Patent ID: 8262983

Claim:
A furnace system for reclaiming aluminum from a charge of aluminum-containing material, comprising: a furnace vessel configured to be driven to rotate about a longitudinal axis of the furnace vessel, the furnace vessel including an inlet passage in an end of the furnace vessel; and a door assembly configured to selectively cover the inlet passage and including: a first portion that includes a panel arranged transverse to the longitudinal axis of the furnace vessel, the first portion held by a support structure so as to be rotationally stationary with respect to rotation of the furnace vessel; a second portion located between the first portion and the furnace vessel, the second portion defining a passage between the panel of the first portion of the door and the inlet passage of the furnace vessel, the second portion configured to rotate with the rotation of the furnace vessel by a transfer of rotational force from the furnace vessel to the second portion, the first and second portions combining to cover the inlet passage to control an atmospheric environment inside the furnace vessel; and a conveyor for introducing material through a corresponding conveyor passage in the panel, through the passage in the second portion and into the furnace vessel.