Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
154 words
A metallurgical furnace having a base, a vertical shaft portion and at the base thereof a large cross section hearth which defines an open, annular space completely surrounding the charged stock within the hearth, a plurality of tuyeres, one disposed at each of a plurality of circumferentially spaced intervals disposed at the base of said furnace and inclined downwardly and directed angularly so that the respective outflows are complementary in effecting both agitation and swirling action within the annular space surrounding the charged stock, bypass means for controllably throttling an outflow of gaseous combustion product from within said annular open space to regulate the distribution of heat between said space and the overhead burden within said furnace, means for directing a combustible flow into said open annular space through said tuyeres, and means for adding materials to the annular open space surrounding the charged stock to be dispersed by the blast from the tuyeres.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
154 words
A metallurgical furnace having a base, a vertical shaft portion and at the base thereof a large cross section hearth which defines an open, annular space completely surrounding the charged stock within the hearth, a plurality of tuyeres, one disposed at each of a plurality of circumferentially spaced intervals disposed at the base of said furnace and inclined downwardly and directed angularly so that the respective outflows are complementary in effecting both agitation and swirling action within the annular space surrounding the charged stock, bypass means for controllably throttling an outflow of gaseous combustion product from within said annular open space to regulate the distribution of heat between said space and the overhead burden within said furnace, means for directing a combustible flow into said open annular space through said tuyeres, and means for adding materials to the annular open space surrounding the charged stock to be dispersed by the blast from the tuyeres.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
57 words
The furnace in accordance with claim 1 wherein the means for adding materials to said annular open space comprises an opening in said hearth wall positioned above the horizontal line of the tuyeres, a conduit connecting said opening to a closed chamber, and valve means for controlling the rate of flow from said chamber to said opening.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The furnace in accordance with claim 2 wherein the chamber for feeding material to the furnace hearth is pressurized.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
The furnace in accordance with claim 1 including means intermediate of the top and bottom ends of the vertical shaft portion for withdrawing the hot gases of combustion and generated volatiles.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The furnace in accordance with claim 4 in which the withdrawal means on the vertical shaft comprises a collection ring surrounding said shaft.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The furnace in accordance with claim 5 including means for maintaining a negative or subatmospheric pressure at said collection ring.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
The furnace in accordance with claim 5 including control means operable to maintain a subatmospheric pressure sufficient to cause a substantial portion of the outflow gases to flow through said collection ring.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
207 words
A metallurgical furnace having a base, a vertical shaft portion and at the base thereof a large cross section hearth which defines an open, annular space completely surrounding the charged stock within the hearth, a plurality of tuyeres, one disposed at each of a plurality of circumferentially spaced intervals disposed at the base of said furnace and inclined downwardly and directed angularly so that the respective outflows are complementary in effecting both agitation and swirling action within the annular space surrounding the charged stock, bypass means for controllably throttling an outflow of gaseous combustion product from within said annular open space to regulate the distribution of heat between said space and the overhead burden within said furnace, means for directing a combustible flow into said opEn annular space through said tuyeres, an opening in said hearth wall positioned above the horizontal line of the tuyeres, a conduit connecting said opening to a closed chamber, and valve means for controlling the rate of flow from said chamber to said opening, a collection ring intermediate of the top and bottom ends of the vertical shaft portion for withdrawing the hot gases of combustion and generating volatiles, and means for maintaining a negative or subatmospheric pressure at said collection ring.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
207 words
A metallurgical furnace having a base, a vertical shaft portion and at the base thereof a large cross section hearth which defines an open, annular space completely surrounding the charged stock within the hearth, a plurality of tuyeres, one disposed at each of a plurality of circumferentially spaced intervals disposed at the base of said furnace and inclined downwardly and directed angularly so that the respective outflows are complementary in effecting both agitation and swirling action within the annular space surrounding the charged stock, bypass means for controllably throttling an outflow of gaseous combustion product from within said annular open space to regulate the distribution of heat between said space and the overhead burden within said furnace, means for directing a combustible flow into said opEn annular space through said tuyeres, an opening in said hearth wall positioned above the horizontal line of the tuyeres, a conduit connecting said opening to a closed chamber, and valve means for controlling the rate of flow from said chamber to said opening, a collection ring intermediate of the top and bottom ends of the vertical shaft portion for withdrawing the hot gases of combustion and generating volatiles, and means for maintaining a negative or subatmospheric pressure at said collection ring.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
The furnace in accordance with claim 8 wherein the chamber for feeding material to the furnace hearth is pressurized.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
32 words
The furnace in accordance with claim 9 including control means operable to maintain a subatmospheric pressure sufficient to cause a substantial portion of the outflow gases to flow through said collection ring.