Materials lifter construction and installation in kilns

Claim 2

In a rotary kiln having a tubular shell defining a central axis and adapted to receive materials to be subject to heat treatment within the kiln interior, the combination comprising: multiple elongated lifter members each including refractory material precast and cured outside the kiln and thereafter installed in the kiln to be spaced about said axis and to extend endwise generally axially proximate the shell inner surface; refractory lining cast in place in the kiln to have cast and arching continuity between said members and to cover inwardly exposed extent of said shell surface and characterized as extending in such retaining relation with said members as to block displacement thereof toward the kiln interior during said rotation, the lifter members being protuberant toward the kiln interior relative to said lining so as to displace said materials in response to kiln rotation; and metallic means attaching said members to the shell independently of said refractory lining.

Claim 3

The combination of claim 1 wherein said member and said lining have interfitting shoulders extending lengthwise of said member.

Claim 4

The combination of claim 2 wherein said shoulders define smoothly contoured flutes.

Claim 5

The combination of claim 1 wherein said metallic means include retainers having anchor portions projecting into said member and base portions extending transversely relative thereto to protrude in underlying relation to said lining and shoulders, said retainers joined to the shell.

Claim 6

The combination of claim 4 wherein said anchor portions are corrugated, the corrugations of selected anchor portions defining endwise extending planes which are out of direct alignment, said retainers being spaced lengthwise of said members.

Claim 7

The combination of claim 3 wherein said metallic means include metal straps extending transversely with respect to said members and having terminals welded to said shell and underlapping said lining.

Claim 8

The combination of claim 1 wherein there are at least six of said members equally spaced about said axis.

Claim 9

The combination of claim 3 wherein each member tapers toward the kiln interior throughout the major extent of the member length and inwardly of said flutes.

Claim 10

For combination in a rotary kiln having a tubular shell defining a central axis and adapted to receive materials to be subject to heat treatment within the kiln interior, the kiln to receive installation of refractory lining to cover exposed extent of the shell interior surface, an elongated lifter member including refractory material precast and cured outside the kiln and sized to be installable therein to extend endwise proximate the shell interior surface and to be protuberant toward the kiln interior relative to the lining for displacing said materials in response to kiln rotation, the member having flutes extending lengthwise at opposite sides thereof to interfit with said lining upon said installation thereof so that said member will be blocked against displacement toward the kiln interior during kiln rotation, and metallic retainers spaced along said member to extend adjacent the shell upon said installation and to be attachable to the shell, said retainers including certain portions embedded in said member and other portions projecting free of the refractory in positions at opposite sides of the member to be independently attached to the kiln wall and to be retained and covered by said lining.

Claim 11

For combination in a rotary kiln having a tubular shell defining a central axis and adapted to receive materials to be subject to heat treatment within the kiln interior, the kiln to receive installation of refractory lining to cover exposed extent of the shell interior surface, an elongated lifter member including refractory material precast and cured outside the kiln and sized to be installable therein to extend endwise proximate the shell interior surface and to be protuberant toward the kiln interior relative to the lining for displacing said materials in response to kiln rotation, the member having flutes extending lengthwise at opposite sides thereof to interfit with said lining upon said installation thereof so that said member will be blocked against displacement toward the kiln interior during kiln rotation, and metallic retainers spaced along said member to extend adjacent the shell upon said installation and to be attachable to the shell, said retainers including certain portions embedded in said member and other portions projecting free of the refractory in positions at opposite sides of the member to be independently attached to the kiln wall and to be retained and covered by said lining.

Claim 14

The method of claim 10 including attaching said members to the kiln wall at locations spaced lengthwise of said members and exposed at the side thereof, prior to said lining casting and carrying out said lining casting to cover said locations.