Patent GB-1050463-A (GB)
IPC: C03B5/237
Abstract: 1,050,463. Regenerative furnaces. OVENS-ILLINOIS Inc. June 19, 1963 [June 20, 1962], No. 24349/63. Heading F4K. A reversal valve apparatus 35 for a regenerative type combustion furnace, adapted for alternative communication with first one and then the other of adjacently arranged ports which lead from opposed regenerative chambers 29, 29a of the furnace comprising a plenum chamber having an outlet end connected to a draught inducing system, and an inlet end, means being provided for moving the inlet end in an arcuate path from a position communicating with one of said ports to a position communicating with the other of said ports. The furnace (Fig. 1, Fig. 2 not shown) comprises thermal regenerators 29, 29a, positioned one on each side of a receptacle 24 for the melt G. A plenum chamber 38 (Fig. 3) is pivotally connected at its upper end 36 to a draught inducing system (Fig. 10, not shown). The open base of the plenum chamber is at each reversal, alternately connected to ports 33, 33a, in the ducts 32, 32a leading to the regenerators 29, 29a. The base of the plenum chamber moves from a position in connection with one port to that in connection with the other, in an arcuate path, movement being effected by means of crank arms 53 which are positioned on either side of the plenum chamber 38. One end of each crank arm is connected to a shaft 52 which may be rotated by means of an electric motor 52c (Fig. 5, not shown). The other end of each arm, which is fitted with a roller 53b, is slidably connected within guide rails 55, 55a, on the side of the plenum chamber. Initial movement of the crank arms 53 releases pressure upon arms 42, 42a, positioned either side of the chamber, and pivoted about the points 41, 41a, respectively, adjacent ends of the arms being pivotally connected together (Fig. 8, not shown), and the outer ends being fitted with wheels. Action of the springs 51b thus brings the wheels down upon arcuate rails 49, which they run along during movement of the chamber 38. The final movement of the arms 53 when the move is completed, engages them upon cam stops 59, extending the springs 51b and raising the wheels; and hence allowing sealing contact to be made between the port and the plenum chamber. Positioned within each port 33, 33a is a system of louvres (Figs. 3, 9, not shown) automatically controlled by air diaphragm motors 67, 67a; the positioning of the louvres in the outlet port being responsive to the gas pressure within the furnace, and the position of the louvres in the inlet port being responsive to the oxygen content of the exhaust gases. Movement of the electrical switch 74 (Fig. 11, not shown) starts the motor 52c and so moves the plenum chamber, which, as it moves from the position shown, releases the switch 58, and on dropping into its new position depresses the switch 57, cutting out the motor. Simultaneously the louvres exchange controlling systems by means of an electrically operated four-way valve 76. Reversal of the switch, which may be done manually or by an automatic timing mechanism, will reverse the position of the plenum chamber. The draught inducing stack connected to the upper end of the plenum chamber may be replaced by induced draught units 144 (Fig. 12, not shown), connected on either side of the lower part of the plenum chamber above the arcuate rails. Movement of the plenum chamber, positions alternate draught inducing units in sealing contact with the duct not connected to the plenum chamber.