a, the extra length ensures that cap 23 is secured to the bracket 20 thereby preventing the heating element 10 from slipping off of bracket 20. Retaining clips 40a, 40b, and 40c, 40d are inserted through holes formed in the metallic pins 34a, 34b, respectively, outboard of the sidewalls 21a, 21b of bracket 20 to prevent the metallic pins 34a, 34b from sliding out of the ceramic sleeves 28a, 28b and bracket 20. The flanges 26a and 26b of cap 23 are positioned between metallic pin 34a and the heating element 10 to help retain the heating element 10 on the support 12 and to prevent galling or abrasion of the heating element by pin 34a. A washer 46 is slidably disposed around the U-shaped bracket 20 outboard of heating element 10. In the embodiment shown in the drawings, the electric heating element is realized by a metallic strip or band. However, as noted above, some electric heat treating furnaces utilize graphite bars for the heating elements. The metallic pins 34a and 34b are spaced apart by a distance sufficient to permit a graphite bar heating element to fit therebetween. When a graphite bar heating element is used, the washer 46 abuts the outboard surface of the graphite bar heating element to keep it in place on the support 12 and to prevent abrasive wear of the graphite heating element by pin 34b. A socket 48 is provided for attaching the heater element support 12 to a wall of the electric heat treating furnace. In the embodiment shown in the drawing figures, the socket 48 consists of a cylindrical metallic piece having a central opening 49 for receiving end portion 18 of bar member 14. A pin 50 or other means such as a rib, lip, or key, is disposed transversely in the socket member 48 for engaging with a transverse notch 52 formed in the outboard end portion of bar member 14. The socket 48 is attached to the furnace wall preferably by welding thereto. The heater element support 12 is mounted in the furnace by inserting the outboard end 18 into the central opening 49 of socket 48 and then rotating bar member 14 until the notch 52 engages with pin 50. The heater element support 12 is easily removed by reversing the installation operation. This arrangement is highly resistant to seizing. In an electric furnace that has heat shielding around the hot zone, the heater element support 12 can be adapted to function as a retainer for the heat shielding. In this regard a second washer (not shown) is disposed around the bar member 14 inboard of the heat shield liner. A hole 54 is formed transversely through the bar member 14 for receiving a retaining clip or wire to hold the retaining washer against the heat shield material. The metallic components of the heating element support described hereinabove are formed of a metal or alloy that resists distortion when exposed to the elevated temperatures used to heat treat steel alloys and other metals. Preferably, the metal components such as bar member 14, bracket 20, cap 23, and pins 34a, 34b are formed of molybdenum. The ceramic elements are formed of a strong, heat resisting grade of ceramic material such as high alumina. In view of the foregoing disclosure, some of the many novel features and advantages of the present invention are now apparent. For example, a novel heating element support has been described which includes a metal bracket that interfaces with the electric heating element so that the heating element does not bear directly on any ceramic components. The bracket 20 and cap 23 are constructed and arranged on the heating element support 12 to minimize contamination or metallization of the surface of the ceramic components that can result in a short circuit between the heating element 10 and the support bar 14. The bracket 20 and cap 23 are also effective to shield the ceramic components from parts, tools, or other objects that can damage the ceramic parts. The disclosed heating element support is easy to replace because only a single clip and pin must be removed to disassemble the support from the heating element and the entire support is removed from or installed in the furnace with a simple ¼-turn motion. Moreover, the heating element support according to the present invention is universal in that it is adaptable for use with metal heating elements as well as graphite bar heating elements. It will be recognized by those skilled in the art that changes or modifications may be made to the above-described invention without departing from the broad inventive concepts of this invention. It is understood, therefore, that the invention is not limited to the particular embodiments disclosed herein, but is intended to cover all modifications and changes which are within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims: A support (12) for an electric heating element (10) in an electric heat treating furnace comprising: a support arm (14) having first and second end portions (16 and 18); a bracket (20) surrounding the first end portion (16) of said support arm, said bracket having at least three sides (21a, 21b, 22); electrically insulating elements (28a-b, 32a-d) disposed between said support arm (14) and said bracket (20) such that said support arm (14) is electrically isolated from said bracket (20); and means (34a-b, 40a-d) for retaining said bracket (20) on said support arm (14) and for retaining said electrically insulating elements (32a-d) between said support arm (14) and said bracket (20). A heating element support (12) according to claim 1, comprising a cap (23) disposed over the first end portion (16) of said support arm (14) and a portion of said bracket (20) that is adjacent thereto, said cap (23) being retained on said support arm (14) and said bracket (20) by said retaining means (34a, 40a-b). A heating element support (12) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said insulating elements comprise a first ceramic sleeve (28a) extending transversely through said support arm (14); and a pair of first ceramic spacers (32a, 32b) disposed annularly on said first ceramic sleeve (28a) and on opposite sides of said support arm (14) so as to prevent contact between said support arm (14) and said bracket (20). A heating element support (12) according to claim 3, wherein said retaining means (34a) is disposed through said first ceramic sleeve (28a) and extends through two opposing sides (21a, 21b) of said bracket (20). A heating element support (12) according to claim 3, wherein said insulating elements further comprise a second ceramic sleeve (28b) disposed transversely through said support arm (14) and spaced apart from said first ceramic sleeve (28a); and a pair of second ceramic spacers (32c, 32d) disposed annularly on said second ceramic sleeve (28b) and on opposite sides of said support arm (14) so as to prevent contact between said support arm (14) and said bracket (20). A heating element support (12) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said retaining means comprises at least one pin (34a, 34b) extending through opposing sides (21a, 21b) of said bracket (20), through said insulating elements (28a-b,32a-d), and through said support arm (14). A heating element support (12) according to claim 5, wherein said retaining means comprises a first pin (34a) extending through the opposing sides (21a, 21b) of said bracket (20) and through said first ceramic sleeve (28a) and a second pin (34b) extending through the opposing sides (21a,21b) of said bracket (20) and through said second ceramic sleeve (28b). A heating element support (12) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a socket (48) for fixing to a wall of the electric heat treating furnace to receive and engage with the second end portion (18) of said support arm (14) to enable the heater element support to be mounted in the electric heat treating furnace. A heating element support (12) according to claim 8, wherein said support arm (14) has a notch (52) formed transversely in the second end portion (18) and said socket (48) includes means (50) for engaging with said notch (52) for retaining the support arm (14) in said socket (48). A heating element support (12) according to claim 7, or claim 8 or 9 when dependent on claim 7, comprising a washer (46) slidably disposed around said bracket (20) between said first and second pins (34a, 34b). An electric heat treating furnace provided with a heating element support (12) according to any one of the preceding claims. A support (12) for an electric heating element (10) in an electric heat treating furnace comprising: a support arm (14) having first and second end portions (16 and 18); a first ceramic sleeve (28a) extending transversely through said support arm (14); a bracket (20) surrounding at least three sides of said support arm (14) and having a transverse interior dimension that is greater than the length of said first ceramic sleeve (28a); a pair of first ceramic spacers (32a,32b) disposed annularly on said first ceramic sleeve (28a) between said support arm (14) and said bracket (20) so as to prevent contact between said support arm and said bracket; a pin (34a) disposed within said ceramic sleeve (28a) and extending through said bracket (20), whereby said first ceramic sleeve (28a) and said bracket (20) are supported and retained on said support arm (14), and means (40a,b) for retaining said pin within said first ceramic sleeve (28a) and said bracket (20).

Inventors: MOLLER CRAIG A, MOLLER, CRAIG A.
Applicants: IPSEN INTERNATIONAL INC, IPSEN INTERNATIONAL, INC.
Application year: 1998
Main classification: F27D1
IPC codes: F27D1, H05B3