Patent GB-993688-A (GB)
Title: Apparatus for applying metal casing to bricks
IPC: F23M5/06
Filed: 1964-02-13
Abstract: 993,688. Making metal-cased refractory bricks. HARBISON-WALKER REFRACTORIES CO. Feb. 13, 1964 [Feb. 21, 19631, No. 6054/64. Heading B3A. Apparatus for applying sheet-metal casing C to successive refractory bricks B comprises brick supply means 20, means 35, 41 for transferring the bricks to the casing station 14, a casing supply station 13, means 61 for transferring the casings to station 14, means 52, 53 at station 14 for closing a casing about a brick, and a control system for controlling the sequence of operations of the various means. Bricks from the conveyer 20 pass along a platform 21 to a fluid-pressure clamp 30 which arrests the stream, allowing the bricks to pass singly to a fluid-pressure pusher 35 for transferring them along rails 34 to a loading station 12. From here, a pusher 41 transfers them along rails 44 to the casing station 14. A casing C, Fig. 9, is pushed from a magazine 60 to the casing station 14 by a fluid-pressure pusher 61, a shield 64, moving with the pusher ram 63, supporting the rest of the casings until the ram has returned. At the station 14 a magnet 51 holds the bottom channel of the casing as the top channel is raised by a magnet 50 operated by a cylinder 57. Thus opened, the casing receives a brick guided by the ends 55 of a tunnel member 110 which has been advanced by a cylinder 54, engaging the ends 55 in the casing. The leading end of the brick projects beyond the casing into a recess 111 in a member 112. The top channel of the casing is then stripped off the magnet and brought down on to the brick by fluid-cylinders 52, 53, after which the cased brick is ejected on to a conveyer 200, Fig. 3, by pushers 70 working in slots 116 in the table 22 and operated by a fluid-cylinder 120. The pushers 70 are pivoted on a member 124 so that they are deflected to the position depicted in broken lines by the passage of a casing to the casing station. The cased bricks are conveyed to welding apparatus for welding together the casing channels, and operation of the welding apparatus initiates operation of the casing apparatus by closing a limit switch in a control circuit, Fig. 8 (not shown). This causes cylinder 120, 61 to operate for ejecting a cased brick on to the conveyor 200 and for transferring an empty case to the station 14. A limit switch 152, Fig. 9, is operated by cylinder 61 and controls operation of the magnet cylinder 57 which, in its extended condition, actuates a switch 153 for raising the magnet and also operating cylinders 54, 41. When a brick is partly in the case, a switch 155 is actuated for returning the member 110. A switch 156 causes withdrawal of the pad 43 operated by cylinder 41 and operation of cylinders 52, 53 for closing the casing. As the pad 43 returns it actuates a switch 157 operating cylinder 35 for supplying a new brick. Reverse operation of cylinder 35 is caused by a switch 161 and actuates a switch 158 which releases the clamp-cylinder 30. The bricks B are then advanced by the conveyer 20 until a switch 159 is actuated, re-applying the clamp. At the bottom of its stroke, cylinder 53 trips a switch 160, returning the cylinders 52, 53. The apparatus now remains at rest until the switch controlled by the welding machine &c. is again actuated. Instead of the casing channels fitting one within the other, their flanges may be located alternately, Fig. 10 (not shown).